Faith Cougar

Read your entry...enjoyed it! I'm also glad to see that you took third place in this month's "N.B." contest. Hope to see more rom you soon! -LPR
— May 9, 2011 2:07 p.m.

Where were you when????

1. I was born on October 5th, 1963. JFK met his appointment with Fate on November 22nd of the same year. So, I was probably still in the nursery at Providence Hospital (long since torn down, btw). 2. I was working at Escondido Target on 9-11-01. I had just been hired as a Cart Attendant on the 6th of that month. I was up in the breakroom, getting ready for my shift, when the jets impacted the World Trade Center. I crossed myself and said quietly: "God Rest Their Brave Souls." The mood at the store was pretty somber that day. FYI: On 19-Sep-01, Melanie and I "tied the knot" at 11:30am. 3. I was listening to my stereo when I heard the news that Osama was finally going to see Allah to answer for his misdeeds, courtesy of the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team Six. Although I am glad to see him gone, there are still some unanswered questions. Mainly, why would the Pakis claim ignorance of Osama's living near their Military Academy? As for why we do not see the pictures of the now-deceased super-terrorist? Consider this: The typical basio weapon of a Navy SEAL is a M-4 Carbine (modified M16A2 with a telescoping stock), which chambers the 5.56mm NATO round (this round is NOT interchangeable with the .223 Remington round that was it's inspiration). A 5.56mm NATO round leave the barrel at a typical velocity of 3,250 feet-per-second. If Osama took a headshot from that round, the resulting trauma would be spectacularly gory (with not much head left in the first place), even with ball (solid) ammunition. Not the sort of thing ANY network would dare-to-air, unless the network was trying to take the concept of "if it bleeds, it leads"-style journalism to a new-and-troubling realm. Two down (Saddam and Obama)--many more to go. --LPR
— May 5, 2011 12:13 p.m.

Other People’s Children

Yo, Kevin. Usually, if I am confronted with "out of control" tykes, I just mosey along and MMOB. The only way I say anything is if they are being destructive to store property. Oh, you might want to think about something here: Taking a swing at someone whom you feel is "out of line" in regard to adult/child relations may be gratifying...but the gratification stops when the cops snap the steel bracelets on your wrists and haul you off to the County Jail on Assault and Simple Battery charges. Or-- Your "corrective action" ends up with you laid-out-and-bloody in the back of an ambulance, headed for the local Emergency Department after you get your lights punched out for your shenannigans. This situation should never, ever, escalate to employing physical force, unless the child is in danger of being struck or abducted. Other than that--there is no justification for violent action here. Some food for thought. --LPR
— May 3, 2011 3:39 p.m.

Have a joke?

Q: What do you call a convicted first-time shoplifter in Saudi Arabia? A: Lefty --LPR
— May 3, 2011 3:21 p.m.

The Cat That Filled the Hole in Our Hearts

This story reminds me of when I was married. We had a tabby, turned out to be a Daddy's Lad. At first, we thought "he" was a "she." So, we named "her" Hayley, after my wife's favorite soap-opera character Haley from "All My Children." Later, we found "she" was indeed a "he." So, we changed the name to "Komet,"to associate it with "Haley" Then we had him neutered--and he became "Mr. Thang." He was a typical Daddy's Boy, who regarded my lap as his sanctuary. We had him for a year--then he perished from insectcide poisoning from a flea collar. A few months later, we went to the Oceanside Transit Center to pick out a new kitty. As we watched the kittens in action, one of them started climbed up the bars of the enclousure, as if to say "Pick Me! Pick Me!" How could we resist? My wife held the little one (a black American Domestic Shorthair), then it was my turn. At the time, I was wearing a moustache. Jett (her agreed-upon name) took onec look at it and started chewing on it! Jett was a "Mommy's Girl" (found out later they imprint on whichever partner holds them first), but I do miss her even today. Nothing can compare with a little four-legged friend that shares your life. --LPR
— February 7, 2011 12:37 a.m.

Farewell, Facebook Friend

Hey, Barbarella! I am very sorry for your loss. May Kevin be happy where the afterlife took him. Your articles have always been first rate--and today's was no exception. Enjoy the sun! --LPR
— February 2, 2011 12:16 p.m.

Tiger Woods to Open 2011 Season at Torrey Pines

Nice try, Surf Puppy--but you are wrong! When I was in High school, I played golf on both the JV and Varsity level. My grandparents introduced me to the game when I was 13, and I loved it ever since. And Golf (if you carry your own bag and walk the course) has plenty of cardio-vascular bennies. Plus, when you do compete, it's not just you vs. your human opponents, but you against the course (and in a way, you against yourself, as you try to improve your game by lowering your score). And it's also great stress relief, especially when I had my driver in my hand, and I can impring the face of my harshest teacher on the ball I was about to strike. When I got a'hold of a really good drive...sweet relief! As for cussing on a golf course? When, when you consider the old chestnut of why it's called "Golf' to begin with (because "AwS&%$" was already taken)? What do you expect? Besides, every cuss word you utter carries a pennance of an eventual lost ball (which the course reclaims and uses for range balls). I also took fencing, plus studied tae-kwon-do. I also used to bowl (until I had to have surgery to remove a spur from my right rotator cuff). I also played soccer in high school in our PE classes. I probably won't change your mind there, Surfy, about your loathing for "the last gentleman's game," but for someone like me, it brings back a lot of memories! --LPR
— January 22, 2011 11:48 a.m.

removed

Yo, Mindy! LPR here. I agree with most of your points. Given the right training and attention, Pit Bulls are pretty easy to get along with (and that "training and attention" also should go for the owner). When I lived in Escondoodoo back between 1997-2006, I lived in two neighborhoods (the last one was near Pioneer Elementary School). I lived near Palomar Medical Center ( the area I called Doctor's Park, because of the abundance of medical offices), plus Pioneer. Neither place was too bad (except during hot weather), for someone more used to coastal weather. However, I did have to worry about 2-legged predators (more than a dog out of their yard), especially at night. That's why I pack pepper foam (even today). It's more concentrated than your typical spray, harder for the perp to remove, plus has a UV dye marker. I also have a device that I ordered from Cabella's. (www.cabelas.com) Holds seven shots of a hybrid (OC Resin/Isoprophyl Alcohol) spray, plus has a LED light for night use. To me, a cannister of pepper foam is like an insurance policy...you hope you never need to put it to work. However, if the time comes, you're too bloody glad you have it with you! --LPR
— January 15, 2011 3:33 p.m.

Feds Thrash Wilkes's Plea for New Trial

Any idea what is going to happen to Randy Cunningham after he leaves prison? --LPR
— January 6, 2011 4:51 p.m.

Signs in my Complex

HOA=Folks with too much time on their hands on the mother of all power trips. With but a word, you too can become homeless over some piddly-diddly issue. They care not that you pay your rent on time, keep to yourself, and don't play "The Rolling Stones On PCP" at 20 decibels above the point of pain. No, they look for issues to see you fined and/or evicted. Unless you play brown-nose with them, they hold you in contempt...after all, you can be replaced at any time by someone "more grateful" to be living in a place that makes The Gulag look like a den of libertines! --RKJ
— January 5, 2011 2:16 p.m.