Entries
The Crow Conspiracy
Halloween is as good a day as any to reveal this: A dark and sinister conspiracy is gathering over San Diego. Crows—yes, those seemingly harmless, happy-go-lucky birds—are plotting to overwhelm our town as more and more of them flap into …
Wheeeeeee.......
Over the bridges and through the hoods—as the song goes in my head—a scoo-ter-ing we will go! With the wind in my face and my hand on the throttle, scootering is as much fun as a sleigh ride. Makes me …
You can’t choose your neighbors
Karl “Mind-Your-Own-Business” Smarks lives on the floor below mine, and when he moved in last year we “had words.” He was carrying a box from a car with Montana license plates and wearing a T-shirt printed: Yeah, I’m Old. Get …
Tough Times (or) The Rise and Fall of a San Diego Enterprise
So I'm standing there watching this transaction take place. A group of smokers across the street from the Fashion Valley Transit Station are puffing away like sailors on a break, and a guy approaches them. "Got a smoke I can …
Heat Wave, Weather or Not
Here we go! Summer's first heat wave, and San Diego changes clothes like one big happy family arriving at the beach. From Otay Mesa to Escondido, Alpine to La Jolla, long sleeves and blue jeans slip off and T-shirts and …
Where will all the flowers go?
A strange, frightening uproar, like screeching and screaming, came through my window last week, and at first I thought it was the onset of Armageddon. The end of the world, at 8:30 in the morning, beginning right next to my …
Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda.
I had a dream last night. It was a revision of history. The Chargers had beat Cincinnati (28 – 14) and Denver (32 – 8) and were in the playoffs. They went on to trounce Indianapolis (36 - 3). The …
TRYING TO MAKE A DOVETAIL JOINT
Fixing a hole in the ocean, trying to make a dovetail joint, lookin’ through a glass onion" - John Lennon from "Glass Onion" TRYING TO MAKE A DOVETAIL JOINT My vote on the marijuana law is a resounding RIGHT ON, …
Hell-For-Sure Pass
HELL-FOR-SURE PASS People who leave San Diego to backpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains should know what could happen. At home the most dangerous thing we do is shave, or cross the street, or forget to pay a bill. But …
Stoking the Campfire of Love
Ours was an on-again, off-again affair that had been discussed for months. It finally took place on Christmas, the only time my sons and I—all three of us—were off on the same two days. We went on an overnight camping …
CREDIT CARD BOB
I got another call from Bob this morning. Bob wanted money, money I owe and money I will repay. But not today, Bob. I wish I could, but I can’t. Previous phone calls taught me that that’s not the answer …
Getting to the Post Office
Being the gung-ho type—early-rising and full-steam ahead—I sprang out of bed one morning last week knowing exactly what I had to do. There was a friend to help, one last present to buy, some Christmas cards to mail, and a …
Stage III, so back off!
Right now I’m in the third stage of quitting, the one where I’m grouchy. Did I type grouchy? Stupid me. How about irritable and mean? I might commit murder for a cigarette. Best if I were in a straitjacket. And …
A Better Way?
When my friend Mariko told me that she had never been to the desert, I suggested a camping trip. (Mariko is not her real name; she asked me to make up something until she is sure of her feelings.) You’ll …
MISSION VALLEY FOR DUMMIES
INTRODUCTION Let’s say you end up in Mission Valley. Job relocation, love interest, finances—or maybe you just like what you see—and 92108 becomes your hood. Now you need to find a place to live. Then you need to shop, dine …
Round Trip
I wake up in my Mission Valley apartment and something seems wrong. The marine layer is inches above my head. The coffee is bitter and the newpaper is stupid. The refrigerator goes on-off, on-off. And the bathroom faucet drips. I …
CAR CHASE TO CHRISTMAS CIRCLE
I will tell you what happened at Anza Borrego Desert State Park last month, but please don’t repeat it. I, a 20-something woman, caused a little mischief with some car crazies who invaded my favorite campsite, and now they are …
A FANTASTIC HISTORY OF MISSION VALLEY
A FANTASTIC HISTORY OF MISSION VALLEY, From 99,000,000 B.C. to AUGUST 24,1965 A.D. With guest appearances by James A. Michener and The Beatles There is no record of the following visit to Mission Valley by James A. Michener, prolific historical …
Mission Valley After the Floods
MISSION VALLEY AFTER THE FLOODS By Louis Carufel, 4/30/2009 “MRS. COOPER? HI. THIS IS NATALIE. I would like to rent the room if it’s okay with you.” “Oh that’s wonderful, Natalie. You seemed like such a nice young lady." “Thank …