DRILL, BABY, DRILL NO MORE

This is why you don't drill for oil offshore. Thankfully, President Obama has announce a new ban on new offshore drilling in light of the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

FRESH

I came across yet another Farmer's Market, this time in the Crocker Galleria on Post Street. I love that these are catching on all over town and are open on different days, it makes eating fresh and local more convenient.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Look at all the sheep out the the Apple Store on Stockton Street this morning, waiting to be sold crap that they don't really need.

Fools, FOOLS!

LATHER, RINSE, AND REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT

I can't seem to get enought of this dandy little diddy "Stealing Time" by european trance DJ's Above and Beyond. It's been playing all day on my iPOD.

SCREW YOU, ARIZONA

Arizona Republican Senator (and cranky asshole) John McCain says the tough new anti-immigration law recently passed in the state he represents had to happen because the Obama Administration has failed to "secure our borders."

Yeah, because they were just so tight and secure when the Cheney/Bush regime was in power.

Mr. McCain also went on to say that the law "can be implemented without racial profiling."

It "CAN" be?

Bad choice of words, if you ask me. I doubt very much that anyone with blond hair and blue eyes has to worry about being pulled over and asked by law enforcement if they can prove they're a citizen.

IT'S GOT A GOOD BEAT AND YOU CAN DANCE TO IT

Actually, I'm not sure if you can really dance to anything on the BEACH HOUSE album TEEN DREAM, but it is a terrific album and it's getting lots of airtime on my iPOD.

CROSSING THE LINE

This incredible eyesore amazes me. I can't believe that in 2010, San Francisco still has neighborhoods with above-ground power lines.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

I had originally planned to write about how land surrounding the iconic "HOLLYWOOD" sign had been saved from development. Hugh Hefner donated the final $900,000 needed to keep the land open and it will now become a part of Griffith Park (by the way, thanks, Hugh). But when I saw this picture that accompanied the story, I was thunderstruck at how clear the air looked and how you can so easily see the San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

I am a Los Angeles native and have been told that when I was a baby, the smog was so thick that sometimes you could not see the houses across the street. It was one of the many reasons my parents returned to Northern California.

Now I know that Los Angeles still has a serious smog issue, but this picture shows they've come a long way in that battle.

Hmm, L.A. is looking kind of good to me right now.

PICTURE THIS

Just another Sunday in San Francisco.

WASCALLY WABBIT

So Ryan did a post recently on a new bar that I kind of poo-pooed at first. He's into this anti-sugar-gluten-dairy-fun diet thing that I'm always giving him a hard time about.

Anyway, 18 Rabbits is this locally-produced granola bar that, as it turns out, is quite good. They're wheat-free, low sodium, a good source of fiber, use no refined sugars, and are non-GMO (no genetically-modified ingredients).

I bought two of them yesterday at Whole Foods. They're a little pricey, but then good food that's good for you usually is.

Check 'em out.

JUST GOT PAID, FRIDAY NIGHT . . .

. . . and I'm sitting at home with a dark chocolate bar from Whole Foods, watching my favourite stupid movie, "The House Bunny."

AGAIN!

Will somebody please shoot me?

RIVERDALE HIGH SCHOOL GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE

The September 1 issue of Archie Comics will introduce a new character, Kevin Keller.

He's gay.

The first storyline will have Kevin beat Jughead in a hamburger-eating contest and then rebuff the advances of Riverdale tramp Veronica.

This introduction is one that is long-overdue, as I have always thought that Archie Comics were pretty gay.

IT WAS CAMELOT

Actually, it was Grand Larceny, because I totally stole this picture from Junna.

I know it was bad, but I just couldn't help myself. Her fine, minimalist blog is one of the best out there. She always uses the best pictures, which gives each entry an almost romantic feel.

Check it out.

http://www.helloyummy.blogspot.com/

YET ANOTHER ARGUMENT FOR GAY MARRIAGE

Larry King is getting his 8th divorce and Elizabeth Taylor is considering taking the plunge for the 9th time.

Thank god the sanctity of marriage has been protected.

NO LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Three men are currently suing a gay softball league after being kicked out for not being "gay enough."

I've got nothing to add here, no need.

I FEEL THE EARTH, MOVE, UNDER MY FEET

He's not one of my poopers (maybe he'll become one after this entry), but I'm giving one of my co-workers, Jeremy, the much sought-after "Pooper Scooper" shout out for sending me this quake quiz link.

While it gives some important information on what to do in the event of an earthquake, it's presented in an amusing way.

ON SECOND THOUGHT . . .

Sometimes, I don't mind being wrong . . .

. . . Sometimes.

I did not support the bailouts at all, but General Motors has proven itself to have been quite worthy of the taxpayer help it received.

This morning, they wired the Treasury Department all $8.1 Billion they borrowed from the government (plus interest), and they paid us back 5 years quicker than expected.

They also announced plans to re-open two plants, which will allow the all-electric Chevy Volt to be in showrooms by October of this year. I've been considering making my first automobile purchase this year (especially since I may be moving where car ownership is a necessity), and I will now be giving GM a second look.

Taxpayers still own 61% of GM stock, and nice little profit is expected when the Treasury Department begins selling those shares.

Well done, General Motors.

SPELLCHECK

During our "Norma's return to Paramount" afternoon on the old Petaluma High School campus (again, with fellow choir nerds Heidi and Kim), we came across this poster. What I believe they're trying to say here is the following:

WANTED

tough FRESHMAN girls

powder puff

SIGN up in F-4!!!

Tough "Freshen Girls" huh? Sounds vaguely obscene.

Very amusing.

TRIBUTE

I came across this plaque while on a walk through my old high school yesterday with fellow choir nerds Heidi and Kim. We were a little bothered with the large amount of "memorial plaques" that were spread around the campus.

This one, however, did catch our attention and it struck an obvious nerve.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

This greasy, gooey, deep-dish mess is an old Petaluma tradition.

It's an "Old Chicago Pizza" and it's worth the trip up for a pie.

DOES THIS MAKE ME LOOK FAT?

They changed their name from "Kentucky Fried Chicken" to "KFC" in the '90's because they did not want to have the evil word "FRIED" associated with their products. In the spirit of healthier choices, they also introduced grilled and rotisserie chicken to the menu.

My, my, my, how times have changed.

This is their new sandwich, the "Double Down." It's two fried chicken breasts (in place of a bun or bread), with cheese and bacon in the middle.

Ugh.

Maybe their slogan should be changed from "We Do Chicken Right" to "Eat Shit And Die."

SPELLCHECK AND A HISTORY LESSON

Sweetheart, I'm sure you're a lovely girl, but you need to use a dictionary before you go 'a-protestin' outside.

Also, just fyi, President Obama has NOT raised taxes. In fact, they're almost the lowest they've been since 1960, so I don't know what you're so upset about.

President Reagan raised taxes six times during his eight-year term, yet he is the poster child of your new "party."

BRASS BALLS

It's so nice to see the Securities and Exchange Commission finally grow a set of balls and do what it was created to do in the first place. The SEC was established in 1934 to regulate Wall Street brokerages following the market's crash in 1929.

Having worked nearly 20 years in the securities industry, I witnessed the wanton greed first hand, so I can't wait to see how the fraud investigation of Goldman Sachs plays out.

GOT RINGS?

Yeah, 27 of 'em!

So Ryan and I have a little friendly wager this season and this is the shirt he'll be buying me when I win at the end of this year's baseball season.

Just for the record, his team is the Minnesota Twins.

GIFTBASKETS, COURTESY OF THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

I recently became a bicycle commuter and am enjoying it very much. One of the many reasons why is because San Francisco's public transit system, MUNI, is just so damn unreliable. A 35-to-50 minute commute on MUNI has been shrunk to 15-20 minutes, via my bicycle.

By the way, that commute is only about 2 miles.

Anyway, I came across an article on SFGate this morning about how the union that represents MUNI employees is refusing to budge on the request by San Francisco that some "perks" be given up, in light of the current fiscal crisis.

Some of those perks are:

*Free MUNI Fast Passes for employees AND their families - while I don't have a problem with employees getting a free pass, I don't think their families should. Maybe they should be given a discount.

*8% premium in pay for those who work past 6PM. Really? REALLY? A premium for working after 6PM? Jeez, the sun is still up at 6PM.

*(and this one is my favourite) Free gym memberships for MUNI employees, which cost MUNI roughly $200,000 a year. What the hell is this perk about?

It truly is an insult when state employees have been forced into unpaid furlough Fridays and teachers are about to be asked to do the same thing, yet MUNI's union and the workers it represents are steadfast in their refusal to take some cuts in benefits that, quite honestly, not only need to be made, but shouldn't have been offered to them in the first place.

THIS CHICK'S A M-I-L-F

Mom I'd like to forget.

Seriously, Kate, go away.

Oh, and shame on TLC (The Learning Channel - really? REALLY?) for giving her another television show.

LIFE IMITATING ART?

Things at work are beginning to resemble the classic film "9 to 5" more and more every day.

CINDERELLA LIBERTY

I've never owned a car in my life. Having always lived in large cities, I think ownership of one would be more of a liability than a convenience. However, once or twice a month, I will rent one. It's still less expensive than owning and I always get to drive a new car.

This weekend's rental was a Ford Escape. I have issues with SUV's (especially when they're not hybrids) and I feel a little guilty when I'm given one (this was yet another free upgrade), but they are comfortable and fun to drive. This particular model didn't have a V8 Hemi engine, so it was a little lacking in power.

Still, I enjoyed the ride.

TACO TRUCK WITHOUT THE TACO TRUCK

So Ryan and I gave the tacos served in the "Gapeteria" a try this afternoon instead of heading over to the beloved taco truck. Probably a wise choice, as I'm sure the great weather outside made for a long line.

It was ALMOST the same recipe (and a pretty damn good substitute as well), but I think I'll ask for more salsa next time.

IT'S THE TIME OF THE SEASON FOR LOVING . . .

. . . Avocados.

I bought my first two of the season today and that first slice was SOOooo good.

SPELLCHECK

ANYONE ELSE WOULD BE IN JAIL

I read an interesting article on Newsweek.com about the Catholic Church and how it still has it's head in the ground regarding the child molestation and celibacy issues it has been facing the last several years.

It's amazing (and tragic) that this "religious organization" seems to be getting a free pass, whereas anyone (or any other organization) who committed these same crimes, would be facing some serious jail time.

The article ends with a story about how the Vatican ex-communicated a priest in Africa because he married a woman, yet failed to do anything about a priest in Wisconsin who molested hundreds of children.

Totally clueless.

CANARY IN A COALMINE

Word on the street is that warmer temperatures have melted two more glaciers at Glacier National Monument in Montana.

As recent as the 1930's, there were over 150 glaciers in the popular national park. Today, there are only 25 left and at the current rate, they are expected to be gone within the next 10 years.

I'm so sad to see this happening in my lifetime.

APRIL FOOLS

I came across this on my walk home today along Market Street.

THE AFRICAN QUEEN

I am SOOO loving the new Mary J. Blige album "Stronger With Each Tear." My favourite song right now is "I Can See In Color" and it's the most Aretha Franklin-sounding song not sung by Aretha Franklin.

LOVE IT!

THE MOST RIDICULOUS CITY IN THE WORLD IS . . .

. . . San Francisco (again).

A group that calls itself "Homes Not Jails" took over a property in the Mission District this weekend to protest the eviction of one local resident.

Unfortunately, the home in question is now owner-occupied (the evicted resident in question, just for the record, had lived in the home for 43 years and was given a one-year notice to vacate plus move costs).

After an afternoon of protests, the police knocked on the door and asked the group, that technically, had just committed the crime of "breaking and entry," if they were planning to leave. The group said they had "no immediate plans to leave."

WTF?

Only in San Francisco would the police ASK a criminal if he (or she) was going to leave the scene of the crime, and only in San Francisco would you see an organization called "Homes Not Jails."

By the looks of the protesters, they're all relatively well-dressed, groomed, AND look like they already have homes.

TRIBUTE

If you grew up in the Bay Area, then you probably remember Doggie Diner and the iconic fiberglass dachshund that stood guard at every location.

First opened by Al Ross in Oakland in 1948, Ross eventually expanded his hamburger and hot dog stand to 30 locations. Out done by McDonald's, however, the beloved diners were closed in 1984.

Al passed away this past weekend at the age of 93. Thanks, Al. Your diner's are so fondly remembered by me and so many other Bay Area natives.

"WASH THOSE CARS, YOU SEXY BITCHES!"

The perfect rainy day movie.

I love "The House Bunny."

STUPID STUFF STUPID WHITE PEOPLE LIKE

Waiting in long lines (again) for . . .

. . . the iPAD.

I know, there was a more racially-mixed line this time (so I should have just said stupid stuff stupid people like), but why ruin a good headline?

FILLING UP MY LIFE WITH MUSIC -- SOLID GOLD!

With all the channels available on satellite and cable, I am amazed (and a little disappointed) that the classic 80's music show "Solid Gold" isn't on any of them.

LONG LIVE "The Solid Gold Dancers."

STUPID STUFF STUPID WHITE PEOPLE LIKE

The St. Stupid's Day Parade in, where else, San Francisco.

(sigh)