Friday, July 30, 2004
SF police target tiny terriers and old dogs off-leash
Mypal Dema, owner of the illustrious frock shop by the same name, is one of 4 who got a citation for having off-leash dogs in the park. Local upstart drafted this press release below:
"For Immediate Release
Police Give Up On Homicides to Hunt Hounds
For more information contact:
David Looman 824-5963 cell 425-5963
In the middle of San Francisco's worst-ever epidemic of murders, San Francisco's police are busy in our parks handing out 'tickets' for off-leash dog walking. Most of the tickets so far have gone to women walking small or crippled dogs.
David Looman, whohas been using Holly Park for over twenty-five years, said: ' In thepast, we rarely saw police officers in the park except when they were looking for dope dealers. In the last month or so, they've spent 20 hours a week driving all over park land looking for dog owners to give tickets to."
Tuesday morning, the police were out giving tickets to a middle-aged woman walking a small terrier and a dress designer walking an old beagle on a leash andan old pointer off-leash. Shauna O'Donnell, ticketed two weeks ago for her dog Harry, complained: 'I can't takeHarry to St. Mary's dog park because he can't walk down and back up that hill, and there's no way to drive directly to the park. I can't take Harry to Bernal Hill because it has pavement and rocks. He drags his back feet and the tops of his 'knuckles" then bleed. Maybe Harry should have a 'disabled" placard for his collar that allows him to go to the park without a leash."
Unlike traffic tickets, these ‘tickets' are actually summonses to appear in Court. Offenders are charged with both having a dog off-leash and with disobeying signs about off leash dogs. This is called 'loading up" the charge, to make contesting it more difficult. The fine is approximately $ 150. Police appear to be selectively enforcing the Recreation and Park Department's new dog policy, which was enacted in 2001 after the largest protest in San Francisco history.
There are no reports of enforcement activities inthe western or northern areas of San Francisco. Holly Park has also recently undergone a $ 1.5 million makeover, which included spending over $100,000 on Canary Island Palm Trees. No park users were consulted during the renovation."
"For Immediate Release
Police Give Up On Homicides to Hunt Hounds
For more information contact:
David Looman 824-5963 cell 425-5963
In the middle of San Francisco's worst-ever epidemic of murders, San Francisco's police are busy in our parks handing out 'tickets' for off-leash dog walking. Most of the tickets so far have gone to women walking small or crippled dogs.
David Looman, whohas been using Holly Park for over twenty-five years, said: ' In thepast, we rarely saw police officers in the park except when they were looking for dope dealers. In the last month or so, they've spent 20 hours a week driving all over park land looking for dog owners to give tickets to."
Tuesday morning, the police were out giving tickets to a middle-aged woman walking a small terrier and a dress designer walking an old beagle on a leash andan old pointer off-leash. Shauna O'Donnell, ticketed two weeks ago for her dog Harry, complained: 'I can't takeHarry to St. Mary's dog park because he can't walk down and back up that hill, and there's no way to drive directly to the park. I can't take Harry to Bernal Hill because it has pavement and rocks. He drags his back feet and the tops of his 'knuckles" then bleed. Maybe Harry should have a 'disabled" placard for his collar that allows him to go to the park without a leash."
Unlike traffic tickets, these ‘tickets' are actually summonses to appear in Court. Offenders are charged with both having a dog off-leash and with disobeying signs about off leash dogs. This is called 'loading up" the charge, to make contesting it more difficult. The fine is approximately $ 150. Police appear to be selectively enforcing the Recreation and Park Department's new dog policy, which was enacted in 2001 after the largest protest in San Francisco history.
There are no reports of enforcement activities inthe western or northern areas of San Francisco. Holly Park has also recently undergone a $ 1.5 million makeover, which included spending over $100,000 on Canary Island Palm Trees. No park users were consulted during the renovation."
Thursday, July 29, 2004
hybrid animal and Mojo
Apparently, this little guy has been spotted around Maryland. Locals call it a hyote, deeming it to be a combination of hyena and coyote. Bonus: he's known to be friendly to other animals!
Equally rare and/or out of place, note that the new issue of Mojo has a multi-page interview with...get this...a woman! Polly Jean Harvey, no less. Every other cover of that mag features either dead men (Kurt Cobain, John Lennon) or not quite dead men (surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Stones). Okay, once in while, greats like Joni Mitchell or Patti Smith appear, but it's never enough.
Another thrill in this Mojo issue is a swimmingly positive review of Oranger's latest record, Shutdown the Sun. Disclaimer: my hubcap put that rekkid out on his label Jackpine Social Club. Rawk!
Monday, July 26, 2004
Tish Hues
On my seventh day of sickness, I must have said to me:
"I'm going through a box a day of tissues."
I'm beginning to think I'm even grossing out the dog.
Also thinking that maybe getting antibiotics every time I'm illin' is an all right idea. But no, I'm toughing it out, pretending that my own immune system can kick this thing. That I can take it the next time some open-mouthed horker on the MUNI gets to me. Or however you get sick.
Everyone knows I haven't touched a doorknob, ATM machine button or pay phone with a naked hand in years. One day I hope to walk around with a tissue box on each foot, padding around the haus in complete and utter safety.
political fashion
Marshall Field's put up a fun little online exhibition of Jacqueline Kennedy's famously fabulous outfits to tout the real live exhibit to come to the Field Museum in Chicago this fall.
freewayblogger.com
You don't have to be Shepard Fairey to wheatpaste giant messages all over as many major metropolitan areas as you can.
According to this site all you need to do is:
1) Put paint on cardboard
2) Put cardboard on freeway
3) Repeat
Friday, July 23, 2004
"In the room the women come and go, talking of Michelangelo"
ImpeachBush.org placed this full-page ad in the the July 16th New York Times. They're set to run the same ad in the Boston Globe on account of the Democratic National Convention next week. Brilliant! I honestly cannot think of a better idea.
And now, from an unrelated poem I've loved since college, courtesy of T.S. Eliot:
"Do I dare eat a peach? – The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown."
Thursday, July 22, 2004
that guy ruins everything
I've been DJing with Elise for a year and a month or so now. She just moved in with Lance and they are in love. He has an idea that he's test driving around to see what people think. Loosely translated from Elise and in my illin' haze, it goes something like this:
"The Roman Empire was a great, great empire. And then it imploded upon itself. Do you think that the United States will meet the same fate?"
With the Bush Administration, it really makes you wonder...
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
to all the dogs I've loved before
Here's Estro on the left, with our long lost friend Corey. Corey was my brother's first dog and he had another pal named Rufus. They were both whippets and when I would walk them on leashes, they liked to be 20 feet ahead. With their sculpted, deer like physiques, they made me feel like some glamorous Art Deco sculpture myself. They lived full dog lives, that's the best you can ask for.
And Estro? She's alive and kicking (in her sleep). She and I both got haircuts on Saturday. I dropped her off at a place around the corner where she hadn't been in a while, just to switch it up, see what happens. Also, her old groomer changed ownership and phone numbers and could not be reached.
So Nick picked up Estro and her own personal orange shampoo that goes for twelve dollars and they were both home when I got there. And me? I'm sporting something reminescent of Shirley MacLaine in the Apartment. Only, I'm in my apartment.
Monday, July 19, 2004
what's the number one song on your day of birth?
If you're born on a certain day -- and most people are -- then there is also a number one hit on the billboard charts for that exact day and year.
Last night, some pals grabbed a pen, a cocktail napkin and the Internet and set to work collecting each of our birthdates and hits. Mine is Green Tambourine by the Lemon Pipers. [Click "warp" for a free MP3]. I'll have to play it when I DJ this Wednesday at the Casanova.
Nick's birthdate song is Venus by the Shocking Blue. How cute is that? Now guess what the number one hit in the UK was on Nick's birthday? Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse. I am not making that up! What's yours?
Last night, some pals grabbed a pen, a cocktail napkin and the Internet and set to work collecting each of our birthdates and hits. Mine is Green Tambourine by the Lemon Pipers. [Click "warp" for a free MP3]. I'll have to play it when I DJ this Wednesday at the Casanova.
Nick's birthdate song is Venus by the Shocking Blue. How cute is that? Now guess what the number one hit in the UK was on Nick's birthday? Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse. I am not making that up! What's yours?
Thursday, July 15, 2004
when are you going to get a woman on there?
After a whole bunch of years, I can finally put that question to rest. My record-label-owning-spouse has just signed a woman!
Hooray for Jackpine Social Club and hooray for the lovely and gorgeous Melody Baldwin-Baroz. She still plays in The Bellyachers as well as her solo works, notably at Jackpine's live (and sometimes recorded) events at Thee Parkside, including this coming Sunday.
Nick says, "Her voice kills me kills me kills me. She's not indie rock, but more in a Gillian Welch meets Emmylou meets Patty Griffin thing." Melody is set to bring down the house at Cafe Du Nord, opening for John Langford this Tuesday.
Meanwhile, I guess I'll have to find something else to bitch about. Like Rosie the Riveter may have said, "I can do it!"
wha' happened?
Thanks Chris for sending recent pix of Courtney Love and asking if the makeup gun was set on "whore." Click on every photo for a reverse timeline from today to back when illustrious makeup genius Kevyn Aucoin was not only alive, but damn handy with the tools and artillery during Love's makeover in white silk charmeuse.
I swear that Courtney is photogenic, or at least used to be. Honestly, wha' happened?
I swear that Courtney is photogenic, or at least used to be. Honestly, wha' happened?
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
no impending amendment
Woo! The Senate voted today that no amendment will be made to the Constitution to ban same sex marriage. It was a close one though, 48-50.
Supporters of the ban vow to not give up. My favorite bullshit arguments from the opposing side include things like how marriage between a man and a woman, "protects homeland security" and how it's so "sacred" and must be "upheld."
Why then, do 50% of man-woman marriages end in divorce? Uphold that, people!
Everyone knows that gay men have the loveliest houses and throw the best parties. Let 'em have it, we may get invited to their weddings and have some really good cake.
Supporters of the ban vow to not give up. My favorite bullshit arguments from the opposing side include things like how marriage between a man and a woman, "protects homeland security" and how it's so "sacred" and must be "upheld."
Why then, do 50% of man-woman marriages end in divorce? Uphold that, people!
Everyone knows that gay men have the loveliest houses and throw the best parties. Let 'em have it, we may get invited to their weddings and have some really good cake.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
logjerk
I'm really going to have to leave the country. Belize is gorgeous *and* you can take your dog. But is it far enough away from the tripe George W. Bush is dishing out?
Not only is he trying to keep gays from marrying, create a population boom of unwanted children, now he wants to lift a Clinton-era ban on logging so that he can jack the future of 58 million acres of pure, unadulterated land.
As our dear Morrissey croons on his latest, "America...where the president is never black, female or gay..." and "America...you know where you can stick your hamburger."
Not only is he trying to keep gays from marrying, create a population boom of unwanted children, now he wants to lift a Clinton-era ban on logging so that he can jack the future of 58 million acres of pure, unadulterated land.
As our dear Morrissey croons on his latest, "America...where the president is never black, female or gay..." and "America...you know where you can stick your hamburger."
Monday, July 12, 2004
this just handed to me
SENATOR BARBARA BOXER STATEMENT ON POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS
For Immediate Release: Contact: David Sandretti or Natalie Ravitz
July 12, 2004 (202) 224 - 8120
STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER
To even consider postponing our elections, the most ardent symbol of American democracy, because of threats made by terrorists would be nothing short of allowing fear to rule our country. America is too great and too strong and too brave for that.
If this Administration is so concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks disrupting U.S. elections, the priority should be how to best defend against those attacks, not how to close polling places.
We need to pass the Rail Security and Port Security bills, both of which passed unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee in April. We need to pass my Homeland Defense Act, legislation authorizing grants for our local first responders so they can purchase interoperable communications systems that will allow them to talk to one another in the event of a terrorist attack. And we need to put more federal dollars toward funding these Homeland Security initiatives, including our local first responders.
We are focusing far too many of our resources abroad trying to bring democracy to others while this Administration seems completely at a loss on how to protect us here at home. All we hear about is fear from them and no plan. It is time to stop the fear-mongering and start protecting our people, our homeland, and our democracy here at home.
###
For Immediate Release: Contact: David Sandretti or Natalie Ravitz
July 12, 2004 (202) 224 - 8120
STATEMENT BY U.S. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER
To even consider postponing our elections, the most ardent symbol of American democracy, because of threats made by terrorists would be nothing short of allowing fear to rule our country. America is too great and too strong and too brave for that.
If this Administration is so concerned about the possibility of terrorist attacks disrupting U.S. elections, the priority should be how to best defend against those attacks, not how to close polling places.
We need to pass the Rail Security and Port Security bills, both of which passed unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee in April. We need to pass my Homeland Defense Act, legislation authorizing grants for our local first responders so they can purchase interoperable communications systems that will allow them to talk to one another in the event of a terrorist attack. And we need to put more federal dollars toward funding these Homeland Security initiatives, including our local first responders.
We are focusing far too many of our resources abroad trying to bring democracy to others while this Administration seems completely at a loss on how to protect us here at home. All we hear about is fear from them and no plan. It is time to stop the fear-mongering and start protecting our people, our homeland, and our democracy here at home.
###
48 hours, going, going...
Urgent: Congress is voting in less than 48 hours on whether to amend the Constition to outlaw same-sex marriage for good. Send your signature now and pass it along because time is...honey!
delay this
Michael Moore said something like, "Even when Democrats win, they can't win." George W. Bush stole the presidential election and now there's talk of delaying the November 2nd 2004 election. What the f*ck?! We are looking at corruption in the Bush administration all over again.
I can't wait for that axis of evil to get out of office. November 2nd is not soon enough. Jobs? What jobs? Affordable healthcare? Yeah right. Not only has dubya drained the U.S. budget to kingdom come, what about this war he started under false pretenses? We know this. It's an outrage.
And once again, our power to vote, to have a voice, to choose our leaders, is being threatened. What are we going to do about it? Stay tuned, we shall see!
I can't wait for that axis of evil to get out of office. November 2nd is not soon enough. Jobs? What jobs? Affordable healthcare? Yeah right. Not only has dubya drained the U.S. budget to kingdom come, what about this war he started under false pretenses? We know this. It's an outrage.
And once again, our power to vote, to have a voice, to choose our leaders, is being threatened. What are we going to do about it? Stay tuned, we shall see!
Friday, July 09, 2004
weekend calm
Here's one of the wineries in Mendonoma. We drove a long ways to get there and look how lovely. These vines could pose for any winery in California. Perhaps even Lodi.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
juicy rider
Although the fate of Basic Instinct II is still up in the air, some tidbits are on public view, thanks to fave dishy site The Smoking Gun. See Sharon Stone's multi-page contract requesting giant cash money, presidential hotel suites, and private jets for her nannies.
Guess it takes millions to look like it. : )
Guess it takes millions to look like it. : )
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
She's Tarty
Anyone who knows me could say that I never cook. Really, I don't. But since Nick got me into watching cooking shows on tv, one of my favorites is America's Test Kitchen. The staff tries out anything having to do with the kitchen, from recipes to gadgets to name brand food products, and then tells us like it is.
They're not owned by Kraft so they can tell you that their shredded mozzarella is bland and scored low on their taste tests. They are budget-conscious and will tell you which $200 kitchen scale is a waste of, er, dough.
So when Nick was out of town last weekend, I tuned in, turned on ATC, and made a summer tomato tart. It turned out so delicious that I made 2 more this weekend and shared them with people at bbqs who suddenly think I can cook. Ha!
But the best was Nick saying, "You watching cooking shows is like me watching Queer Eye and then rearranging the furniture." Now that, I'd like to see.
They're not owned by Kraft so they can tell you that their shredded mozzarella is bland and scored low on their taste tests. They are budget-conscious and will tell you which $200 kitchen scale is a waste of, er, dough.
So when Nick was out of town last weekend, I tuned in, turned on ATC, and made a summer tomato tart. It turned out so delicious that I made 2 more this weekend and shared them with people at bbqs who suddenly think I can cook. Ha!
But the best was Nick saying, "You watching cooking shows is like me watching Queer Eye and then rearranging the furniture." Now that, I'd like to see.
Friday, July 02, 2004
a rebel, a lover, a fighter
RIP Marlon Brando.
You were the hot young hunk whose battle cry, "Stella!" from Streetcar Named Desire shall never be forgotten. You did kooky things with a stick of butter in The Last Tango in Paris. You were On the Waterfront, you were The Godfather.
We still remember you as sticking it to The Academy by rejecting your Oscar win due to the mistreatment of Native Americans in Hollywood. Your legacy, it remains.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
dog toy or marital aid?
