RIP Mervyns & Linens-n-Things

Two more claimed by this economy. I didn't really like Linen-n-Things as I felt their stores were claustrophobic. Stock was virtually piled up to the ceiling. I kept waiting for it to fall and pummel unsuspecting customers. My current utensils did come from there, however. I shopped there with Mother.

Mervyns, a western U.S. department store chain in business for 59 years is closing after the holiday season. While I haven't shopped there in probably more than five years, their clothes were popular with school peers in the 1980s. I remember their ads for Bugle Boy Jeans during afternoon cartoons like Transformers. While we did holiday and back-to-school shop there with some regularity for a few years, the local store seemed to stagnate and eventually we went elsewhere. I bought a watch there in the college while holiday shopping with the girlfriend.

California Election Picks

Prop   Vote    Reasoning
1A     NO      Bonds! Borrowing is evil. High speed rail 
               between SF & LA? Stupid.
2      NO      Would harm small local farms.
3      NO      Bonds again? They still have billions in 
               bond money left to spend on this!
4      YES     Stop sex predators from taking underaged 
               victims to get rid of the evidence!
5      NO      We authorized a rehab program for convicts
               a few years ago. Why is this back?
6      YES     Budget mandates are evil but we also need 
               a new prison. Flip a coin?
7      NO      Scam.
8     (See Update Below)
9      NO      Weakens impartiality of judicial system
               early in criminal court process.
10     NO      More Bonds?! “Free” money if you buy a 
               hybrid car? Just go away!
11     NO      We need redistricting reform but this 
               alternative scheme seems even worse.
12     YES     Self-funding loan program for veterans. 
               It's worked for 85 years, BUT (see below)

---

4 Nov 2008 Update:

Prop 12

Although I voted YES, voting NO on Prop 12 because it's more borrowing is acceptable to me. The program has been a solid success for 85 years but you can't ignore it will still mean added debt no matter how low risk. Veterans are more worthy than most but is unnecessary borrowing to the benefit of a tiny group in these tough times the kind of message we want to send to other special interests too?

Prop 8

I have removed my previous "NO" on Prop 8, the gay marriage ban. The campaigns on both sides have irritated me greatly.

Between SF Mayor Gavin "Whether you like it or not" Newsom, suppression of free speech statewide with organized theft of "YES on 8" signs and my original qualm with judicial activism, I can no longer strongly support a NO on 8.

The fact remains when the court made the move by the slimmest of majorities, California already had, still has and will continue to have available, comprehensive registered domestic partnerships with the rights and responsibilities of civil marriage available to gays (and seniors) who live here.

This has become a filthy political battle over a word, not of equal rights.

While I voted NO on 8 a few weeks back, I've recently moved to "neutral" on the proposition. I am ashamed of the NO campaign and supporter's tactics.

For those out of state who want to see infamous Mayor Newsom's controversial statement referenced above, I've included a clip here:

Happy Gift To Me

I ordered a self-gift. A 2GB stick for the iMac, ordered from Other World Computing. It was under $40 with shipping.

Galaxy Quest 2? You Wish!

This week brought us the first production photos from JJ Abrams upcoming "Star Trek" film. Many folks, myself included, thought it looked like something that might have been part of the 1998 Trek parody called "Galaxy Quest." See the crew and bridge for yourself!

I guess the Yeomen is ironing Kirk's shirt?

Best Knight Rider Live Blog

The Auto Blog is live blogging the new series Knight Rider. The blog perfectly captures the trainwreckness of the show. Here are links to the entries for the first four shows:

Ep 1: "A Knight In Shining Armor" - A simple package delivery becomes more complicated than it seems when Mike and KITT learn the package is actually a man with top-secret code decryption built into his DNA.

Ep 2: "Journey to the End of Knight". Mike infiltrates a racing gang with the help of an old army buddy; Sarah and KITT join him.

Ep 3: "Knight of the Iguana", a.k.a. "KITT and Mike go to the beach."

Ep 4: "A Hard Day's Knight" Pieces of Mike's past are revealed as a lethal poison threatens his life.

Mother's Cookies Gone!

Mother's Cookies, a CA-based company for 92 years, has suddenly ceased operations. The company is most known for it's icing-covered circus animal cookies. The pink ones were best but the most fun was trying to decipher just which animal shape you were eating!



Read more online (SF Chronicle)