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)

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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)

Happy Birthday, Jane

Helen Mirren, Det. Supt. Jane Tennyson of "Prime Suspect," is 63.

Mmm Cookies

It's Mother's birthday this weekend, or would've been. I baked up some cookies this morning to satisfy my chocolate needs. It's been a couple months since I made any.



I've been skeptical of the characterization of The Joker in "Dark Knight" since the early teasers and I find the hype around Ledger to be nauseating. One site had a report that 94% of opening screenings have been sold in pre-sales. I know Mother and I would've gone since she was a fan of the darker, more menacing Batman from her younger years but I bristle at the crass reverence being shown. Heath should not be treated like some Messiah. There's a bit of that hero worship going around these days in the States. It's creepy, it's wild-eyed televangelist creepy.

I'm considering taking kitty to the vet for a once over. She'll be the equivalent of 80 human years next month.

No ComiCon for me and the niece this year. Brother got back to me too late with an answer and all four days are sold out. I kicked myself for not being more aggressive and making the arrangements and paying without an answer in hand but others suggested I shouldn't take it out on myself. One of my Canadians was upset since it reminded him how is family treats him and makes use of his resources and monies. I wouldn't disagree; there are parallels. It's something we're both trying to work on.

This week my dreams have ranged from the bizarre, tsunami survival, to the pleasant, a fun buddy dream.

Flying Toasters

FREE. Mac OS X or Windows

Word for the Day

obdurate |ˈäbd(y)ərit| adjective - stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. "Obdurate usually connotes a stubborn resistance marked by harshness and lack of feeling (: obdurate in ignoring their pleas)…"

- New Oxford American Dictionary

Which Superhero Are You?

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

JHud is Fabulous!

"Spotlight" is Jennifer Hudson's debut from her upcoming album. She looks good, sound great and the song, shocking, doesn't suck! I love it. Congrats, girl! See the video:

Catching Up...

They never did find the lost rent check for June. Since I habitually pay early and get signed photocopies made when I had checks in they knew it was their error. I wrote a new check today after I called in a stop payment. The bank fee was reimbursed by a discount on July rent. Felt good to take care of something for a change.

Kitty has been acting weird, not that my bizarre hours have helped either of us. She'll adjust.

I've been having a bumpy ride lately.

Weather on the weekend was awful with extreme heat breaking 100F (40C). I ran the AC to keep it about 20 degrees cooler.

The Ax Falls

Blake Lewis has been cut from Arista. No surprise. His fellow AI6 alum, Chris Sligh, posts about it here.

I definitely agree with Chris' remark about "Know My Name" being a better lead single but I don't know why "Break Another" didn't do well. I often noticed on his promo appearances trying to sell the singles, Blake was just not the performer he was on Idol. It didn't excite me about his music although the album isn't half bad.

For now, Blake still has his record deal with 19 and is trying to find a new label.

FireFox 3 and Marriages

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Legal gay weddings begin today in California. Will there be riots or will Californians shrug and go about their daily lives? Clan of Al Gore's old friend Fred Phelps, he of the "godhates..." websites, is going to be in San Francisco protesting.

Humor

"If Things Turned Out Differently"

CA State Supreme Court Strikes Down Marriage Limit

The California State Supreme Court has struck down Prop 22 which defined marriage as between one man and one woman. That law was passed by CA voters in 2000. Out of 7.5 million votes cast, 61% voted in favor.

Yahoo story

"The justices' 4-3 decision Thursday says domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage."

Full text decision (PDF)

This November, the issue will be back before the voters in the form of a initiative. The proposed state constitutional amendment to define marriage, once again, as between one man and one woman.

Idol Top 4 Results

It's about time Castro left the show after he seemed so disinterested while performing on stage. He still has a very good recording voice and I like the singer-songwriter vibe. He just looks very weird.

Syesha may just be the contestant to make the most appearances in the bottom two/three and survive. She's earned it though, improving week upon week.

I'm going to speculate Simon will pick the song for David Cook and Randy the song for Syesha. We'll know soon enough. Archuleta had a pleasantly surprising good week in the Top 4 although I'm not a fan of Elvis' "Love Me Tender." It was the studio recording released on iTunes rather than the more up-beat "Stand By Me." I still think David Cook will squeak out the win in two weeks.

Clay Aiken released his fourth studio album of new material on Tuesday. None of the songs really grab me. It's mostly slow-mid tempo stuff about overcoming adversity and so forth.

Birthday Bass

Happy 29th birthday to Lance Bass.

Progress?

Congratulations to Van Hansis for his Daytime Emmy nomination. He plays Luke Snyder, a gay college student on "As The World Turns."

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My credit card expired last month and I've been looking for the replacement. I thought maybe I'd accidentally thrown it out because of the mall ads, grocery ads, services ads, and political junk mail. Since it's May Day, I called dreading having to learn a new card number only to find out the card was mailed within this week. It's still in transit. Nice of them to tell customers there'd been a delay!

To add to my freak-out level, there was a letter stating I was two months delinquent on my health coverage payments and as of today I'd be cancelled. I looked at my checkbook and saw the checks registered so I called. The automated service was reassuring, telling me I was paid up until May but to make sure I talked to a live person. She confirmed that indeed, my coverage was not at risk and my next payment was due by May 10th.

I haven't slept in 22 hrs. I've been busy or distracted. I made a batch of cookies last night and ate them all. This is why I don't make them often. I binged much like when I have ice cream. It's something I need to work on and puzzle out the causes.

Idol is terminally boring this year. I expect David Cook to win with probably the other David as runner up. I skipped GRΣΣK this week since it's become so repetitious with the "love triangle" story.