So things didn't turn out Friday night like I expected. Instead of a mellow night hanging out and checking on upcoming Cinco de Mayo events for Friday's upcoming Night Owl, I spent about four hours down on the Embarcadero waiting for a whack job holed up in a 3rd Street condo (the Sierras on Oak and 3rd) to give up his gun and let his girlfriend and children go. Otherwise, he was toast. The genius had fired at police when they knocked on his door, responding to a domestic disturbance call. Scores of officers and SWAT were there to help him decide to surrender and let the woman and two young children go. Of course, my cell phone was dead, my car was stuck inside the perimeter police had set up and I had no laptop. Thanks to all the neighbors and reporters who lent me theirs. I even headed over to Heinold's out of desperation. Read the rest of this entry »

I don't get to write politics much on this beat but the past Friday I got some material from comedian Paul Rodriguez that gives me just the excuse.
At the fundraiser for the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation, Rodriguez said he has met the gov (Schwarzenegger) and talked with him a few times – through an interpreter.  Talk about English as a second language...
About the presidential race: Iraqis will surrender if Obama is elected, according to Rodriguez. They'll say "We want to stop now. A brother's in office."
The White House has been two white for too long, he continued. "I'd like to see some color in there. That means we're just a shade away." 
Hoots and hollers rang out when Rodriguez mentioned the news last week that Republican candidate John McCain was born in Panama. "We just found out McCain is illegal." Close call. He was born on a military base in Panama,  technically U.S. soil. Sorry Aahnie.
I bet you can't guess the direction of my political winds... 
Speaking of comedy, I missed the comedy show last night at Simone's Jazz and Soul Cabaret on Second Street. But tonight is "Pizza and Love Comedy Showcase" at Spud's Pizza and Brew over on Telegraph in Berkeley. I could use more of both in these very unfunny times.  Admission is $7. 
OTOH, Sunday is the benefit for Babatunde Lea's Educultural Foundation at Yoshi's in Oakland. No comedy that I know of but there should be some fine music to be heard. Who is Babtunde Lea? His MySpace page probably says it best.
Okay, here is the last of the jokes I am swiping for you from Rodriguez:
"Tequila — another thing Mexican Americans have gifted to us. It's Viagra for the unattractive. You drink enough and everything looks good."
Cheers and happy weekend.

Some of you may have heard that as of March 1, Oakland's Parkway Speakeasy Theater prices will match the Cerrito: $7 GENERAL ADMISSION — $5 MATINEES.
The Speakeasy folks called the increase a "last minute fiscal decision" due to the "topsy turvy economy."

Midnight: Can't sleep. Finally doze off 5 a.m.
10 a.m.: Wake up to news from my dentist's office that they've sent my prescription (which keeps me from heart failure during dental work — long story but sufficient to say the antibiotics are sort of mandatory) to Kaiser Hayward's pharmacy. I've been in Hayward about three times in my life.
10:30 a.m.: Finally get some heat in my apartment that feels like Antarctica. I grab a maintenance man I hear rummaging around in the cellar to relight the pilot light — it went out Friday when I tried to put the cover back after the last maintenance man ignited it.
11 a.m.: Call Kaiser to get prescription sent to Oakland. I can pick it up tomorrow but will have to wait while they fill it — even though it was originally called in to Hayward nearly a week ago.
11:15 a.m.: Feel dizzy and begin seeing distinct shapes of wavy, gaseous shapes out of the corner of my left eye. Spreads to both eyes and now fully halucinogenic.
11:17 a.m.: Turn off heater.
11: 19 a.m.: Dizziness and blurry visions stop.
12:30 p.m.: Discover flat tire while taking car for SMOG inspection — new $400 tires less than a month old. 
12:31 p.m.: Ask self "Am I cursed?"

This has been a hell of a year. I ended a relationship of 15 years + two children; moved into an apartment about the size of the livingroom in my old house (but not before my laptop was ripped off from the house before I moved); started a new job (here at the Trib); then had my laptop and cameras stolen from burglarized apartment. That wasn't enough. My car was broken into and not only did the thieves rip out the dashboard to get my new radio out but they took my sports bras (any woman knows how expensive those suckers are). Then my boyfriend moved away for six months and I cracked my femur, which still hasn't healed. Surgery is planned for January, but I'm not taking any chances: I'm planning to put a big bulls eye on the correct leg. I only have one left one, you know. Then my transmission went the day after Christmas and I had to spent $1,700 for a new one. Well, at least I passed the SMOG test.
So, I'm hoping for a much better year in 2008. Message to the Universe, which is apparently having a blast messing with me: I've had enough.