RainyDay

I dug Flip but Richard Pryor's short-lived hour variety show was the stuff. I've seen reruns not too long ago on some channel. Does anyone get the Trio channel? They've been rerunning a show that the critics HATED that I liked quite a bit, Cop Rock. Never understood why this show was so vilified unless it was just the typical reaction many folks have to musicals. (I remember my stepbrother writing off West Side Story as not believable )

Haven't read the whole thread yet but let me say, vain creature that I am, I hardly ever wear my contacts anymore because I can manage seeing closeup better with my bifocals. Meaning, I take off my glasses altogether when I have to read the really teeny tiny print.

We set off firecrackers, not cherry bombs. We didn't set off firecrackers on top of people's cars, or worse, underneath them. We didn't use bottle rockets. We played with our weak firecrackers and sparklers (isn't that a quaint memory, sparklers?) on the sidewalks. We didn't throw them at other kids. We didn't start fires. And we had adults watching us all up and down the block and if anyone had done any of those things, there would have been hell to pay. Different day, different shite. The stuff that goes on here isn't just kids. It's drunk adults AND kids. I'm all for people having fun, I just don't think anyone should have to worry about sacrificing their home for July 4. And I don't need to listen to that noise for three months straight. RainyDay (AKA Ms. Crankypants) B)

Sad news. RIP, Syreeta.

May you have many lighted candles on your cake.

Happy Birthday!

More articles in the Trib and in the SF Chron. A reporter contacted me, and a bunch of other community rabble rousers, yesterday, . The politicians are really getting their backsides tanned over this. 'Bout darned time. Folks are generally supportive of the cops who are grossly understaffed.

And you've never had fireworks related fires in your area? In West Oakland, one house went up in smoke this year. Every year at least one house burns up and often more. Two summers ago the creekbed a half block from my house caught on fire. It took the fire department a while to find it because it was back a ways from the street in an area thick with trees. Everyone on the block was outside trying to find the fire, all anyone could see was a lot of smoke.

I've done a little bit of online searching and there doesn't seem to be a new home. The only link I found for the church doesn't seem to be working. Maybe someone has some first hand knowledge?

Well, the shit has really hit the fan here over July 4. There was a very unflattering news report last night about our new fireworks ordinance and the Oakland Tribune has an article today. The TV video coverage was just embarrassing. The chatter online is so bad, my council person's aide wrote a long defensive spin about how great everything else is in Oakland (it's not). Our police department sponsors several chat groups that are available only by invitation to discuss crime in each respective area of the city. I've been dropping in on two of these groups and folks who are usually not so combative are really angry. Too bad reelection was last fall.

Trust me, you would not. Come spend a July 4 or New Year's Eve with me and you will change your mind. There was so much smoke on my street last night, cars were pulling over because they couldn't see, and when it cleared, they floored it to get the hell out of here. You would not be able to take your daughter outside to light some sparklers out of fear of getting hit by a stray bullet.

I didn't vote and now I can't seem to but we had everything and automatic gunfire. The M1000s are incredible. They set one off a quarter mile away and the windows vibrate. Only a couple of folks have posted on the police group today but it seems universal that last night was a disaster, even with the new ordinance. Hey Rachel: I bet he did have on camouflage!

This is a HUGE problem in Oakland. We just passed a new ordinance, some of us leafletted, and e-mailed the new anti-fireworks ordinance around. Yesterday I bitched online about the police response and the Chief of Police responded and tried to be encouraging. But last night was a complete nightmare. It sounded like downtown Baghdad. And it lasted for over five, nonstop hours. In Oakland, fireworks start in May and last until well into September. The worst is around July 4, with July 4 the worst. Last night is the worst night I can remember. So what's it like where you live? And does it last all day, just at night, weeks, months, or just July 4? Thanks. We have another ordinance heading for the ballot this fall on violence reduction and I am gearing up for a battle with Council about it.

A few posts into this thread and all I have to say is Dan grow up and give it a rest. You make yourself look juvenile and ridiculous. But then, that look does go nicely with your avatar. I'm glad and Jim and Mike are cooperating. I feel a group hug coming on. Gotta split, in that case.

Just noticing this thread. Really glad to see both administrators cooperating. I don't post often at AAJ but I do appreciate that Mike lets the Big O group whine over there when this site crashes. I honestly don't understand this need to put the knock on Mike. It's so high school.

Yo, Mike! Come visit more often. I lurk mostly at AAJ but I'm over there at least once a day. Looking forward to the skin not looking like Jazz Corner.

Maren: Thank you! That picture makes me smile.

Couw: Oh, okay. You must remember that you are talking to someone who can barely count to ten in German.

I'm laughing! Then translate, please! The suspense is killing me.

Hmmm. Eine Diskussion über eine andere Diskussion. Äußerst fesselnd, aber ist das nicht ein wenig überflüssig? Is this German for "I liked 'Laugh-In' too"? I was hoping my attempt at humor wouldn't be misconstrued as a slam on Germans and instead taken for what it is--a mediocre imitation of one of Arte Johnson's old bits on the anciently defunct Laugh-In show. No offense intended.

Chris: Who's Jeff Gordon?

That sounds gooood! I'm having fish tacos tomorrow. Rubios is chain out of San Diego, I think. But the food is really good. Yeah, the drive was crazy. Holding the phone with his fingers, steering with his palm, and holding the earpiece to his mouth with the other hand. I left him by the elevator back at work, still on his cell.

Well, it's 5:30 PM and I just finished my lunch. I had Wolfgang Puck's Chicken Chinois salad and put-you-in-a-coma-brownie-it's-so-big. I had a harrowing afternoon. Got pulled into a meeting with my executive manager and I endured a 25 minute terrifying drive down Highway 101 at 80mph while he dialed and talked on the phone, while steering the care with the palm of one hand. I just knew I was going to die.

Hmmm. A thread about another thread. Verrrry interesting but isn't that a bit redundant? (Said with a German accent, a pith helmet, and cigarette.)

I haven't forgotten about the Big O. Just disorganized.