Signs, signs everywhere

Occupy Sacramento attracted hundreds of protesters today.

Protesters gain credibility with both correct spelling and witty observations
Today’s Occupy Sacramento gathering was interesting mix of social activists, anarcho-punks, young hippies, libertarians, commies, old hippies, homeless, students, zeitgeisters, union folk, families, crazies and others. I failed in my attempt to spot the FBI agent (you know there was one), but maybe she was off getting lunch while I was there. As I am fascinated with communication tools such as T-shirts and bumper stickers, I took plenty of pictures of the signage (posted after the jump). Spelling and grammar were both spot on, so don’t expect a crop of hilarious, left wing examples of Teabonics.

After speaking to several of the organizers, I became impressed with their intentions and plans to work with the participants on developing goals and policy recommendations to back up their frustration with government and corporations. I also appreciated the good nature, friendliness and humor of participants as they held votes on long term strategies and short term plans for things like food and Porta-Potties. This was not an angry demonstration, but a determined one.

Unfortunately for them, much of these planning efforts will be wasted as their camping plans will be interrupted by SacPD tonight. It seemed to be common knowledge among everyone except the protestors that they would either leave by 11pm or be arrested. A few hours after I learned of this, the first warning was issued that the party would not be a sleepover.

Despite their impending removal, organizers are determined to continue to refine their message and disseminate it through a variety of channels, including social media, news and through demonstrations. Follow them on their competing Facebook pages and web sites.

Continue reading “Signs, signs everywhere”

Tuli, Still My Favorite

It was the the best of meals, it was the worst of meals. That seems to the be the reaction from my circle of friends/food enthusiasts whenever we get to talking about Tuli. The little joint on 21st and S seems to raise some heartbeats and some hackles each time it comes up in conversation. (What the hell is a hackle anyway? Oh, that’s right, I’m online, I could just look it up.)

First, the negative, as reported by several of my more trustworthy friends: the service can be maddeningly sparse and slow and cold; the outdoor seating is less than lovely and, since it comprises the majority of available seating, is frequently the only option available, even in the winter months; food orders, while delicious (there’s never an argument about whether the food is good, mind you) come out haphazardly, or in the wrong order, or never at all. Got it? This is all a pretty frequent meme in the “I hate Tuli and am never going back” camp.

Don’t get me wrong, I think this opinion is valid based on others’ experiences. Yet, I love Tuli, absolutely, unreservedly love it. Continue reading “Tuli, Still My Favorite”

You + Cell Phone + Mirror = Bad Idea

Seriously, folks, I don’t care who you are, if you find yourself nude in front of a mirror and look over at your cell phone and think “oh, what the hell,” think of this post.

This story about the Kennedy football coach resigning after his team was involved in a brawl with McClatchy on Friday AND “a revealing photo became public and made its way onto Twitter” is just too much.

The photo shows Lusk wearing a thong and taking a cell phone picture of himself while posing in front of a mirror.

Hey, what you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, but that little “smart” phone of yours is your ticket to trouble.

Now that I think of it, I should invent an app that disables a phone’s camera feature once it detects that it’s being held up to a mirror. Hmm, with Steve Jobs gone, we will need innovative ideas like this. Who is with me?

Occupy Sacramento

The Occupy protest movement will launch Occupy Sacramento tomorrow at Caesar Chavez Park, 9AM. A flood of communications about this is on their Facebook page. My favorite post is from the confused dude who showed up today to find that nobody was there but farmers selling produce.

My conspiratorially minded mind wonders about these Anonymous folks, false flag attacks on the protest movement and who exactly is selling those sweet masks.

Please plan your commute accordingly, and look out for Tony Bologna.

Fun without the hangover?

SAM_1123
Filtered or tap?
Creative Commons License photo credit: number657

Here’s a interesting fun post from statehornet.com about the only college water pong club in existence.

“I learned of the actual sport of water pong while attending an event put on by Sacramento Pong Circuit almost two years ago. At this event, and all future events that I attended, cups placed at opposing sides of a table were all filled with water and none were consumed, rather, they were simply moved to the side,” Scandone said. “That is not to say that I had not been aware of other, more dangerous sides, of where the sport came from since high school.”

This story has a The Onion quality to it, huh? Keep reading…

This is why Scandone included language in the club’s constitution discouraging members from involving themselves in alcohol drinking games, citing risk factors such as the heightened risk of transmitting the herpes simplex 1 virus. This virus causes cold sores, and cases have jumped 230 percent since 2007 in beer pong players aged 17 to 21.

Yikes. Alrighty then. At this point, I think I’ll take the hangover.

60 Minutes airs story of local climber

If you didn’t see the story of Sacramento’s Alex Honnold on 60 Minutes last Sunday, please to spend 13 or so minutes watching it here. Alex is a free solo climber (he climbs tall, dangerous things, without a rope), and apparently does not have a fear of heights. I get the chills just watching the video.

Not much more to say here, other than “amazing.” Of course story commenter “Ray_St” would disagree.

Sorry but this guy isn’t “amazing.” Perhaps amazingly foolish and naive. It’s reminiscent of Timothy Treadwell, another guy lacking respect for Mother Nature, whose stunt-of-choice was to frolic with bears until he was finally consumed by one. RIP Alex.

I stand behind my theory that when people begin a statement with the word “Sorry,” they very rarely are.

It pays to recycle


This “blatant act of theft” caused me to pee in your bushes

It’s no secret that in these tough economic times (using this bit for four years now, wow) people will do just about anything to make a few bucks. One of the most popular ways is by recycling. And one of the most popular ways of recycling is by recycling copper. And one of the most popular ways of obtaining copper is by stealing it. Finding places to steal this precious element is where people become especially crafty.

I found this notice on the men’s bathroom door at Valley Oak Park the other day. There was one on the women’s bathroom, I think, but it was ripped off. It must be hard to recycle this sort of thing as it would be a bit obvious when you turn up at your local recycling station. Ah, that’s right, people strike again.

J.A. Recycling did not follow any of the rules, giving us cash for the copper on the spot. When we returned to ask why, workers started leaving…The same scenario played out at Highlands Recycling off Elkhorn Boulevard…Next door at A-1 Recycling, they did take our team member’s driver’s license and thumb print, but there’s no evidence photos were taken of him or the material, and he was given cash instantly.

The state legislature passed AB 844 in 2008, requiring all recycling centers that buy copper to check the seller’s photo ID, take video or a photo of the seller and the material being sold, and also collect their thumb print.

People, once again, are awesome.

Payless ShoeSource is excited

News10.net Payless ShoeSource robbery screengrab
I dare you to try on those Christian Siriano shoes

Not only does the Payless ShoeSource in Stockton get robbed this weekend, they also receive wonderful advertising on News10.net.

Seriously, I am not sure there is anything more to say here. I did notice the AP Graphics image used is named “110925025028_paylessShoeGun.jpg” which is a little snarky, I must say.

Kickstarter in Sacramento

Check out the latest Kickstarter projects in Sacramento.

You know you want one

Kickstarter is a great way for artists and entrepreneurs to reach out through the Internet and find seed money for small projects. In return for your investment, you receive a variety of thank you gifts. Funding Kickstarter projects is fun and a little addictive, as I have been finding more and more projects that I believe would help our community, artists whom I already enjoy and stuff I simply find weird.

Already, numerous projects have been funded in Sacramento. Kevin Seconds is finally getting his own tour van. Trevor Morgan will be filming a documentary on our local homeless population. Keith Lowell Jensen will have a DVD of his latest comedy tour.

Here are a few of my favorite local projects currently seeking funding. From bacon jelly to gnome insurrections, maybe you will find a project you would like to help produce.
Continue reading “Kickstarter in Sacramento”