“The individuals who linked arms and actively resisted, that in itself is an act of violence,” UC police Capt. Margo Bennett said. “I understand that many students may not think that, but linking arms in a human chain when ordered to step aside is not a nonviolent protest.”
Get the whole story at SF Gate.
It’s my mom’s birthday today and there was a blogger event that involved shopping. The folks hosting asked us to bring a non blogging friend and I asked my mom to join me.
She said, “I hate shopping and I hate that mall.”
“Perfect,” I replied, “I’ll pick you up at 9.45. They’re serving booze, it won’t suck.”
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Brunch and mimosas did the trick. Mom and I showed up for a lovely brunch and then we were sent around the Grove to play with this new app.
Here’s the thing about it. I love technology. I love shopping and I love brunch, it was a no brainer inviting me. I was bound to love it.
My mom loves technology, she does not love a pre-beta application (she wants it finished and shiny) and hates both shopping and brunches (but she does enjoy a mimosa). Mom LOVED the app in every way. Next week I’ll share all the details with you, but trust me when I tell you that it’s good for everyone, and the founding team is so kicky sweet that you’ll want it to take over the world.
Of course I left the Grove after three hours of shopping and headed straight to the Cheese Store in Beverly Hills, ate a huge slab of something smelly, soft and nutty along with a half a loaf of bread and now I’m near comatose on the sofa. I’ve got to pull my slovenly self up in a minute so I can grab those kids from school and start with the fun part of the day.
Also, parents, is it just me or have the after sports snacks gotten wildly out of control?
If you have a dog or a cat and you think you are it’s mother please stop reading now. You’re only going to hate me and I can save you some angst.
Recently I’ve noticed quite a few people refer to their pets as fur babies. Although this may endear you to other likeminded folks, it doesn’t make me think you’re particularly sane.
There’s a park near my house. It’s a public park and it is not a dog park. Los Angeles does have a number of dog parks where dogs are permitted (encouraged even) to play off leash. This is just a regular run of the mill park with a sandbox and a play structure next to a large field. It’s a park for people and for families. It’s a place where parents and children might bring their dogs while on a leash.
In recent years folks have begun bringing their dogs here off leash. I love Junior, but I’m pretty sure the world doesn’t. Junior is a dog so when he’s not on my property he needs to be on a leash. With all my arrogance I still understand that Junior is just a dog. Apparently not everyone is so self aware.
I love how Martie (Echo’s Mom) can’t conceive of why anyone would call animal control to report her dog off leash at the park. I love how an entitled dog owner disregards the fact that there are signs everywhere that say dogs must be on a leash.
Dogs and kids don’t mix. I love my kids, I love my dog. My dog doesn’t belong on a playground and I’m not his mother. I only have two nipples.
I never really did write about the Acura TL in 2011. Since I just had a week in the stunning 2012 TL I thought I’d finally get around to writing about the experience.
Y’all may or may not remember the car shopping frenzy of 2010. During this time of buying (okay leasing) two new cars I was able to keep the 2011 Acura TL for an extended drive. I loved the car. I didn’t like it, I loved it. I love the performance, the handling, the size and the luxury. I couldn’t get over the contrast stitching on the soft leather seats or the intuitive navigation system. I went wild for the car.
Unfortunately I was the only one.
Mr. G wanted something a little flashier. In retrospect I do understand, but when a TL passes me on the street and I see it’s little happy face back end I can’t help but feel a little mocked.
The all wheel drive TL is a beast. The only aggressive styling can be found in the exhaust pipes, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a quiet and unassuming ride until you engage the Tiptronic (manumatic system) and challenge this car a little. I had a long drive out on the 10 freeway early on a Sunday morning and this TL climbs hills at crazy (don’t worry it was legal) speeds without batting a virtual eyelash.
One of my favorite things to try is driving in third gear at 50 or so and then a quick acceleration to really play with the torque. The TL has it in spades. I cannot tell you how much fun it was to leapfrog along. Of course this is a horrendous way to drive for the passengers. The car gently glides along and then jackrabbits forward. As the driver I find it exhilarating.
The rear seat has plenty of leg room. Jane is 5’4” and was very comfortable. One thing about the TL is that the center rear seat is on a bit of a bump. It’s fine for around town but I don’t know how it would work with car seats or on very long trips.
The sound system on the car I drove was spectacular and the dashboard is ergonomic and sensible. As I recall you can actually use the navigation while the car is going. Finally someone recognizes that passengers can do the data too. If you’re a fan of beautiful design this just might be the perfect interior for you.
I think the TL is sexy as all get out, but what made me wish we’d bought it (I’d have bought this car, not leased it because of Acura’s incredible maintenance record) is the price tag. The 2012 Acura TL starts at $35,600 and tops out near $50,000. If I had to choose between a 5 series BMW a 6 series Audi and the Acura TL I would say that the Acura TL is the nicest of the three cars and probably should cost the most. Fortunately that is not the case and the Acura TL is the most modestly priced of the three.
The valets won’t freak out when you pull up in a TL, but they should.
You can find Acura on Twitter at @Acura_Insider
My toes hurt every morning. They don’t hurt a little bit, they hurt like spikes have been driven into them.
They’re just toes, one might say.
Every morning when I lay in bed and open my eyes I feel fine. I swing sideways on the bed and stand up. Still fine. I take one step forward and now my toes are involved, it’s like childbirth. There’s a pain that starts in the joints and radiates up my spine ending in that horrible place between your shoulder blades. This is coupled with the sour taste of fear and pain that inevitably floods my mouth.
It’s been happening for a few weeks now and it’s sort of one of those aches that are both insult and injury. If I get some shoes on quickly it hurts a lot less, and I’m very happy that most of my morning stiffness is gone, but the searing pain in the toes piss me off every morning.
This morning was colder than most and as I hobbled to the bathroom trying to keep my toes up I thought of Lisa and her foot. That fucking foot with the cancer that killed her. So now I’m in my closet crying before the kids wake up, because I had waited to cry and today seems to be the day. Today is also the day I need to film two videos so it only makes sense that I should start with red and puffy eyes.
That foot, that foot that took Lisa and prevented her from saving more babies and changing our world. That foot that made her hurt for years.
My toes can go fuck themselves, because they made me miss Lisa and her one good foot.
Jessica Gottlieb is a blogger in Los Angeles who is passionate about the intersection of family life and technology. Continue...
