I was asked to do a concert review of the Fastball concert cruise with KPRI for another site, Your Concert Reviewer. Check out my review here.
Author: Sara
Time out for cute baby photos
Thomas is exactly 12 weeks old today and has doubled in weight since birth. I am enjoying every second that I get to spend with him. He is smiling and laughing now and can roll over from front to back. It is most likely that he will begin to crawl within the next 4-6 weeks which means Roger and I need to get going on the baby proofing of the house.
Since it has been three months, I figured that I would post some of my favorite photos for those who don’t get a chance to see him on a regular basis.
Thomas started swim lessons about one month ago. The Clairemont Boys and Girls Club through a program called Aqua Pros runs a parent/tot swim class starting at two months. It is a great program that uses verbal cues and praise to help babies learn basic swim skills. My mom took photos but did not know how to use the zoom, so this is the best photo I have.
My parents got this little bear pajama outfit for him. I only think it is slightly cruel to dress up your child in costumes when it is not Halloween. But our house is cold and it is made of warm fleece, plus he is so damn cute in it.
Our friend Jude got us this blue elephant stating that he had no idea what to give a baby. This blue elephant is now Thomas’s favorite animal. He talks to it and gives it hugs and kisses. Ridiculously adorable.
Dad and sleeping baby… I love this photo!
Damn, I wish I could be cloned for a day
For some reason, event planners don’t always check to see the competition before planning an event, so this Saturday is jammed full of exciting things. I wish I could have three or four of me to go out and enjoy all of the cool things that are happening on April 18. If you are not already totally busy this Saturday (which I can’t seem to understand why you wouldn’t be unless you are a hermit), I have put together a list of things you could be doing this fine Saturday instead of that family picnic at the beach.
Support your local roller derby league
There are about 8-9 bouts happening on the West Coast this Saturday but the following are happening in Southern California:
http://www.derbydolls.com/sd
Note: I will be skating in this bout. My first game back since last June! Come cheer for me.
http://www.derbydolls.com/la
Angel City Derby Girls versus Inland Empire’s Derby Divas @ Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo
http://www.mtheorymusic.com/calendar/index.php?EID=55
In-store performances with Dramarama, Anya Marina, Silent Comedy & Maren Parusel! Plus a Foosball Tournament with Menomena (Beat them & win stuff!) Guest M-Theory Cashiers Pall Jenkins of Black Heart Procession & Jimmy Lavalle of Album Leaf! Sidewalk sale and more! (10am-8pm)
Note: I will most likely be there in the early afternoon to catch Silent Comedy and Anya before I head over to Del Mar.
Take a self-guided stroll around the neighborhood and taste some of Hillcrest’s favorite and new restaurants and cafes (Noon to 4pm). $30 (advance) $35 (day of event)
http://www.seaportvillage.com/busker/
I saw this posted when taking my in-laws around town. A street performer’s festival featuring sword swallowers, jugglers, acrobats, comedians, musicians and more are sharpening their anything but ordinary talents. Both Saturday & Sunday (Noon- 5pm). There is even a Buskers After Dark event running from 7-10pm. Maybe I will make it out on Sunday.
This is Steve’s last show in San Diego before he heads out on a major tour of Australia. He will be back though… Sad to miss.
Three days in the desert watching some of the coolest current bands. Haven’t gone yet. Never has fallen at a good time. Tickets are still available ($256 for 3-days).
Historic Homes Tours
Mission Hills Home Tour: Tour six privately-owned historic and architecturally diverse homes with the Mission Hills Heritage from South Mission Hills (10am-4pm). $25 (MHH members),$30 (non-members) Meet at 1214 Sutter Street.
North Park Historic Home Tour: Guided walking tour of North Park’s Dryden District featuring 30 historic homes (9am) $10 Meet at 28th and Upas Streets.
For Moms (and Dads) Who Like to Drink
Unlike my mom, but like a lot of new parents, I made the decision not to give up things that I love for my child. I still drive my MINI Cooper, play roller derby, go out to watch bands, and of course, drink. Now that Thomas is in our lives, there are limits to how much I drink and where I can drink. Many parents think that the bar scene is so far behind them. I disagree. There are many cool places that you can go enjoy a few good drinks and bring the little one(s) along that are not Gymberee or Dave and Buster’s. Here are a few of my favorites:
Toronado
I found out that I was pregnant the day that this bar/restaurant opened. The kids that were tagging along with their parents made me realize that my drinking days were not over. This place feels more like a bar than a restaurant (all the better). If you do bring your little ones, you may be among the few (if not the only ones) that have children there. They serve an excellentBlind Lady Alehouse
This is a fairly new pub/restaurant located in Normal Height. They serve good beer through a stainless steel draft system making it cleaner than other bars/pubs. They serve amazing pizza and salads. You have to try the cheese plate! Many families do come here in the early evening. Get there between 5pm and 6pm to ensure a seat otherwise look forward to hovering.Baja Betty’s
Craving margaritas or straight up tequila? This place is for you. They also have awesome happy hour specials so non-working moms can hit it up early.Lei Lounge
Roger and I disagreed on this place. He was positive that it was 21+ only. After a quick query, I found it indeed can have minors. Great mixed drinks (by the pitcher if you choose) and fresh food that comes out as it is ready. Get a cabana for you and your crew.
To check out places that you would like to frequent, try the California License Query System where you can search businesses by business name (Doing Business As), address, licensee name, or license number.
To understand the what the numbers on the license type mean, check out the list of common liquor licenses
Sadly, I will not be at the Starlite tonight for the Cause for Drinks, charity benefit of UNICEF’s Tap Project to celebrate World Water Week since Starlite is a License Type: 48, meaning no minors, even though they do operate a restaurant.
Sources: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and individual sites.
2009 St. Patrick’s Day San Diego Style
I am not Irish even though my son and I both have red hair. I do however enjoy my fair share of Guinness and even was proposed to in the back of a local Irish pub. I mostly aviod St Patrick’s Day madness due to all of the amateur drinkers that emerge, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate this sudo-holiday without subjecting yourself to drinking green beer (I have to break it to you that it is not real beer anyway). Here is a list of things you can do to combat those individuals who insist on pinching you for not wearing enough green.
Go to an Irish pub/bar to have Guinness, Jameson or an Irish coffee (but stay away from the Irish car bombs). You may not want to go though, since the bars will most likely be packed. I know I won’t be. Here is a comprehensive list of local Irish bars.
Attend ShamRock in the Gaslamp. Basically like Mardi Gras all over again, where you will find half naked girls and frat boys drinking anything that is green. At least they have the Downs Family and the Young Dubliners playing.
Partake in some corned beef and cabbage or maybe some shepherds pie. Many local establishments, including restaurants & bars (like Starlite, Shakespheare’s Pub, O’Sullivan’s and this list) and your nearby VFW, are having specials or potluck-style meals of this delicious dish.
Read some Irish poetry. I guess the D.G Wills Books in La Jolla is on it’s 13th year of this crazy celebration. I never really could make any sense of Irish poets like James Joyce and friends. Oh, did I mention that this event does have good Irish beer?
Look for four-leaf clover. I once found over 20 four-leaf clovers in this one field in Battle Creek, Michigan (long story to why I was in the cereal capital of the world). There have got to be some good fields of clover around here somewhere.
Watch a live radio broadcast. Both 91X and FM94/9 are broadcasting remotely that day. FM94/9 will be at Hooley’s in Rancho San Diego (6am-8pm) and 91X will be at Rock Bottom Brewery in the Gaslamp (5:30-10am) with the San Diego Derby Dolls & Get Back Loretta. I will be headed to Hooley’s with Thomas for some early morning drinks. Come join and please don’t pinch me.
Sources: San Diego Travel Tips, San Diego Reader and individual sites.
Karmic Life 