Author: Sara

No Reservations

Sara Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day this year is even more intolerable since it is on a Saturday. A normal date night and play day will surely saturate the city’s restaurants and activity centers. Personally, Roger and I don’t plan to go out on Saturday night (mainly since our “anniversary” is on Sunday), but would like to spend the day doing something cool that requires no reservations and isn’t too busy. We really have two anniversaries that we could celebrate: Sunday of President’s Day weekend or February 18th… and we prefer to celebrate on Sunday. Anyhow, I wanted to compile a few things to do this Saturday that might appeal to those that don’t care for the V-day hype, but would like to spend some special, quality time with their loved one.

Valentine’s Day Massacre-ade: A Benefit for Burners Without Borders
Location: TBA the day of the event
8pm
$15-$20
Zirk Ubu, a local circus collective, is putting on performance and fundraiser this Valentine’s Day. Also, there will be a creative band called Soul in the Machine, an unannounced DJ, appetizers by Cocina Club, black-light art, hula hoops and more. After the City Beat awards event, I definitely want to see Zirk Ubu in action again.

USA Sevens Rugby Tournament
Petco Park
9:30am-6:30pm
$21-$250
Premiere international rugby tournament. I became a big fan of rugby (and cricket) after living in New Zealand for a while. I might have to talk Roger into this one though. It also does require advance ticket purchase (damn) and will most likely cause craziness in the Gaslamp area in the evening. Also… the rain, who can forget about the rain?

Circus Vargas
Westsfield Plaza Bonita
1:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm
$20-40
Some are opposed to this kind of circus, but I have a sort of fascination with them that stems from my favorite author, Ray Bradbury. I know that I will never see what I imagine or experience the sort of tales that Bradbury tells, but sometimes I still need this fix. Maybe Zirk Ubu can help with this.

North Park Nights
Streets of North Park
7-10pm
Free
Wander the hood at night looking at art. Maybe get some dessert at Heaven Sent Desserts or have a drink at Bar Pink. Grab some sushi at North Park Sushi. I think the rain and the “holiday” will keep many away, but maybe I am wrong.

Or go out to a show, check out San Diego: Dialed In.

Personally I would love to head to Julian or the wineries in Temecula or go whale watching… but the stupid rain/snow in the mountains is messing with my plans. For sure Roger and I will be going to Blind Lady Alehouse in Normal Heights sometime this weekend. Maybe the rain won’t spoil everything, but for now I have no plans, still.

West Coast Roller Derby Bouts: 2009 Spring Schedule

Sara Leave a comment

After my previous post, it was suggested that I post all of the dates for the West Coast bouts. This list includes all derby leagues in the states of Washington, Oregon, California (except Southern California bouts listed in the previous post), and Nevada. Luckily, I have connections to get this sort of information. Though, it would be awesome for fans if the leagues would keep their websites an/or myspace pages up-to-date.

February
Feb 14: http://rosecityrollers.com/
Feb 15: http://www.olyrollers.com/
Feb 21: http://www.bayareaderbygirls.com/
Feb 21: http://www.centralcoastrollerderby.com/index.html
Feb 21: http://www.emeraldcityrollergirls.com/
Feb 21: http://www.dockyardderbydames.com/
Feb 28: http://rosecityrollers.com/
Feb: 28: http://www.myspace.com/norcalrollergirlsrock
Feb 28: http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/

March
Mar 7: http://www.lavacityrollerdolls.com/
Mar 7: http://www.myspace.com/442234977
Mar 7: http://www.ratcityrollergirls.com/
Mar 7: http://www.slaughtercountyrollervixens.com/
Mar 14: http://www.svrollergirls.com/
Mar 14: http://www.bayareaderbygirls.com/
Mar 21: http://notownrollerderby.wordpress.com/
Mar 21: http://www.olyrollers.com/
Mar 21: http://www.emeraldcityrollergirls.com/
Mar 21:http://www.jetcityrollergirls.com/
Mar 28: http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/
Mar 28: http://www.sacredcityderbygirls.com/
Mar: 28: http://www.myspace.com/norcalrollergirlsrock
Mar 28: http://www.dockyardderbydames.com/

April
Apr 4: http://www.bayareaderbygirls.com/
Apr 4: http://valleyfeverrollerderby.com/
Apr 11: http://www.myspace.com/humboldtrollerderby
Apr 11: http://www.olyrollers.com/
Apr 11: http://www.emeraldcityrollergirls.com/
Apr 11: http://www.myspace.com/343402520
Apr 11: http://www.jetcityrollergirls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.theportcityrollergirls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.ratcityrollergirls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.saccityrollers.com/
Apr 18 http://www.sacredcityderbygirls.com/
Apr 18: Sonoma County Roller Derby versus Santa Cruz Roller Girls @
Apr 25: http://www.myspace.com/norcalrollergirlsrock
Apr 25: http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/
Apr 25: http://www.myspace.com/reddingrollergirls

May
May 3: http://www.myspace.com/442234977
May 9: http://www.bayareaderbygirls.com/
May 9: http://www.emeraldcityrollergirls.com/
May 16: http://renorollergirls.com/
May 16: http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/
May 16: http://www.jetcityrollergirls.com/
May 23: http://www.myspace.com/humboldtrollerderby
May 23: http://www.myspace.com/norcalrollergirlsrock
May 23: http://www.myspace.com/442234977
May 24: http://www.olyrollers.com/
May 30: http://notownrollerderby.wordpress.com/
May 30: http://www.ratcityrollergirls.com/

June
Jun 6: http://www.myspace.com/vtownderbydames
Jun 6: http://www.sincityrollergirls.com/
Jun 6: http://www.dockyardderbydames.com/
http://www.jetcityrollergirls.com/
Jun 13: http://www.svrollergirls.com/
Jun 13: http://www.bayareaderbygirls.com/
Jun 13: http://www.jetcityrollergirls.com/
Jun 20: http://www.myspace.com/norcalrollergirlsrock
Jun 20: http://www.myspace.com/343402520
Jun 20: http://www.centralcoastrollerderby.com/index.html
Jun 20: Sonoma County Roller Derby versus Sac City @
Jun 27: http://www.myspace.com/442234977
Jun 27: http://www.emeraldcityrollergirls.com/

Please note: Some of these bouts are tentative and may not be listed on the league’s website until confirmed. Feel free to email me if you notice any of the information is incorrect or missing, and I will change it. The links that correspond to each event will take you to the website where you can purchase tickets (aka hosting league’s website). All bouts listed are flat track unless otherwise specified.

See previous post for Southern California bout dates. Neither list includes tournaments outside of the west coast or other derby events that the public is not allowed to attend (i.e. Blood and Thunder Training Camp).

If you are looking for the most complete listing of bouts, derby news and more, please check the Derby News Network.

Southern California Roller Derby Bouts: 2009 Spring Schedule

Sara Leave a comment

Although I have been physically unable to play roller derby for the last 9 months or so, I have stayed active through coaching and managing bouts with the San Diego Derby Dolls. I was able to tie on my skates for the first time on Monday to get my bearings. With my weight shifting from my belly to my chest, I really needed to work on my balance. I am so glad to be returning to being a part of this sport that has such inspiring women and much appreciated community support.

If you have yet to make it to a bout, there are many opportunities to get out and see roller derby in Southern California. Here is a compiled spring schedule of local roller derby teams:

February
Feb 21: http://www.derbydolls.com/
Feb 28: http://www.derbydolls.com/

March
Mar 7: http://www.ocrollergirls.com/
Mar 7: http://www.bakersfieldrollergirls.com/
Mar 14: http://www.myspace.com/vcdevilsdarlins
Mar 21: http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/
Mar 21: http://www.iederbydivas.com/
Mar 28: http://www.myspace.com/prisoncityderbydames
Mar 28: http://www.derbydolls.com/

April
Apr 4: http://www.derbydolls.com/
Apr 4: http://www.ocrollergirls.com/
Apr 12: http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.derbydolls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.derbydolls.com/
Apr 18: http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/

May
May 2: http://www.myspace.com/prisoncityderbydames
May 9: http://www.derbydolls.com/
May 9: http://www.iederbydivas.com/
May 15: http://www.derbydolls.com/
May 16-17: http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/
May 30: http://www.derbydolls.com/

June
Jun 20: http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/
Jun 27: http://www.myspace.com/prisoncityderbydames
Jun 28: http://www.derbydolls.com/

Please note: The links that correspond to each event will take you to the website where you can purchase tickets (most likely the hosting league’s website). All bouts listed are flat track unless otherwise specified.

Eddie’s Place in North Park opens tomorrow

Sara 1 Comment

I got this email from my friend, Dan this weekend and I just had to repost it since it is hilarious, straight-forward and just as informative. Eddie’s Place is a new restaurant located on 30th and Myrtle in North Park.

Today, I was gonna get an answer to the question that many people have been asking.
“When is Eddie’s Place opening?”
Eddie’s Place is across from Lefty’s Pizza.

Hank, the mailman didn’t know and actually sounded disappointed that the business owner hadn’t communicated with him in any way because people have been asking Hank. Note for future business owners: Inform your mailman. This is a walking, talking free advertising agent.

After climbing the series of steps and ramps to the pinnacle of the front porch at Eddie’s Place, I saw a sign on the door that stated they are opening Feb 2, 2009. I have seen similar signs in the past. Seeing the door was ajar and a chef mixing something up in a large bowl in the kitchen, I walked in to confirm the date on the sign as real or hopeful. She informed me the date is very real. Eddie’s Place will open this Monday February 2.

After asking what kind of food they will have, she allowed me to look at the only menu they have printed. They will offer lunch and dinner. Lunches seem to be mainly sandwiches, hoagies, etc. Dinner offers ribs, steaks, chicken pot pie, etc. Prices range from $7-$15.
The place also offers domestic beers like Miller, Bud, etc for $3.50 or so.

After thanking her and retreating down the labyrinth I had earlier climbed to enter the front door, I went to Jack in The Box to use the free terriyaki bowl coupon I was given at the Holiday Bowl. One bowl later, I am nearly ready to throw up.

I am looking forward to Eddie’s opening.

Dan

Reposted email from North Park resident, Dan Altenburg

The Sweetest Thing…

Sara 4 Comments

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted, but in reality it has only been a week. My world has turned upside-down in the best way possible, giving birth to our son, Thomas Eliot Morrison. I usually reserve this blog for non-personal stuff, but I feel this is an occasion that warrants a few words and photos (as many of you are surely dying to see).

Well it didn’t happen at the Casbah as predicted (and hoped for) by many, but Thomas Eliot Morrison was born 1pm (exactly) on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital. He was 7 lbs, 1 oz and was 19.5 inches… now growing fast.

Many of you knew that we did not want to share our name choices until our little one arrived. The story behind the name is that my grandfather’s name is Hubert Thomason… we really wanted to name him after important people, and my grandfather is one of the biggest influential people in my life. He raised me as a child, let me escape there as a teen, and as he has grown older, I have taken on the caretaker role at times. He has some of the most amazing stories including one where he travelled to Spain for a day just to show his friend how to use the military free flights… It took him 5 days of traveling and he was 80 at the time. I could not bring myself to name him Hubert, so Thomas it is (plus everyone calls my grandfather Tom anyhow). Eliot is a name that I have always loved… from the boy in E.T., to the dragon in Pete’s Dragon, to the poet/literary critic, T.S. Eliot (whose first name is also Thomas).

Thomas came into the world to the music of Polyphonic Spree’s first album “The Beginning Stages of…” Perfect album for this momentous event (aside from the final track that is a loop of feedback for 10-15 minutes). We are currently working on a mixed CD of songs for him that mark special events as a newborn. I will post the list once we have completed it for inquiring minds.

Be prepared for ultimate cuteness…

Family photo

First headphones

Since I won’t be out an about for awhile until I get this breastfeeding/pumping thing down, I will be missing a few things including Wednesday, January 28 @ The Casbah Blasphemous Guitars, Pleaseeasaur, Goblin Cock (my original due date). If you can make it to this show, you will not be let down.

I now will be looking at all ages shows and events more closely, as I can at least bring Thomas along for those. Oh and good news for me… Toronado is all ages and within walking distance. I last went there on their opening day (aka the day I found out I was pregnant). Need a good beer fix soon. Maybe sometime this weekend.