Any NATIVE San Diegans here?

[San Diego Native]

I found this forum when searching for info to share with friends who are moving to San Diego, and have been reading the posts for the past month. Very interesting.

As a native San Diegan, I have been wondering if any of those expressing opinions are natives–as in born and raised here?

The reason I ask, is because everyone I know (family and friends) have owned coastal and other properties here for years, (parents paid $75K for La Jolla home in the 70’s in the La Jolla Country Club area) so, since we don’t want or need to sell, we’re probably out of touch with the current market, and it would be interesting to know if any of you expressing such “bearish” views are natives?
Just curious.

[sdcellar]

Does it count if you’ve lived here since you were a teenager?

I know I wasn’t in the market for a house at that time and, as teenagers will, didn’t keep very close tabs on real estate (I know I should have…)

[sdcellar]

Does it count if you’ve lived here since you were a teenager?

I know I wasn’t in the market for a house at that time and, as teenagers will, didn’t keep very close tabs on real estate (I know I should have…)

[PerryChase]

I’ve been in San Diego since 1983 then moved away for a few years for school. But, no, I was not born and raised in San Diego.

A lot of people who bought a long time ago and don’t need to sell are fine. However, they are living in dated homes and can’t afford to fix them up, unless they pull equity out.

With the easy credit of the last few years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see many long time owners get in trouble because they refied money out of their homes to live the California lifestyle and to invest in more properties.

It’s not when you bought that’s important. It’s how much you owe and whether you can afford the monthly payments.

Leverage can amplify gains greatly but can also put otherwise well-to-do families in the poor house. See the colapse of the subprime hedge funds.

At the trough, I expect to see a lot of Del Mar,Solana Beach, La Jolla, Coronado, Point Loma, PB, OB, Bay Park properties come on the market. I don’t know that for sure, but I’m gonna sit back and watch the show.

We are only in the early stages of a downturn. Anyone who’s been around real estate cycles knows that the talk of recovery this early is ridiculous.

[PerryChase]

I’ve been in San Diego since 1983 then moved away for a few years for school. But, no, I was not born and raised in San Diego.

A lot of people who bought a long time ago and don’t need to sell are fine. However, they are living in dated homes and can’t afford to fix them up, unless they pull equity out.

With the easy credit of the last few years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see many long time owners get in trouble because they refied money out of their homes to live the California lifestyle and to invest in more properties.

It’s not when you bought that’s important. It’s how much you owe and whether you can afford the monthly payments.

Leverage can amplify gains greatly but can also put otherwise well-to-do families in the poor house. See the colapse of the subprime hedge funds.

At the trough, I expect to see a lot of Del Mar,Solana Beach, La Jolla, Coronado, Point Loma, PB, OB, Bay Park properties come on the market. I don’t know that for sure, but I’m gonna sit back and watch the show.

We are only in the early stages of a downturn. Anyone who’s been around real estate cycles knows that the talk of recovery this early is ridiculous.

[4plexowner]

You appear to be implying that the analysis of non-natives is somehow different than the analysis of natives

Am I reading something into your post that isn’t there?

[GoUSC]

I’m bearish and I was born and raised here. Born in ’76, lived most of my life in La Jolla, moved to LA for college, came back and lived in Crown Point for ~8 years and now live in Bay Park.

[lostkitty]

I am a native. Born in ’67. Lived in RSF, Solana Beach and Coronado all of my life (with a few years abroad in different countries). When deciding to ‘settle’ … this bubble sent us packing. We live in upstate NY now.

[NorthCountyMan]

born and bred since 1968

[NorthCountyMan]

born and bred since 1968

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

I am not a native. I moved to San Diego from the midwest in 1995. All the natives and long-time SD folks told me that real estate sucked then. I ran the numbers and decided to buy a house in Clairemont for 160K. My neighbor said I overpaid by 5K, but said thanks for raising the comps in the neighborhood.

10 years and two houses later I took my 350K of equity and reluctantly moved away (job opportunity).

Still own (well I own about 50% of the house, the bank owns the other half) a coastal rental property that I hope will someday allow me to come back and semi-retire in SD.

Although I have only spent 25% of my life there (so far) I consider San Diego my hometown.

[(former)FormerSanDiegan]

I am not a native. I moved to San Diego from the midwest in 1995. All the natives and long-time SD folks told me that real estate sucked then. I ran the numbers and decided to buy a house in Clairemont for 160K. My neighbor said I overpaid by 5K, but said thanks for raising the comps in the neighborhood.

10 years and two houses later I took my 350K of equity and reluctantly moved away (job opportunity).

Still own (well I own about 50% of the house, the bank owns the other half) a coastal rental property that I hope will someday allow me to come back and semi-retire in SD.

Although I have only spent 25% of my life there (so far) I consider San Diego my hometown.

[Anonymous]

Wow, lk, you are old.

[Anonymous]

Wow, lk, you are old.

[lostkitty]

I am a native. Born in ’67. Lived in RSF, Solana Beach and Coronado all of my life (with a few years abroad in different countries). When deciding to ‘settle’ … this bubble sent us packing. We live in upstate NY now.

[GoUSC]

I’m bearish and I was born and raised here. Born in ’76, lived most of my life in La Jolla, moved to LA for college, came back and lived in Crown Point for ~8 years and now live in Bay Park.

[meadandale]

“You appear to be implying that the analysis of non-natives is somehow different than the analysis of natives”

That’s what I get too.

Look at it this way. I’m bearish about the Santa Ynez Valley north of Santa Barbara as well and that’s where I grew up. Older houses that were selling for $200-250k back in the late 80’s and early nineties are going for $800+ now.

Buying a house in Santa Barbara County is worse than here.

[San Diego Native]

No negatives meant to be inferred concerning the analysis by SD natives vs. “non.” Just a matter of curiousity.

Many of us who have owned property here for years–now free and clear–just don’t think about these things–so it’s great to read all of the responses from people who are tracking the market.

Sure, the market may change dramatically, but no one I know in La Jolla or other coastal areas is buying or selling, so until friends asked our opinion about buying in the near future, we hadn’t given it much thought. Directing them to this forum has definitely given them a lot to think about!!

[sdcellar]

Got it. Makes total sense. Thanks San Diego Native.

[sdcellar]

Got it. Makes total sense. Thanks San Diego Native.

[lostkitty]

San Diego Native-

You wrote: "Many of us who have owned property here for years–now free and clear–just don't think about these things…  no one I know in La Jolla or other coastal areas is buying or selling, so until friends asked our opinion about buying in the near future, we hadn't given it much thought."

Hasn't the rapid growth in San Diego given you or your other Native friends any concern at all?  My family has been in San Diego for decades and decades.. We watch the freeways, streets, (and sewers!) clog up with total disappointment.  It may not affect the price of your house, but this bublble certainly has had an effect on your quality of life.  Do you agree?  Getting into LJ has become an exercise in patience.

[lostkitty]

San Diego Native-

You wrote: "Many of us who have owned property here for years–now free and clear–just don't think about these things…  no one I know in La Jolla or other coastal areas is buying or selling, so until friends asked our opinion about buying in the near future, we hadn't given it much thought."

Hasn't the rapid growth in San Diego given you or your other Native friends any concern at all?  My family has been in San Diego for decades and decades.. We watch the freeways, streets, (and sewers!) clog up with total disappointment.  It may not affect the price of your house, but this bublble certainly has had an effect on your quality of life.  Do you agree?  Getting into LJ has become an exercise in patience.

[4plexowner]

15+ yrs in San Diego – watched Clairemont houses rise through the $100K level way back when

owned 15+ rental units locally – sold them all between 2002 and 2005 – kept personal residence because of low tax basis and family vs money reasoning (if it were just me I’d be renting right now) – will be buying again when/if rentals make sense as an investment (vs a speculation) – also plan to buy a view property (or several) during this correction

I believe there will be ‘entry level’ view properties in La Jolla, Pt Loma, Mission Hills, etc for around $800K in 2011/2012 – these houses are currently selling for $1.4 to $1.8 mil

San Diego is paradise – natives don’t realize that until they live somewhere else

[4plexowner]

15+ yrs in San Diego – watched Clairemont houses rise through the $100K level way back when

owned 15+ rental units locally – sold them all between 2002 and 2005 – kept personal residence because of low tax basis and family vs money reasoning (if it were just me I’d be renting right now) – will be buying again when/if rentals make sense as an investment (vs a speculation) – also plan to buy a view property (or several) during this correction

I believe there will be ‘entry level’ view properties in La Jolla, Pt Loma, Mission Hills, etc for around $800K in 2011/2012 – these houses are currently selling for $1.4 to $1.8 mil

San Diego is paradise – natives don’t realize that until they live somewhere else

[San Diego Native]

No negatives meant to be inferred concerning the analysis by SD natives vs. “non.” Just a matter of curiousity.

Many of us who have owned property here for years–now free and clear–just don’t think about these things–so it’s great to read all of the responses from people who are tracking the market.

Sure, the market may change dramatically, but no one I know in La Jolla or other coastal areas is buying or selling, so until friends asked our opinion about buying in the near future, we hadn’t given it much thought. Directing them to this forum has definitely given them a lot to think about!!

[meadandale]

“You appear to be implying that the analysis of non-natives is somehow different than the analysis of natives”

That’s what I get too.

Look at it this way. I’m bearish about the Santa Ynez Valley north of Santa Barbara as well and that’s where I grew up. Older houses that were selling for $200-250k back in the late 80’s and early nineties are going for $800+ now.

Buying a house in Santa Barbara County is worse than here.

[4plexowner]

You appear to be implying that the analysis of non-natives is somehow different than the analysis of natives

Am I reading something into your post that isn’t there?

[poorgradstudent]

A lot of the “Natives” I know (people who bought in the 70s or earlier) tend to be shocked at how much their homes and those of their neighbors are supposedly worth right now. Does that make them “bearish”?

[CBad]

OC native. Moved to SD in 92.

[CBad]

OC native. Moved to SD in 92.

[poorgradstudent]

A lot of the “Natives” I know (people who bought in the 70s or earlier) tend to be shocked at how much their homes and those of their neighbors are supposedly worth right now. Does that make them “bearish”?

[Jason]

I’m one of the few remaining multi-generational natives still living in San Diego County. We are an endangered species.

That being said, I’m quite bearish on the local Real Estate market — SINCE the boom 1-2 years ago. Otherwise, if you’ve owned something long enough, you’re a long way from being bearish on your own investment, especially in La Jolla. That is until global warming redefines our coastline…

[San Diego Native]

Just want to thank everyone for their replies so far.
Hope to hear more.

I want my friends who would like to move here soon to hear both sides of this historical saga before making their decision.

The greatest thing about most of your comments is that I hear a general consensus that everyone who has been fortunate enough to live in San Diego for any length of time at all, especially during the really good years (I’m almost 40, so I remember them well)–a time with far less traffic–clean and almost empty beaches–etc., etc., etc., feels they have already lived a life that’s priceless, and in the end, that’s really what it’s all about.

What the future holds for San Diego is in question, but also having lived off and on many other places in the world, it will still always be “home.”

[NotCranky]

I moved here from Ventura County in 1980(18 years old). I don’t enjoy the crowds that are everywhere compared to then. Traffic and parking was fantastic. I think the only place that had traffic Jams was the 8 near San Diego State. Tiny little ones really.You could still park on some of the beaches
I think some portions of the 15 were surface streets still.I used to ride my bike comfortably 30-60 miles on weekends around the county. It felt safe until about 95′ People still ride obviously. It is too crazy out there for me. I do enjoy the effects of San Diego becoming more cosmopolitan.Downtown has changed form a creepy denizen of filth to a pretty cool place IMO. I love the ammenities of the city/coast but moved to the hills to get out of the feeling that living in San Diego was becoming a little bit of a grind and perhaps a little unhealthy for risk of crime and pollution. Thoughts of leaving the state were considered.We live in Jamul now. We think about moving our growing family back to the city to be close to activities for them as that is the biggest drawback of semi-rural living. Schools are a big concern since we are in the public school camp. The decent schools are in areas that exceed our price for housing or are in suburbs. My wife would move to one of the nicer houses in San Carlos in a heart beat and that is about our price range at current prices. I am pretty much in the 40% drop camp, across the board,except my house,it is different here.

[what_a_disasta]

I am not a native myself. But as someone who has lived here 6 years or so, this comment from SD Lookup that sums it up for me.

http://www.sdlookup.com/Forums/RegionsNeighborhoods/tabid/62/forumid/192/postid/1193/view/topic/Default.aspx

I used to live in Carmel Valley and it’s a boring place. Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas on the Coast is fine but anything East of the 5 is boring for boring people with boring lives and cookie cutter mentality.

I really like the village atmosphere of the older coastal towns like Del Mar and Coronado, but the rest of the county is pretty much a cultural vacuum compared to other places I have lived. The trouble is you need to be doing very well for yourself to be able to relocate to a nice house in one of those desirable areas.

[taz]

Ummm….what_a_disasta…Hillcrest, Mission Hills, University Heights, South Park…all are east of the 5, and while maybe not your personal favorites, can hardly be called boring or described as having a “cookie cutter mentality…”

[what_a_disasta]

You are correct. Those places are so grim I must have totally blanked them out of my mind.

[what_a_disasta]

You are correct. Those places are so grim I must have totally blanked them out of my mind.

[PerryChase]

I agree with you taz. However, I think that what_a_disasta was referring to master planned, cookie-cutter communities in North County.

[Bugs]

I was raised in the OC and moved here in 1990.

[Bugs]

I was raised in the OC and moved here in 1990.

[PerryChase]

I agree with you taz. However, I think that what_a_disasta was referring to master planned, cookie-cutter communities in North County.

[taz]

Ummm….what_a_disasta…Hillcrest, Mission Hills, University Heights, South Park…all are east of the 5, and while maybe not your personal favorites, can hardly be called boring or described as having a “cookie cutter mentality…”

[what_a_disasta]

I am not a native myself. But as someone who has lived here 6 years or so, this comment from SD Lookup that sums it up for me.

http://www.sdlookup.com/Forums/RegionsNeighborhoods/tabid/62/forumid/192/postid/1193/view/topic/Default.aspx

I used to live in Carmel Valley and it’s a boring place. Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas on the Coast is fine but anything East of the 5 is boring for boring people with boring lives and cookie cutter mentality.

I really like the village atmosphere of the older coastal towns like Del Mar and Coronado, but the rest of the county is pretty much a cultural vacuum compared to other places I have lived. The trouble is you need to be doing very well for yourself to be able to relocate to a nice house in one of those desirable areas.

[NotCranky]

I moved here from Ventura County in 1980(18 years old). I don’t enjoy the crowds that are everywhere compared to then. Traffic and parking was fantastic. I think the only place that had traffic Jams was the 8 near San Diego State. Tiny little ones really.You could still park on some of the beaches
I think some portions of the 15 were surface streets still.I used to ride my bike comfortably 30-60 miles on weekends around the county. It felt safe until about 95′ People still ride obviously. It is too crazy out there for me. I do enjoy the effects of San Diego becoming more cosmopolitan.Downtown has changed form a creepy denizen of filth to a pretty cool place IMO. I love the ammenities of the city/coast but moved to the hills to get out of the feeling that living in San Diego was becoming a little bit of a grind and perhaps a little unhealthy for risk of crime and pollution. Thoughts of leaving the state were considered.We live in Jamul now. We think about moving our growing family back to the city to be close to activities for them as that is the biggest drawback of semi-rural living. Schools are a big concern since we are in the public school camp. The decent schools are in areas that exceed our price for housing or are in suburbs. My wife would move to one of the nicer houses in San Carlos in a heart beat and that is about our price range at current prices. I am pretty much in the 40% drop camp, across the board,except my house,it is different here.

[taz]

I moved here in 1986 – was in the Navy back in those days. Yes, I too remember when the I-15 was still surface streets through the area where I now live (Kensington/Talmadge), but that wasn’t a problem b/c downtown was dirty and scary and crime ridden and no one went there unless they absolutely had to (i.e. jury duty). Left in ’88, came back in ’93 for lawschool and stayed. And…thank goodness, bought a house in ’97 before the crazyness really got out of hand. San Diego, for all its current problems, is still a wonderful place to live, especially compared to the midwest where I grew up…

[taz]

I moved here in 1986 – was in the Navy back in those days. Yes, I too remember when the I-15 was still surface streets through the area where I now live (Kensington/Talmadge), but that wasn’t a problem b/c downtown was dirty and scary and crime ridden and no one went there unless they absolutely had to (i.e. jury duty). Left in ’88, came back in ’93 for lawschool and stayed. And…thank goodness, bought a house in ’97 before the crazyness really got out of hand. San Diego, for all its current problems, is still a wonderful place to live, especially compared to the midwest where I grew up…

[San Diego Native]

Just want to thank everyone for their replies so far.
Hope to hear more.

I want my friends who would like to move here soon to hear both sides of this historical saga before making their decision.

The greatest thing about most of your comments is that I hear a general consensus that everyone who has been fortunate enough to live in San Diego for any length of time at all, especially during the really good years (I’m almost 40, so I remember them well)–a time with far less traffic–clean and almost empty beaches–etc., etc., etc., feels they have already lived a life that’s priceless, and in the end, that’s really what it’s all about.

What the future holds for San Diego is in question, but also having lived off and on many other places in the world, it will still always be “home.”

[Jason]

I’m one of the few remaining multi-generational natives still living in San Diego County. We are an endangered species.

That being said, I’m quite bearish on the local Real Estate market — SINCE the boom 1-2 years ago. Otherwise, if you’ve owned something long enough, you’re a long way from being bearish on your own investment, especially in La Jolla. That is until global warming redefines our coastline…

[CMcG]

Someone said lk was old. If that’s true, I’m knocking on heaven’s door! Parents moved here from the Midwest in the late 1950s when I was six months old. My parents were very bullish on real estate, even at middle-class professional salaries. Keep in mind that the median house price in San Diego County was BELOW the U.S. median until the 1970s. At one point, they owned four houses…two small ones in La Jolla and two in eastern suburbs. I did not know till I was an adult how much of a struggle that was for them. It paid off, of course. They still own three of those, free and clear.

[CMcG]

Someone said lk was old. If that’s true, I’m knocking on heaven’s door! Parents moved here from the Midwest in the late 1950s when I was six months old. My parents were very bullish on real estate, even at middle-class professional salaries. Keep in mind that the median house price in San Diego County was BELOW the U.S. median until the 1970s. At one point, they owned four houses…two small ones in La Jolla and two in eastern suburbs. I did not know till I was an adult how much of a struggle that was for them. It paid off, of course. They still own three of those, free and clear.

[temeculaguy]

I’m a third generation Southern Californian, although my family is large and not everyone has lived in the same county for the 80 years we’ve been here (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. and myself with school and jobs over those 8 decades the clan has inhabited L.A., O.C., S.D. and Riverside counties, and still do. Lots of good real estate stories have been told over the years and just last year the family sold Grandma’s house in L.A. that I think she bought in the 1940’s for 5 or 10k and it was paid off 30 years ago. All that family history, maybe 50-100 homes bought and sold amongst family members, all in so cal since the depression and I’m bearish as hell, as is every one of my relatives. I think natives should be more bearish since they’ve seen the pendulum swing more than once.

[lostkitty]

Am I older than you are jg?! Funny, because before I realized your name stood for ‘J’ust ‘G’oofing – I had always thought it stood for “Judgemental Grandpa”.

[Anonymous]

lk, given that you grew up in fancy but ‘plastic’ SoCal (RSF, Coronado), are economical (moved from expensive SoCal to less expensive Upstate), and are of advancing years, have you found Botox treatment to be cheaper in Upstate? How about varicose vein treatment?

Just curious.

Caustic Christian Comic

[lostkitty]

Oh you ARE a funny one JG! No stopping your quick wit… and evasive, you never told us how old you are. Just curious.

We dont need Botox here. No sun = minimal wrinkles. I have no varicose veins (or as my sister calls them “VeryGross Veins”), so never considered that either. Plastic surgery is not popular here, if a girl walked in the room with big fake boobs, everyone would snicker.

I tell you, things are different in NY. I used to see all the moms show up at Coronado to pick their kids up from school. All blonde! What is the percentage of women over 30 who are actually still naturally blonde? Even my Swedish in-law needs a little help with that now, and she was a tow-head even in college.

Teeth however, are white and straight in upstate NY. Braces are popular. They are practically slapping those things on preschoolers nowadays.

[Anonymous]

lk, well of course I’m older than you. Can’t you tell, because I’m wiser?

I’m 45. Call me ‘Pops.’

Creaky (Kneed) Catholic Crank

[lostkitty]

Same age as my husband. He is not as crotchety as you are… He does not have creaky knees either. Although you accused him of sitting on the couch drinking beer, he’s actually in training to do the Lake Placid Ironman (but I confess, he loves beer).
You were definitely in the Navy at the same time, but he stayed slightly longer. You probably worked for him….

[Anonymous]

lk, I only worked for him if he was a LCDR in ’88 (fat chance, unless he was 26 year old LCDR Doogie Howser), ’cause that’s when I made LT in my ’85-’90 stint.

I was a destroyer (CUSHING) and submarine (LA JOLLA, CHICAGO) Supply Corps guy. What part of the Navy was your husband in?

Good luck to him on his training!

[lostkitty]

I was just kidding, you are the same age, you couldnt have worked for him. Maybe you sat next to him at Mass. He used to live in LaJolla, right on Coast Blvd…. I lived on Pearl St at the time. He was a good Catholic boy and attended that something-or-other ‘by-the-Sea’ church, near or next to Bishops. I cant remember the name of it just this minute (must be my advanced age). He was a Hoover-vacuum pilot (S-3’s). Cruised on so many carriers, I cant keep them straight. He also went to Test Pilot School in Pax River MD.

[Anonymous]

Good work by your husband, flying S-3s.

Mary Star of the Sea is a beautiful little church. We tried it out when we moved to LJ, but I had a hard time understanding the priest (Filipino fellow). So, we make the 25 minute hike to USD/Immaculata.

Someone said the Catholic Church is horrendous, that the stigma of divorce leaks to the kids. Nah. Our priest at the Immaculata, a Clairemont kid, his Marine father divorced his mother. Yet the son has risen to be priest of the nicest Catholic church in town.

May your husband have an awakening, remember his roots, crack that whip, and get those kids of yours religion!

They’re going to believe in something. Might as well be something good.

[lostkitty]

jg – “May your husband have an awakening,”

He’s already had that “awakening” you mention. That is why he stopped going to church!

Let me tell you how it went….
Young, nice, polite, accomplished, blonde blue eyed Catholic boy meets totally smokin’ hot long legged SoCal natural beach girl (that would be me). They date for a few years, he asks her to marry him. She is not Catholic, but was for the first 5 years of her life, until her alcoholic father left his wife and five children so he could have the freedom to sit in a bar without getting nagged about passing out on the living room floor in front of the children each evening afterwards.
Her mother went looking for guidance from the priest. She cried, wondering how she was going to make the transition from stay-at-home RSF mom, with hired help, to full-time working mother on a nurse’s salary with five kids aged 3,5,6,10, and 11 in a tiny little tract home. She was given no help or sympathy, but rather told she should repent, etc etc.
She tried to comply (she was raised as a strict Catholic girl), but one day as she watch the gay priest – who, BTW, was always blatanly flirting with her 10yr old son –flitting/sashaying/waltzing down the aisle at Mass (she had heard rumblings about their gay cocaine parties as well – which were all confirmed by the newspapers a few years later) — it suddenly occured to her…. “F*%k this Sh*t! I DID NOTHING WRONG HERE! Who are these guys to judge me.” That was they day she learned to think for herself – and stopped attending the Catholic church.

So, back to the early 90’s part of the story. Nice Catholic blonde boy takes sunkissed wife-to-be to the Catholic church to discuss marriage. The priest says that although future wife was baptised Catholic and is currently attending Mass regularly with husband to be, she did not go through 1st Communion so they cannot be married. Priest gives young maiden lots of up-n-down eyeball evaluation, and then tells couple how he will be oh-so-generous in this situation, and offers that if couple finds their own priest, he’ll be generous enough to let them use his church for the service (for a small fee).
The nice catholic boy was offended. How could his church, who he has served and worshipped at for his entire life, turn away the woman he loves, the woman he has carefully chosen to marry?
Viola! Awakening…

My husband is a well-read individual, and knows perfectly well that it was the rituals and stories in his religion that he was worshipping, and so our kids have attended CCD from the earliest ages, until the age when ‘reason” takes over (about the same time they realize Santa is not a real person)… Just long enough to learn the stories of the Good Samaritan, etc. The Bible has excellent lessons for living in society. i do not dispute that, but there are also some horrible, intolerant messages in there, and I NEVER want my kids to follow along blindly ‘because they should’. I believe that is exactly how my mom got into the predicament that she did. She married this guy, and then was stuck because of the “rules” she lived by as dictated to her by her church.
She is now a VERY strong, happy and satisfied 73 year old woman… living near the beach in SB, and always speaking her mind. All her children went to college and or post-grad, and are functioning individuals. We drink, but none of us to excess… She did this with no financial help from anyone at all.. She also did not need the church.

[Anonymous]

Yep, the Catholic Church is strict about who it gives its imprimatur to, about who it marries in its churches. My wife was Lutheran (and had gone through First Communion and, I think, Confirmation), and had to agree to raise our children as Catholics. She did, and we got to marry at The Immaculata.

Glad to hear that you and your husband are raising your children well. Glad to hear that your mother is doing well.

Thank goodness lawsuits forced the Catholic Church to confront its “Purple Mafia” (homosexual priests ordained in the aftermath of the ’60s). The sexual abuse of the Catholic Church in the past was, largely, the abuse of boys by men, i.e., homosexuality forced upon young, impressionable boys. The ‘weak-stream’ media portray it as otherwise, of course.

Different people react to tough situations in different ways. Your mother married, and divorced, an alcoholic; my mother married, and divorced, a womanizer. But, my mother still took us to church and led us through the sacraments.

What intolerant messages do you see in the New Testament, lk? Sure, the Old Testament is full of fire and brimstone and stonings, but to Christians, the Old Testament only prepared the way, and was supplanted by the Two Great Commandments.

[Anonymous]

And, folks have different gauntlets to try to run when it comes to marriage; you had the Catholic Church, I had a future mother-in-law:

I asked my future father-in-law for his daughter’s hand; I got his ‘blessing.’ I then proposed to my future wife, who accepted, in March ’90. My mother-in-law wanted a summer wedding for her only daughter, with the reception to be held at their lovely La Mesa/Mt. Helix home. She said that she could not make all of the arrangements in five months. I said how about a December ’90 wedding. She said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘You win, summer ’91 it is.’

So, it was a painful wait, proposal to wedding, 18 months. Yep, negotiating the straits on weddings can be trying. May it be easier for you and your husband with your kids and their spouses.

[PerryChase]

jg, did you have pre-marital sex with your wife or anyone else? (just joking :)).

For me Catholicism was just tradition but did not mean a lot. Dad warned me at a young age to not believe everything the church said and never to take anything at face value. He also talked politics to me when I was 5.

Catholic mass is beautiful but the Church is all about money — money for this, money for that, and big bucks when you die.

[PerryChase]

I like San Diego now a lot better than in the 80s. We now have more diversity and have the critical mass to be a world class city.

I was dissappointed that we didn’t get a bi-national airport that would turn the San Diego/Tijuana region into the first cross-border metropolis.

I’m glad to see Downtownn turn into a much nicer place. San Diego needs a new airport and some striking Downtown landmark that would turn us into a world class city like Sydney, Australia.

[NotCranky]

Lost Kttty,
Thanks for your story too. I have wondered if I should be talking about religion,politics and societal issues with our young kids, which I do. After reading it coming from you I will definitely talk with my kids about the things we have been blogging about. Especially the part about how we are primates.LOL I won’t talk about sexuality except to the level of their wondering. We have gay friends and I am really not looking forward to talking about it with them to be honest.We will probably look for advice from parents who have already been there. JG do you talk about what happened in the church with your kids. They must know? I think they are around 10?BTW I have been told that similiar things occur in Mexican Parishes but with heterosexual men victimizing young girls, rumor has it the sometimes to the extent of “disappearing” the girls.

I am worried about hijacking this thread again is there something we could do about that?

[SDowner]

LK, liked ur post.

JG, one of my friends is catholic. I went along with her one day to church and attended mass. I loved it. The singing was spiritually uplifting. I have read parts of old and new testament.

Why is it that when anyone talks about religion, u r all up in arms to defend it? Isnt it always better for a person to listen to the other end of the spectrum and still adhere to their faith based on its merits and not blind, naive belief?

I have always questioned my faith and religion, and always let others question it too. Disparaging someone’s faith is wrong, but healthy discussions need to take place.

[SDowner]

LK, liked ur post.

JG, one of my friends is catholic. I went along with her one day to church and attended mass. I loved it. The singing was spiritually uplifting. I have read parts of old and new testament.

Why is it that when anyone talks about religion, u r all up in arms to defend it? Isnt it always better for a person to listen to the other end of the spectrum and still adhere to their faith based on its merits and not blind, naive belief?

I have always questioned my faith and religion, and always let others question it too. Disparaging someone’s faith is wrong, but healthy discussions need to take place.

[SD Transplant]

I’m not a native, but I’ve been living in San Diego since 1995 (about 12 years). I’ve found something fairly amusing today on other blogs (don’t recall which one), so I would like to share what is considered a “true San Diegan”:

You know you’re a true San Diegan if….
1. Your high school had a surf team
2. You know who Biff and Skippy were
3. You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla , Rancho Penasquitos, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Jamacha, Jamul, Cuyamaca, and El Cajon
4. There are four distinct seasons: Summer, Not Quite Summer, Almost Summer, and Oh Hey Look Its Summer Again
5.  Your house is worth more than some small countries
6. You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for
7. Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you’re surprised when other areas don’t have this
8. You see weather forecasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren’t remotely surprised. The Micro Climate Weather
9. You’ve gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket
10. You’ve tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium
11.  You have a favorite- the WAP or the Zoo
12. You been on a MB/PB pub crawl on St. Patrick’s Day (you think)
13. You’ve been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
14. You still call it the Del Mar Fair
15.  You say “I’m going to the track” and people know what you mean
16.  You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom are
17.  A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town
18.  There’s a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County
19.  You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd
20.  You’ve gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game
21.  You know what “The Merge” is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour
22.  You’ve been to Belmont Park
23.  You remember when the roller coaster was a dilapidated piece of junk that didn’t run for years
24.  You’ve taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the I-5
25.  You know the difference between Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa and maybe you remember Serra Mesa, too!
26.  You’ve gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off
27.  You’ve been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15
28.  Your house doesn’t have air conditioning, and doesn’t need it
29.  You know it’s San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite
30.  Everyone has their favorite beach
31.  No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops
32.  You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona
33.  You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village
34.  You know someone who doesn’t own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn’t seem to own a shirt
35.  You know what Santa Ana’s are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana
36.  If the menu doesn’t have California burritos on it, forget it, its not real Mexican food
37.  You remember when the admission to the fair included the headlining band!

[lostkitty]

Regarding:
14. You still call it the Del Mar Fair

and

37. You remember when the admission to the fair included the headlining band!

I am completely flabbergasted by these two!!!
What’s it called now?
and do you have to pay to hear the bands??? Tell me it isnt true!
That is completely lame….

[Anonymous]

Alright, lk, we’ll be the judge.

I owe beers to Dr. MM/FSD and qcomer (any others?) at the next meet up from lost bets. After we down them, we’ll ask Prof. P. to flash your photo up on the wall at Today’s Pizza. The three of us, plus other liquored-up piggingtonians (Perry, are you in, or are you in an anti-girl phase, now?) will shout out our ‘Yeah!’ or ‘Nay!’ to your statement:

“…totally smokin’ hot long legged SoCal natural beach girl…”

Procedure — e-mail a photo suitable for viewing by adults and children (my son, cyphire, and R-) to Prof. P. We promise to respond the following morning with the results of our ‘survey.’

[sdrealtor]

JG

Duck!

sdr

[NotCranky]

LK, no offense but count me out the group of piggingtons and a few select catholic children, waiting to see your picture. You can email JG’s wife in my place :).

Take a cold shower JG. It works for us “sinners”.

[NotCranky]

LK, no offense but count me out the group of piggingtons and a few select catholic children, waiting to see your picture. You can email JG’s wife in my place :).

Take a cold shower JG. It works for us “sinners”.

[lostkitty]

sdr/jg-

No flinging from here… jg is just goofing around… remember? What good Catholic father would suggest such a thing?

As for my description… this IS pigginton.com, just trying to include all pertinent “facts” in my postings!

[lostkitty]

sdr/jg-

No flinging from here… jg is just goofing around… remember? What good Catholic father would suggest such a thing?

As for my description… this IS pigginton.com, just trying to include all pertinent “facts” in my postings!

[sdrealtor]

JG

Duck!

sdr

[Anonymous]

Alright, lk, we’ll be the judge.

I owe beers to Dr. MM/FSD and qcomer (any others?) at the next meet up from lost bets. After we down them, we’ll ask Prof. P. to flash your photo up on the wall at Today’s Pizza. The three of us, plus other liquored-up piggingtonians (Perry, are you in, or are you in an anti-girl phase, now?) will shout out our ‘Yeah!’ or ‘Nay!’ to your statement:

“…totally smokin’ hot long legged SoCal natural beach girl…”

Procedure — e-mail a photo suitable for viewing by adults and children (my son, cyphire, and R-) to Prof. P. We promise to respond the following morning with the results of our ‘survey.’

[lostkitty]

Regarding:
14. You still call it the Del Mar Fair

and

37. You remember when the admission to the fair included the headlining band!

I am completely flabbergasted by these two!!!
What’s it called now?
and do you have to pay to hear the bands??? Tell me it isnt true!
That is completely lame….

[SD Realtor]

SD Transplant I thought your list was great.

I have been a resident here since 1982. Born and raised in Venice but my family spent summers down here since 1969. I would like to add some nostalgia…

You are an old timer if:

– You had a Sunday morning burrito at Tugs.
– You went to Belmont park when it was REALLY Belmont Park.
– You went to the Daily Planet in PB
– You hit the Beachcomber or the Penant on either Sunday or Thursday.
– You know Stephanie Seymour (yes that supermodel) went to Poway High and her mom was a hair dresser in Poway.
– You went to UCSD when it only had 4 colleges.
– You saw the wild horses that used to hang out in Sabre Springs where the pond was. (The pond used to be where the Sabre Springs shopping center is)
– You had to take the Mira Mesa exit off of I15 cuz there was no tech center, nor was there an 805 exit. It was all dirt baby…
– You used to ride motorcycles in the fields that surrounded UTC. The only thing there was Mesa housing.
– You had to go around the coast to get to La Jolla…
– You knew someone who worked at LinkABit…

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

SD Transplant I thought your list was great.

I have been a resident here since 1982. Born and raised in Venice but my family spent summers down here since 1969. I would like to add some nostalgia…

You are an old timer if:

– You had a Sunday morning burrito at Tugs.
– You went to Belmont park when it was REALLY Belmont Park.
– You went to the Daily Planet in PB
– You hit the Beachcomber or the Penant on either Sunday or Thursday.
– You know Stephanie Seymour (yes that supermodel) went to Poway High and her mom was a hair dresser in Poway.
– You went to UCSD when it only had 4 colleges.
– You saw the wild horses that used to hang out in Sabre Springs where the pond was. (The pond used to be where the Sabre Springs shopping center is)
– You had to take the Mira Mesa exit off of I15 cuz there was no tech center, nor was there an 805 exit. It was all dirt baby…
– You used to ride motorcycles in the fields that surrounded UTC. The only thing there was Mesa housing.
– You had to go around the coast to get to La Jolla…
– You knew someone who worked at LinkABit…

SD Realtor

[SD Transplant]

I’m not a native, but I’ve been living in San Diego since 1995 (about 12 years). I’ve found something fairly amusing today on other blogs (don’t recall which one), so I would like to share what is considered a “true San Diegan”:

You know you’re a true San Diegan if….
1. Your high school had a surf team
2. You know who Biff and Skippy were
3. You can correctly pronounce Tierrasanta, La Jolla , Rancho Penasquitos, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Jamacha, Jamul, Cuyamaca, and El Cajon
4. There are four distinct seasons: Summer, Not Quite Summer, Almost Summer, and Oh Hey Look Its Summer Again
5.  Your house is worth more than some small countries
6. You know what MB, OB, and PB stand for
7. Every street name is either in Spanish or Spanish related, and you’re surprised when other areas don’t have this
8. You see weather forecasts for four different climate zones in the same county, and aren’t remotely surprised. The Micro Climate Weather
9. You’ve gone to Mt. Helix in July and known you still need a jacket
10. You’ve tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium, and for bonus points, also tailgated when it was Jack Murphy Stadium
11.  You have a favorite- the WAP or the Zoo
12. You been on a MB/PB pub crawl on St. Patrick’s Day (you think)
13. You’ve been on a field trip to see an Imax movie at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
14. You still call it the Del Mar Fair
15.  You say “I’m going to the track” and people know what you mean
16.  You understand what May-Gray and June-Gloom are
17.  A famous skateboarder/surfer lives in your town
18.  There’s a North County, a South County, and an East County but no Central County
19.  You know what it means when a girl in a short skirt is walking on El Cajon Blvd
20.  You’ve gotten stuck in the Horton Plaza parking structure traffic after a Padres game
21.  You know what “The Merge” is, and will plan your entire day around not being on it during rush hour
22.  You’ve been to Belmont Park
23.  You remember when the roller coaster was a dilapidated piece of junk that didn’t run for years
24.  You’ve taken the Coaster and laughed at people sitting in traffic on the I-5
25.  You know the difference between Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, and Mira Mesa and maybe you remember Serra Mesa, too!
26.  You’ve gone to Sea World on a warm day and sat in the first few rows at the Shamu Show to get cooled off
27.  You’ve been delayed at the Border Checkpoints on the 5 and the 15
28.  Your house doesn’t have air conditioning, and doesn’t need it
29.  You know it’s San Diegan, not San Diegoan, or San Diegoite
30.  Everyone has their favorite beach
31.  No matter what the weather is, there is always someone walking around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops
32.  You have family and or friends that have moved to Arizona
33.  You used to, and sometimes still do ride the carousel at Seaport Village
34.  You know someone who doesn’t own pants, and have a neighbor who doesn’t seem to own a shirt
35.  You know what Santa Ana’s are, and that they have literally nothing to do with the city of Santa Ana
36.  If the menu doesn’t have California burritos on it, forget it, its not real Mexican food
37.  You remember when the admission to the fair included the headlining band!

[NotCranky]

Lost Kttty,
Thanks for your story too. I have wondered if I should be talking about religion,politics and societal issues with our young kids, which I do. After reading it coming from you I will definitely talk with my kids about the things we have been blogging about. Especially the part about how we are primates.LOL I won’t talk about sexuality except to the level of their wondering. We have gay friends and I am really not looking forward to talking about it with them to be honest.We will probably look for advice from parents who have already been there. JG do you talk about what happened in the church with your kids. They must know? I think they are around 10?BTW I have been told that similiar things occur in Mexican Parishes but with heterosexual men victimizing young girls, rumor has it the sometimes to the extent of “disappearing” the girls.

I am worried about hijacking this thread again is there something we could do about that?

[PerryChase]

I like San Diego now a lot better than in the 80s. We now have more diversity and have the critical mass to be a world class city.

I was dissappointed that we didn’t get a bi-national airport that would turn the San Diego/Tijuana region into the first cross-border metropolis.

I’m glad to see Downtownn turn into a much nicer place. San Diego needs a new airport and some striking Downtown landmark that would turn us into a world class city like Sydney, Australia.

[PerryChase]

jg, did you have pre-marital sex with your wife or anyone else? (just joking :)).

For me Catholicism was just tradition but did not mean a lot. Dad warned me at a young age to not believe everything the church said and never to take anything at face value. He also talked politics to me when I was 5.

Catholic mass is beautiful but the Church is all about money — money for this, money for that, and big bucks when you die.

[Anonymous]

And, folks have different gauntlets to try to run when it comes to marriage; you had the Catholic Church, I had a future mother-in-law:

I asked my future father-in-law for his daughter’s hand; I got his ‘blessing.’ I then proposed to my future wife, who accepted, in March ’90. My mother-in-law wanted a summer wedding for her only daughter, with the reception to be held at their lovely La Mesa/Mt. Helix home. She said that she could not make all of the arrangements in five months. I said how about a December ’90 wedding. She said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘You win, summer ’91 it is.’

So, it was a painful wait, proposal to wedding, 18 months. Yep, negotiating the straits on weddings can be trying. May it be easier for you and your husband with your kids and their spouses.

[Anonymous]

Yep, the Catholic Church is strict about who it gives its imprimatur to, about who it marries in its churches. My wife was Lutheran (and had gone through First Communion and, I think, Confirmation), and had to agree to raise our children as Catholics. She did, and we got to marry at The Immaculata.

Glad to hear that you and your husband are raising your children well. Glad to hear that your mother is doing well.

Thank goodness lawsuits forced the Catholic Church to confront its “Purple Mafia” (homosexual priests ordained in the aftermath of the ’60s). The sexual abuse of the Catholic Church in the past was, largely, the abuse of boys by men, i.e., homosexuality forced upon young, impressionable boys. The ‘weak-stream’ media portray it as otherwise, of course.

Different people react to tough situations in different ways. Your mother married, and divorced, an alcoholic; my mother married, and divorced, a womanizer. But, my mother still took us to church and led us through the sacraments.

What intolerant messages do you see in the New Testament, lk? Sure, the Old Testament is full of fire and brimstone and stonings, but to Christians, the Old Testament only prepared the way, and was supplanted by the Two Great Commandments.

[lostkitty]

jg – “May your husband have an awakening,”

He’s already had that “awakening” you mention. That is why he stopped going to church!

Let me tell you how it went….
Young, nice, polite, accomplished, blonde blue eyed Catholic boy meets totally smokin’ hot long legged SoCal natural beach girl (that would be me). They date for a few years, he asks her to marry him. She is not Catholic, but was for the first 5 years of her life, until her alcoholic father left his wife and five children so he could have the freedom to sit in a bar without getting nagged about passing out on the living room floor in front of the children each evening afterwards.
Her mother went looking for guidance from the priest. She cried, wondering how she was going to make the transition from stay-at-home RSF mom, with hired help, to full-time working mother on a nurse’s salary with five kids aged 3,5,6,10, and 11 in a tiny little tract home. She was given no help or sympathy, but rather told she should repent, etc etc.
She tried to comply (she was raised as a strict Catholic girl), but one day as she watch the gay priest – who, BTW, was always blatanly flirting with her 10yr old son –flitting/sashaying/waltzing down the aisle at Mass (she had heard rumblings about their gay cocaine parties as well – which were all confirmed by the newspapers a few years later) — it suddenly occured to her…. “F*%k this Sh*t! I DID NOTHING WRONG HERE! Who are these guys to judge me.” That was they day she learned to think for herself – and stopped attending the Catholic church.

So, back to the early 90’s part of the story. Nice Catholic blonde boy takes sunkissed wife-to-be to the Catholic church to discuss marriage. The priest says that although future wife was baptised Catholic and is currently attending Mass regularly with husband to be, she did not go through 1st Communion so they cannot be married. Priest gives young maiden lots of up-n-down eyeball evaluation, and then tells couple how he will be oh-so-generous in this situation, and offers that if couple finds their own priest, he’ll be generous enough to let them use his church for the service (for a small fee).
The nice catholic boy was offended. How could his church, who he has served and worshipped at for his entire life, turn away the woman he loves, the woman he has carefully chosen to marry?
Viola! Awakening…

My husband is a well-read individual, and knows perfectly well that it was the rituals and stories in his religion that he was worshipping, and so our kids have attended CCD from the earliest ages, until the age when ‘reason” takes over (about the same time they realize Santa is not a real person)… Just long enough to learn the stories of the Good Samaritan, etc. The Bible has excellent lessons for living in society. i do not dispute that, but there are also some horrible, intolerant messages in there, and I NEVER want my kids to follow along blindly ‘because they should’. I believe that is exactly how my mom got into the predicament that she did. She married this guy, and then was stuck because of the “rules” she lived by as dictated to her by her church.
She is now a VERY strong, happy and satisfied 73 year old woman… living near the beach in SB, and always speaking her mind. All her children went to college and or post-grad, and are functioning individuals. We drink, but none of us to excess… She did this with no financial help from anyone at all.. She also did not need the church.

[Anonymous]

Good work by your husband, flying S-3s.

Mary Star of the Sea is a beautiful little church. We tried it out when we moved to LJ, but I had a hard time understanding the priest (Filipino fellow). So, we make the 25 minute hike to USD/Immaculata.

Someone said the Catholic Church is horrendous, that the stigma of divorce leaks to the kids. Nah. Our priest at the Immaculata, a Clairemont kid, his Marine father divorced his mother. Yet the son has risen to be priest of the nicest Catholic church in town.

May your husband have an awakening, remember his roots, crack that whip, and get those kids of yours religion!

They’re going to believe in something. Might as well be something good.

[lostkitty]

I was just kidding, you are the same age, you couldnt have worked for him. Maybe you sat next to him at Mass. He used to live in LaJolla, right on Coast Blvd…. I lived on Pearl St at the time. He was a good Catholic boy and attended that something-or-other ‘by-the-Sea’ church, near or next to Bishops. I cant remember the name of it just this minute (must be my advanced age). He was a Hoover-vacuum pilot (S-3’s). Cruised on so many carriers, I cant keep them straight. He also went to Test Pilot School in Pax River MD.

[jennyo]

I am a native San Diegan, born in Sharp Hospital in 1968. My father was a SD City firefighter for 35 years, my mother did not work outside the home. We lived in rentals in Escondido until I was about 8 (apparently the commute on I-15 wasn’t terrible at the time) and then my parents bought a lot in Valley Center and built a home on it. At that time, all the VC lots were a minimum of 2.5 acres. Our road did not get paved until 1981, and there was no high school. I agree that most of inland north county is pretty soul-less (a bit racist too). Around 1979 my dad got involved in some “speculative” real estate deals and the RE market crashed so he was carrying the costs of 3 houses (2 specs and our home) on his firefighter salary. I remember feeling very, very poor at the time. Eventually the market improved and the spec houses sold. But I don’t remember viewing SD real estate prices as being out of control until the past 5 or 6 years. I moved to Northern Cal for college in the late 80s and and stayed here after, but until 2001 or so felt that the pricing insanity was worse in the Bay Area than in San Diego. There were always “rich places” like La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe where prices were going to be exclusive, but what shocks me now is that people are willing to pay high prices to live in places like Escondido, Vista, Temecula (ugh) and yes, VC. Especially with the crowds. Other than the beautiful weather, I don’t see how the quality of life can be as good as it once was.

[jennyo]

I am a native San Diegan, born in Sharp Hospital in 1968. My father was a SD City firefighter for 35 years, my mother did not work outside the home. We lived in rentals in Escondido until I was about 8 (apparently the commute on I-15 wasn’t terrible at the time) and then my parents bought a lot in Valley Center and built a home on it. At that time, all the VC lots were a minimum of 2.5 acres. Our road did not get paved until 1981, and there was no high school. I agree that most of inland north county is pretty soul-less (a bit racist too). Around 1979 my dad got involved in some “speculative” real estate deals and the RE market crashed so he was carrying the costs of 3 houses (2 specs and our home) on his firefighter salary. I remember feeling very, very poor at the time. Eventually the market improved and the spec houses sold. But I don’t remember viewing SD real estate prices as being out of control until the past 5 or 6 years. I moved to Northern Cal for college in the late 80s and and stayed here after, but until 2001 or so felt that the pricing insanity was worse in the Bay Area than in San Diego. There were always “rich places” like La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe where prices were going to be exclusive, but what shocks me now is that people are willing to pay high prices to live in places like Escondido, Vista, Temecula (ugh) and yes, VC. Especially with the crowds. Other than the beautiful weather, I don’t see how the quality of life can be as good as it once was.

[Anonymous]

lk, I only worked for him if he was a LCDR in ’88 (fat chance, unless he was 26 year old LCDR Doogie Howser), ’cause that’s when I made LT in my ’85-’90 stint.

I was a destroyer (CUSHING) and submarine (LA JOLLA, CHICAGO) Supply Corps guy. What part of the Navy was your husband in?

Good luck to him on his training!

[lostkitty]

Same age as my husband. He is not as crotchety as you are… He does not have creaky knees either. Although you accused him of sitting on the couch drinking beer, he’s actually in training to do the Lake Placid Ironman (but I confess, he loves beer).
You were definitely in the Navy at the same time, but he stayed slightly longer. You probably worked for him….

[Anonymous]

lk, well of course I’m older than you. Can’t you tell, because I’m wiser?

I’m 45. Call me ‘Pops.’

Creaky (Kneed) Catholic Crank

[PerryChase]

Temecula guy, if your family weren’t so large, you’d have a good inheritance now. 🙂

——

jg, nothing wrong with a little artifice. We decorate our house, fix the dents on our cars. Why can’t we improve our looks? Improvements look great and transcent time if they’re done tastefully.

Did you see the photo of Wendi Murdoch? She’s beautiful and very smart to boot. No wonder Rupert left his second wife for the lastest bride.

Murdoch should be your role model since he owns the conservative media you love. He’ll soon own the Wall Street Journal as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/world/asia/26murdoch.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

[Anonymous]

Perry, Perry, Perry. You’ve been living in SoCal in your McMansion with your pampered pooch for too long. Abandoning wives and throwing dollars away on surgical appearance ‘enhancements’ are not good things.

Maybe RM can clean up that WSJ editorial page, which has been, forever, on the wrong side of the illegal immigration issue.

[Anonymous]

Perry, Perry, Perry. You’ve been living in SoCal in your McMansion with your pampered pooch for too long. Abandoning wives and throwing dollars away on surgical appearance ‘enhancements’ are not good things.

Maybe RM can clean up that WSJ editorial page, which has been, forever, on the wrong side of the illegal immigration issue.

[NotCranky]

“Did you see the photo of Wendi Murdoch? She’s beautiful and very smart to boot. No wonder Rupert left his second wife for the lastest bride.”

You have got a good eye Perry. Not that anyone here would be swayed by her or be able to afford her either. Where was she made? In any case I don’t thinks she has transceneded much time yet especially not compared to that old geezer.

Seriously isn’t there an element of sadness to it. People ,usually more beautiful than average, who just don’t think enough of themselves or fear being unwanted if they don’t get it all fixed up?
She will probably end up the next tabloid tragedy anyway.

[sdcellar]

Must be me. I don’t find her all that attractive. Perhaps it’s the smirky smile (?). Either way, not something to aspire to (although I know you’re only joking, right Perry?)

[sdcellar]

Must be me. I don’t find her all that attractive. Perhaps it’s the smirky smile (?). Either way, not something to aspire to (although I know you’re only joking, right Perry?)

[NotCranky]

“Did you see the photo of Wendi Murdoch? She’s beautiful and very smart to boot. No wonder Rupert left his second wife for the lastest bride.”

You have got a good eye Perry. Not that anyone here would be swayed by her or be able to afford her either. Where was she made? In any case I don’t thinks she has transceneded much time yet especially not compared to that old geezer.

Seriously isn’t there an element of sadness to it. People ,usually more beautiful than average, who just don’t think enough of themselves or fear being unwanted if they don’t get it all fixed up?
She will probably end up the next tabloid tragedy anyway.

[PerryChase]

Temecula guy, if your family weren’t so large, you’d have a good inheritance now. 🙂

——

jg, nothing wrong with a little artifice. We decorate our house, fix the dents on our cars. Why can’t we improve our looks? Improvements look great and transcent time if they’re done tastefully.

Did you see the photo of Wendi Murdoch? She’s beautiful and very smart to boot. No wonder Rupert left his second wife for the lastest bride.

Murdoch should be your role model since he owns the conservative media you love. He’ll soon own the Wall Street Journal as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/26/world/asia/26murdoch.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

[lostkitty]

Oh you ARE a funny one JG! No stopping your quick wit… and evasive, you never told us how old you are. Just curious.

We dont need Botox here. No sun = minimal wrinkles. I have no varicose veins (or as my sister calls them “VeryGross Veins”), so never considered that either. Plastic surgery is not popular here, if a girl walked in the room with big fake boobs, everyone would snicker.

I tell you, things are different in NY. I used to see all the moms show up at Coronado to pick their kids up from school. All blonde! What is the percentage of women over 30 who are actually still naturally blonde? Even my Swedish in-law needs a little help with that now, and she was a tow-head even in college.

Teeth however, are white and straight in upstate NY. Braces are popular. They are practically slapping those things on preschoolers nowadays.

[Anonymous]

lk, given that you grew up in fancy but ‘plastic’ SoCal (RSF, Coronado), are economical (moved from expensive SoCal to less expensive Upstate), and are of advancing years, have you found Botox treatment to be cheaper in Upstate? How about varicose vein treatment?

Just curious.

Caustic Christian Comic

[lostkitty]

Am I older than you are jg?! Funny, because before I realized your name stood for ‘J’ust ‘G’oofing – I had always thought it stood for “Judgemental Grandpa”.

[temeculaguy]

I’m a third generation Southern Californian, although my family is large and not everyone has lived in the same county for the 80 years we’ve been here (parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. and myself with school and jobs over those 8 decades the clan has inhabited L.A., O.C., S.D. and Riverside counties, and still do. Lots of good real estate stories have been told over the years and just last year the family sold Grandma’s house in L.A. that I think she bought in the 1940’s for 5 or 10k and it was paid off 30 years ago. All that family history, maybe 50-100 homes bought and sold amongst family members, all in so cal since the depression and I’m bearish as hell, as is every one of my relatives. I think natives should be more bearish since they’ve seen the pendulum swing more than once.

[sdcellar]

Back on topic, however…

San Diego Native– Perhaps I missed it, but I can’t tell if you’re “bearish” on San Diego real estate. Clearly, you like the city, but the two things don’t really have much to do with each other, do they?

I mean, I love San Diego, but I sure as heck don’t see myself buying a house here anytime soon.

[sdcellar]

Back on topic, however…

San Diego Native– Perhaps I missed it, but I can’t tell if you’re “bearish” on San Diego real estate. Clearly, you like the city, but the two things don’t really have much to do with each other, do they?

I mean, I love San Diego, but I sure as heck don’t see myself buying a house here anytime soon.

[capeman]

Born and raised 4th generation here. I would have to say that most all of the market bulls I have met in San Diego are not native and usually are <10 year residents. Being one to have seen what housing costs have been in the past and what they are now I am a big bear…. probably as big as that kodiak that tried to eat Anthony Hopkins in that one movie. I should probably go on a diet and lay off the financial and homebuilder bear blogs….

[capeman]

Born and raised 4th generation here. I would have to say that most all of the market bulls I have met in San Diego are not native and usually are <10 year residents. Being one to have seen what housing costs have been in the past and what they are now I am a big bear…. probably as big as that kodiak that tried to eat Anthony Hopkins in that one movie. I should probably go on a diet and lay off the financial and homebuilder bear blogs….

[asragov]

I was born and grew up in San Diego.

Just because homes today are worth more than the $50k-$100k that they were purchased for 30 years ago doesn’t mean that they won’t fall from their current crazy price.

No, they probably will never return to their early 1970’s levels, but from current levels, watch out.

[asragov]

I was born and grew up in San Diego.

Just because homes today are worth more than the $50k-$100k that they were purchased for 30 years ago doesn’t mean that they won’t fall from their current crazy price.

No, they probably will never return to their early 1970’s levels, but from current levels, watch out.

[temeculaguy]

I remember when the the only price club (now costco for any new arrivals) in the world was off the 5 on Morena blvd. When Rubios opened and when it added it’s second location at SDSU that actually had indoor seating. I remember having to drive to Mission Viejo, avery parkway exit to get to the closest in-n-out burger, it was a rule at my fraternity house that when anyone drove south on the 5 through Mission Viejo it was common courtesy to call the house payphone from the in-n-out payphone and take orders, even an hour old they were worth it. I remember eating at Los Ponchos and cursing at myself for being too drunk to drive to Albertos and having to eat at Los Ponchos. And I remember boarding a plane on more than one occasion with carne asada burritos in my carry on luggage because every friend who took a job out of state would take time off work to pick you up at the airport if you brought carne asada. 20 years ago they did not exist outside of San Diego, if you travelled, they became currency.

Why are all my memories food?

[sdrealtor]

“I remember eating at Los Ponchos and cursing at myself for being too drunk to drive to Albertos and having to eat at Los Ponchos.”

Funny, I remember that too.

But cmon…..5 rolled tacos with guac for a buck and you got all the food groups covered!

[sdcellar]

Before it was “The Murph”, it was plain old San Diego Stadium.

How about the traffic lights on highway 15 (and I’m not talking about the stretch that was 40th Street)?

Albertos. I know we had to hit the one in Kearny Mesa.

How about Picnic ‘n Chicken? Wasn’t that a San Diego chain?

[lostkitty]

I remember when the only grocery anywhere near Rancho Santa Fe was in Leucadia! There was absolutely NOTHING in Solana Beach at all. It was always a huge deal when we had to go do “errands” with my mom. Meant a LONG drive, especially if the “back way” was flooded which it was for half the year… and then stopping at the butcher in downtown Leucadia. Anyone remember that butcher? I vividly remember playing on the metal railings and blacktop outside.

[SD Realtor]

Okay one more…

Seeing the Beat Farmers at the Baccanal (or was it Bachanal)in the early 80’s… one place that is still around is the Hungry Stick… we used to shoot pool there about oh… 25 years ago…

nice…

I guess most people reading this post think we all get around by our wheel chairs…

SD Realtor

[NotCranky]

Parking on the beach next to the water at O.B. and drinking keg beer listening to the Doobie Brothers and 100 other people’s “boomboxes”. Then driving the car into the water,briefly, and it was all O.K.?

Actually being able to catch a mature fish (non-juvenile) in the coastal waters. (Outside of the preserve,dumbass!)

[PerryChase]

After so many years in SD, I still don’t understand the Mexican food culture. The only thing I like is the clear meatball soup with lime juice. Sorry, but Mexican food is the surest way to get a big belly (that and Southern food).

[NotCranky]

Perry try Super Cocina on University about 37th on the south side. It is so good, guaranteed not to overeat. If you want soup ask for Pozole,with lime,lettuce, onion and cilantro and tostada(cruncy tortilla)for condiments to throw on top of the soup. Unless I am there you will be the only gringo. Take friends,you will be a hero to them it is that good. They let you taste little samples of anything and everything. I have never ever gotten Montezumas revenge there so it is a little less authentic then being in Mexico but thats O.K.

[NotCranky]

Perry try Super Cocina on University about 37th on the south side. It is so good, guaranteed not to overeat. If you want soup ask for Pozole,with lime,lettuce, onion and cilantro and tostada(cruncy tortilla)for condiments to throw on top of the soup. Unless I am there you will be the only gringo. Take friends,you will be a hero to them it is that good. They let you taste little samples of anything and everything. I have never ever gotten Montezumas revenge there so it is a little less authentic then being in Mexico but thats O.K.

[PerryChase]

After so many years in SD, I still don’t understand the Mexican food culture. The only thing I like is the clear meatball soup with lime juice. Sorry, but Mexican food is the surest way to get a big belly (that and Southern food).

[NotCranky]

Parking on the beach next to the water at O.B. and drinking keg beer listening to the Doobie Brothers and 100 other people’s “boomboxes”. Then driving the car into the water,briefly, and it was all O.K.?

Actually being able to catch a mature fish (non-juvenile) in the coastal waters. (Outside of the preserve,dumbass!)

[SD Transplant]

SD Realtor,

I love your last addition “knowing someone who worked at LinkABit”…… that’s priceless.

I doubt too old scares anyone away, in fact, most of you bring all that experience to the pigginton discussion table. And talking about wheel chairs, I am not in one, but I’ve been in crutches this week – I guess age doesn’t matter sometimes, if your ligaments aren’t cooperating.

[SD Realtor]

SD Transplant –

I am glad you liked that one. Pretty much any veteran electrical engineer in telecom here in San Diego over 40 gets that one. LinkABit has spawned off so much industry here, it really is very very cool. Some big names have come from that little place.

SD Realtor

[lostkitty]

SD Realtor-

I remember the Beat Farmers playing in my high school gym for the seniors only party. Another year… it was Oingo Boingo. No kidding, right in our gym! Good times…..

[citydweller]

I can’t believe the Hungry Stick is still there. I grew up in Clairemont and I can remember my parents taking us there, and that was over 30 years ago. Wow, I feel old now.

Did anyone else go grunion hunting back in the early ’70’s? Does that still happen?

[citydweller]

I can’t believe the Hungry Stick is still there. I grew up in Clairemont and I can remember my parents taking us there, and that was over 30 years ago. Wow, I feel old now.

Did anyone else go grunion hunting back in the early ’70’s? Does that still happen?

[SD Realtor]

Lostkitty we went to the 94th Aero Squadron for mothers day and while we were leaving I saw Jerry (who was one of the lead guitars) walk in. I said hello and he was really nice.

Country Dick lives on…

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Lostkitty we went to the 94th Aero Squadron for mothers day and while we were leaving I saw Jerry (who was one of the lead guitars) walk in. I said hello and he was really nice.

Country Dick lives on…

SD Realtor

[lostkitty]

SD Realtor-

I remember the Beat Farmers playing in my high school gym for the seniors only party. Another year… it was Oingo Boingo. No kidding, right in our gym! Good times…..

[SD Realtor]

SD Transplant –

I am glad you liked that one. Pretty much any veteran electrical engineer in telecom here in San Diego over 40 gets that one. LinkABit has spawned off so much industry here, it really is very very cool. Some big names have come from that little place.

SD Realtor

[SD Transplant]

SD Realtor,

I love your last addition “knowing someone who worked at LinkABit”…… that’s priceless.

I doubt too old scares anyone away, in fact, most of you bring all that experience to the pigginton discussion table. And talking about wheel chairs, I am not in one, but I’ve been in crutches this week – I guess age doesn’t matter sometimes, if your ligaments aren’t cooperating.

[SD Realtor]

Okay one more…

Seeing the Beat Farmers at the Baccanal (or was it Bachanal)in the early 80’s… one place that is still around is the Hungry Stick… we used to shoot pool there about oh… 25 years ago…

nice…

I guess most people reading this post think we all get around by our wheel chairs…

SD Realtor

[lostkitty]

I remember when the only grocery anywhere near Rancho Santa Fe was in Leucadia! There was absolutely NOTHING in Solana Beach at all. It was always a huge deal when we had to go do “errands” with my mom. Meant a LONG drive, especially if the “back way” was flooded which it was for half the year… and then stopping at the butcher in downtown Leucadia. Anyone remember that butcher? I vividly remember playing on the metal railings and blacktop outside.

[sdcellar]

Before it was “The Murph”, it was plain old San Diego Stadium.

How about the traffic lights on highway 15 (and I’m not talking about the stretch that was 40th Street)?

Albertos. I know we had to hit the one in Kearny Mesa.

How about Picnic ‘n Chicken? Wasn’t that a San Diego chain?

[sdrealtor]

“I remember eating at Los Ponchos and cursing at myself for being too drunk to drive to Albertos and having to eat at Los Ponchos.”

Funny, I remember that too.

But cmon…..5 rolled tacos with guac for a buck and you got all the food groups covered!

[temeculaguy]

I remember when the the only price club (now costco for any new arrivals) in the world was off the 5 on Morena blvd. When Rubios opened and when it added it’s second location at SDSU that actually had indoor seating. I remember having to drive to Mission Viejo, avery parkway exit to get to the closest in-n-out burger, it was a rule at my fraternity house that when anyone drove south on the 5 through Mission Viejo it was common courtesy to call the house payphone from the in-n-out payphone and take orders, even an hour old they were worth it. I remember eating at Los Ponchos and cursing at myself for being too drunk to drive to Albertos and having to eat at Los Ponchos. And I remember boarding a plane on more than one occasion with carne asada burritos in my carry on luggage because every friend who took a job out of state would take time off work to pick you up at the airport if you brought carne asada. 20 years ago they did not exist outside of San Diego, if you travelled, they became currency.

Why are all my memories food?

[temeculaguy]

I have a live version of “Happy Boy” on my ipod.

[temeculaguy]

I have a live version of “Happy Boy” on my ipod.

[Author]

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