Monthly Archives: August 2006

The end of the world

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Here’s another belated post. I wanted to post the playlist from the last time I sang at The Maltese with my former co-worker Ari. Sure it was over a month ago, but I tried to do a fitting tribute to the songs Ari performed since he started his wacky karaoke career.

  • Teddy Bear — To the best of my knowledge, this was the first song Ari sang at The Maltese. I thought it was a fitting way to begin the night.
  • Rocky Top — One of the 6 Tennessee state songs and one of the 15,000 University of Tennessee fight songs. Good song although it was rough on my throat.
  • Werewolves of London — OK, Ari never really sang this song. However, he said it had one of the best lines in music.
  • The Curly Shuffle — Why is this song in the playlist? Because it allows me to get down on the floor and spin in a circle while shouting “Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo.”
  • Eastbound and Down — I’ve been told it’s from “Smokey and the Bandit.” Sadly, I wouldn’t know. It’s still a fun song.

The best karaoke place in San Diego

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Just to pick up on my post from last week, I have a _much, much_ better time at the second San Diego karaoke place I sang at.

After my 10-year reunion on Aug. 19, I drove around the corner from Shelter Point and pulled into the Captain’s Catch inside of a Ramada Limited. It was getting late in the evening, but I was able to sing TWO songs.

Sure the place wasn’t very crowded and the book was just all right, but people seemed to appreciate my music selection and were digging it. I sang Cake’s “Never There” and Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher.”

So, in my limited opinion, Captain’s Catch is the “best” karaoke bar in San Diego. Even if it’s not, it’s a million times better than the Lamplighter.

This is a feature? – Aug. 19

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Hey, Tom —

This text editor that you have to write blogs is dreadful, to the point where it is nearly unusable (at least on Firefox). I can use neither the arrow keys or keyboard commands to edit my post. It’s like I’m back on a terminal using PINE to check my e-mail.

This is almost as bad as trying to write a text message on your cell phone. Actually, it’s worse — nearly every phone I’ve used allows you to use the arrow keys.

I don’t know what the problem is, but I would really appreciate added functionality to these blogs.

Your friend,
Ryan

Shakedown – Aug. 19

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SAN DIEGO — I’ll expand on this latter, but there were several things that detracted from the enjoyment of my night on the town Friday. These are just niggles and didn’t take too much from my night.

— While attempting to buy tickets online for Friday’s Padres game, the site wanted to charge me $6.50 in fees … for a $12 ticket. That seemed a little too steep for me. Luckily I was able to buy the tickets for no added mark-up at the stadium ticket booth. Used the saved money to buy a program.

— I spent nearly 3 hours at San Diego’s “best” karaoke spot, The Lamplighter, and didn’t get to sing once. Apparently the KJ lets anyone who “tips” him a sufficient amount to go ahead of others. I wasn’t going to play that game — especially after paying a $5 cover — and thus didn’t get to sing (which was going to be “Shakedown”). After all, tips are gratuity and what did I have at that point to be grateful for? Zilch.

While I didn’t pay, the person before me did and sang an hour after signing up (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). I had dinner at ‘bertos instead.

It frustrated me because I shouldn’t have to pay to sing (and I don’t in Chico). From a different perspective, I _do_ pay to sing. I paid the cover charge (for karaoke) plus two beverages and tips.

I’m sure it’s all water under the bridge for the bar. My complaint isn’t a new one and I’m sure the bar keeps running with those people willing to pay or those who are satisfied nonetheless.

However, I hearby challenge the designation of The Lamplighter as “the best” as ranked by several local publications. The KJ has a great book and the bar’s pretty nice, but  I have no desire to return after my experience and would tell my friends the same. Karaoke at El Torito is probably a better time.

Party like it’s 1996

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POWAY — Although the anniversary has come and passed, I’ll be celebrating my 10-year high school reunion tonight.

My early enthusiasm to see everyone again is slowly giving way to trepidation. It may surprise some of my loyal readers, but I wasn’t the most popular kid at Poway High School.

Without a circle of close friends, I’m largely going to the reunion to see how everyone has changed. I’m an observer so I know I’ll have a good time on that score alone.

One of my regrets is that I won’t be able to be in two places at the same time. Roswell High School choose this night to have their reunion as well. Having transferred to Poway in 1994, I don’t know if I would be welcome there, but it would be great to see some familiar faces if only for a night.

It’s a big reunion weekend. In addition to the Poway and Roswell events, my parents are attending their 20th reunion in SLC.

All these events hearken back to an earlier time. I recall some of the things that I was when I was 10 years younger. Obviously life doesn’t always live up to expectations, but I wonder about all those days that went past.

One of the things that our organizer is providing is an e-book of photos and people’s updates. I had to condense 10 years of my life down into a few paragraphs. It was tough but this is what I came up with:

The decade since PHS has been a messy blur of challenges, most positive.

I went to UCSD, graduating in 2000 with a B.A. in Communications and minors in history and theater.

After stints as a cafeteria worker serving the Chargers, working for a dot-com and temping, I launched my career as a reporter.

From 2001-2004, I was at The Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton, Michigan (avg. 180 inches of snow per year).

Returning to California in 2005, I’m working at the Enterprise-Record in Chico. In addition to writing, I’m spearheading the paper’s efforts to expand Web reporting.

Music remains a part of my life. I play clarinet in the UCSD Pep Band. Spun discs as a college DJ. I’m often found singing karaoke at various Chico nightspots.

Currently single, I’m hoping to star in the next edition of “The Bachelor.”

For more, check out http://my.rtomedia.com

It’s pretty concise of the bright highlights of the past 10 years. I’m off to check some old yearbooks and to get ready. Here’s hoping they have karaoke. 😀