Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

The Reader's Eye on Television

"At Shady Acres we're committed to respect," the announcer says. Across the TV screen, a golf cart eases down a concrete path between two manicured lawns. I look over at my dad. "Don't even think about it," he says, stubbing a cigarette. Saying nothing, I point at the TV screen. "No!" he yells.

"Shady Acres isn't a retirement home for old folks. It's an active community for seniors who still have some pep," the announcer states matter-of-factly. A couple in white bucket hats plays shuffleboard; they stop to wave at the camera. I'm still pointing at the television set.

"You're not putting me in one of those goddamned homes!" Dad yells. I say nothing, my finger still directed at the screen. "Nope," he says, calming a little. "I'm not going."

"In you go," I say. "I give you, eh, maybe ten years."

"I'm not going!" he yells. "I'm moving out in the desert. Out in Nevada. Where it's hot and they don't have the stupid laws that they've got here. I'm going to sit out on the front porch in the sun and shoot my guns and then go ride my motorcycles."

"Oh, no," I tell him. "You're going to putter around with those old farts. It's going to be white v-neck sweaters and sandwiches in the clubhouse. It's going to be crafts and bingo and movies on Wednesday night. We're going to trade in your greasy jeans for a nice pair of khaki pants. Those Harley T-shirts will have to go. No more smoking and drinking."

My dad pops a knife from its holster on his belt, "I'll cut your throat."

"You won't be able to," I answer. "You'll be a doddering old coot. You won't have your faculties. I'm going to sell your motorcycle and guns and donate the money to Dianne Feinstein."

"Why you, filthy little -- " he stops, replaces his knife. He cradles his head in his hands for a second and then says, "Where did I go wrong with you? I'll tell you what. If you put me in that home, I'll burn it down, I'll drive that golf cart to the nearest motorcycle dealership, and I'll ride away. And, when I die, it'll be on that bike, out in the desert, and for a funeral you can stick a bone up my ass and let the dogs drag me off. Deal?"

He leans back in his recliner and lights another cigarette. The old man. Smoke circles his head and hangs.

"Deal."

Sponsored
Sponsored

WHAT I WILL AND WON'T WATCH THIS WEEK

Thursday, September 1

Chicago Hope

DHCP 9:00 a.m.

My physician and roommate, Kip, has suggested that eating three almonds a day is enough to ward off cancer. Since I've heard this news I've been eating seven almonds a day. I expect to be bulletproof by the end of the week and invisible in time for Halloween. I should get a cape.

Larry King Live

CNN 9:00 p.m.

It takes a village to raise an idiot.

Friday, September 2

60 Minutes II

KFMB 8:00 p.m.

Bring me the eyebrows of Andy Rooney!

Saturday, September 3

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address and Democratic Response

CSPAN2 3:45 p.m.

If Condoleezza Rice had a white-templed beehive hairdo she'd look like the bride of Frankenstein. With those saloon-door teeth and that Neanderthal brow I can't help but imagine lightning shuffling up a Jacob's ladder behind her head and the eerie "ooooWOOOOooo" of a theremin.

Connect With English

ITV 3:30 p.m.

I'm teaching my neighbor American slang and he's teaching me Korean. The building across the street was just painted the same color as a band-aid. "Hot ass, Stephan. It looks like hot ass." He points his finger and nods his head. "Look like hot ass."

Monday, September 5

Gacy (2003)

EMYST 5:00 p.m.

Last week I told of a young woman who had a Tupac statue on her coffee table. You think that's bad? Steve the Texan has gone over to a nice young woman's house after a few drinks and found her CLOWN SUIT in the closet. That's as creepy as it gets.

Judge Judy

KUSI 7:30 p.m.

I'd pay to see Judge Judy take on Judge Joe Brown. No-holds-barred. Cage match. Smart money's on Judy.

Tuesday, September 6

My Super Sweet 16

MTV 6:00 p.m.

I feel like I need a tetanus booster just knowing this exists.

Wednesday, September 7

R U the Girl with T-Boz and Chilli

XUPN 8:00 p.m.

Why would they spell "the" and "girl" correctly?

Thursday, September 8

Daily Show

COMEDY 8:00 p.m.

Where do they find the people to interview? Have these dummies never seen the show? Do they understand the premise?

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Best Sports Betting Sites - 10 Online Sportsbooks Ranked for 2024

Best Sports Betting Sites (2024) - Reviews of TOP Online Sportsbooks
Next Article

SDSU pres gets highest pay raise in state over last 15 years

Union-Tribune still stiffing downtown San Diego landlord?

"At Shady Acres we're committed to respect," the announcer says. Across the TV screen, a golf cart eases down a concrete path between two manicured lawns. I look over at my dad. "Don't even think about it," he says, stubbing a cigarette. Saying nothing, I point at the TV screen. "No!" he yells.

"Shady Acres isn't a retirement home for old folks. It's an active community for seniors who still have some pep," the announcer states matter-of-factly. A couple in white bucket hats plays shuffleboard; they stop to wave at the camera. I'm still pointing at the television set.

"You're not putting me in one of those goddamned homes!" Dad yells. I say nothing, my finger still directed at the screen. "Nope," he says, calming a little. "I'm not going."

"In you go," I say. "I give you, eh, maybe ten years."

"I'm not going!" he yells. "I'm moving out in the desert. Out in Nevada. Where it's hot and they don't have the stupid laws that they've got here. I'm going to sit out on the front porch in the sun and shoot my guns and then go ride my motorcycles."

"Oh, no," I tell him. "You're going to putter around with those old farts. It's going to be white v-neck sweaters and sandwiches in the clubhouse. It's going to be crafts and bingo and movies on Wednesday night. We're going to trade in your greasy jeans for a nice pair of khaki pants. Those Harley T-shirts will have to go. No more smoking and drinking."

My dad pops a knife from its holster on his belt, "I'll cut your throat."

"You won't be able to," I answer. "You'll be a doddering old coot. You won't have your faculties. I'm going to sell your motorcycle and guns and donate the money to Dianne Feinstein."

"Why you, filthy little -- " he stops, replaces his knife. He cradles his head in his hands for a second and then says, "Where did I go wrong with you? I'll tell you what. If you put me in that home, I'll burn it down, I'll drive that golf cart to the nearest motorcycle dealership, and I'll ride away. And, when I die, it'll be on that bike, out in the desert, and for a funeral you can stick a bone up my ass and let the dogs drag me off. Deal?"

He leans back in his recliner and lights another cigarette. The old man. Smoke circles his head and hangs.

"Deal."

Sponsored
Sponsored

WHAT I WILL AND WON'T WATCH THIS WEEK

Thursday, September 1

Chicago Hope

DHCP 9:00 a.m.

My physician and roommate, Kip, has suggested that eating three almonds a day is enough to ward off cancer. Since I've heard this news I've been eating seven almonds a day. I expect to be bulletproof by the end of the week and invisible in time for Halloween. I should get a cape.

Larry King Live

CNN 9:00 p.m.

It takes a village to raise an idiot.

Friday, September 2

60 Minutes II

KFMB 8:00 p.m.

Bring me the eyebrows of Andy Rooney!

Saturday, September 3

President Bush's Weekly Radio Address and Democratic Response

CSPAN2 3:45 p.m.

If Condoleezza Rice had a white-templed beehive hairdo she'd look like the bride of Frankenstein. With those saloon-door teeth and that Neanderthal brow I can't help but imagine lightning shuffling up a Jacob's ladder behind her head and the eerie "ooooWOOOOooo" of a theremin.

Connect With English

ITV 3:30 p.m.

I'm teaching my neighbor American slang and he's teaching me Korean. The building across the street was just painted the same color as a band-aid. "Hot ass, Stephan. It looks like hot ass." He points his finger and nods his head. "Look like hot ass."

Monday, September 5

Gacy (2003)

EMYST 5:00 p.m.

Last week I told of a young woman who had a Tupac statue on her coffee table. You think that's bad? Steve the Texan has gone over to a nice young woman's house after a few drinks and found her CLOWN SUIT in the closet. That's as creepy as it gets.

Judge Judy

KUSI 7:30 p.m.

I'd pay to see Judge Judy take on Judge Joe Brown. No-holds-barred. Cage match. Smart money's on Judy.

Tuesday, September 6

My Super Sweet 16

MTV 6:00 p.m.

I feel like I need a tetanus booster just knowing this exists.

Wednesday, September 7

R U the Girl with T-Boz and Chilli

XUPN 8:00 p.m.

Why would they spell "the" and "girl" correctly?

Thursday, September 8

Daily Show

COMEDY 8:00 p.m.

Where do they find the people to interview? Have these dummies never seen the show? Do they understand the premise?

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Top Websites To Buy Instagram Likes + Bonus Tip!

Next Article

Making Love to Goats, Rachmaninoff, and Elgar

Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.