sayonara - adios - cheerio - ta ta - ciao

This is my final blog. Lack of interest. End of an era. Not enough time. Out of ideas. Thanks for past support. I can be reached at cokecop@aol.gotcha

One day at a time

'nuff said. (the key to good communication is suppose to be brevity. . . )

WHAT'S IN YOUR FRIDGE?!

Listening to NPR this morning I heard info that sparked my interest, then realized I didn't need to know this, after all.

*November 2008 - NASA approves recycling device.

It's a water-recycling device that will process the crew's urine for communal consumption.
"We did blind taste tests of the water," said NASA's Bob Bagdigian, the system's lead engineer. "Nobody had any strong objections. Other than a faint taste of iodine, it is just as refreshing as any other kind of water." "I've got some in my fridge," he added. "It tastes fine to me." - anyone else think this guy needs a psyche test? (what's in YOUR fridge?)

*April 2009 - improvements on recycling device.
Coming back for NASA scientists: four to five liters of recycled water that had been the astronauts' own urine and sweat. The water was produced after Discovery delivered a new urine processor that fixed the recycling machine. (how does one collect sweat unless you're leaning over a StairMaster, treadmill or stationary bike trying to catch the drops off your forehead?)
NASA hopes to have the water samples tested within a month. If the toxicology results are good, the three space station residents will be given the all-clear to start drinking the recycled water up there.
Numerous thoughts attack my simple mind:

1. What a difference six months of research can make!

2. A new meaning for Space Cadets (folks on too many prescription or street drugs)

3. This makes Arrowhead & off-brand bottled water look good!

4. How important is our space program to us or does NASA just have it's own agenda?

5. Is our government (in an attempt to go green) secretly planning on giving us recycled sewage?6. This reinforces the too-much-information statement.

7. Was that aforementioned blind taste test held at Costco or Sam's Club on busy Saturday?

*I don't even want to know what they do with solid waste . . . . . in the words of what Sandler may say, just about hot dogs with ketchup, "Eeeeeeeeewwww, groooooooooooooth."

The domino effect

It's amazing how one person can unknowingly effect and impact others in so many different ways, so many miles away and hours later, both good and not-so-good - and never really know the effect he had on others. (I chose not to use bad in this situation). Not so good ~ Stacey having to get up and drive Linda to the Flagstaff airport at zero-dark-thirty in order to get the flight necessary for Phoenix connections and arrive in Vegas by 1 PM. Good ~ I took the afternoon off with plans on Carol & I picking Linda up on our way to St George, missing heavier late afternoon I-15 traffic. Not so good~Linda's plane arrived late and her luggage didn't make her flight. Good ~ flight arrived safely. Good ~ we took Linda back to the house awaiting arrival of her luggage on the next flight one hour later, Lindsay, Cohen & Sandler got to see her. Not so good ~ her luggage wasn't on this next flight. Good ~ I'm cuddling with Sandler and Cohen watching my wall-mount HDTV HBO movie, (last part of Prairie Home Companion) and then Sponge Bob Square Pants. With Sandler's head on my shoulder and my arm stretched out poking at Cohen as we watched, Sandler fell asleep. Phoebe had curled up on my lap, also enjoying the moment. Lindsay put Sandler in his bed and it was just one-on-one cuddling, watching and talking with Cohen. Not every grandpa has this opportunity. Not so good ~ luggage does not arrive until the 4:30 flight. Good ~ I get more time with Cohen and Linda ends up with @ $100 of vouchers for the "inconvenience." Not so good ~ we finally leave Vegas at 5 PM zig-zagging north via I-215 east to I-95 north to Las Vegas Blvd to Lamb, joining up with northbound I-15 traffic that is much lighter here. I merge with 70 MPH traffic. A 35 minute trip, 1/3 of our total travel time to St George. Good ~ we weren't in that terrible grid-lock freeway traffic (I think I-15 is just one construction zone) and were able to see how fortunate our lives are, as we drove through this less-socio-economic affluent part of town (and our youth neighborhoods). Good ~ we called ahead to Out-Back in St George as we left Mesquite and picked up dinner 30 mins later - Linda insisted on buying!!

I was thinking how IF ground crew staff at Phoenix airport (or Flagstaff) had put Linda's luggage on the correct plane in the first place, I wouldn't have had the special time with Cohen & Sandler. We wouldn't have enjoyed North Las Vegas and these two sisters wouldn't have had such quality time at McCarran dealing with US Air customer service personnel. I believe everything happens for a reason, whether it's part of His plan or just happenstance. Somethings are beyond our control, and I tell myself, we have to adjust to it. In my younger years, I wouldn't have accepted this set-back as well. Another good thing of aging!

Hate your job?

I hear folks whining about their jobs, the terrible traffic, not enough money to do what we want, monthly expenses, or about trying to decide which cruise to go on or what car to buy, worrying about stock market investments, retirement income, (me included) then I saw this today as I was driving to a job site downtown on "A" Street. You can't get much more downtown than "A" St. in any city, Vegas included.

These folks probably wish they had a job, a car, stock market shares to worry about, mortgages, vacations planned or a lawn that needs mowing. I wonder what they wake up worrying about at 5 AM? This is the 2009 Grapes of Wrath adventures, downtown Las Vegas, Foremaster Lane and Las Vegas Blvd. It brought back the memory of a time I asked a homeless guy where he thought he'd be at in a year or even five years at the rate he was living his life; thinking I'd try some logic/psychology on him and motivate him into a better world. He answered in one word: "Dead." He had no dreams or illusions of a better life, it was one day at at time, mainly because of medical problems and a life style of no way out. The hymn, Count Your Blessings, kept going through my mind as I drove away. Makes you wonder - name them, one by one. . .

March Madness - cough cough cough cough cough

In 2001, a study in the British Medical Journal indicated that some cough medicines are no more effective than placebos for acute coughs in adults, including coughs related to upper respiratory tract infections. In 2006, the American College of Chest Physicians published a guideline that had the dual message that many over-the-counter cough medicines are not effective and that those that are effective in treating the symptom do not treat the underlying cause; the underlying disorder emphasized by the guideline was pertussis(whooping cough) in the elderly.

Recent studies have found that theobromine, a compound found in cacao, is more effective as a cough suppressant than prescription codeine. This compound suppresses the "itch" signal from the nerve in the back of the throat that causes the cough reflex. It is possible to get an effective dose (1 g, though 0.5 g may be sufficient) from 50g of dark chocolate, which contains 2 to 10 times more cacao than milk chocolate. I'm confused. I don't measure my chocolate.

So I take dark chocolate to treat this cough? I don't need expensive, mediciney tasting cough syrup? So, I have a cough for my birthday. How can I go to sleep after drinking hot-chocolate (dark, of course)? This is "March Madness."

Real Evolution

Here I am in 5th grade, already hoping I can get by on my looks because my penmanship wasn't all that great. (I'm the only kid wearing the tie - but sitting between two girls!) Penmanship was actually on the report card. I don't think I ever did very well at it. I was forced to practice, practice and practice, all the while envious of those who had pretty handwriting. Girls had pretty handwriting, boys weren't suppose to.

By the time I got to high school I was forced to take typing class. The only good thing - then - I was one of the few boys in the class. But, I learned. Now, speed counted, nothing about style. Boys liked speed. Speed counted, pretty wasn't in the equation or on a report card. (accuracy was another issue)

So, I learned the new way to write, via the below, fancy, state of the art typewriter displayed below. No hunt-and-peck method for me, either. I was taught to watch the words appear on the paper with the clatter, clatter, stop typing, grab the return lever upper right of the machine never looking at the keys and continue typing. (the ENTER key is the new return lever) I judged my speed to what I could hear around me, "The quick brown dog jumped over the lazy red fox." Over and over again. Then I counted the mistakes. Yup, I made my share. . . .

Then, bingo! We graduate in life and technology to computers, but still typing. No more reaching for the carriage return. No more feeding paper in, one sheet at a time, trying to line up where to start typing. . . . I just type where the cursor is. Cursor, anther new word of the new world.

From typing one handed on the Mobile Computer Terminal in a patrol car while driving, I now sit at a computer almost all day, typing away. I'm not envious anymore. . . . I learnt well . . . my keys are spitting out words on the monitor (another modern word) faster than those around me who are not only slower than me, but have commented on my typing speed. Some who didn't take typing class; they either hunt and peck or just haven't evolved to the modern penmanship yet. About the only thing I need penmanship for now are post-it notes or my steno pad taking notes while talking on the phone. Sadly, I sometimes have trouble deciphering those. As a society, penmanship is a thing of the past. Evolution is alive and well in our written world.

Birthday myths & truisms

With another birthday coming my mind has been taking me down unique avenues of thought.I'm not old, I just have several years of life experience. Fact: I was born in Henderson, NV before it was an incorporated township; lived in a home on dirt street. (but so did my kids after building a home in 1979) Fiction: I was born after indoor plumbing. (not including some Southern states) No, I don't hide my own Easter eggs. Yes, I watched black & white television; (no cuss words and graphic death scenes aired). A small screen with only three channels to choose from, of which the knobs on the set required manual turning which required walking to the TV set to do; no remote, which gave us more exercise. Today, I would ace a high school history class, it teaches events I lived through. I rode a bike sans helmet and in car without seat belts. I can wear what I want and blame it on my age ~ my discretion. I am in a protected class. I am young compared to how old I'd be in dog years. I still have all my teeth. My hearing loss is a causation effect from noise levels induced in my life & not from age or marriage. (or is due to hair growth in my ears I never used to have?) When I talk to myself at least I don't argue about anything. I am not crotchety, I'm a product of my environment - US Army, 34 years of work and four kids will do that to anyone. (marriage & grand kids do not adversely effect me) I am not always the oldest person in the room but it seems that most people on TV are younger than me now. I'm getting closer to that "senior discount" at Denny's. I enjoy being Doo Dah in lieu of Gramps, PaPa or other nick names affiliated with grey-haired old men. I can still do 30 push ups but not 31 any more. For the record, my hair is more pepper than salt. My cute wife will always be younger than me!! Aging is better than the alternative. "I'm still looking at the green side of the grass."

I wanna be one of these

A BRACKETOLOGIST. If you know what this is, you're already aware of March Madness beginning next week. In the simplest explanation, Bracketology is the process of predicting who will play who in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. It's a complicated process that incorporates a secret, known-to-men only method, of predicting what teams will compete in the field of 65 qualifying teams, and, to place (bracket) them in the field by ranking all teams from first through sixty-fifth based upon this secret method/win/loss/difficulty of schedule. Oddly enough, our interest in these brackets meant a lot more to some of us in '90 & 91 when UNLV was a prominent team and bracketology wasn't even a word then. ESPN's Joe Lunardi is the inventor of the term "bracketology", starting first as the editor of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and ending up with a job as the resident bracketologist on ESPN. Below is an example. (It's certainly better than other "octologists" I can think of.) In reality, I'm gonna be a "watchologist" this March. Bigscreenology. You heard it here first. Are you "octologist?"

Redlight runners!!

Why must so many folks run the red signal at the same intersection? Could Public works adjust the signal time? Duh . . . yes! Today, for the second time this week, I sat in traffic on Eastern in the left turn lane onto Pebble, patiently waiting the green arrow. I was four cars back from the intersection, the light turned green, but no one ahead of me moved. My guess as to why we weren't moving was confirmed when I saw several vehicles making their way, through what had to be red for them, across our path, turning left, northbound Eastern. Normally, this wouldn't bother me too much, but the aromas of the nearby In-N-Out Burger I was heading to filled my nose with temptation and anticipation; I was minutes away from sampling a few hot french fries taking food home to Carol & Cohen. I worried that this delay impede my anticipated arrival at the drive-up. Momentarily.

I made it through the intersection just as my light was turning yellow. Good, I didn't want to see cops in my rear view mirror and delay those incredible edibles that much longer. I thought of how in my cop days, I'd have bounced over that raised median, doing the black n white U-turn, chase down and stop at least the last car through, if not get lucky and stop the last two - it's doable, I've done it, it's just tricky. Although I wasn't in the habit of "ticket writing" for the sake of any quota we never had, some folks needed, at the very least, a delay in their trip and an opportunity to explain why they felt the need to run the red light. Those who argued with me, blatantly denied it, questioned my 20-20 vision and integrity, my mom's marital status when I was born, my status in the Nazi party, or how I got on here on earth, got a ticket. (I was hit by a driver running a red light once; which I made sure the offender knew before we parted.)

It's amazing how food aromas can trip my hunger sensory gland (there has to be one), past memories and that just a four minute delay would give cause for little irritation.

Carpe diem

Carpe diem is a phrase from a Latin poem by Horace. (from Wikapedia) It is popularly translated as "seize the day". The general definition of carpe is "pick, pluck, pluck off, gather" as in plucking or picking a rose or apple, although Horace uses the word in the sense of "enjoy, make use of, seize." Another use of the word is by joining it with cras. This gives us Carpe Diem Cras, or "Seize the day tomorrow" the procrastinator's motto and an exact opposite of the meaning of "Carpe Diem" This is me, "I'll enjoy the day" tomorrow if I can't enjoy it today. How many tomorrows until I can pluck the day?

Bikes Belong ~ in some places

Oh, the seemingly, effortless simplicity of it. Cycle commuting ~ in the fantasy world. Although I didn't verify the health benefits & stats shown on the video, I don't doubt them. I've been thinking of parking my 'take home' car at the office and cycle back and forth daily; until the heat sets in. . . then the return of winter. In reality, I only think of doing this. Maybe. Who am I kidding? Worth the few minutes to watch below video. By the way, my bike(s) don't resemble either of these two: recumbent (L) oldie but goodie (R).
http://www.bikesbelong.org/node/633214

Moma said there'd be days like this

Court, 9:00 AM. Parking was E Z this time; in the non-metered, big parking lot at NLV Court on MLK. Three of the four witnesses were there; D/A gets continuance since we really need this missing witness ~ he paid $3,007 cash to an employee of legitimate company, (who turned into my Defendant) this legitimate company however, didn't receive this cash. This company completed payroll on D and two other employees, only to learn later that he was out the $3,007 plus payroll. I investigated and filed the Felony & Misdemeanor case. This company owner has since lost his license due to financial problems & current economy, lost his home and is living in a 2006 travel trailer he just recently inherited from his deceased uncle. (I made telephone contact later with the missing witness who expressed remorse of missing court, with an excuse, "My life has been a living hell, lately." I didn't ask, just said, "Lotta that going around." no sympathy. He will be at court next time as I explained the circumstances and necessity of his testimony.

I then drove across town to my ear Dr for quick check on minor problem. I'm in the waiting room when the door opened, held by an older man, as an older woman came crawling in on her hands and knees, all the time apologizing and saying she can't stand up. (like Carol was with her bad back!) But it wasn't her back, she had no balance. It took me a few seconds to see no one was helping her, to include the guy holding the door (yup, her husband) and felt weird to see an elderly lady doing the dog walk in public and do nothing, so I jumped up at about the same time another guy in the room did. Very awkwardly (I wasn't sure if we could hold her up, drop her and make matters worse.) we each ended up on either side of her, each with arm pit, (good thing she wore a long sleeve blouse) helping her walk back to an exam room. She apologized over and over and was mad about having no balance. (Crap, now she'll see the Dr before me ~ I know, I know; selfish thot.) An hour and half later, I was outta there with a few ear drops, blah, blah, blah. I need to let the hair in my ears grow, I guess. I can be like Andy Rooney with his hair eyebrows and ears.

I then drove to County Permit office to meet a licensed contractor and pick up info & business cards on several unlicensed guys, some of his competitors. (Why do I solicit more work? duh...) By 1:40 I was able to grab a turkey sandwich from Cappriottis and eat in the car heading back to the office. I'm experienced with this, (eating on the run) I'm a trained driver.

I had called the D/A two days ago to see if they can tell me if another court case is going on Wed. I had already scheduled a dental cleaning, twice prior canceled for court that ended up not going on that day anyway, for this Wed. Having heard nothing back I recalled the D/A and was told they hadn't heard from the defense attorney so they have to assume it's going. At 3 PM I called my dentist and left the news on their machine. At 3:45 I get a return call from D/A, "Change of plans, your case is not going tomorrow." 3:46 I call my dentist and got through to the receptionist who had just listened to my message; they were all out of the office for a funeral. After my condolences I advised her of the change, I'll be there...she was glad. But not the hygienist, "Now I can't sleep in." OH, YOU POOR THING! That's gonna ruin her day. :-) We all have those days, unfortunately; fortunately, infrequently. I guess it could be worse, I could spend my days at the bottom of a swimming pool or a 6' hole in the ground.

True Lies = humor

I thought I'd share some unplanned humor I came across today.

Case # 1. X indicated a felony prior arrest; crossing into USA, he claimed that cocaine found in the truck he was driving belonged to the passenger, but he was arrested for it. Court affidavit shows Narcotic Detector Dog "alerted" on the glove compartment, a wallet removed contained X's identification, and he confirmed ownership. A folded piece of paper containing cocaine found in this wallet. Case later plea bargained to Misdemeanor, Disorderly Conduct ~ intentionally obstruct vehicular traffic without lawful authority.(It's amazing what a good attorney can do.)

Case # 2. X indicated one prior felony. Arrested for DUI with accident who refused blood alcohol test because he'd been drinking, but didn't think the cops could tell that. Mandatory blood test at jail later revealed levels of THC (marijuana) in his blood, which changed the original charge from misdemeanor to a felony.

I'm no longer surprised by the stupidity of people who refuse to accept fault for not only their own actions but who try to make us believe them. (Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, etc etc) Although they may never see the humor in it, I did. (The names have been omitted to protect the innocent & these cases have been adjudicated.)

Financial situation caused by Testosterone?

I think our nation's financial situation is based upon greed gone awry, caused by irrepressible testosterone. Arrogant men running this country. My theory is based upon what men want and can't have. What do men want? . . . . A big screen TV, of course. (What did you think I was gonna say?!) His buddies at work all have one, guys on television have them, it's the norm. He sees them in ads and RC Wiley and has to have one. Enter the salesman who earns commission, whose testosterone also play a role, because on his way to work today he drove by the Bass Pro Shop and saw this new boat he really needs. But their wife said they can't afford it ~ estrogen check factor ~ Solution, make more $$ via more sales. So our buyer’s testosterone was supported by the salesman just by walking in the store."Oh yeah, you can afford this, we have instant credit here. We can have the TV delivered tomorrow or you can take it home today." Greed and E Z Credit, a fatal combination. Then, uh oh, wife needs something too, sooooooooooo, "Sure honey, buy whatever you want." (Testosterone guilt.) Instant credit works for her too, but at Nieman Marcus. Ten new outfits and matching shoes. Male credit manager earns commission on each approved application ~ his testosterone and greed are now a part of it.

It's a terrible cycle our country is in; it wants a trillion dollar big screen T.V set that we can't afford. A domino effect. Financial bail-out ~ quick fix or greed? Maybe we need more “estrogen restrain” in our government? I'm still waiting for my stimulus check. I wanna bass boat....

No more Michael Jackson?

I was watching the news this morning ~ at the gym on the StairMaster :-) ~ and couldn't believe what came through my headphones. With his definite lack of public speaking skills, aptitude, propensity, proclivity and penchant for use of the English language, Michael must have repeated himself a half dozen times. (or so it seemed to me)

What I heard: "This is it. It's it. This is it. I mean it. This is it."

What an AP writer heard: "This is it," he said. "I just want to say that this will be my final show performances in London. This will be it. When I say this is it, it really means this is it."

At least he gave us the moon-walk, Thriller and subject matter/speculation to talk about over the years. He is definitely and entertainer. . . Yes, I can moon-walk, I think Andrea taught me. (I hope I didn't offend any fans out there.)

Your factory warranty is about to expire!

"This is the second notice that your factory warranty is about to expire." I'm getting tired of receiving these pre-recorded phone calls - bet you are too. (unless you live in Kentucky hills without a phone.)

Although I have my cell and home phone numbers registered on the do not call registry, I still receive them. Based on my searches on the web, many people are getting dozens of calls a week utterly unable to get the nonsense to stop. Most of us have no way to identify the offending company.

This particular con has gone out of control in the States — The RCMP have a posted a caution as this has spread to Canada and reporting that it's a scam. Duh. Them smart Canadians!!

But, I can tell you that if you have the patience to listen through to the end of the annoying message, you may have the option of pushing #2 on your phone and be removed from their call list. I've now begun pushing #2 as soon as I realize it's one of these calls and the call magically terminates on it's own.

Pronunciation: skam
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1963 (been around awhile & only given a name in 1963?)
A fraudulent or deceptive act or operation ~ thievery by another name!

A New Day Cafe

After hearing from Dallas (http://dallachi.blogspot.com/) about her favorite restaurant, I had to try it myself. Each Wednesday I'm out in the streets all day seeking out the bad-guy-unlicensed-contractor or contractor working beyond his capabilities, (You're safe, Kim) I have the opportunity to try various lunch locales. We have some fine establishments in town, if I'm willing to pay their prices. (I'm not cheap, I'm frugal & I'm selective where I eat.) So I went to A New Day Cafe @ Rainbow & Robindale. Lunch menu was okay, I could see breakfast would be better. Not in the mood for a breakfast I chose this sandwich, shown below. Grilled chicken, avocado, sprouts, tomato, lettuce, pepper jack cheese on grilled sourdough bread; side of slaw they make themselves. I felt the need to explain why I was photographing my food, thought of telling her I was a local food critic (well, in a way I am) but told her I just blog.

It was very good, albeit grilled or toasted bread bothers the roof of my mouth - which this did -even though the waitress said it wouldn't when I started to ask "how toasted" the bread is & she finished the question for me having been asked that before, obviously. The slaw was good, being the laymen chemist I am, I know: cabbage=flatulence. I didn't eat it all. Worth $11 - w/tip. Maybe next time I'll try a yummy breakfast OR their mushroom swiss burger! (don't tell my heart doctor.)

On Jurisprudence

Have I mentioned before how I don't enjoy going to court? The parking, the elbow-to-elbow crowded elevators, the hard wooden seats, sniveling attorneys, etc . . . . Went this morning; originally I had two subpoenas for the same time, different court rooms on different floors, lucky for me one was cancelled, only had to concern myself with being in one. (still not feeling lucky - I've sat in court rooms way too many times over the years). I took crosswords (NY & LA Times that appear in the RJ) to pass the time but soon discovered these were difficult ones; some are easier. Blogging came to mind. So, I listened a little more to the proceedings. Most were innocuous and not worthy of note.

I looked at the “in-custody” group; one white male sitting on the end of a row of six minorities. (Intentional segregation?) All wore either orange or blue jump suits (depending on County or City Jail inmate). All wearing ugly orange, plastic slippers, some with matching orange socks. No Yves Saint Laurent stuff. All were male, under 30 y.o.a. ~ years of age for you citizens. :-) & all in the chrome ankle and wrist chains, Peerless brand cuffs. Good police equipment!

Prior to these in-custody cases a few caught my attention. One elderly black lady was facing eviction. She was two months behind in rent, maybe 75 y.o.a. As the judge asked her when she can pay, she cleared her throat and managed a weak rebuttal, "I have half of it Your Honor, but what can be done about no heat in the apartment since October?" It was learned the heat was fixed just this week. Rent was $600 a month. The judge waived any late fees and gave her 72 hrs to pay. I wished I had cash on me, I'd have handed it to her. (But then again, I don't know all the details - she wasn't dressed too poorly - a red knee length wool coat and clutch purse held to her chest with gnarled old woman's hands.) The propery manager kept quiet - measly looking slime bag that he was, complete with bad comb-over and thick glasses.

One guy was in there for a traffic ticket for no proof of insurance and registration in his car. Judge: "Where's the paper work?" Defendant: "It's in my car." seconds of obvious silence passed . . . Judge: "Where's your car?" Defendant: "Downstairs." Judge: "Can you go get it and bring it back?" Defendant: "Oh yeah, I didn't know you wanted to see it." (for the record, as long as I was in that court room he never returned)

A few whining attorneys plead for, and were granted, continuances of their cases because of conflicting trial schedules, unable to locate their clients & witnesses, clerical mistakes by staff, etc.

One guy in custody. List of criminal charges read aloud in court (fortunately lacking some of the details) Burglary, indecent/immoral behavior & open and gross lewdness. Lady came home to find adult neighbor in her bedroom, not fully clothed. Defendant accepted plea to a lesser degree of simple home invasion to avoid the preliminary hearing of all the details of this crime. Will only go to District Court for sentencing - that Judge will hopefully know all the slimy details and sentence him accordingly.

Another guy in custody. 18 yr old Senior in a local high school. Charged with Threats to Kill or do Great Bodily Harm to a School Employee. (didn't know this crime was on the books) He accepted a plea to a lesser degree of simple battery if he completes the school's requirements and stays out of trouble; to return at the end of the school year in front of same judge. He spoke Spanglish with no courtesy shown towards the judge. The tattoos told me he'll fail this challenge.

Two others from the audience approached the bench with their public defender: Both waived their right to a preliminary hearing, accepting lesser pleas of Possession of controlled substance, Possession with intent to sale a controlled substance and simple robbery. Their relief was obvious being able to walk out of court. Plea bargained thanks to our District Attorney!

Any one else see a pattern with our court system?

By the way, my two victims were there but my bad guy wasn't. Judge placed a cash-bail-only warrant on him, in the exact amount of restitution to the victims based on my case submittal: $6,000. If he gets picked up, some justice may be finally served. May be served, lotta variables now days!!