Small Victories

I believe I am validated.
Today I made it on the Daily Noose.

A Great Internet Stumble Upon

Just discovered Dickipedia and I am compelled to share.

In no way am I insinuating any Alameda Blogger.

Del's Grammatical Pet Peeves

Not a whole lot to write about today, but I just read this elsewhere and was inspired to rant.

MANO-A-MANO: means HAND-to-HAND, not MAN-to-MAN. Has nothing to do with gender. (can you tell I was reading an "American Idol" review?)

This one kills me: The many problems facing SUBJECT . As in, "The many challenges facing the Alameda School District."

This is simply inexcusable grammar you see all over the place. Problems don't face subjects, subjects face problems. Especially if one subject faces multiple problems or challenges.

Correctly written, "Alameda School District faces many challenges."

It's called ACTIVE VOICE.

Got any others?

Del's Traffic Tip of the Week

Is it me or is it a full moon? Gosh darn if I'm not seeing some crazy activity on our Island boulevards.

(and wouldn't it be great if someone was actually READING my blog?)

In honor of the guy who made a 12-point U-Turn on High St (at Encinal) in the midst of morning traffic, I present the U-Turn. Would it hurt so bad to just go around the block?

From our California Driver's Handbook:

Legal U-Turns

A U-turn is turning around in the street to go back the way you came. To make a U-turn, signal and use the far left lane or the center left turn lane. You may make a U-turn:

• Across a double yellow line when it is safe and legal.
• In a residential district:
  • if no vehicle approaching you is closer than 200 feet.
  • whenever a traffic sign or signal protects you from approaching vehicles.
• At an intersection on a green light or green arrow unless a "No U-turn" sign is posted.
• On a divided highway only if an opening is provided in the center divider.

Illegal U-Turns

Never make a U-turn:

• On a divided highway by crossing a dividing section, curb, strip of land, or two sets of double lines.
• Where you cannot clearly see 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason.
• Where a "No U-Turn" sign is posted.
• When other vehicles may hit you.
• On a one-way street.
• In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station driveway to turn around.
• In business districts. Areas with churches, apartments, multiple dwelling houses, clubs, and public buildings (except schools) are also considered to be business districts. Turn only at an intersection or where openings are provided for turns.

Shout Out to the Forbidden Island

As trendy as the Forbidden Island has become, I really have to hand it to Marty and his crew.

Simply put, the LOUNGE is the shizz.

Del recommends the Fog Cutter and the Navy Grog as staple libations, however you should check out the list of bartender special creations that changes when the muse inspires.

Now if we could figure out how to resurrect "Lincoln's Address" somewhere up or down the street. For my money THAT was THE BEST NAME FOR A BAR. Ever.

Del's Aggro Supplementary Traffic Tip of the Week

GAARRGGGHH - this one drives me nuts.

Between 330pm-600pm Monday - Friday it is ILLEGAL TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON TO PARK STREET

There is a big sign posted on the traffic light arm PLUS a red flashing light that shouts "NO LEFT TURN".

Need to go left on Park? Go straight to the next block (Oak or Park Av), make a left there, make another left, then a RIGHT on to Park.

Alameda Taqueria - El Retorno

This is the best development on Park St in 18 months - Alameda Taqueria has reopened its doors.

Hands down this is THE BEST BURRITO on the Isle.

Del went twice this week.

Welcome back!

Del's Traffic Tip of the Week

You know it drives you crazy too. Don't you wish you had a blog so you could pontificate like me?

Nothing drives me battier than coming to a 4-way stop and watching 3 other drivers wave and direct traffic like so many Bob Fosse dancers (Jazz Hands, Everyone!).

Let's review from the CALIFORNIA DRIVER'S HANDBOOK (it's online!)

Right-of-way rules together with courtesy and common sense help to promote traffic safety. It is important to respect the right-of-way of others, especially pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and bicycle riders.

Motorists must respect the right-of-way of others by not violating traffic laws such as failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, speeding, making unsafe lane changes or illegal turns.

An intersection is any place where one line of traffic meets another. Intersections include cross streets, side streets, alleys, freeway entrances, and any other location where vehicles traveling on different highways or roads join each other.

• At intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, slow down and be ready to stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or just entering it. Also, yield to the car which arrives first or to the car on your right if it reaches the intersection at the same time as you do.
• At “T” intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, yield to vehicles on the through road. They have the right-of-way.
• When there are STOP signs at all corners, stop first, then follow the above rules.

Stop waving at me!
If you got there first, the-right-of way is yours!
If we got there together and you're on my right - the right-of-way is yours!
If we got there together and you're on my left- the right-of-way is mine!
If we got there together and there is a pedestrian crossing against me - the right-of-way is yours!