Pieced together from adbusters.org
Are you a hipster? I ask the girl sitting next to me. She’s wearing big dangling earrings, an American Apparel V-neck tee, non-prescription eyeglasses and an inappropriately warm wool coat. “Fuck no,” she says, laughing back the last of her glass before she hops off to the dance floor.
After punk was plasticized and hip hop lost its impetus for social change, all of the formerly dominant streams of “counter-culture” have merged together. Now, one mutating, trans-Atlantic melting pot of styles, tastes and behavior has come to define the generally indefinable idea of the “Hipster.”
An artificial appropriation of different styles from different eras, the hipster represents the end of Western civilization – a culture lost in the superficiality of its past and unable to create any new meaning. Not only is it unsustainable, it is suicidal. While previous youth movements have challenged the dysfunction and decadence of their elders, today we have the “hipster” – a youth subculture that mirrors the doomed shallowness of mainstream society. The American Apparel V-neck shirt, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and Parliament cigarettes are symbols and icons of working or revolutionary classes that have been appropriated by hipsterdom and drained of meaning. Ten years ago, a man wearing a plain V-neck tee and drinking a Pabst would never be accused of being a trend-follower. But in 2008, such things have become shameless clichés of a class of individuals that seek to escape their own wealth and privilege by immersing themselves in the aesthetic of the working class. This obsession with “street-cred” reaches its apex of absurdity as hipsters have recently and wholeheartedly adopted the fixed-gear bike as the only acceptable form of transportation – only to have brakes installed on a piece of machinery that is defined by its lack thereof. Punks wear their tattered threads and studded leather jackets with honor, priding themselves on their innovative and cheap methods of self-expression and rebellion. B-boys and b-girls announce themselves to anyone within earshot with baggy gear and boomboxes. But it is rare, if not impossible, to find an individual who will proclaim themself a proud hipster. It’s an odd dance of self-identity – adamantly denying your existence while wearing clearly defined symbols that proclaims it.

The North County Times is reporting Escondido is pulling ahead of San Marcos as the front-runner to become the next home for the Padres Triple-A baseball team. City officials have been meeting with the Padres to discuss potential plans a new minor league ballpark surrounded by a large shopping and dining district. Escondido officials say their location offers the greater potential for accompanying development and is located south of Highway 78 and just east of Interstate 15.

NCTimes.com

“They like the location and they like the potential for ancillary development,” said attorney Dave Ferguson, who last fall spearheaded an effort to bring a new San Diego Chargers stadium to the same area. Ferguson said the San Marcos ballpark site provided less opportunity for extra revenue.

Padres officials declined to comment Thursday, but Padres chief executive Jeff Moorad told the North County Times last week that the team was leaning away from San Marcos because another city had a better plan.

I’m going to submit my request for Swasted.com press credentials right now…

Annie Savoy’s real-life persona, Susan Sarandon is in the early stages of filming a reality TV series which will follow the growing popularity of ping-pong. She’s currently the co-owner of the trendy 13,000 square foot table tennis night club, SPiN. SPiN New York is a unique 13,000 square foot table-tennis social club located off of Park Avenue in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. The club sports up to 16 top-quality table-tennis courts on cushioned Olympic-competition flooring, including a stadium-like center court. SPIN New York houses a pro shop, our restaurant Ducks Eatery, bar, private room sponsored by Fred Perry and over a dozen internationally known professional coaches and champion players who are available for private and group instruction.

SPiN’s Membership Philosophy

To create a global community of people, socializing,exercising, and fantasizing together, thanks to a 2.7gram, 40mm, gas filled, celluloid, ricocheting round ball…with a coefficient restitution of .88.
A strikingly original artistic, athletic and social movement has begun in the heart of Manhattan. SPiN members are individuals who enjoy table tennis, or merely just people watching, drinking, eating, talking, smiling, flirting, playing backgammon, reading the newspaper, doing head stands, etc.

Annual Membership for an individual is $650…

Noble Experiment, a new speakeasy style drink lounge in the Gaslamp with its entrance buried in the back of upscale burger joint, Neigborhood, had its secret spilled by Yelpers after just days in operation.  Co-owners of the El Dorado Cocktail Lounge have a hand in this new spot, which gets it points in my book, but I think I’m too shy to probe a wall for the secret entrance that supposedly exists near the ladies restroom.

The name of the bar is a nod to the nickname given to America’s Prohibition of 1920-1933.  Based on those aforementioned mouthy Yelp reviews, it sounds quite appropriate.

The Jumping Turtle Restaurant and Grill’s owners on Monday appealed a Dec. 31 ruling that upheld San Marcos’ decision to revoke the business’ entertainment permit, paving the way for the matter to go to the City Council.
The Jumping Turtle can continue hosting live music shows pending the council hearing’s outcome, she said.
The business attracted little city attention until last May, when San Marcos officials added new restrictions to The Jumping Turtle’s entertainment permit.
The new rules limit the business to two live shows per week, restrict it from charging a cover fee, and ban people under 21 from the premises when alcohol is being served and a band is playing, among other things.
City officials have said underage drinking, noise and other problems at the establishment led to the stricter rules – allegations that Hall and Mouradian say are untrue or exaggerated. – More Turtle

**UPDATE** – Check out the Jumping Turtle vs. City of San Marcos

2/3/10 – The Jumping Turtle Bar and Grill and its owners filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday that accuses San Marcos of harassment, deprivation of civil rights and other harmful actions and seeks injunctions to stop them, the business’ attorney said Wednesday.

2010 Lake Elsinore Storm Preview – FriarForecast.com a preview of what should be the 2010 roster for the Lake Elsinore Storm. It’s looks like it will be a fun team to watch with most of the guys coming from the Ft Wayne team that won the most games in minor league baseball. With mashers like Jaff Decker (5′ 10″ 220 lbs – .299/.442/.514)and Rancho Bernardo High alum Allan Dykstra (6′ 5″ 240lbs – .226/.397/375) – FriarForecast.com 2010 Storm Preview

Mira Mesa Bar Brawl – A bar brawl last night at the Tomkat in Mira Mesa led to 1 arrest and 3 injuries. It happened just before 2am so I’m guessing it was a few dudes who were fighting for the last cougar of the night. – SignOnSanDiego.com

Wanted: Husker Musicians - The University of Nebraska marching band canceled its trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl because of blizzards and poor road conditions in Nebraska. To make up for their absence, the school’s local alumni chapter is seeking Nebraska graduates with musical talent. The hope is to at least put together a motley crew that can play the Cornhuskers’ fight songs. – SignOnSanDiego.com

San Diego New Year’s Eve Event Calendar – So what’s going down in San Diego on New Year’s Eve? Follow the link for Swasted.com’s events calendar and leave a comment to add your own recommendation or to invite us to your party…
Continue reading 'Monday Links – 2010 Storm Preview, Mira Mesa Bar Brawl, Wanted: Husker Musicians, New Year’s Eve'»

Tonight’s the night, D-Pain and the Ruff Justyce Crew are set to take the stage at the Casbah…don’t miss it!

Follow the link to buy tickets online – Buy Tickets

Not to say that it wasn’t a problem when we were in school but wtf is going on with the recent rash of teenagers in North County dying from alcohol related crashes? News of two more deaths came through this morning, just two days after a 17-year old Torey Pines high school senior was sentenced to up to 547 days in a juvenile detention camp for being intoxicated at the wheel in a crash that killed another 17-year old.

I heard the sirens this morning from the most recent crash that happened around 6:00am on Harmony Grove Rd just south from GTC in Esco. A 17-year old passenger was killed and the 17-year old driver was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter. Hours earlier around 1:00am another 17-year old was killed on Mountain Meadown Rd in North Esco. Drugs or alcohol are suspected in the crash.

Just last Saturday, a 20-year old man and 17-year old woman from Temecula were killed in a solo car crash when the man lost control of his 2002 Lincoln LS on El Norte Parkway near Rose St. Alcohol is suspected to have contributed to the crash.

Not all of these were alcohol related, but a list of recent solo vehicle crashes involving North County teenagers that have resulted in a death…

• Sept 25 – 17-year old year old from Vista passes away after crashing during a suspected street race
• Oct. 4 – 17-year old killed in an alcohol-related crash in Rancho Sante Fe, 2nd teen seriously injured, driver sentenced to up to 547 days
• Oct. 25 – 16-year old killed in a crash on Fairbanks Rd
• Nov. 8 – 17-year old killed in a crash in Vista a few blocks from his home where the driver is facing charges of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter
• Dec. 5 – 20-year old and 17-year old killed in solo crash in Escondido
• Dec. 11 – 17-year old killed in solo car crash on Mountain Meadow Rd
• Dec. 11 – 17-year old killed in solo car crash on Harmony Grove Rd

Escondido’s own hip-hop sensation, D-Pain will be heading south on Friday, December 18 to perform at The Casbah with Queenly and Cat from Japan. Tickets are $12, get there early, the D don’t wait for no one!

Follow the link to buy tickets online – Buy Tickets

Check out the pics from D-Pain’s record release party…

All the good photos are by HVC3

D-Pain’s album release party kicks off tonight, October 23 at Club Anita’s in Escondido. The doors open at 9:00pm with $3 U-Call-It’s until 11. Domi Young will be performing as well as DJ sets from Escondido’s Dr. Parks and Brian E.

Info line is available at 760.933.theD (8433)

D’s debut album, The Awakening, is available now on iTunes. You can also preview some tracks on his MySpace page: myspace.com/thedpain.

Swasted.com will be there in full force, buy us a drink!

The video for “App 4 Dat” is also available on YouTube.