Nicaragua is baaaaack

When I was an undergraduate in college, Central America was hot stuff.  Daniel Ortega was in charge in Nicaragua and the FMLN was attempting a final offensive in El Salvador.

I also took a class with a professor who believed that Daniel Ortega was the best thing to happen to Nicaragua since sliced white Wonder Bread.  Disagreed about Daniel Ortega, but I still respected his point and where he came from on the subject.

He is no longer amongst us, but there is now a fund in his name that will give stipends to undergraduates who want to spend the summer working on social justice.  Yes, I would give to the fund if I had the money.

This all is happening at a time I am wondering if what is old is new again.  You see, my favorite article about Nicaragua was written for Westword who covered the first election that toppled Ortega.  The writer drove from Colorado to Nicaragua to cover the election and gave a version outside of the mainstream media.  It was a statement for alternative journalism.  Muck was raked.

And now we are faced with people who want the man out of office again.

I'm not surprised.

619 + 858 = 1

The geographic boundary between the 619 and 858 area codes will disappear soon

On May 19, 2018 if you are in the geographic area that covers the 619 or 858 area codes, you will have to dial all ten digits.  One month later the two area codes will cover the same area.

I thought of Rick when I was reminded this is happening.  The poor dear did not understand that even when I was in San Diego, he had to dial the 415 to get me on my SF based cell phone.

Wonder what he would think of my having both a US and Mexican cell number.

Actually, he would not be at all surprised.