When Life Starts to Stink and You Don't Know Why, You Need Captain Underdog

A surfer leaves the water at the Huntington Beach Pier. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)


A recurring foul odor that some residents say causes headaches and nausea is a serious issue and needs more focus, says a Huntington Beach city councilman who wants a special committee to be formed on the issue.

“Not enough progress is being made to address the source of the odor,” Councilman Billy O’Connell said in a statement proposing the item.

The city said in a post last week on its website that the odor wasn’t believed to be “an immediate life safety issue.”

L.A. Times:  O.C. beach cities beset by mysterious nauseating odor demand answers

Rockhouse tip on public relations for government officials:  when the people complain about something, telling them it's not serious enough to be worth fixing shouldn't be used as your first response.


Zen Yogi:  you must be aware of major problems in the world and this isn't one of them

The people of Huntington Beach probably won't agree with your assessment, Yogi, but, yes, I'm aware of the world's problems.  I choose not to report on them of late because of the heartless horror in anything about them and particularly the way such horror is bandied about as if nothing more than party conversation.

Zen Yogi:  any party starting conversation like that has got to suck!

It's what I'm tellin' you, mate.


The agency’s website says that multiple sources in the area are capable of producing disagreeable odors and the periodic nature and varying location of complaints makes assessing the cause difficult. SCAQMD spokesman Sam Atwood said last week that the analysis of complaints and wind directions points to an offshore source.

- LAT

Texans can spill out a definitive list of things which smell bad in California faster than the latest L.A. celebrity marvel can spill out his or sex life along with transitions.

Zen Yogi:  I thought it was New York Yankees they don't like?

They don't like Yankees either, mate, and that goes back to historical times but California has crept into the lead with them.

Zen Yogi:  is there any actual point to this, Silas?

When I awakened, there was a clear thought in my head for something which would work well as an article.

Zen Yogi:  and?

This isn't it, mate, and that's the basis for thinking of increasing the pace of transition.  I have frequently awakened like that with an article in my mind and it bugged me so much I had to get up because this has just got to be written.  That's changing but you won't have to be lead detective to deduce why.

The vibe is good even if a bit discomfited by that evolution and I'm pleased to report there are no discernible bad smells in the air.  Usually if there's a bad smell in Texas it means look out for an imminent explosion.  Note:  that's not a cheapshot since Texas has enjoyed explosions of multiple container ships and different types of chemical facilities along the coast in its history.

Note to Cadillac Man:  I must remind Yevette to regale you on the Fort Worth Stockyards which produced a stink which will be included in the legends.  I'm told it was so bad it wasn't something you would ever want to imagine, much less endure.


Captain Underdog is the answer:

There's no need to fear, Underdog is here

Underdog was one of the great heroes of the 60s, at least among kids, and the reverence was in large part due to his voicing by Wally Cox, coincidentally another of the great heroes of kids in the 60s.  (WIKI:  Wally Cox)

I haven't any doubt many of you Boomers out there remember Underdog.

Zen Yogi:  can we have a lament for the passage of Saturday morning cartoons?

Maybe not a full-out lament, Yogi, but how about a wistful memory of kids all over the living room for the cartoons.

Zen Yogi:  after your chores?

We don't need that much family history, mate.  When the family has one or two kids then I imagine the situation with chores is different but it's a circus when there are six.

Zen Yogi:  weren't there different systems?

I'm tellin' you, Yogi, I won't get into any soccer with this ball.  Maybe I'll follow this article with some non-disagreeable nostalgia such as the Great Family Outing to Cinerama in Sacramento.

Zen Yogi:  got it, Cap'n