I rather like that delicate description. “Friends” consisted of my crazy side-kick, Steve. Fluffy, the short-haired domestic cat, and Simon, the dumb as a doorknob dog, were peering longingly from inside the house. Too much ash and soot to risk dirtying the carpeting with their eight combined paws. As the police were announcing on their bullhorns that we must leave NOW, I was dutifully sweeping the dog hair from the kitchen floor. Steve didn’t get it, but women everywhere will. There was no WAY that I was going to have the emergency crews thinking I actually live like this.

All kidding aside, this is no joke. Too many homes have been lost, and too many lives touched by this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the victims, and, on behalf of all San Diegans and Southern Californians, I thank you for your well-wishes and support.

Brian Brady is still at the “Q” (Qualcomm Stadium), as far as I know, and probably stalking Anderson Cooper for an autograph as we write.