Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Fantastic New Year!
I miss you all dearly.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

David Sedaris

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

David Sedaris

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

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Top 7 Signs You’ve Integrated in Spain

Ok, I'm not quite there yet, and frankly..... I'm good where I am. So.... I integrated in 1, 5, and 7 only (highlighted in purple).

An advanced crash course in Spanish culture.

You’ve worked so hard learning to speak Spanish and you love living here in Spain, but how can you tell whether you’ve truly integrated into Spanish society? Integration is tricky business after all. Here are 7 unequivocal signs that you’ve done it:

1. You think that a whole ham with a hoof is a good Christmas gift and the Museo del Jamón is one of your favorite restaurants. And it’s not just because you like Spanish ham; actually, it’s a matter of truly being able to appreciate the jamón. With the passion of a wine connoisseur you can expound on the best ham varieties Spain has to offer, arguing over serranos and ibéricos with the best of ‘em. Heck, you might even know the correct way to slice a bone-in jamón.
2. You’re more religious about your soccer than your actual religion. With Carnaval-like excitement you anticipate the Liga de Campeones, Liga española, Copa del Rey, Copa de la Liga, and the Supercopa de Europa more carefully than saint days. You wear your favorite team’s flag like a superhero cape or drape the official team color-emblazoned, embroidered scarf around your shoulders as if it were a priestly vestment.
3. You spend the run-up to Christmas clutching lottery tickets. You and everyone else you know make a ritual of getting a décimo or two, like eating almond soup, fish, and turrón on Christmas Eve or stuffing 12 grapes into your mouth at the 12 chimes of the clock on New Year’s Eve. You don’t really expect to win the Sorteo de la Lotería de Navidad and make off with millions, but you’ve found that beyond delusion that’s not really the point.
4. Your 10 closest friends are Spanish. You do everything as a group and couldn’t imagine it any other way. Bar hopping, tapas crawls, holidays, weddings, children’s playdates, you name it. It’s like you grew up together, as your Spanish friends in the group probably did.
5. You enjoy opening your hand-held fan with two fingers and snapping it shut with a flick of your wrist. You don’t bother leaving the house in summer without your brightly-colored abanico, for women (and some fashion-forward men. Men’s fans are slightly smaller than women’s). Highly practical in urban subways, on hot beaches, at restaurants and cafes, on streetcorners, and everywhere else, you don’t remember what you did in the summer before Spanish fans came into your life.
6. You have a pueblo. Even if you were born and raised in a decidedly city environment like New York City, Sydney, or London, same as a Spaniard you still have a pueblo and refer to it as such. You don’t actually go home to visit like an expat anymore; you retreat into the arms of your pueblo, like a Spaniard. (Most urban Spaniards are only a couple generations from their rural roots, so the idea of having a pueblo and going back for an occasional weekend or for holidays is very common. Your pueblo would be the place you grew up or where your family ties are strongest.)
7. You drink your coffee with milk and your beer with lemon soda. Breakfast wouldn’t be breakfast without a café con leche and summer wouldn’t be summer without sipping a clara con limón at a terraza on a long, hot night.

One word: Jameson. Ummmm. Plus, only 13.99Euro a bottle, a warm calm feeling, and no hangover.

Dang. I really should pay more attention to the news. I don't turn on the TV much anymore. The English language sites suck; and the free newspapers aren't handed out at my stop (and unless it's on the chair next to me, I ain't diggin in the trash - like some.

However, I did watch the news this morning. I knew there was a trucker's strike. After all, diesel is more than $7 a gallon!!! ($4 in the US). Still, it all seemed to be in Catalonia. Shops running low on food? Ya, in smaller cities, like Zaragoza, although saw an article about Madrid shops, but gathered from the headline that there was no crisis. But now that I think about it.....

Popped into the supermarket last night (Monday), late, after 9pm. It's usually empty by then, but not last night. I thought it was weird. Still, I bought only scotch, cheese, and chicken.

Only today, as we sat on the bus at Plaza Castilla for 20 min, when we should've been heading for the highway......

So..... stock up on food? Na... I'm not into panic buying. Plus, if food runs out, then boom, the start of my much needed diet.

LOST, Season 4 Finale

Oh my god. I'm in tears. I clapped in joy, surprise, and excitement. I had to pause the video to collect my thoughts, to cry, to ponder. This was, by far, the best season finale ever, EVER, or any show. It was full of action, but pensive at the same time. It answered so so many questions, resolved so many plot points. It didn't leave us with a traditional cliffhanger. I would say not a cliff hanger at all.... just a new show, a "game changer" as they say. A whole new HISTORY. Everything that has happened the last four years will still matter. There are still mysteries and connections that will be reveled, and reveled because they are vital. Damon and Carlton have given us so much - a real respect for the fans, and a major break from tradition TV story telling. Never have I been so moved by a "TV show."


Of note: *may contain spoilers

• Richard Alphert with a gun. Muy sexy.
• Mr. Eko.
• Sun’s screams.
• Keemie don’t die so easy.
• Miles’s cool.
• Jack’s beard.
• Desmond’s beard.
• Desmond & Penny.
• I love Sawyer.
• Taller Walt.
• The Whispers.
• Portuguese.
• Dharma rum.
• Purple Sky.
• Frozen Donkey Wheel.

P.S. I love Desmond, yet I hope not to see him or Penny on the show again...why?... because if we see them I'm afraid it will only lead to tragedy. They must be our happily ever-after.

WAR INC., John Cusak

I just love the store-brand products by Auchan (El Campo in Spain). Just as good as name-brand, but tons cheaper. The best store-brands ever! And luckily, for sale at my local supermaket, not called Auchan (or El Campo).

Reflection.....today..... Edificio España

My high speed internet connection.
Surprisingly, I do get 3Mbps, unless it rains, or the neighbor's laundry gets too close.

My latest movie making effort. Flat Eric's tribute to Desmond, the Hatch, and LOST.



Oh, and if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can see the original here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Zkin6_Yyo

Congratulations to the PSOE socialists and the president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Maybe not enough for an abolute majority (a pity), but enough.

I'm alowed to have an opinion as 1) it is well-educated; 2) it's my blog ;-)))

Eric's little yellow head has been hurting, as well as mine!!! as we play Jinga with the pillows on top of the bed. Not one, or any combonatgion, as worked, and our necks are getting sore!!! Whine, whine, we will.

I went out and got a squre pillow at Zara home... I'm giving it antother chance tonight. If no, then looks like drastic mesures might have to be taken......

Ned Riffle: I want adventure. I want romance.
Bill McCabe: Ned, there is no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing as romance. There's only trouble and desire.
Ned Riffle: Trouble and desire?
Bill McCabe: That's right. And the funny thing is, when you desire something you immediately get into trouble. And when you're in trouble you don't desire anything at all.
Ned Riffle: I see.
Bill McCabe: It's impossible.
Ned Riffle: It's ironic.
Bill McCabe: It's a fucking tragedy is what it is, Ned.

My gosh. Talk about allergies... full on, now, in January. Thank you lovely Cupresáceas.

Please please please let this week's one come to fruitrition. I neeeeed the gate open!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): While riding my bicycle through a quiet
neighborhood this afternoon, I saw two girls fiddling with the gate of a tall
wooden fence. They were frustrated because it wouldn't open and let
them inside. One kicked the gate. The other tried unsuccessfully to climb
up to reach down over the top to the latch on the other side. Finally, the
younger girl put her hand under the gate and managed to free some
obstruction on the other side. The gate opened. "I got it! I got it!" she
yelled, jumping up and down with exhilarated triumph. I foresee those
words and that emotion flying out of you soon when you, too, finally open
a metaphorical door that has been stuck.

http://freewillastrology.com/

Ok, for those of you who enjoy LOST, might enjoy LOST, or will never watch LOST, but want to endulge me anyway.... here is a very very good recap of the first 3 season... all in 8 minutes.