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The bus driver who wrote this sign clearly does not understand how to use quotes or punctuation. There are many ways to read this sign, but I’m going to translate it this way.

First, you’re meant to see “No Eating” and No Drinking. He literally means that you can’t drink on the bus. No water, no juice, god help us, no booze. But what is he trying to say by putting “No Eating” in quotes? Should we read this as if he’s saying it? Sometimes we use quotes in a wink-wink kind of way. To what innuendo or second meaning could he be referring?

On this bus at all! Sure, this isn’t a complete sentence, but who has time anymore in this hectic work-a-day world? At least sort of connects to sentence b4. Make sense. Sort of.

“Stop.” My first inclination is that this bus driver knows the cleaning staff where I work. They have a similar sign-writing style. By putting stop in quotes, I’m not sure if I should or not. Did George Washington or another great man or woman say “Stop” once, and the bus driver is trying to invoke that instance? If so, where is the bibliography. Maybe it’s on the back of the sign.

Or maybe the bus driver just ain’t that bright.

My side view mirror was hit by another car in the dead of the night some months ago.  I finally fixed it with a mirror from the dollar store, some duct tape, and a whole lot of class.

Just as the asparagus risotto finished up, I seared a couple of big scallops to ride along with the creamy rice to dinner.The risotto recipe and techniques comes from Mark Bittman’s show “The Best Recipes in the World.” The video which accompanies the recipe shows Mario Batali demo-ing how to cook perfect risotto, while Bittman offers color commentary.  I’m definitely a convert to Batali’s less stirring method.  Instead of using stock, I used the water I blanched the asparagus in, which was seasoned with salt and a garlic clove.

MB featured a couple of scallop treatments on his blog the other day, which brought me to the seafood counter at DiBruno’s.  Boy, scallops sure are expensive at just under $20/lb.  Four big ones cost about $12.

I missed the mark by about 10-15%.  The asparagus tips were a little too al dente, the rice just past al dente, and the scallops a pinch underseasoned.  Next time, I think I’ll nail it.   If I can afford the scallops.


SundayWe awoke late, having been up too long partying. It was a lazy day for everyone. The entire family gathered once again for a late lunch, after which we said goodbye to Christina, Dave, Kelly, and Marina, who had a flight to catch.

The soccer game started just before dark, a small match between the USA and Argentina. Juan and I tried our best to keep up with Rudy and Consalo. The goals were the small space between the legs of a lawn chair, and a large old tree took up a chunk of the midfield. I was dead tired within minutes, but we pressed on, eventually joined by Roberto. He played for their team for some time, eventually switching to ours. There was plenty of pushing and elbowing going on to make it competitive, but not too much to get in the way of joking around. After the game, we talked at dinner table, hydrating and panting, soaked in sweat. (more…)

Here are some pictures of those trees which might be cherry blossoms. Are they? I’m not a botanist.

The whole family went on a tour of Buenos Aires today. Rudy served as the tour guide of our car load of Juan, Kelly, Adriana, and me. We went to the Plaza de Mayo, San Telmo, Plaza San Martin, and Calle Florida. Of most interest was our stop to La Boca. (”The Mouth,” which I´m guessing is named for the port.) Docked in the port is a dilapidated boat, which used to be the brand new ferry that took the family to Punta Del Este in the summers. The first thing you notice upon opening the car door is the thick smell of damp shit wafting in from the river. It´s strong and takes some getting used to. The houses in La Boca are painted in bright colors and look like a Disney-fied tourist spot, but it´s been that way since the beginning, and people live there. We stop by the shop where Rudy´s father paints, but he´s not there, and meander the streets. The setting sun makes the area especially vibrant.

I still don´t believe the thirty five foot banner that hangs outside Don and Pili´s house.

“Welcom Challenger, Columbia, and Family.” In small letters, it reads, “Nasas Failures.” El Don has really outdone himself with this one. I thought I knew how to take a joke to the extreme, but I am proven unworthy. The man had a banner painted and hung. It´s unbelievable and hilarious.

A few friends and family are greeted in the foyer as the party gets under way. The action moves to the tented area and adjoining the living room, which has been cleared to serve as a dance floor. The DJ plays lighter music, the wine and appetizers make their way through the crowd. Soon, everyone is dancing, the lamps in the living room off, in favor of a disco ball and colored lights. The party rages on, with a mix of latin and American music, and an endless stream of wine and food. I meet a fascinating ten year old girl who speaks better English than myself. She wants to know about “Happy Birthday, Harris Malden,” so I tell her the story. When I´m done, she tells me about her movies, “I’ve already invented like four, five movies. In my head. And I´m ten.” When I say, “That´s amazing,” I actually mean it. The movies are sequels to a series of movies like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” and “Harry Potter.” She´s going to need a lawyer to sort out the copyright issues, but they´re clevered created stories. I also found a girl closer to my age to dance with. Denise was shy, spoke English, and most importantly, laughed at my jokes. We Twisted and Shouted, and I earned another nickname from Rudy, “The Shark.” He told me to stay away from Sophia. I told him he was crazy. We hugged. Slowly, guests left, and the DJ closed up shop. We sat around the dinner table joking around until maybe six in the morning. These Argentinians know how to party, young and old alike.

Slowly, guests left, and the DJ closed up shop. We sat around the dinner table joking around until maybe six in the morning. These Argentinians know how to party, young and old alike.