
Here are a few photos that I've taken over the past year or two that all have something in common: vanishing points. A [vanishing point](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanishing_point) is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines seem to converge. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178412503_9b29f52910_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Roman Arches">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178412503_9b29f52910.jpg" alt="Roman Arches"/>
</a>

 **Roman Arches** - A covered walkway lining the Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178415346_097277138a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Muslim Wall">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178415346_097277138a.jpg" alt="Muslim Wall"/>
</a>

 **Muslim Wall** - Atop a wall protecting an ancient Muslim alcazaba in Mérida, Extremadura, Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178416598_26ffd58f91_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Palatial Hedge">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-30-vanishing-points/178416598_26ffd58f91.jpg" alt="Palatial Hedge"/>
</a>

 **Palatial Hedge** - A hedge in the gardens of Blenheim Palace in Oxford, England.


Vanishing Points


We just saw some footage on the news from this year's "Batalla de Vino" that takes place every June 29th in a town called Haro, in the [Rioja](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rioja) region of Spain. It looks like the [Tomatina](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomatina), except much safer and much drunker. We've got to try it! This year, they used 50,000 liters of wine (that's [a lotta bottles](http://www.google.com/search?q=50000+%2F+.75)). Check out these links for pictures and information:

[http://www.directoalpaladar.com/archivos/2005/06/29-la-batalla-del-vino.php](http://www.directoalpaladar.com/archivos/2005/06/29-la-batalla-del-vino.php)[http://www.2camels.com/festival\_photos71.php3](http://www.2camels.com/festival_photos71.php3)[http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event.ehtml?o=970](http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event.ehtml?o=970)

I found this video of a previous year. It looks like a it should be a laundry detergent commercial, only in reverse. See how white everyone's clothes are going in?

The video says that there are more than 17,000 participants and they use almost 100,000 liters of wine. The TV today gave me the 50,000 number above. Either way, that's not a bad liter-to-person ratio. Those are snails ("caracoles en salsa") that they traditionally eat.


Batalla del Vino


As [I've mentioned before](/2006/06/21/feliz-san-juanes/), this past weekend was a big San Juan festival in Colindres. There was a bonfire, an exhibition of dance from the local dance academy (where we go for ballroom dancing classes), a concert by a double of the nationally famous pop star, David Bisbal, and a celebration in the park with free stew, oxen racing, and broom and beret throwing competitions. Marga had to work over 12 hours on Friday, so we decided to watch the bonfire from our perfect bedroom vantage point.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532284786_ab010d7bf9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1792.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532284786_15d978f396.jpg" alt="CIMG1792.JPG"/>
</a>

I took this on Friday afternoon, looking up at our house from behind the playground where the fire would be. The sand and barriers were already prepared for the bonfire.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532393025_a6ff3e1524_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1805.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532393025_b887cf4405.jpg" alt="CIMG1805.JPG"/>
</a>

They bring in the decorated floats that had been paraded around town.

The floats are positioned for judging. You can hear what a festive atmosphere it was.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532390239_75b1f3a856_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1807.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532390239_5b93797d4e.jpg" alt="CIMG1807.JPG"/>
</a>

After twenty minutes of boring, can't-be-understood-because-the-mic-is-so-terrible poetic speeches, the floats are placed upon the pyre.

The fire is lit by the firemen.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532292622_f89190ac5d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1809.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532292622_720abf137d.jpg" alt="CIMG1809.JPG"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532386689_2215497c32_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1810.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532386689_86d646a621.jpg" alt="CIMG1810.JPG"/>
</a>

Overall, I was a little disappointed in the bonfire. It was much more controlled than last year, which made it safer, but also a lot less exciting. Last year, there were sparks jumping to nearby trees and people running away from the fire to avoid the heat. There was none of that this year. Everyone knows that at least half the fun of bonfires is the danger involved!

The following day we went to the park to get free food. They served a local Cantabrian dish, called "Cocido Montañés", which I would translate as "Mountain Stew". It's a bean-based soup with chunks of [chorizo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorizo) and [morcilla](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morcilla) thrown in. I love it.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532395979_495a3c0ebb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1813.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532395979_93bd14954c.jpg" alt="CIMG1813.JPG"/>
</a>

For some reason, there was a dance troupe from Extremadura.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532398727_89c358684f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1814.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532398727_ff1309969c.jpg" alt="CIMG1814.JPG"/>
</a>

Cooking for several hundred people requires some serious pots.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532306278_18f6b25fea_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1815.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532306278_15cb215e10.jpg" alt="CIMG1815.JPG"/>
</a>

Somehow, they made it work. The food was delicious.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532309030_d8f6f3ac85_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1816.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532309030_46c32e1bc4.jpg" alt="CIMG1816.JPG"/>
</a>

Chopping up sausages to throw in the stew.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532311792_13623fa2ba_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1817.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532311792_a1a224ef2f.jpg" alt="CIMG1817.JPG"/>
</a>

Marga used to dance these dances from Extremadura.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532409805_01dd8b48cd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1818.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532409805_685303ceb3.jpg" alt="CIMG1818.JPG"/>
</a>

The band. Yes, those are [lutes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lute).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532411725_b263f62885_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1819.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532411725_8f447caef1.jpg" alt="CIMG1819.JPG"/>
</a>

In previous years, they served you into whatever bowl or tupperware container that you brought. This resulted in people bringing big pots and having them filled, and the folks at the end of the line got none. This year they got smart and decided to serve it in little plastic containers. Not only did this limit the serving size, but it made an assembly-line serving system possible. The person that gave you your plastic spoons didn't also have to be holding a ladle.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532414103_6a629ab84d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1820.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532414103_506821236b.jpg" alt="CIMG1820.JPG"/>
</a>

Lots of people brought lawn chairs and foldable picnic tables. Other people brought blankets to put on the ground. We sat on the grass. They were selling wine for one euro ([$1.25](http://www.google.com/search?q=1+euro+in+dollars)) per bottle.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532321902_4a20ae7b53_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1822.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532321902_70d3201199.jpg" alt="CIMG1822.JPG"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532325074_2c21bdefbf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1823.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532325074_bcc4cce017.jpg" alt="CIMG1823.JPG"/>
</a>

Yummy!

After lunch, we stopped by the serving line to ask for two more servings for Monday's lunch (hey, everyone had been served already), and we walked home to store our stew and snooze on the couch for an hour.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532422071_930a884c6e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1824.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532422071_41ba1faab3.jpg" alt="CIMG1824.JPG"/>
</a>

On the way, we found these lovely flowers in someone's yard. If you know what these are, post a comment.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532424365_34f4cedabb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1825.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532424365_5913c2095d.jpg" alt="CIMG1825.JPG"/>
</a>

These folks must spend several hours per week in the garden.

After a brief rest, we headed back to the park for the ox dragging ("arrastre de bueyes") competition. On a side note, the verb they use for what these oxen are doing ("arrastrar" = "to drag") is the same one used for "pulling trump" in card games.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532427603_a8d4e8f1ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1826.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532427603_5ee42eb8d7.jpg" alt="CIMG1826.JPG"/>
</a>

The forklift bringing over the sandbags. We've learned that when they say that something will start at 4:30 PM, they mean that the people performing will _start preparing_ at 4:30 PM and the event will actually start closer to 5:15 PM.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532431167_69cb17e136_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1827.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532431167_cbb3a0bfe4.jpg" alt="CIMG1827.JPG"/>
</a>

Spectators line the Maritime Walkway to watch the event.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532434821_571bdbe27c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1828.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532434821_9667e07924.jpg" alt="CIMG1828.JPG"/>
</a>

These "ox dragging" competitions, according to a nearby spectator, are common in the surrounding towns, but this is the first year that Colindres has had one.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532343510_818185dcb2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1829.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532343510_f5153c208d.jpg" alt="CIMG1829.JPG"/>
</a>

Even _more_ weight. 1,800 kilograms ([4,000 pounds](http://www.google.com/search?q=1800+kg+in+lb)) in total.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/493454438_2d73e278a2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Amigos Rojos">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/493454438_8a6a2fc470.jpg" alt="Amigos Rojos"/>
</a>

I thought these two looked cute. Number seven couldn't talk his friend into going any closer to the oxen.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532442613_a19a0e1cd6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1831.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532442613_d008e799e1.jpg" alt="CIMG1831.JPG"/>
</a>

Spanish and Italian soccer stars Raul and Totti watch the beasts struggle to drag the pallate around the ring. You had to do as many laps as you could in 12 minutes.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532350744_113d0e7354_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1832.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532350744_41c2d2ab3b.jpg" alt="CIMG1832.JPG"/>
</a>

The oxen were prodded along by men with long canes.

After watching cows run around in circles for a bit, we thought we'd go watch something more highbrow: the broom throwing competition!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532354100_e89b7ef228_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1834.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532354100_be8f3fd567.jpg" alt="CIMG1834.JPG"/>
</a>

Contrary to what you might think, you're much better off "slingling" a broom than throwing it javelin-style.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532357720_6851535068_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1838.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532357720_1e7e3c1d07.jpg" alt="CIMG1838.JPG"/>
</a>

Not a bad effort.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532361558_420c447aa2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1839.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532361558_d945a1b461.jpg" alt="CIMG1839.JPG"/>
</a>

There was a women's competition as well (with shorter brooms), prompting witch jokes from the crowd. The most popular men's throwing style was a spinning discus-style throw. The women chose a rotating shoulder fast-softball-style throw. I wish I could say that the "girls can't throw" stereotype was shattered, but it wasn't at all.

Following the broom throwing, there was a beret tossing competition for children under the age of 12.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532365680_df72306a49_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1840.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532365680_460f3a1bce.jpg" alt="CIMG1840.JPG"/>
</a>

We only stayed for a few rounds. I was impressed that I didn't see any tears.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532369412_8253eb43f8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1841.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-26-small-town-festival/532369412_0c53bd2afd.jpg" alt="CIMG1841.JPG"/>
</a>

Obviously, the big kids did the best.

And thus concluded the San Juan festivities here in Colindres. It was a great example of a small town, with a little organization, having a lot of fun doing very simple things. It felt like the kind of thing that Europeans from 600 years ago might find familiar: fires, competitions involving domesticated animals, and throwing strange objects. I enjoyed it.


Small Town Festival


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173150444_53fd62d1a7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Corona Extra">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173150444_53fd62d1a7_t.jpg" alt="Corona Extra"/>
</a>

Three of the best things in life.

So the US got knocked out of the World Cup. I'm pretty disappointed. We got some pretty bad calls from the referees in our last two matches. Oh well. At least I feel some allegiance to some other countries that actually have decent chances of doing well. Spain plays today in a game that doesn't matter for them, since they are already through to the next round. Rumors are they they will play all the bench warmers to let the stars rest for a bit (and get rid of their yellow cards). Still, I hope they beat up on Saudi Arabia. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173148521_18b4cbee46_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="True Love">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173148521_18b4cbee46.jpg" alt="True Love"/>
</a>

**True Love** - Starting in 2003, we've posed in front of this road sign in central North Carolina 3 times. This was the first picture in 2003.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173149796_d47e20ca89_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Flowery Triangle">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173149796_d47e20ca89.jpg" alt="Flowery Triangle"/>
</a>

**Flowery Triangle** - A flower bed in a churchyard in Dublin, Ireland.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173150444_53fd62d1a7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Corona Extra">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173150444_53fd62d1a7.jpg" alt="Corona Extra"/>
</a>

**Corona Extra** - Having a Mexican beer on the pedestrian street in Charlottesville, Virginia.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173151208_02f6e3160f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Hermanas">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-beer-flowers-and-love/173151208_02f6e3160f.jpg" alt="Hermanas"/>
</a>

**Hermanas** - Belén and Marga having a sororal beer in a pre-lunch drinking ritual in Higuera de la Serena, Extremadura, Spain.


Beer, Flowers, and Love.


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532280698_e26fa82e40_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="iMacs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532280698_7d1b3c2a24_t.jpg" alt="iMacs"/>
</a>

A few weeks ago, I was in the zapataria1 the other day, and I found a nice pair of sandals that I liked. I tried them on, liked them, and decided to buy them. Only after I had already handed over my money, I casually asked the shop attendant, "By the way, what brand are these?"  I swear, I didn't buy these just because I'm a Mac geek.

Like any good Mac geek, we'll start with [pictures of the box](http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshb/sets/72057594069240417/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532288966_ac060569a5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1798.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532288966_af60b67678.jpg" alt="CIMG1798.JPG"/>
</a>

[iMac](http://www.apple.com/imac/) - The absolute comfort.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532441278_139c717aba_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1801.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532441278_c566d78499.jpg" alt="CIMG1801.JPG"/>
</a>

Fifty-nine euro-bucks really isn't that expensive for good, comfortable shoes. The Europeans have such small feet that I'm size 44 over here.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532381219_2bb8b702ae_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1793.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532381219_90e86393d4.jpg" alt="CIMG1793.JPG"/>
</a>

Like the computers, my iMacs, after only a short period of use, are [showing some discoloration](http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1802) due to skin oils.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532288068_4ece9afcba_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1797.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532288068_e2b77e9562.jpg" alt="CIMG1797.JPG"/>
</a>

I should have done the photoshoot when they were new, but it didn't occur to me.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532281986_9ee8381af4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1791.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532281986_7824018b69.jpg" alt="CIMG1791.JPG"/>
</a>

Installation complete.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532280698_e26fa82e40_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1790.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-23-i-bought-a-pair-of-imacs/532280698_7d1b3c2a24.jpg" alt="CIMG1790.JPG"/>
</a>

A screenshot of the user interface as experienced by the user.

I couldn't find anything on the internet about this brand of shoes because that particular search term is so heavily weighted with non-sandal content. You'd think there would be some trademark infringement going on here somewhere. Anyway, I'm loving my new iMacs.

1If you don't know what that word means, watch [Pulp Fiction](http://www.google.com/search?q=zapataria+pulp+fiction).


I Bought A Pair of iMacs


Well, we've survived to another [solstice](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice), today is the longest day of the year, and some of the warmest days of the year are in the near future. Sounds like a good enough reason to celebrate! As is common throughout Europe, our town will celebrate with a huge bonfire to [scare off the witches](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer) (that's a fascinating link).

In Colindres, they make little 6 ft x 6 ft parade floats with little miniature buildings and scenes on them. They are really beautifully done, and look like they must have taken a long time to make. These floats are paraded around town by the groups of 5 or 6 people that made them, all similarly dressed. The parade ends at a school playground where the bonfire is. The groups take turns with a microphone reciting poetry that lists complaints that they have against the town hall and the mayor's broken promises, etc. The teams are then judged by a panel of judges for both their floats and their rhyming complaints. I think there's a small cash prize for the winners. Then, all the floats are piled on top of the pile of wood, gasoline added, and the fire lit. There are firemen standing by to hose down nearby trees. Last year, the flames went 40 feet into the air and it was unbearable to stand less than 50 feet from the fire.

When we followed the parade around town and eventually to the schoolyard last year, it was in a neighborhood that we had never been to. Well, it turns out that that's the neighborhood where we bought our house, and the playground is the one seen from several of our windows!

Here, you can see that they are already preparing for the bonfire that will occur at midnight on Friday night.<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-21-feliz-san-juanes/532364937_32fd0f0372_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1788.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-21-feliz-san-juanes/532364937_a51ac1dab8.jpg" alt="CIMG1788.JPG"/>
</a>

Looking over the school's gymnasium

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-21-feliz-san-juanes/532367823_bdae4e22b3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1789.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-21-feliz-san-juanes/532367823_15a87cbbd9.jpg" alt="CIMG1789.JPG"/>
</a>

Presumably they will complete the sand square later today.

Oh, and the festival is called San Juanes because the Christians hijacked the existing pagan midsummer holiday. It's a big day here, because Saint John the Baptist is the town saint. He's got [a church](http://www.colindres.com/conocenos/galeria_fotos/sanjuan.htm) here.


Feliz San Juanes!


This past weekend, we went to Mondragon to celebrate Grandpa Ramón's birthday. We had a big feast at the Extremadura Cultural Center where most of Marga's family are members. I was surprised to see that the birthday cake bore a piece of artwork of mine.1

Last year in Extremadura, I gave a present to Grandpa Ramón that was a little cheap photo frame with a few pictures inside it that I had taken that very same visit and had a local shop print for me. The best one of those was this picture here:

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/171229103_11e46d239b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Fiesta de Espuma">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/171229103_11e46d239b.jpg" alt="Fiesta de Espuma"/>
</a>

Someone in the family had "borrowed" that picture from him without his knowledge and given it to the pastry shop to scan and use their "cake printer" to put it onto the cake.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532305395_734cf29dac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1770.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532305395_65e1d1dc7c.jpg" alt="CIMG1770.JPG"/>
</a>

Aunt Inés serves up the main course.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532309243_9311d6be97_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1771.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532309243_1a76fc45fe.jpg" alt="CIMG1771.JPG"/>
</a>

Marce helps with delivering the plates.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532312895_a72eadc95c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1772.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532312895_adaabba51e.jpg" alt="CIMG1772.JPG"/>
</a>

Erik between two Margas. I had to grab the hands and "straitjacket" them to keep them from poking at each other like little kids. My complexion is due to one part sun, two parts wine.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532316413_58d21d6c81_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1773.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532316413_3eba7df851.jpg" alt="CIMG1773.JPG"/>
</a>

The cake.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532220648_1d1cdd5b6f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1775.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532220648_d0c26465a9.jpg" alt="CIMG1775.JPG"/>
</a>

"Zorionak" is "Congratulations" in Basque. "Abuelo" is "Grandpa" in Spanish.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532225006_67bdba9674_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1776.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532225006_4b00e7a6be.jpg" alt="CIMG1776.JPG"/>
</a>

Belén presents her grandfather with his cake.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532229326_3499648917_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1778.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532229326_49ce3b56d0.jpg" alt="CIMG1778.JPG"/>
</a>

Posing with his pastry likeness.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532329869_3bdcda3863_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1780.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532329869_806c10e08b.jpg" alt="CIMG1780.JPG"/>
</a>

The grandchildren. From top left: Rubén, Belén, Marga, Gorka, Maikel, Grandpa, and Ion.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532333463_c88914e117_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1781.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532333463_2753bfeeb9.jpg" alt="CIMG1781.JPG"/>
</a>

The "extended" grandchildren. Additional faces from top left: Patricia (Rubén's girlfriend), Gorka (Belén's boyfriend), Erik, Diego (the son of some close family friends), and Jennifer (Maikel's girlfriend). No girlfriends serious enough for family dinners for Gorka and Ion.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532255308_3a6062a10c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1782.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532255308_eedf1e2a3d.jpg" alt="CIMG1782.JPG"/>
</a>

Uncle Ramón orders after-dinner drinks.

On Sunday morning, I went with Juan (Marga's father), as I often do, to care for his chickens.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532252138_df0282f548_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1783.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532252138_8990402631.jpg" alt="CIMG1783.JPG"/>
</a>

Upon hearing us arrive, they all came out and stood by the door to their pen.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532248804_a2c8160ea5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1784.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532248804_8cece02a63.jpg" alt="CIMG1784.JPG"/>
</a>

Every little scrap of uneaten food at Juan and Marce's house is put into a plastic bag and brought to the chickens. They eat _everything_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532240900_f656e691d9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1785.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532240900_d4ab7010ec.jpg" alt="CIMG1785.JPG"/>
</a>

They certainly aren't the cleverest of animals, but we did have to devise a system to stop one of them from jumping up on a series of objects to escape from the pen.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532340889_bb2ef2a62c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1786.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532340889_75202b720d.jpg" alt="CIMG1786.JPG"/>
</a>

This gal would look good on a bed of rice.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532258258_b9829cfb94_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1787.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-20-grandpa-ramons-86th-birthday/532258258_2599cab0be.jpg" alt="CIMG1787.JPG"/>
</a>

Some breeds are uglier than others.

1I have decided not to sue for copyright infringement.


Grandpa Ramón's 86th Birthday


They [just had a vote](http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_4915.shtml) in Cataluña (an Eastern region in Spain containing Barcelona) to decide whether or not the people were in favor of Cataluña becoming it's own nation. Less than 50% of the registered voters voted, and guess what? They got a result that favored the power-hungry minority. Like many peaceful, wealthy, Western nations, Spain's apathy at the voting booth is becoming a real problem. Several months ago, Marga and I were talking with her Aunt Marga about the trouble she was having fighting the bureaucracy to get some money from the government to feed her family while she was off of work to care for her dying husband. She announced that she was fed up and that it didn't seem to matter if you voted or not, because you always got screwed by the government no matter what.

I explained to her that it was absolutely paramount to the country that someone as intelligent, fair, and compassionate as she is votes every single time. If all the normal people who are just trying to get by don't vote, the whole system reverts back to a feudal power structure where the rich can command what they wish of the poor (like going off to die in the desert so that Rich Man can get some fuel). In one of my more passionate speeches in my second tongue, I think I actually convinced her to keep voting.

Spain has lots and lots of political parties. But, not surprisingly, there are really only two big players on the national stage, and those two big players fit neatly into the labels of Liberal ([PSOE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSOE)) and Conservative ([PP](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partido_Popular)). Both of them are creeping closer and closer to the line that separates them so that it's often hard to tell the opinions apart. Sound familiar?

As you may recall, the Conservative party was in power and wanted to help Bush fight his war in Iraq. This was completely against the will of the Spanish people, and was only to gain more personal power by buddying up with the powerful Americans. There were all kinds of demonstrations in the streets of all the big cities against the war. The train bombings in Madrid **did not change anyone's mind** about who they wanted in power. What it _did_ do was **get people to vote**. And the election resulted in the "screw the people, more power for me" Conservative party getting the boot by an overwhelming majority. So the Liberal party is presently in power in Spain.

Recently, while watching the news, Marga had an epiphany. I knew that what she said was true, but I hadn't heard it quite so clearly stated. She said,

> When the Liberal party is in power, all you see on the news is the Conservative party leaders whining and complaining about _every little thing_ that the Liberal party is doing. And when the Conservative party is in power, you hardly hear a word of dissent out of the Liberals.

Read that again and let it sink in. I've lived in three countries long enough to get a feel for the politics there, and that statement applies to them all. Now I'm going to tell you why.

By doing this, the Conservatives make it look like there is real pressure from the people to overthrow the Liberal government. This is their illusion. What they're trying to hide is the fact that they are in the vast, and I mean, _vast_ minority. They're like those animals (puffer fish, cobras, cats, etc.) that make themselves look really big when they are threatened to try to deter attackers, when, in reality, they are small and could be easily attacked. Don't believe me? I'll prove it to you with logic:

1. The motives at the core of the definitions of "Liberal" and "Conservative" are that:
    - Liberals don't like the way things currently are and want to change them
    - Conservatives like the things they way they are and want to keep them that way.
2. The people that are happy with the way things are are the rich and powerful people. The people that aren't happy are they poor and powerless people.
3. Household income and net worth are extremely accurate predictors of political position on the Liberal-Conservative spectrum.
4. Now look at [how the wealth is distributed](http://www.lcurve.org/).
5. QED

Granted, step #3 is slightly skewed in the US because of the depressingly large number of people that think that religion has anything to do with politics or rational thought. If all those people actually stopped thinking what someone told them to think and asked themselves what would be better for them, they'd all vote Democrat.

The **only way** that the Conservatives can get into power (aside from [cheating the entire system](/2006/06/05/depressing-rolling-stone-article/)) is by making a lot of noise, on television, in church, and on the radio. They do this in an effort to seem bigger than they really are and to **get you not to vote**!!!


Voting


Every year, my parents give me a bridge calendar for Christmas. I'm using and enjoying it more than ever this year. Most of the explanations are reasonable and make sense. A few weeks ago, however, I came across an explanation that I just don't understand.

Here's the problem description:

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-16-bridge-problem/532195136_cf7edb444f_o_d.gif" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="front">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-16-bridge-problem/532195136_385dd66774.jpg" alt="front"/>
</a>

Looks like a heart and a diamond loser to me.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-16-bridge-problem/532195142_e059900df6_o_d.gif" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="back">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-16-bridge-problem/532195142_b46ea1b22c.jpg" alt="back"/>
</a>

Maybe I don't understand what "second hand low" means, but it sure looks like if East leads his J when he gets in, he's still got his 10 waiting to take your fourth diamond.

Any ideas? Is it just a mistake by Mr. Alder?

I know at least one Life Master reads my blog...


Bridge Problem


I got this in an email. It seems to be posted around the net with "author unknown", so it seems like I'm free to replicate it for you here. Being a liberal emigrant myself, I found it quite funny.

### Illegal Emigrants

The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The re-election of President Bush is prompting the exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.

Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, animal rights activists, and Unitarians crossing their fields at night. "I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producer was cold, exhausted, and hungry. "He asked me if I could spare a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left. Didn't even get a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?"

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakers that blare Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," he said. "The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so much they wouldn't give milk."

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive them across the border, and leave them to fend for themselves. "A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an Ontario border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a drop of Evian. They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet, though."

When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors have been circulating about the Bush administration establishing re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer and watch NASCAR. In the days since the election, liberals have turned to sometimes ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior-citizen passengers. "If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show we get suspicious about their age," an official said.

Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating a shortage of organic broccoli and renting all the good Susan Sarandon movies. "I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said. "How many art-history majors does one country need?"

In an effort to ease tensions between the United States and Canada, Vice President Dick Cheney met with the Canadian ambassador and pledged that the administration would take steps to reassure liberals, a source close to Cheney said. "We're going to have some Peter, Paul & Mary concerts. And we might put some endangered species on postage stamps. The president is determined to reach out."


Illegal Emigrants


For some reason, I often take my camera on my always-uneventful, five minute trip to buy bread every day. Nothing photo-worthy every happens. Until today...

Right in my path, lying on its back, was this scary creature.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532280141_32822b6491_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1767.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532280141_06368340bb.jpg" alt="CIMG1767.JPG"/>
</a>

Look at those pinchers!

On my way back a few minutes later, he had righted himself.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532182272_23e2f9be1b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1768.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532182272_1061e6a620.jpg" alt="CIMG1768.JPG"/>
</a>

Here he comes! Run!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532282709_4ca0d05cf6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1769.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-14-huge-monster/532282709_573cb156c5.jpg" alt="CIMG1769.JPG"/>
</a>

You really have to have big grapling hooks on your feet to allow such a huge critter to walk up vertical surfaces.

I measured the size of those squares with my keychain, and then later measured the mark on my keychain with a tape measure. Each square is 5x5 cm (2x2 inches). This guy was a little longer than one of the squares. So he was just a little smaller than the computer mouse in your hand.1

Looks like it's scary bug nightmares for me tonight...

1Did I make you take your hand off the mouse?


Huge Monster


A few more Flickr pics... My Flickr upload project is serving for nice blog content during slow periods.

I went down to my favorite nearby bar yesterday to watch the United States vs. Czech Republic World Cup match. We got slaughtered. Each of the three Czech goals was beautifully executed with no doubts as to their legality. They just outplayed us every step of the way.

Then, last night, Ghana came really close to scoring lots of goals against Italy, even though Italy beat them 2-0. Things are going to have to be very different in the next few [Group E](http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/group/overview.html?group=E) matches if the US are to get anywhere near the next round.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166375739_91734c2d97_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Berria Beach">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166375739_91734c2d97.jpg" alt="Berria Beach"/>
</a>

**Berria Beach** - Berria Beach in Santoña, Spain, in July 2005.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166373213_2c0cd3c1ea_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Crayfish Rage">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166373213_2c0cd3c1ea.jpg" alt="Crayfish Rage"/>
</a>

**Crayfish Rage** - This little guy got angry when I approached his creek bed in Extremadura, Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166374529_9868e644a2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Shish Kebabs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-13-berria-crayfish-kebab/166374529_9868e644a2.jpg" alt="Shish Kebabs"/>
</a>

**Shish Kebabs** - Preparations are complete for a barbecue during a Rasmussen family reunion in June, 2003, in Chicago, USA.


Berria Crayfish Kebab


My cousin, Andrew, visited us on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as part of his month-long European train tour. It sure seemed like he was glad to have a flat bed in a room all to himself. From my limited experience, it's hard to get a good night's sleep in trains and hostals.

Mainly, we spent a lot of time walking on the beach and sitting at the bar. I wanted to show him a more relaxing time than he'd had visiting museums and photographing old buildings in old European cities.

The day before he came to see us, he spent in Bilbao seeing the sites. The first two photos are his.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532139594_95d275e6f5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="100_0487">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532139594_63784b6677.jpg" alt="100_0487"/>
</a>

If this isn't enough to get my mother to register and leave a comment, I don't know what is.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532238897_b4bc4a619c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="100_0488">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532238897_c328d99ff9.jpg" alt="100_0488"/>
</a>

Intrigued, Andrew examined how this flowery sculpture is made. It's a plastic mesh that the flowers are grown into which is simply draped over a terrier-shaped structure.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532242555_cf3a1f50a3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1761.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532242555_7ac8b178ff.jpg" alt="CIMG1761.JPG"/>
</a>

On one of our walks to the beach, we had to rescue this horse (pony?). He had wandered through this tree line, in search for taller, lusher grass, of course, and gotten his rope wound around a few trees and his legs. While one of us held him, the other one untangled the rope between his legs. We were unable to lead him back to his field, 'cause he just didn't want to go, but we did leave the rope untangled through a hole in the trees. We were by far the most interesting, kind thing that had happened to him in a while, and he followed us as we left all the way until his rope was taut, but then resigned himself to eating the tall grass.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532147574_9eba37363f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1762.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532147574_5f26017266.jpg" alt="CIMG1762.JPG"/>
</a>

On the way back, we passed by the Laredo Equestrian Center, where we found this grinner.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532151180_e0a5114313_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1763.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532151180_9101fda41c.jpg" alt="CIMG1763.JPG"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532253691_6a6e90d536_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1764.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532253691_adc2944904.jpg" alt="CIMG1764.JPG"/>
</a>

There were some _tiny_ ponies there! The brown one on the far corner was about as wide as he was tall.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532257711_0857a5f1eb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1765.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-12-visit-from-cousin-andrew/532257711_a4e18cdd78.jpg" alt="CIMG1765.JPG"/>
</a>

Parting where I found him, at the Bilbao train station. He left for Paris, via Madrid, and later goes to London, before returning to the Homeland on Wednesday.


Visit from Cousin Andrew


Some more pics uploaded to Flickr...

Three more of my favorite pictures from my collection. The first one might look like crazy pink play money to you, but I assure you, it's worth [a lot of money](http://www.google.com/search?q=14000+euros+in+dollars). I have no idea why the EU decided to have a single bill worth [$643.45](http://www.google.com/search?q=500+euros+in+dollars).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162257320_21c8abaf69_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Fourteen Thousand Euros">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162257320_21c8abaf69.jpg" alt="Fourteen Thousand Euros"/>
</a>

**Fourteen Thousand Euros** - Twenty-eight [500€](http://www.google.com/search?q=500+euros+in+dollars) bills used in the purchase of our house.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162256222_41450452fb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Contemplative Catholic">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162256222_41450452fb.jpg" alt="Contemplative Catholic"/>
</a>

**Contemplative Catholic** - Marga admires the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162254739_611cc3d0b3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Anstruther Golf Club">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-07-fourteen-thousand-euros/162254739_611cc3d0b3.jpg" alt="Anstruther Golf Club"/>
</a>

**Anstruther Golf Club** - A picture I took at Anstruther Golf Club in Fife, Scotland, in [October, 2005](http://www.erik-rasmussen.com/scotland/2005/october/erik/).


Fourteen Thousand Euros


On Sunday, we went to Mondragon to see two soccer matches, organized in honor of Marga's uncle, Jose Luis, who passed away in February. The first was between two teams of ten-year-olds that Jose Luis had coached, and the second was between Jose Luis' eldest son's, Gorka's, team, and Jose Luis' friends (many of whom were fathers of the opposing players). His younger son, Ion, also played. Ion, though three years younger, was the best player on the youngster team. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531980449_d51d3973a0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1731.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531980449_be3f080e6c.jpg" alt="CIMG1731.JPG"/>
</a>

The game was overseen by a huge mountain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531880760_78185abe07_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1738.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531880760_6a019819a1.jpg" alt="CIMG1738.JPG"/>
</a>

Not a flattering picture of Gorka, taken shortly after the ball flew right by him.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531881284_91c6844004_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1739.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531881284_e8a853e5b7.jpg" alt="CIMG1739.JPG"/>
</a>

Ion, small for his age, and the youngest on the team, was by far the smallest player.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531881958_10ad6cc616_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1740.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531881958_120ca81f3b.jpg" alt="CIMG1740.JPG"/>
</a>

A nice action shot. Somehow, no ankles were broken here.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531875812_406e1f6680_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="soccer-pan">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531875812_ac9b5e3e42.jpg" alt="soccer-pan"/>
</a>

A panorama from fieldside.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531981099_c58e682005_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1741.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531981099_873557dd7f.jpg" alt="CIMG1741.JPG"/>
</a>

Gorka chases down a long ball.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531882576_51e8e3ed5b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1742.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531882576_6dd2d37cc0.jpg" alt="CIMG1742.JPG"/>
</a>

And another...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531883172_174c1b5ac9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1743.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531883172_9d57189d51.jpg" alt="CIMG1743.JPG"/>
</a>

The young guns score a goal via header.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531884340_cea863910f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1744.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531884340_bb115e99ee.jpg" alt="CIMG1744.JPG"/>
</a>

From right to left: Uncle Antonio, Marce, Aunt Manoli, Candi (a friend of the family), Aunt Inés, and other people.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531885368_c25e5f61cf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1745.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531885368_07c84a1f5d.jpg" alt="CIMG1745.JPG"/>
</a>

Marga sits up high where there is still shade.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531987135_a454c2c147_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1746.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531987135_70696298f7.jpg" alt="CIMG1746.JPG"/>
</a>

Alejo, a good friend of Marga's father, says something to the row of women pictured above. Sunglasses reflection shots are cool.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531889164_d14004b37e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1747.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531889164_7ad223b584.jpg" alt="CIMG1747.JPG"/>
</a>

The mountain watches the game.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531895954_ce46b28c98_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1749.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531895954_45c66f7302.jpg" alt="CIMG1749.JPG"/>
</a>

Quite a few people turned out, but people said that it would have been more if the advertising posters were posted in Spanish as well as Basque.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531892688_03a3f7046b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1750.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531892688_e01401e83f.jpg" alt="CIMG1750.JPG"/>
</a>

The Spanish word for "corner kick" is "corner".

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531896288_08d797cbff_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1751.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531896288_ce04b4b679.jpg" alt="CIMG1751.JPG"/>
</a>

An old guy bites the dust.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531998627_76827e49ec_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1752.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531998627_b69bde79fe.jpg" alt="CIMG1752.JPG"/>
</a>

The old folks' only goal.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531897870_a2f40ec171_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1753.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531897870_4a66954260.jpg" alt="CIMG1753.JPG"/>
</a>

Another goal for the young guns. The final score must have been 6-1 or 7-1.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531999809_53290c8fa8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1754.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531999809_31161ec629.jpg" alt="CIMG1754.JPG"/>
</a>

Both feet on the ground, very good.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531899064_f4a37c239f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1755.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531899064_cd4ce06da8.jpg" alt="CIMG1755.JPG"/>
</a>

Quite a few of the red team were bald or balding.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/532001493_37fd545e12_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1756.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/532001493_3c668b2d2b.jpg" alt="CIMG1756.JPG"/>
</a>

The widow got lots of attention, of course.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531901424_b38b8d5928_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="CIMG1757.JPG">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/531901424_a9144030fa.jpg" alt="CIMG1757.JPG"/>
</a>

Jose Luis' team gave Aunt Marga this beautiful jersey (his Basque name is "Txelis"), signed by each member of the team.

We spent Sunday night in Mondragon and got up early on Monday morning to drive back to Colindres.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/532005173_a7f949f2b4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunrise over Mondragon">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-06-sunday-soccer/532005173_085ae9fa6b.jpg" alt="Sunrise over Mondragon"/>
</a>

The sun rising in Mondragon.

I had a good time on Sunday. The weather was perfect for spending the afternoon outdoors, and I thought it was a clever way to memorialize a man who spent pretty much all of his free time teaching children to play soccer.

I think that I would enjoy being a sports photographer. There's something about the framing, the lighting, and pressing the button at just the right moment that I find quite fun. Either that, or a sniper. I haven't decided yet...


Sunday Soccer


[This article](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen) came out last week. I read the first half of it, but skipped to the conclusion because I was starting to feel physically ill from the anger/shame/depression that it was evoking in me. On the one hand, I'm happy to hear that 50.1% of Americans aren't complete idiots. The percentage is actually much lower.1

The real target of all of my hatred surrounding this issue is not the dirty election officials that broke the laws and disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of voters. I'm also not upset with the American people for not taking notice that such fraud has occurred.

The guilty party here is the #$\*&@$&\* media! In the face of such obvious exit poll discrepancies, they just dismissed a trusted, tested system of data collection as completely useless. _No one_ investigated this and brought it to the public's attention! Why did it take two years to hear about all this?

And what really, _really_ pisses me off is that I know for certain that, if a Democrat gets elected in 2008, the Republicans are going to be shouting from every street corner about election fraud, and the media is going to cover it like it's the biggest news story since 9/11. That's what really gets my donkey.

Every time Bush uses the words "freedom" or "democracy" he disgraces the American ideal that he claims to believe in so strongly. Sometimes I wish I believed in Hell.

1% of complete idiots = % of people that actually voted for Bush - 0.01% (the richest people who have gotten power and tax cuts because of Bush being in office)


Depressing Rolling Stone Article


I haven't yet figured out how I'm going to show pictures on my new blog. With the absense of anything new to say or show, I'm going to continue posting some of my favorite pictures to Flickr.

 <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159364514_3418d9717e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bullring">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159364514_3418d9717e.jpg" alt="Bullring"/>
</a>

**Bullring** - The bizarre facade of the "Bullring" shopping centre in Birmingham, England, that was built in the three years I was living there.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159374758_be46450e6e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Spectacle">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159374758_be46450e6e.jpg" alt="Spectacle"/>
</a>

**Spectacle** - Spectators at a different kind of bullring.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159367963_539c56734f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Vino">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2006-06-03-more-flickr-pics/159367963_539c56734f.jpg" alt="Vino"/>
</a>

**Vino** - Wine bottles in a bodega in Espinosa de la Serena, Extremadura, Spain.


More Flickr Pics


Okay, I finally got tired of the way I was doing my blog. As a web developer, it irked me beyond belief that I couldn't control the actual html code that was being output for my entries. I've moved to WordPress, recommended to me by my colleague [Alan](http://www.thegradys.net). He's using it on [his blog](http://www.gradyboy.net/). My impression so far is: WordPress rocks!

I have it set so that you have to register to leave a comment. So go [register](/blog/wp-register.php) and tell me how great my blog looks. That's all for now.

The old blog can be found [here](http://www.erik-rasmussen.com/oldblog) for posterity.


18 posts from June, 2006