
<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-31-dark-scrawling/2232624832_2edb4a4b44_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dark Scrawling">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-31-dark-scrawling/2232624832_b3d7aafe4f_s.jpg" alt="Dark Scrawling"/>
</a>

Yesterday, I was searching through some old spiral-bound notebooks looking for some information I knew I wrote down a few years ago. Before I found what I was looking for, I discovered the strangest little poem scrawled, in my careless handwriting, on a page in the middle of one of the notebooks. I have no recollection at all of writing these words. There is no other poetry in the entire notebook. I also almost never write anything like this. Since the adjacent pages are blank, there's no way to get a temporal context for when the writing occurred. It's pretty disjointed and clearly a first draft. I was evidently going through a dark moment when I picked up the pen that day. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-31-dark-scrawling/2232624832_2edb4a4b44_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dark Scrawling">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-31-dark-scrawling/2232624832_b3d7aafe4f.jpg" alt="Dark Scrawling"/>
</a>

> Each day, earlier and earlier, the dark of night sets in
> 
> The air moves, pushed by the sun, they say, but this breeze comes from a much darker place
> 
> As I wander down this road that's leading to somewhere The world has no warmth for me
> 
> The wind whips and flips and drills down to the bone
> 
> And there, where the roads crossed, I saw you standing, spinning

Hard to tell if the author is addressing another person or a windmill or something. Does the first stanza imply the waning sunlight of Autumn? Could that be a metaphor? _Who knows!_

So I've done the only thing I can do, replace the notebook on the shelf so that this poem will surprise me again in a few years.


Dark Scrawling


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230606522_88e0e421b4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Magic 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230606522_28a05a8021_s.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Magic 2"/>
</a>

As I sit at my desk typing this, I'm facing east. This is why I'm often distracted by the sunset sirens [calling](/2006/10/26/sunset-pics/)[me](/2007/11/16/sunset-season/)[to](/2007/12/03/cranes-at-dusk/)[photograph](/2008/01/10/january-sunset-panoramas/)[them](/2008/01/16/diy-telephoto-lens/) from the window behind me. When I was living in England, my desk faced south, and the sun would come in from a window in front of me. I miss that.

What follows are some photos from the archive bin taken on my desk in England, the first two in November of 2004, and the rest in March of 2005. As an aspartame junkie and someone who is constantly playing absentmindedly with objects on his desk, it came to my attention that Diet Coke cans, at least those manufactured in the UK, have a bizarre property. They are really very easy to balance, and quite stable when balanced, on the ridge of their lower rim. It can't be done with a full can or an empty can, but there is a fairly wide range of intermediate volumes that provide stable equilibrium when the can is placed on its edge like this. In retrospect, I'm surprised I didn't get out a graduated cylinder and measure the exact thresholds of this nutrasweet spot.

Behold!<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2229812975_8941404ae4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Magic 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2229812975_0b1cf970ff.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Magic 1"/>
</a>

Clearly Diet Coke contains the secret ingredient needed to create antigravity.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230606522_88e0e421b4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Magic 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230606522_28a05a8021.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Magic 2"/>
</a>

Disturbing, isn't it? Don't be frightened. I won't hurt you with my powers.

And now back to the theme of sunlight. I recall photographing these can reflections several times, but these are the only photos I can find of them.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2229813713_61dc6ceb61_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Reflection 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2229813713_ab3c424644.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Reflection 1"/>
</a>

You can almost read the word "COKE" there. It's like a natural captcha.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230607512_e6f73fecb1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Reflection 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230607512_2a329c2053.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Reflection 2"/>
</a>

Here I can just barely make out the toll-free number to call to complain about all the anti-graviton particles in my beverage.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230607990_816680ffb8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Diet Coke Reflection 3">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-30-diet-coke-magic/2230607990_41d3d38640.jpg" alt="Diet Coke Reflection 3"/>
</a>

Close-up of just the reflection.

DISCLAIMER: The author of this post takes no responsibility for any accidental spillage that occurs while trying to replicate the phenomena described.


Diet Coke Magic


Here's a novel idea! What if, bear with me on this, voters actually chose their candidates based on the candidates' stances on important issues! I know that sounds like complete insanity. It definitely has nothing to do with the high school popularity contest with which we choose our leaders.

But just in case you wanted to vote in an intelligent manner, I'd recommend you check out this link: [Pick Your Candidate](http://www.dehp.net/candidate/). It's a clever little script written by some dude name [Matt Waterman](http://www.mattwaterman.net/). Good work, Matt!

Since it ranks by the fewest disagreements, that would seem to favor candidates, like Gravel, who have unknown stances on many issues. Not surprisingly, my closest match was Dennis Kucinich, who, as you may recall, [astonished me by making the most sense in the first debate](/2007/04/27/first-donkey-debate/). Apparently people are complaining that the script favors Kucinich, and Matt [is trying to rectify things](http://www.mattwaterman.net/index.php?entry=entry070924-062930). I wouldn't be surprised if it was really true that Kucinich is the closest match for a lot of people and that they were surprised by this because _no one votes by issue_.

The script also says that I disagree with certain candidates on some issues that I was pretty sure we agreed on. Of course it's so hard to actually get a candidate to take a yes or no position on anything that these scores can only be an estimate anyway.

Great link, though. Thanks to [Simon](http://simonlitton.wordpress.com/) for [mentioning the link](http://www.hillbillyplease.com/blog/?p=2296#comment-59628).


Pick Your Candidate By Issues


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-29-mhnaty-may-his-noodly-appendage-touch-you/2227535079_8093fa3ac5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="MHNATY">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-29-mhnaty-may-his-noodly-appendage-touch-you/2227535079_8093fa3ac5_o.jpg" alt="MHNATY"/>
</a>

Since November, 2005, my Pastafarian friend, [Hubbers](http://www.hubbers.com/blog/), and I have been signing our emails to each other with the word "mhnaty". It has recently [come to my attention](http://www.flickr.com/photos/alonmaclean/2225610203/), that Google is completely ignorant of this wonderful acronym. This is a travesty that I'm writing this post to rectify.  Mhnaty is a religious-based parting salutation just like goodbye, _adieu_, _adiós_, or _vaya con dios_. It doesn't mean a literal desire for you to be physically divinely fondled. It's simply a metaphoric wish that you may live a blessed life, in which His Noodleness, the [Flying Spaghetti Monster](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster), plays an important positive role.

![MHNATY](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-29-mhnaty-may-his-noodly-appendage-touch-you/Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg)

Niklas Jansson's [adaptation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Touched_by_His_Noodly_Appendage.jpg) of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam depicts the Flying Spaghetti Monster in its typical guise as a clump of tangled spaghetti with two eyestalks, two meatballs, and many "noodly appendages".

There, now that's cleared up.

May your noodles be _al dente_ and your meatballs be hot.

Oh, and don't forget to do your part to [fight global warming](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FSM_Pirates.png) by encouraging your child to become a pirate.

MHNATY.


MHNATY - May His Noodly Appendage Touch You


I was asleep and dreaming the other night when my brain did something that amazed me. I was so surprised that I woke up and pondered about whether or not it could have been an accident. They say that those dreams that manage to incorporate your alarm clock, or whatever wakes you, with a full long back story can be formulated in the last second as you awake. If that's true, then we can't really be sure of the order of events that took place, but I will present them to you as I perceived them. A quick disclaimer to my loving wife: You know how sometimes, in your dreams, you're back in high school? Even though no one would ever actually _want_ to be back in high school? Well, I was single in this dream. Also, I've never had a lucid dream and do not consciously control the events that take place.

Disclaimer to my loving friends: Very often in my dreams the characters don't represent specific people or the identities change from one scene to the next. All I can be sure about is the social relationship of the characters in this dream. It wasn't about anyone specific, I swear.

Okay, here we go.... \[the curtain opens\]

I'm at this party with a bunch of friends, having a particularly good time talking with a close friend and his girlfriend. My buddy leaves to go to the bathroom or get another drink or something, and his girlfriend starts flirting with me. She says, "Hey, I want to show you something!", takes my hand, and leads me into another part of the house. We come to a room that has one of those wrought iron spiral staircases (I hate those!) going up through the ceiling to another floor above. She starts to lead me up the stairs, but, before we make it up the stairs, she turns and kisses me. Even though it was only alluded to, like in a PG-13 movie, it's certain that, somehow, through the magic of dream-physics, we had sex right there on the spiral staircase. Frankly, this whole dream sounds like just about every PG-13 teen flick Hollywood has ever produced. Anyway, we return to the party, and I'm instantly beside myself with guilt. I feel _terrible_. How could I betray my friend in this way? What a huge mistake!

Except that, in my internal dialog, I didn't actually say "What a huge mistake!" No. The sentence that actually popped into my head at that moment, completely sincerely, was:

"Man, what a screw up!"


Guilty Pun


I've just found yet another ingenious internet meme that I feel compelled to spread. What a delightfully clever idea!

1. You give this foundation in Holland 30Â€ and a short message.
2. They give your message and almost all of the money to a non-government organization in Palestine.
3. Some Palestinians go out and spray paint your message onto [the big security wall](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_West_Bank_barrier) that the Israelis have built around Palestine.
4. They take three pictures of your message on the wall and email them to you.

Check it out: [http://www.sendamessage.nl/](http://www.sendamessage.nl/)

Not a bad way to show your significant other that you love them, and freedom, this Valentine's Day.


Send A Message


Marga has always considered "planting a tree" to be one of those items on the "things you must do in your lifetime" list. Today she checked that item off the list. At a dinner party last night, we learned that some friends were planning on planting a tree today, and Marga couldn't contain her desire to help. So we went over to their house this morning and helped them plant a new plum tree. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223330600_25f63925e5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="The plum tree">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223330600_3fb12d29b6.jpg" alt="The plum tree"/>
</a>

The tree and its godmother.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223336374_dc2b06d8fa_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grafted">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223336374_d2e5ed9e72.jpg" alt="Grafted"/>
</a>

The tree had four different types of plum trees grafted onto its branches.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223344084_4814785ccc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grafted Branch">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223344084_b01d88cc1a.jpg" alt="Grafted Branch"/>
</a>

It's amazing how similar these photos are to the one on the Wikipedia page for [grafting](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grafting).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222562163_a55d2f5fc5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Making a hole">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222562163_9b9511a4cf.jpg" alt="Making a hole"/>
</a>

First you gotta dig a hole.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222572165_b261ab3b6f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Digging a hole">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222572165_b285ab0251.jpg" alt="Digging a hole"/>
</a>

It's hard work!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223377236_03f8025cdb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Hello New Zealand!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223377236_5f5bdc65b7.jpg" alt="Hello New Zealand!"/>
</a>

Hello [New Zealand](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antipodes)!!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223386990_fc2fd35f09_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Planting">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223386990_f7d9b2e97c.jpg" alt="Planting"/>
</a>

Insert tab B into slot A.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223397008_45ee05fe4e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Proper positioning">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223397008_ceafb558b3.jpg" alt="Proper positioning"/>
</a>

Get in there!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222609931_cafb73e6ca_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Filling in the hole">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222609931_1ab2589fb0.jpg" alt="Filling in the hole"/>
</a>

Make sure it's positioned straight.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222616457_73d485e3ae_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Make it straight">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222616457_2e9651789d.jpg" alt="Make it straight"/>
</a>

Okay, fill in the hole, boys!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222624377_fa52ee48f8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Filling in">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222624377_ff541160d5.jpg" alt="Filling in"/>
</a>

Almost done.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223428020_5abf554f69_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Raking excess">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223428020_d5035ba716.jpg" alt="Raking excess"/>
</a>

Raking excess dirt.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223435882_433e86a3a9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Stamp stamp">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223435882_29d6a11dd4.jpg" alt="Stamp stamp"/>
</a>

Stamp, stomp, stamp.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222655257_8450a911f3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="A little water to make it grow">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222655257_2383832ca6.jpg" alt="A little water to make it grow"/>
</a>

A little water to make it grow.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222664843_27d8985313_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Same height">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2222664843_fa2698c47b.jpg" alt="Same height"/>
</a>

Planted tree and godmother, exactly the same height. Which will be taller next year?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223467044_e7dc2e8419_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="The team">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223467044_7e24c3b646.jpg" alt="The team"/>
</a>

The team poses for a shot: Juan Carlos, Carmen, Marga, Jose Mari, and Mari Jose. Yes, the last two are married. Catholics, I bet.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223476182_eaa6ee5b21_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Wildflowers">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-27-planting-a-plum-tree/2223476182_543f1a068d.jpg" alt="Wildflowers"/>
</a>

Some wildflowers on the stroll to the pub to celebrate.

Hopefully we can return to the tree next January and see how its doing. Marga has been promised the first plum produced.


Planting a Plum Tree


Just some mindless link propagation ([MLP](http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=special;page=article#categories)) here. I found this page interesting and thought I would give the dude some linkage because of his clever idea and implementation. Just another example of the power of the information being gathered by the social networking sites.

Anyway, check it out: [http://booksthatmakeyoudumb.virgil.gr/](http://booksthatmakeyoudumb.virgil.gr/)


Books that make you dumb


Like living abroad, learning a second language results in a lot of introspection about your own language, the rules that govern it ([or don't](http://icanhascheezburger.com/ "I can haz grammar problemz")), and how and why those rules would have come to be. Also, as a member of a bilingual household, I find it interesting which words and phrases are typically said in one language or the other. Some phrases are just easier _and shorter_ in one language than another. I recently asked one of my blogrollmates, who earns her living translating books from French to English, [which language requires more words and pages to convey the same information](https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35249419&postID=4505166821901665553&pli=1). Her response was that a French document will have about 30% more words than its English counterpart. I suspect that the same is true for Spanish, even though most of the words will be small possessive transitive helpers (_de, la, a, se, lo, te, me, nos_) that we don't have in English. German, on the other hand, might have much fewer words, but many more letters due to the nature of the language.

I think it would be interesting to see some real data on this topic. Surely all the languages could be ranked by terseness or expressiveness or succinctness or whatever you want to call it. Perhaps such data could be gleaned from analyzing translated literature at the [Gutenberg Project](http://www.gutenberg.org/) or something.

The other day I was installing Microsoft Word 2008. Having recently been pondering this stuff, one particular part of the installation caught my eye: the selection of which "proofing tools" (spell checker, thesaurus, etc.) I wanted to install. Check out the enormous differences in the amount of space these dictionaries take up. Surely there must be some correlation between the number of [mebibytes](/2007/04/11/wtf-is-a-gibibyte/) needed to verify spelling and grammar rules for a language and the language's general complexity. Obviously there will be differences in how much time and effort Microsoft has spent in getting each language right, but I think it works nicely as a general measure of spelling and grammatical complexity.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-26-how-complicated-is-your-language/2221387280_6cac675820_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Proofing tool sizes for various languages">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-26-how-complicated-is-your-language/2221387280_c0417e0c5d.jpg" alt="Proofing tool sizes for various languages"/>
</a>

It turns out that German is the most complex and Portuguese is the simplest European language.

...at least to the extent that this is a decent measure.


How complicated is your language?


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218770224_1e8fc89205_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Structural Flaw">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218770224_88c4abc218_t.jpg" alt="Structural Flaw"/>
</a>

After a year of digging and sucking, they've finally begun construction of a new apartment complex on a part of Colindres that is basically quicksand. Twice daily the tide comes in and the ground around the area gets saturated with water. The pipes they've buried underneath will have to be pumping pretty much around the clock, I think. I certainly wouldn't buy anything built on that land. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218770224_1e8fc89205_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Structural Flaw">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218770224_88c4abc218.jpg" alt="Structural Flaw"/>
</a>

Don't you hate it when you build a nice tower like this and some [orc](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_II:_Tides_of_Darkness) comes and knocks a big hole in it?

And the photo below is what the quicksand no-man's-land meadow behind this tower looked like when I photographed it in April 2005.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2217962027_c69218bc98_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tower Quicksand Meadow">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2217962027_82a59b48b5.jpg" alt="Tower Quicksand Meadow"/>
</a>

Looks nice, doesn't it? Just **_don't build on it_**!!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218765776_3f79cc0232_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marismas Panorama 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218765776_447ec9c716.jpg" alt="Marismas Panorama 2"/>
</a>

Here you can see where it sits in relation to the [_rí­a_](/2007/06/08/afternoon-by-the-ria/), the tidal river plain that floods twice a day.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218755120_eddc74bcbb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marismas Panorama 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-25-structural-defect/2218755120_dbff308241.jpg" alt="Marismas Panorama 1"/>
</a>

And this other panorama was from the same day in 2005 from further down the coast, so I figured I'd include it here too.

Have a jolly weekend.


Structural Defect


The other day, I walked by a wall that had some moss on top, perfectly lit by a sunbeam. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2216406898_5ca40f3e36_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moss 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2216406898_2cd56520bd.jpg" alt="Moss 1"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2215617643_537e51ff3c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moss 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2215617643_04210bcf9c.jpg" alt="Moss 2"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2216412780_4c2733c832_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moss 3">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-24-mossy/2216412780_8a72d8764a.jpg" alt="Moss 3"/>
</a>


Mossy


Moving from the US to the UK to Europe, which all use different shoe size metrics, means that when I'm shoe shopping and the shoe salesperson asks me what size I wear, I no longer have any idea what to say. I look like an idiot while I start examining my current shoes to find a size number, and, before I do, the shop attendant guesses by eye and leaves to bring me some shoes to try on.

Marga added some insoles to her favorite boots yesterday. Somehow, these insoles had followed us from the UK. The dotted lines intrigued me. So, while she was cutting the left foot, I stole the right and snapped a few photos.<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-22-insolent/2211116141_da9593ef5e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Whole Insole">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-22-insolent/2211116141_74f69c9594.jpg" alt="Whole Insole"/>
</a>

I think I'm either 44 or 45 in Europe.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-22-insolent/2211910144_e98c403cd9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="UK-to-Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-22-insolent/2211910144_3c07c4835b.jpg" alt="UK-to-Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart"/>
</a>

UK-to-Europe shoe size conversion chart.


Insolent


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209090658_f6aa4484af_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Church">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209090658_2db02ed64f_t.jpg" alt="Church"/>
</a>

On Saturday, the weather was gorgeous, so, after lunch, I went for a walk in the nearby hills. Marga wasn't feeling well and didn't want to come, but I couldn't resist the urge for some fresh air and sunshine. I didn't have any particular destination in mind when I set out from home, but, what I found was pretty spectacular.

Walk with me on a 36-photo journey...<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/552341374_cf3a0c73d0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bedroom Window Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/552341374_716b14fed8.jpg" alt="Bedroom Window Panorama"/>
</a>

As [you may recall](/2007/06/15/bedroom-window-panorama/), this is the view from our house. I often see sheep and horses and cows and things roaming the grassy hills.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209219486_e8df5efd61_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Looking up from home">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209219486_fb64e5fb17.jpg" alt="Looking up from home"/>
</a>

This is the photo I took after I got back, looking towards where I had been. See the little house with the blue tarp? (click the image to see the Flickr note if you don't see it)

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208428663_a2691d3e80_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Horses from home">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208428663_f7166115c8.jpg" alt="Horses from home"/>
</a>

Here it is under the [telephoto lens](/2008/01/16/diy-telephoto-lens/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208281097_2fb968a9f6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sledding Stumps">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208281097_e3d9ddf98e.jpg" alt="Sledding Stumps"/>
</a>

On the way up, I saw the strangest sight. Apparently, the [recent winds](/2008/01/15/windy-tuesday/) knocked down these two trees, and they sledded down the hill, tearing up everything in their path, finally coming to rest at the bottom.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209080434_17b4f509d5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Blown Over">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209080434_6b8854c58b.jpg" alt="Blown Over"/>
</a>

This tree also seems to be a casualty of wind.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208287603_a64a4d399e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moon Hill">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208287603_16e05296fb.jpg" alt="Moon Hill"/>
</a>

The moon provided a nice incentive to keep climbing.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208290737_a4cdb1aa9e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moon Meadow">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208290737_23de37eb90.jpg" alt="Moon Meadow"/>
</a>

It looks like it's just over the horizon.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209089624_46ea621f9f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Daisies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209089624_7532820a0a.jpg" alt="Daisies"/>
</a>

Sunlit daisies, with [Pico Candiano](/2007/06/10/return-to-pico-candiano/) behind.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209090658_f6aa4484af_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Church">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209090658_2db02ed64f.jpg" alt="Church"/>
</a>

A panorama with the [medieval church](/2007/09/28/colindres-de-arriba/) and sunlight reflecting off the Rí­o Asón. Larger [here](http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2209090658&size=l).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208297311_3c7bdfc59e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Looking Home">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208297311_4d9aa248c7.jpg" alt="Looking Home"/>
</a>

Looking back at our house.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209094648_b9e57014a1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Digital Zoom Sucks">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209094648_c2ebe34d23.jpg" alt="Digital Zoom Sucks"/>
</a>

Here it is with digital zoom. I hate digital zoom.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208310485_f974ec8e9a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Colindres Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208310485_833bc7a162.jpg" alt="Colindres Panorama"/>
</a>

Check out this view! [12996 x 1688 original version (9 MB)](http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2208310485&size=o).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208322749_37edd32928_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Laredo Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208322749_3459e11f4a.jpg" alt="Laredo Panorama"/>
</a>

You can follow the curve of Laredo's beach by the tops of the buildings. With Santoña in the background. Larger [here](http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2208322749&context=photostream&size=l).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208324941_62d26f8ba5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="In line with bridge">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208324941_7ddb287e4c.jpg" alt="In line with bridge"/>
</a>

I noticed that I was perfectly in line with [the motorway bridge](http://www.flickr.com/photos/tabernilla/366970693/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209131544_8db3b455da_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Colindres Panorama (with horses)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209131544_77f696ffa5.jpg" alt="Colindres Panorama (with horses)"/>
</a>

At the very top of the road, by the building with the blue tarp, there were some horses casually grazing. This is what their daily view looks like. Larger [here](http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2209131544&size=l).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208341189_3d2c66385d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pine">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208341189_efe6013a4e.jpg" alt="Pine"/>
</a>

Sunlit pine.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209140212_944782f8f0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Looking up at horses">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209140212_d20ecba995.jpg" alt="Looking up at horses"/>
</a>

Looking back up at the horses while descending the hill.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209143812_b2dcd5864d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sheep-eye view of house">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209143812_ace71702ca.jpg" alt="Sheep-eye view of house"/>
</a>

My house with sheep in the foreground.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208352717_1113099cd5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Camino Real">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208352717_c751bf2313.jpg" alt="Camino Real"/>
</a>

I was walking the Camino Real.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208353993_55cab7f102_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Silver Lining">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208353993_3a06df7a4c.jpg" alt="Silver Lining"/>
</a>

Every sheep has a silver lining.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208358941_da169b13f4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="1...2....3.....zzzzzzz">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208358941_b4c28b90f7.jpg" alt="1...2....3.....zzzzzzz"/>
</a>

I tried to count them, but I kept dozing off.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208362129_5df1665d9c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grass with House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208362129_43005d3884.jpg" alt="Grass with House"/>
</a>

House through grass.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209161792_2351a9ea38_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Farm House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209161792_b46b74cca8.jpg" alt="Farm House"/>
</a>

This farm house was pretty gorgeous in the setting sun.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208377003_343bb4af36_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Farm-House-Pan">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208377003_39529a5f0d.jpg" alt="Farm-House-Pan"/>
</a>

A panorama with the farm house. Larger [here](http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2208377003&size=l).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208380275_8a9051bf38_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Barbed Moon">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208380275_010c5799b1.jpg" alt="Barbed Moon"/>
</a>

Barbed moon.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209179058_ec63f29b27_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Post Focus">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209179058_155e8556d2.jpg" alt="Post Focus"/>
</a>

Post in focus.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209182586_00616ff7f9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="House Focus">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209182586_55ace77887.jpg" alt="House Focus"/>
</a>

House in focus.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209189092_86e6b13e0f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Post and House in Focus">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209189092_c81897d927.jpg" alt="Post and House in Focus"/>
</a>

Digitally combined for both to be in focus.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209190132_3a58cff07d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cow Shadow">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209190132_39e8ea51e9.jpg" alt="Cow Shadow"/>
</a>

Bovine umbra.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209192028_a199d933aa_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cows Feeding">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209192028_fc67729b36.jpg" alt="Cows Feeding"/>
</a>

They aren't the cleanest of animals.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208400261_4e2e4f8903_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Broken Wall">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208400261_3db3a2cf3f.jpg" alt="Broken Wall"/>
</a>

This wall seems to have some problems.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208403253_2bc733f0e0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moon Field">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208403253_35da7f8696.jpg" alt="Moon Field"/>
</a>

Lunar meadow.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209203376_d08305ec02_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Red Cactus Growth (1 of 2)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209203376_71f8c276b3.jpg" alt="Red Cactus Growth (1 of 2)"/>
</a>

Any idea what these red growths on this cactus are? Flowers? New branches or leaves or whatever the parts of a cactus is called?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208412127_30171aec66_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Red Cactus Growth (2 of 2)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208412127_0e893bfc12.jpg" alt="Red Cactus Growth (2 of 2)"/>
</a>

Weird.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208416763_df6ae24d9c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="What could be beyond this wall?">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208416763_38807e0562.jpg" alt="What could be beyond this wall?"/>
</a>

Vined wall. Makes you want to know what's on the other side, doesn't it?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209213506_33c13eb2df_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Moon Hawk">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2209213506_e3ec97eca5.jpg" alt="Moon Hawk"/>
</a>

This hawk almost passed over the moon.

It may not surprise you that, by the time I got home, I was so obsessed with the moon that I had to give the old [DIY telephoto lens](/2008/01/16/diy-telephoto-lens/) a try.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208429585_ff6ec94796_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lunar">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk/2208429585_727b21b76c.jpg" alt="Lunar"/>
</a>

What's amazing about this is that the sky was still blue. As I was searching for the moon in the binoculars, it was nothing but blue. And when I finally found it, the camera adjusted and the background went black. Crazy, huh? This is definitely my best moon photography.

It also might not surprise you to learn that I made [a video of the moon](http://revver.com/video/625559/bad-moon-rising/), but I don't like it that much and don't think it's worth embedding here. I'll do a better one sometime.

I hope you've enjoyed our walk through the countryside. I sure did!


Mountain Walk


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2208998613_0b2857c7a1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Foggy Valley">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2208998613_54cf7c24c5_t.jpg" alt="Foggy Valley"/>
</a>

I enjoyed [my walk](/2008/01/21/mountain-walk/) so much on Saturday, I took Marga up there on Sunday. I also took my binoculars and had a look around. We had a good time, saw some goats and a kitten.

But before that, on Sunday morning, I took a different kind of mountain walk. I went and played golf again on the same nine holes with the same people as [the previous week](/2008/01/13/artxanda-golf/). Man, that's a tough course! Miss the green or fairway by just a little bit and you're in for several extra strokes. I had three bunkers that it took me more than one shot to get out of. With several double and triple bogeys, I felt like I played much worse than the previous week. And I did...until the last hole.

Last week, I shot a 49, 13 over par. This week, I was lying 45 on the 9th tee. What lay before me was a 500 meter, par five. A half kilometer! Perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. Perfect 3-wood down the middle of the fairway. 100 meters to go. Metric golf is strange. Perfect pitching wedge to within one meter of the flag. Tap in bird! 49 again.<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2208998613_0b2857c7a1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Foggy Valley">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2208998613_54cf7c24c5.jpg" alt="Foggy Valley"/>
</a>

The views from this golf course are amazing.

Back up on the hill overlooking Colindres...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209801564_0929e7ac01_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Grown Kid">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209801564_5bd7d314a8.jpg" alt="Grown Kid"/>
</a>

Goat with a nice view.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209015491_0f7c0d724d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Goats">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209015491_96423f6d7d.jpg" alt="Goats"/>
</a>

His friend.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209024147_327e96001c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Curious Goat">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209024147_2f7f626d56.jpg" alt="Curious Goat"/>
</a>

This guy was pretty curious. He even let me touch his face a little bit.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209827984_064de0a24e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Shy Goat">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209827984_75c1b8e28f.jpg" alt="Shy Goat"/>
</a>

This one was curious, too, but more shy.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209042291_3103fab01e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Vine's Eye View">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209042291_8ccecbb05e.jpg" alt="Vine's Eye View"/>
</a>

This tree was pretty awesome.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209046593_ffe09fe9e8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="You got something on your face">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-21-mountain-walk-2/2209046593_3126b18c1f.jpg" alt="You got something on your face"/>
</a>

This little kitten came up to us later in the walk. I scratched it's head a little bit, which was clearly more human love than it had ever received, because it followed us for several hundred meters before stopping and crying for us to come back and give it more love. The facial markings are pretty odd.

And that's the end to the photos from this past weekend.


Mountain Walk 2


[![shiny 2](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-18-the-filter-pattern-java-conditional-abstraction-with-iterables/3996409122_1a34f11dd0_t.jpg)](http://www.flickr.com/photos/woolamaloo_gazette/3996409122/ "shiny 2 by byronv2, on Flickr")As a java programmer, I find myself very often wanting to perform a particular operation on only certain items in a collection. How many times have you written code that looks like this?  code span.keyword { font-weight:bold; color: #000080; } code span.member { font-weight:bold; color: #660e7a; } code span.annotation { color: #808000; } code span.static { font-style:italic; font-weight:bold; color: #660e7a; } code span.comment { font-style:italic; color: #cccccc; }  `Collection<Thing> things = getThingsFromSomewhere(); for(Thing thing : things) {   if(meetsSomeCriteria(thing)) {     // do stuff   } }`

Code like this is just a natural part of many programming problems and a pattern that pops up quite often. A good programmer will notice when the same code gets repeated over and over again and, language permitting, abstract the logic away. Since Java 1.5, there has been a way to do just that by mimicking [first-class functions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-class_function) with the [java.lang.Iterable](http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/api/java/lang/Iterable.html) interface and what I will call the "Filter Pattern".

### The Base Class

Let's define the Filter base class:

`import java.util.Iterator; import java.util.NoSuchElementException;  
public abstract class Filter<T> {   public abstract boolean passes(T object);  
  public Iterator<T> filter(Iterator<T> iterator) {     return new FilterIterator(iterator);   }  
  public Iterable<T> filter(Iterable<T> iterable) {     return new Iterable<T>() {       public Iterator<T> iterator() {         return filter(iterable.iterator());       }     };   }  
  private class FilterIterator implements Iterator<T> {     private Iterator<T> iterator;     private T next;  
    private FilterIterator(Iterator<T> iterator) {       this.iterator = iterator;       toNext();     }  
    public boolean hasNext() {       return next != null;     }  
    public T next() {       if (next == null)         throw new NoSuchElementException();       T returnValue = next;       toNext();       return returnValue;     }  
    public void remove() {       throw new UnsupportedOperationException();     }  
    private void toNext() {       next = null;       while (iterator.hasNext()) {         T item = iterator.next();         if (item != null && passes(item)) {           next = item;           break;         }       }     }   } }`

### A Simple Example

Okay, so what does this give us? At its core, it's just a way to ask a yes/no question about an object and get back a boolean result. So let's define a few. In practice, many filters end up being static final anonymous singletons.

`public static final Filter<Product> IN_STOCK =   new Filter<Product>() {     public boolean passes(Product product) {       return product.getQuantityInStock() > 0;     }   };`

So now, let's say that we have a collection of products, but that we only want to display the ones that are in stock. We could do this:

`Collection<Product> allProducts = getAllProducts(); for(Iterator<Product> iterator =     IN_STOCK.filter(allProducts.iterator());     iterator.hasNext(); ) {   Product product = iterator.next();   display(product); }`

Note that this will only go through the collection of products once, checking each product to see if it is in stock, and displaying only the products that are in stock. But wait! Because Filter provides a way to get an Iterable, we can use Java 1.5's for-each structure like so:

`Collection<Product> allProducts = getAllProducts(); for(Product product : IN_STOCK.filter(allProducts)) {   display(product); }`

Beautiful, isn't it? But our IN\_STOCK example only begins to scratch the surface of the power of the Filter Pattern.

### Comparable Filters

What if we want to filter some objects by their relationship to another object? We simply keep that object inside our filter and compare each of the objects as we iterate through the collection. It can even be done generically, like so:

`public abstract class ComparableFilter<T extends Comparable<T>>  
    extends Filter<T> {   private final T comparable;  
  protected ComparableFilter(T comparable) {     this.comparable = comparable;   }  
  @Override   public boolean passes(T object) {     return passes(object.compareTo(comparable));   }  
  protected abstract boolean passes(int result); }`

We could make a concrete LessThanFilter class that extends ComparableFilter, but if we make it anonymous, inside a static function on ComparableFilter, we'll get type inference that we would not get otherwise.

`public static <T extends Comparable<T>> Filter<T> lessThan(T comparable) {   return new ComparableFilter<T>(comparable) {     @Override     protected boolean passes(int result) {       return result < 0;     }   }; }`

Now we can iterate through a collection of objects and only perform the body of the for loop when the object is less than a given value. For instance:

`Collection<Integer> values = getValues(); for(Integer value :  
    ComparableFilter.lessThan(5).filter(values)) {   // do stuff }`

### Compound Filters

This is where filters get even more powerful. With compound filters, we can continue to combine other filters together to any arbitrary amount of complexity.

`public class AndFilter<T> extends Filter<T> {   private final Filter<T>[] filters;  
  public AndFilter(final Filter<T>... filters) {     this.filters = filters;   }  
  @Override   public boolean passes(T object) {     for (Filter<T> filter : filters) {       if (!filter.passes(object))         return false; // short circuit     }     return true;   } }`

So what if we wanted to iterate through only the numbers that were "either even and below 50 or odd and above 100"? Easy:

`Collection<Integer> values = getValues(); Filter<Integer> filter = new OrFilter(   new AndFilter(     EvenFilter.INSTANCE,     ComparableFilter.lessThan(50)),   new AndFilter(     OddFilter.INSTANCE,     ComparableFilter.greaterThan(100))); for(Integer value : filter.filter(values)) {   // do stuff }`

I will leave the implementations of EvenFilter, OddFilter (note that they could both extend a more generic ModFilter), OrFilter, and ComparableFilter.greaterThan() as exercises for the reader.

Obviously it wouldn't make sense to define a complex filter right before your loop, use it once, and throw it to the garbage collector. The real benefit of filters comes from storing them to be used many times or passing them around, effectively making them into [first-class functions](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First-class_function).

### Filters as First-Class Functions

Imagine that we have a mailbox full of messages and we want to be able to mark messages as "sent" or "flagged" or "spam".

`public class Mailbox {   private List<Message> messages;  
  ...   public void markAs(Status status, Filter<Message> filter) {     for(Message message : filter.filter(messages))       message.markAs(status);   } }`

Notice what we've gained by this design:

- The method doing the iteration does not know which messages are being affected.
- The internal collection is not exposed.
- We've created a facade that allows us to change the internal structure of how the messages are stored without changing any code outside the Mailbox class

The filter that we pass into markAs() could be filtering by the selected messages in the UI, messages older than 5 days, ...anything!

### Conclusion

The Filter Pattern is a great example of how learning a [functional programming](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_programming) language can make you a better programmer, even if you don't program in one. The next time you find yourself writing a for loop that contains one big if block, consider how you could abstract that logic out and make your method more generic and more reusable.


The Filter Pattern: Java Conditional Abstraction With Iterables


On Saturday, we decided to have a light, easy lunch. I was sitting in the living room watching the Simpsons, and Marga was preparing lunch in the kitchen. It was [that episode](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._sparkle) of the Simpsons where the Japanese steal Homer's face to use as a detergent logo, Mr. Sparkle. Keep in mind this preconditioning.

The meal was [_arroz a la cubana_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arroz_a_la_cubana), which is just some white rice (with a little sautéed onions) fried eggs, and some tomato sauce, which we add ourselves at the table. Simple and light, but delicious.

Given what I've gold you so far, imagine my reaction when I was called to the table and this plate was placed in front of me.<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-17-homer-rice/2199529058_d46c17972f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Homer Simpson Rice">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-17-homer-rice/2199529058_3744640bc9.jpg" alt="Homer Simpson Rice"/>
</a>

Tell me that's not Homer Simpson! Even down to the little curly hair on top.

Well, gotta go. The orderly says my computer time is up and I have to go back to my padded cell now.


Homer Rice


[![Turbulent Sunset Thumbnail](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/618077.jpg)](http://revver.com/video/618077/affiliate/20700/turbulent-sunset/)The other day I saw a bloke walking along the top of a crane several hundred meters away. So I got out my binoculars and watched him for a bit to figure out what he was doing and how he behaved a couple dozen meters above the ground. The budding photographer in me immediately suggested that I try to photograph what I was seeing through the binoculars. Sure, enough my little camera's snout fit right into the eyepiece and I could see the faraway scene on the LCD screen. Unfortunately, though I was unable to hold it still enough to snap a reasonable photo.  It was clear that I would need some sort of apparatus to hold the binoculars and camera together. I spent a few days brainstorming suitable platforms and attachment mechanisms. Finally an idea began to form, so I went down to the hardware store under my house and bought a tripod-sized bolt. They made a big deal about it not being "standard" (metric) and hard to find, but finally found one that fit into my camera. Unfortunately, it was more than 2cm long (probably an inch). I brought it home and realized that it was actually the perfect length for the platform I was planning on using.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196507907_94f6340322_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Mounted on Chassis">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196507907_e97ee99985.jpg" alt="Mounted on Chassis"/>
</a>

A piece of cardboard and some twisty ties from the box [my lamp](/2007/12/16/bright-lamp/) came in. Note the camera-sized slot cut in the bottom so that the lenses line up.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196512673_71cc95284e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Under Chassis">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196512673_623bf594ef.jpg" alt="Under Chassis"/>
</a>

I had to cut a hole in it for the belly of the binoculars to fit in.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196516573_0eaace877d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="The Platform">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2196516573_2b23f35c1e.jpg" alt="The Platform"/>
</a>

The bolt was the perfect length after penetrating the box my [new Apple keyboard](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/2066089522/) came in.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2197291162_53733e2eb0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="DIY Telephoto Lens">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-16-diy-telephoto-lens/2197291162_903bc6bfa9.jpg" alt="DIY Telephoto Lens"/>
</a>

The fully assembled apparatus during filming of video below. There's nothing yet holding the cardboard the binoculars are attached to to the keyboard box, but there could be very easily.

So what can I use my new telephoto lens on? As you already know, [it was very windy and cloudy yesterday](/2008/01/15/windy-tuesday/), so I figured that there wouldn't be much of [a sunset](/2008/01/10/january-sunset-panoramas/). But I pointed my apparatus towards the western horizon anyway. What I captured amazed me.

One of the cool things about telephoto photography is that it can make things that we're not used to being close to, like clouds, seem much larger in relation to foreground objects, like trees, that we _are_ used to being close to. My first little telephoto video demonstrates this fact nicely, I think.

Behold: revver(618077)


DIY Telephoto Lens


I've noticed a new kind of spam getting through my blog's spam filters lately. I've dubbed it "praise spam". You see, whenever you leave a comment, you can optionally leave the URL to your website. This serves several purposes. Sometimes, as I'm reading a discussion on a blog, one commenter will strike me as particularly funny or insightful, and it's nice to be able to click a link to go see their blog and read more about that person. It is also provides a benefit to commenting, an external link back to your website, thus motivating someone that wouldn't comment to enter in the discussion. Some spam bots have figured out a way to abuse this back-linking system. For instance, if someone leaves a comment that is...

> BUY VIAGRA! big penis low interest mortgage penis v1agr@ mortgage mortgage. GO HERE: http://mortgagepenislarge.co.cn/

...the owner of the blog is obviously going to delete it. (and believe me there are still plenty of comments like this)

But if you were a clever spammer, and there are many out there, you'd leave a comment that really could have been made by a human. And if you're _really_ smart, you'll make it a comment that the owner of the blog won't want to take down. Like so:

> This is a really great post! Thanks so much for this. BTW, I love your blog.

And then you stick your url into the optional url field, so that when your comment is posted, there's a link back to your nefarious site. There is one plastic surgery site in Turkey that's been doing this a lot to my blog. The name he leaves is "Estetik", and, due to his spamming efforts, he's the number one google hit for that word. Obviously I won't provide a link here, but you can go see.

What I normally do when I'm not sure if the commenter is human or not is remove the url value from the comment and leave the ambiguous praise.

For instance, on [my previous post](/2008/01/14/manualists/), I received the comment:

> nice post on Manualists! I can now go to sleep in peace! No honestly- great post, thanks.

Note that the comment matched the exact capitalization of the title of the post. To the programmer in me, comment really reeks of an automated template comment. The url attached to it is for an ad-laden English blog about Catalunya, Spain. That coincidence might lead one to think the poster was human, but the fact that the IP address of the poster is from Ebay's offices in San Jose, California, is a point in the "bot" column. We'll see. If the commenter would like to return and defend his humanity, then great.


Praise Spam


[![Windy Tuesday Thumbnail](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-15-windy-tuesday/617753.jpg)](http://revver.com/video/617753/affiliate/20700/windy-tuesday/)It has been _really_ windy around here lately. On Sunday night, we had to crank the volume on the television way up just to hear what was being said over the banging of the shutters. Plus, there's some orifice on the roof of our building that Mother Nature sometimes plays like a flute at all hours of the day and night. You can even hear the whistling from seven stories down on the ground. We have a piece of metal siding that is loose and bangs up and down on the roof as well. Frankly, all the racket is really getting quite tiring.  I made this video hoping for some cooler swirling of the clouds above. The sound track is was recorded shortly after. You can just barely hear the little elementary school kids playing in the playground below. revver(617753)


Windy Tuesday


Once again, the internet and human creativity have astounded me. Today, class, we're going to learn about _manualists_. Does anyone know what a manualist is? Raise your, um, hands. No? Well then you're in for some enlightenment.

When I was in elementary school and middle school, some people in my class learned how to make noise by blowing into their joined hands, the air passing over the hole between the thumb joints, forming a flute-like pitch. This "instrument" is, in fact, called the "hand flute" and has probably been around since pre-historic times, and perfected into performances at least [as early as 1979](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j8vQ0r_joo "This dude's really impressive!"). I was only able to make somewhat owly sounds, never controlling pitch enough to make anything close to music.

But wait! The hand flute is _not_ what manualists do. Manualists are so manual that they don't even need their mouths.

You know how some people, mainly adolescent boys, can make flatulence-like noise with their hands by squeezing air out between the palms of their hands? I learned how to do it in middle school, I think, but I'm only capable of getting short bursts of nondescript gassy sounds that I would never think to describe as notes. See where I'm going with this?

Introducing....the Four Squeezins!  Christmas Medley

 Mexican Hat Dance

 FrÃ¨re Jacques

I'm not sure what evolutionary advantage our species has enjoyed due to our innate sense of humor surrounding flatulence, but these manualists definitely tap into it. Their seriousness, both in dress and facial expressions only add to the effect.

There are tons more videos on the [Four Squeezin's web site](http://www.foursqueezins.com/video.html). YouTube is also [filled with amateur manualist videos](http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=manualist).

Okay, class, that's all for today. Hopefully you'll never look at those fleshy growths on the ends of your wrists in quite the same way again. You may begin your week now.


Manualists


My friend Manolo invited me out to nine holes this morning at a course near the Bilbao airport called [Artxanda](http://www.artxandagolf.com/). The long, hilly course was a completely different game than I played [the other day in Santander](/2008/01/09/golf-in-santander/). Artxanda is _very_ difficult both to play and walk. I hit several shots while I was out of breath from a steep 15 meter climb up to my ball. I don't know how they did it, but I swear that every approach shot was uphill. I had two pars, three bogeys, two double bogeys, and two triple bogeys, for a grand total of +13, 49. Oh, did I mention that the wind was blowing such that we could barely stand up? When you took your putter back along the line of the putt, it blew to the side. The conditions were crazy hard, so I felt pretty good about my score. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2190369068_4804050ae6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Morning Sun">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2190369068_b97dab2367.jpg" alt="Morning Sun"/>
</a>

The views were gorgeous. The sunrise on the drive east to Bilbao was a breathtaking mural of yellow, pink, and crimson.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2189586043_373b0f9b2d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Windy!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2189586043_01cc7bdc26.jpg" alt="Windy!"/>
</a>

Did I mention it was windy? Look at what the wind did to this fairway tree!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2189588937_243ed7123e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Snowy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2189588937_6947d7d687.jpg" alt="Snowy"/>
</a>

Did I mention it was cold? Check out those snowy peaks in the distance! Also we were right up near the cloud rolling ceiling.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2190379388_ac2af6bb0d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Manolo Swing">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-13-artxanda-golf/2190379388_4e54d2e124.jpg" alt="Manolo Swing"/>
</a>

Manolo hits a shot down the fairway.

It was a fun morning. Tiring, but fun.


Artxanda Golf


Man, talk about winning a poetry contest! Some 52-year-old bloke, named Paulino Cubero, has won the competition to author the lyrics to the Spanish National Anthem. Coming from the super-duper patriotic, "pledge allegiance to the flag every morning in elementary school", United States to a country where they don't even have lyrics for the national anthem is a shock. National pride is something Spain could use a lot of, with all its separatist states. Anyway, the winning lyrics are:

> ¡Viva España! Cantamos todos juntos con distincta voz y un solo corazón.
> 
> ¡Viva España! Desde los verdes valles Al inmenso mar Un himno de hermandad
> 
> Ama a la Patria pues sabe abrazar bajo su cielo azul pueblos en libertad
> 
> Gloria a los hijos que a la Historia dan justicia y grandeza democracia y paz.

> Long live Spain, we sing it all together, with different voices and a single heart.
> 
> Long live Spain, from the green valleys to the immense sea, a hymn of brotherhood.
> 
> Love for the homeland which embraces us, under the blue sky, peoples in freedom.
> 
> Glory to the sons who History will bless with justice and greatness, democracy and peace.

You can read more about this [here](http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_14553.shtml) (in English), where I stole this translation from.

This YouTube video is pretty cute, too.

I like how they chose to use photos of [Gloria Estefan](http://www.socialmiami.com/socialeyes/images/busch_gloria-estefan.JPG) (the first result on Google Image Search, even) and [Melanie Olivares](http://estaticos03.cache.el-mundo.net/especiales/2007/06/verano07/7pecados/img/olivares_melanie.jpg) (who plays a character called Paz on [a popular television sit-com](http://imdb.com/title/tt0440981/)) to represent the word "gloria" and "paz" respectively.


Justice, greatness, democracy, and peace


When some coincidence makes the world seems small, instead of saying, "It's a small world!", the Spanish say "El mundo es un pañuelo!". I've heard the more cynical Spaniard tack on "...lleno de mocos!". Anyway, last night, two things happened that made the world seem pretty small. The first was that I met with Javier Bahón's parents. Javier is a Professional Golf Management student at [Campbell University](http://www.campbell.edu/) (Go camels!). He's from Cantabria and has won all kinds of golf tournaments in Spain. He went to the States to study Golf Course Management and ended up studying in the tiny, tiny town of Buies Creek, North Carolina, where my grandmother lives. Just to be clear, Buies Creek consists of a small Baptist university, a post office, a fire station, and a golf course, around which white middle-to-upper class families live, all either retired or commuting fairly long distances. My grandmother has lived on the 15th hole since back when it was the 6th hole. The golf course, [Keith Hills](http://web.campbell.edu/keithhills/), which is owned by Campbell, is probably the golf course that I know best. Occasionally I play each hole, with plenty of birdies, as I'm drifting off to sleep at night.

  

By complete chance, Javier's uncle, Juan Carlos, is in the social group that we go and dance salsa with on Thursday evenings. He's also a hairdresser in Laredo and cut my hair in preparation for my wedding. How small a world is that? I hope to meet Javier and give him his parent's best regards in February.

The second bizarre occurrence was that, as I was heading for the men's room in _La Cabaña_, the sandwich joint we frequent on Thursdays, I ran into, none other than, [Scott from South Dakota](http://scottfromsouthdakota.blogspot.com/)! I immediately recognized him (video blogs are better than photo blogs for that), and introduced myself. He seemed appropriately starstruck at meeting "the _blogger_, Erik!". I gave him my cell phone number and **he has yet to leave me a missed call to give me his number as he promised**1. He actually expressed an interest in salsa dancing, but declined to come see me set the dance floor alight later in the evening.

I've met a few people that know _me_ from my blog, but never someone that I've gotten to know from _their_ blog. Pretty cool.

Strangely enough, I passed by the school where Scott works earlier in the day, as proven, at least secretly to Scott, by the following photo(s).<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2184434521_b5a9d38c0d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cutest Transformer Station Ever!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2184434521_d8f707b8b6.jpg" alt="Cutest Transformer Station Ever!"/>
</a>

Is this not the cutest electric transformer box you've ever seen? The scene depicted is pretty close to the view nearby.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2185222900_cdd9b17cd1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Time to mow the front lawn">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2185222900_e0138bf3eb.jpg" alt="Time to mow the front lawn"/>
</a>

You know it's time to mow the lawn when...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2185223384_15e5d3aaa8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Gas Inflamable">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-11-the-world-is-a-handkerchief/2185223384_61d4bd8958.jpg" alt="Gas Inflamable"/>
</a>

This sign reminded me about the dumbing down of the English language. In Spanish, _inflamable_ still means what "inflammable" _really_ mean in English. But no, the English speakers, and I think the Brits are included in this idiocy as well, learned in school that the prefix "in-" means "not", so we had to drop the "in-" from the word and just use "flammable" on such warning labels, since some people though that "inflammable" meant "fire proof". Grrrr!!

Anyway... World. Kleenex. Small.

1I'd better have una llamada perdida within minutes of you reading this, Scott! :-P


The World is a Handkerchief


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183668696_9dd8fc5819_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunset 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183668696_0063d02ff0_s.jpg" alt="Sunset 1"/>
</a>

This evening's sunset was particularly spectacular. So I made a panorama to showcase its beauty. Just as I was about to upload the photo, I looked over my shoulder and saw an even _more_ gorgeous range of colors, so I had to take more photos and make _another_ panorama. Enjoy! <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183663762_839a1195e2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunset Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183663762_7554513ebe.jpg" alt="Sunset Panorama"/>
</a>

How lovely is that?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183668696_9dd8fc5819_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunset 1">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183668696_0063d02ff0.jpg" alt="Sunset 1"/>
</a>

I love the yellow and blue together like that.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2182883721_639730da25_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunset 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2182883721_f0b55a6921.jpg" alt="Sunset 2"/>
</a>

This formation to the south drew my eye.

This is when I went to stitch together the above panorama, and when I had to stop because of the colors below.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2182902415_a15efa8876_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="The sky's on fire!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2182902415_d088526791.jpg" alt="The sky's on fire!"/>
</a>

Look at that!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183694126_dd0f572a09_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Wide angle">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183694126_6625c60864.jpg" alt="Wide angle"/>
</a>

Wide angle.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183699376_3fa572e5b2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="What's that on the horizon?">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183699376_b3f66b35d0.jpg" alt="What's that on the horizon?"/>
</a>

This silhouetted figure on the horizon reminded me of a particular pear-shaped, rope-armed figure I've seen [somewhere](http://www.bitwrathploob.com/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183701998_90cb1a9e0f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Vertical">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183701998_853a2b3f47.jpg" alt="Vertical"/>
</a>

Vertical shot.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183706826_d71acf43d5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Red Clouds">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183706826_d491024602.jpg" alt="Red Clouds"/>
</a>

I love that color!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183683340_75f5e0b92c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunset Panorama 2">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183683340_8db2825f20.jpg" alt="Sunset Panorama 2"/>
</a>

I took each shot in this panorama vertically and then stitched them together horizontally. Unaccustomed to this method, I was unable to keep the camera level, and hence the empty spaces in the stitching.

And then a little bit later...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183716956_2d4c6e25c5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Dusk">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-10-january-sunset-panoramas/2183716956_cb07929560.jpg" alt="Dusk"/>
</a>

Good night.


January Sunset Panoramas


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/395521370_44f11713dc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Kingdom of Fife Champion">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/395521370_44f11713dc_s.jpg" alt="Kingdom of Fife Champion"/>
</a>

Yesterday I played golf in a little town called Pedreña that is near Santander. Pedro, the guy that runs the [Laredo Golf Club](http://www.laredoclubdegolf.com/), called me up and asked if I wanted to play 18 holes in the morning. I jumped at the chance, since I have the 10th Annual Myrtle Beach Classic coming up in February, and every little bit of practice helps, and I hadn't swung a club since the [Beach Golf](/2007/04/15/beach-golf/) tournament last year.

As usual, I surprised myself at my ability to come back from hardly playing at all and shoot pretty well, considering the circumstances. I shot a 77.... ...of course the course was only a par 64 with an extremely easy slope rating, so my performance was nothing to lower handicaps over. Like most courses around here, it was only 9 holes long, so we had to go around twice. I was 9 over on the "front", including a quadruple bogey, and 4 over on the "back", including the only birdie seen all day in our foursome.

The course was very short. Nothing more than a 5-iron was needed, but that didn't stop us from using drivers on some tees. The course is a twenty-five minute drive from Colindres, and it took us exactly four hours from leaving Colindres to return to Colindres, including 18 holes and a beer for the winners (Pedro and I beat the other two). Not bad for a Tuesday morning.[This page](http://www.coloursofspain.com/travelguidedetail/43/cantabria_santander/golf/) has a nice description of the course:

> **Campo Municipal de La Junquera** The La Junquera municipal course is situated on the road from Astilleros to Pedreña, right at the entrance to the beautiful village of Pedreña which belongs to the Municipality of Marina de Cudeyo. The course is surrounded by wonderful scenery and has been adapted to the natural terrain of La Junquera. The name (â€œJunqueraâ€ is Spanish for â€œbulrushâ€) comes from the fact that in former times all of the land was a marsh with a peninsula to the south of the bay of Santander. Today, the course offers fantastic views of the bay and the city and the distant Picos de Europa Mountains. The municipal course at La Junquera de Pedreña golf club was inaugurated in May 1997 and is very demanding. The way the course has been designed means the highest degree of concentration is required because otherwise it will be raining double and even triple bogeys. It is a short but very technical course and accuracy is the key. Along with the 6th, it is the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th which are surely the most difficult, because the first part of the round is flanked by the bay all along the right-hand side. You wonâ€™t be playing many woods on this course as itâ€™s more for players who are good with their irons and for those who are good at the short game and on the green.

I felt right at home with the foursome we played with. One of them was Mario, the guy I played with in the Beach Golf tournament. When we got there, the other two guys were already on the first tee shouting for us to hurry up. By the time we made it to the tee, they'd already teed off. Like I said, I felt right at home. :-) We played match play variant called _Bueno y Malo_, which would probably be "High Low" in English, where, for each hole, the best scores and worst scores of each two-man team were compared, with two points at stake on each hole. Pedro and I beat them pretty soundly.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2178607202_be92f1977a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Santander Skyline Panorama">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2178607202_a141a1e1ce.jpg" alt="Santander Skyline Panorama"/>
</a>

The view from the course was spectacular. When the morning fog lifted, we could see a beautiful skyline of Santander across the sound. It was low tide, so, [like in Colindres](/2007/07/02/low-tide/), there was lots of exposed tidal land.

If you click on the panorama, there are some notes showing various items in the photo.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2180704538_4bec447bd9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Palacio Magdalena">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2180704538_a2c999b9c9.jpg" alt="Palacio Magdalena"/>
</a>

The Palacio de la Magdalena, Santander's main tourist attraction, built as a summer residence for the royal family.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179920465_7f01055275_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Santander Skyline">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179920465_47758bd975.jpg" alt="Santander Skyline"/>
</a>

The skyline zoomed in.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179923531_0e444b2bce_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Green and skyline">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179923531_d1a8b5d30b.jpg" alt="Green and skyline"/>
</a>

Here you can see how the course is right on the coast with the skyline on the other side.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179928869_ab90240384_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Green and Palace">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179928869_f18017bb66.jpg" alt="Green and Palace"/>
</a>

A shot with the palace peaking through the trees.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2180722244_9c15f5cc6d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pedro hits towards palace">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2180722244_a7f8a3ac94.jpg" alt="Pedro hits towards palace"/>
</a>

Pedro hits towards the palace.

_¡Buena forma, Pedro!_

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179935969_c812cddf98_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="My approach shot">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/2179935969_a6059df562.jpg" alt="My approach shot"/>
</a>

See that ball on the green? That was my drive on this par 3. I sunk it for the bird.

By the way, Pedro has written a beautiful proposal for a golf course for the unused sandy forested region near the tip of the Laredo peninsula. He's even got all the holes designed and everything. Check this out. How beautiful is this?

[![Golf Course in Laredo](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-09-golf-in-santander/TURISMO-DEPORTIVO-EN-LAREDO.gif)](http://www.laredoclubdegolf.com/articulos/imagenes/TURISMO%20DEPORTIVO%20EN%20LAREDO.JPG)

Click on the image to see it larger. It's worth it.

You can read his proposal, in Spanish, of course, [here](http://www.laredoclubdegolf.com/).

All in all, it was a most enjoyable morning.


Golf in Santander


I would like to call your attention to the stars at the top of each of my blog posts. These stars allow you to rank how well you like each post, thus giving me feedback when you think I'm being [a genius](/2006/12/07/the-solution-to-iraq/) or [a jerk](/2007/12/28/im-getting-divorced/). Not that this blog is remotely democratic in content, but your feedback does mean something.

Since installing the plugin that enables this rating system, [WP-PostRatings](http://www.lesterchan.net/portfolio/programming.php), and having seen it almost never being used, I have almost disabled it a few times. I have a theory that, at least for internet content, a "thumbs up or thumbs down", Digg-style, voting system is probably best. Due to the hyperlinked nature of the internet, once you're done reading a page, it's so easy to leave and go somewhere else that no one ever sticks around long enough to place a vote of any sort on what they've just experienced. So if someone is voting, that means that they so strongly approve or disapprove of the content that they've taken time to vote. I begun to formulate this theory when I was noticing that all my blog post votes were either 1-star or 5-star. And that makes perfect sense. If you're indifferent about the content, you just don't vote! It's very rare to see a 3-star vote.

I've just read this [very interesting interview](http://www.motherjones.com/interview/2008/01/verdict-is-in-our%20voting-system-is-a-loser.html) with author William Poundstone about voting systems and how the one used by the United States elections, "plurality voting", is the **_absolute worst voting system ever invented_**. I won't go into what Instant-runoff ([you go, Cary!](http://www.wakegov.com/elections/2007instantrunoff.htm)) and the other alternatives are are; [go and read the interview](http://www.motherjones.com/interview/2008/01/verdict-is-in-our%20voting-system-is-a-loser.html) for that. What I found particularly interesting is what the mathematicians that work on these things have to say about my post ranking theory described above. Obviously the way they are judging the voting systems is based on the assumption that you are choosing one victor from a handful of candidates, but I suspect that their analysis probably carries over to ranking the best blog posts.

My blog uses what is called "range voting". You give each story a grade as if it were a preschooler, by assigning it a number of stars. The thumbs up/down, Digg-style, voting is called "approval voting". According to Mr. Poundstone and his research, range voting is the most fair voting system we have come up with so far. Approval voting, a simplified version of range voting, seems to be a close second.

The internet, and sites like Digg and YouTube, are doing a lot to provide examples of alternative voting systems. What would be really great is if a game show like _Weakest Link_ or _Survivor_ would use, say, range voting. Then, when it came time to introduce the general public to the new voting system, we could just say, "You know, like what they do on _Get Off My Island_!"

At the moment, however, even if we could remove [all the dirty corruption surrounding the democratic voting process in the United States](/2006/06/05/depressing-rolling-stone-article/) and count every vote fairly, the horribly inane voting system we use would still put the second best candidate in office.

Something tells me Dubya wouldn't have won a Nobel Prize if he'd lost not been given the 2000 elections.


Voting Systems


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171577174_71b65ff3e2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Circular">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171577174_f31df7d438_s.jpg" alt="Circular"/>
</a>

I think the _roscón de reyes_ is a Spanish tradition that I have yet to mention on this blog. Traditionally, the second most important day of the winter holidays (the first being _Nochebuena_) in Spain is January 6, the _Dí­a de los Reyes Magos_, or the [Epiphany](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(Christian)), as it's known in English. This is the day when children, traditionally (less and less so with the intrusion of American culture), receive their presents. Clearly the most logical way to tie present giving to the Christian theology would be to do it on the day that Jesus received his gifts from the three wise men.  The typical food for this day is the _roscón de reyes_, a cake that is eaten either for dessert or breakfast (or both). The toric cake is cut in half and filled with cream. Somewhere in the cream filling is placed a little plastic figurine. The person who gets the slice with the figurine, if he doesn't choke to death, is said to have good luck for the entire year, ending with the bad luck of having to buy the _roscón de reyes_ the following year.

I have a very vague recollection of a similar practice from my elementary school French class. I seem to recall a "chew these muffins carefully because one of you could choke to death" party we had. Can someone confirm similar practices in other parts of Europe?<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170767737_6027ce636f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="In the box">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170767737_ec92e3e37d.jpg" alt="In the box"/>
</a>

In the box from the local bakery.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170771159_7481e4425c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Open box">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170771159_765a99ec55.jpg" alt="Open box"/>
</a>

The unboxing.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171567312_52df32b73b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Creamy">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171567312_e233a378a3.jpg" alt="Creamy"/>
</a>

Creamy goodness.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170779413_14ef7bcd0e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Extra creamy!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170779413_f458b717ab.jpg" alt="Extra creamy!"/>
</a>

Mmmmmm!!!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171577174_71b65ff3e2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Circular">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171577174_f31df7d438.jpg" alt="Circular"/>
</a>

Sweet, sweet torus.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171581476_6b78934c2b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Yummy!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171581476_61cd366e85.jpg" alt="Yummy!"/>
</a>

My slice.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170789303_724d740ef9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cake Tortoise">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2170789303_71fb904a39.jpg" alt="Cake Tortoise"/>
</a>

Marga was the unlucky cake eater this year. This is what she found. Talk about a [choking hazard](http://www.flickr.com/groups/chokinghazards/pool/)!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171582568_823a78ff4b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cake Turtle is angry!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-06-roscon-de-reyes/2171582568_eed39b4c50.jpg" alt="Cake Turtle is angry!"/>
</a>

Cake Turtle looks a little angry. Note he's still got a little cream and cake on his face.

Just to be clear on the sequence of events, as celebrated by Spaniards...

December 24 - _Nochebuena_

Joseph and a very pregnant virgin arrive to Bethlehem, can't find a place to stay, and spend the night in a manger.

December 25 - _Navidad_

Jesus is born. Yay.

December 28 - [_Dí­a de los Inocentes_](/2007/12/28/im-getting-divorced/)

King Harrod orders the slaughter of all children in Bethlehem [under 12 months of age](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents#_note-3), but only after hearing that the Magi were going to see the newborn King of the Jews and having them, upon having already seen Jesus and headed back east, deny Harrod the child's location. Baby Jesus is okay, though, because his mother and the man who didn't inseminate her [took him to Egypt](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_into_Egypt) after being advised by an angel of King Harrod's diabolical plot.

January 6 - _Dí­a de los Reyes Magos_

The Magi arrive to the manger where Mary and her sexually frustrated husband are _still_ staying with their 12-day-old baby among the livestock.

January 7 - [The Bonnie Situation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulp_Fiction_%28film%29#The_Bonnie_Situation)

Jules and Vincent arrive to Jimmy's house in a car with a severely stained back seat. Jimmy makes some gourmet coffee and Jules gets Marsellus to call The Wolf.

Makes perfect sense to me! Amen.


Roscón de Reyes


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168386345_70a6afeff7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Finished Moje">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168386345_e4107f0451_s.jpg" alt="Finished Moje"/>
</a>

I'm about to share with you a family recipe that my mother-in-law makes. I have no idea how widespread this dish is throughout Spain, but neither my wife nor I have heard of it outside her family. In the family, this dish is called a _moje_, which is closest to the word meaning "wet". It is a very light meal, good for right after those heavy family holiday meals. It works well either as an entire meal or a salad compliment to a main dish. It's also a great answer to the question, "What am I going to do with all this cilantro?", should such a question ever arise.

Let us begin...<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168355593_b493faf9a5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tomatoes, Cilantro, Onions">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168355593_8fe5b07bf4.jpg" alt="Tomatoes, Cilantro, Onions"/>
</a>

First you need some tomatoes, [coriander](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriander) (also known as cilantro), and some spring onions. Note that I only used three of the pictured tomatoes.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2169156500_5b5328583b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Chopped Cilantro">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2169156500_d12e686482.jpg" alt="Chopped Cilantro"/>
</a>

Clean and chop the coriander. Be sure to drain and remaining water from the bowl, as the tomatoes will give plenty of moisture to the salad later.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2169161704_098fd74079_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Chopped Tomatoes">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2169161704_b82f8f22bd.jpg" alt="Chopped Tomatoes"/>
</a>

Chop the tomatoes in about the sizes shown. Ideally, you would want tomatoes slightly more ripe than those pictured. Add the tomatoes to the bowl.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168374211_e2c65cffe7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Chopped Onions">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168374211_5dd8098373.jpg" alt="Chopped Onions"/>
</a>

Chop the spring onion in strips, as shown. You may optionally cut these in half to make them shorter. Add the onions to the bowl.

Now comes the surprise ingredient, one that I would _never_ have thought to add to a salad...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168381807_8e45ddb473_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Fried Eggs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168381807_01b113ae67.jpg" alt="Fried Eggs"/>
</a>

Fried eggs! It's very important that you cook _some_ of the eggs so that the edges get crispy and leave others so that the yolk is still liquid. This will allow for a yellowy juice to form at the bottom of the bowl that is absolutely _delicious_ to mop up with bread.

Make sure that you let the eggs cool before cutting them into pieces and adding them to the bowl. Ideally the contents of the bowl should be about room temperature.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168386345_70a6afeff7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Finished Moje">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-05-moje-coriander-salad/2168386345_e4107f0451.jpg" alt="Finished Moje"/>
</a>

Mix all ingredients with a fork and serve, adding salt, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar to taste. Be generous with the salt and oil!

This salad is wonderful and it's really worth going out of your way to obtain some fresh cilantro to try it at least once.

Enjoy your _moje_!


Moje - Coriander Salad


I honestly cannot recall ever being so moved by a speech given by a politician as I was watching Barack Obama's Iowa victory speech on YouTube. The speaking abilities of Barack Obama and George W. Bush are _completely_ on opposite ends of the scale. Tell me honestly, can you imagine Hillary, or any other candidate for that matter, giving such an eloquent address? 

The [Digg comments](http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Obama_s_Iowa_Victory_Speech) say a lot about how people have been affected by this particular oration. I suggest you read them.

No president I can remember has given a speech this passionate and motivating, certainly no one with the last name Reagan, Bush, or Clinton...and Willy had some serious charisma!

No matter you political leanings, you gotta give da'bama some credit for a killer speech.


Best speech I've heard in a long time


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-04-courteous-spammer/2166624302_f26db80c5e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Courteous Spammer">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-04-courteous-spammer/2166624302_5d8e51e08f_t.jpg" alt="Courteous Spammer"/>
</a>

My email client, Apple's [Mail.app](http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/mail.html) has been doing a truly excellent job of filtering spam lately. Several hundred emails a day get screened from my inbox. Today, I was looking for an email that I had just deleted and I ended up accidentally clicking on a spam message as I was digging through the e-garbage. What I saw amazed me! <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-04-courteous-spammer/2166624302_f26db80c5e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Courteous Spammer">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-04-courteous-spammer/2166624302_f26db80c5e_o.jpg" alt="Courteous Spammer"/>
</a>

This guy actually told me where he found my email address!! From a free [Git](http://git.or.cz/) repository, [repo.or.cz](http://repo.or.cz/), where I'm keeping the [source code](http://repo.or.cz/w/applet-bots.git) for one of my many [personal projects](/projects/), [Applet Bots](http://applet-bots.sourceforge.net/).

I just had to share this bizarre experience.


Courteous Spammer


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-03-lottery-for-a-year/2161962477_cdf6c53e98_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="ONCE Ticket - 2008-01-04">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-03-lottery-for-a-year/2161962477_85ff8f21cd_s.jpg" alt="ONCE Ticket - 2008-01-04"/>
</a>

To my future therapist reading this, January 2008 was when my gambling problem started.

I must be stupid, too rich, or bored or something because I've decided to do something very inadvisable. As a personal project, I'm going to play the lottery every week this calendar year. It truly astounds me the number of people that play the lottery each day in Spain, and many other wealthy "first world" nations. Lottery plays on the same basic fallacy of human reasoning that makes people afraid of terrorist attacks or plane crashes. I can't really explain why I'm doing this experiment other than to demonstrate empirically how silly playing the lottery really is. I've created a special page on this blog to track the progress of my efforts, so that you, my beloved readers, can anxiously check back every Friday and see if I can quit my day job and start building my robot army to rule the world buy a yacht yet.

[Lottery Year](/lottery-year/)

In case you think I don't know what I'm getting into, check out the link above and see that, at the risk of exposing my true geekiness, I've actually enumerated every outcome and calculated all the Bayesian probabilities for each. Let's just say the outlook is bleak.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-03-lottery-for-a-year/2161962477_cdf6c53e98_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="ONCE Ticket - 2008-01-04">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-03-lottery-for-a-year/2161962477_85ff8f21cd.jpg" alt="ONCE Ticket - 2008-01-04"/>
</a>

These are my first two tickets that won't make me rich tomorrow.


Lottery for a Year


For the past four or five years, I've enjoyed one particular New Years ritual immensely. If you live in Europe, or ever spend New Years in Europe, you _must_ try this:

Every year, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gives a New Years concert in the Golden Hall of the [Musikverein](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musikverein,_Vienna) in Vienna, consisting almost entirely of music composed by Vienna's own Strauss family of composers: Johann Sr, Johann Jr. and Josef. You could say it's very "_Straussful_". Mostly marches, polkas, and waltzes.

The music is fantastic, but the production of the televised event is truly amazing, with cameras sweeping through the Golden Hall and live performances by ballet dancers elsewhere in the huge luxurious ballrooms in the Musikverein. This year things got a little silly as they injected a [Euro 2008](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euro_2008) soccer theme to the choreography, since Austria is the co-host of the tournament.

I enjoy watching this concert so much that, this year, I got up two hours early! I went to bed at 6:00 and got up at 9:30, not realizing that the concert, which always seemed to be on when I got up on New Years morning starts at 11:30 CET! Doh! At that time my only options on television were loud cartoons, some tired-looking pseudo-celebs, the same ones that had been on 12 hours earlier, _still_ trying to get me to send an SMS vote for my favorite debut album of 2007 (anyone who watched all 12 hours of that doesn't deserve to live), and Pope Benny, looking equally as tired, reading from a two-ton tome in a voice that makes Ben Stein seem like Richard Simmons. With the selection available, I chose the pontiff, mainly because the sweeping/slow-zoom camera work of the Basilica was very similar to that of the Vienna Philharmonic concert. I think I understood more of the Italian than the overdubbed Spanish that was also being read over the coverage. It was kind of funny how sometimes the Spanish, which had clearly been translated beforehand, would get ahead of the Italian and the speaker would have to stop and wait for ol' Benny to catch up.

This led to the later amusing conversation with Marga, who, in her defense, wasn't yet running on all cylinders:

> Marga: What did you do when you got up so early this morning? Erik: Watch TV. Marga: Anything interesting? Erik: El Papa. Marga: Which papa? Erik: How many are there?

I'll always remember something that I learned in my high school Spanish class. In Latin America, the word for "the potato" is _la papa_ (here it's "_la patata_"), and the word for "the Pope" is "el Papa". When my teacher taught us the word for potato, she warned us that it was very important to get the gender of the article correct so as not to insult the Catholics talking about "fried popes" or "pealing a pope". Good stuff.

Right, so anyway, if you're ever in Europe on January 1, be sure to check out the [Vienna Philharmonic New Years concert](http://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/a_njk_2008.html) on television. It's worth it.

Now, on to the pictures...<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157438301_c0560c2e68_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Langostinos">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157438301_0259b50c9f.jpg" alt="Langostinos"/>
</a>

Langostinos a la plancha. Grilled jumbo shrimp.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158237262_14a30c21a4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tightly Packed">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158237262_a4437d994f.jpg" alt="Tightly Packed"/>
</a>

It sucks to be an arthropod when there's no elbow room.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157442603_d044aa8db1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Table is set!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157442603_0e6c5df0af.jpg" alt="Table is set!"/>
</a>

The table is set!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157444787_80b453368f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Squeezing Lemon">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157444787_9217582a69.jpg" alt="Squeezing Lemon"/>
</a>

Juan lets all of 2007's stress out on a poor lemon. The satin pajama top look is all the craze in Milan this year, by the way.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157447611_6d92ba5c5e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Wienerdog Drink Set (1)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157447611_c46dbd4dba.jpg" alt="Wienerdog Drink Set (1)"/>
</a>

After dinner, we pulled out the wiener dog, which has forever intrigued me sitting up there on the shelf.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157449911_513afb9281_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Wienerdog Drink Set (2)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157449911_ff8933203f.jpg" alt="Wienerdog Drink Set (2)"/>
</a>

His hat comes off and you pour your beverage of choice inside his long fuselage, and then his nose pops off to pour with. No holes at the other end, thank god, just his tail as a handle.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157451711_5954a30c02_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Wienerdog Drink Set (3)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157451711_6beb1c4aab.jpg" alt="Wienerdog Drink Set (3)"/>
</a>

We didn't actually use him as vessel, just his cups.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158251126_a4fa6b5e7d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Whiskey">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158251126_ed5ee90af7.jpg" alt="Whiskey"/>
</a>

My Chivas Regal.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158254950_6624fdef6a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Twelve Grapes">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158254950_c182ab5dff.jpg" alt="Twelve Grapes"/>
</a>

My twelve grapes, pre-counted and wrapped in tin foil.

According to [a citation-needed Wikipedia article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Grapes), some clever grape farmers 98 years ago got the idea of starting a tradition of eating one grape with each strike of the clock at midnight on New Years Eve. The meme spread like wildfire and is pretty much a non-optional tradition now in Spanish households. This year we had seedless grapes, a relative rarity in Spain. Plus they were small too, so not much risk of choking. In fact, some of the people around the table finished too early. Tradition mandates that you eat one grape per chime of the televised clock in Madrid, but we were seated next to the window that faces the local church, so we had two one ding and one dong for every second after midnight.

Other traditions include wearing red underwear, having, but not eating, three lentils with you (the lentil farmers aren't as clever as those at the vineyard), and putting some gold jewelry in your champagne glass as you toast and drink. This was the first year that I actually had any bling on me, but I chose not to remove my [cherished symbol of matrimony](/2007/09/24/alianzas/).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158257972_78c455c00e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="The family">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158257972_3ac758930f.jpg" alt="The family"/>
</a>

The best of a half-dozen attempts at timer photography of all of us.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157461825_4fe3b42724_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lenticular">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157461825_2015a17f7a.jpg" alt="Lenticular"/>
</a>

Triple Lenticular!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157463975_b198367dc7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Glass Stem">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157463975_23f66381b8.jpg" alt="Glass Stem"/>
</a>

I thought it was cool how I could see all the way around the coffee pot in the stem of my glass. Optics rule!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158263542_7b80f0660e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Champagne and Me">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158263542_e4c9cc68cc.jpg" alt="Champagne and Me"/>
</a>

A self portrait through my champagne glass.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158266212_79c5a6366c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="I married a smurf">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158266212_366d565759.jpg" alt="I married a smurf"/>
</a>

Either I married a smurf, or Marga's blue jeans have a dye problem.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157472733_6f3790972f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Lentils and Butterflies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157472733_05716074bf.jpg" alt="Lentils and Butterflies"/>
</a>

A soup of lentils attacks a butterfly.

What, you didn't know the [collective noun](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_noun) for lentils?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158270756_15c7d829f4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Tin foil">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158270756_7181c7b4ea.jpg" alt="Tin foil"/>
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A roll of tin foil on a kitchen counter. Did they ever really make it out of tin? [Yes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_foil#History).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157477561_e7100399a3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Winter Romance">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157477561_3522d9b7ed.jpg" alt="Winter Romance"/>
</a>

On the way to party like it was 2008 at the Centro Extremeño, we ran into cousin Andoni and his French fiancé, Laura. I'm not sure why we look so amorous in this photo, but we look like a pretty cute gay couple.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157481061_e325539054_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Happy 2008, Grandpa!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157481061_2d8d3bfa84.jpg" alt="Happy 2008, Grandpa!"/>
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HAPPY 2008 GRANDPA!!!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157483049_cd06c99e0a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bartender testing for poison">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157483049_6fc3223cb1.jpg" alt="Bartender testing for poison"/>
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You know it's a party when....

I watched as this bartender very carefully placed each ice cube into this glass, cut a lemon, ran the lemon around each millimeter of the rim, poured in a healthy amount of rum, and filled it to the brim with coke. I thought, "Man, this guy's a really great bartender! He's taking a lot of care to mix this drink for someone." He then proceeded to take a huge swig and set it behind the bar for himself.

He gave Juan and me a drink on the house, so I like him...even if he does have a _gum piercing_!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157484547_cb9019f3b2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Happy Chipmunk Vampires">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157484547_e2e6e31a74.jpg" alt="Happy Chipmunk Vampires"/>
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Tonight on USA Network's late night cinema: New Years Eve: Attack of the Chipmunk Vampires!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157486525_53ca336eea_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sweet, sweet broth">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157486525_46c1dcd69c.jpg" alt="Sweet, sweet broth"/>
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Another tradition for New Years morning is this wonderful chicken broth that Grandpa Ramón makes. It is SOOO good! And great with a dash of hangover.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158286882_21853c2cbb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Fish Platter">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158286882_a36e69fd3b.jpg" alt="Fish Platter"/>
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For lunch we had _vesugo_. That's [axillary seabream](http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=889) to you.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158290424_c12229bcd6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bed of taters">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2158290424_7df261ce8b.jpg" alt="Bed of taters"/>
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On a bed of slightly fried potatoes and into the oven!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157497167_2d5e07010e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="I've got a splitting headache!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2008-01-02-johann-strauss-the-pope-and-a-dachshund-walk-into-a-bar/2157497167_c6c87b5e28.jpg" alt="I've got a splitting headache!"/>
</a>

Something tells me this guy wasn't the only one with a splitting headache on January 1st. Har har...

We've got an extra day this year! Woohoo!


32 posts from January, 2008