
<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-30-say-cheese/5038409409_26249a8822_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Grinning Nora">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-30-say-cheese/5038409409_e19f6b66c8_t.jpg" alt="Grinning Nora"/>
</a>

Nora is hundreds of times more fun now that she's so...interactive. A couple nights ago, as I was feeding her dinner, I taught her how to grin. It wasn't all that intentional, really; I just started grinning at her and noticed that she returned the expression. It was quite adorable. Somewhat predictably, when her mother entered the room and I tried to show off Nora's new skill, she had forgotten all about it and had moved on to obsessing over her mother or some piece of plastic or something. The following night, I managed to grab the video camera and do some grinning with her while her mother prepared her dinner. Here is the video I recorded.  As a side note, she really likes cheese, and can't stand watching me eat any without asking for some herself with her "_CHEEEE!_" call.

Did you like the title text glance?


Say Cheese!


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-29-the-effect-of-the-general-strike-on-daily-life-in-spain/5015902940_e311a10bd8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Huelga General">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-29-the-effect-of-the-general-strike-on-daily-life-in-spain/5015902940_891bcda77b_t.jpg" alt="Huelga General"/>
</a>

Today the entire country, in theory, was on strike, the [General Strike of September 29, 2010](/2010/09/23/huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/). The news in the morning showed police trying to push demonstrators out of the way so that the "minimal services" buses could leave the station in Madrid. The government and the organization managing the strike agreed last week to provide minimal transport and health services across Spain. They interviewed one of the protestors who said, "Requiring minimal services is denying our right to strike!" That's both true and stupid.

The main factor that influenced life in the small town where I live was: Bread.

### Bread in Spain

More than in any of the other countries where I have lived (USA, Denmark, and England), the Spanish value their fresh bread. No Spaniard eats lunch or dinner without bread, almost always freshly baked that day. Bread comes with every meal at all restaurants. If the weather is terrible and a Spaniard has no reason to leave the house one day, they will leave to go buy a fresh baguette. Bread is absolutely integral to Spanish life. I've lived here for five years, and I can't imagine eating a meal without fresh bread.

Because of this demand for 1-3 baguettes per household per day, there is a thriving industry in Spain based on baking and delivering bread very early in the morning to all the shops and restaurants and bars, almost none of which make their own bread because the bakery delivery industry is so strong and efficient. It was through the bakery industry that the strike was most felt today. None of the local bakery delivery companies operated today.

### Some Closings

On my morning walk today, I noted which businesses were closed and which were not. The hardware store and all the clothing stores were open. These are all self-owned businesses with no need for daily deliveries to stock their shelves.

A few grocery stores were closed. The one I usually go to cited the lack of meat, vegetable, and bread deliveries as the reason they weren't going to be open today. But all the butcher shops around town, the ones that aren't just a section of a larger store, were open and fully stocked. The dedicated fruit and vegetable stores were open too.

Almost all the restaurants were closed. This is because they require fresh bread delivery to operate, as I mentioned above. A few bars were open, but only those that don't double as restaurants. There were more adults around than usual, so it's clear that some of the major industries (factories?) were off work today. As a result, the bars and cafes were extra crowded, even beyond normal Sunday levels.

There were more children in the playground. While the schools and daycares were operating, I think some of the striking parents decided not to take their kids in today.

At one point a police car drove down the street blaring from its speaker, "Everybody please keep to the right!", which had the effect of everyone exiting the bars and shops into the street to see what they police wanted them to avoid, but five minutes passed and no picketers or parade or anything came through so everyone shrugged and went back to what they were doing.

### Found some bread!

The two or three grocery stores around that bake their own bread instead of relying upon the baking industry took advantage of the lack of competition today and had bread for sale. I was planning on relying on sliced bread (Spaniards eat a little sliced bread, for toast sandwiches, but when they say "bread", they usually mean a baguette) for lunch today, but then I saw some people walking around with baguettes they had bought, and I knew everything would be okay in the end.

### Conclusion

So there you have it. In the end, my life wasn't affected one bit by the [General Strike of September 29, 2010](/2010/09/23/huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/). It was, however, the topic of all the conversations I eavesdropped on. Whether or not its ripples will have any effect on Spanish politics remains to be seen.


The Effect of the General Strike on Daily Life in Spain


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-28-foosball-wizard/5033269266_94faf7121f_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Foosball Goal!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-28-foosball-wizard/5033269266_4feb1d2027_t.jpg" alt="Foosball Goal!"/>
</a>

I am unable to watch today's video without laughing. It might be the cutest one yet, [although](/2010/09/27/blow-on-your-food/) [there](/2010/09/21/nora-go-round/) [is](/2010/09/06/the-proper-way-to-hold-a-baby/) [definitely](/2010/08/13/grapes-of-wrath/) [some](/2010/08/06/dancing-with-mommy/) [stiff](/2010/08/12/bucket-girl/) [competition](/2010/08/02/nora-on-vacation/). Nora had been "playing" (no ball) foosball for about 15 or 20 minutes before we shot this video, and much of it was just as fun as the 53 seconds you're about to see. When it was time to go back to the table for the grownups to have their after-meal coffee, Nora was _not_ pleased.  One brief anecdote from this morning before we get to the feature presentation...

This morning she got "that look" on her face and grunted a few times. I already knew what was happening, but she was polite enough to inform me. She pointed to her rear end and said, "_Sinky_!!" I don't recall the exact etymological processes, our household word for diaper defecation is "stinky", used as a noun. For example, "Nora, do you have a stinky?" or "Uh oh! I think we have a stinky!" We're hoping that learning to give a post-stinky warning is a step on the path to giving pre-stinky warnings.


Foosball Wizard


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-27-blow-on-your-food/5029395847_c5ee038ac0_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Blow on your food (video freeze frame)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-27-blow-on-your-food/5029395847_4d717402df_t.jpg" alt="Blow on your food (video freeze frame)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")It's a terrible feeling when you spoon some food into your child's mouth and it's so hot that it burns her mouth. Now that Nora is really starting to ape and parrot us (animals as verbs!) in earnest, we've been able to teach her to blow on her food. Sometimes she gets a little carried away and forgets to actually put it in her mouth.  Here she is eating an omelet for dinner.


Blow on your food


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026917955_29b94c303f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Pigeon with Rice">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026917955_1f01d0fb67_t.jpg" alt="Pigeon with Rice"/>
</a>

On Sunday we were invited to a meal where the main course was pigeon. Yes, in Spain, people eat pigeons. As far as I know, most of the pigeons that are eaten are raised especially for that purpose, and aren't just captured with a net or hunted with a BB gun in the local town hall square. There's a reason pigeons are called "flying rats".

What follows are some photos I took this weekend, not all related to the pigeon stew. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026713643_a2d0ec29ee_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ready for school. Or hitchhiking.">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026713643_4f1707bfbf.jpg" alt="Ready for school. Or hitchhiking."/>
</a>

Upon arrival to her grandparents' house, Nora was given a brand new backpack. It features _Dora the Explorer_ (_Dora Exploradora_, in Spanish) [on the back](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/5027333954/). We were aware of the similarity of her name to that character back [when we picked her name](/2008/12/17/baby-name-shortlist-%E2%80%93-how-to-decide/). There are already some kids at her daycare that call her "_Nora Exploradora_". There are much worse things to be called, if you ask me.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026715737_8564bdf1f7_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Ready for school. Or hitchhiking.">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026715737_747cb6db8e.jpg" alt="Ready for school. Or hitchhiking."/>
</a>

Notice the mischievous glance as she grabs both her mother's and grandmother's mobile phones. She wore her new backpack around the house for a good long while and only doffed it reluctantly.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027336912_4b549e8102_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Motorcycle Nora">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027336912_47f314c0ec.jpg" alt="Motorcycle Nora"/>
</a>

"Riding" a motorcycle.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026730717_e8ec569c75_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Out for a stroll">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026730717_7f6f3bd131.jpg" alt="Out for a stroll"/>
</a>

Out for a stroll. She's really loves pushing her toy stroller around. It does make for a slow pace on walks, though. This was the first time the toy stroller has been outside on the street.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026848937_c68bda8cc6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pushing a stroller is easier if someone is carrying you both">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026848937_2080b7ed4e.jpg" alt="Pushing a stroller is easier if someone is carrying you both"/>
</a>

Of course pushing the stroller around is a lot easier if you can get someone to carry you and the stroller.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026876169_69edd989c1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Maple Leaf Autumnal Symbolism">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026876169_ba1dfb9aca.jpg" alt="Maple Leaf Autumnal Symbolism"/>
</a>

This maple leaf symbolizes what the weather is like now. The summer of 2010 is clearly a thing of the past.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026882791_422a3bf1ae_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Morning Bakery Run FTW!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026882791_6fef718c3d.jpg" alt="Morning Bakery Run FTW!"/>
</a>

Nora slept only six of her normal eleven hours on Saturday night, so when she got cranky on Sunday morning, I took her out in her stroller, as it's the only way to get her to fall asleep sometimes. Later her mother joined me, and we went for a lovely morning walk, watching the town wake up. On the way home we stopped at a bakery and got a fresh sweet roll for Nora, which she _loved_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027507214_634c4a0969_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pigeon Stew">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027507214_030a5c86e9.jpg" alt="Pigeon Stew"/>
</a>

Pigeon stew. The sauce was _WONDERFUL_! It had just the right mix of spices to give it a little spicy aftertaste. Unfortunately the taste was muted once the rice was added to make the final product. I think they said there were six pigeons in this pot.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026894239_f694230016_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Quail Eggs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026894239_6aeff6d604.jpg" alt="Quail Eggs"/>
</a>

What else would you have with pigeon stew, but a salad with hardboiled quail eggs?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026901375_0aee871cf8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Quail Egg Salad">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026901375_0d90c2977f.jpg" alt="Quail Egg Salad"/>
</a>

The quail egg salad was wonderful. It also contained finely chopped tomatoes, onions, green peppers, red peppers, and garlic. This was my favorite dish of the day.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027526272_572eabeb86_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Alejo puts on a bib">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5027526272_31218372b5.jpg" alt="Alejo puts on a bib"/>
</a>

Alejo, the chef for the meal, showed Nora how to make a makeshift bib from a tea towel.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026917955_29b94c303f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pigeon with Rice">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026917955_1f01d0fb67.jpg" alt="Pigeon with Rice"/>
</a>

The final dish. Nothing like rice to stretch a meat dish to feed ten people. I had a half pigeon on my plate. Despite the "tastes like chicken" cliché, I'm going there: It was very similar to chicken, but with a darker, tougher meat. I suspect that it's close to what chickens tasted like before we began millennia of selective breeding to make them the delicious beasts they are today.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026926607_7ab5d8fb42_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Chloe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-26-i-ate-pigeon/5026926607_ab0111c193.jpg" alt="Playing with Chloe"/>
</a>

Nora sort of letting [her cousin Chloé](/2009/09/22/meeting-cousin-chloe/) play with her stroller. Chloé is five (?) months younger than Nora, and five kilograms heavier. She's walking with a grownup's hand for balance, like Nora was for several long backbreaking months.

So there you have it. I ate a flying rat, with rice. Part of being an expat is trying new things almost all the time.


I ate pigeon


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5018365832_934d8b555b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Marbíº Dorada Cookies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5018365832_876066802f_t.jpg" alt="Marbíº Dorada Cookies"/>
</a>

Nora is constantly eating. Upon waking in the morning, she complains nonstop while her breakfast formula bottle is prepared. After drinking 200 cc's of the milk and cereal mix in her bottle, she can sometimes make it an entire hour before asking for a cookie. She does this by first shouting "_YETA!_", which is how she says the Spanish word for cookie, _galleta_. Even though I know what she wants, I ignore her until she "switches to English" and shouts "_DOH CHI!_", which is her approximation of the word "cookie".  What I mean when I say "cookie" is similar to what the British would call a biscuit, or, more specifically, a [digestive biscuit](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestive_biscuit). For my American audience, the closest equivalent might be a [graham cracker](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_cracker). The leading household brand in Spain of these cookies is the Marbíº Dorada.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5018363598_eb7b56a164_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marbíº Dorada box">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5018363598_4a859d3f11.jpg" alt="Marbíº Dorada box"/>
</a>

Marbíº Dorada is owned by Kraft Foods. This is a very typical part of the Spanish breakfast, which consists mainly of a cup of _café con leche_.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5017763629_03a7e8ec80_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marbíº Dorada Cookies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5017763629_9f8c60051a.jpg" alt="Marbíº Dorada Cookies"/>
</a>

Once the last bite of cookie has been placed in her mouth and before it has been swallowed, she is asking for another. Occasionally she'll ask for some water, too. Personally I don't like these cookies very much specifically because they make me so thirsty. Once she and I are dressed and it's time to depart for our morning walk, I load up the little tupperware container in her stroller bag with additional cookies, and we head out. Sometimes the playground provides enough sensory stimuli to override her cookie-begging neurons, and we can go a half hour with no new cookies.

Then we head to the store, where the woman at the fresh fruit section, Tona, stops serving whatever customer she was helping to pull out a fresh ripe banana, peel it, and give it to Nora. This keeps her entertained while I buy the rest of the groceries. Now that she's walking, the colorful candy wrappers placed right at her eye level at the checkout counter are an irresistible temptation. Every day now I have to pry some candy eggs out of her hands and pick up a few more she's dropped on the floor. I have yet to buy her any of that crap.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5019473829_eac7544eb8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Area Baby Addicted to Cookies">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-24-cookie-monster-the-insatiable-snacker/5019473829_184dfef629_m.jpg" alt="Area Baby Addicted to Cookies"/>
</a>

Back at home with the groceries, I prepare her lunch, which is usually some sort of broth with either rice or small pasta added, or some lentil or bean soup. While the preparation is taking place, she's beside herself with impatience at not having anything to eat. Amazingly, she does eat between ten and twenty spoonfuls of the first course before she decides she's had enough.

Recently she's decided that the immobilization of the high chair during lunch is unacceptable, so the only way to get her to eat is to feed her while she's standing on the floor. While she chews and swallows, she runs off to play with something and I have to call her back for the next spoonful, which brings her running, mouth agape. Oftentimes she brings her toy stroller over and makes me "feed" the baby doll too, which, while cute, is an annoying distraction from the alimentary task at hand.

After she's stopped returning for more of the first course, I say, "Nora, would you like some yogurt?" She grins and shouts, "Chiiiiiiii!!" (Sí­) and points to the kitchen. I fetch the yogurt and she somehow still has room to down the entire contents of the single-serving yogurt container in the same manner, constantly running around.

Then we head out for the walk to daycare, which sometimes, depending on the time, includes a stop at a bar for Daddy to have a glass of wine. Of course whatever tapa (e.g. potato chips, olives, or a little mini-sandwich) comes with my wine must be shared with my companion. Sometimes she can even get other patrons to give her some of theirs, too.

About this time she's getting really cranky and demands to be held, so I pick her up and she falls asleep pretty quickly. I set her in her stroller and we go to daycare. For the past week or two, the only way I can put her in her stroller is if she's asleep. I push the darn thing around, with the hand that's not holding hers, on our walks mainly as a cookie carrying vehicle.

When she wakes up at daycare, she immediately begins asking for cookies. When other kids are having their afternoon snacks, she circles them like a vulture, and sometimes even manages to steal some of their food. She eats the fruit that her age group is given _as well as_ a serving of the big sandwiches that the kids twice her age are given.

Before going to pick her up, her mother always checks with me about cookie supply levels in the tupperware container in her stroller bag, because as soon as she leaves daycare, it's cookie time. When she arrives home after a couple hours at the playground with her mother, she invariably has some kind of snack in her hand.

After her bath, she whines impatiently while her mother prepares her dinner. She's a big fan of fish, and often has a whole fillet of [iridescent shark](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescent_shark) (or "striped catfish" if you want the less awesome name). If not fish, then an omelet or a hot dog or something. Often she eats the whole plateful.

Occasionally her full day of eating is bookended nicely with a bottle of the same milk and cereal mix that she has for breakfast. She never finishes the bottle, but we keep it in the fridge overnight for part of her breakfast.

### Conclusion

Nora is still under the mean weight for her age, and her staple snack food is really rather healthy and firmly at the base of the food pyramid. It's not like she's gorging on Doritos and Twinkies all day. She just has the metabolism of a hummingbird. After talking it over with her mother, who is a scientist in the food industry, we've decided to be amused rather than concerned by our daughter's new dietary habits.

Stock tip: You might want to buy some Kraft Foods (KFT) stock, because, judging from our household, they're going to have a very profitable fourth quarter.


Cookie Monster: The Insatiable Snacker


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015902940_e311a10bd8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Huelga General">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015902940_891bcda77b_t.jpg" alt="Huelga General"/>
</a>

On September 29, 2010, there will be a [general strike](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strike) in Spain. This means that most workers in most industries will not go into work that day, and many will be picketing. Perhaps I'm too ignorant in the intricacies of labor economics, but this strike seems to me like a really, really stupid idea.

Strikes by workers in mines or factories make perfect sense to me. The workers are demonstrating how necessary they are, as the foundation of the organization, for the employer to make any money. Typically the workers have some grievances and some demands of their employer. Negotiation takes place, some demands are met, some are compromised, and the employees get back to work. I totally get that. I'm [way more lefty](/2008/10/16/everything-is-gray/) than the average American when it comes to workers' rights.

But what about an entire country going on strike? <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015902940_e311a10bd8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Huelga General">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015902940_891bcda77b.jpg" alt="Huelga General"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015299779_73f6c2b1ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Huelga General">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-23-huelga-general-general-strike-in-spain/5015299779_1af5864fb4.jpg" alt="Huelga General"/>
</a>

Some posters around town.

### The Manifesto

From the [official 2010-09-29 general strike website](http://www.huelgageneral.net/), translated into English by yours truly. All bolding is theirs, hyperlinking is mine. Yes, there's a Charlie Chaplin YouTube video embedded in the manifesto.

> ## Manifesto for a General Strike of workers, students and consumers on September 29, 2010
> 
> Spontaneous popular initiative...
> 
> ...against the violation of our fundamental rights.
> 
> ...against the passivity of the principal workers' unions and associations.
> 
> ...against the inefficiency, corruption, and populism of the political parties.
> 
> We. Students and workers, **the best prepared generation in the history** of Spain.
> 
> They taught us to get educated, to study hard, to compete and become **excellent professionals** without anyone giving us anything. Our parents encouraged us to do so. Their calloused hands, absent eyes, and exhausted bodies after each day were the best evidence they could give us to fight for a better life, a life in which being **useful to society** would reward us. There were many difficulties, many costs to cover, and tremendous time invested in our university studies, masters degrees, language courses, diplomas, unpaid internships, certificates, and driving licenses.
> 
> However **we have been betrayed**. Not by our parents who advised us what they thought best for us. Not by the studying that brought us so much personal satisfaction. But **by those who monopolize key positions** in the Spanish social pyramid. They treat us like expendable meat, **offering us temporary jobs, miserable salaries and endless workdays** irreconcilable with family life.
> 
> Companies are looking for talented youth, they say there's a labor shortage, and that the universities don't educate properly, that we're not productive. **They lie**. What there are are people that accept deplorable conditions. In the rest of Europe, they are treated like true professionals, receiving just treatment and salaries. **The problem is in the fabric of Spanish business**. And **in the government** that consents and does not regulate the situation.
> 
> Any protest filed against **the administration and unions** goes unheard. "Be entrepreneurs, start your own company," is the only response received. Yet all any young entrepreneur who does not base his business on the Spanish model of fat cat real estate, sand and sun finds are bureaucratic obstacles. We have no guarantees, **the state gets practically half of what we earn** and the numbers don't add up to pay for the place of business, vehicle or suppliers. The current system **is designed so that an already established few continue accumulating wealth**, instead of promoting the creation of middle classes from poorer families.
> 
> In times of economic boom, the profits stay in the pockets of a few, but in times of crisis, losses are socialized. The authorities have given a blank check to banks and large corporations, while the citizens are affected by unemployment, inflation and debt. The managers who have caused this crisis are rewarded and people who most suffer are marginalized. A public quality service is now more necessary than ever.
> 
> They call us "well off", but we can't buy a house or live by renting.
> 
> They call us "mileuristas", but many of us don't even make 1000€ gross a month.
> 
> They call us "ill prepared", when they are the ones that occupy posts that exceed their capabilities.
> 
> They fear us. They depend on our talent and in the moment we rebel, we'll have the upper hand.
> 
> ### Demands
> 
> The objective of this call is to reclaim the government and the Spanish business network that meets the following conditions:
> 
> - NO to cuts in social spending. The crisis should be paid for by those that caused it: the banks and the speculators.
> - European salaries. The minimum wage in France is 1321.02€ a month. In Spain, it's 633.30€ a month.
> - Comply with schedules. Overtime should be really voluntary, always mutually agreed, and well paid.
> - Strict control of inflation and speculation on commodities like food and housing.
> - Stop the precarious and temporary. Training contracts are to train, not to exploit grant money.
> - Free, quality public university. Not the [Bologna reform](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bologna_Process) that favors classes with more time and money.
> - Income tax reduction for the self-employed. Streamlining and simplification of bureaucracy to encourage self-employment.
> - Increased investment in R&D. Give priority to research to avoid brain drain. Renew our industries.
> - Reconciling work with family life. Negotiable intensive workday and 35-hour work weeks.
> - These demands are perfectly acceptable and necessary for the proper development of the country, so must be met immediately.
> 
> For the rights of current and future workers,
> 
> General Strike. Now!

Okay, fine. You're pissed off, I get it. You were promised a better life than you found when you grew up. Welcome to the club.

It turns out that governing entire nations and macro economics are complicated. The banks can't just "pay for the crisis" without crippling the rest of the industries even more than they are now. Yes, more banking regulation needs to be in place, but I think that's true of every nation, and rest assured, bankers will always find loopholes.

Your minimum wage demands, however, are quite reasonable. For being as socialist as it is with medicine, pensions, and unemployment, Spain really shits all over the workforce. The same entrepreneurial spirit that causes middle class Americans to support ridiculous legislation favoring mega-corporations is also a boon to those that would prefer to be their own boss.

### What the General Strike will accomplish

- All the shops will be closed.
- There'd be no food on the shelves anyway with no transport systems.
- No factories will produce anything.
- Workers that _do_ choose to go to work may be threatened or have their cars vandalized.
- A full day's worth of income tax will not be collected by the government.
- Millions of people will be inconvenienced in some way because a service they take for granted is unavailable.

That's about it. It'll be like an average Sunday, but with more crime. And a government that is already short on funds to provide the services the strikers demand will be even more broke. Good job.

The reason policy makers won't be affected by this is that, unlike in the case of a factory or mine, the strikers aren't withholding something (their labor) the authorities need; they are withholding something _we all need_. Nothing would plummet a first world country into the third world faster than everyone deciding they weren't going to work anymore. That damages everyone! It's like getting angry and shooting yourself in the foot in protest; all you've done is worsened your condition.

### What should be done instead

[I'm sorry](/2010/04/29/constructive-criticism/), but I don't have an answer for that. As much as I'd like to, I don't know to how to force sweeping national policy changes at a whim. The best solution, in my opinion, is peaceful demonstrations (which Spaniards already excel at), lots and lots and lots of peaceful demonstrations. Once your numbers get big enough – and there are millions that will swallow your manifesto – politicians _will_ eventually pander to your voting demographic.

Shooting ourselves in the foot just gives us a limp.

UPDATE! Read [how the strike really affected my life](/2010/09/29/the-effect-of-the-general-strike-on-daily-life-in-spain/).


Huelga General - General Strike in Spain


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-21-nora-go-round/5011208677_f75ab3e2e3_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Nora-Go-Round (freeze frame)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-21-nora-go-round/5011208677_aabd9f86b4_t.jpg" alt="Nora-Go-Round (freeze frame)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Recently I've been worried that Nora might have inherited the apparently dominant motion sickness gene from my paternal grandmother. My father and all his siblings have it; I have it; and now it looks like Nora might have it. She doesn't mind being strapped into her car seat in the car, as long as the car isn't accelerating - and I mean that in the proper vector physics sense. Any time the car goes faster, brakes, or turns, Nora lets out a howl of annoyance. More than once I've seen that "Oh god, please make the world stop spinning!" look in her eye. It's really heart-wrenching to see her feeling so poorly. We travel with a towel in the car at all times now.  Given all the above, I've naturally assumed that she would dislike most amusement park attractions like her father does. Last Saturday, however, we went to Laredo for a walk, and there was a merry-go-round set up. As soon as we were within earshot, she was transfixed. She refused to walk in any direction that was not towards the merry-go-round, with its flashing lights and loud kiddie pop music. Curious to see what she'd do, and frustrated that we weren't able to go anywhere else, we walked her up to the merry-go-round to watch. She was fascinated, dancing to the music and watching it go around with the innocent look of amazement only a child's face can show.

At two euros for a three minute ride, it seemed like quite the rip-off, but we were curious to see what would happen. I was [fully prepared for her to start screaming](/2009/08/28/coin-operated-amusement/) and to whisk her off the ride as soon as it started.

Much to my surprise, however, she really and truly enjoyed the ride! The fact that my phone is also a video camera meant that I could capture the moment of joy. Every time she passed her mother, she shrieked with delight and started looking for her to go by again.

It seems that we are now firmly in the age of coin operated amusement.


Nora-Go-Round


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007920119_2fb8cbbd64_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Another Bridge">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007920119_491be7976f_t.jpg" alt="Another Bridge"/>
</a>

On Sunday we wanted to do something different. Both Marga and I spend all week long going for walks around Colindres with Nora, and we wanted to walk somewhere else. After discussing a few options and taking into account Nora's dislike of traveling in the car, we chose to go, for the first time, to the walkway along the river in Limpias, in the valley of the Asón River that we can see from our house. In fact, for a good portion of the walk, we could make out our apartment building on the horizon. It really is a shame that we have never walked along the river in Limpias, because it is really gorgeous...of course the cloudless blue sky helped.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008495498_c2c87ef1f0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pico Candiano">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008495498_7cda9bfa4e.jpg" alt="Pico Candiano"/>
</a>

This mountain is called Pico Candiano. It overlooks Colindres and is the main landmark on the horizon from our house. [We've been up to the top](/2007/06/10/return-to-pico-candiano/). See the big house that looks, from here, like two towers right under that square attempt at a cloud? I've always been curious about it, as I see it every day from my window, so I suggested we walk over there. Unfortunately, all that you see from here to the grass over there is river, so we had to walk way over to the left to cross a bridge. Keep reading!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008506344_41a0eb39f6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Big Gunner">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008506344_def7545c4d.jpg" alt="Big Gunner"/>
</a>

There were quite a few pieces of heavy artillery lining the river, presumably to defend it from invading ships. But from what war? Spain didn't really participate in WWI or WWII, so I'm guessing it was from the Spanish Civil War.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008511896_58f904a81b_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Rio Asón">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008511896_c58eb6e046.jpg" alt="Rio Asón"/>
</a>

A boat in the river. Also you can see the house over there again. Someone that we are surprised would believe in ghosts ensures us that it is haunted. We _must_ take a closer look!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008515396_c30e998f2e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Fish Galore!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008515396_6e494c56f4.jpg" alt="Fish Galore!"/>
</a>

I have never seen as many fish as I did on Sunday, all swimming and presumably feeding near the surface of the river. There was also a black swan. More in the video later!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007914961_b5bfde32b2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bridge">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007914961_9e13dfd6c9.jpg" alt="Bridge"/>
</a>

A bridge over some mossy debris.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007920119_2fb8cbbd64_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Another Bridge">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007920119_491be7976f.jpg" alt="Another Bridge"/>
</a>

This is the bridge we finally used to cross the river.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007927023_6023cdbb77_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Boats on Rio Asón">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007927023_f4f6156472.jpg" alt="Boats on Rio Asón"/>
</a>

Boats facing upstream.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007931505_3fb513e1a3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Haunted House">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007931505_338eaec984.jpg" alt="Haunted House"/>
</a>

Tada! The supposedly haunted house. The yard and facade are very, very well maintained, although it doesn't look occupied (_by the living!!!_). What a waste. Judging from all the places I know it can be seen from, the views must be spectacular!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008543900_b209217651_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Built in 1901">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008543900_8c12157519.jpg" alt="Built in 1901"/>
</a>

Apparently it's called Villa Adela, and was built in 1901. And best of all...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007944609_85459700a3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pony!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007944609_e5f56faf13.jpg" alt="Pony!"/>
</a>

It has a pony!! He came up to the fence to let me pet him when we approached the house, but when we were leaving, and I had my camera and daughter ready to meet him, he had already established my carrotlessness and couldn't be bothered to get up.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007951261_641166570a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pony!!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5007951261_c263583a97.jpg" alt="Pony!!"/>
</a>

Despite Nora screaming "MONY!" at him.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008563540_f484a95aaf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Double Ice Cream">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-20-the-ason-river-valley/5008563540_9633165214.jpg" alt="Double Ice Cream"/>
</a>

Back in the town of Limpias, we were surprised to find a supermarket open on a Sunday, so we bought a chicken and mushroom _empanada_ (pie) which we ate with our bare hands, and two ice cream sticks, of which Nora consumed the majority.

The last scene in the movie was my view from lying on a picnic bench in a park area. How gloriously peaceful.


The Asón River Valley


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998817688_d877f1ce72_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Bread Digger">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998817688_b34516b56c_t.jpg" alt="Bread Digger"/>
</a>

I can only assume that everyone that has a sibling also has a long list of that sibling's behaviors that are truly irksome. One habit my sister-in-law has that really annoys my wife is to eat out the inside of a piece of baguette bread, leaving only the crust. It's not that she doesn't like the crust; it's just an idle-minded activity that she finds herself doing at the dining table. Personally, I can see the appeal of munching absentmindedly on the soft crumbs, and I can also see how it would be annoying to find the bread hollowed out when you go to break off a piece. So you can imagine my wife's horror to witness this very same bread digging behavior _in her very own daughter_!  We didn't give her the bread when we caught her doing this. It had been on the dining room table a little too close to the edge, just within reach of a hungry toddler.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998815406_93406702a2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bread Digger">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998815406_0bae2ddfe4.jpg" alt="Bread Digger"/>
</a>

A mouse has gotten the bread!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998213911_c9d39e51dc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bread Digger">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998213911_bbfa1a12c5.jpg" alt="Bread Digger"/>
</a>

Up to her elbow in baguette!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998218245_4e6855e8a9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bread Digger">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998218245_228902d591.jpg" alt="Bread Digger"/>
</a>

Mommy still thinks it's cute, but that will wear off eventually.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998827858_0f5f6f9f95_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bread Digger">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-i-aint-sayin-she-a-bread-digger/4998827858_8f4c7f50db.jpg" alt="Bread Digger"/>
</a>

Fleeing the scene.


I ain't sayin' she a bread digger


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-two-noras/4998542104_96ac5669b0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Two Noras (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-two-noras/4998542104_2cbd684c47_t.jpg" alt="Two Noras (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Thanks to the little "One Year Ago" widget on my left sidebar, I was reminded about [this photography/photoshoppery project](/2009/09/17/four-noras/) I endeavored to embark on last year. Unfortunately, I seem to have dropped the ball in March for the "12 months" photo, so I've decided, retrospectively, that doing it every six months was a stupid idea and it's really better to do it at 12 month intervals. Remind me next September, if you would...

Actually I was also reminded by the "Previous 12 months" smart album I have that keeps recent photos on my phone, which sorts, annoyingly, in chronological order, so I'm often aware of the photos I took a year ago, as I have to scroll by them a lot. The photo on my phone was quite helpful in lining up today's shot. I used a tripod in the position I thought I remembered setting it up last year, but I got the zoom wrong. It turns out, however, that Photoshop is so awesome that it didn't really matter. In fact all I did was tell it to stitch the two photos together, and it did it all automagically. The result is virtually seamless.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-two-noras/4998344450_896a139afa_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Two Noras">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-17-two-noras/4998344450_52a74aea17.jpg" alt="Two Noras"/>
</a>

[View larger](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/4998344450/lightbox/). She's really grown, but it's clear that its the same little girl. I can't wait to see how the rest of the sofa gets filled in the coming years.


Two Noras


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996869230_2f293d0002_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Buddhist Bar Decorations (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996869230_19d67d8e35_t.jpg" alt="Buddhist Bar Decorations (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Two new bars have opened up in town in the past year with the word Buddha in their name. One is an elaborately overdecorated tribute to British colonialism, with one section dedicated to Africa, complete with a life-sized plaster rhinoceros, and another section all about the Indian subcontinent. Despite the fact that it reeks of someone trying too hard to make their design point, I like it. Plus, they're the only place in town with Grimbergen on tap.  The other is centered around the Buddhist religion, with statues and paintings of Buddha everywhere, with other art that verges towards Hinduism. They've really nailed the foreign feeling. It's tasteful, yet exotic.

However, I really must think that, to someone from a Buddhist culture, something about using their religion to spice up a Spanish bar must be at least a little offensive. Of course I don't know for certain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996854656_0a3e11877d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Buddhist Bar Decorations">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996854656_03820cbe4b.jpg" alt="Buddhist Bar Decorations"/>
</a>

[Eightfold path](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eightfold_Path) or [twelve-step program](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-step_program)?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996859184_8fc7893630_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Buddhist Bar Decorations">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-16-foreign-religions-make-hip-decorations/4996859184_a047d07ddb.jpg" alt="Buddhist Bar Decorations"/>
</a>

Do you think that somewhere in China or Japan, they have a bar or restaurant called "Jesus Christ" full of crucifixes, stained glass imagery of saints, and a little nativity scene on a shelf? Would that be offensive to a religious Westerner? Perhaps not.


Foreign Religions Make Hip Decorations


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4990181896_c0d8cf0619_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Denim Girl">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4990181896_bc0b0697eb_t.jpg" alt="Denim Girl"/>
</a>

The mid-September Cantabrian weather is quite annoying. It's too cold to go out in anything less than long pants and a light jacket until about 11:00, when it becomes too hot to have anything more than shorts and a t-shirt on. For someone who usually spends 10:00 to 12:00 outdoors with his daughter, this is quite problematic. Do you withstand the cold early on or the heat later? Today, Nora tried on some blue jeans for what I believe to be the first time.  The top is an England shirt given to us by our friend Luisma, who lives in England, on his recent visit. Both the shirt and the jeans are still a little big, but that's just the way we want them at this point.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989552483_d8decd6e0f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Denim Girl">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989552483_19c23ecbb6_b.jpg" alt="Denim Girl"/>
</a>

Yo, what's up!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989561327_c81c49ff45_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Denim Girl">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989561327_e9cdd0866b_b.jpg" alt="Denim Girl"/>
</a>

Cuties United. Awww! It's a British soccer reference!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4990181896_c0d8cf0619_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Denim Girl">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4990181896_bc0b0697eb_b.jpg" alt="Denim Girl"/>
</a>

Doing her catwalk stroll.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989588029_a01691a294_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Denim Girl on the Playground">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-denim-girl/4989588029_957f9d59f8_b.jpg" alt="Denim Girl on the Playground"/>
</a>

Out on the playground.


Denim Girl


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4990357392_00a45e293a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Mucho Morro (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4990357392_5215f3afe5_t.jpg" alt="Mucho Morro (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Those of you that know me will not be surprised, once I explain what it means, to learn that "_¡Tienes mucho morro!_" and "_¡Tienes un morro que te lo pisas!_" were two of the first native Spanish expressions I learned from my later-to-be wife. The word _morro_ literally means "snout". So the two phrases above translate literally to "You have a lot of snout!" and "You have a snout \[so big\] that you step on it!" respectively, the latter being a hyperbolical form of the former. She was not actually suggesting that I needed a rhinoplasty. The closest expression in English that I can think to capture its meaning would be, "You've got a lot of nerve, buddy!" It's something to say to someone that is acting like they are entitled to something that they aren't, or are just being too prideful. It's what you'd say to a jerk that drives all the way to the end of a lane that is ending and then cuts in front of your car. Anyone that has ever fed farm animals can clearly understand why the Spanish would use the word "a lot of snout" for such an expression.

So anyway, this morning at my local butcher... <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4990310430_74e59dce6a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Mucho Morro">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4990310430_eed3a9783a.jpg" alt="Mucho Morro"/>
</a>

_Bruno, el carnicero, tiene mucho morro_. Bruno, the butcher, has a lot of snout.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4989706407_e0572aa594_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Mucho Morro">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-14-mucho-morro/4989706407_6426fd3181.jpg" alt="Mucho Morro"/>
</a>

These are calf snouts. When the cartilage is removed and the remaining skin is chopped up and cooked with vegetables, they produce a very nice sauce, similar to [tripe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripe), which is eaten as a delicacy. Snout is very high in [collagen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen), which gives the sauce a jelly-like quality.


Mucho Morro


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986558657_46b7d410e1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Nora and Marga, Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986558657_69937294d9_t.jpg" alt="Nora and Marga, Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza"/>
</a>

This past weekend we went to Zaragoza for a wedding. The groom was Marga's cousin, Manu, and the bride was named Irene, previously unknown to us. We left on Friday afternoon, stopping at a rest stop just before Haro, Rioja, for a half hour to meet up with my in-laws, so we could make the rest of the journey together. Marga spent five years at the University of Zaragoza, and she was excited to introduce me to the city.  I took only my iPhone as a camera, which turned out to be very comfortable and really quite functional. The new-last-week built-in HDR feature is quite nice, although sometimes the difference is negligible (which good HDR [should often be](/2009/02/19/freaky-kiwi/)).

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987014356_93b10ef0eb_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Car, girls, and a hermitage">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987014356_5d9cf766a7.jpg" alt="Car, girls, and a hermitage"/>
</a>

Waiting patiently by the side of the road, which happened to be under a rocky hill with a hermitage.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987009320_17384cb2b9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Mommy's Sunglasses">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987009320_5500c55d85.jpg" alt="Playing with Mommy's Sunglasses"/>
</a>

Trying on Mommy's sunglasses.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986404041_2ed8ed286a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Playing with Mommy's Sunglasses">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986404041_2c75f9b497.jpg" alt="Playing with Mommy's Sunglasses"/>
</a>

Last week Nora somehow got covered in bug bites, including two on her face (one on her nose and one on her cheek), which reached their bright red zenith right on the day of the wedding.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987018386_2240a3ffc1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora dancing to street accordian music">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987018386_049d689fa7.jpg" alt="Nora dancing to street accordian music"/>
</a>

Upon arrival on Friday night, we met up with the whole family for dinner near the plaza. Nora was absolutely enchanted by an accordion playing street performer.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4977742180_2c808db7ca_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Zaragoza, Plaza del Pilar">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4977742180_af8d6f8640.jpg" alt="Zaragoza, Plaza del Pilar"/>
</a>

The church in the Plaza del Pilar was beautifully lit at night.

Marga had me set the alarm on my phone for 8:15 on Saturday morning so she could get up in time to go to the hairdresser (all Spanish women go to the hairdresser the morning they attend a wedding), but the [monkey alarm](/2009/09/06/monkey-alarm/) went off at 7:00 sharp, and there was no snooze button. When I opened the curtains, I was treated to this lovely view over the Ebro River:

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986640791_7069ffa7dd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Sunrise on the Ebro River">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986640791_aae2593f8a.jpg" alt="Sunrise on the Ebro River"/>
</a>

I did no post-processing on this photo at all. This is exactly how it was captured by the iPhone camera in HDR mode.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4978473295_65a24426e0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Hotel View WIN">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4978473295_94f3b95b44.jpg" alt="Hotel View WIN"/>
</a>

The view from our hotel was absolutely stunning, looking down to the Plaza del Pilar. Inside the church, there's a statue of the Virgin Mary that is one of the most famous in all of Spain. Every year, on my birthday (October 12), they pull her out into the center of the square and devout pilgrims line up for kilometers and kilometers to put flowers near it.

Quick plug: Over my years of travel in Spain, I have become quite a fan of the [NH Hotel](http://www.nh-hotels.com/) chain. They are right at my level of price and luxury, not the cheapest, not at all luxurious, but very clean and friendly and always very well located in the city. I've stayed in NH hotels in Barcelona, Madrid, [Vigo](/2010/03/09/vigo/), and Zaragoza and been pleased every time.

For lack of anything better to do, my father-in-law, Nora, and I walked with Marga and her mother down to the hairdresser. We went right to the place where Google Maps said it was, but found nothing but an empty street with closed shops. So I called the hairdresser, but got no answer. We looked around some more and I called again. As I was waiting to see if anyone would answer, I saw a woman scurrying to open the metal gate protecting her business, and when she flung it open, I realized why she was hurrying; there was a phone ringing inside. I told her to relax, that I was the one calling.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987244500_64987ce9b5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pedestrian Street, Zaragoza, Spain">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987244500_b6747ea45f.jpg" alt="Pedestrian Street, Zaragoza, Spain"/>
</a>

What a quintessentially European view: a wide pedestrian street with a domed cathedral-like structure on the horizon.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987248174_39c58ca77e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Weddings are boring">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987248174_451b8e04a1.jpg" alt="Weddings are boring"/>
</a>

Having gotten up early, by the time we made it to the wedding ceremony, Nora was exhausted. We got there a little late, so we had to stand at the back.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987252928_6b2d7c8095_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora and Daddy, looking good">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987252928_f461b11846.jpg" alt="Nora and Daddy, looking good"/>
</a>

My daughter and I clean up rather nice, if I do say so myself.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986656873_6e4b5f94d2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Clown Shoe Model">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986656873_f4461ee23e.jpg" alt="Clown Shoe Model"/>
</a>

I could be a professional clown shoe model. Seriously, look at those things! They're twice as long as my feet. I got married in those shoes.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986666857_5e6922fda9_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Elegant and Brooding">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986666857_043d3e9019.jpg" alt="Elegant and Brooding"/>
</a>

Pouting with Mommy.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987276272_83a9d68dd3_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="What a cutie">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987276272_1f4f347106.jpg" alt="What a cutie"/>
</a>

Cutie. Her favorite thing in the world right now is any set of stone steps she can sit on. And there are plenty of stone or concrete steps in Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986671329_2795104237_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="iPhone HDR FAIL">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986671329_cdc83d407c.jpg" alt="iPhone HDR FAIL"/>
</a>

This hilarious image taught me an important lesson about using the HDR feature of my iPhone. _Don't use it with moving subjects!_ Obviously, due to the nature of the HDR technique, it needs to take two quick photos back-to-back and then digitally merge them. So if your subject bobs her head, she comes out with eyeballs for eyebrows and a pencil-thin mustache.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987279794_8aa8381e38_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nice bag">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987279794_fb60b2536b.jpg" alt="Nice bag"/>
</a>

A lovely woman we met at the wedding named Monica, in the black skirt, couldn't get enough of Nora because she had made the decision to not bring her 18-month-old boy to the wedding and was missing him. So she let Nora parade around with her handbag, which Nora absolutely loved.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987283774_8387473bcf_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="B wine">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987283774_ffe8b60a52.jpg" alt="B wine"/>
</a>

"They wouldn't spring for the 'A' wine," I quipped, but my joke was either too clever or too tasteless to be acknowledged by my tablemates.

As soon as the music for the post-meal dancing started, Nora fell promptly asleep, which I must say was very convenient.

Every time I hear this Spanish dance song, I think, "OH GOD! It's [Achy Breaky Heart](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQIPdHMpjc)!!" Spanish pop music is full of such thefts. It's unfortunate that they took the line dance too.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986704969_edcf6644dc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Pilar Church">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986704969_6b6e452557.jpg" alt="Pilar Church"/>
</a>

That evening we ventured inside the [Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Our_Lady_of_the_Pillar), but they were having mass.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987311760_0943ca38b6_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="La Virgen del Pilar">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987311760_835b8e4eee.jpg" alt="La Virgen del Pilar"/>
</a>

The virgin is actually quite small, the bright white thing to the center-right of bottom.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986713959_deac04b725_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Prayer Vending Machine">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986713959_f002beb2bb.jpg" alt="Prayer Vending Machine"/>
</a>

These prayer vending machines confuse the heck out of a godless chap like myself. Actual candles seem much more mystical and special to light when making a prayer. I get that. But little electric candles?? You put in a coin and a light goes on. Worst. Video game. Ever.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987122254_7435362926_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Palacio de La Aljaferia">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987122254_138ceb9984.jpg" alt="Palacio de La Aljaferia"/>
</a>

On Sunday, we took a walk around Zaragoza, including a stop at the [Aljaferí­a Palace](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aljafer%C3%ADa), built a millennium ago back when the Muslims were awesome.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987133426_8a086d61a4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Palacio de La Aljaferia">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987133426_1ed1ba6e16.jpg" alt="Palacio de La Aljaferia"/>
</a>

The weather and the palace were beautiful. The arabic open courtyard design has clear influences on even the most urban Spanish architecture.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987136610_427d231f29_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Palacio de La Aljaferia Ceiling">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987136610_eff5935c1d.jpg" alt="Palacio de La Aljaferia Ceiling"/>
</a>

One of many gorgeous ceiling (fresco?) paintings.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987152322_c89bb24b2d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Bollard Kisser">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987152322_3bf5e0268a.jpg" alt="Bollard Kisser"/>
</a>

We had to wait for several minutes while Nora thoroughly kissed this bollard.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986566439_76c89a844e_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marga's old street">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986566439_74f0cd250d.jpg" alt="Marga's old street"/>
</a>

Marga's old street, _Calle de Minas_. It looks like any middle-to-low-class urban neighborhood in Spain.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987163490_0736c8cb66_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Marga's old house">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4987163490_a88602810a.jpg" alt="Marga's old house"/>
</a>

This is the apartment building Marga called home for five years (hers was on the top floor). She says a lot has changed in the eleven years since she left.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986558657_46b7d410e1_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Nora and Marga, Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-13-wedding-in-zaragoza/4986558657_69937294d9.jpg" alt="Nora and Marga, Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza"/>
</a>

We had a great time visiting Zaragoza. It's a beautiful, clean, modern, yet historic, city. If it weren't infamous for having some of the most extreme temperatures in Spain, it would be a great place to live.


Wedding in Zaragoza


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-09-monster-in-the-closet/4973424725_5cce3ee634_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Monster in the Closet (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-09-monster-in-the-closet/4973424725_ef61f7e73d_t.jpg" alt="Monster in the Closet (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")In just about every room of the house, Nora has a favorite place that she will go to if you carry her in and set her down in that room. In my office, she likes the corner with the guitar; in the kitchen, she likes the [spot behind the stools](/2010/07/23/agua/); and in our bedroom, she used to like my bedside table best, but she's recently discovered the wardrobes, and the fact that she can get inside one and close the door.  Can you spot the monster?

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-09-monster-in-the-closet/4974027270_ab82226575_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Monster in the Closet">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-09-monster-in-the-closet/4974027270_f9f2dc9f01_b.jpg" alt="Monster in the Closet"/>
</a>


Monster in the Closet


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-08-agriculturally-inclined-neighbors/4970648631_18dd63d1d0_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Agriculturally Inclined Neighbors (crop, no pun intended)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-08-agriculturally-inclined-neighbors/4970648631_0af79ae0c3_t.jpg" alt="Agriculturally Inclined Neighbors (crop, no pun intended)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Today a neighbor of mine whispered some gossip in my ear about something he'd seen on another neighbor's balcony. I was surprised that I had not discovered this gossip on my own, since it's about the balcony that we have the best view of from our own and was the source of my [most viewed photo on Flickr](/2007/04/24/nude-sunbathers/). Apparently, in the evenings, our young neighbor can be seen carefully spraying and lovingly caring for a plant on his balcony. I've heard that this guy had kind of a wild youth, so his parents must be very proud that he's working so hard on his gardening project.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-08-agriculturally-inclined-neighbors/4970647221_3a3b5b7ff4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Agriculturally Inclined Neighbors">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-08-agriculturally-inclined-neighbors/4970647221_18721ce4cc.jpg" alt="Agriculturally Inclined Neighbors"/>
</a>

In Spain, it is perfectly legal to grow your own marijuana for personal use. The cops only start to care when you're growing with intent to sell.

In general I'm strongly against the [War on Drugs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_on_Drugs) and generally in favor of the legalization of just about every currently illegal drug. Everything from the history of [Prohibition](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition) (of alcohol) to teenage abstinence programs show us how forbidding people from seeking pleasure does not stop them from doing so; it only makes them do it in less safe ways. The sooner we can shed the Judeo-Christian-Islamic "pleasure = sin" mindset, upon which all these pleasure-prohibiting laws are based, and talk rationally about the best policies for keeping the populace safe and happy, the better.

[![Incarceration Rate](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-08-agriculturally-inclined-neighbors/500px-US_incarceration_timeline-clean.svg.png)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarceration_in_the_United_States)

In 2008, 1 in every 31 adults in the US was on probation, in jail, or on parole. ([BJS](http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=11 "Bureau of Justice Statistics"))

22% of the prisoners in the US are convicted of drug-related charges. ([HRW](http://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/usa/incarceration/ "Human Rights Watch"))

You don't have to be a Libertarian to agree that we're doing something wrong.


Agriculturally Inclined Neighbors


![I support my parents' political beliefs](https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-07-shrinking-clothes/K-Parent'sPoliticalBeliefs_400x400_2__jpg_400x400_upscale_q85.jpg)We're going to a wedding this weekend, so I had to try on my wedding suit. I found the pants to be a little tighter than they were three years ago at my wedding. Sigh...

Only the very biggest clothes that Nora had last year are going to get any use this year. Today she put on her "I support my parents' political beliefs", from [The Onion Store](http://store.theonion.com/product/i-support-my-parents-political-beliefs,27/). It fit her perfectly. <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-07-shrinking-clothes/4968431644_f3e889520f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="I support my parents' political beliefs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-07-shrinking-clothes/4968431644_bab4e8bd7d.jpg" alt="I support my parents' political beliefs"/>
</a>

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-07-shrinking-clothes/4095282353_d3eb4d2f70_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="I support my parents' political beliefs">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-07-shrinking-clothes/4095282353_75923fbb16.jpg" alt="I support my parents' political beliefs"/>
</a>

Hard to believe it's the same girl.

I hope we can get some use out of her [other funny t-shirts](/2009/11/11/comical-t-shirts/).


Shrinking Clothes


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-private-internet/4965094066_5ce70d6534_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="AOLbook">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-private-internet/4965094066_5dbaaf4ace_t.jpg" alt="AOLbook"/>
</a>

Remember back in 1995, when companies didn't advertise their internet urls so much, but their AOL keywords. "Find us online with AOL keyword 'fluffy anvils'!" The reason this worked is that so many people connected to the internet via AOL that some people never even ventured out into the world wide web, but kept their entire online experience confined to AOL's private servers. Corporations had, and I presume paid handsomely for, their own AOL pages.  Today we're starting to see migration back to the same proprietary internet experience with Facebook. Corporations are falling over themselves now trying to get their consumers to visit their Facebook page. Just like marketing materials in the mid-90's gave their url and an AOL keyword, now there's a url and Facebook page address.

Facebook is very aware of this. In fact it's been a goal of theirs for some time now to create a private alternate version of the internet on only their servers. This net domination objective is probably the main reason they have rejected several lucrative offers to buy them out.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-private-internet/4965171956_d16cf0b875_o_d.png" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Coca-cola's homepage">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-private-internet/4965171956_3857031f63.jpg" alt="Coca-cola's homepage"/>
</a>

This is the homepage at Coca-Cola.com at the time of this writing.

Personally I'm not sure how I feel about this trend. On the one hand, I can definitely see the appeal of the simple, clean, consistent design, and I know from firsthand experience how easy it is to burn away hours inside Facebook's minimally gated community. On the other hand, it's never a good idea to give too much power to one corporation. There are plenty of articles about Facebook creating an "alternative internet" or "second internet". I just wrote this post because I have not yet seen anyone drawing parallels to the America Online of yesteryear.

The ironic wordplay of the title being, of course, that Facebook's biggest critics complain about _privacy_, and yet a _privately_ controlled internet is exactly what they are constructing.


The Private Internet


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-proper-way-to-hold-a-baby/4961070549_79b13ecbfd_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Nora with baby doll">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-06-the-proper-way-to-hold-a-baby/4961070549_46dd7d0353_t.jpg" alt="Nora with baby doll"/>
</a>

Through our loving parenting, Nora has developed a natural understanding about how to treat a baby. Since her grandparents bought her a toy stroller and a baby doll to go in it, she has spent much time pushing the baby around the house and feeding it with the toy bottle that came with it and fits into its mouth. I have to wonder if she is modeling her behavior after her parents, and thus understands that _she_ is the baby in normal life, or if she is mimicking how she has seen other parents treat other babies.

Yesterday I set her on her special chair that is still a little too high for her to sit on herself and gave her one of her baby dolls. She immediately began doing cute things with it, so I grabbed a video camera.


The Proper Way To Hold A Baby


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953601463_c482482538_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Resting (crop)">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953601463_0b23e468c5_t.jpg" alt="Resting (crop)"/>
</a>

 by erikrasmussen, on Flickr")Yesterday we were running ahead of schedule, so Nora and I took a leisurely stroll to her daycare. She walked about halfway there, which is only about 150 meters. I can see just how slow traveling on foot with a toddler is going to be. Normally when we walk somewhere, she has to run her hand along every filthy surface along the way. Yesterday, she thought it would be a good idea to clean off a dusty ledge with the front of her dress and face.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953580377_f7bb61664a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Walking down the street">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953580377_860c0f3474.jpg" alt="Walking down the street"/>
</a>

The "just leave her behind and she'll catch up" trick didn't work at all.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4954173318_1acce897b2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Cleaning dust off the ledge with her dress">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4954173318_5b1636a4ef.jpg" alt="Cleaning dust off the ledge with her dress"/>
</a>

Making a dust angel.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953584805_c43f4ddd09_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Holding the wall up">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953584805_291f562dcc.jpg" alt="Holding the wall up"/>
</a>

Every wall must be touched.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4954177706_778497a2c4_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Resting">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4954177706_e16ff1ce76.jpg" alt="Resting"/>
</a>

I think I'll sit down on this ledge.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953589151_4cf081ca17_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Actually watching where she's going for once">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953589151_37b001caa9.jpg" alt="Actually watching where she's going for once"/>
</a>

A rare occasion of looking where she's going.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953591327_bdb317fd45_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Look! A shadow!">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-03-loitering/4953591327_d9c402056b.jpg" alt="Look! A shadow!"/>
</a>

Sticking her tongue out at her shadow.


Loitering


<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4948791707_702c8f57ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="Heron iPad Framebreak">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4948791707_126420987f_t.jpg" alt="Heron iPad Framebreak"/>
</a>

Recently the iPad has been a source of inspiration for my photoshop creativity. Since it functions so well as a photoframe, it seemed only natural to use it as a frame for frame breaking. I also must admit to being astonished that I seem to be the first person to see its pristine reflective glass as a place to put an ice skater. It seems so natural to me. Here are my first two attempts at iPad photoshoppery.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4948791707_702c8f57ac_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="Heron iPad Framebreak">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4948791707_126420987f_b.jpg" alt="Heron iPad Framebreak"/>
</a>

The iPad photo is not mine, but [Yutaka Tsutano](http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivyfield/4498290240/)'s. My daughter's iPad case is much more scuffed up than this. The heron is [Jane](http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagosaurus/4905132170/)'s.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4949659420_144942a9b8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="iSkater">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2010-09-02-ipad-photoshop-fun/4949659420_323ab14969.jpg" alt="iSkater"/>
</a>

iSkater. Get it? [View larger](http://www.flickr.com/photos/erikrasmussen/4949659420/lightbox/).

The spotlight lighting in the original skater image, by [Charissa](http://www.flickr.com/photos/charissa1066/3471949603/), was difficult to replicate, but I did my best. It's still not totally convincing, I'm afraid. I am proud of the non-trivial shadows and reflection of the feet, though.


22 posts from September, 2010