Hoje estava no Mercado Público de Porto Alegre e presenciei pessoalmente o primeiro flash mob dançante da cidade. Foi bem legal! 14min com 15 ritmos diferentes de Macarena! Foi divertido Gravei e editei um vídeo, assista no Vimeo! Ou no YouTube, abaixo.

Tudo isso do Grupo Gaia. Segunda-feira faço upload da versão bruta do vídeo

Dear readers,

Okay, I’m sure you know about the volcano so far. But one day I went to the ninja hideout and there was an amulet in the catalog but it was a beta version for the French servers. I can’t believe Spook-Kun thought it was Japanese… But they will be selling some really cool stuff and we alreadty have those goldsmiths on the ball.

-Sasuke1074

With many apologies to my sister Amy, I have got to say that the Miley Cyrus song Party in the USA has to be the absolute worst song I have heard in a long time.  I have listened to it a number of times, mostly because I have a 10-year-old daughter, but I have also listened to it on my own when it has come across my radio dial.  I have tried to like it, I really have, but the distorted vocals just keep reminding me of the Johnny Bravo episode of The Brady Bunch where Greg was hired because he fit the suit.  Other than the fact that is seems to put a smile on Molly’s face when she sings along, I can’t really find any other redeeming value to this song.  It is just plain irritating.  Having three kids, I have been subjected to a lot of bad music over the years, and for the most part I just grit my teeth and let them listen.  Stephanie was a big Britney fan, and at one time I could recite almost all the words to Oops, I Did it Again in my sleep, and I have had to watch the video to Lucky more times than I really care to remember.  Some of the music I didn’t mind so much, like when Alex got the Jonas Brother’s CD and had me play it every time he was in the car.  I also don’t mind Taylor Swift, but that song of hers about Romeo and Juliet get stuck in the brain for hours as soon as I hear it.  The other song that often gets stuck in my head is the LeAnn Rimes song from Coyote Ugly, but I think in that case it is not so much the song, but the movie I find irritating.  It is one of Stephanie’s favorite still, and I have a feeling Maureen would be a tad bit embarrassed to admit she likes it too.

So, I wanted to try and give Miley the benefit of the doubt, and I started a list in my head of the most irritating songs I could think of.  Please do not try this at home.  I am a trained, self-proclaimed specialist in this field.  You will only hurt yourself if you try.  Instead, let me do the work for you.  If you choose to keep reading, I have included for you my list of the Top 10 most irritating songs to me.  There are no magic criteria here, it is just my opinion.  I have restricted my choices based on the effect the song has had on my life personally, and also on the songs place in American Pop Culture.  Although there is any number of songs by Yoko Ono that would literally tear my spine out, the chances of me having to listen to them, accidentally or otherwise, are very slim.  For that reason they are not included.  Mostly the list will include songs that you know so be warned.  There is a good chance that you will be humming one of these tunes later today or tomorrow.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

So here we go, starting with number 10, let the countdown begin:

#10 Friends in Low Place -  Garth Brooks

This one makes the number 10 spot not so much for the original song, but for the sheer number of times I have been subjected to drunken karaoke versions of the song.  For some reason, this is also a popular song at wedding receptions.  The playing of the song is usually instigated by the Best Man or one of the other grooms men, as they circle around the groom to bellow out the chorus at him.  Most of the other lyrics seem to be muddled or forgotten, as this usually takes place towards the end of the night when the chance of sobriety is completely lost.  Also completely lost is the fact that the song is inappropriate for a wedding.  Listen to the lyrics guys.  They are dumping on the bride.  If you find yourself at a wedding and this song is suggested, just say no.  That is unless your intent is to break up the marriage before it even starts.  The bride will be pissed.

#9 – The Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani w/Akon

Gwen can go ahead and send her thank you note directly to Akon for landing her on this list.  Although she did have a runner-up song of her own that could have easily made this list on its own merit with Hollaback Girl, it was Akon’s unrelenting “Woo Hoo” throughout this song that won it the number nine position.  Another favorite of my daughter Molly, it takes a quick hand and an even quicker ear to get it off the radio before she notices it.  But since the song starts right out with that damn “Woo Hoo,” it is an almost impossible task.  Alex will often try and help me out by talking very loudly directly at Molly when he hears the song begin to give me a chance to change the station, but as Molly gets older she has become wise to this ploy.  Woo Hoo.

#8 – Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men

For many people, this song would probably rate higher on the list, but two factors keep it relatively low on my list.  First, this song truly was just a fad song.  The highest it climbed on the Billboard Pop chart was only #40, and second it faded almost as fast as it arrived.  The only reason I have included it at all is because of its rampant use at sporting events.  The Baltimore Raven most notable used the song on their way to winning the Super Bowl in 2000, and while with the Seattle Mariners, Alex Rodriguez used the song as his walk up music.  Most people don’t even remember that there was an actual song beyond the catch phrase, and I doubt that anyone has heard or played the entire song in a very long time.  The song has basically become a joke, but is still often used in television and film for a quick laugh, most recently in the hit film The Hangover.  I believe you would have a very hard time finding anyone who would actually admit to liking the song, but the fact that the basic tag line has survived and is so recognizable, I feel it has earned it’s spot here on my list.

#7 – Barbie Girl – Aqua

I would never have thought it possible to get two equally annoying yet different voices on one record until I heard this song.  And I heard it a lot.  It only reached #7 on the American charts, but it was a number one hit all over the world.  It was also a hit with my oldest daughter and can unfortunately still be heard on the radio today.  The first time I heard the song myself, I actually thought it was some kind of radio joke.  But Mattel didn’t think it was a joke and the company filed a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement.  But the courts ruled that the song was protected under the First Amendment and that Barbie’s existence in the public domain left her open to parody.  So it was a joke, right?  Without the lawsuit, this song probably would not have gotten the airplay it did, and possibly would not have made it on the list.  It can be argued that Barbie Girl is a classic piece of Bubble Gum Pop, but for me the song is as irritating as a mosquito bite, so it will remain on my list.

#6 – Poker Face - Lady Gaga

I am pretty sure I just heard a collective gasp from all the Lady Gaga fans out there, but trust me on this one; ten years from now this song is Barbie Girl.  It is the only current song that appears on my list, and that might be the main reason it is here.  I still hear the song way too much.  And it was annoying from the very first time I heard it.  I will admit that I do enjoy Lady Gaga’s other hit song Just Dance, but it lacks that same mind numbing repetitiveness that Poker Face subjects us with.  Only time will tell for sure if this song will live up to its irritating legacy, but for now it is not going to disappear from my list.

#5 – The Chicken Dance – Werner Thomas

I credit Werner Thomas with creating this up-tempo polka tune because that seems to be the only thing that most people seem to agree upon about this song.  The tune itself is more than 50 years old, but the story and actual title of the piece varies from source to source.  It is the only instrumental tune on the list (don’t give me that crap about lyrics, I have yet to hear a recorded version with lyrics) and as far as I can tell the tune has never appeared on any music charts here in the United States.  But the fact that everyone reading this can hum the tune and knows when to flap their arms, shake their butts, and make little chirping beak faces with their hands, proves that the song meets the criteria I set of American Pop Culture, so it lands right here at number five.  My inclusion of The Chicken Dance is bound to bring distain form some readers, probably even more so than my inclusion of Lady Gaga.  But damn it, it’s my list.  It stays!

#4 – Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm – Crash Test Dummies

Dumb title, dumb song, dumb band.   The Billy Bob Thornton, Sling Blade, Karl Childers asinine mumbling chorus makes this song bad enough, but have you ever really tried to listen to the lyrics?  The song just makes no sense.  There’s a boy whose hair turns from black to white because of a car accident and a girl with birthmarks all over her body.  What the hell is this song about?  I can’t quite explain it.  Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.  It very easily could have been number one.

#3 – Tubthumper - Chumbawumba

This song makes the number three spot because just like a cold sore on a prom queen, it just keeps popping up.  I have to admit, when I first came up with the idea of this list I couldn’t even remember the name of the song, but I knew it had to be included.  What I can never forget is the mish-mosh of nonsense lyrics.  “I get knocked down, but I get up again, no you’re never gonna keep me down.”  Please, for God’s sake.  Stay Down!  Even the name of the band is irritating.  I know very little about this band, and to be honest I don’t want to know anything about them.  I get the general idea that the song is about the working man and that no matter what “the man” does to him he’s just going to keep coming.  It is basically flipping a giant middle finger at the establishment, but Johnny Paycheck did it much better with Take This Job and Shove It and it didn’t make me want to stab my eardrums with knitting needles. 

#2 – Macarena – Los Del Rio

The only thing that kept this song from being number one was the fact that I have actually not had to listen to it in quite some time.  But taking into account its place in American Pop Culture, this song takes the cake.  This song spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard charts, tied for second as the most weeks ever.  The song still retains the number five position on Billboard’s All Time Top 100.  And who can forget the robotic Al Gore attempt at the dance during the 1996 Democratic National Convention.  Unlike the equally irritating Who Let the Dogs Out, this song was not a fad, and it still enjoys airplay at wedding receptions and bar-mitzvahs all across the country.  Grandmothers and young children everywhere are still willing to jump out onto the dance floor to give this one a try.  I will be waiting it out at the bar.  Better make it a double.

#1 – Mambo # 5 – Lou Bega

Another hot hit with the wedding reception crowd, this one I still hear all the time.  Besides the fact that I just heard this song again about a week ago, the main reason this makes the number one spot is that I find the artist just as irritating as the song.  Lou Bega is not Hispanic.  He is not even Spanish.  He’s German.  Ok, so his mother was from Sicily and his father was Ugandan, which did give him a somewhat exotic look, but he is about as Latino as me.  His real name is David Lubega, see how he cleverly just dropped the whole David thing, and he was born raised and still lives in Germany.  The song was “sampled” in its entirety for a 1949 song of the same name, and all Mr. Lubega did was provide his own lyrics.  And aren’t we all happy he did.  The main portion of the song is the “little bit” lyrics that also provide most of the irritation.  I do remember that the show Friends used the song extensively in their advertising because the first woman named on the list was Monica.  Myself, I prefer my German artist angry yet stoic.  Give me those 99 Luftballoons any day.

So, there you have it.  My 10 most irritating songs.  Take a little time to digest them and let me know what you think.  I actually had a lot of fun putting this list together, and I suppose I should give credit to another of my favorite blog sites, Listverse.  I have added them to my Blog Roll if you care to visit them, but it can be very addicting.  I might even visit this format again sometime myself.   But remember, this was all just for fun.  Please don’t threaten my life if I made fun of one of your favorite songs.  If one of your favorite songs was on this list, you have a lot more to worry about than just me.

15th October 2009 – Thursday

I won tickets to the Men’s All Around Final of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. Or some such other thing with different words, but the same meaning. It was held at the O2, so was decidedly convenient. I think I had entered a competition to win VIP all week tickets, but I can’t be sure. I also had to pretend I was a parent or teacher of a Primary School child. Easy. I have the look of someone who hates kids, so it wasn’t like I had to break a sweat.

Me and she took a half day, as the tickets also got us free entry to the British Music Experience. It’s £15 a ticket, which if I’d have paid that, I’d be furious at. But I didn’t, so I’m not. The highlight was the genuine costumes, many of which were truly iconic. Freddie’s White Buckled number with the Yellow vest underneath, David’s weird clown outfit from the Ashes To Ashes video, and all 5 of the Spicey’s signature outfits, to name but a few. Carolyn was taking the piss out of me for getting quite so excited about the latter. I made very valid points about the quality of Roberto Cavalli’s workmanship, and the fact that they were such iconic outfits, as to be burned upon one’s psyche. She just mooned on about how gay I was, and I’m the Spice Girls number 1 fan! Oy!

Also in amongst the clothing they had a number of original written lyrics, for some amazing tunes. My favourite were the now controversial Spandau Ballet hits Gold and True. There they were, the stars of the Court trial. Written in just one hand and signed neatly ‘Gary Kemp’. Incontrovertible.

There was an instrument room full of broken instruments (not sure if that was what they were going for), there was a few displays of old TVs and Record Players, and the piece de resistance; A Dance Booth.

Carolyn dragged us in there straight away. A woman (of the sexy variety) teaches you the basic dance moves for whichever dance-craze you’ve picked, then you perform it live and the booth records you doing it. Halfway through the recording you discover the teaching woman has stitched you up, and not taught you half of the moves, so you have to freestyle. Which never ends well.

Afterwards you can watch yourself performing through the supernatural magic of Holographic projection.

First we did the Locomotion. My thrustings were X-rated, and the face I pull when concentrating isn’t good. Carolyn just looked lost. Or scared.

Second we did the Macarena. This was based on Carolyn’s assumption that everyone knows how to do the Macarena. Well as I have proven; Not everyone. It was a combination of me looking very lost with my arms flailing around, and Carolyn pulling menacing faces and shouting bitch at the women showing us the dance-routine. Apparently this wasn’t the Macarena dance that Carolyn knew. The BME were lucky to still have a dance booth after Carolyn’s remonstrations!

Probably my favourite bit of the BME was leaving. You watch a show before you go in (whizzy, flashy and vomit-inducing) and you watch a show before you go out (immersive, fun and clever). You then follow the arrows out into the BME shop. Unless you’re Carolyn and I. The arrows pointed to nowhere. We investigated behind some curtains, not there. We investigated all walls, no doors. We investigated the screens, nothing doing. We were stuck. We would die here. We were going to have to eat each other. I didn’t fancy my chances against a hungry Carolyn. That was when I daringly forced the automated door we had entered through. We then prowled around until we could sneak through a fire-exit. Brilliant.

After that we rewarded ourselves with dinner (S&M, quite nice).

Then it was time for the Gymnastics. Woot.

The initial surprise of walking into the O2 arena, and seeing it set-up for something altogether different from a concert, was long-lasting. So much light, so much colour, such odd-looking things in the arena! Who knew it could look like that?

We were sat at the end by the High Bars (we were later to discover they were called). We had a good view of the arena, and were sat amongst a bunch of different international supporters. There was a bit of pre-gym chat, which was largely uninteresting, and the seats started to fill up. Then it was time. Oh boy!

First the judges march in. They march in formation, nevermore than a metre apart, at a steady pace. Whilst this is happening some celebratory music is played and the whole audience (THE WHOLE AUDIENCE) slow-claps until every last one is at his seat. Which takes a while. Then the Gymnasts march-in, again in formation, again a metre apart. The same celebratory music is played and we slow-clap again albeit a bit more vigorously.  It is amazing. It is one of the funniest spectacles I’ve ever seen. As I type this it’s still making me laugh a little bit!

The Gymnasts are in 4 groups of 6. So 24 in total. The 4 groups start on the Floor, the Pommel Horse, the Rings, and the Vault (I know the lingo). They then move around until every bugger has done all 6 of the apparatus (including the Parallel Bars and our previously mentioned High Bar). The good thing is that the tense nerve-wracking ending to see who has got Gold, Silver and Bronze takes place with all the Gymnasts over in our corner, which worked out very well.

Every time the group moves from one apparatus to the other (you guessed it) it’s on with the music and the slow-clapping again. All in all we slow-clapped about 10 times. It was crazy-funny. And everyone was loving it. Admittedly Carolyn was loving the Gymnasts more than the clapping. A lot of oohs and aahs mainly aimed at the big muscly men, rather than their Gymnastic talents.

My favourite supporters were the Japanese, who had an uncanny ability of all shouting/chanting exactly the same thing, at the same time. Like they were professionals, or one person with a really weird / loud voice. My least favourite supporters were the French. They were rude to those around them, and didn’t clap at anybody but the single French Gymnast (everybody else was clapping anyone, who did anything remotely impressive, regardless of nationality). So it was highly enjoyable to see the French fella come 17th (ouch!) and watch them all skulk off before it’d even finished. Ha-ha!

We were cheering the British entrants, Daniel Keating and Kristian Thomas. Well, to be precise Carolyn was cheering them as she’s so sickeningly patriotic, and I was cheering them because I’m scared of what she’d do to me if I didn’t. They were both doing quite well until about half-way when they started doing exceedingly well, and in the last 30-40 minutes they were doing ‘Cor Blimey they might actually bloody win this’ well. The excitement was palpable. Keating pulled a solid Silver that couldn’t be challenged, even on the last piece of apparatus. And Thomas managed a last-minute will-he/won’t-he sixth place, which was a great recovery. As you can tell I was caught up in the excitement, and feel thoroughly ashamed of myself. Getting involved in this type of thing!!!

Anyway that was that. We watched the medal ceremony, listened to the Japanese National Anthem (which is mysteriously unmoving for an Anthem), and generally smiled too much. The Japanese guy who won it (Uchimura Kohei), was a clear leader and deserved to win it. In fact there should probably be an inquiry as I’m sure he stopped time at a few points in his High Bar routine. Unnatural gravity-beating abilities for sure.

So there you have it. My adventures in Gymnastics watching. I would definitely recommend attending this type of thing because it was brilliant, in all the right ways.

Photos to follow.

Macarena es de esas personas que no podés no querer. Es tan inocente que no quererla se hace dificilísimo, y como en general soy medio vago, ni lo intenté. Así que desde 3ero. de liceo nos llevamos bárbaro, aunque a veces con diferentes tipos de distancia. Como por mayo un día me llamó que se iba de viaje y que quería preguntarme unas cosas, así que por supuesto que acepté y nos fuimos a almorzar por algún lado. Me contó que su psicólogo la había animado a finalmente viajar sola, que había arreglado con el liceo (sí, porque Maca es profesora, como no podía ser de otra forma) para conservar su trabajo el año que viene, y que en unos días se largaba a recorrer Argentina y Bolivia, para después cruzar finalmente el charco y visitar todo lo que pudiera de Europa. Y entonces la ayudé con todo lo que pude, con mapas, con las tarjetas del metro, con una lista de lugares a los que no podía faltar, a los que podía faltar, y a los que yo no había ni llegado a ir.

Finalmente casi 6 meses después volvió a Uruguay, así que para no perder la costumbre de cerrar círculos, la invité a almorzar por algún lado de Montevideo. El calor acompaña mucho más, y a mí me hace salir bien cada tanto de mi casa para pensar que, efectivamente, no soy un huraño. Y hablamos de un montón de cosas,  de los viajes, de lo bien que hacen, de lo mal que hacen, de lo que se ríen los europeos con nuestros sueldos, de lo magníficos que son los italianos, de lo cosmopolita que son algunas ciudades como Roma, Barcelona o Londres (a pesar de que, mientras decíamos esto, al lado nuestro habían unos americanos comiendo con unas españolas). De lo lindo que es Madrid, de los casamientos por el pasaporte comunitario (nota mental: empezar a evaluar la opción)…

Hablamos por horas, literalmente. Al punto de que el restaurant (creo que está sobrevalorada esa palabra… más bien es un “lugar para comer”) empezó a cerrar, a entrar las mesas, a dejar todo limpio para el próximo horario. Qué más da. Con Maca no tenemos la misma situación, aunque subjetivamente estamos los dos medios destruídos: después de viajes maravillosos damos como un paso atrás para vivir con nuestros padres (yo no tengo un peso, ella le debe algo de dinero a conocidos que ayudaron a solventar su viajecito), y vemos con un poco de miedo lo que queda por venir. Ninguno de los dos es plenamente optimista sobre el tema.

Le pregunté si el viaje finalmente había servido (todos los viajes tienen un propósito… e irte 6 meses por el mundo tiene que tener uno realmente importante);  y me aseguró que sí.

- ¿Y vos?, ¿cómo estás?
- Pues en realidad bien… me gustaría estabilizarme, avanzar. Me he autoimpuesto el año que viene como meta, o resuelvo mi vida y salgo de nuevo de la casa de mis padres, o no resuelvo nada y me voy a vivir la vida a Europa.
- Ufff… ¡ni me lo digas! ¡Además éste es el momento!, porque después vas a conocer a la chica que te de vuelta y vas a dejar todo por el camino… te conozco.
- Bueno sí… pero es justificado, ¿verdad?
- Puede ser… ¿pero estás bien?, digo… estando solo, o querés estar con alguien
- Maca, vos me conocés… yo soy un tipo “parejístico”.

Y entonces le cambió la cara

- ¡Genial! Porque tengo alguien para presentarte
- Jajajaja… no Maca, no. Eso no funciona. Después no sale bien y siempre queda algo mal con los amigos, con vos
- No, no… pero ella es divina
- Oks… ¿cómo se llama?
- Errr… Mercedes. No, no pongas esa cara… sé que tiene un nombre medio extraño para tus taras, pero todo el mundo le dice Meche y eso es re lindo
- Jajaja… bueno, puede ser sí. ¿Y cómo es?
- Es divina, vive cerca de casa, es salvavidas y profesora de natación. Pero ojo… yo le dije que vos eras quizás demasiado para ella. Para que no se agrande tampoco. Las mujeres somos todas medias perras, así que viene bien bajarle un poquito los humos

Se viene el verano, y empezó la temporada de “tengo alguien para presentarte”. Están todos avisados.

Jitterbugs (V) ca. 1941-1942 William H. Johnson

Jitterbugs (V) by William Henry Johnson

We partied like it was 1999. Because it was and we were still young. We couldn’t do the jitterbug. Y2k was coming. We were told to be solemn. Zeros couldn’t be carried over and ones were now twos because who knew computers would ever last that long. Everyone thought they were just pet rocks. No worse or better than the Furbies we were all recycling that year.

We needed a new song. We wanted to still proclaim Y, M, C, and A but the people needed a new dance craze. It was the only natural way to pass the century in paranoia. Nothing so strange, so abstract as this. Nothing so flattened by excess. Just one maca two maca three macarena. Mumble some other spanglish nonsense, hands to your cabeza.

No America could never be Harlem. When I visit my friend in San Antonio we still go to the jazz clubs. We survived the first apocalypse (though another one looms two years from now) so we celebrate. We sit and watch the nocturnal folks. We sit and bop the singer jokes. We sit and sip our whiskey cokes. We sit and drag our lucky smokes. While the swing club does the jitterbug at the Luna. And we remember macarena. We remember YMCA and disco fever. But we still wonder, who won’t be doing the jitterbug in the post-apocalyptic future.

Song:  Rainbow

Artist:  Blackfoot

A friend posted this on my facebook page because of the rainbows.  As I played the video, Nathaniel started dancing.  Well… his version of dancing… swaying back and forth.

It reminded me of his daddy dancing.  I loved to slow dance with John, but I could only drag him out for about one song during a wedding… if I was lucky.  Neither of us were gifted in the dancing department.  But there was just something that I loved being wrapped in his arms and swaying from side to side.

And then there was John’s “chair dancing.”  lol  During weddings while the silly dancing that happens at all weddings… you know DJ staples like -

Song:  The Loco-Motion            Artist:  Kylie Minogue

Song:  Macarena          Artist:  Los Del Rio

And I can’t forget my favorite “chair dance” of John’s…

The infamous Chicken Dance…

John was just so darn cute (in my opinion) as we were sitting off to the side somewhere way far away from the dancing and there he’d be “chair dancing.”  I’ll always love how he’d sit there doing the chicken dance.  He’d make goofy faces the whole time.  I’d just laugh at him and smile. It’s funny the little things that you love about somebody.

Ah… memories…

The last wedding we went to was his cousin Michele’s wedding.  Michele married Steve and both of us thought the world of them.  Brittany, Michele’s daughter was there looking so grown up and happy.   John adored Brittany and Brittany adored John.  We were so happy that they Steve & Michele were getting married after several years of dating.  Steve always seemed like he was part of the family and the wedding made it official.  Their wedding was also Nathaniel’s first wedding.

John was just recovering from his surgery for stage III melanoma that he’d had on Columbus Day 2008.  He carried Nathaniel in the baby carrier out to the Jeep.  He reached in his pocket for his keys & POP!!!  Suddenly  his clothes were soaked… especially his pants.  On the way home he joked about how he was glad it had happened at the car and not as he was shaking hands and giving congratulations.

Apparently his surgery site hadn’t been draining correctly and well, he just took care of the drainage problem.  lol

So, instead of heading to the reception, we headed home to get John fresh clothes and he insisted that I call the doctor to make sure everything was okay.  I knew it was, from dealing with abscesses in the animals.  I humored him and called the doctor without complaint and confirmed that as long as he felt fine and didn’t have a fever he was fine.  I knew John wanted to hear it from a doctor and not from me saying… “with the horses…” or “we had a cat that had an abcess…”

John surprised me by getting cleaned up and deciding to head back to the reception.  I thought after that experience that he’d be done for the day.  He wasn’t a fan of weddings or wedding receptions and quite frankly… other than the slow dance that I could usually manage to fit it… I’m not a wedding fan either.  We were the type that was much more likely to find an excuse not to go to a wedding than to attend one… it’s just the way we were.  No frills.  No drama.  No excitement.  No dressing up.  And people who know me know that I label myself as “no fun.”

We showed up at the reception a few hours late.  Everybody had a great time playing with Nathaniel.  While everybody was gaga-ing over Nathaniel, we escaped for a few moments and almost felt like we did before Nathaniel.  John whispered something in my ear (sorry, I’m keeping that one to myself- maybe if I write a book someday…)  I laughed… we smiled.  Life was good.

I got to have two slow dances that night… one with each of the loves of my life–my two men–  my beloved husband and my little man!

What a difference a year makes… sigh…

Miss you, John.  Love Always…

Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last. Wake me up when September ends.

Green Day

Let me first introduce myself with a photo…

trust me, it looks better that way

I have retired from posting rants via an unknown website last June, and much like an aging person in a ghost town, I’ve been dying to write again… and by write, I mean, write things I care about, and not brouhaha on some aspect of the Philippines some people are forced to write.

*I wrote a few more rants on the unknown website since “retirement,” all of which double as some sort of ”State of Emergency.”

As you read, I am on international waters, committing all sorts of debauchery while enjoying the superior wireless connection offered by the Pacific/Atlantic/whatever.

like this, only on a ship

Much has happened since I “retired,” most of which triggered my yearn to rant again.

Starbucks hates me

One fine day, I decided to visit one good branch of one good Starbucks. Carrying a bag with me, I traversed around the unusually-empty coffeehouse in search of a nice place to relax. On my way, I bumped into a siren so desperate for cash that she sued me for “physical injury.” As a result, I paid 400-something to resolve the case. Here is a photo of her.

I paid for that little crack...

We made up since that incident but, between you and me, I still hate her.

柔道

The title translates to judo (at least, according to Google Translate), if you don’t know. If you think I’m the type who will be able to do this…

magic?

… then you are sadly mistaken. Ah, the joys of incompetence.

Loss of Innocence

Here’s a spoiler on what the topic of this part of the entry will be.

SPOILER ALERT

If I explicate too much of this, I would be running the risk of sounding like a sociopath stuck in July. Therefore I shall keep this simple…

I had so much fun…

… except for screwing up…

… and the fact that I was not a free spirit…

… not to mention breaking my shades and not bringing my cam’s charger…

… at least I had fun…

… and this…

EPIC

… and this…

I’ll be saving my rants for another entry, if at all.

the rest of retirement

After all the epic-ness, a former Philippine president died, the Filipinos started acting like children at a candy store the closed as soon as they got to the doorstep, I saw the inner douche of my acquaintances, calamities struck the Pacific and Southeast Asia, more douche action…

… then I went on a random ship to some random body of water.

Let the debauchery commence.

SEX UP YOUR LIFE

ON ANOTHER NOTE

Seeing the title, you must be expecting something related to beer…

bottoms up!!!

… there, happy?

P.S. beer is fine… if it were not for the foam.

1987. Los Lobos. La Bamba

1989. Kaoma. Lambada

1995. Los del Rio. Macarena

1999. Lou Bega. Mambo no. 5

2002. Los Ketchup. Asereje

Evoluţia muzicii latino în muzica contemporană.

Studiez istoria muzicii latino.

Avem o formaţie foarte talentată latino la noi, la Bucureşti, cu invitaţi permanenţi în componenţă, aduşi din Cuba şi America Latină, Mandinga.

…

… şi am revăzut videoclipul Los del Rio. Macarena. 1995.

şi există anumite secvenţe regizate cu grupul de dansatori, care mie personal îmi seamănă mult cu atmosfera dorită în poza celor de la Mandinga.

…

Şi totuşi, poza actuală cu Mandinga nu este atât de atractivă sau de impact precum acastă imagine tăiată din clipul Macarena.

…

Ce lipseşte mioriticilor? O cămaşă portocalie pe băiatul din extrema stângă, şi două tricouri roşii, unul pe al doilea băiat din stânga şi al doilea tricou roşu trebuie purtat de tipul de culoare din extrema dreaptă, care … poartă tricou GRI aici !? Foarte neinspirat.

Dacă se vrea să se pună accentul pe solistă, aceasta deasemenea, ar trebui să fie aşezată mai central, iar dungile ei ar putea fi roz sau portocalii, în nici un caz NEGRE.

Cate Prato announced on her blog, which is part of Quilting Arts:

The theme of the Fall 2009 issue of Studios is Open Studios, so we’re kicking it off with a virtual tour, and you’re invited to participate.

The tour takes place on October 3, 2009. I  like the concept of seeing all these studios online, and having my studio be part of it. Stop by and see my pics (or maybe a video if I can get my act together. I must say that a cold sore the size of a red rose on the side of my nose is NOT making that likely to happen. I suppose I could pretend I was doing the Tango).

We’ll be able to take a peak at studios from here, to there, and everywhere . . . while relaxing in the comfort of our own homes. Stock up on your favorite munchies, grab a drink and ENJOY!

Don’t worry, more photos are coming !

Are you up for a virtual MACARENA? (Some things will never go away.)

A modern take on the Macarena?

MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16” is clearly an adaptation of the birthday concept I personally created: It’s my fucking birthday so if I say you’re going to play your clarinet and attempt break dancing, that’s what you’re going to do.  But I’ll let MTV take credit for the elephants and custom designer duds.

When I was in third grade, I decided that my birthday party had to be in the form of a talent show.  Guests could choose from a limitless list of talents; all musical genres were fair game, and all dance moves were possibilities so long as they could fit on the mini “stage” in my basement.

I can see now how this party theme could have been interpreted as incredibly cruel.  For those who fear the spotlight, an invitation announcing that a performance of some sort was the only ticket to a slice of cake and the highly anticipated goody bag—come on, why else did we ever go to parties? —is better left unopened.

Because it was my party, I didn’t stress over my indecision, I went with it.  Unable to settle on one musical genre, I allowed myself two performances.  I chose to explore two very different fields: show tunes, and pop hits, namely “My Favorite Things” from a true classic, The Sound of Music, and another one of my favorite things, the “Macarena.”  Who needs a guest appearance by Rihanna when you can choreograph your own moves to Los del Rio and save valuable time by not having to wait for an Escalade to roll in fashionably late?

There were a surprisingly high number of standout performances considering I might have been the only party girl in favor of the theme. One friend who shared my love of Broadway sang “Castle on a Cloud” from Les Miserables. My basement stage may not have housed an elaborate set of barricades, nor were there huddled masses of peasants, but there is no doubt my friend gave Cosette a run for her money.  Another extremely talented friend opened our eyes to Carnatic music.  I also convinced a few friends to be my backup dancers for the “Macarena,” because that song should never be performed alone.  In public.  Or anywhere for that matter.

My love of talent shows only continued to grow after this party.  I became that girl who performs epic ballads in the middle school talent show.  Sixth grade was “The Wind Beneath My Wings.”  Seventh Grade I paid tribute to the late Selena with her hit “Dreaming of You.”  That one got pretty emotional.  And Eighth grade was the year I attempted to out-belt Christina Aguilera by performing “Reflections” from Mulan.  There were none of the candles and lily pads of the Disney music video, but I found my own way to call upon nature and tranquility.  I wore an obnoxious, and bright red, animal print tube dress.

I never celebrated my birthday this year.  Maybe it’s time to revisit an old theme… But this time I’m going to have to call in the big guns since MTV has been trying to steal my thunder for six seasons.  Has anyone ever descended a grand staircase atop an AmeriGlide stair lift?

Ein kleiner Wiesn-Führer für alle Feierfreudigen

Am 19. September ist es wieder so weit… wenn man um 12.00 Uhr live im Schottenhamel oder im Bayrischen Fernsehen mitverfolgt, wie der Münchner Oberbürgermeister Christian Ude hammerschwingend die bekannten und beliebten Worte „O`zapft is“ ausruft – gefolgt von zwölf Böllerschüssen… dann, ja dann ist wieder Wiesn-Zeit!

München mutiert zum Tollhaus, die bayrische Weltordnung gerät aus den Fugen, Millionen von ausländischen Schau- und Feierlustigen suchen die Stadt heim, die Einheimischen polieren ihre Dirndl und Lederhosen auf.
Wer allerdings noch nie das Oktoberfest besucht hat, stürzt sich wahrscheinlich erst einmal wild ins Vergnügen und stellt nach Kurzem fest, dass die Wiesn ihren eigenen Regeln und Gesetzen folgt. Damit die Party ein absoluter Knaller wird, hält Elfenzauber hier für Euch ein paar Tipps und Wissenswertes rund um das Oktoberfest bereit – nicht nur für Erstbesucher.

Wann konn i auf`d Wiesn geh`n? – Die besten Besuchszeiten

Generell kann natürlich jedermann jederzeit auf die Wiesn gehen. Damit einem aber nicht die „Wegen Überfüllung geschlossen“-Plakate an den Zelten die Feierlaune verderben, solltet Ihr folgendes wissen:

• Das Oktoberfest bietet Spaß und gute Laune für Groß und Klein. Doch gibt es aus Gründen des Kinder- und Jugendschutzes folgende Einschränkungen: Kinder unter 16 Jahren dürfen nach 20 Uhr nur in Begleitung Erziehungsberechtiger auf die Wiesn
• Das Schieben von Kinderwagen ist ab 18 Uhr und an Samstagen ganztägig nicht gestattet.
• Montag, besonders der erste Wiesn-Montag gilt eher als ein ruhiger Besuchstag.
• Die Dienstagnachmittage von 12 Uhr bis 18 Uhr erklärte die Wiesn-Leitung zum Familientag, in diesem Zeitfenster erhalten Familien zahlreiche Vergünstigungen bei den Fahrgeschäften und Imbissbuden.
• Donnerstage gelten als sehr beliebter Tag für Firmenfeiern. Die Zelte sind meist Monate im Voraus ausgebucht, so dass die Chancen auf Plätze im Zelt für Spontan-Entschlossene eher dürftig ausfallen.
• Das zweite Wochenende ist bekannt als das „Italiener-Wochenende“. Dann werden die südeuropäischen Gäste scharenweise in Reisebusse gestopft und auf dem Busparkplatz vor der Festwiese wieder frei gelassen. Party-wütig und überschwänglich stürzen sie sich bereits früh morgens ins Getümmel. Leider unterschätzen die Besucher vom „Stiefel“ erst das starke Wiesnbier und dann sich selbst und landen über kurz oder lang auf der berühmt-berüchtigen „Ausnüchterungs“-Wiese vor der Bavaria. Es bleibt Euch überlassen, ob Ihr einfach mit den Südländern mitfeiert oder dem Chaos am besten aus dem Weg geht.
• Samstags sind die Zelte bereits früh am Vormittag überfüllt und Ordner halten sie strikt geschlossen. Wer einen Platz im Zelt ergattern möchte, sollte bereits um 5.30 Uhr vor dem Zelt anstehen.
• Als Auftakt zum Oktoberfest ziehen die Wiesn-Wirte am ersten Wiesn-Samstag ab 10.45 Uhr mit ihren festlichen Brauerei-Gespannen zum Festgelände. Dieser Einzug der Festwirte gehört bereits zum großen Spektakel, noch bevor der Oberbürgermeister um 12.00 Uhr das Oktoberfest durch das “O`zapfen” offiziell eröffnet. Wer dann noch keinen Platz im Zelt hat, für den heißt es “Anstellen”, denn die Plätze zum “O`zapfen” sind begehrt und damit schon über Wochen im Voraus reserviert.
• Am ersten Wiesn-Sonntag findet der Trachten- und Schützenumzug statt, bei dem Trachten- und Schützenvereine mit insgesamt 9.500 Teilnehmern und über 40 prächtig geschmückten Festwägen aus ganz Europa durch München ziehen und schließlich bis mittags auf der Wiesn einmarschieren. Karten für einen Tribünenplatz an der Strecke gibt es im Vorverkauf. Erfahrungsgemäß ist hier besonders viel los in den Zelten und Biergärten des Oktoberfests.

Wos ziag i o? – Tracht ist nicht gleich Tracht

Hierzulande dominiert ja das Bild des allezeit Lederhosen-tragenden und dauerjodelnden Bayern. Nun gut, zumindest für das Oktoberfest bewahrheitet sich dieses Klischee großteils. Der Herr geht standesgemäß in Lederhose, die Dame im Dirndl auf die Wiesn, das Jodeln läuft nach der dritten Maß dann von selbst.
Nun geben sich auch Oktoberfest-Besucher häufig dieser bayrisch-volkstümlichen Tradition hin und planen in ihren München-Besuch zusätzlich ein ausgiebiges Trachten-Shopping mit ein. Generell gilt: Wer Tracht trägt ist in. Es gibt jedoch Hinweise, die den Träger sofort als Nicht-Bayern outen. Hier deshalb einige Tipps zum Tragen bayrischer Tracht:

• Turnschuhe zur Lederhos`n oder zum Dirndl gelten als absolut tabu. Wer keine Trachtenschuhe (Haferlschuah) besitzt, greift stattdessen besser zu dezenten Lederschuhen.
• T-Shirts mit einem Dirndl/Lederhosen-Print sind nichts für angesagte Wiesn-Gänger. T-Shirt mit dem Aufdruck „I survived Oktoberfest“ duldet der echte Bayer – wenn überhaupt – nur bei Gästen aus Bella Italia. Gleiches gilt für graue Spitzhüte aus Filz oder Hüte in Form eines Maßkruges.
• Dirndl in den Vereins-Farben des Fußballclubs sind höchstens in rot-blau bei den Spielerfrauen des FC Bayern München zulässig.
• Tracht hat nichts mit einem Halloween-Kostüm zu tun. Es sollen ja schon Promis in Totenschädel-Dirndl auf der Wiesn gesichtet worden sein – kann schon mal vorkommen, dass sich ein Modedesigner in der Jahreszeit irrt, schließlich stehen ab September auch wieder Schoko-Nikoläuse in den Läden zum Kauf bereit. Aber über Geschmack lässt sich bekanntermaßen streiten.
• Die Damen mögen bedenken, mit welchem Ziel sie auf die Wiesn gehen. Denn so manch eine Unwissende wundert sich, warum sie von den Burschen so gar niemand anspricht?! Wenn nicht gerade ein übler Pickel auf der Nase für Abschreckung sorgt, liegt es vermutlich an der Dirndlschleife. Die Schleife der Dirndl-Schürze gibt nämlich traditioneller Weise Aufschluss über den ehelichen Status der Dame. “Frau” sollte daher genau über die Symbolik der Schleife Bescheid wissen: Wer ledig und “zu haben” ist, bindet die Schleife auf der linken Seite – das erhöht den Flirtfaktor ungemein. Schleife rechts gebunden heißt verheiratet oder zumindest liiert. Insider kennen indes noch zwei weitere Varianten. Jungfrauen tragen die Schleife vorne, Witwen binden die Schürze am Rücken.

Wos soit i ned verlieren? – Die skurrilsten Fundsachen des letzten Jahres…

…ein Rauhhaardackel, ein Superman-Kostüm, eine Taucherbrille, ein Paar Skistiefel, vier Eheringe, ein Notenständer, ein Feuerlöscher, eine Aluleiter warteten im letzten Jahr im Fundbüro auf ihre Besitzer!
Generell solltet Ihr gut auf Eure sieben Sachen aufpassen, verloren sind die kleinen Habseligkeiten schnell und die Reinigungsdienste, Bedienungen und Schausteller finden auch in diesem Jahr wieder zahllose Kleidungsstücke, Geldbeutel, Handys, Ausweise, Kreditkarten, Schlüssel, Taschen, iPods, Regenschirme, Brillen, Digicams und Schmuck, die entweder liegen gelassen oder beim Achterbahn-Fahren verloren gingen.
Zum Glück verzeichneten die Wiesn-Organisatoren im vergangenen Jahr keinen Verlust eines Gebisses, was in den Jahren zuvor immer wieder vorkam.

„Wann derf i wo und wia schunkeln?“ – Anleitung zum Bierbankwippen

Geschunkelt werden darf jederzeit, überall, alleine, zu zweit oder reihenweise, mit Musik und ohne. Es gibt (fast) keine Regeln fürs Schunkeln. Je zünftiger die Musik spielt und je mehr Bier fließt, desto lockerer sitzt – oder steht – der Wiesn-Besucher auf seinem Platz. Eine Einschränkung zumindest gilt es unbedingt zu beachten: Bänke sind geduldet, Tische dagegen tabu. Das heißt: tanzt und schunkelt Ihr stehend auf den Bänken, schauen die Ordner noch tolerant zu, setzt Ihr einen oder gar beide Füße auf den Tisch, spürt Ihr mitunter recht schnell den langen Arm des Bierzeltgesetzes, sei es durch eine Mahnung oder bereits das Auffordern zum Verlassen des Zeltes…

“Wo kriag i wos z`dringa?” – Die Brauereien auf dem Oktoberfest

Bier gibt es auf der Wiesn im Überfluss, doch wer eine Vorliebe für eine bestimmte Sorte hegt, sollte wissen, welche Brauerei in welchem Zelt ausschenkt. Hier ein Überblick:
Augustiner Brauerei: Augustiner-Festhalle (Wer hätte es gedacht?) & Fischer-Vroni
Hacker-Pschorr-Brauerei: Bräurosl, Hacker-Festzelt
Hofbräu: Hofbräu-Festzelt
Löwenbräu: Löwenbräu-Festzelt, Schützenfestzelt
Paulaner Brauerei: Armbrustschützenzelt, Käfer`s Wiesn Schänke, Winzerer Fähndl
Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu: Hippodrom Festhalle, Ochsenbraterei (Spatenbräu-Festhalle), Schottenhamel
Wie viel und wie schnell Ihr zu trinken bekommt, bestimmt jedoch nicht Ihr selbst. Schlüssel hierfür ist die Bedienung. Daher gilt: Seid nett zu Eurer Bedienung, gebt ein angemessenes bis ordentliches Trinkgeld und Ihr werdet nicht auf dem Trockenen sitzen. Denn wer es sich mit der Bedienung verspielt, lernt deren Spielregeln schnell kennen.
Man sollte bei all der Partylaune allerdings nicht die Tatsache aus den Augen verlieren, dass Wiesnbier stärker ist als herkömmliches Bier. Es handelt sich um ein helles, untergäriges Bier mit höherer Stammwürze, das die Brauereien speziell zum Oktoberfest brauen. Der Alkoholgehalt liegt bei ca. 6% und damit im Schnitt um 1 Prozent höher als bei normalem Bier. Auch wenn das eigene Befinden trügt, unterlasst tunlichst das Autofahren, denn bereits zwei Maß Wiesnbier wirken sich aus wie 16 Schnäpse.
Die großen Festzelte schenken häufig nur ihr helles Oktoberfest-Bier in Maßkrügen aus, alternativ dazu bieten sie noch alkoholfreies Bier sowie Radler und anti-alkoholische Getränke an. Für Liebhaber des Weißbiers (Weizenbier) empfiehlt sich daher ein Blick auf diese Übersicht und ein Besuch der kleineren Wiesn-Zelte und Schänken.
Augustiner Weißbier: Ammer`s Hühnerbraterei, Hochreiter Zur Bratwurst, Wildstuben
Franziskaner Weißbier: Burtscher`s Bratwursthütt`n, Feisinger`s Kas- und Weinstub`n, Glöckle Wirt, Hippodrom Festhalle, Hochreiter Haxnbraterei, Kalbs-Kuchl, Schauers „Wirtshaus im Schichtl“
Hacker Pschorr Weißbier: Poschner`s Hühner & Entenbraterei, Wildmoser Hühner –und Entenbraterei
Paulaner Weißbier: Heinz Wurst- und Hühnerbraterei, Heimer Enten- und Hühnerbraterei, Käfer Wiesn-Schänke, Münchner Knödelei, Zum Stiftl, Kufflers Weinzelt

Außerdem hat der Besucher die Möglichkeit, Weißbier an diesen Stehschank-Theken zu genießen: Kübler`s Bierstüberl (Paulaner), Weißbier-Alm (Paulaner), Weißbier-Karussell Fahrenschon (Hofbräu) und Altes Brauhaus (Franziskaner)
Die Bierpreise liegen 2009 zwischen 8,10 und 8,60 Euro pro Maß. Ein Weißbier in den hier genannten Zelten kostet 9,00 bis 13,60 Euro je Liter.

„Wos iß i auf da Wiesn?“ – Einblicke in die bayrische Küche und kulinarische Highlights der Wiesn-Zelte

Bei so viel Alkoholkonsum empfiehlt sich eine deftige Grundlage, damit das Bier nicht zu schnell zu Kopfe steigt. Doch für Nicht-Münchner sind die Speisenkarten der Bierzelte häufig ein Buch mit sieben Siegeln, was mitunter an der Sprache und Auswahl der Zutaten liegt. Hier findet Ihr einen kleinen Exkurs in die Welt der bayrischen Gastronomie…

Die typischen Vorspeisen:

Hausgemachte Leberknödelsuppe = Leberknödel sind eine bayrische Spezialität, die Knödelmasse besteht aus Semmeln (Brötchen), Milch, Rinderleber, Zwiebeln, Petersilie und anderen Kräuter. Die Leberknödel werden häufig als Suppe mit Rinderbrühe gegessen, schmecken aber auch sehr gut mit Sauerkraut und Speck.
Pfannkuchensuppe = Häufig Rinder- oder Ochsenbouillon mit dünnen Streifen von Pfannkuchen (= Eierkuchen, Omelette, Flädle)
Kartoffelsuppe = Sämige Suppe aus Brühe verdickt mit Kartoffeln, häufig mit Kartoffelstücken oder anderer Gemüse-Beilage, Wiener Würstchen oder Speckwürfel angereichert

Die begehrtesten Hauptgerichte:

Halbes Wiesn Hendl = halbes würziges Grill-Hähnchen, dazu am besten eine Wiesn-Brezn
Kalbslüngerl mit Semmelknödel = Kalbslunge, säuerlich zubereitet
Sauerbraten mit Semmelknödel oder Spätzle = Rinderbraten in saurer Marinade
Schweinshaxn = Schweinshaxe vom Grill
Schweinekrustenbraten = Braten aus der Schweineschulter mit besonders knuspriger Kruste, am besten passen Semmelknödel und Sauerkraut (Weißkraut) dazu
Spanferkel = Schwein vom Grill, neben gegrilltem Ochsen beliebtes Gericht auf der Wiesn, als Beilagen schmecken Semmel- oder Kartoffelknödel und Blaukraut (Rotkohl)
Steckerlfisch = stark gewürzter Fisch, am Spieß gegrillt, besonders delikat im Wiesnzelt Fischer-Vroni; den Steckerlfisch isst man üblicherweise mit den Fingern

Die pfiffigsten Alternativen für Vegetarier (mitunter als Beilagen aufgetischt):

Kässpatzn mit Röstzwiebeln = Käsespätzle mit gerösteten Zwiebelringen
Krautsalat = Salat aus Weißkraut, in Bayern häufig mit Speck und Kümmel. Krautsalat wird als Beilage zu deftigen Gerichten wie Schweinebraten, Schweinsbratwürstl serviert
Reiberdatschi = Reibekuchen/Kartoffelpfannkuchen
Schwammerl = Pilze (meistens Champignons), häufig als Rahmschwammerl zu Semmelknödel
Semmelknödel = gelten als Spezialität in Bayern, Österreich, Böhmen und Südtirol. Die Knödel passen als Beilage z.B. zum Schweinebraten oder als Hauptgericht mit Rahmschwammerl (Pilze) oder geröstet/abgebräunt mit einer Salatbeilage
Speckkrautsalat = Salat aus Weißkraut und gebratenem Bauchspeck

Die urigsten Brotzeiten:

Brezn = geschlungenes Laugengebäck mit Salz, auf der Wiesn ca. drei Nummern größer als gewöhnliche Brezn vom Bäcker
Brotzeitbrettl = auf der Wiesn und im Biergarten kann man sehr häufig Brotzeitbrettl bestellen, wobei die Speisen auf dem Brettl variieren. Häufig befindet sich eine Mischung aus Wurst wie Salami, Schinken, Landjäger, Pfefferbeißer (geräuchterte Würste), Leberkäs (Fleischkäs), Pressack sowie Wammerl (Bauchspeck), kaltem Braten und Griebenschmalz auf dem Brettl, ergänzt durch Käsesorten wie zum Beispiel Obadza, Emmentaler oder Leerdamer sowie als Beilage Radi (Rettich), Radieschen, Essiggurken und natürlich Brot oder Brezn
Fleischpflanzl = Frikadelle, Bulette
Leberkäs = Fleischkäse, am bekömmlichsten mit einem (guten!) Kartoffelsalat oder als Leberkässemmel (Scheibe Leberkäs im Brötchen) mit süßen oder scharfem Senf
Münchner Weißwürste = die berühmteste Münchner Spezialität: eine Brühwurst aus Kalbfleisch, Schweinerückenspeck und verschiedenen Gewürzen. Traditionell „zuzelt“ der Bayer die Weißwurst, zieht also die Wurstfüllung mit den Zähnen aus der Haut, ohne das Besteck zu verwenden. Münchner essen zur Weißwurst süßen Senf und Brezn
Obazda = wörtlich “Angemachter” oder “Gemanschter”, eine Käsecreme bestehend aus Camembert, Butter, Zwiebeln und Gewürzen. Wird oft mit Zwiebelringen serviert und passt hervorragend zu frischem Bauernbrot oder Brezn
Radi = weißer Rettich, in dünne Scheiben geschnitten und gesalzen schmeckt er besonders als Beilage auf gemischten Brotzeitbrettln

Die süßesten Nachspeisen:

Apfelstrudel, Topfenstrudel = Blätterteigstrudel mit Apfel- bzw. Topfen-(Rahm) Füllung
Dampfnudeln = traditionelle bayrische Mehlspeise aus Hefeteig, meist mit Vanillesoße serviert
Germknödel = bayrische/österreichische Mehlspeise aus Hefeteig ähnlich der Dampfnudel. Der Germknödel enthält eine Füllung aus Pflaumenmus, auf die Vanillesoße streut der Koch klassischer Weise Mohn.
Kaiserschmarrn = traditionelle bayrische/österreichische Mehlspeise. Der Teig ähnelt dem Pfannkuchen-Teig, wird beim Ausbacken in der Pfanne allerdings in Stücke gerissen und mit Rosinen versehen. Zum fertigen Schmarrn – mit Puderzucker bestäubt – passt als Beilage besonders (Zwetschgen-)Kompott oder Apfelmus
Scheiterhaufen = Süße Speise, bestehend aus abwechselnden Schichten von in Milch eingeweichtem Brot, Äpfeln und Zucker. Das Ganze bekommt der Gast unter eine Baiserschicht im Ofen gebacken und mit Vanillesoße serviert.
Zwetschgndatschi = Flacher Blechkuchen aus Hefeteig, der dick mit Zwetschgen (Pflaumen) belegt ist

Die beliebtesten Durstlöscher:

Maß Bier = 1 Liter helles Bier
Radler = Gemisch aus hellem Bier und Zitronenlimo
Russ (auch Russn-Maß) = Gemisch aus Weizenbier und Zitronenlimo
Spezi = Gemisch aus Cola und Orangenlimo
Weißbier = Weizenbier (meist 0,5 Liter)

„Wos konn i sog`n?“ – Überblick über die wichtigsten bayrischen Floskeln für jede Lebenslage (inkl. Schimpfwörtern)

Wer sich nicht sofort als „Preiß“ oder gar „Saupreiß“ entlarvten möchte , kann sich einige Standards der bayrischen Sprache aneignen: (Achtung! Unbedingt vorher am Akzent arbeiten! )

• So sollte man – alleine schon fürs Bestellen der Maß Bier – mindestens bis fünf zählen können, als0 „oans“, „zwoa“, „drei“, „viere“, „fümfe“.
• Zum Begrüßen, z.B. der Tischnachbarn, reicht ein einfaches „Griasgod“, zum Verabschieden sagt Ihr ausschließlich „Servus“ oder „Pfiad di/Pfiads Eich“, auf gar keinen Fall „Tschüß“!!!
• Der Bayer beendet Sätze gerne mit dem nichts sagenden und doch so viel versprechenden „gei“. Es fordert das Gegenüber regelrecht zu einem Dialog auf, probiert es einfach mal aus…
• Wenn Ihr keine Lust auf eine Konversation mit dem Tischnachbarn habt oder nicht antworten wollt, weil ihr ihn nicht versteht, bietet sich das bayrische „Ja mei“ an.

Und wenn Ihr Euer Bayrisch noch weiter ausbauen wollt, findet Ihr hier zahlreiche Wörter und Floskeln, die sich nicht nur auf dem Oktoberfest hervorragend anwenden lassen.

Aufmandeln = sich wichtig machen, z.B. „Geh`, mandel di net so auf!“
Bazi = Spitzbube, Betrüger, z.B. „Du Bazi, schau, dass`d weida kummst.“
Biafuizl = Bierdeckel; in bayrischen Wirtschaften und Biergärten kann der Gast hier die Anzahl der verzehrten Getränke in Form einer Strichliste notieren lassen, auf dem Oktoberfest lassen die Bedienungen diesen Brauch aber garantiert nicht zu – sie kassieren sofort
Bierdimpfe = Bierdimpfel, Schimpfwort für jemand, der gerne mal einen übern Durst trinkt
Biffe = Büffel, z.B. „Du Biffe“ (zu einem ungehobelten Gegenüber)
Busserl = flüchtiger Kuss, in der Münchner Schickeria auch gern gesehenes Begrüßungsritual „Busserl links, Busserl rechts“
Bua = Bub, Junge
Charivari = Schmuckgehänge an Dirndl und Lederhose in Form einer Kette, an der diverse bayrische Symbole als Anhänger baumeln
Dahoam/hoam = daheim/nach hause, z.B. „I geh jetzt hoam.“
Damisch = dumm, zerstreut, verwirrt, z.B. „I bin scho ganz damisch.“
Deandl/Madl = Mädchen, z.B. „de feschn Deandl“
Diridari = Geld
Gaudi = Spaß, z.B. „Mei, ham mir a Gaudi.“
Eha! (Äha) = Ausruf des Erstaunens, beispielsweise dann, wenn einen der schunkelnde Nachbar angestößt
Föhn = trockener warmer Fallwind, der von den Alpen in Richtung München weht, sorgt für beste Fernsicht, aber ebenso für Kopfschmerzen und Unwohlsein, z.B. „Des liegt am Föhn“.
Freind/Spezl = Freund, Kumpel
Fuchzger = Fünfziger, sollte als Geldschein auf der Wiesn vorhanden sein, in Kombination „falscher Fünfziger“ im übertragenen Sinne zudem als Schimpfwort für einen Lügner/Gauner, z.B. „Du foischer Fuchzger“
Gamsbart = bayrischer Hutschmuck
Gaudinockerln = weibliche Brüste, „je üppiger, desto mehr Gaudi“
Gmiatlich/griabig = gemütlich, z.B. „Ein Prosit der Gmiatlichkeit“
Greislich/schiach = grässlich/hässlich (gleichermaßen als Schimpfwort), z.B. „Mei, is de schiach!“
Goaßnmaß = Maß, gemischt aus Bier, Cola und Kirschlikör
Großkopfada = herablassende Bezeichnung für jemanden mit Geld und Einfluss
Gschbusi = Geliebte, Freundin
Haferl = große Tasse, z.B. Haferl Kaffee
Hawedere/Grias Gott = Bayrischer Gruß, wörtlich „Ich habe die Ehre“ und „Grüß Gott“
Heisl = Toilette
Hundling = ausgefuchster Kerl, z.B. „Du bist a so a Hundling“
Ja mei = bayrische Floskel, die vielseitig einsetzbar und beinahe schon eine Lebenseinstellung ist, z.B. „Ja mei, des is hoid a so.“
Janker = Bezeichnung für Trachtenjacke, über der Lederhose getragen
Jodeln = bayrischer Kunstgesang, bei dem Tonsilben aneinander gereiht werden
Kaasloawe = Käseleib, auch als Bezeichnung für jemanden mit blassem Teint
Krachad = aufdringlich, auffällig, schrill im Bezug auf Personen und Gegenstände, z.B. „De is krachad bei`nand.“
Krachlederne = Lederhose; Kuaze = kurze Lederhose
Kracherl = Limonade
Mogntratzerl = kleine Vorspeise, die Appetit auf mehr macht
Maß = ein Liter Bier (je nach dem wie gut eingeschenkt ist…), wichtig für Preißn: Betonung auf dem scharfen „s“
Noagerl = der letzte Rest Bier im Glas; da die letzten Schlucke einer Maß oft schal schmecken, nimmt die Wiesn-Bedienung die Krüge häufig unaufgefordert mit samt der Noagerl mit
Obandln = flirten
Ogschdocha = betrunken, beschwipst, auf der Wiesn läuft so manch ein „Ogschdochada“ rum
Ozapfa = Anstechen eines Bierfasses, der Münchner Oberbürgermeister eröffnet das Oktoberfest mit dem traditionellen „Ozapf`n“ im Schottenhamel-Zelt und den Worten „Ozapft is“. Sein Rekord liegt bei zwei Schlägen.
Radler = Helles Bier mit Zitronenlimonade. Die Erfindung des Radlers geht – der Legende nach – auf den Wirt Franz Xaver Kugler von der Kugler Alm zurück, einem Ausflugs-Biergarten südlich von Münchnen, wo Radfahrer gerne einkehren. Diesem drohte im Sommer 1922 aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage, das Bier auszugehen. Er streckte es kurzerhand mit Zitronenlimonade und verkaufte es unter dem Namen Radlermaß.
Ratschkatl = Schwätzerin, ratsch-süchtige Frau
Resch = knusprig, z.B. „resche Wiesn-Brezn“
Schdamperl = Glas Schnaps
Schmaizler = Schnupftabak
Schmarrn = Unsinn, auch übertragen auf die Mehlspeise „Kaiserschmarrn“
Servus = Grußformel ähnlich dem Tschüß/Ade
Suri = Rausch, Zustand des Betrunken-Seins
Zamperl = kleiner Hund, in Bayern häufig ein Dackel, der standardmäßig „Wastl“ heißt
Ziegarn = Zigarre

Welche Liadl spuin`s auf da Wiesn? – Eine kleine Hitliste

Damit Ihr gut vorbereitet seid und nicht Gefahr lauft, die ultimativen Wiesnhits nicht mitsingen zu können, prägt Euch diese Liste gut ein und lernt eventuell noch schnell die Texte auswendig – dann steht der Wiesn-Gaudi absolut nichts mehr im Weg.

Ab in den Süden (Buddy Vs. DJ the Wave)
Alice, who the X is Alice? (Gompie)
Anton aus Tirol (DJ Ötzi)
Die Hände zum Himmel (Tony Marshall)
Ein Bett im Kornfeld (Jürgen Drews)
Ein Stern, der Deinen Namen trägt (DJ Ötzi & Nik P.)
Fürstenfeld (STS)
Hey Baby (DJ Ötzi)
Koa Hiatamadl (Hubert von Goisern)
Live is life (Opus)
Macho, Macho (Reinhard Fendrich)
Resi, i hol di mit meim Traktor ab (Wolfgang Fierek)
Sierra Madre (Zillertaler Schürzenjäger)
Skandal im Sperrbezirk (Spider Murphy Gang)
Take me home, country roads (John Denver/Hermes House Band)
Über den Wolken (Reinhard Mey)
Viva Colonia (Höhner)
Wahnsinn…Hölle, Hölle, Hölle (Wolfgang Petry)
We are the Champions (Queen)

Als Wiesn-Hit 2009 steht Chris Böttchers Gaudi-Song “10 Meter geh`“ hoch im Kurs – eine gelungene Parodie auf Germany`s Next Topmodel und die aktuelle Castings-Szene im deutschen Fernsehen.

Wer absolut in sein möchte, sollte nicht nur die Texte mitsingen können, sondern – standsicher auf der Bierbank, versteht sich – folgende Tänze souverän absolvieren können:

• Den Macarena
• Den Lasso-Tanz zum Lied Cowboy & Indianer (komm’ hol das Lasso raus!) von Olaf Henning
• Den Hasentanz zu Hoppelhase Hans von Volker Rosin feat. Lorenz Büffel, der in diesem Jahr wohl als neuer Hit die Zelte stürmt

Als absolute Wiesn-Kenner müsst Ihr schließlich das „Prosit der Gemütlichkeit“ mitsingen können, nämlich immer dann, wenn die Musik eine Pause macht und die Feiergäste im Zelt zum Trinken anheizt. Der Text ist denkbar einfach:

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit.
Oans, zwoa, drei, Gsuffa!
In diesem Sinne – viel Spaß beim Feiern!

© Sandra Ilmberger, 2009

Num mundo em que a mulherada se empolga quando toca Piriguete na night (juro. meninos, eu vi!), olhar pra história da música pode ser uma saída para enxergarmos se temos salvação. Será que temos?

Preciso dizer qual a primeira colocada de 8 de setembro de 2009? É I Gotta a Feeling, do Black Eyed Peas. A ideia é batida: “todo mundo espera alguma coisa de um sábado à noite”, diria Toni Garrido. Os Black Eyed Peas estenderam isso pra todos os dias da semana. Só isso. E colocaram a Fergie pagando de gostosa (gata, você não nos engana. Até Lady Gaga é mais feminina que você). Mas, confesso: eu gosto da música. Daqui a umas 3 horas eu não mais aguentarei ouvi-la, pois ela toca demais.

Há dois anos, a metade-homem-metade-mulher Fergie também era a primeira colocada. Com a bizarra Big Girls Don’t Cry. Se você nunca prestou atenção na letra (fez bem, aliás), ela diz que sente falta do carinha como um bebê sofre com a falta do cobertor (???). God.

Os anos 2000 estão mais pra Piriguete, mesmo.

A década de 1990 nos deixou pelo menos duas primeiras colocadas que ainda tocam como se tivessem sido lançadas mês passado. I don’t want to miss a thing, do Aerosmith, de 1998, e ela… a mais dançada around the world desde 1996:

Olhando as melhores da década de 1980, vi que 8 de setembro é o dia das músicas grudentas. Checa a primeira em 1983:

Eu juro que não queria colocar aqui. Juro. Mas no topo da Billboard de 1989 estava uma música que toca meu coração. Perdoem-me. Eu tinha nove anos (não é uma das minhas favoritas, tá? sim, eu tenho músicas favoritas do New Kids on the Block).

Pra fechar o post, que já está longo demais, mais uma música hiper bem sucedida até hoje. Since 1973:

Ah, pra vocês concordarem comigo acerca das “músicas grudentas de 8 de setembro”, vejam só a lista: Blaze of Glory, Bon Jovi (1990); Sweet child of mine, do Guns (1988); I shot the sheriff, Eric Clapton (1974) e Help!, Beatles (1965).

Agora já sabe: quer lançar uma música que pegue? Tente o finalzinho de agosto. Sucesso na certa.

Nádia Lapa

Ayer casi voy a una fiesta de electrónica pero al final no fui, me pasa algo raro con ese tipo de música. Es como que antes de ir tengo que hacerme un trabajo psicológico de una semana. Lo que sí disfruto mucho de esas fiestas es ver a la gente bailar re colgados generalmente bajo la influencia de alguna droga.

El baile surgió hace mucho tiempo atrás. Son conocidas las numerosas culturas que utilizaban el baile como ritual para invocar la lluvia y así hacer crecer sus cosechas. La verdad es que al día de hoy, a más de un productor rural se lo ha visto en épocas de sequía tirar algún que otro pasito del Los Fatales.

La forma de bailar no sólo describe, lugares, culturas y momentos históricos sino que también sirve para diferenciar grupos de personas o “tribus urbanas”. El flogger tiene el pataleo, el del interior el 2-1, el rockero hace Pogo, el metalero agita su cabellera tal cual lo pide Roberto Giordano a sus modelos pero con un poco más de violencia.

Bailar es un ritual que se mantiene con el paso del tiempo entre las costumbre de las personas, sin embargo, a medida que uno va creciendo va dejando de bailar hasta que la única oportunidad que tiene para demostrar su destreza sobre la pista es cuando va a un casamiento o a un cumpleaños de 15. En ese momento generalmente más que pasar bien se pasa vergüenza mientras nuestro tío baila con la corbata en la cabeza, el choclo de plástico en la mano y una canción que se te pega más que un plancha en la Ciudad Vieja.

La verdad es que a muchos hombres no les gusta bailar. Más de una vez escuche la frase “las mujeres salen a bailar los hombres a emborracharse” y es que sin dudas para las mujeres, el baile, es un arma de seducción. Pero para participar de ese juego los hombres también tenemos que movernos un poco. Por eso, a continuación les presento a nuestro invitado especial Peter Capusotto para que nos describa sus técnicas de levante en un baile.

Así 2 personas bailan al ritmo de la música, se hablan al oído para escucharse y de paso genera “contacto físico” y de repente llega esa canción que él estaba esperando para impresionar a la chica. Pero que pasa si ese paso no lo supiera solo él o las personas que están dentro del boliche sino 14 mil como pasó hace algunos días en México, cuando el día del cumpleaños de Michael Jackson se batió el record Guinness de la mayor cantidad de gente bailando la misma canción, Thriller. A ver cuándo se les ocurre batir el record mundial de Tacos y nos mandan algunos para acá.

Amanhã embarcamos para Curitiba rumo ao Intercom. Foi tudo muito corrido, achar hospedagem era preocupação. Alguns paranaenses receberam meus email pedindo um sofá.

Enquanto não recebia respostas, fui procurar nas comunidades de Couchsurfing, e eis que me deparo com um cara que tinha esse vídeo entre seus favoritos.

Eu nunca fiquei viviado em algo tão bizarro, e nome da música faz sentido. A letra é fácil, e fica na cabeça, assim como a dança.

“Cupid Shuffle” é o primeiro single do rapper Cupid, do albúm Time For A Change (2006), que eu ouvi inteiro e não me decepcionei.

A dança “contagiante” e muito didática é quase um viral no Youtube, são vídeos infinitos da mesma música, os passos básicos são os mesmo. É muito democrático, tem aqueles que fazem o mínimo de um jeito péssimo e tem aqueles que fazem coreografias elaboradas para ir para direita, para esquerda, quatro chutes e um quarto de volta. Praticamente a nova macarena.

Esse é um daqueles posts quase inúteis para alguns. Faça bom proveito! Dance Cupid Shuffle!

Hints for kicking a soda addiction, Should I go with one soda a day then go cold turkey, or just go cold turkey? -LamentaBill

I did it in stages. First, only certain sodas like Sprite and Ginger Ale. Then Kool-Aid and Gatorade, then more water. I was only kicking my habit of drinking soda all the time, I still have soda with a meal now.

Fill in the blank: The two best shows on television right now are _____.  Mine are Burn Notice and Dexter. -Styphillin

Never seen either one of those two.  I would put Mad Men and 30 Rock in there.  Maybe Weeds.  Tough call.

Why does GT:IV get so much hate from fans of the series? -PetrifiedGood

Because many people want many different things. Hype promises they get what they want. They raise the bar for the game for themselves so high, it’s impossible to meet. The only thing left is disappointment from outrageous expectations.

Why do some Christians disapprove of metal music? I’ve read through the Bible quite a few times and I don’t think it says anywhere that metal music is bad or not allowed. -GingerBomb

I think its funny how you reference the Bible as being devoid of adverse opinions to metal music like its some sort of validation.   Tell me, good sir, why is there no mention in the Bible of Jesus doing the macarena? Or commandments against attending a Mets game?

Campers suck. Not those who snipe people, that’s fine with me. Just the people who hide in a corner with a shotgun for the whole game, getting about 6 kills and never moving. I don’t know why it bothers me, but the fact they play the game in this way for some reason just pisses me off. -BlooRayGamin

If you know where they are, get a sniper rifle and make them move with bullets. Or chuck some explosives their way.  That’s how you deal with people that have a favorite spot, and you know where it is.

Thanks for the restaurant job recommendation.  It’s pretty much how you said it was going to be.  Maybe its because the restaurant I work at is chill as shit and full of hippies, but its actually a lot of fun. All the girls are good looking (at least 7 and up, minus 2 or 3 of them), I get free food, free beer…and the day goes by really fast since we’re so busy.  Not only that, but it only took 4 days on the job before someone invited me to smoke up on break – and it was one of my supervisors.  Thanks again!  -Vito_Dat_ass

Holy shit!  I’m actually an influence of some sort?  Shocking.  But yeah, I loved restaurants. Working nights, weekends, and holidays was a serious drawback. I miss those days, but I’m thankful I found a good office job to settle into. A lot less stress, too. But less fun, for sure.

There’s this girl I’m kind of into and I want to start talking to her, I’m just not sure what to say. We were kind of acquaintances awhile ago, but we don’t talk any more.   I really do want to say something though, strike up a conversation, I just don’t know what to begin with. -TCP1189

I always broke the ice by telling a funny story like I have known them forever. Something that shows a fault of yours but ultimately has you looking good at the end. Or an insightful question that lets you see how she thinks, and if shes smart, she gets to show that off.

Whats brown and rhymes with Snoop? Dr Dre. -Benjimanly

LoL.  I get it.  You are supposed to say poop, but its really a joke that makes you think, because Dr Dre writes rhymes with Snoop.  That’s actually quite clever.

Who’s going to win NFL Rookie of the Year? Sanchez?  Crabtree? -DeadRising

Percy Harvin.  Sanchez has looked like hot garbage in two games. And the Jets have a tough schedule this year. He’s gonna get smoked.  Crabtree needs to sign before I can consider him.  I won’t take him without seeing him play against NFL talent.  Percy Harvin is going to start for a Hall of Fame QB, with a solid running game established.  Looks like an ideal situation.

You ever fry bread/eggs like in V For Vendetta?-Admiral_Purina

Eggs in a basket? Yeah, my mom made these for breakfast all the time.  Haven’t had them in years though.

What console would hurt the most if you threw it at someone’s face?-Innocentsual

Last gen Xbox. Thing was angular and weighed as much as a dorm refrigerator.  There is some consideration to the Gamecube, because it has the handle.

Are apologies after the fact meaningless? Considering you knew that the apology is just a consequence of the act? It’s only meaningful if you apologize before you get caught. That’s really the only time you are able to tell someone is truly remorseful.  -TheeAnswer

Yes, and in addition, apologizing before the act takes place. I can really respect someone who fesses up to a difficult decision thats going to screw me and alerts me ahead of time, that it’s going to screw me.

Macarena, 14 - transcript for this 2001 Romanian street kids documentary

They’ve called me Macarena since I was a small child,  in the streets and in the orphanage. Because I dance too much to the Macarena.

All of the kids get high. Nobody can stop using Aurolac. Four bottles I got today, I got high wholesale. I am the most street kid, the most Aurolac kid. People give me money for food, but I buy paint. Because if I get one bottle I am no longer hungry. It’s like paradise, you dream that you eat… and I can’t give it up.

“I know Macarena from the orphanage. I take care of her. One day she started to cry. She was very hungry. And I had a premonition to go to her and see how she is. She couldn’t take it anymore, she was so hungry. [Men] beat her. When they see her high, they take advantage of her. She doesn’t know what’s happening to her. She doesn’t even know her name. If you are Macarena, and I am a man, I look at you getting high, I beat you, and you can cry as long as you want, I don’t care. She doesn’t stop crying, she keeps screaming. And she cries, and explains, ‘A man beat me’. And she curses him.” [Cristina].

Video footage of a Macarena wailing on the ground in the train station. A man comes up to her and starts kicking her and dragging her around, yelling, “Will you shut the fuck up! Shut up!” Macarena can’t stop crying. Cristina comes over, says, “Leave her,” and pushes the man away. Cristina wipes away Macarena’s tears, “Macarena, stop crying. Have a smoke, Macarena. Wipe your eyes off. Let’s go over there, come. You’re going to stop crying, right? Good.” Macarena keeps crying after Cristina leaves.

“Some days Macarena comes to the Open House. She washes up and washes her clothes too. All by herself. She is very punctual and hardworking. Except for when she is suspended. Usually, she comes high, very high, to the program. We haven’t convinced her yet to give up the drugs. She followed a very difficult path, through many orphanages and institutions. Poor her, she doesn’t know anymore where she comes from. And I don’t think she realized that she too was born of a mother, of a human being, just like any of us. Because one day she came to me and told me, “Claudia, I must have parents too, right? But I don’t know them, right?” Which made me think that she probably didn’t realize that she was born of a mother, just like any of us. This says enormously much, because under these circumstances, it is very difficult for her to look into the future.” [A social worker].

One Year Later: The police kicked the kids out of the train station. Macarena didn’t go to live on the construction site like Cristina. She stopped going to the street kids centre. She keeps to herself.

Q: Is it better on the streets now?
Macarena: It’s not really better on the streets now. We stay outdoors, it’s cold, and I get pain from the drugs. My leg hurts me too. I don’t have a place to sleep tonight, I sleep outside. The rest sleep in the construction site. I have been beaten, and I want to leave. The bodyguards beat us, a policeman wanted to shoot me. I don’t want to die. You know, I’m not from this country, from Bucharest. I’m from another country. My mommy and daddy are waiting for me. But I can’t go by myself because I need a passport. I stay here in Bucharest. I’m not from this country. Mommy and daddy will be waiting for me. And I’ve got a sister, also Macarena. She’s in Bucharest, in a school, many happy returns. Once in a while I go past her school. She’s getting along with her classmates and doing well. We are twins from our mother and father. Twins from our mother and father.

by A.C. Cargill

Even ghosts like tea, especially at this time of year. Decorate your dining room with carved jack-o-lanterns, faces aglow from lit candles within, add in some rubber bats hanging about (literally) and plastic spiders spinning cotton candy webs around the room. Then, have a few of these “spirits beyond the pale” in for tea and a bit of a chat. Many ghosts are quite congenial and engaging conversationalists — especially over a good “cuppa”!

Not all ghosts have a Casper-like personality (remember the “friendly ghost” of cartoon fame?). Fortunately, they also don’t all have the aspect of Jacob Marley (Ebenezeer Scrooge’s former business partner) who dragged heavy chains as he walked through doors and moaned loudly, warning Scrooge of the dire consequences of living such a miserly life.

Some ghosts are quite timid — you might even say cowardly — such as the Canterbury Ghost. For several centuries he scared the wits out of anyone daring to stay in the family castle, and waited for a kinsman to do a brave deed in his name. He did finally find one and will gladly tell you all about it while you both enjoy a hot and steamy pot of tea.

Then, there’s Cosmo Topper from the Topper movies in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He wasn’t a ghost, but he knew a madcap couple that became ghosts and followed him around to help him get a little more fun out of his very staid, boring life. Of course, that was decades ago, so he’s a ghost now, too. Get him to give you the latest scoop on the antics of George and Marion Kerby, and maybe even Mrs. Topper (played by Billie Burke — you know, Glenda the Good Witch from “The Wizard of Oz”) will come, too.

Of course, in New York City the Ghostbusters keep those spooks and spirits under control and out of the subways — most of the time, at least. One blast of their ecto-plasmic-raygun-whatchamacallits, and ghosts were totally tamed — perfect tea time guests.

Ghosts can be a bit stuck in the past, though, and often are not up on current events, the latest fashions, which character is in a coma on “General Hospital,” or who is now hosting the “Tonight Show” (it changes so frequently that I don’t know that myself). So, if you are going to have a ghost or two in for tea, you will have to be patient with them when they don’t know who Ashton Kutcher is or how to do the “Macarena.”

So, go ahead, invite a ghost or two to tea. Brew up a potful of Ceylon or Dragon Well. Bake up some great pumpkin cookies with orange frosting (a ghostly favorite). Light a few candles and read an Edgar Allan Poe story or two out loud. Don’t forget the spooky music such as Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” or the campy favorite “The Monster Mash.”

Enjoy and don’t go too batty!

Check out A.C.’s blog for more expert advice on living the “tea-life.”