David T and Goliath

South Africa - Safari Day 2

2012-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

It's not easy sifting through over 2000 photos and trying to decide which ones to include, because when you're that close to the animals, there are SO many great shots. So a little more detail about the game drives. You wake up at 4:45 am, and are in the vehicle by 5:30. The first game drive goes until about 8 - 8:30. You eat breakfast from 9 -10. Then, sometimes there is a guided nature walk focusing on the plant-life, but it just depended on how hot it was, or if we went over with the game drive cuz we saw so much stuff.

The afternoon you have to relax. There aren't all that many animals out and about due to the heat. (That's what was so crucial about being at lodge #1, cuz we were right next to the watering hole). Our lodge was the only one on the watering hole).

You eat lunch from 2:30- 3:30, and the evening game drive starts at 4:30 - 8:00. Most animals are out and about at sunrise, or sunset.

Safari - South Africa at Djuma Lodge Day 1

2012-01-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

There will be more posts to come, but I'd have to say the first 4 1/2 days of the safari were the best days of the trip to South Africa. Not that the rest of the trip was bad by any means, but for those of you that know me, you know that I have been an animal freak since I was about 3 years old. I can't believe how close we could get to the animals.

The guide said that the as long as you are in the vehicle, they see you as "the vehicle", and we were strictly forbidden from standing up to take a photo, because then they see you as a human being.

Here's a pic so you can see how close we were to the watering hole, and that teeny-tiny electric fence that separated us from all of it.

Djuma lodge was above and beyond expectations. Too bad it's converting from a high end lodge to a self-catering lodge. Meaning catering to people (predominantly people from South Africa) that want to bring their own food in, and prepare it there.

SHAME ON NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

2011-12-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

Northwestern University invited a prominent Armenian Genocide denier to speak on behalf of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations. In other words, Northwestern received a healthy sum of $$$, so Turkey can continue to try and re-write history. I would never deny that Turkey is a regional power in the Middle East, and an American ally. However, for one of the leading education institutions in the US to partake in this campaign DISGUSTS ME. I painted my face, went down there, and at first was the only one there. They invited me in to the lecture to "learn" about what happened. Later the cops showed up, and I wasn't allowed to go into the lecture and "learn" about what happened.

The Armenian Genocide of 1915 - 23 is accepted worldwide by historians and scholars, and to think that Northwestern University is willing to accept money from Turkish lobbying groups to help re-write history is PATHETIC. There's also a vocal Jewish Holocaust denier on the staff at Northwestern too. Where will they stop???? Watch the video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIlZ8KPxc8E

SO WE ALL KNOW ABOUT SERENA WILLIAMS

2010-07-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

I can never wait to hear her excuse as to why she has lost a match. It's either this reason, or that, but surely its not because her opponent did not let her play her game. I think the cicada wraps it up best.... she's just a bunch of NOISE.

What a 3rd round match. HENIN VS. SHARAPOVA

2010-05-29T10:32:00.001-07:00

What would be a tantalizing FINAL, we are seeing in the 3rd round at the French this year. The four time champion, seeded 22nd, is facing what could be her toughest draw ever. Unfortunately, Sharapova has seen some recent success as she won her first title on the European clay last week. It's just minutes before the match, the conditions are horrible, a slight drizzle accompanies a huge gusts. DIG DEEP JUSTINE!!!

FRENCH OPEN 2010 - PREVIEW

2010-05-22T10:28:00.001-07:00

It's hard to imagine that a year ago this time I was already in Paris for the French Open. Unfortunately, my girl, Justine Henin, was still in retirement, but I'm just happy she's back. At this year's French Open it could be anyone lifting the trophy this year. The top half of the draw is LOADED - it's unfortunate because I liked the chances of Sam Stosur, Justine Henin, and Serena, but they are all in the same first quarter of the draw. Can Justine extend her 21 match streak on the clay in Paris? Or should I ask, and she extend her 63 continuos set victory? The last time she dropped a set on the "dirt" was back in 2002. Hopefully, she'll come out on top in Paris. ALLEZ - JUSTINE!

Lake Titicaca - in Peru

2009-07-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, as many of you know, I am back in the States, and have fallen behind on some of the blogging. This blog is in Lake Titicaca. This ENORMOUS lake is so big is supposedly takes 7 days to cross it by boat. It also is the highest navigable lake in the world, and South America's largest lake. (That's quite a resumé). Being so high above sea level, it was COLD when i visited (I doubt its ever REALLY warm). It's about 12,000 feet above sea level. (Just to give you an idea, Denver, the mile high city is only 5,200 ft. above sea level, so it's more than double). And how can you not just love the name of it?????

Machu Picchu and Wyanapicchu in Peru.

2009-04-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

First I saw the longest centipede/millipede I have ever seen in my life, and with such neat colors. Machu Picchu was a stronghold for the Incan Indians (circa 1400-1450), and this remote civilization was lost, until in 1911 a North American explorer uncovered the remains. How in the world did they build this civilization on top of a mountain with such STEEP inclines remains a mystery. Wyanapicchu was the look out tower for Machu Picchu. The climb up there was hard as hell. Again, such steep inclines, no railings, and windy (not to mention it had just rained). This is NO PLACE for a person with vertigo or afraid of heights. All I can say is a place like this would NEVER be open to the public in the States due to liability and lawsuits. THAT'S how crazy the whole thing is.

Who doesn't love lizards??

2009-04-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

Lizards everywhere in this park in Guayaquil, Ecuador. They were as common as a pigeon. From there I headed to Cuzco, Peru. Cuzco was the cultural capital of the Incans. (a MAJOR Indian civilization) that was at its very peak at the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. I tried to include a couple of pictures that capture various elements of the city like: a) how people dress today b) the Spanish influence left on most major cities in South America which is evident in so many ways but architecture is a BIG influence. c) The old Incan ruins. These people were BRILLIANT. Check out the stone walls. Each rock cut with SOOO much precision. No mortar in between, and these walls look BRAND NEW, and they are 500+ years old. DON'T FORGET THIS COUNTRY IS PLAGUED BY EARTHQUAKES and they still look brand new.

Galapagos Part II -

2009-04-14T06:23:00.000-07:00

I admit that i am behind as far as putting this up, but I just wanted to show you some of the other wildlife to be seen at the Galapagos. I'll post more from Machu Picchu and other places in Peru soon.

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (first clip)

2009-04-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to summarize that week in the Galapagos Islands. All I can say is: ANIMALS EVERYWHERE. I think it’s necessary to point out WHY the animals are so unafraid of humans. The Galapagos Islands are 600 miles away from the mainland, and so NO LAND MAMMALS are there. So they have no natural predators. As a result, they are not afraid of humans, cuz they don’t feel threatened. (Rats, cats, goats and pigs unfortunately were introduced onto the islands, and are wreaking havoc on the ecoysystem). It’s something that they have been trying to get under control for over a decade. The islands are incredibly expensive, but worth every cent. It was so hard to decide which pictures to include.

Baños, Ecuador. Awesome, but scared the hell out of me!

2009-03-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong. I LOVED Baños, Ecuador. It's located about 3 1/2 hours outside of the capital (Quito). However, it is tucked away DEEP in the mountains in the heart of volcanic activity. The town had to be completely evacuated due to volcanic eruptions 2 years ago. You can still see ash blowing all over the place, and many of the riverbeds are caked with ash too. Anyway, I went white-water rafting, and went rapelling, and then took the damn cable car, which was the worst. I think 99% of the people would have hated it. Getting to Baños wasn't esay either. Being in the mountains, it's necessary to take these WINDING, CURVY roads, at FRIGHTENING altitudes. the buses take these turns at WARP SPEEDS. Scary as hell.... but i had such a great time. The video shows great views, and the waterfall used in Raiders of the Lost ark. - Check it out, it's one of my favorites actually.

THE EQUATOR - A FIELD TRIP FOR ADULTS!

2009-03-20T03:18:00.000-07:00

Did you know that right at the equator you weigh less than in your country? Or how about, it's much more difficult to walk a straight line with your eyes closed and arms extended at the equator than in the North or Southern Hemisphere? Watch the video for all this other stuff they told us about the equator and physics high school but never really understood why. If you have questions on the "hows" and "whys" these hapens I might be answer them, but no guarantee.

At the world's highest active volcano, and then off to MOunt Chimborazo where David falls on his ass!!!

2009-03-18T20:40:00.001-07:00

OK, outside of Quito, Ecuador I did a 2 day biking/trekking excursion to Cotopaxi, which is the world's highest active volcano, and on the 2nd day, we went to Mount Chimborazo. Mount Chimborazo, if measured from the Earth's center, is the highest place in the world. Mount Everest is the highest place on Earth if measured from sea level. The lack of oxygen in the air was almost too much. I had a raging headache as a result of it, and was forever out of breath.

Not Happy at 5:30 in Quito.

2009-03-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

OK, some might argue that if I am only paying $17/night for a room that I don't have a right to complain, but all I know is I woke up with A LOT of rage, to a lot of noise. I realize it's not the most flattering video, but like it or not, this is (a pissed off) David at 5:30. Welcome to the wonderful world of hostals.

TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK - COLOMBIA (great wildlife)

2009-03-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

I did a LONG Trek through Tayrona National Park. It goes from jungle, to ocean, to tropical beachfront, to a marsh. I saw monkeys, toucans (no pictures....no really, i did see them), spiders, crabs, etc. - Check out the video. The crab is PISSED!!!

GOD DAMN BASTARDS

2009-03-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

A quick update for those of you who don't know. This post should actually be before the previous one. The last week of my trip to Brazil was HELL. I got sick with "Dengue Fever" due to a nasty mosquito. The ITCHY little fever is accompanied by an achy body, chills, sweats, headaches like you've never experienced before, and your eyes burn. It also has this weird effect on your hands and feet where they feel like they are ON FIRE. I also lost about 15 lbs in about 17 days. Anyway, i was home for about 10 days, and on the 3rd day back, I realized that I couldn't let a mosquito ruin all my fun. So now I'm back in Colombia and heading to Ecuador soon.

Brother and Sister take Cartagena by Storm

2009-03-09T16:58:00.001-07:00

On our 5-day getaway Susie and I never stopped. We stayed within the walled city of Cartagena sector of Cartagena which boasts old cannons and a fortress. From there we did daily excursions. First we went to a mud volcano, then we snorkeled our way through coral reefs, paddled through mangroves, and lastly got our asses kicked by the strong Colombian sun at an island straight out of a movie set. It was WINDY as hell, and many days many boats couldn’t get even out of port. The mud in the volcano at Totumo was SO thick, you did not sink to the bottom, and basically had to be pushed or pulled in order to get from one side to the other. The mangroves were so peaceful except for the SMELL, and the coral reefs were breathtaking. We only wish that we had purchased a camera for underwater, however Susie and I both concluded that the person who invented the mask for a snorkel NEVER consulted an Armenian when it came to shaping the nose portion of it.

YOUR NAME ISN'T ROBERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Trouble in Paradise!!! They cloned my credit card. Yes, that's right, all I did was take money out of an ATM, and somehow, with some little device, it copies your ATM card, and your PIN at the same time. You leave with your card and cash, but now they have all the info they need. They charged $3,000 worth of stuff in Brazil before I checked my balances. Even worse, Chase Manhattan, not being an international bank, will NOT forward you a new debit card out of the States. They dropped the ball SO many times, its hard to imagine if they can do ANYTHING right.

THE CROCODILE HUNTER (piranha too)

2009-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Just left the Amazon - what an amazing trip. To get to the lodge it took almost 2 1/2 hours. Our guide told us we had about an hour to swim and get our cabin prepared before we took off on our first expeditiion. So I took to the water...how many people can say they have swum in the Amazon before, right? OK, OK, OK, so my toes aren't exactly pointed in the back-tucks, but it was nice to know I still have it in me. I saw SO many animals, alligators (caiman), BIRDS GALLORE, monkeys, toucans, lizards, and both grey and pink river dolphins. So awesome.

DAVID THE TREKKER - CLIFF DIVER (ok cliff jumper)

2009-02-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

Just when you think you're in shape, you take off on a 5 mile hike into valleys, up rivers, scaling nothing but rocks, then going back down over the river (with time for nice dips in natural pools of water in between). As far as the cliff jumping - look at this picture, you can see both ledges off to the right. You get a really good idea of how MOTHER FUCKING HIGH THE TOP ONE IS. It is NO JOKE. I barely.....and I mean barely, got through it. : ) (slightly longer than normal video but it's worth it).

Iguazu - Argentine Side.

2009-02-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

The waterfall is beyond words. To think that it is like this 24 hours/day 7 days a week, it makes you wonder how there is any fresh water left in the world. It is beyond words. Another one of the cool parts was that in the Iguazu National Park they had signs up that as you walked over the bridges that were flanked by trees, they warned that snakes are hanging from the trees so be careful.

"Poor Niagara" - is what Eleanor Roosevelt exclaimed upon seeing Iguazu

2009-02-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

Niagara Falls is HALF as wide as Iguazu Falls. It is generally accepted that the Argentine side of Iguazu is the more impressive of the two, but this video is of the Brazilian side, cuz I saw more wildlife. I'll put together a video of the Argentine side soon.

Test your knowledge on Brazil

2009-02-07T11:06:00.001-08:00

I will write the answers to these multiple choice questions in the comment section. Let's see how well you do.

1). What is the current capital of Brazil?

a) Rio de Janeiro
b) Sao Paolo
c) Salvador de Bahia
d) Brasilia

2) Which of these used to be the capital of Brazil

a) Salvador de Bahia
b) Rio de Janeiro
c) a & b
d) none of the above

3) T or F

You must apply in advance for a visa to go to Brazil

4) Brazil's population is quite unique because it combines elements of _____ cultures.

a) European and Indigenous
b) Indigenous and African
c) Indigenous, African, and European

5) The Amazon is the largest river in the world (T or F)

FACTS ABOUT BRAZIL -

* Brazil is the world's 5th largest nation (after Russia, Canada, China and the US)
* Brazil is the world's largest (and most populous) Roman Catholic country
* Brazil is the world's 8th largest economy
* Brazil contains the world's largest tropical forest and has the world's most biologically diverse ecosystem. This ecosystem contains TWENTY PERCENT of the world's bird and plant species.

Trekking across Ilha Grande

2009-01-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

Ilha Grande is Brazil's 3rd largest island. It's about 2 1/2 hours from Rio. It's located in the Atlantic Ocean and gorgeous, but it does NOT cater to your average tourist's demands. For example, there are no roads, no cars, no banks, and no atms - I think that is what gives it such charm.

New and improved hangliding.

2009-01-22T12:22:00.000-08:00

I tried to put pictures together for you guys to give you a better idea. The girl who was supposed to hang glide before me chickened out at the last minute. Bitch!! - she made me even more scared.

UP UP AND AWAY - (What the hell was I thinking?)

2009-01-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

I cant believe I did it!! I cant believe I ran full speed ahead off the side of a mountain with a person that I knew for a whole 30 minutes. Ónce you´re up there it´s breath-taking. I was up there for a little over 10 minutes. See what Rio de Janeiro will do to you? (Iknow what you were thinking, that you were going to get a chance to see that haircut I talked about in the last post. - I´m not dumb, I posted the pictures with a helmet on. )

4 Recommendations if getting your hair cut abroad

2009-01-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

1) Don´t do it.
2) Talk yourself out of it.
3) Cut it yourself.
4) Fly your barber/stylist to where ever you are.

NO, I am not including a picture with this post. : )

Señores y Señoras - Gather Round and Place your Bets. Russian Roulette - Colombian Style

2009-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

This is amazing!! It's the funnest sort of gambling I have ever seen. There are about 16 bowls down there with little holes cut into them. You put your 200 Colombian pesos (9 cents) on the bowl you think the guinea pig is going to crawl into. If you guess right, you win all the money. The gentleman running the activity doesn't take any of the money for himself. He says he's there to just provide safe, fun entertainment.

Cliimbing Monserrate - Bogota, Colombia

2009-01-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

I am an IDIOT. I've heard about the whole concept of altitude sickness cuz there's no oxygen in the air at such high altitudes, but for some reason, I thought I would just make the most of my days in Bogota and climb Monserrate on the first day.(which is 8,600 feet above sea level compared to Chicago's 600 feet above sea level). I climbed for OVER AN HOUR. Even with taking small breaks, I would take another 15 - 20 steps and find myself gasping for air. Yes, I opted for the cable car on the way down.

Segovia's beautiful 15th-16th Century Caste - hope you didn't forget something upstairs

2008-12-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

This castle was actually the inspiration for Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom. This famous castle is synonymous with the childhood of Isabel II. She, a fervent Catholic and her husband gave the Jews and Muslims 3 options: 1) leave Spain 2) convert to Catholicism or 3) die.

The castle, complete with a moat, drawbridge, and watchtower are remarkable. We went up to the immense watchtower with a total of 252 steps. I would love to live there, but would hate to forget something upstairs.

THAT'S SHITTY!!!!

2008-12-21T08:49:00.000-08:00

Part of me wanting to do this blog was to: a) make you bastards jealous of me and b) show you how things are done in other parts of the world. Most of the time, I find try to portray their way of doing things as "not better or worse" than ours, but rather.... unique. Well, the one I'm blogging about is WORSE. In many public facilities (like at the public tennis court/swimming pools, etc.), in the locker rooms outside of the stalls, you take your toilet paper you PLAN on using in with you ....BEFORE you do your business.

Several immediate questions come into mind. a) what happens if you're someone like me who has to "build a nest" before you sit down in the first place???? (My feet barely even touch the floor I put so much of the stuff down) and b) Do they really think that this is a way of reducing paper?? Cuz it got me all panicked, and I grabbed it by the handfuls.

THIS IS JUST A START

2008-11-18T23:21:00.001-08:00

Once you get the travel bug in you, you can't seem to stop traveling. This will give you an idea of MOST (not all) of the places I've been to.

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

A Little Geography/Cultural factoids anyone???

2008-11-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

1) The most populated Muslim country in the world is:

a) Saudia Arabia
b) Turkey
c) Indonesia
d) Iran

2) The total number of people that practice Judaism in the world is approximately

a) 1.3 billion
2) 500 million
3) 257 million
4) 13 million

3) The most populous Roman Catholic country in the world is:

a) Italy
b) Poland
c) Brazil
d) Spain

4) The largest river in the world is:

a) The Amazon
b) The Nile
c) The Mississippi
d) The Danube

5) Name the ONLY capital city in the world that is located WITHIN a capital city. _______

Row Row Row your Boat

2008-11-17T09:06:00.000-08:00

I think this says it all.

FAST FOOD IN SPAIN (answers in the comment section)

2008-11-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

1. Cierto o Falso: With the world-side economic crisis, fast food chains like McDonalds and Burger have similar dollar menus like they do in the States.

2. Un "Whopper" en Burger costs:

a) $2.00 más o menos
b) menos de $2.00
c) $10.00 dólares (más o menos)
d) $ 5.00 dólares (más menos)

3. Cierto o Falso: You can buy beer to drink with your Whopper.

4. Cierto o Falso: Although Pizza Hut is an international chain, the medium size pizza is different than a medium in the States.

5. Cierto o Falso:In Spain you can smoke in fast food restaurants.

THE WICKED WITCH IS DEAD

2008-11-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

I couldn't take it anymore. We all know that I have been in this Intensive Portuguese class in preparation for my trip to South America where I hope to spend 3 - 4 weeks in Brazil. Well, Beatriz has been flirting way too much with MY Giovanni - so I killed her.

THE ANSWERS TO FIRST 5 QUESTIONS - pictures for the first 5 questions

2008-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

The answers

WAS IT AN ACCIDENT? DID SHE DO IT ON PURPOSE????

2008-10-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

What do you think it was? All I know is that I would KILL THE BITCH. It's in Spanish, but I don't think this one needs translating. All I will say for you non-speaking Spanish people is this. Man = 16 days. I don't want to give it all away. For those of you waiting for the answers to my questions from my last post, you'll have to wait another day. JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW - IT WORKS, THE TV BLOCKED THE OTHER LINK.

http://www.formulatv.com/videos/335/paqui-pena-destruye-un-castillo-de-arena/

5 cultural Questions, some are in Spanish, but i think you can manage. (Answers are in the "Comment Section").

2008-10-27T01:14:00.000-07:00

Cinco preguntas de la Cultura y de España. Sabéis las respuestas?
1. In Western Europe, Spain is the ______ in size.
a) largest
b) 2nd largest
c) 3rd largest
d) 4th largest
e) none of the above

2. Cuál isla o grupo de islas NO pertenece (belong) a España?
a) Las Islas Beleares
b) Ibiza
c) Las Islas Canarias (Canary Islands)
d) Gibraltar
e) Todos son parte de España.

3) Cierto o Falso: Spain still has a king and a queen.
a) Cierto b) Falso

4) Cierto o Falso: Spain was part of George Bush’s “Coalition of the Willing” (The govt. did support the war in Iraq).
a) Cierto b) Falso

5) Cierto o Falso: España produce mucho café y lo exporta a todas partes del mundo.
a) Cierto b) Falso

IMAGINE A COUNTRY

2008-10-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Imagine a country, where there is NO BANANA REPUBLIC, NO GAP, and where Starbuck's coffee (yes it's here) but it is frowned upon. I think Lincoln Park would turn into a sinkhole!! GOD I love Spain.

ARE WE ALL JUST RICE?

2008-10-17T05:23:00.001-07:00

I asked myself this profound question today. Have you ever wondered? Some of it we call brown rice, but yet others, white rice, some is sushi rice, not to be confused with wild rice, and don’t forget the long grain rice. In a pile of rice though, although some may be longer than others, and others are more round than the one next to it, but yet oh so similar . No one piece really all that more special or different than the other? I have no idea where I was going with this, but I hope that you never look at rice the same way again. (No, for those of you wondering, I wasn’t on drugs when I wrote this – perhaps I have really lost it).

How well do you know your Spanish culture? Test yourself, answers to be posted this week.

2008-10-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

How good are you with your Spanish Culture? (The answers are in the "Comments" Section)

Cinco preguntas culturales.
1. If a person is Spain is taking a picture, and they want you to smile they say?
a) “GAFAS” (glasses)
b) “QUESO” (cheese)
c) “PATATAS (potatos)

2. If you eat on a patio outside, it will cost you the same as if you eat indoors.
a) True
b) False

3. In Spain there is a mid-day break "siesta"from 2-4. High school students have to go back after the siesta.
a) True
b) False

4. When it's winter in Madrid it's winter in Chicago.
a) True
b) False

5) You can park your motorcycle on the sidewalk in Spain.
a) True
b) False

My top 10 - the things I miss most

2008-10-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong, I am loving Spain, but there are some things that I TRULY miss:

1) My cats : (
2) Justine Henin
3) My dishwasher
4) My dishwasher (yes i know I put it twice)
5) Mexican Avocados (Rogers Park Fruit Market)
6) Maytag Blue Cheese
7) My kitchen
8) Real Music (not techno)
9) My bed
10) My car/driving

Long Live the bulls

2008-09-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

We all know that when one thinks of Spain, they think of bullfighting. Bullfighting is not just a man fighting a bull, it's a lot more one-sided than most people know about. First, the bull gets stabbed by (2 - 8) big spears, and has them sticking out of him during the rest of the fight. They are driven deep into his neck muscles (see right). Throughout the remainder of the bullfight, there is blood pouring out the neck muscles of the bull which makes it nearly impossible for him to keep his head up as he gets lead around to and fro with that red cape. For this reason, animal rights activists protest bullfights as being cruel and inhumane, while others, consider it a sport, and strongly tied to the culture. Well, here's a little footage before the bull even gets the spears in him. Long live the bulls!!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gfp8GhgeY4

David vs. Jeddi Warrior

2008-09-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

This guy that I met two weeks ago in a language exchange (I speak to him in Spanish, and he speaks to me in English,his name is Melo (short for Carmelo). Well, Melo practices Reiki – energy healing. So last week he said he would show me how to do Reiki. So Melo comes over to show me how to do it and the next four hours were a complete cult initiation. We all know that I am not religious, and any form of blind leaps of faith kind of stuff is not up my alley. He comes in, and explains, he just doesn’t want to show me how to do it for me, but also then I know how to help other people. OK, so I understand that part. So, he pulls out his folder, and then takes out a picture of the guy who taught him Reiki and props it up on the sofa (in the form of an altar, and positions it so the Jeddi master can see us learn). I was FREAKED out. Over the next four hours, he teaches me where the chakras are, and what parts of the body they are associated with. That’s much I accept is very important, but I am still staring at Jeddi warrior and saying to myself, I HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THIS. He then pulls out his manual (I swear it was 50 pages (ok, maybe 20, but it felt like 50)). So the manual clearly states that you can NOT except money for Reiki, and that it is not your power, it is the universe’s power (I buy that idea actually), and then whatever the next 20 pages said. In the 20 pages though, he told me how to chase ghosts out of your house, and how to, at a funeral, release the spirit into the heavens if the spirit or soul is trapped. He also shared with me how he healed someone in a motorcycle accident just by putting his hand over his head and transmitted energy ***THROUGH THE HELMET. I’m sorry grasshopper, but get a grip. So, I start to get impatient after the second hour . The highlight comes after I ask how he can help me with my insomnia. He tells me that would be the 6th chakra. I show him that I know where it is by pointing to my 6th chakra, he said, “Good” (“Good boy spot, good boy.”) He then relays to me that even if I were to focus on my 6th chakra and try to help myself get rid of my insomnia, that it won’t do me any good. Guess why!!!!! Because HE hasn’t opened my chakras yet. I’m like, “HUH????”. So had I never met Melo, my chakras would be closed for eternity. By this time I wanted to use every chakra in my being (open or closed) and, KICK HIS ASS. I wanted him OUT!!!! So then he tells me he’s going to open my chakras. THANK GOD, because I have NO IDEA how I survived the first 39 years of my life with my chakras closed. He has me focus on his 3rd eye for the next 5 minutes while he goes into a trance like state. I thought to myself that if his head starts to turn in circles, this would be a great time to make a break for the door (or window). So now for the big moment, he opens my chakras after just keeping his eyes closed and meditates while he’s 5 feet from me. I felt NOTHING. Then he says that I now must meditate. He says, let’s start with 10 minutes. I finally put my foot down because we have been at this nonsense for 3+ hours and I can’t take a single minute more. I said, lets try 7 minutes. I cant sit still for 10 minutes, not to mention keep my brain still for 10 minutes. He replies, “NOPE, TEN.” So for the next 10 minutes we meditate. Lastly, he pulls out the last 10 pages or so of the manual and starts to read it to me. Then he stops and looks puzzled. I say, “what is it?”, He stares at the manual and says, “I don’t know how to translate this word.” I said, “Well, let me see it.” I look at the manual and ITS IN FUCKING ENGLISH. You me to tell me that you, a Spaniard, have been translating this SHIT to me for the last FOUR HOURS and it’s written in ENGLISH. I LOST IT. I said, “Melo, I am exhausted, leave me the manual, and Ill read it later since it’s in English.” So there you have it. My chakras are open. And as you can tell, I am as calm as ever.

More churches?

2008-09-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking, that he's over there in Spain, and that's all he does is spend his time in Churches. Well, trust me there are plenty of parts of video footage you don't get to see. : ) So here we are in Segovia, and this church is one of my favorites. It's from the 13-14th century with some REALLY well preserved frescoes. Things to look out for (and as I commented on in the video), bright vivid colors (for the 14th century, 1300s), 2 dimensional drawings, and 3) so much of the painting (frescoes) destroyed. This is because in the Middle Ages when the plague was going around, they thought it was hiding out in the walls, so they gouged lots of parts of the wall out. IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! More Segovia stuff coming later. This is just one of my favorites.

AMAZING church

2008-07-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Well, the coures is finally over, and I survived. It was a great course, and I learned a lot. It's been hot (90-95 degrees) but to be honest, this has been one of the mildest summers I (or anybody else) has experienced in Madrid. The course afforded me opportunities that I will never be able to repeat like being 1 of 20 people in the Prado Museum. Normally you can't even hear yourself think. We also had access to the National Library. I got a chance to hold some of the first publications by Francisco Goya (from 1863). To many of you that doesn't sound like much of a highlight, but for those of you Spanish teachers out there, you know what I am talking about. The video attached is from the cathedral of Segovia. Unfortunately you can't take any video footage of the inside, but hopefully you can get an idea from the outside chapels and surrounding gardens what it must look like on the inside. Its absolutely incredibly.

Snob appeal

2008-07-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

OK, after the air conditioner broke 5 times, and then they "fixed it", I knew I had to get out of the other place when I was sitting at my desk, and a huge chunk of plaster fell onto my desk area. Yes, a part of the ceiling came down cuz of all the water damage from the air conditioner. It all worked out for me in the long run, although they didn't want to refund my money, they did, and I found a new place in the center of the city, for less money. Granted the artwork is TRASH, buthow many people can say they live on the same block as the Supreme Court???

CRIBS - MTV

2008-07-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Last week MTV caught up with me to check out my crib.

Tennis Anyone - Part 2

2008-06-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend right when I got to Spain, I signed up for a tennis tournament. They put in division C for singles and I lost my first match (to an asshole), and then for doubles, I signed up for an anonymous partner (who turned out to be Carlos Moreno), and they put Carlos and me in the D division. We ended up winning the tournament. It was incredibly hot, and some people had to withdraw due to heat exhaustion (and vomiting) on the court. Anyway, the biggest surprise of the tournament (besides winning the doubles) was due to an ancient tradition dating back to the 15th century in Spain where the shepherds must be granted the right to drive the sheep through the city limits when weekend a year.... It just so happened to be the weekend of the tournament. It was SO awesome. Check out the video footage. Imagine being in a city of 5 million people, you on a tennis court, and something like this showing up.

"The Mormons are Coming! The Mormons are Coming!"

2008-06-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

YIKES!!!! Tell me this isn't real. Yesterday was "Welcome Dinner" at the Rosenberg household. We all took a train out to their residence in the suburbs. A week prior we were sent an email telling us the location, and time, and that "Seeing that we don't drink alcohol, you may bring a beverage of your choice if you like, but soda and water will be provided." BLUAH! Just when I thought that the email was disturbing, I about DIED when I walked into the house where I was met by a cute little obnoxious adopted child that had NEVER been told to, "SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!" I walked in and Gayle Ann met me at the door and said, "Welcome to the Rosenberg home." It was June Cleaver's evil twin sister and I was convinced that a house was going to drop on the both of us at any given moment. To make this slow death as quick as possible I will get right to it. They had us sit in a circle and tell about our most memorable student. Five of the 14 other teachers teach at a private religious institution. Well, the first teacher said that his most memorable student was a student that came out to him. Well, June Cleaver about wet herself, and the most uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Something tells me "The Cleavers" have a surprise in store for them.

Bienvenidos (Welcome) to Spain

2008-06-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

Although I've been gone for 3 days, it feels so much longer. I left Monday, and when I got to the airport and checked in, the monitor said, "Your trip is longer than the maximum time allowed." There I was at the airport, with my luggage, and I'm like, "What??????" The whore called over the manager, and I told her that I wasn't going to be in Germany for 6 months, and that I had another ticket to Spain, and that I was going to spend time in both countries. She was like, "Do you have that other itinerary?" I showed it to her, and then she took my luggage charged me $50 because my luggage was more than 50lbs, and then put on a sticker that said, "Check in pending". I asked, "What does check-in pending mean? She said, "the only people that can give you a seat confirmation is at the gate." I think you can probably tell that the fat bitch and I weren't getting along all that well. All in all it worked out well, and to be completely honest, i was EVIL at the gate, and they made me wait until the last minute for my boarding pass, but when I got it, they gave me a window seat (as I had requested 3 months ago when I made the reservation) and they even put me in the economy plus section. The flight you ask???? To be honest, for being RIGHT next to a spoiled 4 year old Italian girl, it really wasn't that bad. It could have been a lot worse. My friends picked me up at the airport, and "that's it" ("ya esta") as they would say in Spain.

Bring it on Imelda

2008-06-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

OK, so I leave in 9 days and I have to admit that I have procrastinated once again. This is a dry run for my first video posting so here we go. The other day I finally went out and bought a large suitcase, and I even started to pack when it ALLLLL hit me. How in the HELL am I going to choose which shoes that I am going to bring? No, I am not expecting any sympathy from you all, but YOU try and pack at least 3-4 pairs into a suitcase. Now I know how what Imelda did, she just bought new shoes when she got there.

2008-06-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

Tennis anyone???

I went to Louisville over Memorial Day weekend for a tennis tournament. I played lefty in a tournament for the first time. I really didn't know what to expect. Especially since I was playing with my new tennis rackets I got at the Northwestern fund raiser. I never expected Louisville to be such a nice city. It was pretty Green, with a great feel to it. The nightlife sucked though. I entered the tournament in the "D" division (the lowest level). I won the first 3 matches even though some of the people had better ground strokes than I did, but I think because I have played for a while, and knew how to construct points, I had the upper hand. My first two matches were 6-0 6-1. The 3rd match was 6-1, 6-1. All of that changed in the semi-finals. I played a GIANT of a person. What seemed to work so effectively in the first 3 matches was backfiring on me. He took the first set 6-2. I changed tactics in the 2nd set, and beat him 6-2. By the 3rd set, we were both exhausted. I won 6-3 in the third. The finals, the next day, I won 6-2, 6-0.

Where'd she go?

Who knew? After one of the most successful years in women's tennis, my favorite player would hang up her tennis shoes. Finding another Justine will be impossible. My 5'5" 125 lb. Justine was a warrior who played her best tennis with her back against the wall. The combination of reconciling with her family, a third Roland Garros title (without dropping a set in all three), and winning the US open (beating fat ass Serena first, and then her sister Venus ) seemed to take it's toll. The fist pumps and the "ALLEZ" will be forever missed.