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A R C H I V O 6
Vie Feb 27, 08:33:16
PM
Vitamin enriched corn tortillas! For those of you who don´t live down
here or buy your food here, the Mexican government forces food manufacturers
to add vitamins to everything! Because Mexicans don´t do vitamins... well
now a new study says 30 million or more Mexicans have malnutrition, we will now
get soy enriched corn tortillas! Corn tortillas are the main source of food (besides
beans & rice) in Mexico, the government even controls the pricing so you
cannot make and sell tortillas for more than about 6 pesos a kilo. With the added
soy corn tortillas will increase to about 9 pesos a kilo - which cuts down on
the purchases of salsa and some of the tortillarias around town. Personally,
I´m a flour tortilla person... so I pay more anyway!
Sab Feb 21, 01:14:02
PM
Imagine..... there is only 1 radio station in your town, once in awhile
you can get a couple stations from a neighboring town, but the quality is poor.
At the start of the Iraqi invasion, all American songs were pulled from airplay
- now they are slowly coming back. If not for internet radio I would go nuts
- not knowing what is happening in the world, musically, news worthy... what Britney is
up to! (bummer...) ...ETC.
I miss the overload of radio stations I had living in the Los Angeles area most of my life, then finding myself with one station while living in Cabo San Lucas for 4 years. Now here in the deep center of Mexico we get a pop station and some banda music... The closest thing to quality music (outside of college stations in Mexico) is the internet, but you need that high-band connection to enjoy true stereo with unbroken music streams.
Of course... there is always MP3 downloads - we are RIAA Free down here in the land of piratas!
Jue Feb 19, 11:52:06
PM
I hate XP!!! Still having Microsft problems - thank you very much Bill
Gates!
A couple days ago one of Mexico's ex-Presidents died - Lopez Portillo, better known as "El Perro" (the dog)... funny, most ex-Presidents of Mexico led such a corrupt rule that people are glad they are gone. No big hoopla, everybody has that "good riddance" attitude. In his later days Portillo married an ex-actress (porn star???) now she wants part of his belonging and is fighting with Portillo's kids... and for what? ...a desk, some clothes? How does an ex-President become a popper... the guy was flat broke!
I guess he wasn't corrupt enough, the guy should be rich like that other corrupt ex-Prez - Salinas!
The dog is dead...
Lun Feb 16, 10:47:29
PM
Bloody XP... struggling with Windows XP - first we had the Spanish version
(Microsoft's OWN Tech Support here in Mexico told us it was crap!) ...then
we found a copy of XP 2002 Professional in English (with 1,500.00 pesos tagged
onto it for importing the "old" version - 2004 version unavailable
for importation) soooo, trashed my weeks worth of installed programs, files,
etc. and got the English version running and updated with all the latest patches
(38 mb worth) ..............been reinstalling everything for about 4 days now
and guess what?!! We have a corruption problem that keeps shutting down the
computer! Contacted Microsoft AGAIN..... oh yeah, there is a conflict with
an Intel storage driver they tell me, and guess what - currently they have
no update or suggestions, but they do admit that it is a problem.
I guess they are too busy trying to keep up on the security patches from all the viruses... funny Linux and Mac don't have these problems (at all___), but Linux is alot of work and Mac's in Mexico... freakin' outrageously priced!
Yes, (the knighted) Sir Bill Gates IS the anti-christ!
Dom Feb 15, 10:25:02
AM
Back to normal... I have been down most of 2 weeks getting a new machine
and salvaging what was let of my 5 year old Baja'd laptop. More frequent blogs
again - we are back!
Dom Feb 08, 04:04:23
PM
Today's word is... Falluca, or in some places - Fayuca. Which literially
means contraband smuggler or dealer. Before the days of NAFTA they played a
very prominent role in bringing products down from the US and selling them
here in Mexico for 3 or 4 times their value... (and they sold like hotcakes!)
you can still find them around in the Zocalos of major cities here, but the
Mexican government is trying to corral them into one area so they can collect
taxes from these fallucas. Free enterprise system...
So if the local Office Depot or Costco doesn't have that newly released product you are looking for from the US or even Asia, the Falluceros still bring them into Mexico and the fallucas sell them. So if you are desperate and have the money, you spend the pesos and buy your "fayuquitas".
Jue Feb 05, 03:01:46
PM
Stupidity continued... I hate to harp anymore about the censorship "stupidity" going
on in the US right now - sheesh!!! what is the problem??? Now ALL "live" TV
broadcasts will have built-in delays?!! Progress is being reversed by 50 years!
......and other idiots that want their 15 minutes of fame are creating frivolous
lawsuits, why is Mexico looking so much better these days? .........is
it Bush, or just the scare that 9/11 caused that people are now closing their
minds and heading for their safety zone? Wow, I am totally amazed that this
is possible and really happening - what has happened to my country?
No more on this subject - I promise...
Jue Feb 05, 12:13:38
AM
Cultural problems here... and the US. We all have heard the stupidity (both
directions) of the Jackson breast (...and
we do not mean Jacko's) on "LIVE" National TV - ...yes, lets be appalled
and offended by such a display - while TV viewers in Mexico and throughout
Europe would see it as nada, nothing, minimal interest..., we get breasts served
on our morning TV sometimes, any criminal investigations? ...complaints?? Nope,
but watch how a room full of Mexican's turn away from the TV while watching
the Nature Channel as two bears start to get friendly............... isn't
culture funny.
Here in Mexico City the "No Order Punk Fest" got totally out of hand in a punk fashion with the (reformed) MISFITS running from the stage with their guitars and amps in hand while being trashed by bottles and trash, getting into fights with the crowd, which left one band member with internal bleeding and evacuated back to the US. So not only will the Chihuahua show be canceled, but punk rock too... as religion rears its ugly head as it battles concerts "that they say" are of satanic content and/or worship (first victim: Marilyn Manson, now the Dead Kennedys and the Misfits...) - hmmmm, sounds like America's attitude in the mid '60's...
...as the US goes backwards and gets righteously moral, (there is no war, there is no war...) soon religion and the days reminiscent of "Leave it to Beaver" will return - just like disco.
Dom Feb 01, 02:47:16
PM
FREEZING!!! Mexico got a dose of snow these past couple of days... nice
clean D.F snow (chiste) was found in the foothills around town. Here is
the Queretaro valley we froze butt these past couple of days - was so cold
that when the dog ran away last night, she was back in half an hour - too freakin'
cold to cruise the streets and chase gatos! ...the best part of course is the "almost" blue
skies in Mexico City and a view of the mountains and volcanos - Popo
with snow... the fantastic Mexico of old - beautiful!
Lun Ene 26, 06:49:23
PM
Mexico's social security insurance hospitals under budgeted? Soooo, what
is new? It's Mexico! Our local IMSS hospital for everybody that works or can
afford insurance has no phonelines working to the outside world (only internal
lines...) personnel have to use cel phones to get out. And the buildings themselves
are like walking into a cave - half power. Why? State budget cuts...... sounds
like the smart thing to do, lower health care costs and that way more goes
into the political pockets.
And very soon this cash strapped state (Querétaro) will be going door to door looking for tax money from any illegal businesses operating in the state. Which means, about 80% of the businesses here! From the scammers who deserve to get caught to the innocent people who have businesses out of their houses so they can barely survive here. People like me are just plain poor because we are legal and pay our taxes to the Hacienda - sooooo, they won't be taking my computer anytime soon. (I don't think...)
Final Note: the kid in Canada surrendered his domain name (MikeRoweSoft.com) to Microsoft for an Xbox, some Microsoft training (what is that?) and a new domain name - which Microsoft says will help point new traffic to (hey, I could use some of that!)... I personally would have taken the 10 grand. Anyway, the fat cats win again...
Jue Ene 22, 05:32:07
PM
Policia to finally get handcuffs! Hard to believe that after 20 years Mexico
is giving the police back their handcuffs... makes arrests alot easier wouldn't
you think? Now instead of 20 cops wrestling you to the ground and dragging
you in, they can just wrestle you to the ground, cuff you and grab your buddies
as well! Let's just hope that they don't abuse the cuffs this time and get
them taken away again. Maybe soon the "Tamarindos" will get
bullets for their guns... a la Barney Fife.
...from the previous "off topic" blog - Microsoft backed down on suing Mike Rowe of MikeRoweSoft.com, I guess with everybody giving MS such a hard time for their corporate-bully tactics they thought they had better cool it (too much negative press). Do you hear this RIAA? ...GIVE IT UP! You have been gouging the public for 20 years on CD prices, now technology is on the side of the underdog - Free MP3 downloads for the people!!!
Mar Ene 20, 02:17:36
PM
Off Topic.... Microsoft (need I say more....) harrasses a 17 year old Canadian,
because his domain for his web publishing business is "MikeRoweSoft.com" -
and the dicks at MS are dragging him through the Internet Corp. for Assigned
Names and Numbers and World Intellectual Property Organization to force him
to give up his domain for fear that people trying to find Microsoft.com will
get comfused! Give me a freakin' break!!! These LAMF's offered the kid $10
for his domain - wow, nice guys........
Another reason why I switched to Mozilla Firebird & Thunderbird, and OpenOffice.
Stop by Mike Rowe's site and help him out with a donation to his defense fund against Bill Gates and the MS Corporate Monster!
Sab Ene 17, 10:27:42
AM
"Blessing of the Animals Day".... Bendición de los Animales (Saint
Anthony's Day - the patron saint of domesticated animals) During the Spanish
colonial period in Mexico, it was customery to bless farm animals on San Antonio
Abad's feast day. This is the only time animals are allowed in church, Priest's
bless the animals that provide humans with - food, carrying our burdens for us,
providing us with clothing and companionship. Some Priest's venture to the ranchos
on this day to bless the farm animals as well.
So take your dog to church today - a guaranteed different experience (except for those of you in the US that take your dog to PetSmart and let them roam the aisles......
"clean up in aisle 3...." (whew!)
Juv Ene 13, 02:36:07
PM
30 years ago today David Alfaro Siqueiros died. One of Mexico's premier
muralists, along with Diego Rivera and José Orozco - his murals depicting
the struggles of the common people can be found all over Mexico, in museum
collections, on the outside of buildings and in private homes and government
offices. Some amazing
stuff.....
Mar Ene 13, 06:23:49
PM
Bush brings his own water to Monterrey Summit Meeting... hey George, the
bottled water here in Mexico is fine - and quit bitching about the water Mexico
owes the US! Our dams may have a little more water in than last year but we
are still way too short to survive 2004 - why don't you import Mexican bottled
water... good for trade relations don't you think!??
Here (San Juan del Rio) we are expecting water available for less hours of the day and our monthly bill to go up 5 times it's current rate very soon.
......and keep your skanky daughter away from the First Lady's son - por favor! We don't want that mad cow desease spreading down here - comprendo Mr. President? Final comment... does your wife still think Cheez Whiz and Brie are one in the same?
Jue Ene 09, 03:44:11
PM
Inhumane society... sooo, the local humane society in San Juan del Rio
was closed last year because they found that the 10 employees that they were
paying did not exist - was an empty pound (yes, so what is new?). Now we have
dying and dead dogs and cats in the streets with decease and pain (of course)
that need to be HUMANELY taken care of. This morning one of these unwanted
street animals was killed and dumped in the neighborhood trash.
The dog has been around here awhile, one eye, a bad limp... now it lays, tossed in the trash (very graphic, you may not want to view the photo), baking in the sun since midday, most likely deceased, in the extreme area of many young children that play on this street and will remain there until midnight when the trash gets picked up! No matter how cruel this is, the worst part is this animal needs to be cremated so children or other animals don't catch some dreaded decease.
It is a known fact that Mexico treats most animals poorly, but this is a dangerous situation! For all human kind... wake up people!
Jue Ene 09, 02:52:47
AM
2004 Brings Changes . . . so far this year we have found a few changes
around our little town... first off, the taxis raised their rates by 4 pesos
per local stop. The stores are really low on products AND QUALITY right now...
but those specially ordered items for Navidad just showed up! Now we can have
mint jelly, turkey gravy and fruit cakes in time for Super Bowl. The Veracruz
style restaurant closed after years of treating San Juan del Rio to great Veracruz
style fish entrees - they are nada mas and will very much be missed!
A McDonald's fish sandwich
with jalapeños doesn't come close...
Lun Ene 05, 10:42:56
PM
Reyes night... (King's Night) just got back from doing our "mad" shopping for
those Magic Kings (Los Reyes Magos) tonight we take the kids shoes and put
presents inside or underneath them, so manana they awaken and find gifts from
the 3 King's..... (yeah, right_____ I know) but I still believe in the American
Santa and his bag of Chinese toys... go figure.
Do you think the King's
are getting their toys from China too?
Baldizar looked a
little Asian too me... (one of the King's...)
Anyway, at least the Roscas are bueno...
Dom Ene 04, 02:56:22
PM
The Real Mexico... So do you want to know how the Chinese Mafia works in
La Lagunilla?
Or when the next group of Mexican's are leaving (by tunnel) for the US?
Or which (family man) politicians have boyfriends?
.....welllllll, sorry... but I am not allowed to talk about that stuff - I am not a citizen of this beautiful (corrupted???) country. But I love the color of it all.......... great stuff!
Dom Ene 04, 10:27:05
AM
Human Rights Violation in Queretaro...? We have all seen villages in countries
like Africa, the Middle East, etc. that take law into their own hands and punish
their own people for stealing, adultery and so on... but it is really amazing
to find that sort of primitive behavior here in Mexico, and here in the state
of Queretaro! But mi amigos - it is real and has happened. A
40 year old indigenous woman was accused of adultery here recently and
some of her neighbors (probably the woman with the unfaithful husbands) decided
to publicly humiliate and punish her.
People... this is 2004 - wake up! Aztec rules no longer apply in this world (this sucks...).
Sab Ene 03, 06:48:15
PM
Seems like Fall, instead of Winter here... the
trees are a golden brown, the rio is calm, everything is quiet and peaceful
here in Mexico. The Govt. has changed it's mind on closing Mexico's movie studios,
NAFTA is now 10 years old (and very tired...), the Zapatistas are celebrating
their revolution of self rule - life is good?
Just don't try to get a flight to the US for awhile - what a freakin' mess!
Paz...
Jue Ene 01, 07:25:33
PM
¡Feliz Año Nuevo! 2004 is finally here......... today was a beautiful
warm and sunny day - unfortunately the power was too low to run my laptop
and all of my peripherals - always seems to happen around the holidays! Too much
partying going on over at the CFE power plants...
Soooo, next is the 3 King's Day (Dia de los Reyes)... I sure hope I get a nice new nutcracker in my shoe! Nutcrackers (to crack nuts... not the ballet) are very rare down here - yes I know you can buy them everywhere in the US (but this is not the US!), the best option here seems to be a molcajete (mortar & pestle).
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