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Hola chicos - Hace mucho tiempo, sorry I've been slacking on my updates, been trying to find a place to live for a while, but excuses excuses.
First off, doesn't it seem that Argentina would be older than the U.S., I don't say this based on any historical facts or genuine logic, I think it's cause of all of the old time European architecture and cultural aspects we think about which makes it seem a part of Europe, instead of the last European outpost on the South American continent. Anyway I say that because this weekend, specifically May 25th is the 200th anniversary of Argentine Independence from Espana. It's sweet, they have closed off the entire main avenue in the downtown area, 9 de Julio, as well as the main avenue connecting the presidential palace, Casa Rosada, to the congressional building. All for massive parades for Argentine Military and social groups. There are also 6 stages throughout the city that have different delegations from all the extremely differing areas of the country. Last night the kicked everything off with a free concert right in downtown, beginning at the typical Argentine 11 pm.
I am quite ashamed to say that I caught this wonderful, once in 200 year event while flipping between channels during a commercial of the Magic - Celtics blowout. I knew this weekend had a lot of events happening, but I didn't realize the scale, Avenida 9 de Julio supposedly had half a million people in it. In which case I am leaving my apartment right after this with my trusty nikon in hand, to search out the craziest of these celebrations throughout the day and night today, monday and tuesday. Unfortunately the company I work for supports Americans so monday and tuesday daytime I will have to work. (It would be strange to tell leave a voicemail telling my customers I can't track their vehicle because I'm a few blocks away cheering on the image of Juan Peron draped in an Argentine flag sipping mate with a spalsh of fernet, at least I don't think that would work) Anyway I'm going to join the masses with my camera and snap some phots of these events, cause honestly who doesn't love spectacles, and large crowds, with lost of drunk people, and few bathrooms, in a society where the concept of personal space is equal to my understanding of those belts woman where that do nothing to hold up any form of pant, and the belts aren't even going around the waist, what is the point?
I'll be back in a few days with some pics and highlights. Word up.
Doscientos Anos = 200 years.
Hasta Pronto
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Como andas?
Sometimes when you plan on doing something for so long, but then you keep putting it off by just a small measure of time. 30 more seconds I'll stay in bed. Then, as well all know and all recognize, that miniscule piece of time joins together with other miniscule pieces of time. Five more minutes in the hot shower. Thus creating a slightly larger, miniscule piece of time.
To quote one of the best sayers of things that we all try to say but just can't really say right, John Steinbeck; "Time interval is a strange and contradictory matter in the mind. It would be reasonable to suppose that a routine time or an eventless time would seem interminable. It should be so, but it is not. It is the dull eventless times that have no duration whatever. A time splashed with interest, wounded with tragedy, crevassed with joy - that's the time that seems long in memory. And this is right when you think about it. Eventlessness has no posts to drape duration on. From nothing to nothing is no time at all."
Now thats a little more potent a spoonful of flavor than I am feeling now, but I can't agree with that more. Instead of the years that Johnny boy uses to tell stories I lack the posts to drape the passage of time on for but 5 days a week. Every job I have had prior to working here in BsAs has been a schedule of jumbling mornings, days and late nights to make a nice muddled collage of my weekly work plan. Now I work an embarrassingly unhurried 11 - 7 (we have to stay in line with the work hours of continental U.S.(Don't worry I have an 8am class to teach in downtown twice a week to keep my eyes open during real person work hours)) But it really is surprising to open your eyes before sunrise monday - I actually really do enjoy my hour long classes teaching, my student is a Brazilian woman who works in the marketing department of Telefonica downtown, she's smart and well traveled and wants to learn, making my teaching both a learning and teaching experience. Basically I ask questions about Brasil and other interests of her's and she explains them to me. It's pretty unique perspective and I like knowing how to help someone, for example can any of you guys easily explain the difference in contextual use of "said" and "told" I certainly couldn't when asked on the spot so I had to research then teach - To open my eyes monday before the sun opens, have the days seem like the end is always just out of reach, then all of a sudden it's 6 pm on friday and we're having some Henikien for happy hour at the office.
Now I don't want to sound like una rey de drama here, cause I certainly do have plenty of posts to drape the marks of time over. I usually have good experiences in the small daily activities of an independent life, but for the long run I basically think I can't sit down for 60% of the day, thats what I'm getting at. This is leading into the really exciting part now...I am in the early, early stages of possibly maybe, quizas, posible, starting a bar in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires with a successful restaurant owner here in the city. I don't want to say more than that now because I am superstitous when it comes to calling yourself out early, and the only wood I could knock on right now is the floor and my feet are up and i haven't stretched for a while, but I am excited about this.
Which reopened my eyes yet again that I, and not only I for that matter, a large amount of people, actually have the ability to do anything as of right now. There is literally nothing holding me here in Buenos Aires for more than a month and I think I have found a system to gain employment in any major city fairly quickly (staying away from the oldest profession of course). It's these thoughts that create the pegs to drape your thoughts and your perception of time on, not only the acts themselves but the dreams that create them.
Gosh wow, I try to update a few people on what I'm doing in a foreign country and I start citing modern American Literature, yikes.
Life is good here for me, I'm about to move out of my apartment to a cheaper and more spanish speaking abode. I'm coming home to E.E.U.U. for three weeks in the middle of July for a little thing I like to call El Cable and ahhh Iron Man 2 is pretty sweet. Oh and is it just me or did the whole Gulf spill thing kind of just die in the global media world. I've been searching for info but can't find anything since sunday saying the giant dome reverse engineered from The Simpsons movie didn't work? Anyone know anything?
Allright nos vemos, I'll post again soon and it will hopefully be something you want to read.
Como Andas? - Literally means how are you walking/passing/going? But really means how are you. Andar is used her for about 8 different verbs, that I know of, and I'm sure cut up into slang all over the place. I'll learn some more and get back to you.
Chau
To quote one of the best sayers of things that we all try to say but just can't really say right, John Steinbeck; "Time interval is a strange and contradictory matter in the mind. It would be reasonable to suppose that a routine time or an eventless time would seem interminable. It should be so, but it is not. It is the dull eventless times that have no duration whatever. A time splashed with interest, wounded with tragedy, crevassed with joy - that's the time that seems long in memory. And this is right when you think about it. Eventlessness has no posts to drape duration on. From nothing to nothing is no time at all."
Now thats a little more potent a spoonful of flavor than I am feeling now, but I can't agree with that more. Instead of the years that Johnny boy uses to tell stories I lack the posts to drape the passage of time on for but 5 days a week. Every job I have had prior to working here in BsAs has been a schedule of jumbling mornings, days and late nights to make a nice muddled collage of my weekly work plan. Now I work an embarrassingly unhurried 11 - 7 (we have to stay in line with the work hours of continental U.S.(Don't worry I have an 8am class to teach in downtown twice a week to keep my eyes open during real person work hours)) But it really is surprising to open your eyes before sunrise monday - I actually really do enjoy my hour long classes teaching, my student is a Brazilian woman who works in the marketing department of Telefonica downtown, she's smart and well traveled and wants to learn, making my teaching both a learning and teaching experience. Basically I ask questions about Brasil and other interests of her's and she explains them to me. It's pretty unique perspective and I like knowing how to help someone, for example can any of you guys easily explain the difference in contextual use of "said" and "told" I certainly couldn't when asked on the spot so I had to research then teach - To open my eyes monday before the sun opens, have the days seem like the end is always just out of reach, then all of a sudden it's 6 pm on friday and we're having some Henikien for happy hour at the office.
Now I don't want to sound like una rey de drama here, cause I certainly do have plenty of posts to drape the marks of time over. I usually have good experiences in the small daily activities of an independent life, but for the long run I basically think I can't sit down for 60% of the day, thats what I'm getting at. This is leading into the really exciting part now...I am in the early, early stages of possibly maybe, quizas, posible, starting a bar in the Palermo area of Buenos Aires with a successful restaurant owner here in the city. I don't want to say more than that now because I am superstitous when it comes to calling yourself out early, and the only wood I could knock on right now is the floor and my feet are up and i haven't stretched for a while, but I am excited about this.
Which reopened my eyes yet again that I, and not only I for that matter, a large amount of people, actually have the ability to do anything as of right now. There is literally nothing holding me here in Buenos Aires for more than a month and I think I have found a system to gain employment in any major city fairly quickly (staying away from the oldest profession of course). It's these thoughts that create the pegs to drape your thoughts and your perception of time on, not only the acts themselves but the dreams that create them.
Gosh wow, I try to update a few people on what I'm doing in a foreign country and I start citing modern American Literature, yikes.
Life is good here for me, I'm about to move out of my apartment to a cheaper and more spanish speaking abode. I'm coming home to E.E.U.U. for three weeks in the middle of July for a little thing I like to call El Cable and ahhh Iron Man 2 is pretty sweet. Oh and is it just me or did the whole Gulf spill thing kind of just die in the global media world. I've been searching for info but can't find anything since sunday saying the giant dome reverse engineered from The Simpsons movie didn't work? Anyone know anything?
Allright nos vemos, I'll post again soon and it will hopefully be something you want to read.
Como Andas? - Literally means how are you walking/passing/going? But really means how are you. Andar is used her for about 8 different verbs, that I know of, and I'm sure cut up into slang all over the place. I'll learn some more and get back to you.
Chau
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Copa Mundial
Check out this sweet video for the world cup, at one Point we had tickets. But sometimes reality has to strike no?
Get pumped up U.S. beat spain in a Confederations Cup game 2 - 1, big deal, and even if the Flaming Eagles of Pride and Ingenuity (The newly adopted nickname for Team U.S.) don't do well it's going to be a pretty amazing event down there.
I'll be back soon...
Copa Mundial means world cup...
Get pumped up U.S. beat spain in a Confederations Cup game 2 - 1, big deal, and even if the Flaming Eagles of Pride and Ingenuity (The newly adopted nickname for Team U.S.) don't do well it's going to be a pretty amazing event down there.
I'll be back soon...
Copa Mundial means world cup...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A vos
Cafe Martinez, Avenida de Mayo, Micro Centro, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal, Argentina.
As I sit here waiting, after teaching a bit
I sip my steaming warm coffee and consider the fit
My sitting here wearing a polo, bright yellow and blue
Amongst all the others floating through the city, with so much to do
Two hours to kill why not a muffin de leche
Un buen idea amiga, "por su puesto" se dije
Pero, no se si podria seguirse asi
Porque tengo que mudar durante la dia, es un cosa importa para mi
But each day I awake, before the sun twice a week
I shower up in the dawn, strike my feet to the soaking street
Though the path I now take is worn by my Pumas
It's when you look up that you realize whats humaan
Cada vez una pela arriba en el edifico
Y cada subte asi un picina, los dos estan lleno, entonces, lo mismo
Pero hay un algo buenisimo sobre una dia nueva
Todo es posible cuando vive un la ciudad buena
The reason for the syntax, and AA BB rhythm
Is too appease my fellow cafe drinkers, trying to avoid a schism
Add on the fact that upon which I'm typing is an Apple
I'm pretty much forced to be doing something creative, or at least to dabble.
A vos means and to you. For example, 1. "Buenas dias" and the person would respond "no, no, a vos."
As I sit here waiting, after teaching a bit
I sip my steaming warm coffee and consider the fit
My sitting here wearing a polo, bright yellow and blue
Amongst all the others floating through the city, with so much to do
Two hours to kill why not a muffin de leche
Un buen idea amiga, "por su puesto" se dije
Pero, no se si podria seguirse asi
Porque tengo que mudar durante la dia, es un cosa importa para mi
But each day I awake, before the sun twice a week
I shower up in the dawn, strike my feet to the soaking street
Though the path I now take is worn by my Pumas
It's when you look up that you realize whats humaan
Cada vez una pela arriba en el edifico
Y cada subte asi un picina, los dos estan lleno, entonces, lo mismo
Pero hay un algo buenisimo sobre una dia nueva
Todo es posible cuando vive un la ciudad buena
The reason for the syntax, and AA BB rhythm
Is too appease my fellow cafe drinkers, trying to avoid a schism
Add on the fact that upon which I'm typing is an Apple
I'm pretty much forced to be doing something creative, or at least to dabble.
A vos means and to you. For example, 1. "Buenas dias" and the person would respond "no, no, a vos."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Blanca y Cookies
Yo chicos - I just read a few of my roommate/co conspirator in this argentine fiesta's last blogpost, michaelhromadka.blogspot.com, and he's on 14 I got to speed up or I'm overtaken like a non-American walking down the sidewalk by an American. (I do not consider myself many things: well organized, emotionally sensitive, introverted, un-awesome...modest?....and another thing I certainly never have considered myself is a fast walker. But damn, I honestly pull up behind these people like Earnheart Jr, I mean I'm closing 10 yards in under 2.3 seconds then phoooooshhhh, quick draft behind a two person group and slingshot right ahead of em like it was nothing. It's crazy cause it makes me feel like I'm not stopping to smell the roses and whistle a catchy ditty enough. Moving from America to Buenos Aires was like driving 65 mph your whole life then all of a sudden getting off at the BsAs exit, your still moving 25 mph but it feels soooooooooooo slow. But it's not really too bad cause most of the streets are one way so It's east too judge when you can hop on that diamond lane and cruise past all the old grannies chugging along.)
Wow, don't now where that came from but it really is pretty weird. So,so,so. How are you guys doing, for those who follow this blog, and for the even smaller group that I assume would actually spend their precious time not being forced to stare at a computer screen to read this blog, please comment and let me know something about yourselves. I guess let us know something about you. I am willing to bet one half steak, half chicken, gauc, corn salsa, spicy salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion, pepper and sour creme, and some red tabasco Chipotle burrito, that I will buying on July 13th of this year, that something really awesome and pretty darn funny has happend to at least 68% percent. I mean, I'm no doctor, but that is simple economics no?
So today I called 150 people. On a computer phone with a headset. I sat in a black swiveling chair while listening to a girl who graduated from UCLA's ipod mix. A very solid mix I must say. I talked to 16 people on the phone today, while clicking nonchalantly, is chalantly a word?, on different areas of the U.S. highway and road system. I convinced 5 people today that I actually am not a liar and want to help them, while thinking about what kind of vegetables I was going to put in my tuna mix for the sandwich I was going to make for dinner (I always assumed you could only use your crunchy vegetables, but alas tomato works). I made a sale today, but the darn gentlemen must have a poor time sense because when he was going to call me back with his conformation and credit card info I was out of the office for an hour. I like my job. I work with funny and cool people, I talk to people who really need help and I can really help them. I save them money and I save them from getting completely ripped off (30% of auto transport industry are scam artists, honest to God scam artist who steal peoples money) I like knowing that I have a honest and good product to sell people and I like talking to people all day. I dislike desks though. I dislike swivel chairs when the headset I'm wearing restricts the full 360 spin. But alas I am learning so much form this experience beyond simple cultura and linguistics. Apparently the first real job you get out of school isn't going to be as a professional gadget tester for Techland.com nor is it going to be assistant Quentin Terrentino in his next project. The reality is sometimes you have to work, and when you do that you really start to appreciate, and recognize, the things you are working for. I'm just now discovering some of this stuff but I do know one of them, ahhhh, welp I just paused on that part a little long so guess the jury's still out.
Wow, everyone okay? things got kind of intense back there, but you know like good intense, like a really spicy burrito.
My job is cool and I'm meeting more people every weekend, soon I'm thinking about implementing the great Only Speaking in Spanish Act (11.AATH.42222.A) But I can now understand about 80% percent of the people 75% of the time. Which is a drastic increase from even a month ago, so that gets me pumped.
Holy crap that volcano is crazy. A german dude I was going to play tennis with tomorrow can't cause his parents are still here. His parents are still here cause they can't fly back to Germany, those pesky golf ball sized, crystalized, pieces of ash tend to be discourteous to plane engines I guess. Here's a sweet article in about it.
Go see the movie Kick Ass, many people I know and trust with movie opinion have said it's one of the best of the year, of course that's only if you want. Didn't mean to demand that one there.
Blanco y cookies is a delicious ly epic chocolate bar I just bought instead of a newspaper. But the whole time I was just thinking about sour patch kids.
Wow, don't now where that came from but it really is pretty weird. So,so,so. How are you guys doing, for those who follow this blog, and for the even smaller group that I assume would actually spend their precious time not being forced to stare at a computer screen to read this blog, please comment and let me know something about yourselves. I guess let us know something about you. I am willing to bet one half steak, half chicken, gauc, corn salsa, spicy salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion, pepper and sour creme, and some red tabasco Chipotle burrito, that I will buying on July 13th of this year, that something really awesome and pretty darn funny has happend to at least 68% percent. I mean, I'm no doctor, but that is simple economics no?
So today I called 150 people. On a computer phone with a headset. I sat in a black swiveling chair while listening to a girl who graduated from UCLA's ipod mix. A very solid mix I must say. I talked to 16 people on the phone today, while clicking nonchalantly, is chalantly a word?, on different areas of the U.S. highway and road system. I convinced 5 people today that I actually am not a liar and want to help them, while thinking about what kind of vegetables I was going to put in my tuna mix for the sandwich I was going to make for dinner (I always assumed you could only use your crunchy vegetables, but alas tomato works). I made a sale today, but the darn gentlemen must have a poor time sense because when he was going to call me back with his conformation and credit card info I was out of the office for an hour. I like my job. I work with funny and cool people, I talk to people who really need help and I can really help them. I save them money and I save them from getting completely ripped off (30% of auto transport industry are scam artists, honest to God scam artist who steal peoples money) I like knowing that I have a honest and good product to sell people and I like talking to people all day. I dislike desks though. I dislike swivel chairs when the headset I'm wearing restricts the full 360 spin. But alas I am learning so much form this experience beyond simple cultura and linguistics. Apparently the first real job you get out of school isn't going to be as a professional gadget tester for Techland.com nor is it going to be assistant Quentin Terrentino in his next project. The reality is sometimes you have to work, and when you do that you really start to appreciate, and recognize, the things you are working for. I'm just now discovering some of this stuff but I do know one of them, ahhhh, welp I just paused on that part a little long so guess the jury's still out.
Wow, everyone okay? things got kind of intense back there, but you know like good intense, like a really spicy burrito.
My job is cool and I'm meeting more people every weekend, soon I'm thinking about implementing the great Only Speaking in Spanish Act (11.AATH.42222.A) But I can now understand about 80% percent of the people 75% of the time. Which is a drastic increase from even a month ago, so that gets me pumped.
Holy crap that volcano is crazy. A german dude I was going to play tennis with tomorrow can't cause his parents are still here. His parents are still here cause they can't fly back to Germany, those pesky golf ball sized, crystalized, pieces of ash tend to be discourteous to plane engines I guess. Here's a sweet article in about it.
Go see the movie Kick Ass, many people I know and trust with movie opinion have said it's one of the best of the year, of course that's only if you want. Didn't mean to demand that one there.
Blanco y cookies is a delicious ly epic chocolate bar I just bought instead of a newspaper. But the whole time I was just thinking about sour patch kids.
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