Saturday, August 16, 2003

This came in my email yesterday from Anne:

The Washington Post's Style Invitational once again asked readers to
take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or
changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are this year's
winners:

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you
realize it was your money to start with.

2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops
bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows
little sign of breaking down in the near future.

4. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting laid.

5. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the
subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

6. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

7. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it.

8. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

9. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these
really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's
like, a serious bummer.

12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day
consuming only things that are good for you.

13. Glibido: All talk and no action.

14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when
they come at you rapidly.

15. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after
you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your
bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in
the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of the literature:

18. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

Friday, August 15, 2003

It's never too hot to lavish pride on our children...

William has always had impressive Etch A Sketch capabilities. He can do faces and phrases and even Lego BIONICLE characters. Trust me; this is a good rendition of Tahu, the red Toa of Fire.



Here is a comparison of the model and his Pocket Etch A Sketch portrait.

Thursday, August 14, 2003

*We Need Ice

Yes, some days I am inspired to write deep thoughts. Then there are days like this, when it is hot. Fricken hot. Fricken, roast chicken hot. Ever see a chicken pant? It's like totally dang hot. Ding dang hot. Both of our thermometers read 110 degrees. One digital hot, and another old fashioned hot. Both fricken hot. But it's a dry heat, except for the sweat puddling down my back.

I made ice cold lemonade and we drank it on the front porch, and we ate salty popcorn. Anne reminds me of the necessity of salt during hot weather. Margaritas have salt. Mmmm Margaritas. Yup. That's about it. I am on the far side of deep thoughts today. Vitamin C. The limes in Margaritas have vitamin C. That's good against scurvy. Heat like this could bring on SSS (Sudden Scurvy Syndrome.) Got to get me some prevention, fast.

That's it from me. What are you up to?

*Added August 15, 2010
I was looking through the archives and found this old photograph from that hot summer in 2003. Fortunately we had friends near the coast: Janice invited families to her home for a refreshing swim.


Alex was nine here, and that little guy on his left is now a sophomore- Alex S, William was twelve years old, and there's Henry, when he was eleven. In the blink of an eye.

It's strange, and fun, to have these posts going forward and backward in time.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003



I will begin by saying: I will never be able to do justice to all the names, history, relations and chisme. The Tilili reunion is a large family gathering, that includes primos and tios, abuelos and hermanos, hijos and nietos, and the relations are extended and removed and twice removed. One thing that is distinct and endearing about Mexican family relations is the emphasis of proximity. We don't much go for "second cousin, once removed." First cousins are not merely cousins but "primos hermanos," which means cousin-brother; you then know that one of each of our parents are siblings.

Okay. Too much talk. Not enough story.

This year's gathering was much smaller than ones in the past. Especially missed were the most senior members of our clan, my abuelos. They are not as willing to make the 16 hour journey from their home in Sonora. It is a very long trip for them,and this year they stayed home. My grandparents had 8 children, including my Dad, Ismael. My Abuelo had many sisters and brothers, and primos hermanos and some of them and their children and grandchildren were also present. All of this started in Tacupeto, or Cuba, or Eden; depending on how far back you look.

The event was great. There were no disappointments or major mishaps. Just the usual slow, awkward start, and then the fade in to relaxed familiarity, the ease of inhaling platters of delicious food, the torturous bliss of adoring all the new babies. One look in to baby Gabriel Alejandro's eyes could make even a tired woman ovulate. His eyes are deeper black than any I have ever seen and still they shine light and laughter. I think it's his mommy's joy that his eyes are most often reflecting.




"Yo Quiero El Nopalito."

Here is a guest that is no relation at all, but I wish I could call him my own. He came with my Tia Elvira. Are you ready for your Eh-Spanish lesson? His name is Sniffy. Now let's enunciate together: Eh-Sneefy. This is the first dog that doesn't scare Max; they were the best of friends. Actually all the children wanted to be Sniffy's friend. That little dog was probably the most worn out body of the day.

My brother-in-law, Spencer, may have gotten a little worn out as well. He spent quite awhile helping Max learn to ride a bicycle. You have to assume a stooped, yet fast moving posture to steady a 5 year old on a two wheeler. Primo hermano James lent the bicycle, and the lesson went well. At least there were no serious spills. Max is probably ready for a bicycle of his own. That's a nice aspect of family gatherings; we can be together in the common interest of support, and love for each other and our children. We shared our stories and pictures, old tales and new ideas. We shared our cooking, and our lawn chairs, our bicycles and skateboards. We shared our time, and caring. Everyone is growing so fast, that without getting together and noting the changes it is too easy to lose sight of how far we have come. William and Gil, Jordan, Elias E. and Danny; its seems like they were the babies, and toddlers only a little time ago. We have come far, and in good company.