tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633Fri, 18 May 2012 11:42:14 +0000Mexico CityBuenos AiresSpain... consistently inconsistent ...http://www.vignette.org/noreply@blogger.com (TJ)Blogger1393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-6041915155390823210Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:12:00 +00002010-11-01T21:23:26.817-07:00(English translation below) Obviamente, me encantaría regresar a Buenos Aires, la ciudad de México o Madrid -- o viajar a otra ciudad del mundo hispanoparlante -- para continuar aprendiendo la lengua que a mí me parece que nunca voy a dominar como quiero. Cada día me despierto con muchísimas ganas de hacerlo, pero no es posible. Pero se me ocurrió una idea sencilla: ¿por qué no trato de pasar unhttp://www.vignette.org/2010/11/english-translation-below-obviamente-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-7474924581147063007Mon, 25 Oct 2010 03:40:00 +00002010-10-24T20:40:20.362-07:00I've purposely kept this blog's (frighteningly large) archive semi-difficult to access (oh, the embarrassment!), but in an effort to make travel-related posts easier to check out, I've labeled posts related to my trips to Spain, Mexico and Argentina. So, check out my vignettes from: Madrid Mexico City Buenos Aireshttp://www.vignette.org/2010/10/ive-purposely-kept-this-blogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-853547255881832576Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:05:00 +00002010-10-23T12:07:21.717-07:00First there was Andaluces por el mundo, then Españoles en el mundo and now: Mexicanos en el extranjero. "Mexicanos en el extranjero es una mirada fraterna a través de la cual conoceremos el día a día de los compatriotas que han abandonado México y se han adaptado a las costumbres y a la cultura de los países donde ahora residen. En cada programa compartiremos su cotidianeidad; ellos nos http://www.vignette.org/2010/10/first-there-was-andaluces-por-el-mundo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-1029806821133687922Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:30:00 +00002010-09-28T23:30:22.844-07:00 Armed with the iPhone 4's much-improved camera and the fantastic iMovie app, I've grabbed short videos of my favorite spots in San Francisco during the past three months, with the goal of piecing together a collection of beautiful vistas, starting at the bay and stretching the seven miles across the city to the ocean. I skipped some obvious tourist areas, such as Chinatown and Fisherman's http://www.vignette.org/2010/09/armed-with-iphone-4s-much-improved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-2288937865824207659Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +00002010-08-03T15:00:19.971-07:00Skyline from Dolores ParkOriginally uploaded by tjdeeTraveling is fantastic, but coming home to this is pretty rad too. San Francisco FTW!http://www.vignette.org/2010/08/skyline-from-dolores-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-931730124127671317Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:40:00 +00002010-07-27T14:46:27.923-07:00I regularly listen to the language-focused podcast produced as an offshoot of PRI's The World. I find linguistics and language-learning generally fascinating, but I'm obviously even more interested when the show features Spanish-related content.  This week's show led with a story on the Spanish spoken in Bogotá (qué casualidad) and its status, in the eyes of many, as the clearest/most crisp http://www.vignette.org/2010/07/i-regularly-listen-to-language-focused.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-8692874022054478434Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:27:00 +00002010-07-25T08:53:56.755-07:00Faced with the task of crafting a short bio to run at the end of an article, I came up with the following: T.J. is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who recently logged multi-month stays in Buenos Aires and Mexico City. The ultimate goal is to make it to every capital city, del taco al tango. That last bit was taken from a Spanishpod podcast I listen to occasionally. I wasn't even sure it http://www.vignette.org/2010/07/faced-with-task-of-crafting-short-bio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-5613009714252184766Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:56:00 +00002010-06-06T16:56:11.911-07:00Me: They say these things happen in threes. Who do you think will be the third celebrity death? J: I don't know. Betty White? Me: HOW DARE YOU!? *** Me: Kelly Clarkson's performing for the president tonight! At the Ford Theater! J: Ha. Maybe she'll get shot like Lincoln. ME: HOW DARE YOU!?http://www.vignette.org/2010/06/me-they-say-these-things-happen-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-8091689005033536954Sat, 08 May 2010 22:45:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:54.947-07:00Buenos AiresI'm not much of a solo diner (although I have learned to suck it up for lunch every once in a while), so while J was here I made sure to hit a variety of recommended restaurants in Buenos Aires. Hidden away in one of the less popular of the central neighborhoods, Villa Crespo, Almacén Secreto is a "closed-door" restaurant that offers traditional food from all over Argentina. With tamales, http://www.vignette.org/2010/05/im-not-much-of-solo-diner-although-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-6080070230523176764Wed, 05 May 2010 17:44:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:44.769-07:00Buenos Aires Peru Beach Originally uploaded by tjdeeSo, I spend more than an hour retracing my steps because of a train mix-up (which came after major ticket-purchasing confusion), finally get myself to this stretch of riverfront in the BA suburb of San Isidro, relax with my delicious choripan and licuado de frutilla, only to be stung by a bee for the first time since I was, like, 6. Very nice, Argentina.http://www.vignette.org/2010/05/peru-beach.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-3246899466764005161Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:55:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:34.795-07:00Buenos Aires Tigre Riverwalk Originally uploaded by tjdeeI made my way to Tigre on the commuter train to check out what the Buenos Aires suburbs have to offer. Tigre is a popular day trip because it's reachable quickly (about 50 minutes on the direct train) and cheaply (about 35 cents for my one-way ticket) and because it's a jumping-off point to explore the river delta by boat. The town itself also offers ahttp://www.vignette.org/2010/04/tigre-riverwalk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-3017945827926997599Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:40:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:25.060-07:00Buenos Aires La Boca Originally uploaded by tjdeeGoing to La Boca is one of those things you have to do when in Buenos Aires. But it's not super convenient via public transportation. Fortunately, Boca along with a couple of other areas (Puerto Madero's Ecological Reserve, for example) is reachable via the Buenos Aires Bus, similar to the Mexico City Turibus I enjoyed last year. Yes, it's touristy and kinda http://www.vignette.org/2010/04/la-boca.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-7642542891468344068Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:10:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:15.023-07:00Buenos Aires Nerd Originally uploaded by tjdeeThere are some things you have to do while traveling, no matter how much you don't want to look like a typical tourist (aside: I saw a great saying here that read "no seas un turista, sino un viajero" or "don't be a tourist but rather a traveler"). But when you're in Buenos Aires you have to go to Recoleta Cemetery to see Evita's tomb. That said, you don't have http://www.vignette.org/2010/04/nerd.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-2565775559301990814Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:42:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:07.414-07:00Buenos Aires Show at La Peña del Colorado Originally uploaded by tjdeeWe were not sure whether to hit up this peña, which required an entrada fee plus dinner, but both the food and the show wound up being quite good. And it's just a quick walk from the apartment. I'll definitely be back, hopefully after midnight, when people just hang out playing guitar and drinking mate. Viva la Argentina.http://www.vignette.org/2010/04/show-at-la-pena-del-colorado.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-4074415015974048252Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:04:00 +00002010-10-24T16:40:00.115-07:00Buenos Aires Hola Originally uploaded by tjdeeWorking from Urban Station for the second time this afternoon. It's nice to get out of the b&b and get work done in a rad space with a killer view of all the chic folks walking around the Palermo Soho neighborhood. This concept, a hybrid between the traditional internet cafe (locutorio) and the longer-term co-working spaces (check out areatres, also in this http://www.vignette.org/2010/04/hola.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-1835561763364587607Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:39:00 +00002010-10-24T16:39:50.463-07:00Buenos Aires Ya Llegué Originally uploaded by tjdeeTen hours on a plane is a long time, ya'll. Después de 10 horas en la (segunda) avión y un total de 18 hours de viajar, estaba hecho polvo (una expresión que al propietaro del b&b le encantó cuando se lo dije) ayer cuando llegué en esta ciudad tan preciosa. But I only grabbed a quick siesta at Mansilla 3935 before checking out the neighborhood, including Lashttp://www.vignette.org/2010/04/ya-llegue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-1207388292110040723Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:55:00 +00002010-03-28T13:55:51.134-07:00One week until I leave for Buenos Aires (for a 5-week stay), so I'm making sure I hit all of my favorite Argentina-focused websites for last-minute revelations/tips/etc. Not surprisingly, Trip Advisor has been an invaluable resource, from its reviews of lodgings to its forum full of BsAs experts. Without those travelers' and residents' posts, I would have had no idea about porteños' http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/one-week-until-i-leave-for-buenos-aires.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-4317494300850065710Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:51:00 +00002010-03-25T12:51:52.217-07:00Qué emocionante: Canal Encuentro, the best of Argentina's online-programming offerings, is better now that there's a live stream. There's a still a wide range of programs available for later viewing via stream or download (just create a free account to take advantage of higher-quality downloads). Overall, the site can be very slow, but all things considered it's a fantastic tool for language http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/que-emocionante-canal-encuentro-best-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-4236035834014411065Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:24:00 +00002010-03-23T12:24:48.156-07:00So, I hit "publish" on Blogger for the first time 10 years ago today. What! Here's the gripping first post. (Of course, this domain has been around longer -- since April of '99 -- and an online wordspewspace of some sort has been running semi-continuously since the summer of '98).http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/so-i-hit-publish-on-blogger-for-first.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-5658574775499099366Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:45:00 +00002010-03-21T11:45:00.327-07:00Lo mejor de la peli Los Paranoicos, sin duda, es cómo baila el guapísimo (aunque no tanto en este filme) Daniel Hendler. Este video incluye algunos de los mejores momentos. The best part of the film Los Paranoicos is definitely Daniel Hendler's dancing. This video features some highlights. http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/lo-mejor-de-la-peli-los-paranoicos-sin.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-7865200483305186345Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:58:00 +00002010-03-19T16:43:11.775-07:00It's been a kick-ass few weeks for new music. Among the iberoamericano artists I dig, I'm liking new stuff from Mexico's Julieta Venegas, Spain's English-singing Marlango, Uruguay's Jorge Drexler and Argentina's Diego Torres. Julieta Venegas - Bien o Mal As the sassy gay friend would say, Julieta is one crazy bitch. She is by far my favorite of the Spanish-language pop stars and this video http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/its-been-kick-ass-few-weeks-for-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-1632197463257977653Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +00002010-03-15T13:01:47.975-07:00This weekend I experienced a taste of what's to come in Argentina when I checked out Juan Cuba of Los Nadies performing tangos, boleros and other non-roquero songs. It was his first time belting this style of music in public, apparently. I went to check out the space, Red Poppy Art House, more than to see the specific musician, but this was a great show. http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/this-weekend-i-experienced-taste-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-7345905024049765932Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:43:00 +00002010-03-12T14:43:49.082-08:00TwiteandoOriginally uploaded by tjdeeSoy famoso entre las DOCENAS de personas que estaban mirando CNN en espanol durante la verdaderamente interesante conversacion que CNN Mexico manejo sobre el Mexico actual y el pais que los ciudadanos quieren que sea en 2020.La persona que escogio mi tweet tuvo que editarlo para que quedara en la pantalla. Y le agradezco porque Jesus me noto que habia hecho unhttp://www.vignette.org/2010/03/twiteando.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-7551014872802854158Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:42:00 +00002010-03-09T14:02:14.409-08:00Toward the end of 2008 my temporary lack of television coupled with my intensified focus on consuming as much Spanish-language media as possible turned me onto Spain's above-average archived TV programming. I quickly found Andaluces por el mundo, a pretty low-budget show on Television de Andalucía, that profiled a handful of andaluces currently living outside Spain. The national (and more http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/toward-end-of-2008-my-temporary-lack-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-1558965926497426325Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:10:00 +00002010-03-05T15:18:15.194-08:00Julieta Venegas led me to Bajofondo through a collaboration she did with the Gustavo Santaolalla-led rioplatense group. Bajofondo, via Pandora, led me to Electro Dub Tango, Otros Aires and (somewhat-forgotten) Gotan Project. Those four groups make of the base of my new go-to Pandora station. It's an especially good one for working or for just getting in an Argentine mood (I like this much more http://www.vignette.org/2010/03/julieta-venegas-led-me-to-bajofondo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (TJ)0