tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-516332010-03-10T12:06:00.507-08:00... consistently inconsistent ...TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.comBlogger1371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-75510148728028541582010-03-09T13:42:00.000-08:002010-03-09T14:02:14.409-08:00

Toward 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

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-15589659264974263252010-03-05T15:10:00.000-08:002010-03-05T15:18:15.194-08:00

Julieta 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

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-25387195246487714132010-02-26T15:17:00.000-08:002010-02-26T15:19:44.600-08:00

Que te cuento cuando no tengo nada que decir? Bueno, te digo que no se como hacer tildes en esta puta computadora de mierda. Por eso, me voy a parar. Pues, algo es algo, verdad?

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-82116437979128314622010-02-22T09:38:00.000-08:002010-02-22T12:45:00.634-08:00

I think I'm in the midst of my first approaching-30 mini-crisis: I'm feeling pushed to solidify my San Francisco roots even further and continue doing all that grown-up stuff I've been slowly doing the past few years (buying fancier, investment furniture, building community, etc.). For lack of a better word, I have an urge to settle. Yet, at the same time, I'm feeling just as strongly as ever a

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-42922600286461376252010-02-11T16:21:00.000-08:002010-02-14T13:58:49.141-08:00

I've been listening to a (mostly) Spanish-language Pandora station since 2007. I think I started it with just Julieta Venegas as a start, but it has been seeded with Belanova, Diego Torres, Bajofondo, Jesse & Joy and Reik since then. I recently made some edits and noticed the full list of thumbed-up songs. A nice list of what I dig(g) in Latin pop:*A Diez Centimetros De Ti La Oreja De Van Gogh *

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-68545208450933911062010-02-06T14:12:00.000-08:002010-02-06T14:48:03.584-08:00

From the website's a la carta offerings to the iPhone app w/ live streaming video, I have been incredibly impressed by the online footprint created by Spain's RTVE (Radio y Televisión Española). But I'm trying to step away from the peninsular Spanish accent to which I've become (in J's eyes) bizarrely accustomed and move toward the (to me) exceedingly unclear Argentine/rioplatense accent in

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-38081157495692725002010-02-05T10:22:00.000-08:002010-02-05T11:27:28.878-08:00

While not as long as last year's nine-week stay in Mexico City, I'm off to Buenos Aires for five weeks beginning just before my birthday. I'm thinking if I head to the southern hemisphere before the big day, time will go backwards and I can ward off 30 for a little longer. Yes? If not, I can enjoy finally being able to check Argentina off the list. No plans to explore much of the interior (it's

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-33137244205341254272009-09-22T14:17:00.000-07:002009-09-22T14:28:07.828-07:00

As San Francisco transitions from its strangely cold summer to its much hotter fall, I'm bracing myself for the mini-heat waves that strike. My evil Yahoo weather widget predicted temperatures in the low 90s for both yesterday and today in the city. I planned to stay home all day yesterday with the wooden slat blinds closed to ward off sunlight and heat. I felt like a real tool when I checked the

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-23341891461417122952009-09-19T13:40:00.000-07:002009-09-19T13:43:55.609-07:00

For most of this year I've been working four days a week. Sounds like heaven, but the work is mostly on weekends and weeknights. I try to squeeze in fun stuff during the few off-work weekend hours. I also try to stay connected during my actual days off, on weekdays. Then there are the non-Digg projects I've been focusing on during free time (Spanish, writing, etc.). The result: I feel like I'm

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-14185089512787736352009-08-04T21:01:00.001-07:002009-08-04T21:09:02.011-07:00

I've been thinking about Mexico City a lot while working on a related writing project and I just remembered my final moments in the city. They speak volumes about el D.F.I had a pleasant conversation with the taxi driver as he sped through the city center toward the airport. He repeatedly complimented me on my speaking skills and my neutral accent as I described the purpose of my nine-week trip

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-78007552484505055562009-07-16T16:05:00.001-07:002009-07-16T16:05:57.734-07:00

2009-07-15 17.59.54Originally uploaded by oopsy_daisy1Coming into work on a day off can be a good thing. Yesterday we hosted a wicked trashy version of Wine Wednesday at the office, complete with 40s, wine in a box, Cheetos, KFC -- and randomly placed tires to add to the ambience on the top of the roof. Good times.

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-69592883542633085442009-06-25T12:26:00.001-07:002009-06-25T12:26:14.842-07:00

See if you can spot the creatureOriginally uploaded by DulcePicosoBeautiful weekend. Spent some time at Baker Beach. The fog was back with a vengeance last night, but that suits me. Sweatshirts in summer = win!

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-31579377845344154992009-06-16T16:03:00.000-07:002009-06-16T16:28:03.264-07:00

So, I got pretty lucky with the timing of my Mexico trip, no? I made it home the second week of April, before swine flu hysteria reached a fever pitch. I also avoided a pretty powerful earthquake. Add a crazy (tragic) fire and spikes in headline-grabbing violence and it looks like the country just fell apart without me.Fortunately, my Spanish isn't falling apart without Mexico. But the danger is

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-72826082224129137172009-04-07T13:33:00.001-07:002009-04-07T13:33:50.419-07:00

Lady of the HausOriginally uploaded by tjdeeLeaving for the airport soon and thinking about a few things I haven't mentioned:- I have never seen more people with neck braces than I have here. I've spotted 6 or 7 people with their necks wrapped up in Mexico City. I blame the insane driving (la ley no aplica).- Just over 9 weeks and no Montezuma's revenge, bitches! Top that! (Although, to borrow I

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-2460388096635659862009-04-04T11:35:00.000-07:002009-04-04T11:44:15.360-07:00

Last class was yesterday. En cuanto a las clases, the week started off with me being super frustrated -- de muy mal humor -- but it quickly improved and the rest of the week was pretty fun. I had to write up a little something, which I may as well throw up here:Llevo casi 9 semanas aquí, así que es un poquito difícil tratar de resumir toda la estancia en unas frases, pero voy a identificar tres

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-23882216493754924572009-03-21T17:40:00.000-07:002009-03-21T18:21:00.225-07:00

Working during my Mexican adventures (save one week when J came down) has been wonderful for the obvious reasons: I have been able to spend a significant chunk of time in another country without having to quit a job, live off of savings and risk long-term unemployment upon my return. I'm working 4 days a week, so I have three days every week to enjoy the city (although the addition of classes

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-24216866147180161512009-03-19T17:29:00.001-07:002009-03-19T17:29:16.784-07:00

Mariachi on the PatioOriginally uploaded by tjdeeMariachi band performing in the garden on a random Wednesday night? Sure, why not?Working upstairs in my new room, at first I thought the owners of the Red Tree House, where I'm staying, had bought some wicked new stereo speakers because the music was super clear and loud. Took me two songs to realize what was going on. After about 45 minutes I

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-39439475718648578212009-03-17T14:26:00.001-07:002009-03-17T14:26:11.847-07:00

Strike a PoseOriginally uploaded by DulcePicosoSince my trip to Madrid in 2007, I've realized that I'm a very good solo traveler (better than expected). Add another person, with his/her opinions, desires, preferences, etc. to the mix and that's where problems can occur. That said, last week's stays in Guanajuato and Querétaro, both colonial cities to the northwest of Mexico City, were pretty fun.

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-29416523915372742462009-03-02T19:21:00.001-08:002009-03-02T19:21:21.461-08:00

Zócalo - View from Torre LatinoamericanaOriginally uploaded by tjdeeWent to the Torre today. For 50 pesos you take one elevator to the 37th floor, another to the 41st floor and then walk up a couple of floors to an observation deck called El Mirador. There's a nice place to have coffee, a little museum and a fancy restaurant up there too. Vale la pena.

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-54417711418610725062009-02-27T16:28:00.001-08:002009-02-27T16:28:36.124-08:00

¿y 'no son enchiladas' no es raro?Originally uploaded by tjdeeI got very defensive in class today for a hot minute. But as the kids say (if you get in a time machine and go back to 1996), I checked myself before I wrecked myself. After immediately jumping at her with "cómo que no se usa así, está en mi libro de slang mexicano y es muy común y qué diablos me estás diciendo," I stopped arguing,

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-72962268399596498802009-02-25T16:01:00.001-08:002009-02-25T16:01:24.253-08:00

Bella RomaOriginally uploaded by tjdeeThis is one of my favorite photos of the trip so far. First, it was taken (today) on another ridiculously gorgeous day here in Mexico City. It's on one of the main streets in Colonia Roma, a neighborhood I wasn't really feeling the first couple of times I wandered through it. But Roma really grabbed me today. I even started debating whether Roma or Condesa

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-17604094975635207432009-02-24T20:43:00.001-08:002009-02-24T20:43:45.785-08:00

Mi SalaOriginally uploaded by tjdeeI am digging my new teacher here at International House. She cracks me up. Today I showed her a video of her boyfriend, Gael García Bernal, singing a cheesy song from his new Mexican movie and she seriously said, "Órale ... óoooorale ... óraleeeeeeee." This was after completing a reading about gender roles in Mexico and saying, "Gracias a Dios, nunca he tenido

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-16561493163190400572009-02-18T18:42:00.000-08:002009-02-18T18:49:06.481-08:00

1. I have an upsetting blister on my left foot that won't go away.2. There's now a hole in my left shoe and I can't bear the thought of having to learn all the freaking shoe-buying vocabulary and dealing with attendants at shoe stores, which I refuse to deal with in the U.S.3. I've met as many gay San Franciscans in the two weeks I've been here at the house than I do in the same time period in

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-2042182322248257692009-02-14T16:37:00.001-08:002009-02-14T16:37:31.966-08:00

Día de San ValentínOriginally uploaded by tjdeeWell, I'm here by myself on Valentine's Day, working 12 hours no less, but despite this, the trip has been great so far. There are frustrating moments, for sure, but overall it's been wonderful -- challenging without being overwhelming. Balancing classes and work this week has been a bit tough, but that's only really a problem toward the end of the

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51633.post-5132215288912280302009-02-08T18:37:00.000-08:002009-02-08T18:45:41.025-08:00

I may have had a bit of a tomato breakthrough today.After a couple of hours of wandering through Condesa and Chapultepec Park, I made my way back to an Italian/Argentine café in Polanco and ordered the margerita pizza, expecting the few bits of tomato that usually come in such pizzas. But this thing was cut up into squares, with whole slices of tomato. Fail. Or was it? I don't know if the

TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04295336921729905229tjdegroat@gmail.com1