OK, that’s it, I’m having a piñata for my birthday on the 17th too. After an above par chicken and veggie soup I made with ingredients and everything, we passed by Chop, then a haphazard taxi ride to Los Famosos Equipales for mariachi cantina action and then on to La Maestranza for a bit of Toreador-themed fun. We made it back to the house and Ed got to smash the piñata to pieces with a broom handle. It’s better than the bumps every time. If I can work out how to stream video I’ll shove it up here, he looks like a man possessed.
Sita brought back all kinds of goodies from the states including spanking new trainers from her folks, the latest issues of Q, Uncut and several other music mags, a rug for the kitchen, decent cutlery, Barefoot Zinfandel from Trader Joe’s and a telephone so I won’t have to rush downstairs only to get another call from someone calling to request a song from a local radio station with one number different. And yes, she managed to swing an executive class upgrade again. Filet Mignon and fine wine apparently. I’ve got the airport run down to 22 minutes, though it’s taken me 1 hour plus to get back both times now taking the Tlaquepaque ’scenic route’.
Had a bit of skypage this morning with me mum and dad’s new handle because I can’t remember their password- please click ‘allow this person so see when I’m online’ if that pops up on yer skype thing. Somewhere along the line I checked a box saying let anyone and everyone call me and spent 15 minutes yesterday talking about the finer points of living in Mexico with someone from Toronto. I told him I enjoyed the space ride thing they had (and still have apparently) at the bottom of the CN tower. But then the soup was ready and I had to bid them farewell and hastily block people not on my contacts list, because life’s too short.
Once we’ve cleared up the papier mache remains of the chicken pinata we’ll off to the Instituto Cultural Cabanas to gawp at the murals and stroke our chins at whatever art they’ve got on display. Definitely a quiet day today. Sita’s not coming because she’ll be off there with our next visitors and she wants to avoid it becoming the Mystery Spot of Guadalajara (a place we’d take everyone who came to visit and thus ended up with 8+ complimentary bumper stickers)…
We’re heading for Puerto Vallarta soonish, despite every hotel being sold out. But maybe we can turn up and Sita can use her newfound ‘Upgrade me’ skills to get us a room. Also, Ian + family are passing by on Monday so I’m looking forward to that and all. If the blog’s a bit quiet for a few days, you’ll know why… Cheers and Bliain úr faoi shéan is faoi mise duit and Blwyddwyn Newydd Dda mes amis

I woke up this morning with my arm aching, mainly because the only bowling balls that fit my fingers were the extremely heavy ones. Despite Ed not having played for 15 years, allegedly, he beat me 4 games to 3. We were getting quite good by the end of it too. Today it’s Sita’s grand return from L.A., shall be intrigued to hear if she managed to get upgraded to first class on the way back as well as the first leg… Some people just exude classiness. Anyroad, it’s also Ed’s birthday today and bowling may feature again if I can get some Deep Heat salve somewhere… Pretty much everything was closed yesterday so today it’s stocking up in the supermarket for provisions for the imminent arrival of Sita, Monica & Daniel, and possibly Sarita’s cousin from Chile who’s in the United States of Mexico right now. All will become apparent in the next few days.
Did I mention I start my job on Jan 9th? and I haggled the hours down to 10 to 5 M-F… I’m actually looking forward to starting and it’s nice to finally have a finite point when my holidays finish. Eeh well, Ed just surfaced to it’s off to carpe the diem. Merry Xmas-NewYear lull, enjoy the telly

On the church clock, usually the apostles come out every 3 hours. For Christmas they swapped the apostolitos with nativity figures and played Jingle Bells. Couldn’t be any more christmassy than that. Doing grand, enjoying the holiday. We went round Jose’s family for Xmas dinner last night. Very laid back and fun. Life is good. Merry Christmas Y’all

Although I’d earn more money signing up for unemployment benefit in the UK I’m going to take the job. It’s a seriously cool little company and I’d get to learn all kinds of editing skills, travel making documentaries about Mexico and do background research on projects. I’d meet interesting people, artists and the like. Maybe there’s a book in it when I get round to writing thinking of an idea for my novel… I’d get to play with toys like High Definition cinematography cameras, professional digital cameras, & video and audio editing suites. And probably the coffee machine too. I’ve got 3 hours to decide for sure, so if anyone knows of any impediment comment now or forever hold your peace. Me Mum’s already weighed in in favour so there we go… Shall have to start brushing up on my Mac skills.

In other news, it looks like the UK’s taking yet another leap towards being a totalitarian police state. There’s already more CCTV cameras per capita in the UK than any other country in the world. I give it 2 years before face recognition technology is integrated into the system. I can’t believe this is the first I’ve heard about it and not through The Guardian, but sterling multiperson blog, BoingBoing.net. Here in Guadalajara querida y linda, it’s only foreign embassies and pop stars who can afford CCTV. But there’s an armed security guard for every bank/bureau de change/jewellers so that’s reassuring…

and Ian if you’re telling the truth in your email and really heading for pinche Guanatos with family in tow, y no nos honras con tu ilustre presencia, pues ya lo cagaste, guey.

Change Wind
Stop Snowing

Glad I’m not looking for a position in academia… Sita sent me this article from some online journal or other “Bloggers need not apply”