if a tree falls

Gonzo can has candy?

Homeowner-ween

I was beyond excited to be a homeowner last year, the first Halloween in our house. I couldn't wait to have the doorbell rung by costumed local kiddies and give them candy. I wasn't a huge fan of trick-or-treating as a kid, but I loved the years where I stayed home and handed out the goods, munching on them throughout the night. Naturally.

On this day last year, even though I told my employers that I was coming in at 7:30 to leave and get home for trick-or-treaters, I didn't make it home until 7PM, evidently too late for the little ones on our street. I stared out the windows like a crazy woman and even put the candy out on the step, but there were no takers. I was pathetically heartbroken. Earlier this month, I threw out the twelve remaining aged Snickers bars.

This year I'm working at home, we have two giant bags of assorted miniature sugar handouts. Bring 'em on.

More gallavanting in Spain

So, after we had those two large beers from the photo post below, Joe and I went to the Botanical Garden in Madrid, though nearly all of the plants, save some Dahlias, were past their prime. We used the camera to entertain ourselves. Whether the beer had anything to do with it or not, we had a great time. Magically, those feelings stuck around for the next few days.

All the Spanish I needed I learned from Sesame Street*

Scene: The Madrid subway, Day Two of vacation
Melanie and Joe walk up to the ticket office after discussing how we would try to use Spanish whenever possible. We review the words for ticket and a handful of verbs.

Joe: Queremos.... um, tienes... habla ingles?

The ticket agent stares at us blankly.

Melanie: Dos, por favor.

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*Naturally that just applies to this situation. I felt the need to clarify.

Spain trip: The favorites

I know how boring it is to look at someone else's vacation pictures, so I'm going to post in small batches, hopefully entertaining ones. Honestly, I'm still trying to organize. You're welcome for sparing every minute detail. The basics are that we went to Madrid for three nights and Barcelona for three, had a great time, saw lots of really old and beautiful stuff. Here are the highlights:

Our favorite sight: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Favorite meal: Calamari sandwich and beer at El Brillante near the Prado in Madrid, more for the experience than the cuisine (though those squid rings were absolutely perfect).

Favorite self portrait from the Madrid subway:

Back to save the Universe

We're home safely, resting and binging on American TV. Tales and pictures to come.

Hasta luego

PSA

I've been preparing for Friday's trip to Spain this week, and half-wrote three posts, but haven't been able to finish one. I think it's time for a little vacation and neuron reset. Posting might be light or non-existent until November, so have a great rest of the month. I'll have plenty of stories when I get back.

Nonconformist

Quote of the Day

"I'm a real good sex person. I do it all the different ways." -- 30 Rock's Kenneth