Posted by Raul on July 8, 2011
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It seems Nixon was in the office when I posted for the last time…well…not that long. But it’s been a long time since I posted something that wasn’t on the run, like the previous two to this one.
Lots of things keep going on around here, including a project of taking apart a couple of components to fix some little details in the interior of a car, in which I got “a little” carried away.
Oops!
One thing leads to the next, and one problem shows the brother component also in need of attention, so what started as a small bunch of simple things ended up as a big project without much planning, thus taking more and more time. Five days, I thought it’ll take, and has been how many weeks so far? And still not finished!
And then comes the minivan that is making all sort of noises in the front suspension and steering box; and then the little one, which lost the accelerator cable in the last parts running 
So my apologies for not showing up for a while in posting and commenting in your blogs. I’ve mostly been in “Read and Run” mode due to the little time left by the other activities, but I hope now I can separate time again for a more “proper” blogging.
I must admit it makes me sad not to have the time to write, visit and comment in my friend’s blogs.
See you soon! 
Raul
Posted by Raul on July 2, 2011
Butterflies that paint the world in beautiful colors.
Butterflies that change reality into a dream world.
Butterflies that tell lies instead of reality.
Butterflies that carelessly fly without aim.
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Where are you!
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I’ve seen a butterfly dancing in the air in front of me.
I tried, but I cannot touch it.
Sweet movements in the canvas of reality.
Bitter feelings of cross worlds.
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Logic against the so many times mentioned freaking guts.
Standing in the cold, sweating the heat of summer.
So many lists, so many thoughts.
Paralyzed by dull materials that conform reality.
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Sweet, beautiful butterfly that creates neon lights in the air with unsought movements or premeditated intentions, yet exists and calls for a revolution.
And the sun and the moon keep turning and turning!
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I know, I’m screwed!
Raul
Posted by Raul on June 6, 2011
In any relationship that might be: marriage, parenthood, friendship, etc. the use of bad words or insults in reference to the person we are talking to as a way of joking is something I really dislike. I do understand and accept their use as part of the joke, and we know there are times when a thousand words cannot explain what one single bad word does.
But when those words are used to directly refer to the other person, it is my opinion that slowly but surely it helps deteriorate the relationship.
Say for instance, you make a silly joke to a loved one and the response to you, as a joke, is: “Jerk!”
It might be just a joke, just a word, nothing that has a real meaning or that comes from the heart of the person saying such word, yet (unconsciously) it does become already traveled road that opens the door for another road, and then another, then another, to the point that, without even knowing, the use of insults becomes the norm, putting the relationship interactions too close to the side of disrespect.
Everything we do repeatedly will become a custom and will loose its original intensity.
Having sex before marriage as another process of getting to know each other before deciding if marriage is for them, that I agree; while having sex as a normal element of any party, and just for the temporary pleasure it gives; that I disagree.
Discovering new technologies by their use as a way to learn, adapt to the new times while improving our efficiency, I agree; but getting the latest just to be with the crowd and don’t look like left behind, that I disagree.
In everything we do, if we do it very often, we will loose the magic involved in the process, and it’ll become just the base for something else to acquire in order to recover the lost magic of the first times.
For the same reason, if it becomes the norm to use insults to joke with a loved one, then pretty soon it’ll be necessary to use stronger words to retain the “fun” of it, to the point that someone external to the circle will become shocked by the way they joke with each other.
What has become a natural thing for some could be an extreme for the rest.
Joking with bad words brings resentment in the long run, and also creates a situation of disrespect, even if there was no intention of such thing from the part of those using the bad words.
That’s why I disagree with the use of insults as jokes when referring to a loved one. To keep a positive relationship in the long run, sometimes we have to “invest” in not going too far, as a way to always remain within the range of respect and love each other deserves.
My personal opinion of course.
What is your take on that? Do you accept the use of bad words as jokes with your loved ones?
Raul
Posted by Raul on June 2, 2011
The other day I received this joke in an email. I thought it was funny, but also makes you think of what’s happening in the US, and how people around the world see Americans. (The email was in Spanish).
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The David returns to Italy
After two years loaned to the US, the David of Michelangelo is returned to Italy
Its proud sponsors were:
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Crazy, Isn’t it?
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Posted by Raul on May 31, 2011
I was standing at the bus stop, waiting for my wife who was coming from I don’t remember where.
The old woman came to me. She was short and clearly overweight; wearing plenty of make-up and a short dress that attempted to make her look sexy, yet the intention wasn’t achieved.
“Do you want some action?” She said to me, and it took me a couple of seconds to realize what the proposal was.
“I’m waiting for my wife”
“But in the meantime…we can go there” She pointed to an old house around the corner. There were several women like her, some in a window, others standing in the street, waving hands to males passing by.
“She is pregnant; I have to be here to help her”
“How long is she pregnant?”
“Six months”
“So you have been without a woman for a while”
“I’ll wait for her” I tried to give her my best smile.
She looked at me for a moment without saying another word. There was strangeness in her eyes, and I believe some sadness in her face.
She looked at me for a while without saying another word, then, with sad eyes and a very low voice tone she said: “Don’t go there, they might rob you” pointing to the other women; and without another word she turned around and left, walking in a slow pace in the direction of the old house.
Sadness came to me at that moment, feeling for maybe loneliness in that old woman, working the days for some money. I have never been able to forget those sad eyes and the tired walk of a woman that seemed to find herself in the wrong place of life.
Raul
