La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba was a Spanish general and statesman who led military campaigns during the Conquest of Granada and the Italian Wars, among other battles. He served as Viceroy of Naples from 1504 to 1507. He brought Córdoba international prestige. His military successes earned him the nickname El Gran Capitán (The Great Captain). I wonder why they didn’t call him The Great General.
I’ve shared a few times already the monument to him on his horse, which is located in the center of the Plaza de las Tendillas, because I find the bronze statue with the marble-headed capitán to be grand and beautiful. Besides it’s surrounded by a cooling fountain and dramatic flower beds. The monument originally stood on the Avenida de Gran Capitan (now a popular shopping street), which made perfect sense, but several years later it was moved to the brand new plaza which was more practical and allowed better traffic flow on the avenue as well as offering better access and views of the monument. I have no idea why I just told you all that. And to think that was the shortened version. Anyway, I start singing “La Bamba” by Richie Valens whenever I see it. Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán. (I’m not a sailor. I’m captain.)
I saw The Kid Brother Tuesday night. “Chuck,” I said excitedly, “I have great news!” “What news?” he muttered as if he knew he wouldn’t like it. “I’ve got my plane tickets. I’ll see you in early November.” I continued in my annoyingly cheerful mode. “No cold late-January visit this year. AND less then 2 months away!”
“I still need a job, ya know!” was his enthusiastic response.
I won’t repeat the rest of the conversation. I worked away at him and it improved. After that we (he) covered the Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, the old Superman TV series from the 1960s, and Snuffy Smith. At one point, he said, “Oh yeah? Well, you’re fired, knucklehead!” I can’t remember why. By the time the conversation ended, I needed a stiff drink or two. And I don’t drink which really sucked. It took me a couple of hours to fall asleep.
I have my nephrologist appointment this afternoon. My lab results came in yesterday, just one day after I was there. That big number I always reference was disappointing this time. It has climbed back up from the 300s to the 600s. Still better than the 7,000s, but not the direction I want it to go. I was a bit dejected when I saw the results. I’m sure there’ll be another change to my dosage.
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba fue un general y estadista español que dirigió campañas militares durante la conquista de Granada y las guerras italianas, entre otras batallas. Sirvió como virrey de Nápoles de 1504 a 1507. Le dio a Córdoba prestigio internacional. Sus éxitos militares le valieron el apodo de El Gran Capitán. Me pregunto por qué no lo llamaban El Gran General.
Ya he compartido algunas veces el monumento a él en su caballo, que se encuentra en el centro de la Plaza de las Tendillas, porque encuentro que la estatua de bronce con el capitán con cabeza de mármol es grandiosa y hermosa. Además, está rodeada por una fuente refrescante y espectaculares parterres. El monumento originalmente se encontraba en la Avenida de Gran Capitán (ahora una popular calle comercial), lo cual tenía mucho sentido, pero varios años después se trasladó a la nueva plaza, que era más práctica y permitía un mejor flujo de tráfico en la avenida, además de ofrecer mejor acceso y vistas del monumento. No tengo idea de por qué acabo de contarles todo eso. Y pensar que esa era la versión abreviada. En fin, me pongo a cantar La Bamba cada vez que la veo. Yo no soy marinero, soy capitán.
Vi El Hermanito el martes por la noche. “Chuck”, dije emocionada, “¡Tengo buenas noticias!”. “¿Qué noticias?” murmuró como si supiera que no le gustaría. “Tengo mis boletos de avión. Te veo a principios de noviembre”. Continué con mi irritante alegría. “Este año no habrá una visita fría a finales de enero. ¡Y en menos de dos meses!”
“¡Todavía necesito trabajo, sabes!” fue su encantadora respuesta.
No repetiré el resto de la conversación. Le insistí mucho y mejoró. Después de eso, cubrimos a los Hermanos Marx, Laurel y Hardy, Abbott y Costello, la vieja serie de televisión de Superman de los años 60 y a Snuffy Smith. En un momento, dijo: “¿Ah, sí? ¡Pues estás despedido, zoquete!” No recuerdo por qué. Para cuando terminó la conversación, necesitaba un par de tragos fuertes. Y no bebo, lo cual fue un fastidio. Tardé un par de horas en dormirme. Tengo cita con el nefrólogo esta tarde. Mis resultados de laboratorio llegaron ayer, justo un día después de mi visita. Esa cifra tan alta a la que siempre hago referencia fue decepcionante esta vez. Ha vuelto a subir de 300 a 600. Sigue siendo mejor que 7000, pero no es la dirección que quiero. Me desanimé un poco al ver los resultados. Seguro que me cambiarán la dosis.
• Otro edificio que me gusta. El pequeño edificio naranja de la izquierda es un club de jazz que abre los 365 días del año (excepto cuando yo paso por allí).
• Una puertecita de no más de un metro y medio de altura. Me pregunto si era un preescolar.
• Moose, el gran capitán babeante.
• Y su mirada de reojo.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
You know he will be glad to see you, even if he expresses it in unusual ways. This goes for Chuck or Moose.
David:
Oh, yeah, Chuck will be glad. In the meantime, he’ll be a pain in the ass.
I know have “La Bamba” as an earworm. Thanks, Mitchell! Jx
“now”
Jon:
I knew know was now.
Jon:
The earworm would pass more quickly had I included the video. Sorry!
Drooling Moose and his side eye cheered me right up 🙂
Great to know that you got to talk to Chuck last night, and here’s to a new dosage helping put things back closer to where you like them.
Judy C:
Moose was in heaven when SG sat down next to him.
Oh, and p.s., re yesterday’s post: Did you know that un smoking is the word for a tuxedo, in French? I didn’t look through the comments to see if Walt have told you that.
Judy C:
I did not know, but Walt did tell me.
That monument would be a lovely design for my tomb!
wickedhamster:
Would you be on a horse? Or maybe a giant hamster!
I was thinking giant man-eating wombat, with the skulls of my enemies strewn beneath–you know, to show my playful side.
wickedhamster:
A wombat might not make sense in Spain. How about a man-eating Mallorcan Midwife toad?
And just who doesn’t LOVE having their head scratched?! Moose’s expressions are great!
And what a cute little doorway/front facade! Picture perfect.
Chuck is a RIOT, Alice!! And I appreciate the energy it takes to carry on like you two do.
The bond you have is lovley.
I like when you go off on a ‘history lesson’. History was my favourite subject, along with english, through school.
Jim:
I find the history fascinating but I know a long-winded version can cause people’s eyes to roll back into their heads. Moose was in ecstasy.
That is the cutest little doorway I have ever seen. The parasol/umbrella is the perfect whimsical touch. I like being reminded I’m not the only one who sees beauty in whimsy.
Kid Brother. I believe that “You’re fired, knucklehead” is going to be my new mantra.
I am sorry the number you were looking for in your lab work took a wrong turn. Dammit. And we wonder why we’re anxious.
Well, not Moose.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Oh, Moose and Dudo are about as anxious as they come. Skittish doesn’t cover it. Doctor visit was good. Learned more about my increased anxiety and depression, too. More on that later today. Another of KB’s favorites is from The Three Stooges. “Why I oughta”!
You were more excited than Chuck. After all you went through, too. But it will be fine when he sees you.
I wonder if that blue color around the doorway has any special significance, aside from looking nice.
I hope your numbers improve. Is it possible the heat has set you back a little? Boud
Boud:
I’m usually more excited than Chuck. He can be very restrained. I overcompensate. The heat does limit my activity, but that affects other numbers. More later today! I think the blue color was just because someone liked it. It’s a common accent color in town.
I am sorry to read that your numbers weren’t what you wanted them to be. I hope your appointment goes well. You certainly are a good brother.
Michael:
Chuck is currently wearing me out with his job talk. I don’t have much in me right now. Appointment did go well. I’ll tell about it this afternoon.
The only way this:
“I still need a job, ya know!” was his enthusiastic response.
… would have been better is if he’d added, “Ya knucklehead.”
Moose gets the punim award, with a side eye of side eye throne in, for the day!
Bob:
Moose gets more and more adorable, and lovable.
Chuck never fails to throw in a knucklehead when he feels it’s needed. What a pal.
it is a grand statue. I just wish it celebrated other than military campaigns (unless such campaigns were purely defensive in nature, which is seldom the case, but I don’t the history.)
Kirk:
I agree with you about the reasons for the statue. And, no, the campaigns were not purely defensive. Mostly offensive. Granada was the last holdout against the Catholic Monarchs in the late 15th century. El Gran Capitán was instrumental in overcoming the Moors there and claiming it as Christian.
I love all your photos today. So what from Snuffy Smith does your brother “do”? I only remember that in the funny papers. When you’re with him do y’all do any Three Stooges skits? Larry was my favorite.
Kelly:
Snuffy Smith was also an animated cartoon in the ’60. He liked me to sing the theme song. It may have been his favorite part of the show.
I love the building with the little door and the umbrella above it! But 5′, even I would have to duck to enter.
I didn’t have much of a relationship with my (younger) brother until our (older) sister died almost two years ago. Now he’s the only sibling I have so I’m making an effort.
ellen abbott:
There are a lot of small doors like that around town… from the days when people were shorter I guess. My sister died in 1981. She lived in England but we were still very close (we were both still in our 20s). My brother, being learning/developmentally disabled, has always been like a son to me in many ways. I was brought up to be responsible for him. Thankfully, we love each other.
I will take Moose over Sr. Cordoba.
Urspo:
So will I.