La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Wednesday morning before Merchi arrived San Geraldo and I went to La Bodeguilla, a charming restaurant near the train station. It’s only about a 12-minute walk but we were slow getting ready so taxied there. Steve and Dave did the same and were already waiting for us. We had coffee and breakfast (again) and the pleasure of their company for more than an hour. They then walked the 3 minutes to the train station and we walked home.
Manolo, the plumber, arrived while we were gone. By the time we got home, Manolo had completely replaced the workings of my toilet and all was well. And what an amiable guy! Other than that, yesterday was again dreary all day and it rained last night. Today, the sky is clear and a vivid blue. The sun is shining.
I learned that San Geraldo, Dave, and Steve are dangerous together. They all love pimple-popping videos (I don’t even like saying or writing those words). Dave is possibly worse than SG. Or maybe SG knows my limits. I had to cover my ears and tap on my head to drown out the sound of Dave gleefully describing his favorite videos. Are there more of you out there? A simple “yes” will suffice. Spare me the details.
While we were chatting, we got on the subject of slow and fast walkers. I’m a fast walker (hadn’t been much of one since my illness, but I’m almost back in form again). San Geraldo used to be an absurdly fast walker. When his sister Linda was visiting us in Boston our first year together, she one day called across the street and said, “Hey, Jerry! You want me to walk ahead, so you can walk with Mitchell for a while?”
San Geraldo now has neuropathy in his feet. He doesn’t walk quite so fast anymore and I often walk ahead. He tried to explain about the neuropathy slowing him down and said, “And the shit hit the hand basket.” To which I added, “And you’re going to hell in a fan.” (Admittedly, when he reached the word basket, he hesitated because he realized he had something wrong.)
Note: If, like San Geraldo, you need some help, the expressions are “To hell in a hand basket” and “The shit hit the fan.”
I called The Kid Brother last night at 11. He took a while to answer (without video) and demanded, “Whatta YOU want?!?” He had the TV on and couldn’t hear a word I said. I had to repeat myself and yell to be heard. A moment later, SG walked in and whispered, “It’s Wednesday.” Oops. Wrong night.
El miércoles por la mañana, antes de que llegara Merchi, San Geraldo y yo fuimos a La Bodeguilla, un restaurante encantador cerca de la estación de tren. Solo son unos 12 minutos a pie, pero tardamos en prepararnos, así que fuimos en taxi. Steve y Dave hicieron lo mismo y ya nos estaban esperando. Tomamos café y desayunamos (de nuevo) y disfrutamos de su compañía durante más de una hora. Luego caminaron los 3 minutos hasta la estación de tren y nosotros volvimos a casa.
Manolo, el fontanero, llegó mientras estábamos fuera. Para cuando llegamos a casa, Manolo había cambiado por completo el mecanismo de mi inodoro y todo estaba bien. ¡Y qué tipo tan amable!
Descubrí que San Geraldo, Dave y Steve son peligrosos juntos. A todos les encantan los videos de reventar granos (ni siquiera me gusta decirlo ni escribirlo). Dave posiblemente sea peor que SG. O tal vez SG conoce mis límites. Tuve que taparme los oídos y darme golpecitos en la cabeza para ahogar el sonido de Dave describiendo alegremente sus videos favoritos. ¿Hay más de ustedes por ahí? Un simple “sí” bastará. Ahórrame los detalles.
Mientras charlábamos, hablamos de quién camina rápido y quién camina lento. Yo camino rápido (no lo había hecho mucho desde mi enfermedad, pero ya estoy en forma). San Geraldo solía caminar de forma absurda. Cuando su hermana Linda nos visitó en Boston durante nuestro primer año juntos, un día llamó desde el otro lado de la calle y dijo: “¡Oye, Jerry! ¿Quieres que camine delante para que puedas caminar un rato con Mitchell?”
San Geraldo ahora tiene neuropatía en los pies y más de peso. Ya no camina tan rápido y yo suelo caminar delante. Intentó explicarme que la neuropatía lo estaba frenando y dijo: «Y la mierda golpeó la canasta». A lo que añadí: «Y te vas a ir al infierno en un ventilador». (Es cierto que cuando llegó a la palabra cesta dudó porque se dio cuenta de que algo había equivocado.)
Nota: Si, como San Geraldo, necesitas ayuda, las expresiones son “To hell in a hand basket” que significa “Al infierno en una canasta” y “The shit hit the fan” que significa “La mierda golpeó el ventilador”.
Anoche llamé a El Hermanito a las 23:00. Tardó un rato en responder (sin video) y me preguntó: “¿Qué quieres?” Tenía la tele encendida y no me oyó ni una palabra. Tuve que repetirme y gritar para que me oyeran. Un momento después, SG entró y susurró: “Es miércoles”. Uy. Se equivocó de noche.
• I color-coordinated with La Bodeguilla’s decor.
• Coordiné los colores con la decoración de La Bodeguilla.
• ¡Y el aseo! Me encanta cuando pasa eso. (Vea abajo).
• A toilet in Seville, November 2012.
• Un aseo en Sevilla, noviembre 2012.
SweetBear has a massive collection of photos of me, about half a block ahead of him, walking away. One time in Chicago it was about 1/4 of a mile before I realized he was not keeping up and stopped for him to catch up.
David
My little mother was a fast walker. When she fractured her back at the age of 88 and was in terrible pain not knowing yet what it was, two of her friends took her to the doctor. They couldn’t keep up with her walking across the parking lot and they were nearly 20 years younger.
A wonderful photo of the four of you! And oh gawd, I am with you on those pimple-popping videos/TV shows, etc. I cannot watch them or listen to stories about them either. SO GROSS.
Debra
It’s astounding how popular these videos are.
Not having had a ‘pimple problem’ (knocking wood wildly!!!) I never really appreciated the satisfaction ‘poppers’ get. But, if it makes one happy, so be it.
Generally, Ron and I keep up to one another along the trails.
Interrupting KB’s schedule/routine could be dangerous.
Jim
SG never had a pimple problem either. I don’t know what attracts people to these videos.
One of my knitting group loves those things and quickly found she was in a majority of one when she started up. I find it unfunny. good to see you all together, thanks for remembering.Boud
Boud
I have good readers and blogging friends. Haven’t seen a positive review yet!
Great photo of the four of you. So glad you had some time together (despite a few folks having questionable tastes :). Mary
Mary
Their eyes lit up when I mentioned SG’s disgusting pastime.
Pimple popping videos? Eewwww!!!!!! HELL no! Gross!!!!!
Jennifer
Jennifer
Amen!
I can’t even talk about those videos and I have never watched one and I never will, thank you very much! I don’t even want to discuss people I know who love them. No, no, no.
I used to tell Glen that the only time he could keep up with me while walking was when I was in actual labor. This was proven. I am slower now but he, too, has the neuropathy in his feet and walking is very difficult for him. But I am glad to slow down for him. Neither one of us are in as much of a hurry as we used to be.
I love the picture and am so very jealous of the time you four have had together. I’ve never even met Dave although I’ve been able to spend time with Steve three or four times? I think four. I love him dearly. He is my younger brother in many ways although I don’t think I’d call him my Kid Brother.
I love SG’s malapropisms. If that is indeed what they would be called. They are delightful.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon,
If I walk into SG’s office and that’s playing I walk right back out. His walking pace is not bad now, but when it’s hot out and he goes at a snail’s pace, I’ll walk ahead and wait for him. The super slow pace makes my hips hurt! I was so happy Steve was witness to one of Jerry’s malapropisms! Steve is very lovable!
NO! No to the you know what videos. It’s one thing to work in healthcare and assist a dr with draining something, but no way in hell would I treat it as entertainment. Great photo of the four of you. I used to walk fast. I’ve slowed down because I no longer have to chase children, old people, or a husband who always left me behind.
Love,
Janie
Januejunebug
I’m relieved to see how many readers feel the way I do.
SG’s malapropisms are constantly amusing! Ronnie Barker came to mind – a 1970s television stalwart, in the show The Two Ronnies that often featured his mispronunciation monologues. Jx
Jon
As you would expect I’ve been addicted to the two Ronnies and especially Barker’s word play.
No! (and I didn’t realize it was a thing) I LOVE the photo of y’all together! I wondered where the title of the post was leading. Personally, I don’t want any shit in my hand basket OR hitting the fan.
Kelly
People love to watch them. There are thousands of them on YouTube.
Great photos, Scoot! Moose and I are equally DISGUSTED at the mere thought of those GROSS, STOMACH TURNING videos… some mysteries of life are better left that way, LOL!
Tundra Bunny
I’m relieved to know that. I was expecting a lot of readers to say they watch them, too.
I’m behind on the times. I didn’t even know pimple-popping videos were popular. Ignorance is bliss.
Kirk
They’re prolific. Too many people enjoy them.
I am glad to say I never knew there was such a thing as a pimple popping video!
The expression I know is ” going to hell in a hand cart”.
Frances,
I’ve seen hand basket written as a variant. You would not believe how many of those videos can be found on YouTube.
Wow… I can only imagine the carnage if the “Pimple Popper”s and the haters of cottage cheese got together!
Rade,
The poor cottage cheese hater would have a breakdown.
I’m a fast walker. The one and only time I had a nuclear stress test when I was 67 they set the treadmill excruciatingly slow to start that I finally complained and told the doctor I never walk this slow. First time anyone has said that to me he said as he speeded it up.
Ellen Abbott,
That’s great!
I cannot believe that Dave, SG and I are the only pimple-popping video fans out there. First of all, just so your readers understand the full scope of this phenomenon, they’re not just about pimples. They’re about all manner of dermatological growths and maladies! There’s a woman who’s actually known as “Dr Pimple-Popper” on YouTube and if you haven’t watched her videos you are missing out. There’s a weird sense of satisfaction to be derived from watching people be relieved of these horrible, pore-stretching, encysted growths, each one more remarkable than the last. I will defend pimple-popping videos to the end!
Steve,
I’m surprised, too, given how many popper video posters there are. We are NOT missing out! We’re all just classier than you guys.
As to “those” videos: NO!!!
Bob,
I have stumbled into SG’s office sometimes when he’s watching those awful videos and I walk right back out.