Friday, September 28 (Viernes, 28 de Septiembre)

Favorite Images From February 07

My German friend Helmuth.

Sosua Bay.

Claudia expressing her deep feelings for me.

I love the tropical flowers.

Carnival kids.

My British friend Alex. Can I borrow your pasola Alex?

Haitiana selling dulces at the beach.

Carnival guy at the beach. He was mad at me because I would not pay him for this picture.

Sosua Bay.

Bougainvillas.

La gata muy contenta at Hamburger Paradise.

My Danish friend Tom (owner of Hamburger Paradise).

Dominican Baseball

Where are last year's Caribbean World Series Champion, Las Aguilas de Cibaenas playing this summer?

Joaquin Benoit

Joaquin Benoit (Pitcher) - Age: 30. Hometown: Santiago. Playing For: Texas Rangers (American League West Division). Benoit has been pitching in the Major Leagues with the Texas Rangers since 2004. 2007: 69 games, 0 games started, 81.0 innings pitched, 6 saves, 7-4 record, 2.78 ERA. He is presently 7th among American League relievers with 85 strike outs. Career: 228 games, 55 games started, 545.1 innings pitched, 495 strikeouts, 27-24 record, 4.77 ERA.

Jose De los Santos

Jose De los Santos (2nd Base-Shortstop) - Age: 23. Hometown: Mata Larga. Kansas City Royals organization. Not protected on Royals' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Burlington Royals (Royals Rookie Level Appalachian League affiliate in Burlington, North Carolina)...38 games, 128 at bats, 37 hits, 4 home runs, 3 stolen bases, 19 RBIs, .289 batting average.

Alex Fernandez

Alex Fernandez (Outfielder) - Age: 26. Hometown: Cotui. Pittsburgh Pirates' organization. Not protected on Pirates 40-Man Roster. Played For: Altoona Curve (Pirates' AA Eastern League affiliate in Altoona, Pennsylvania)...82 games, 215 at bats, 47 hits, 2 home runs, 23 RBIs, .219 batting average. Finished the season on the Disabled List. In 2006 Fernandez played for Veracruz in the Mexican League.

Alexis Gomez

Alexis Gomez (Outfielder) - Age: 29. Hometown: Loma de Cabrera. Colorado Rockies' organization. Not protected on Rockies' 40-Man Roster. Played For: Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate)...102 games, 329 at bats, 98 hits, 8 home runs, 6 stolen bases, .298 batting average. From 2002 - 2006 Gomez was in the Major Leagues with the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers. He appeared in 3 games with the Tigers' in the 2006 World Series. Career Major League: 89 games, 158 at bats, 41 hits, 1 home run, 11 RBIs, .259 batting average.

Jose Lima

Jose Lima (Pitcher) - Age: 35. Hometown: Santiago. Played For: Saraperos de Saltillo (AAA Mexican League)...22 games, 22 games started, 160.0 innings pitched, 76 strikeouts, 13-4 record, 3.60 ERA. Mexican League All Star Team. Played in the Major Leagues for 12 years from 1994 to 2006. Played with: Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets. Career Major League Stats: 348 games, 235 games started, 1567.7 innings pitched, 980 strikeouts, 89-102 record, 5.26 ERA.

Vocabulary Practice

Horse - Caballo

Jugado de beisbol Carlos Lee del Houston Astros es llamado 'El Caballo.' (Carlos Lee, the baseball player for the Houston Astros, is called El Caballo).

Although/Even If/Even Though - Aunque

Me gustan los Cubs aunque los Cardinals son mi equipo favorito. (I like the Cubs although the Cardinals are my favorite team).

Besides/In Addition - Ademas

Me gusta Santiago ademas de Rio San Juan. (I like Santiago in addition to Rio San Juan).

Yours - Tuyo

Este sombrero es tuyo. (This hat is yours).

Wait/You wait - Esperate

Esperate. Volver pronto. (Wait. I will return soon).

Head - Cabeza

Tengo dolor en la cabeza. (I have a headache).

To Meet/To Find - Encontrar

El quiere encontrarla. (He wants to meet her).

Meet Me - Encuentreme

Encuentreme en la bomba. (Meet me at the gas station).

Date - Fecha

Birth - Nacimiento

?Cual es su fecha de nacimiento? (Guys never ask a dominicana this. It is always her birthday and she, of course, will want a regalo).

Short Skirt - Falda Corta

!Ay Dios mio! Mirada la falda corta en aquella chica. (Oh my God! Look at the short skirt on that girl).

Sense of Touch/Feel - Tacto

No Such Thing - No Hay Tal

How Are You Doing?/What's Up - Que Tal

Heel/Heel of a Shoe - Talon

El talon del zapato. (The heel of the shoe).

Either - Tampoco

No voy a decirle tampoco. (I am not going to tell you either).

Tablet - Tableta

I Will Call You - Te llama

Te llama este fin de semana. (I will call you this weekend).

To Permit - Permitir

Permitame tomarle a mi apartmento. (Permit me to take you to my apartment).

To Follow - Seguir

Sigame. (Follow me).

Beautiful/Lovely/Pretty/Attractive - Linda

Eres muy linda. (You are very pretty).

Both - Los Dos

also

Both - Ambos

Garbage Can - Zafacon de Basura

3801 Lives and $453 Billion Dollars

The war in Iraq has thus far cost $453 billion dollars. Read Larry Beinhart's excellent article on Alternet. http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/63353/

This is an article worth reading.

In the near future Bush will ask Congress to give him nearly $200 billion more of our tax dollars. Sadly, despite 73% of the American public being against the war and despite the fact that in 2006 the voters spoke by giving the Democrats a majority in both houses, the Republicans and even worse the 'Bush Dog Democrats' will give it to him.

I will be very glad to get to the Dominican Republic this winter just to distance myself from this MESS.

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