Tecki on the spot

¡Hola!

Reporting on location from Barcelona.

The flight in was every bit as restless and uncomfotable as we could have hoped. Nothing like entering a foreign city where you barely speak the language after very little sleep.

The trip from El Prat airport was an exciting adventure in multilingual public transit. Several transfers and broken spanish conversations later, we arrived at our hotel. A pretty little place, no agua caliente, but the beds are comfy and the rooms are clean -- especially after the maids get done with their slamming and whatnot. It sounds like they rearrange the furniture every time they clean, or that´s the impression we got as we tried to take a nap.


But, post-nap, we found ourselves enjoying the winding maze of streets in the barri gotic, never minding that we had no idea where we were at any given time. Maybe a little worried late at night, but everyone was out and about. We had great food for lunch and dinner, and enjoyed bebidas in a little bar where a squat old lady held a running dialogue with no one in particular. Lots of characters in this town.

Well, time to go out and explore some more. Especially want to ride the metro a lot to justify the expensive barcelona cards we bought. The more you ride, the more you save!

¡Hasta luego!

Clickity Clack

I was dismayed to read the news yesterday from Durham. The FTA rejected the Triangle's request for funding the Regional Rail project between Raleigh and Durham.

Apparently we can spend billions of dollars to build freeways that clog up with traffic, spew pollution into our neighborhoods and cut through communities like open wounds, but we can't channel a few million for a clean, efficient rail line that will encourage smart growth, reduce congestion and pollution and generally improve quality of life.

Fortunately, the TTA is intent on trying again. I only hope that the state's two republican senators, who previously supported and now apparently oppose the line, get back on board. I can tell you all right now that the Triangle needs that line and more, and I don't even live there.

The traffic is already terrible, and the sprawling development, spurred on by roads and highways, has created a devastating, desolate landscape. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, the Triangle needs to embrace smart growth and mass transit now, before all that's left are lifeless parking lots and freeway interchanges.

Redemption Songs

Jesse Helms' medication wore out unexpectedly during an armwrestling match with Bono in Charlotte last night. the former senator was heard shouting about "libruls and Irishmen" taking over the country moments before aides ushered him out of the room.

No matter how many times I see a photo of them together, it always comes as a shock. Fighting AIDS in Africa almost makes up for the "white hands" commercial ... well, not really.

But keep trying Jesse.

Filth and Depravity

The V-chip wasn't enough. America's parents need to have specific family-values TV bundles so they can sleep secure in the knowledge that the electronic babysitter won't corrupt their little woogums.

It's about time.

If they get their family bundle of approved, squeaky-clean channels, maybe they'll stop trying to censor and cancel all the other shows on TV. I myself am not into all the filth and depravity, but I do like a good action movie now and then. And shows like The Wire, where the grit and obscenity are just reflections of real life.

Thing is, I don't care what you watch. But these family groups do. They can't seem to turn off the TV every once in a while, or take the remote from the kids, or the TV out of their bedrooms. So that means the rest of us can't watch anything they think is inappropriate for their kids.

Until now?

Of course, I don't really believe that this is the end. These folks just use kids as an excuse. They won't be happy until we're all watching Blue's Clues, Fox News and Good Morning America.

Better Dead than Red

Will I get a chance to see Butterstick before the communist masters ship him to China Elian-style two years from now?

Outlook hazy.

But, what's up with them wanting to take him anyway? They're up to their ankles in baby pandas! And we all know that it's all bamboo and playtime while the cameras are out, but once the press leaves, it's back to the sweatshop for those little cuties, sewing tiny stuffed versions of themselves for mass consumption here in the West. Is that the kind of life we want for our little Stick?

I think not.

Besides, the Chinese government's claim is bogus: How can they own Butterstick, when he was born right here in the US of A? Let me guide your attention to this little thing we like to call the Constitution, Mr. Chairman: If you're born here, you get automatic citizenship. No exceptions.

Let's make a deal: The Chinese can have Butterstick's parents back, especially that deadbeat dad of his who probably hasn't so much as looked at his son since he was born. It will be a tough separation for the Stick when his mom gets stuffed back in that crate, but she'll know it's best for her little boy.

Sniff.

Old Man Winter is a Bitch

Things I will not miss about MD: Winter.

Especially the last few weeks of Fall that truly belong to winter. This really ought to be its own season around here, kinda like brunch, only sucking.

Autumner? Fallter? Wintum?

The local weather people have read the chicken entrails and determined that conditions are right for another icy bitch-slapping from the Cold Meiser tonight and tomorrow. Good time to stay home and drink hot chocolate, not to drive around the Bawlmer Beltway.

It'll be another episode of Prius vs. The Snow when slush hour comes around. Fun Fun.

But worry not, gentle readers. Though I was born in the NC, I will drive with care.