Beto » Family

Opening thoughts on the Opening games

Beto — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:30:35 +0000

Hours from the opening game of the most awaited sporting event; I am craving some flan, chifles, a glass of agua de Guitig and a bowl of caldo de patas. Reconnecting with childhood friends to discuss the tactics and predictions of the World Cup has become a ritual as I arise from social media hibernation. I know folks like James and Hiroki will ask, why caldo de patas? Because I like it- mom would make it and I could recall having three bowls, with a side of baguette bread from the local bakery on the corner – across the Carolina Park.

By the way my brother Kurt might be roaming around in as we speak—grab me a loaf, some cheese and a jugo de naranjilla. How will you be able to deliver it to this neck of the woods? Talking about woods, the lightning bugs are out this time of the year and I offered to catch some with my daughter. The problem here is this daylight savings practice. She goes to bed while it is still light and these members of the insect family wait until dusk. I will have to convince the wife into a delay of bed for a lifelong lesson in entomology.

Returning to the reason for this post, the World Cup starts with the hosts South Africa vs. Mexico. My prediction is 1-0 to Mexico. Javier Aguirre the Mexican coach is managing a player like Cuauhtémoc Blanco into a leadership position that many other coaches of the Aztec team failed to do. This just proves Aguirre’s tact and psychology with the players. The constant debate for this team with my friends and colleagues is who will start in goal. My call is Ochoa. My good friend Pablo “the theologian” Perez predicts Oscar Perez, not because of his last name but for his experience.

The next game is Uruguay vs. France. Uruguay is a team that epitomizes “playing with guts” or how we called it “garra.” Forlan will come close but French keeper Hugo Lloris will continue to prove one of the best in the World—prediction 0-0.

In regards to Liverpool, Rafael Benitez has departed. I grew frustrated last year, but that happens. I hope we made the correct decision and whoever takes the reins of Liverpool FC can bring back some stability, pride and honor. How about Rafa donating $96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group? http://bit.ly/rafaforhillsborough

What are your predictions for tomorrows matches?

To a friend who turns supposedly 40.

Beto — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:19:34 +0000

I was just reminded of my conversation with a much admired pastor, philosopher and mentor. I was explaining to him that when I turned 35 I really stopped thinking what my age was. Or may I further explain- thinking about my calendar age. I know I have a pancreas but I really am not dwelling upon it.

I know people who have mourned turning 25. I guess it is based on the fact that I was raised by a mother that when she was a child the doctor’s told her parents that she would not live beyond 21. Instead of withering with self pity, she lived a full life of constant smiles, joy, sometimes pain, but a full life. She lived beyond 21.

Brother and follower of the Bambino cursed Red Sox, remember the words of the honorable Abraham Lincoln, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Happy Birthday.

Oh no, a Dell?

Beto — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:52:42 +0000

My wife is quite techy. Actually she enlightened me in the world of computers as newlyweds. I went the way of the Mac because of my field of work which in that era was audio editing. But my wife stayed as a “PC” user. All I can say is that whenever I have acquired a new computer it has been to upgrade and not to replace due to malfunction. On the other hand my computer savvy better half has found herself frustrated by the limitations of Sony and now Dell. I wish her software could be used seamlessly on a Mac.

Goodbye Gate Cottage.

Beto — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:13:47 +0000

My wife went to our alma mater today to pay a visit and sort of an homage to the loss of Gate Cottage, a beautiful building nestled in the North Georgia mountains. Gate Cottage was literally the gateway to Toccoa Falls, a must see in Stephens county, Georgia and this building burned down two days ago. In 1977 Toccoa Falls College suffered a great tragedy when a flood destroyed much of the campus. This historical building survived the ragin waters. Let me quote a friend of mine that wrote the introducttion to the devotionals Beauty for Ashes,

“Like Richard and Evelyn Forrest, our hearts will search for hope amid the ashes of our broken dreams. And just as He spoke to Richard Forrest, God will say to us, “I will give you beauty from the ashes and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness so that I might be glorified.” It is our prayer that you will be encouraged through these devotionals taken from the teaching material of Richard and Evelyn Forrest and others.”

Goodbye Gate Cottage, you saw many weddings, baby showers, Sunday brunches, Rotary club meetings, hungry security guards, and a stranded snapping turtle or two. I know the campus at Toccoa Falls college is a blessed campus and in times like these we remember how blessed we are for what we have and how we need to be better stewards of it.

Below is a picture of the Gate Cottage I remember.

Five years ago: an emerald crater lake and a La Avelina ice cream.

Beto — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:54:06 +0000

Five years ago we were in the motherland and enjoyed the natural beauties of the Andes mountains. In this picture my wife stands before the emerald crater lake of Quilotoa. On this trip to Quilotoa I was already victim of trying to eat all I could of the delicious foods of my childhood. From ceviche, hornado, fritada, mote, queso de hoja, naranjilla, morcillas, empanadas de morocho, humitas. Actually the list goes on but my stomach could not handle it. The trip up to the crater was beautiful, and upon our return we were well taken care by the staff of the Hotel Sol de Quito and their te de anis.

There is so much more about the trip, but my Mrs. enjoyed this trip and I can say that we celebrated a memorable anniversary in Quito five years ago and this year another one arrived. Another wonderful year, Thanks Beck…I could actually go for an helado de paila.

Quito patrimonio y grandes memorias

Beto — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:42:11 +0000

A city in a valley surrounded by snow capped mountains, some of them active volcanoes. The homeland of my beloved mother, a land where my wife fell in love with and a city that will be turning 474 years old.A lot of stories and memories can be gathered from those days. The culture, the songs and flavors are vast and while sitting at a table today eating Thanksgiving dinner I could actually say that I am thankful for having been born and raised in such rich city. Viva Quito.

Fernando meet my wife’s fried chicken

Beto — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:26:36 +0000

The impact Fernando Torres made off the bench this weekend was obvious. The show in The FanZone was great and the fried chicken my wife made was “para chuparse los dedos.” This is part of the Good Stuff Network!!!

Welcoming the cold

Beto — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:22:12 +0000

It is mid November and the temperatures are finally decreasing. Northeast Georgia gets cold this time of the year from what I can remember. This area of the country gets some beautiful colors during fall- the leaves have been exceptionally bright this year. My wife even though a northern born woman is not too fond of this cold weather. I on the other hand enjoy the cold weather. The brisk cold mornings remind me of walking to school in Quito.
The first fire in our wood stove welcomes this November cold and the falling of most of the colorful leaves into heaps that my daughter and German shepherd can play in. The line of Rose of Sharon has been pruned, the pansies to be planted, more firewood to be cut and split. All these things are part of a long list of to-dos. Of course, the decorations in the attic catch my curiosity as I would like to put them up as soon as I begin the Christmas music in the house. Bing Crosby and Johnny Mathis are already guests in this house…
By the way- I have seen Rudolph the red nosed reindeer with my daughter already- a yearly tradition to be shared with her.

Upgraded to a hybrid

Beto — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:16:48 +0000

This is week 2 1/2 of my latest upgrade to a hydrogen hybrid. With the help of my father-in-law we have converted my Honda CRV to a Hydrogen hybrid. This has given me great results without having to purchase a small and uncomfortable hybrid car. A big factor in my decision- Gas prices, emissions and also I have a long commute and accumulate many miles a month. The beginning miles per gallon were 22 and now I am getting 28. Based on the studies and other users the MPG’s will increase and also the emissions will decrease enormously. Below is the place that does this magic- The Hybrid Conversion Place.

Kick off

Beto — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:39:18 +0000

The start of the English Premier season gave us quite a few goals. From artistic curlers by Mikel Arteta against a badly positioned Paul Robinson in a 2-3 loss to Blackburn, to an inaugural goal by Samir Nasri in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over West Brom.

The overly cautious draws were not present this time. The closest thing to that came at the Stadium of Light only to be overturned by a clinical shot by European champion Fernando Torres in a 1-0 Liverpool win over a well coached Sunderland. One of the games that I enjoyed watching as the Spurs loosing to Middlesbrough 2-1.

Gareth Southgate has been able to give Alfonso Alves, Tuncay and Jeremy Aliadiere a freedom that can potentially create many defensive headaches to opposing teams visiting the Riverside. I watched the game on Setanta, listened on Sirius channel 125 and chatted with the EPLTalk crew. Quite a trifecta of football.

To top it all off I made some fish-n-chips to go with a delicious tomato salad with cilantro that my wife prepared. The final touch were root beer floats using nothing but the best- Barqs root beer. Barqs root beer has a creamy flavor yet the wonderful bite of a quality root beer. My daughter enjoyed the float.

What a kick off to a great season.