Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Food, Drink, and Friendship / Amor, Alcohol, Y Amistad

La versión español está después de la versión inglés.

SINCE I BURDENED you with my recent problems with depression, it's only fair that I tell you the depression has passed. Since, physically, I still feel like crap — allergies, cough, fatigue — I figure that's a pretty strong indication that the depression was unrelated to my general health and was simply seasonal. So, I'm back to enjoying and appreciating what's around us (while I continue to whine about everything else). Thanks for listening!

We were at Mesón Salvador Saturday night with friends Tynan and Elena (and again last night with friends Jean and Ray). To soothe my sore throat, I had a glass of Zumbral, which is the best vino dulce (sweet Sherry) I've ever had. We didn't reserve a table because it's finally quiet around town and I had arrived early (at 9) just in case, but Alejandro decided to make up a "reserved' sign after we sat down. He wore it clipped to his polo shirt. So, if anyone has any ideas, Alejandro is reserved for me. It happened to be Alejandro's brother David's birthday. San Geraldo explained the American (not mine) tradition of a birthday spanking. One slap for every year. David didn't think it was a good idea.

DESDE QUE TE cargué con mis recientes problemas con la depresión, es justo que te diga que la depresión ha pasado. Dado que, físicamente, todavía me estoy sintiendo como mierda — alergias, tos, fatiga — me parece que es una indicación bastante fuerte de que la depresión no estaba relacionada con mi salud general y era simplemente estacional. Por lo tanto, he vuelto a disfrutar y apreciar con todo lo que nos rodea (mientras yo sigo quejándome sobre todo lo demás). ¡Gracias por su atención!

Estábamos en Mesón Salvador el sábado a la noche con nuestros amigos Tynan y Elena (y nuevamente anoche con nuestros amigos Jean y Ray). Para aliviar mi dolor de garganta, me tomé un vaso de Zumbral, que es el mejor vino dulce que he probado. No reservamos una mesa porque por fin la ciudad está tranquila y lleguamos temprano (a las 9) por si acaso, pero Alejandro decidió hacer una señal de "reservada" después de que nos sentáramos. Lo llevaba colocado en su camiseta polo. Alejandro está reservado para mí (así que no cojan ideas). Resultó ser el cumpleaños del hermano de Alejandro, David. San Geraldo explicó la tradición estadounidense (no la mía) de un azote de cumpleaños. Una bofetada por año. David no pensó fue una buena idea.


RESERVED?
RESERVADO?
SEAFOOD AND VEGETABLE FRY-UP.
MARISCOS Y VERDURAS PARA ELENA.
COD WITH ROSEMARY.
BACALAO CON ROMERO.
DAVID, GENIUS AT WORK.
DAVID, GENIO EN PLENA TAREA.
CHEESECAKE.
TARTA DE QUESO.

I DECIDED I DESERVED CARAMEL/CHOCOLATE CAKE.
TARTA DE CARAMELO Y CHOCOLATE. YO LO MERECÍA.
DAVID SAYS THANKS BUT NO THANKS.
DAVID DICE GRACIAS PERO NO GRACIAS.
MADE ESPECIALLY FOR US BY DAVID.
HECHO ESPECIALMENTE PARA NOSOTROS POR DAVID.
I DON'T KNOW WHY I STILL TAKE HIM OUT IN PUBLIC.
NO SÉ POR QUÉ TODAVÍA LO TOMO EN PÚBLICO.

28 comments:

  1. You sound post viral
    Tired, not right and depressed
    Very common ailment !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John:
      Thanks for this info. I never considered that. I went to the doctor yesterday and have a whole bunch of tests to do but this put me more at ease.

      Delete
  2. Those allergies aren't from FOOD I assume.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank:
      If they are... or from cats... I'm in BIG trouble.

      Delete
  3. I'm glad your spirits are back in good form. Looking at those photos, every comment I could think of was inappropriately sexual, so I'm not writing anything.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debra:
      Well, it's not your fault. I sure gave you a lot to work with.

      Delete
  4. "Alejandro is reserved for me." - what does SG think about that? and I can't take mine out in public either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. anne marie:
      What does SG think? Did you see David sitting in his lap!?! Anyway, that's as far as it goes.

      Delete
  5. So nice to hear your depression has passed Mitch. I sometimes get like that a week or two when I get back from traveling. Could it be that? Meanwhile...Alejandro.....is SO MY TYPE....my birthday is tomorrow....could you be a dear and send him round my direction?????????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mistress maddie:
      There's always that let-down after a vacation... and after a nice dinner with friends... and an afternoon being social... and a holiday... and a parade... and a Wednesday in November... Uf! But Alejandro, David, and the rest of the guys at Mesón Salvador make any day better. Happy birthday! Alejandro arrives this evening.

      Delete
  6. Depression can be such a burden. I'm glad it's passing for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      Thanks. The depression seems to be gone. Looking forward to everything feeling better!

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Spo:
      Why, thank you! Oh... wait... I'll pass it on...

      Delete
  8. There's that Lady Gaga song in my head again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      I know what you mean. This post made me think of "Edge of Glory," too. (I know. I know... Alejandro.)

      Delete
  9. Well... looking at that last photo of Jerry, I wasn't thinking, nope can't take him anywhere, as, wanna take him straight home!
    Bad Rozzie!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think that birthday tradition was started by parents who hated their children.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adam:
      Jerry even went further with "a pinch to grow an inch and a sock to grow a block."

      Delete
  11. Mitchell, you are surrounded by such lovely people. Oh my goodness, that chocolate/caramel cake!
    Take care.
    Robin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robin:
      We are very lucky with the friendships we've found here. And the love we receive at Mesón Salvador is incomparable. We feel so special and so fortunate.

      Delete
  12. Now you can just sit back and enjoy what's in front of you without 'worry'.
    And by the looks of things you have started!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      I'm handling things fine now. Went to the doctor yesterday and she's having a bunch of tests done -- because she's very thorough. I'll probably find out, like John Gray suggested, that I'm simply getting over something viral.

      Delete
  13. Through the looking glass wall of depression is always a time for celebration.
    How come every time you show us food and smiles that I wish I was there watching the joy you guys spread around those who enjoy your company.
    Magic , me thinks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron:
      Sometimes it really does feel like magic. We are so lucky to be surrounded by so many sincerely kind and joyful people.

      Delete
  14. Oh my dear that is some tongue action. And as for David well....

    ReplyDelete

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