Welcome To Mexico, Er, San Antonio!

I spent a few hours downtown Saturday with some of my relatives. I gave them more than half a dozen different restaurants, and we wound up at Mi Tierra. Considering how crowded it was, this was probably good because we were able to roam Market Square until our table was ready.

I had warned them it was like Mexico, only your odds of being shot/stabbed/robbed were significantly lower. The music, the raspas, the roasted corn were all like what you see on the streets south of the border. While I did not spot anyone peddling live stock, my young cousins spotted a bull and insisted on riding it. Here they are:

Elizabeth on the bull

Kora on the bull

For a second I wanted to kick off my shoes and hop on. Then I thought I'd probably get whiplash or get knocked off it and dislocate my shoulder.

Ah, to be young again.

I kept myself from buying anything (I even passed on a super cute ring). We had lunch, and then I sent them on their way to Austin. I'm hoping my Seattle-based relatives find a house there so we can have more adventures like that!

Work Place Dare

Have you ever seen Superman eat a cupcake in one bite?
Now you have.

Odd News Extra

One of our photographers was at a fire on Chihuahua street. So what does he see coming out of a home?

A lady with chihuahuas.
I'm happy to report the little alien-looking pups are OK.

It's A Holiday, So It MUST Rain!

I'm so happy it's raining, I got my camera to capture the rain in the parking lot at work. If I have to work on a holiday, I'd prefer the weather to cooperate with me - not all those people who are spending the day cooking out, watching Willie's Picnic, or otherwise kicking back and celebrating our Independence.

Plus, we desperately need rain here in South Texas!

Go ahead. Call me the Fun Hater of The Day. I'll wear the title with joy.

Wordle Of The Week

My clue for this one: it's a song.

What Tha???

Faceless people have invaded Britain!

Now, maybe it's because I'm reading "The Host," but I'm thinking it's aliens about to take over some human forms. This is what happens when I finally cave and read some sci-fi.

This story says it may be performance artists, as they've made appearances at high-profile events. But if you can buy one of those masks, I'd love it! How awesome would that be when you go to renew your drivers license?

The Wonder of Watermelon

I saw this on the AP wire today. I will never look at watermelon the same way.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a 4th of July cookout.

It's also a way that researchers say could keep fireworks going into the night.

Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels.

It's similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra.

Details come from Texas A&M scientists in one of the nation's top producers of seedless watermelons.

Citrulline is in the flesh and rind of watermelons. It reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed and is changed into an amino acid that benefits the heart, and the circulatory and immune systems.

But one would need to eat about six cups of watermelon to get enough citrulline to boost the body's level of that particular amino acid -- arginine.

Why You Should Vote For Obama

One of the "most stupidest" actors teases us by saying he'll leave the country if Obama is elected. Oh, we can only hope...

THAT'S change I can support!

BTW... That Baldwin character is the one who said "most stupidest." I'm quoting him.

British Wine Must Taste Bad

Or Prince Charles is out to ruin my fun.

He's going green. Not like Kermit. And in his own way, it must be easy. He's converted his Aston Martin to run on something other than gas.

It's fueled by wine.
The funny thing? I have some co-workers who are also fueled by wine. I also have some whiny co-workers, but that's another story.

Seriously, readers, I'm not making this up. Read the whole story here.