Cholo Word Of The Day - Pichonear

This word can be a bit crude and it can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It can be to simply kiss or to have sex (crude way of saying either).

Word:
Pichonear

Meaning According To DT:
kiss, have sex, screw, do the nasty, make love, have relations

Used in a sentence:
"E-steve, te vas a pichonear a la Barbi (courtesy of Xolo) later?"

"Que te importa baboso, eso es cosa mia."

Translation according to DT:
"Esteban, are you going to be intimate with Barbara later?"

"What's it to you fool, that's my concern."

Cholo Word Of The Day - No Vale

I always use this phrase, but I don't think I've ever explained it.

Word:
No Vale

Meaning According To DT:
not good, no value (literal), this sucks, terrible

Used in a sentence:
"Ese guey no vale, because he reported me to la jura."

"Pues Queta (courtesy of Soul Musings), what did you espect. You broke the window on his ranfla!"

Translation according to DT:
"That rapscallion is no good, because he reported me to the nation's finest."

"Well, Enriqueta, what did you expect? You broke the window on his automobile."

Cholo Word Of The Day - Carnala

Carnala is feminine and Carnal is masculine. I'm going to use some names from my previous post about Nombres. Thanks to those who contributed.

Word:
Carnala, Carnal

Meaning According To DT:
sister, brother, homegirl, homeboy

Used in a sentence:
"Chilo, vamos con mi carnala a el carnaval."

"Bueno Concita, te sacaste la daga con esa idea. Vamos!"

Translation according to DT:
"Auxilio (courtey of Cinylu, let's go with my sister to the amusement park."

"Ok Concepcion (courtesy of Xolo), you did great with that idea. Onwards and Upwards."

Limpiando Frijoles

I'm in a rush today. I have to finish up some work before I head out to my night gig. Instead of a word today, I've decided to post a picture of my buelita cleaning some frijoles. I took this picture in July when I visited for my grandfather's novenario.



In the foreground are the mangos and some orange plant. By this point she was already getting annoyed of me taking some many pictures with my hand new digital camera, so I was hiding.

Cholo Word Of The Day - Ojo

I use "ojo" in my lil' dislaimer jale (ha - le).

Word:
ojo

Meaning According To DT:
look, watch, note, notice

Used in a sentence:
"Ojo con aquel guey que te queire partir la madre."

"Simbre (si hombre) ya lo vi, estoy listo."

Translation according to DT:
"Not the gentleman who would like to violently thrash you."

"Yes sir, I already saw him, I'm ready."

Names Y Mas Nombres

ok, real quick post. the other day i put together a list of names. these are nicknames for spanish names. not spanish to english, we'll work on that list later.

You might have noticed that I try to put in names when I do my translations. I'm just screwing around w/ those. So, help me out. Give me some more suggestions.

Isabel - Chavela
Guadalupe - Lupita
Maria - Mari
Veronica - Vero
Dulcelina - Dulce
Araceli - Chely
Evangelina - Eva
Alejandra - Ale
Susana - Susy
Cristina - Tina

Francisco - Pancho
Guillermo - Memo, Memin
Jose - Pepe
Antonio - Tono
Sergio - Keko
Vicente - Chente
Arnulfo - Fufo
Jesus - Chuy
Alfonso - Poncho
Candelario - Cande
Enrique - Kike
Faustino - Tino
Salomon - Salo
Rumaldo - Rume
Anastacio - Tacho
Ignacio - Nacho
Trinidad - Trine
Roberto - Beto
Oberlin - Belin
Rafael - Rafa
Adalberto - Beto
Agapito - Pito

Texas Tuesdays

Wow, what a great idea the Texas Tuesday folks have. Each week, they highlight a Democratic candidate with an interview. This week, they have a two-fer with Morris Meyer, a candidate running for Congress near my district, and Lorenzo Sadun, a write-in Candidate living in Austin. Enjoy.

Thanks to camarada Colorado Luis, for pointing me in the right direction.

Cholo Word Of The Day - Aguila

Aguila is very similar to the previously listed cholo word trucha. An aguila, is literally and eagle.

Word:
Aguila

Meaning According To DT:
on the lookout, aware, alert, careful

Used in a sentence:
"Chavela, hay que ponerte aguila con ese niño, porque es tremendo."

"Hay si, Doña. No me le despego."

Translation according to DT:
"Isabel, you have to be very alert with that little boy, because he's a handful."

"Oh yes, ma'am. I keep a watchful eye."

Cholo Word Of The Day - Hacer Nuevo

I've got another phrase you. This one is "hacer nuevo." It literally means, to "make new."

Word:
Hacer Nuevo

Meaning According To DT:
destroy, beat up, jump

Used in a sentence:
"Fufo, si no te cayas te voy a mandar hacer nuevo."

"Tratalo Mondingas, aver que te pasa."

Translation according to DT:
"Arnulfo, if you don't shut your trap I'm going to beat you up"

"Just try it Aramando, and see what happens to you."

Por Eso No Camino

This is why people in Texas don't walk. It's not even that hat, but it's freaking hot outside. I just walked back from lunch. It took 10 minutes, but it feels like I've be walking in the desert for a week. Oh yea, and I almost got run over by a car. Dallas isn't very pedestrian friendly.

16 de Septiembre

It's Mexican Independance Day. They're celebrating the 194th year. That's when Father Miguel Hidalgo De Costilla gave his grito de la independencia. Wow, imagine the moment.

Mexico has come a long way, but has a lot farther to go. Electing President Vicente Fox into office after 71 years of the PRI party ruling, was a step in the right direction for Democracy, no matter what you think of his conservative politics. There is still much corruption and poverty in Mexico, but now there's some hope for the regular folks.

In 2001, I watched as Mexicans swarmed the newly sworn-in President, as he visited the Lincoln Juarez Bridge in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. People had hope - some had unrealistic hopes, but still, they had hope. I had hope and still do.



I have hope that the town where my grandmother lives, El Refugio, Queretaro, will once again be self sustainable. I have hope that the men from that pueblo will be able to stay in Mexico to make a better lives for themselves and not be forced to come the United States because they can't find work near their homes. El Refugio has very few men left and for that matter, very few complete families left.

I also have hope that the kidnappings, executions, and smuggling of drugs will slow down, but there I think I'm being unrealistic. I learned about the elasticity curve in high school.

But there is much hope for this great country full of vibrant traditions, music, food, and amazing people. That's the good news. Here's my version of my grito: Que Viva Mexico! Que Viva La Independencia! Que Viva El Imigrante! Que Viva El Trabajador! Y Que Vivan Las Bellas Mujeres!

Cholo Word Of The Day - Chale

Need a word to use the as a substitute for the over-used "no way, jose," well, I've got one for you. Chale!

Word:
Chale

Meaning According To DT:
no, no way, uh uh, forget that

Used in a sentence:
"Keko, quieres ir con migo a cambiar esa mercancia que nos encontramos?"

"Chale Poncho, nos pesca la jura y luego quien me saca del bote."

Translation according to DT:
"Sergio, would you like to go exchange the merchandise we just found?"

"No way, Alfonso, the authorities will catch us and then who will get me out of being incarcerated?"

My City Is Big Time

Apologize for the lack of posts. My allergies have been controlling my life for the last 3 weeks. Alleriges no valen.

I watched fellow blogger Marc Cuban's The Benefactor last night. Well, wouldn't you know it. One of the gals on the show is from McAllen. Here name is Tiffaney, something or other. I was telling my friend, that somehow, this show managed to find the only gringita in McAllen. Mind you, the girl I was watching the show with, is also a gringita from McAllen. Here's a picture of the lovely Tiffaney.



I'm watching the show because I like Marc Cuban. He's a huge dork. Plus, they shoot some of the show right across from my apartment at the American Airlines Center. Here's a view from my balcony.



I'll keep watching. Aver que.

Cholo Word Of The Day - Simon Filimon

This is another phrase. It's actually pretty funny and I love using this. It doesn't really mean anything, but it rhymes so it's funny. We've already used the word Simon and now we're simply adding the name Filimon behind it.

Word:
Simon Filimon


Meaning According To DT:
Yes, Affirmative (but funny)

Used in a sentence:
"Kike, fuiste tu el que tiraste la ball through la window?"

"Simon Filimon, I didn't realize it was going to go that far."

Translation according to DT:
"Enrique, were you the one who threw the ball through the window?"

"Yes (ha, ha), I didn't realize it was going to go so far."

Ando Medio Grifo

Digo que ando medio grifo because I've got this hardcore buzz going. I've been suffering from terrible allergies for the last 3 weeks and I can't seem to get better. It doesn't help that I refuse to go to the doctor. When I was a kid, my mom would buy me allergy medicine from Reynosa, and those would fix me up. Apparently though, the Celestimina F which I used to take as a kid, was discontinued, because it was too strong for adults! Maybe that's why nothing works on me now.

Anyway, this morning I took one allegra and 2 actifed which my friend gave me - and now, man, I'm buzzing. My lips are even tingly. This is weird.

Don't Touch My Kid!

I've got a question. Growing up in S. Texas and visiting the familia in Mexico it's very common (at least from my experiences) that people touch kids. Not in the Michael Jackson way, but you pat them on the head, touch their arms or feet if their infants, or even pick them up and carry them once in a while. Well, for the past 10 years, since I left the Valley, people have always told me that was weird - and of course, I've received more than one ugly stare by a parent (never from a Mexicano, that I recall). My friends always tell me not to do that or say, "did you just hit that kid of the head," or "did you just touch that kid." I reply, "yep." I don't touch the kids behind I believe I'm going to give them ojo, but maybe that's why most people I've seen do it, and maybe that's why I think it's ok. Sepa.

Have you experienced this? Is this weird? I can't say I blame parents for not wanting a complete stranger to touch their kid, but this was never an issue back home. Is it a difference in the culture or is it simply that in today's day and age, strangers are bigger freaks? What's the deal.

Cholo Word Of The Day - A La Brava

Once again, a phrase. I recently heard this again so I'm sharing it with you.

Word:
A La Brava


Meaning According To DT:
get ready, be alert (damn, i can't translate - help!!)

Used in a sentence:
"Tino, te vas a tener que poner a la brava con aquel vato, cuando pase por aqui."

"Yo se, el otro dia no se cayo en frente de toda la gente hasta que le meti una buena chinga."

Translation according to DT:
"Faustino, you have to be alert when that guy comes by here."

"I know the other day he wouldn't shut up in front of those people until I whooped his ass."

Cholo Word Of The Day - Ese/Esa

This word is very similar to the word Vato which I recently attempted to explain. I've noticed that when people write to me they often refer to me as Ese. The feminine use of this word is much less common, but I have heard it used before.

Word:
Ese, Esa

Meaning According To DT:
dude, man, guy - girl, woman

Used in a sentence:
"Que paso ese, como van las cosas?."

"Aqui nomas vato, pasando el tiempo en el Labor Day."

Translation according to DT:
"What's going on man, how are things?"

"Just here, passing the time on Labor Day."

Mas Mexicano Than You - Oh Really?

The great thing about growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, besides the food, the people, and the language, is the fact that many of us are raised as Mexicans and Americans. Not necessarily Mexican-Americans, but Mexican and American. We learn how to switch at an early age, sometime to avoid being made fun of. So when I went to I found it very interesting that some people tried to out Mexican each other, or they tried to out Chicano each other. They would dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or act a certain way.

I would think, Chingado, what are you doing homeboy, just be yourself. Pero no, estos pelados tried to out-do each other. Because I am who I am, I played devils advocate. To the hard core Chicanos, I would be a bit conservative, and to the conservative Mexican, I'd be extra Chicano - talking in my broken Spanish, even though I could speak perfectly fine in Spanish.

The Fresas didn't want to associate themselves with me at first, because they thought I was too corriente. Then, they realized I had some very very very Mexican friends - and then they realized that their Mexican life afforded them luxuries that my Mexican life never did to me. They found out my family still lives in a pueblo in Queretaro where up until a couple of years ago there was only one phone for the entire town and where the water still comes down from the mountains 3 times a week, and ala chingada.

And then the Chicanitos would ask me why I hung out with Mexicanos or Gringos. Ah, pos porque no? They would dress the part, and try to act the part, but they could never be the part. They would try to tell me about inequalities and how hard it was -even though they were driving around in cars that had a/c (that was high class for me). Then as soon as they were fixing to write me off and just another High Spanic- I would tell them my story. Son of immigrants, raised in Section 8 housing projects, didn't have a bed until I was 13 years old. And even for that, I count my blessing.

I always thought - be who you are. I don't care if you're a Mexican and you don't know Spanish, there's always time to learn. I don't care if you're a Mexicano and hate that people "butcher" the language - you can always teach others or learn from them. Just be yourself.

El Chief Of Staff

Ok, help me out. A couple of days I was talking to my friend and she told me she wasn't sure who she was voting for. Gulp. What? A Latina living in Laredo, doesn't know who she's voting for? Chingado.

I had some ammunition, but I fear not enough. What should I tell her?

Cholo Word Of The Day - Vato

Vato is a word I should have posted a long time ago. It's one of the basics words and I'm sure most of you have either heard/used this word before.

Word:
Vato

Meaning According To DT:
dude, man, guy

Used in a sentence:
"Tutis, aquel Vato es el que va ir a college."

"Iralo, Iralo, no que no. Ese vato es el "Pollo." Lo Conozco desde elementary school."

Translation according to DT:
"Tutis, that guy is the one going to college."

"Well, Well. He's el "Pollo." I've known him since elementary school."

Protest News

The NYT's reports that 900 protestors were arrested (need a free susbscription) yesterday. Does anyone know of bloggers covering the protests? We have bloggers covering the conventions, so I'm wondering if anyone is reporting on what thousands of other Americans are doing in response to this administration.

I'm trying to understand why I didn't see many stories about the protestors on the tube last night. I saw plenty of the convention. While, I do think that coverage of the conventions is extremely important, I don't think that Gov. Arnold or the Bush Daughters are more important than the thousands of people voicing opposition.

It's not difficult for a reporter to find an average american (opposed to a student, a die-hard liberal, or someone deemed "radical")who is protesting the convention. This "normal" American might be protesting because she is one of the millions of people who has lost her job, or because his son got killed in Iraq fighting the "terrorists" (even though the terrorists and Iraq are two completely different things, contrary to what the administration would have us believe), or because her mother, father, or grandfather has alzheimer's, and the current administration refuses to fund adequate stem-cell research projects. I dunno, but there has to be someone like that out there - someone that everyone can relate to.

I didn't hear too much about the protestors at the Democratic convention either. I'm sure they were out there -how many, I don't know, but I'm sure they were out there. My point is, that if such a large number of people feel a certain way about an event, whether it be the conventions, the circus, the forest, or the catholic church, they should be reported about.

Liberals think the media is too conservative and conservatives think the media is too liberal. It's a losing battle for reporters to try to please people - but I do think newsroom management needs to really look at who their audience is - and realize that all Americans/people in this country should be represented on their newscasts. Maybe news directors and producers are already doing that - and that's why coverage is so limited. Maybe people aren't really interested in the conventions. Maybe only Democrats watch the Democratic Convention and Republicans only watch the Republican Convention. I don't know. And maybe every argument I made is invalid or not even true, but I'd still like to see some damn protestors on the tube.

p.s. It pissed me off when the political analyst for the Dallas ABC affilate said republicans were "well-behaved" compared to the D's. Hmmm, that might not be such a bad thing after all. He later went on to say how the R's listened to their leaders without question. Case in point.