Cuban Grapes (Updated)

Grapes are probably scarce in Miami today as they are every New Year's Eve. During the last week of the year you can go to any supermarket here and find the produce section invaded by grapes. All kinds of grapes. Red seedless, green seedless, big old red seeded grapes. Yet today, the 31st of December, they are hard to find. Where are all the grapes going? you may be asking. Well, I'll tell you.

On New Year's Eve, while most of us are all celebrating the end of the year and the coming of the new year, there is one person in each Cuban household in charge of grapes. The Grape Keeper. People will be dancing and drinking and laughing and enjoying the end of year merriment and one person will be in the kitchen laboriously counting grapes. You'll walk into the kitchen for a few ice cubes and find the counter covered with little plastic cups or some other small container filled with grapes.

Twelve grapes to a container, to be exact.

The grape keeper's job is very important to Cubans. It could be the difference between a good year and a bad year.

A few minutes before midnight tonight, the grape keeper will hand each person at the party their own little container with the twelve grapes. "No te las comas todavia" they'll say. Dont eat them yet. You may be hungry and the grapes may look deliciously juicy in thier little container in your hand, but you can't eat them. You have to wait.

Until midnight.

At the stroke of midinght, while everyone else in the world is screaming and toasting and singing Auld Lang Syne and hugging and kissing, we Cubans are eating grapes. Twelve grapes counted and prepared specifically for you to be eaten precisely at the stroke of midnight, one after the other.

Each grape represents one month and they are eaten on New Year's because it is our tradition. Some say each grape represents luck for each month, some say it is so you always have food to eat in each of the coming twelve months.

It is hard sometimes to eat all the grapes, being a Cuban. Some times there will have been a death in the family the preceding year and as always, that person will be remembered at the stroke of a new year. Other times, there may be a person or two celebrating with you who still have their mother or father or gradparents or siblings still on the island. And at that precise moment in time, with a fresh New Year in sight, a new future upon them, they'll remember those left behind on their beloved Cuba. And remember, possibly, the struggles those family members may face in Cuba just to find their own twelve grapes. It's hard to eat grapes, however delicious they may be, when you are crying.

Twelve grapes, one for each month, every new year.

I'll gladly eat my twelve grapes tonight, and be thankful for having them and having everything else their twelve predecessors from last year afforded me. And for a moment, in between kissing the wife and hugging the parents and kisses on the cheeks from my tias, Ill think about Cuba and hope these twelve grapes she gets this year are different from the 540 she's already had.

Feliz Año Nuevo, everyone!!!! May the coming year bring you all health and smiles and prosperity!

And may it see the shackles of bondage removed from that little island somewhere in the Caribbean.

Oh, and dont forget to eat your grapes. All twelve of them. At the stroke of midnight. One after the other.

UPDATE: One of those grapes I ate last year was probably responsible for for my meeting this guy. A special thanks to you, Yoan, for being an inspiration to both my Cubanidad and my Americaness. I hope all of your grapes keep you safe - especially this coming year - but also for every single year to come. Gracias y feliz año, mi socio.

Nueva York

If you read anything today, read this.

New York City - el corazón del mundo.

Oh. My. Lord.

Reports are that the tsunami deathtoll is up to an unfathomable 114,000. What a tragedy.

HOW YOU CAN HELP.

Death toll at 60,000 77,000

The pictures are horrifying. No other word expresses that disaster quite like horrifying. Thousands upon thousands of people dead and thousands upon thousands of people left homeless and searching for relatives and friends in vain.

And it isnt over. Hunger, exposure and disease await those that managed to stay alive during the devastation.

It's time for us to reach deep into our souls and pray and deep into our pockets and help.

Here is a link from the Comand Post where you can find an organization to donate to:

HOW YOU CAN HELP.

Give what you can, whatever it is, it is more than what the victims have.

For more detailed info on what' is happening in Asia goto the The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami blog.

Refreshed

Sorry about the lack of bloggage yesterday. I needed to take a day off. The past week was incredibly difficult and stressful getting ready to Noche Buena and then Christmas where the Mrs. and I have to spend the day doing the rounds at all the relative's homes, spreading gifts and Christmas cheer.

Unfortunately, the latter half of Christmas day and Sunday was spent taking care of a massive plumbing problem at the house. Apparently, someone flushed something down the toilet that got stuck somewhere in the waste lines and the bathroom fixtures all overflowed. It was a mess and a major pain in the ass. I think it is all fixed now, but it wasnt easy and it certainly wasnt for the weak of stomach.

I obviously stayed away from the news this weekend but did manage to catch a few feeds coming from Asia. Those poor people. The death toll is nearthe 40k mark as of this morning. Entire families - generations - wiped out, whole towns destroyed. It is unbelievably tragic.

Michele has an excellent collection of information and links on how you can help the victims of this terrible disaster. There are plenty of places to donate found there. If you cant send money at the moment, send some prayers their way. I cant imagine what it must be like to be amid such sheer and utter devastation. Let's all pray for the victims and thier families.

I must have been good this year.

Because Santa - although it wasnt under the tree on Christmas morning - gave me exactly what I wanted last night.

The Miami Dolphins have a new head football coach.

Oh, yeah! That's what I'm talking 'bout.

Enjoy your season now, Jets fans. Win another Superbowl, New England. Have another batch of wings, Buffalo Bills fans. Next year, the Miami Dolphins will be a risin' from the fire of this dismal and abyssmal season.

Oh, I can't wait.

Two bloggers, a hot babe and a pig.

Feliz Navidad!!!!!

Amen, Steve. Amen.

Steve give us a Christmas message we should all take to heart:

Writing about last night, all I can think about is how lucky I am to have people who care about me, and to live in a country where we have the prosperity and freedom to do things like this. In Cuba last night, Castro and his pals were living large, just as we did. Everyone else had to be content with the mean rations of leftism or face the prospect of jail time for cooking real food bought on the black market.

Of course, I also think about the supreme sacrifice Christmas represents. The love and warmth we share here on earth is fleeting, but I believe in a God whose generosity and even courage have bought me something lasting, at a price I myself would be terrified to pay.

And I think about the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reviled by our President's political enemies while they offer a sacrifice no less noble, to buy us a country where we can celebrate free from care and want.

Don't feel guilty. Enjoy it to the fullest, because everything we have here, whether we realize it or not, is very, very expensive, and to fail to enjoy it would be a colossal waste and an insult to the people who paid the bill.

Merry Christmas! Happy Chanukkah! Seasons greetings, if you're an atheist. May our next holiday season see the same prosperity and domestic peace to which we have become so accustomed.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. And thanks for being a part of my family.

Noche Buena Cubanism

My grandfather had seven daughters. He was a modest man in everything in his life except when it came to his little girls. He and my grandmother - despite neither being rich nor of the upper crust nor elite class - raised seven incredibly intelligent, independent, respectful and diginified women.

El Primo's favorite time of year was Las Navidades - Christmas. And Noche Buena was his favorite day of the year. The following was my grandfather's favorite saying and is today's special Noche Buena Cubanism:

El que tiene hijas, cena en Navidad.

"He who has daughters, dines at Christmas."

Merry Christmas to you all! I hope this Christmas Eve finds you among family and loved ones and that you share the joy of being a special part of each others lives.

To the members of our armed forces, away from your families, and in harm's way half way around the world, a heartfelt thanks. You are all in our prayers and in our hearts and my family and I wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas. May you all be home and in your families' open arms soon.

Che's Dead, baby. And dead is dead.

No more Che watches at the New York Public Library.

A message from Cuba Archive Org:

The New York Public Library has responded to our letter campaign and the Che Guevara watches are no longer for sale!

Details

Last week I went to the Library Shop and verified that the watches were not being sold. The saleswoman was well informed of the situation and of the article on The New York Sun. The following day, the page on the watches was no longer on the website. I confirmed this by phone with the President's office and offered my thanks to Mr. LeClerc, but requested confirmation by telephone. A written response, I was told, was already on the way. This letter arrived yesterday, dated December 17, 2004:

Thank you for your letter to Dr. LeClerc expressing your concern about the Che Guevara watches sold through the website of the Library Shop. Those watches are no longer in stock and we have no plans to reorder them.

Your interest in The New York Public Library is very much appreciated.

Cordially,

Betsy Bradley
Special Assistant to the President

This is a welcome development and accomplishes what we requested. However, the lack of acknowledgment of the merits or our complaints and/or the absence of any hint of apology is disappointing and disheartening. I have the feeling they would have reacted differently if any other interest group -say Blacks, Jews, or Puerto Ricans, had led efforts to express similar concerns or complaints. Nonetheless, i see the usefulness of taking "yes" as an answer and will respond in accordingly.

It should be noted that the NYPL's Public Relations office did a pretty awful public relations job regarding this matter. They never returned any of my calls (very polite and not at all hostile) to discuss this matter with them, via phone or in person.

FYI, when I visited the NYPL, I checked their catalogue on Che Guevara and found at least 220 offerings, including many of Che's own writings and his major biographies. Thus, there is no excuse for ignoring who Che was, what he stood for, and the crimes he committed.

Going forward

Here's a few suggestions:

1. If you wrote to the NYPL and receive a letter from them, write back briefly acknowledging their positive response and, if you are so inclined, express your disappointment of the lack of recognition of your concerns.

2. Cases such as the Library or other public or educational institutions merit a similar response to the NYPL's. Initiate your own grassroots response or let us know, so we can.

3. The proliferation of merchandise with the image of Che is evident and seems to be growing. Contact the management of stores that carry any Che items and very politely educate them on Che, tell them that participating in the romanticizing of Che Guevara is wrong, ignorant, and offensive. Most store managers or salespersons won't have a clue. Ask for the contact information on company headquarters and write a letter with relevant information. Tell them that you will not sponsor their stores nor buy anything it sells until the merchandise is removed and will ask your friends to do so. Get your friends to also write.

4. Write letters to your newspapers, respond to articles or news coverage that romanticizes Che Guevara, and get your message across to media outlets whenever the opportunity arises.

5. Help us identify family members of the victims of Che Guevara or witnesses to his killings.

Our follow-up

1. A colleague is working with us to establish a website on "the real Che Guevara." Any help you can offer, content-wise, financial, etc., is very welcome and encouraged. If anyone wants to volunteer to help administer the site, please let me know.

2. I will contact U.S. government representatives to inquire whether Che merchandise sold in the U.S. is in any way violating U.S. Treasury embargo regulations. I understand that the photographer Korda, who is in Cuba, receives royalties, but am not sure what role the Cuban government may have. If you have any information on this specific issue, please let me know.

To those of you who participated directly in this effort -writing or calling the NYPL, circulating the message, or otherwise- THANKS! Know that you made a difference.

Feel free to circulate this message as you wish.

Best wishes and many blessings to you and your loved ones for Christmas and the New Year.

Maria

Maria C. Werlau
President, Free Society Project, Inc
E-mail: CubaArchive@aol.com
www.CubaArchive.org

Off to the slaughterhouse....

I'm on my way to pick Mr. Hog On Ice and then head to the slaughterhouse to pick up one of these:

No, not the beer gutted poser on the left. The one on the right, hanging upside down. Mr. Lechon. Noche Buena Lechon.

Does anyone else...

..find this ridiculous?

"This character represents the blockade and will be squashed by all the cars and people who pass by here." said Ernesto Padron, a well-known cartoonist working on the painting

Sheesh. How childish.

Honey-do this, honey-do that.

As you may already know from Steve or from this earlier post, the Noche Buena celebration is at my home this year. I have not stopped since last week with all the preparations.

-Broken jacuzzi has been cut into pieces and taken to dump.
-Pool deck and coping has been pressure cleaned.
-ManCamp™ has been sissified with bamboo and lights and new mulch.
-Christmas lights are up.
-Caja China is out of the shed and prepped for cooking.
-Iron patio furniture has been primed and painted.
-Lawn is 80% mowed and weedwhacked.
-Tables and chairs have been delivered and are ready.
-Sour oranges picked from Tommy's tree.
-Gralic, onions, cilantro - all fresh - have been purchased.
-Pig has been ordered. 100 lbs.

Yet, Im not done.

-Bathroom doors and baseboards need to be painted.
-Pool deck needs to be painted.
-Lawn needs to be finished.
-Lights around pool deck need to be installed.
-Tables and chairs need to be setup.
-Windows need to be cleaned.
-Haircut.
-10 more bags of mulch purchased and spread.
-Temporary ManCamp™ fireplace needs baffle and flue installed.
-Firewood needs to be cut.
-Stereo and speakers need to be setup outside.
-Mojo for pig needs to be made.
-Pig needs to be picked up at slaughterhouse.
-Pig needs to be marinated in mojo and set overnight.

And then the real work begins, cooking the lechon.

I'll need at least a week to recover but it will all be worth it. There's nothing like celebrating Christmas with family and friends.

Soapbox for Kids

Yesterday, fidel castro held a rally to protest the Christmas decorations - specifically the lit 75 - that were put up by the US Interests Section in La Habana. But this wasnt a standard fidel up on the podium for hours rally. No. The speakers and attendees were mostly children. Kids getting up on stage and denouncing the United States of America and her imperialistic and capitilistic ways.

And what, exactly do these children know about the US and her culture at such young ages? You think they undersatnd the complexities of geo-political systems? You think they understand the difference between a democracy and a dictatorship? Of course not. They know only what their own government has indoctrinated them with. When a child reaches the fifth grade in Cuba, he is essentially put in a boarding school. A "state" boarding school. They live and breathe and sleep in la revolución. They are taught to hate the enemy. That's us. You and me. Americans. And then, they are no longer children of their parents, they are children of the state. Owned and operated by fidel castro and his depraved ideology.

The most heartbreaking part of this is that not only does castro take away these children's families and futures but he takes away their childhoods. Children who cant be children. kids who have to spend weeks in "la agricultura". Sleeping out on farms cutting sugar cane all day long and having to meet specific quotas. How incredibly sad is that? A child without a childhood. Is there anything sadder in this world than that?

Imagine if your own government took your kids at the age of ten and put them in a school where they are taught to hate. Not dislike, not disagree with. Hate. Once you teach a child to hate he or she is ruined or, at best, scarred for life.

Life may not have been great under Batista in Cuba. But we had faith. We had family. There was hope. And during the Christmas holidays, we had our faith and family and hope there with us, together. We may not have gotten a slew of presents and toys, but we had something of a much greater value.

There was good in our lives, and not an iota of hate.

Le Traquetea El Merequetengue

Mira que hay comemierdas hablando mierda en este mundo.

'Ño!

Today's Cubanism

Tremendo tapaboca!

Joe at Attaboy gives someone a tremendo tapaboca today. And a well deserved one at that.

29-28

Oh, sweet, sweet victory, thy name is Miami Dolphins coming back from behind in the fourth quarter and beating the Superbowl reigning champion New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

Man, what a game.

Oh, Brother.

I would not ordinarily link to a site like the one Im about to link to because, well, that's exactly what the site owner wants. But, in all seriousness, can you believe there are people this myopically stupid in this world?

Takes the term "useful idiot" to a whole new level, doesnt it?

I'm Beat

Busted my behind around the house this weekend. Everything hurts. Posting will be light today as I have a pile of work to get off my desk before the Christmas.

Post Lackage

Sorry about the lack of posting this weekend. Im working on my honey-do list which is exceptionally long this time as we are preparing our home for Noche Buena.

We have about 40 family and friends coming over for the celebration and there's just so much stuff to get ready that Ill probably be working my ass off until Christmas morning.

Have agreat Sunday everyone, and if there are any folks out there that are in the Miami area, I sure could use a couple of volunteers today.

Bring beer.

Frustration a lo Cubano

You know, there's nothing worse than an American castro apologist. Tucked under the security blanket of freedom and rights that other people pay a dear price to afford them, all the while spewing the venom of propaganda for a regime that systematically and profoundly denigrates the individual.

The worse thing about people like that is that there is no way to have a reasonable conversation or debate with them. How can one make a person understand truth when that person knows that they aren't being truthful with themselves?

I am so frustrated right now because of a little blog encounter I just had with an American castro lover. I will be dealing with this in more detail once the steam stops billowing from my anger.

Damn, I get pissed by some punk in LA while Steve - bless him - takes on the Top Gun of American castro apologists.

F*ck you, fidel. Asqueroso.

The castro regime has retaliated for the Christmas ornaments - and the lit sign with the number 75 - placed in the US Interests section in Havana.

From Reuters (of course):

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba on Friday put up two huge billboards in front of the U.S. mission with pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners, a swastika and the word "fascists" in bold red letters. The photos of hooded and bloodied Iraqis at the Abu Ghraib prison were apparently placed in retaliation for a U.S. Christmas display which includes the number 75, in reference to 75 pro-democracy activists imprisoned 20 months ago for long terms.

I wonder how many Reuters reporters have been allowed inside any or all of fidel's prisons. And Im not talking about the "tour" either.

El Tencen.

It's funny how certain things are like enzymes to the memory.

Yesterday, a rep from the print shop we use at the office came by to wish us a Merry Christmas and dropped off this really nice metal basket filled with chocolate. Now, it wasnt that fancy schmancy collection of chocolates with nougat filling and nuts and such. It wasnt a basket filled with those expensive Godiva chocolates. To me, it's the best chocolate in the world.

See, when I was a kid, about 6 or 7 or so, I had anemia. The doctors had prescribed some kind of injection to battle it that I had to get once a day. Back then, both my parents were working at least two jobs so the duty to take me to the clinic everyday fell upon my grandfather.

Like any kid, I hated getting shots, much less getting shots everyday. I would get home from school, have my merienda - afternoon snack - and then el Primo (my grandfather) would take me to the hated clinic. Of course, it was not an easy thing to get me out the door knowing that I was about to get yet another needle stuck in me. But El Primo was patient, and strict.

He was very nice and soothing about my having to go get injected, but if I pulled one of those "Im not going!" things that little kids pull, he would put his foot down. Believe me, in my family, no one, and I mean no one, disrespected my grandfather. What he said was what was done. There were no two ways about it.

In retrospect and now as a grown man, I have come to cherish those brief memories and glimpses of those days. El Primo used those daily walks to the clinic to teach me things. I learned about traffic signs and ambulances. We talked about baseball and our favorites players. I learned about railroads - he worked for the railroad in Cuba - and trains. He'd tell me funny stories about things and family in Cuba.

El Primo had this way of talking to me and inciting me to respond that always kept my mind off the injection I was about to get.

The whole clinic/injection ordeal never took more that five minutes. Not just because I went everyday, but because my grandfather wouldnt have it any other way, and he made sure the nurses and doctors at the clinic knew that he wouldnt have it any other way. My grandfather was a very hard man to say no to. And I was happy to get out of the clinic quickly, too, not just because I hated the place and I had just been poked in the butt with a needle, but because of what came after.

One block away from the clinic was perhaps every kid's dream store. The Five and Dime. El Tencen.

Every day after the shot El Primo would walk me to El Tencen and let me run loose through the aisles. This store wasnt like your typical store is today. It was a bare bones kind of place. All the merchandise sat atop these long tables that ran all the way from the front of the store to the back. It was rows and rows of tables. Each table packed with boxes full of stuff.

And the merchandise wasnt displayed like today, either. It was all in boxes that had the front or top cut off with a sample of the treasure that was inside taped to the outside of the box. And they had everything. Yoyos, plastic soldiers, water guns, noise makers, cap guns, parachute men. Tops! I cant tell you the hours I spent battling tops with my grandfather.

He would buy me one toy per day, whatever I wanted, no questions asked. I would walk through all the aisles every single day and choose one toy to take home. Then I'd make my way up to the cashier where el Primo was waiting for me and hand my new toy for him to pay for. And here's where the chocolate comes in.

At the cashier's counter there was always a box with the best chocolate in the world.

"Quieres unos piratas?" my grandftaher would say as if he needed to ask.

"Si Primo, please."

Then he'd reach into the box and pull out a little gold mesh bag of chocolate coins. I can't recall what they were called, but we called them "Pirates" because the wrapper at the top had the picture of a pirate. I loved those gold wrapped chocolate coins and I would eat them every which way. Id rip the paper wrapper off the mesh bag, reach in and grabn the biggest coin first. then I d peel the edge off of one side of the coin, and then the other and stick the whole thing in my mouth. It was almost impossible to peel the foil off without getting some chocolate under your fingernail. Sometimes, Id hold one coin tightly in my hands and melt the chococalte then suck it right out of the foil.

Chocolate Pirates Coins straight from the swashbuckler's buried loot.

And that's what was in the metal basket that the print shop rep gave me yesterday. A bunch of delicious chocolate coins and a slew of wonderful memories. A bounty of buried treasures.

Babalu Aye

Today, December 17th, is Babalu Aye day in the Afro-Cuban religion. Babalu Aye is the Orisha name for St. Lazarus, who is commonly referred to as the father of the world.

BabaluAye is the Orisha who governs epidemics and heals infectious diseases.
Though originally associated with smallpox, many of today's worshippers appeal to BabaluAye for healing from HIV/AIDs. His colors are brown, black, and purple. His number is 17. His symbols are two dogs and crutches. He is portrayed dressed in burlap. He is offered white wine, popcorn, sesame seed candy, and a variety of grains, beans, and seeds.

Many Cubans hold a vigil starting the night of December 16th. They get together and light candles and make offerings to Babalu Aye and wait for him to arrive at midnight. Come midnight they ask for San Lazaro to watch over them and keep them and their families safe and healthy.

I am not an overtly religious person but one of the two items of jewelry I wear - the other being my wedding ring - is a gold medallion of the image above that my grandfather gave me before he passed away. And to be completely honest, sometimes I really do feel like someone's watching over me and protecting me. Gracias, Primo.

The song made famous by Desi Arnaz - and the reason for this blog's name - is actually a tribute to San Lazaro, Babalu Aye.

Gracias, Viejo.

Los Viejos

Just told mom and dad about the Caja China Christmas.

Dad: Hicistes bien, mijo. (You did good, son.)

me: No. Enseñastes bien, papi.(No. You taught well, Dad.)

What I want for Christmas

Dear Santa,

I hope when you receive this letter you, Mrs. Claus, the elves and of course your reindeer are all doing well. I know you are all very busy right now but please, remember to keep warm and drink plenty of hot chocolate.

I'd like to thank you for the bag of coal you gave me last year. It's come in pretty handy. Why, just this past Sunday I used the last of it to keep my friends warm at ManCamp. It lasted a long time, too.

I'm writing you because this year Ive been good. Really really good. And, as much as I liked and found the coal useful, I think this year I need something a little different. Oh, dont worry, Im not going to ask for a new Ferrari or anything like that. Actually, what I want isnt really for me. Well, it is, but it's for a lot of other people, too. A lot of other people.

OK, Ok, Ill get to the point.

I want this guy to coach this team. Pretty simple, huh?

This guy:

This team:

No need to wrap this present or anything, Santa. Ill leave out some cookies and milk for ya,

Thanks,

Val

PS Say hi to Rudolph for me.

Up to my ears.

In work. Three deadlines to meet by this afternoon. Which means no major bloggage today.

Damn.

Here's something that'll make you feel good, though.

A Caja China Christmas

You may know that La Caja China is the box we Cubans use to roast whole pigs on special ocassions. I've written about it more than a few times and perhaps since La Caja China has been getting such exposure - it has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Food Network, and a few other major media outlets - I also seem to get quite a few people coming to my site on Google searches for it. I have also received a number of emails asking for information or plans on how to build a Caja China.

Yesterday, I received the following email:

Val,

Hey my name is (withheld) and I came across your site on la caja china. I'm looking to roast a pig for New Years and would like to know if you can send me instructions or any piece of information that can help me build this. I just want to explain my story to you so you can understand why this is so important for me.

Last month Nov. 2004 my cousin from Miami passed away due to a carbon monoxide leak in his car it was all over the news, a true tragedy...10 days later my grandmother passed away (my aunts mother) In less than 2 weeks my family has lost two very important people in our lives and as a latin you know how close we are..now the holiday season is around the corner and my family doesn't want to be in Miami with all the reminders of my cousin and grandmother. I have invited them up to Tampa to celebrate the holidays with us and move away from our tradition in Miami for now since the pain is too much at the moment. To make the holiday as special as possible I want to cook them a huge dinner starting with the pig and the caja china and other great foods like arroz con gandules, y yuca and everything else that can make the season warmer and special.

I'm sure that you are very very busy, but due to this situation I ask if you can take a few moments away from your schedule to send me some information. I was looking around for prices, but their just a bit too expensive for me right now. If your not able to send me anything that is quite alright I have the basic idea since I grew up with them around and I'm sure I can produce a ghetto version of it that will work just as well. I was just hoping for something a little more solid. I thank you for your time. Have a wonderful holiday.

I remember the news of her cousin from last month. He had been sitting in his car with his girlfriend and apparently carbon monoxide had been seeping in through the undercarraige and into the interior of the car. Both teenagers died. I believe the young man was 17 years old. I remember the local newscasts showing the distraught and completely devastated family members. It was heartbreaking.

I immediately emailed the lady and gave her my sincerest condolences. I offered her and her family my sympathies but, what can one really do to console someone who's lost two family members days apart?

I sent her a few links to a couple of posts I have that talk about the Caja China and also the one where a gentleman from Texas had built one from plans I had quickly drawn up. I told her that I'd be happy to help in any way I could and asked her exactly what she needed to know. I also explained to her that they can be pretty difficult to build if you dont have experience in working with the materials and specific tools.

She was a bit disappointed, but her response email was kind and courteous and thankful. It was a bit too complex for her to build. She told me she would try to find another way, put together another something to cook the lechon for her family.

A few months ago, I had contacted the owner of La Caja China and - since the term "caja china" accounts for almost one third of my site hits - I had offered to place an ad for La Caja China on my blog in exchange for one of his Cajas China. The boxes he manufactures are much much more precise and easier to use than the one I built. And if you are a frequent reader of this blog you know that Steve of Hog On Ice and I have a penchant for cooking outdoors and we had discussed a possible hybrid Caja China/Smoker and thus, a new Caja China was needed.

But then I got busy and had too many things going on and completely forgot about my conversation with Roberto, La Caja China's owner.

Until yesterday when I read that email.

So I emailed Roberto and basically reminded him who I was and told him I would place an ad for La Caja China on my site in exchange for a Caja China to be sent to this lady in Tampa. I enclosed the original email I had received from her.

Today, I get an email from Roberto asking, only, the lady's address and saying that he wanted to send it out today, UPS, free of charge. No mention of the BlogAd or anything else. He just wanted to send that family a Caja China. He, like me, just wanted to help them in a time of crisis by whatever means possible. He and I just wanted to be of some consolation to these folks who lost two very close and dear and important family members ten days apart, and who would be attempting to celebrate their first Christmas without them. (I use the word celebrate for lack of a better one.) During this time of mourning, this family wants to be together. I am sure there will be many tears shed, many what could have beens and much pain for this family during these holidays.

I then mustered up the strength to email the young lady back and give her the news. I told her Roberto would be sending her a Caja China free of charge.

She replied:

Val,

I can't even begin to tell you what you have done. Before I could even respond to your email I had to call my best friend in Miami because I was in tears from the news. You and Roberto have made this holiday extra special. It's because of people like you that make this a better place to be. I'm deeply grateful for everything you have done. I don't think you'll ever be able to fully understand how much I appreciate this. You have truly given us a great begining to a very special holiday. Thank you so so much. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

Thank you,

((Name withheld)

There is probably a Caja China on it's way up to what must be a very solemn family in Tampa right now, courtesy of Roberto, the manufacturer and distributor of La Caja China.

Gracias, Roberto, for reminding us what Christmas is all about.

And as soon as I can get the graphics and html code put together, there will be a blogad for La Caja China prominently displayed on this site.

The Gringos are coming!!! The Gringos are Coming!!!

As you may already know, the Cuban government is in the middle of countrywide wargames, consisting of "hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of civilians", with the aim of detering a US invasion.

Now this is blatantly ridiculous to anyone with any common sense, of course. Because it is more than apparent that the US can basically anihilate the entire island of Cuba with just the push of a button. Our armed forces wouldnt even have to break a sweat. But you know, the Rooster must crow, even if he is old and rickety and basically falling apart.

Just imagine being a Cuban civilian on a beach somewhere and seeing a couple of tincans and an aircraft carrier or two just out there asea on the horizon. What are you going to do? Run to the local CDR or government office, and yell "The Gringos are coming !! The Gringos are coming!!" Upon which they'll hand you a rusty WWII era Russian carbine and a handful of bullets and tell you "Go Comrade! Fight the imperialists!!! Hasta la victoria siempre!!"

Of course not. No Cuban civilian, heck, I venture to say no Cuban military man or woman, would even think about fighting the invading Gringos. They may be repressed and indoctrinated, but they ain't stupid.

I bet anything that right now, there are Cubans cracking jokes, ridiculing and basically laughing their asses off at the spectacle theyre witnessing. Trust me, it wont be long until the jokes start to trickle into Miami. That's just the Cuban way.

Im sure there are also a whole hell of a lot of Cubans being forced into these military "wargames" that are basically hating life right now. Refunfuñando. Complaining under their breaths and calling fidel and raul, etal comemierdas.

And you know there are some Cubans right now that are completely pissed off. Those that dont have enough gasloine for their cars or gas for their stoves or electricity for their homes, or even running potable water. castro will spend whatever he has left to be the big tough guy while his people suffer from a lack of utilities and basic necessities and live under third world conditions.

How patheric is that?

If we ever do invade, though, perhaps better than using bullets and mortars, our armed forces could use maybe packs of Marlboros. Or bars of Zest. Or cans of Nutella. Or tubs of Haagen-Daz Rocky Road ice cream. Or Snickers bars. Or buckets of KFC. Original recipe, por favor.

Los Dos Puercos

Photo via Yahoo and American Thinker.

Or else what? (Updated)

I just heard on local radio where the Cuban government has ordered the United States Interests Section in Havana to remove their Christmas lights and ornaments...or else!

Or else what, fidel?

Are you gonna send the same goons over to take them down that you send to beat up old ladies?

Remember, there's US Marines there, fidel. They fight back.

Oh, and just in case some of your little agents read this here blog, here:

UPDATE: More from the Miami Herald:

HAVANA - The Cuban government has warned the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana to immediately take down Christmas decorations outside its offices or face unspecified consequences, the top American diplomat on the island said Tuesday.

The trimmings of Santa Claus, candy canes and white lights wrapped in palm trees on the mission's seaside lawn don't appear to be the problem.

What was likely irking the Cuban authorities, U.S. Interest Section Chief James Cason said, is a lighted sign about 3 feet in diameter among the decorations that reads "75" - a reference to 75 Cuban dissidents jailed last year.

The sign was among the decorations closest to the street, which is on Havana's coastal Malecon highway.

"Our intent, in the spirit of Christmas, was to call attention to the plight of these 75," Cason told reporters. "We're prepared to pay whatever price for the things we believe in."

Cuban Foreign Ministry officials insisted the decorations be taken down in meetings Saturday and Tuesday, Cason said. The U.S. Interest Section refused, and was told it would face unspecified consequences.

"They could expel us, they could continue to hinder our activities," Cason said. "We don't know what they're going to do."

There was no immediate response from the Cuban government over Cason's remarks.

U.S. relations, never good during Fidel Castro's four decades of communist rule, have deteriorated under the Bush administration, which has toughened economic sanctions and publicized its plan for a democratic Cuba after the death of the 78-year-old leader.

The United States and Cuba have not had diplomatic relations since shortly after Castro took over. In lieu of embassies, interest sections provide consular services and limited official contact.

The dissidents imprisoned last year were accused of receiving money from U.S. officials to undermine the island's system - a charge the activists and the U.S. government denied.

They were sentenced to up to 28 years in prison, but 14 have been released for medical reasons.

Cason said the Cuban government was annoyed by an event at the mission for relatives of political prisoners and a Christmas party held for their children. He said state security officers outside his house intimidated the children as they arrived to the party.

"Our position is that our Christmas decorations are up through Christmas," he said. "It's a matter of principle to us."

You gotta love that James Cason.

Oh, and, fidel? There better not be a single freaken bulb missing from those lights.

Mariposa tan gloriosa

The Grey Lady has an interesting article on censorship and how music and movies are available in Cuba through the blackmarket.

It quotes Pedro Luis Ferrer, a musician known for his controversial lyrics accompanied by music known as trova. I had the pleasure of seeing Ferrer perform some years back here in Miami and the first thing he said when he came on stage was "Thanks for coming out to hear my music, which is not played here or in Cuba."

His cd is one of my favorites because of the ingenuity of his words. He takes on what he sees as wrong and through veiled innuendo and double entendre makes his point.

If you ever get a chance to hear Pedro Luis Ferrer's music, do so. You will not be disappointed.

A Heartfelt Thanks

Overnight, this modest blog inched over 100,000 visitors and I want to thank all of you for coming by and watching me butcher the English language. Having people come by and read my rantings about Cuba and fidel and che makes me feel like I am making a difference, however small it may be. I plan to keep chipping away at that iceberg of hate that is communism until it's gone from my native land.

Thanks guys! And keep on coming by, it's like having friends over for a cafecito and a tostada.

People just dont care, Dean.

Che Guevara?

Oh he was a harmless idealistic - and handsome - revolutionary that stood up against the establishment. Besides, he only killed a few hundred people, perhaps even a thousand or two. But they were just Cubans. And Chileans. And Bolivians. And Africans. He didnt kill no white folks.

Know what I'm sayin'?

Besides, look how totally cool my Che Guevara Revolution watch that I got from the New York Public Library is!

Masturbación Mental

Major mental masturbation going on in Cuba right now.

Cuba hails wargame warning to US

"The enemy will never catch us by surprise,"

"The only way to stop aggression is to make it abundantly clear that, in this case, Cuba will become from one end to the other an enormous wasp's nest that no aggressor, however powerful, will be able to overcome,"

"In the end, (the aggressor) will have to withdraw, bloodied and defeated, because this would be a war of all of the people,"

"does not commit the errors it committed in Vietnam and that it is now committing in Iraq. So that they do not underestimate our people, who are united and more powerful than those in Iraq."

"We are always prepared for the worst, even for military aggression, ... because this (US) administration is not only right-wing, it is a crazy administration -- and the war in Iraq proves it."

It would be funny if it weren't so damned HILARIOUS.

Busy week

I have a few deadlines at the office this week and thus wont be able to post all that much. Not to mention the fact that next Friday is Noche Buena and this year the celebration is at my home. I have a honey-do list a mile long.

So, today, for your reading and culinary pleasure, I am reposting last year's Noche Buena entry. Just to get you all a little hungry...

Noch Buena

We Cubans celebrate Noche Buena, "Good Night," on Christmas Eve. I believe most hispanic cultures have some kind of a Noche Buena celebration or another. We usually have the whole family get together: grandparents, moms and dads, aunt and uncles, grandkids, dozens of cousins, friends...you name it. It's a pretty big party.

My favorite part of Noche Buena is the cooking and the food. See, everyone that comes bring their own particular specialty. Some tias bring las ensaladas - chicken salads, macaroni salads, egg salads. Some bring the yuca and mojito. My mom usually make the frijoles negros - black beans, her specialty. There is also nothing in the world that tastes better than my great aunts homemade flan. And me? Well, I'm usually in charge of the heart of the meal. El lechon.

Yes, I am the Lechonero™, the pig roaster.

This job was handed down to me some years back by the family men of the previous generation. Abuelo, my uncles, my dad, they all had a little bit to say in the way I should cook the lechon. It is, by far, the most complex part of the Noche Buena meal, and thus, why it the elder men pass it down to the next generation the first chance they get.

Here's how the lechon cooking goes:

First is the trip to the matadero, the slaughterhouse, where you actually have to pick the live pig you want for your Noche Buena. The size of the pig is determined by the amount of people attending, typically 2 lbs of pork per person. I prefer to go with 3 lbs per person as pan-con-lechon sandwiches the next day are delicious. Once you pick the pig you want, the matadero people take him inside their facility, kill it and clean it for you. They remove all the organs and such and hand those to you in a bag in case you want to make chitlins or something. The pig must be picked up on the 23rd as it will need to soak in mojito over night.

Second comes the making of the mojito. The mojito is the seasoning for the pig. Here in Miami you can buy mojito buy the gallon, but I prefer to make my own for Noche Buena. I usually dont make measurements when making it, I play it by nose, but here are the primary ingredients:
- Naranja Agria - sour orange, lots of it as this is the base.
- Limon - Limes. Just a few to add some tart.
- Vino seco - cooking wine, in good quantity. Some people prefer white vinegar.
- Ajo - garlic, lots and lots of garlic, crushed and diced.
- Cebollas - Onions, any kind but I prefer yellow onions for the lechon. Diced.
- Comino - Cumin. A must have spice when cooking Cuban food.
- Oregano - To give it a little more spice and some color.
- Cilantro - Fresh cilantro, crushed, always adds a little flair to it.
- Sal y Pimienta - Salt and pepper.
With all of these need to make at least one gallon of mojito. It's always good to make it before going to the matadero as it can be refrigerated while you are getting the pig.

Next is el adobando. Where I take the mojito and basically spread it, push it, inject it, squeeze it, rub it all over the pig. It's very important to get lots of the mojito inside the pig, thus, a few pokes with the knife and a good kitchen injector is needed. The more mojito inside the pig, the better.

Once the pig has been adobado, it must be kept covered, on ice, over night.

Now, here is where the actual cooking comes in. There are a bunch of ways to cook a lechon. Some folks dig a pit, throw in charcoal, put the pig in on a grill and cover the pit with ojas de platano, banana leaves. Other folks use a skewer and roast it that way. Some build a concrete block pit and cook it that way. This year, I'm using a Caja China. It's basically a plywood construction box lined with zinc plating on the inside. The one I am using is more of a Super Caja China as my dad and I made it 4 years ago and used massive amounts of material. It's almost too heavy to lift.

The beauty of the Caja China is that the heat goes on top of the pig and not below it. The charcoal is placed on a large metal pan over the box and it generates the heat downward into the box. It takes a bit longer, usually about eight hours, depending on the size the pig.

This is where the absolute best part of Noche Buena is for me. While it is a lot of work to keep charcoaling for eight hours - lighting fresh coal, stirring the old ones, removing the ashes, making sure the heat displaces evenly, ensuring the pig isnt cooking too fast or too slow, turning the pig over at the precise moment - it is the most rewarding. While all this work is going on music is playing, aunts and uncles are dancing, nieces and nephews and cousins are hanging out together, everyone is clamoring to see the pig, little kids are running around, drinks are being served, all sorts of munchies abound. Old folks are sitting with young folks and stories of Cuba are being relayed and retold time and again. Es la tradicion.You see, on Noche Buena I have my whole family with me, and that's really what it's all about.

I Concede

My attorneys and pollsters tell me that I have apparently lost in the Best Latino/Caribbean/South American Blog category in Kevin Aylward's Weblog Awards.

I wanted recounts. I wanted to check for hanging chads. I wanted to determine the intent of each and every ballot. I wanted to file suits. But then, I'd be acting like a Democrat, and it would really piss off my father. He likes to think he raised a proper Republican Cuban-American Miami Mafia Right Wing Anti-Communist.

Seriously though, a big thanks to all of you that voted for me. It was close there for a few days. Daniel of Venezuela News and Views is a worthy opponent comrade and one who truly deserves the accolades for his work in reporting the goings on in Venezuela. Do drop by and pay him a visit every now and then.

All the other blogs nominated in our category are chock full of excellent reporting and commentary and I am proud to have been among them.

Now Im off to do a little windsurfing and snowboarding. Hold the ketchup.

It's been a long wait

This coming New Year's Day will make it 46 years. Yet I remain optimistic, and I am not the only one.

A couple things stand out about the U.S.'s assessment of Cuba these days. Number one, the U.S. diplomats in Havana have started openly stating that Castro is on his last legs. We don't usually see this kind of bluntness from these guys. What does it mean? Is there a new Cuba diplomatic offensive coming up? Forget that, we've had those, to little effect. It can only mean that he really is.

Diplomats are predictable creatures, but they don't like to get surprised by events. These statements are for us, not Castro, and I think they're just telling us they're on top of it. To make sure we know. They can't reach Cuban audiences with their words, and since when have they needed to preserve diplomatic niceties for the crapulent Castro? He's going downhill fast. And none of Chavez of Venezuela's "free" oil is going to save Castro from that inevitable.

Millions wait with baited breath.

Is this the look...

...of a man that's playing around?

And Che Spins (UPDATED)

Update: I just picked up a hardcopy of the Sun-Sentinel and lo and behold it's got my picture with my anti-Che t-shirt right at the top of page 5B. The article is also a little more complete and mentions a Gloria La Riva, who is attempting to further fidel castro's cause of releasing the 5 Cubans convicted of espionage. Ms. La Riva "disputes the characterization of him as a cold-blooded killer."

Well, Ms. La Riva, here's a quote from your beret wearing teddy bear:

Hatred as an element of the struggle; a relentless hatred of the enemy, impelling us above and beyond the natural limitations that man is heir to, and transforming him into an effective, violent, seductive and cold killing machine.

Che Guevara

Today's South Florida Sun Sentinel has an article on the Che Wear issue with a few choice quotes from yours truly.

"There's a whole phenomenon going on with Che Guevara that's really difficult to explain," said Valentin Prieto, 39, a Cuban-American who has written about Guevara in his online Babalu Blog, where he also posted information on protests against Guevara merchandise.

"You have kids who don't even know who Che Guevara is wearing his clothes. Che Guevara to Cubans is a murderer."

An Argentine doctor, Guevara fought alongside Fidel Castro in the revolution that overthrew Fulgencio Batista's government in Cuba. He was executed in 1967 in Bolivia, cementing his legend for those who saw the Marxist as an anti-establishment icon.

The growing myth bothers people such as Prieto, who say it glorifies a man who put scores of Cubans to death by firing squad.

Read the whole thing.

The writings mentioned are here, here, here and here. There is also an excellent essay by Agustin Blazquez that can be found here. And my friend Scott, of Burton Terrace, wrote an excellent entry about Che for BlogCuba that can be found here.

Meanwhile, here's a few news items on the fruits of Che's labor in Cuba:

HAVANA, December 9 (Ernesto Roque Cintero, UPECI www.cubanet.org) - A sweep by police and transportation inspectors netted several arrests and a number of confiscated cars Wednesday in the area around the Havana bus station.

Another raid later on that day, this one in the environs of the Parque de la Fraternidad, yielded more arrests.

The enforcement action targeted private operators who pick up passengers, but who don't have a license.

Eyewitness Reinaldo Hernández explained: "It is true that many of the taxi drivers are operating without a license, but the problem is that the government will not grant them, in spite that many of them have applied for them. Some of these people driving are retirees, some even from the Ministry of the Interior itself of the Armed Forces. The government doesn't grant the licenses for self-employment, but neither does it solve the transportation problem."

According to Hernández, bystanders were astonished as they watched the raid unfold. "This is the end, it's as if they were arresting criminals or murderers," Hernández said one of them said. A woman said: "They should be chasing drug dealers and those holding people up in the street." A newspaper vendor explained: "You can't live decently on what you make. The government told us back in October to stop selling magazines and newspapers, but we have to continue... It is abusive; we don't even have the opportunity of doing it legally."

And then there's:

HAVANA, December 8 (Adrián Leiva, Grupo Decoro / www.cubanet.org) - A steep rise in the price of eggs led to loud consumer complaints at a cafeteria in the El Cerro district of Havana.

Eggs, an important staple in the Cuban diet, were selling at 2 pesos each, and many of the customers said they remembered clearly that Commerce Minister Bárbara Castillo had recently said on TV that the imported eggs in question would sell at 1.50 pesos.

Some even accused cafeteria employees of engineering the price increase for personal profit, but the establishment's administrator showed them the order had come from above. The cafeteria is government owned and operated, and its prices are set by the government.

Still, consumers grumbled that the eggs were selling at 1.50 in other areas of the city.

Havana residents are entitled to purchase 8 eggs per month under the government's rationing system at subsidized prices, but most people want more. The eggs in question here are sold at what Cubans call "free" prices (meaning free of government control, although the government sets the price) and, at 24 pesos a dozen, or just under a dollar, are selling for about 10 percent of the average monthly wage in Cuba.

And of course, it's all about the free education in Cuba:

HAVANA, December 8 (Richard Roselló / www.cubanet.org) - Education authorities in Cienfuegos, a city on the southern coast of central Cuba, have barred a tourism industry worker from taking English lessons, alleging that she does not belong to government-sponsored political organizations.

Tarahaumara Medina, 21, is a graduate of the hotel and tourism program offered by the government, and is on a waiting list for a job in the industry. Jobs in the tourist sector are usually considered a plum in Cuba, primarily because the workers get tips in hard currencies and other small benefits.

Medina is not a member of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the neighborhood watch organization, or of the Cuban Federation of Women.

Her father, Juan de Dios Medina, once served time in prison for "disobedience" and attempting an "illegal exit from the country," both charges considered political here. He said he has also been denied a job as a custodian.

And, ah yes, the "worker's paradise":

HAVANA, December 8 (Richard Roselló / www.cubanet.org) - Construction workers at a school in Gibara, Holguín province, are complaining about unsafe working conditions and delays in getting their wages.

Arnaldo Pino, a labor activist, said the workers "go almost barefoot, without helmets or gloves."

"For 8 months they have been building the middle school as a component of the "battle of ideas for an educational revolution" and have been promised several times they would be issued a work-kit which is still nowhere to be seen," said Pino.

All four of the preceding news items were written by independent journalists (possibly at risk to themselves) in Cuba for Cubanet.

Puppy For Sale

Housebroken.
Doesnt yelp all that much.
Lovable and cuddly.
A hit with the ladies.
Likes cats.
Excellent puppy breath.
Does dishes and mows the lawn.
Scratch golfer.
Eats burglars for breakfast.

Answers to Babalu.

Submit bids here.

La Cara Dura.

OK. I was hoping it wouldnt have to come to this but....

I'm closing the gap in the Best Latino/Caribbean/South American Blog category in the 2004 Weblog Awards but tomorrow is the last day for voting and things are looking a little grim. Im about 300 or so votes short.

It's crunch time so here's what Im gonna do. If I get enough votes to pull an upset, I will, once again, shave my legs in public. Yes, there is no limit to my shameless pandering.

Think about it, you get to laugh your butt off and see me do this:

Should I win by an overwhelming margin, I might even consider a bikini wax.

So go ahead and vote, I dare you.

One Vote, One Treat

This dog isn't happy because you haven't voted for me today in the Weblog Awards.

Toss him a bone, will ya?

In your face, fidel. (Updated)

From Reuters:

Cars drive past the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana with its front yard adorned with Christmas decoration, December 7, 2004. Since the legalization of Christmas festivities by the (f)idel (c)astro administration following Pope John Paul II's visit here in 1997, nearly 30 years since Castro outlawed them, one of the most public Christmas displays can always be found in front of the U.S. mission, just across from the Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Tribune, a square where the government organizes the largest anti-American protests. PICTURE TAKEN DECEMBER 7 REUTERS/Claudia Daut

Jingle f*cking bells, fidel. Jingle f*cking bells.

UPDATE: Katie sent me a link that just gave me goosebumps. I absolutely love this:

From the CANF site:

In an unprecedented act, the United States Interest Section in Havana has constructed an immense billboard in lights with the number "75" in solidarity with the 75 political prisoners who were arrested and unjustly condemned in April of last year.

Once again Mr. James Cason and the United States government demonstrate their commitment to Cuba's dissidents.

Next Sunday December 12th will be the inaugural celebration for all journalists and children of Cuba's opposition leaders

The adornment has an immense Santa Claus sleigh and thousands of colorful lights as well as an impressive Christmas tree.

WAY TO GO, JAMES CASON!!!!

UPDATE: Apparently, it bothers fidel that the US Interests Section has the cojones to show a little solidarity with Cuba's prisoner's of conscience.

Che Lives!!!!

Oh, no he don't.

Che's dead baby. And dead is dead.

But the education!!!!

Next to the "free health care," every castro apologist undoubtedly brings up the "free education" issue when making an argumnent about the wonders of the revolution.

Well, then, here's some education for them:

HAVANA, December 6 (Roberto Santana Rodríguez / www.cubanet.org) - The "José Briñas García" elementary school, about 8 miles outside the city of Camagüey, was extensively damaged by a tornado August 13 and authorities have still not repaired it.

The 62 students who normally attend the school have been housed since then at the sector police headquarters and the home of the area's physician.

The children's parents appealed to the offices of the Popular Power, or local government, only to learn that the school had not been repaired for the 15 years prior to the tornado.

"What they have to do is repair the school themselves," one of the teachers told the parents, who feel that's the government's job.

Notice how it states the children have been "housed." They dont just attend school, they are housed, meaning they do not stay with their families. It's mandatory boarding school.

It's much easier to indoctrinate children, I imagine, when those pesky parents aren't around.

Weblog Award Endorsements

Ill leave it up to you all to vote for your favorite bloggers in other categories, but i thought I'd give props to a few folks in the running here.

Best New Blog - Bill of INDC Journal's got it going on, despite being behind in the polls to a non-blog. Besides, the man is cooler than cool. I mean, look at this.

Best Group Blog - The Command Post, by far.

Best Humor Blog - Jeff Goldstein's Protein Wisdom has a chance to topple the incumbent. Plus, the man is insane.

Best Liberal Blog - HAHAHAHAHAA...um, yeah, right. I think the guy winning is part Cuban.

Best Military Blog - Hooks my pal, so my vote's his, but Blackfive and Smash are superb.

Best Conservative Blog - Too many great choices.

Best Election Coverage - Another tough one, I read most of those nominated, except kos, of course.

Best Media/Journalist Blog - Mark Steyn.

Best Culture Blog - Gotta go with Michele on this one, but SondraK rocks too.

Best Top 100 Blog - My blogdaddy, Dean.

Best Top 100-250 Blog -