Merry New Year

Not surprisingly going out, dancing and getting hammered are well-practiced Chilean customs on New Year's Eve. I would have felt silly not partaking in them, so I partook. Actually, I felt silly anyways. I guess I always feel silly. Maybe I'm just silly by trade - or nature - or both. I'm just being silly. There I go again (being silly). Ok, I'm done. Not done being silly though.

The've got some other interesting/weird/silly traditions as well:
http://www.revolver-magazine.com/arts-and-culture/46-symphony-and-orchestra/229-a-gringos-guide-to-new-years-in-chile.html

We had a party at my house. Since my roomate's friends are all chefs, they rolled through with a ton of fish and we grilled it and ate like kings (It's tough living in this place sometimes - they're always cooking and giving good food away. I feel kind of intimidated when I try to cook though - they're making all this gourmet crap that I've never heard of and I'm at the end of the counter boiling pasta and frying broccoli). My friends brought the booze.

Also, just posted the first article of the new year - on one of the coolest bands in Chile: Juana Fe. Check it out:
http://www.revolver-magazine.com/live-music-scene/34-live-music-scene/238-youve-got-a-friend-in-juana-fe.html

All in all a good start to 2009.

I'm going back to the blessed United States of America January 13 for my stoopid friend Mindy's wedding taking place in Northern California January 17 and my Marine brother's graduation from boot camp in Southern California January 21.

I can't wait to see everyone, be home and eat mexican food.

Don't worry Chileans - I'll be back in Santiago in early February.