Caray, Caray!

I don't speak Spanish at all, but have become addicted to this soap. I REALLY and TRULY appreciate all the recappers for the time it takes to write the storyline in English and hope the the remaining ones will stay. I look forward every morning to their recaps. Thank you.
 

Gertrude Timmons, see above. I will not have my recappers insulted. I am deleting your comment again. If you are offended, read elsewhere.
 

Melinama...so sorry to hear someone doesn't want to write anymore. Everyone who recaps the Fuego site is awesome. I started reading back around June and I am hooked. Anyone can write a plot recap, especially on this show where everything is repeated just in case you missed it the first six times. The wit, and style that these people write with is what makes it all so wonderful! They are truly talented and we are lucky they so willingly share that talent with the rest of us.
 

Melinama: I am sorry to hear that we have arrived at this sad juncture. The bloggers who support the recaps - whenever they are posted and the recappers who write them - far outnumber the so-called critics.

Recapper about to leave - please reconsider.
 

It's a shame to lose one of our friends--and a recapper at that--because some anonymous visitors take please in spouting vitriol. I agree with Pasofino: won't the recapper reconsider?
Our little FELS fan club won't be the same without you!
"Creemelo"
 

Of course I meant "take pleasure in spouting vitriol."
In the passion of the moment, one never spell-checks.
"Creemelo"
 

Yeah, same here. I'm not a Spanish speaker, and I really need a recap after I watch the show to make sure I got the show right. I really, really, really appreciate the recaps.
 

Ditto for me. Whoever is planning to leave, please reconsider. I love all our recappers and fans.
 

It's a shame that some people feel offended by off topic comments that some of us feel are harmless and justified. Today I overheard two Skinheads (AKA white supremists)say that they had been offended and had been brushed off as if they weren't important. They said they plan to get even by posting spoilers. Of course they will be disguised as guesses and opinions. They won't look suspicious because they're going to decietfully praise the recappers for a job well done.
 

Please recapper stay with us and to you and all the other recappers thank you so much. The recaps clear things up for me and when the show is great as Pasion the recaps are great and when the show is a dog as Fuego the recaps are still great and of course better than the show. Each recapper has his/her own style and wit and it is such a pleasure to read each one. G in CA
 

I am continually amazed by the audacity that some people have. Seriously, as its been mentioned, these recaps are done out of generosity. This reminds me of this little pearl of wisdom...

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I've been away from this blog since the end of La Fea and even though I've only been back for a week or so I've been reminded countless times about how wonderful all of the recappers are. The actors on Tontas are speaking so fast that if it weren't for the fabulous recaps, well, I wouldn't know what was going on.

I can't say it enough to the recappers....THANK YOU for what you do.

And Melinama....thanks to you too for keeping this site going.

Michelle in Minnesota
 

I appreciate the time and effort that all our recappers put into these translations. This site has always been a great place to share the novelas and a few observations and laughs. It would be a real shame if any of our fine recappers left. If recappers leave it means that the people who have recently arrived to stir up trouble have won. Please reconsider. Que lastima.
 

I feel the same way you do Susanlynn (often the case). I'm a recapper but also a reader. I love reading the recaps and comments on the other shows, even if I'm not watching them.

If we let the few unkind, aggressive individuals spoil it for the people who truly enjoy and appreciate these recaps and blog lines, it will be very sad indeed.

Precious recapper, please reconsider. I would hate to lose you.
 

I have never posted a comment before, but I am a loyal reader of this blog. I appreciate all the recappers, and I hope that the recapper who might quit will reconsider. The recaps really help me (and my husband) understand the telenovela more completely. The witty remarks in the recaps are part of the fun, as well. I also appreciate Melinama for her work in maintaining this blog. Thank you!!!

Nancy in NC
 

Melinama, it's a shame you had to post this... My only problem with this blog is that I spend too dang much time on it!!

Emilia and I feel like we've gained some great friends here - it was a pleasure to meet Cap'n Sylvia in person and Paula H and I had the kind of e-mail exchange that ex-GI's have. I was delighted to hear that Margarita bought an iron skillet and look forward to hear about La Familia Ferro's forthcoming addition.

The comments on Mexican culture have been great along with travel recommendations like Anya's comments on Oaxaca. I'm leaving a lot of good people out, I know, but there has been much to enjoy here, and I, too, hope your recapper will reconsider!
 

I agree with the statement Melinama made about our doing this for free - I love reading and commenting on what others write, and I will freely admit that I keep writing recaps because I want to read what people say about them. If I wrote and nobody commented, I would have quit long ago. My wife jokes that I act like I know all of you when I repeat comments or recount conversations, I tell her I DO know all of you. Based on the comments here I think we'll all be able to band together and keep out the negative influence. We'll suffer an attack like this every so often, it's good to see so many of you readers chime in here. Thank you.
 

Ferro, thanks for this: "Based on the comments here I think we'll all be able to band together and keep out the negative influence. " I was trying to come up with something positive about this nasty situation and all I can say is most everyone I've encountered here has been gracious, generous and good-humored, in other words, people I wouldn't mind knowing as friends. And I've learned a lot, not just stuff, but about consideration for other people's efforts and feelings. Thanks to all recappers, commenters and melinama.

Please don't give up on this. I think it's the price you pay for success. And, as Ferro says, we'll weather this
 

I too do not speak Spanish. I can understand only a tiny bit. I am hooked on Fuego and Cuidado. If it was not for the recappers, I would probably have no clue what was going on in either show. Please don't leave.
 

I just wanted to add my abundant thanks to the recappers. I too hope the recapper leaving will reconsider. You all really enrich our lives with your summaries and insightful comments and hilarious snark. I have to echo Ferro's comment that I feel like we are a family and to loose a family member is very sad.
 

I didn't get a lot of comments at first when I started recapping, so I was doing it just for the fun of learning another language, and for the pleasure of telling someone else's story (I'm not good at making them up on my own).

I considered the occasional supportive comments to be a welcome bonus, but Caray quickly grew beyond isolated comments into a true community. That's the real paycheck.
 

I really appreciate the English recaps as I speak zero Spanish. The recaps here are really detailed and the little tidbits that the reviewer puts in are fun to read.

I hope the site continues to grow and thrive.
 

I have both respect and admiration for the recappers. When I post, I try to be careful about what I write, because I'm worried someone might get upset. And I love it when someone comments or responds to what I wrote. I can imagine that with a complete recap, which is twenty times longer than a post, the recapper could have the same concerns, multiplied many times over. Of course, they could just translate verbatim. But our recappers go far beyond that, adding humor, personal reactions, etc., and these are the best parts!
 

I agree that this can continute to be a wonderful blog if everyone try to remember that respect works both ways. My suggestion is to keep the snark aimed at the characters in the novelas. It's against the rules to make comments about the characters personal lives. Why not also avoid negative comments about real people. Let's all do our parts to make this a fun experience for both recappers and readers/commenters.
EZ 1
 

Hombre de Misterio, you said that you love it when someone responds to your comments. Does that mean that you never saw the comment that I wrote in response to a remark you made in one of your comments?
susha
 

It always makes me so angry when the snark is directed toward a recapper. It's like being invited to someone's home for a special dinner and then complaining about the food, and the dinner conversation, and the comfort of the chairs, and the size of the table,....

The recaps are free gifts, gifts that have enriched my life in several ways, some I never would have imagined before I became a regular reader. It's great to have somewhere to share my interest in learning the language and the culture. The comments are a learning experience in themselves, and are only possible due to the time and effort given by the recappers.

Unfortunately, there are always going to be some miserable souls spreading their unhappiness. I can understand the desire to not be exposed to their reach, but I join with everyone else in hoping the recapper in question might reconsider. Each of you are important to us, your non-miserable readers!
 

I have an enormous amount of admiration, and more than a little envy, for the dedication and talent of all of the recappers. What a gifted bunch, each so different. I look forward every day to the unique perspective of each of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And the commenters, what a range of ideas. Ferro, I agree it is like listening to family. Good family, funny, intelligent family.

Melinama, since Mike and I stumbled onto your blog, we have learned so much Spanish, culture, well, lots of stuff. Thank you for your gift to us all.
 

Melina et al, I too feel very saddened that the comments from a few ill-intentioned people have driven one of our beloved recappers. I myself have done it a handful of times, and know the time and effort it takes and am quite grateful to those who do it regularly.

Once in a while I'll try to add a missing piece here or correct a misunderstanding there, but I try to be respectful as I know that none of us is perfect and that some times we miss something. Many of the recappers have mentioned that they don't have a problem with this, and I therefore try to contribute, as many of others do in a small way, but in no way diminishing the fact that our recappers have done the lion's share of the work and deserve the credit. I hope I have not accidentally offended anyone and truly apologize if I have. It is never my intention to "correct" people, just to make sure we have the story straight.

Morning Star, are you sure we have white supremacists among us? I wouldn't think they would care for a blog that focuses on foreign cultures, but I guess stranger things have happened...
 

Just to clarify, when I said "I myself have done it..." I meant recapping, not insulting! I'd also like to add to the group's hope that our recapper will reconsider if not recaping, at least continuing to be a part of this blog as we truly appreciate everyone here.
 

I'm consistenly amazed at the intelligence, humor and wit infused in every recap I've read on this site. I can't imagine the time spent trying to capture every detail and translate every line so that these telenovas can be brought to life each day. You have my respect, my appreciation and my thanks.

My only problem is trying to come up with new words to thank or say how much I enjoyed a particular recap. Words that flow so effortlessly from the recappers sometimes elude those of us who simply want you to know how much your tireless efforts mean.

Many of you including JudyB and Sylvia have been so generous in your welcome. Thank you for making me feel like a part of this great community.

Melinama, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for this blog.

I'm not sure which recapper is leaving but there isn't one of you I won't miss. I join the others in saying I hope you will reconsider.

I couldn't go back to watching without this site. Again, thank you. Diana in MA
 

Margarita, you know I loved you addition to my recap. Please e-mail me. I have a question for you that belongs off-board. paulah88@hotmail.com
 

Margarita, your comments on my recaps never offend me. In fact, I always really appreciate your additions. It's been less than a year since I really even started understanding the dialogue at all, and I've never taken Spanish classes, so I know that I miss things. Also your cultural understanding adds a lot of interesting details. Please keep adding these comments!
 

Margarita, I second Jula's comment about enjoying your cultural insights - please keep 'em coming!

And a general comment from my aging, narrow, still-somewhat-military mind: cyberspace is a great place for the gutless to hang out and snipe. Don't ever hand someone an easy victory over cheap words.
 

Let me add my thanks to all of the others for the wonderful recaps. I am not following any of the shows to closely presently, but I still check in here. It has helped me so much to learn Spanish. I have a folder filled with translated bits and pieces and various vocabulary words that I review every so often all from this blog.
I am so sorry that the antics of a couple of people have hurt one of our recappers. Whichever recapper it is who feels they need to leave I am so sorry for the hurt that has been caused you. Know that you will be missed and if you do decide to stay know that your faithful readers will stand behind you.
Marg. in MN
 

I haven't commented much lately because I am following Cuidado at a distance of about a week back. I don't know what the fuss is about since by the time I got here all the offending comments were deleted, I guess. I've been a recapper and I would have to say that this forum is one of the last places where I interact with people from a variety of different backgrounds and views and I value all the contributions (especially Melinama's of running the blog) very highly. People are pretty respectful and even during a bruising political campaign, the most partisan thing that came up was Melinama's postcard which everybody took with good humor when I know that there are people on this blog from all political sides and none. For somebody to come in here swinging a baseball bat and insulting people is ridiculous. Ya'll need to get a life. 90% of the blogosphere is devoted in one way or another to politics and social issues. You need to find some other place to share your views. Here we talk about novelas and when politics comes into it recappers and commenter alike are pretty kind to eachother, even when pointing out mistakes or biases, intentional or otherwise. The open discussion is nice. I'd hate to see this place taken over by the PC police either. Both extremes are bad.
 

THANK YOU RECAPPERS!!!!

I'm as guilty as any of not thanking the recappers enough.
You do an amazing job and have my
respect and thanks.

I don't speak Spanish but I turned on the tv one night and got roped into novellaland.

This is the first novella I've ever watched and everyone here has made this trainwreck a fun ride.
One of my daily rituals is checking to see if a recap is up.
Then settling down with my coffee to savor the humor.

My heartfelt thanks go out to all the recappers and Melinama for being the ringleader of the circus.

Oh and just ignore hateful people, they are just jealous they aren't as talented and entertaining!

thanks again
Janet
 

Well, guys, I speak Spanish perfectly yet I come in to read the recaps because they are just so funny, witty, and entertaining. Also, some novelas are just too painful to watch: like I've said before, those three "girls" should be slapped silly and the guys. . . Well, I guess these six were made for each other!

Like others before me, I ask that the recapper reconsider. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the barrel.
G.
 

Mike, I agree, those who are unhappy or infectual in their real lives try to upset what goes on via the internet to feel some control. It is sad that it makes one of the recappers want to leave this board, when really, those who are unhappy should just choose not to read anymore.

If not for finding this blog I would have quit FELS ages ago. This is what makes it so fun. Okay and the shower scenes!
 

Wow! I too dearly hope our recapper returns, though I don’t know who it is, and I too missed the offending comments.

This site is pure joy – the level of humor, the intelligence of the recappers and commenters - the terrific insights, often heartfelt, often funny, are a delight. Thank you Melinama for having created this space we all can come to to share our passion for Spanish, and for setting excellent ground rules. One of my favorite things about reading the recaps and the comments is hearing how people react in so many different ways to the same episode we all watched, what they bring from their personal lives and personal perspectives.

Margarita – don’t you DARE hold back on your corrections and information! You are a major resource and often in my recaps I’ve thrown a question out there and said to myself “I HOPE Margarita is reading today – she’ll know!” Also, with my iffy Spanish, I’m not sure I’ve understood bits and I too want to know what the real deal was.
 

Thank you so much for your recaps. like many of your readers I don't speak Spanish and on a vacation trip to Africa (go figure)we got hooked on
spanish soaps so coming back home it is all I watch, and without the lovely recappers I don't know where I will be. We do appreciate you and please keep it the good work
 

Lots of love here! I second everyone's opinions of how much I value & enjoy each recapper & their individual style. For some reason, cranks exist in this world & we are honor bound to ignore them best we can. This site has helped me tremendously with my woeful Spanish skills but more importantly, I truly enjoy the comraderie, the comments, and most of all, the LAUGHS everyone always provides.

Love to you all, recappers & commenters! As for the cranks, let's hope they find a healthy outlet for their frustrations.

Maggarita
:-)
 

I love "Caray, Caray" and now that "Tontas" is on, I'm back to being a faithful reader here. Just couldn't hang with "Fuego" any longer; I paid my dues with "Duelo". ;)

What a fabulous place this site is - and it's FREE - and the recaps and comments are intelligent, humorous, educational, and fun - often scathingly funny.

The complainers and grinches are always around - las malas hierbas nunca mueren. Pero, vamos a superar.

Thanks to all the recappers and Melinama who keep this going.
De todo corazón, muchísimas gracias.
 

Please don't leave us!

I really enjoy the recaps and appreciate all the time and effort that goes into them. I feel like I know everyone. My undestanding and comprehension has increased greatly by watching in Spanish and then reading the recaps. When I go home I tell my daughter that "we think this" or "we came up with this theory" and she rolls her eyes and asks me who is "we" and I tell her my online friends. We shouldn't change our behavior or the way this blog is run just because there are a few trolls out there. If they don't like it then they can go somewhere else.
 

Well, I just got home from work and was amazed to see all the comments posted since I left my comment this morning. Some good always comes out of everything, and at least this situation has given us all a chance to support and thank our recappers and blogmom Melinama. Like Ferro, I feel like I know all of you after reading so many comments over so many months from so many novelas . Through the recaps and comments , I have come to know and like each of you. This site has become a cybercommunity of friends now. I look forward to checking in every day to read the recaps and also to read everyone's take on the episode. It's a nice break from sometimes harsh reality , but some of that harsh reality has entered here. That's life...let's move forward . This place is too good to lose. Just as in real life, you can't control what others say and do ...You can only control your own reaction to what they say and do. On with the fun !!!!
 

What she said, what he said! I thoroughly enjoy reading the snarky recaps and the insightful comments. Yes, it's a community; and we shouldn't be intimidated by ANONYMOUS folks who have the colossal nerve to complain about the writings of our stellar cast of recappers.
 

I have to say, after all the negativity that brought this about, I have really enjoyed seeing some old names popping up again and some new people speaking up for the first time. Welcome all! I hope you speak out loud more often, I can confidently speak for all the recappers here when I say we love hearing from you all as much as possible. I love spending an entire day reading comments from my latest post and taking part in wildly digressing discussions.
So, someone tried to make trouble, but look where we are now at the end of the day - happy and in great numbers!
 

I also hope that whoever was bothered by the flaming/trolling and whatever will reconsider and stick with it.

Even though I only posted my first comment last week, I stumbled upon this site and have been reading the recaps since about halfway through Diablos-Guapos. They are so helpful (not to mention often hilarious). The recaps are doing wonders for filling in the immense gaps in my understanding of the story and dialogue. I can't say thank you enough to all the 'cappers.
 

Man, I'm gone for a couple of weeks, and boy, did I miss it! :(

For the record, I love and appreciate all of our recappers' efforts. It is a privilege to be able to come here and have full understanding of things we may not have understood during an episode. And in case you recappers didn't realize it--you actually inspire many of us to be one of you someday. (If only our Spanish would improve!)

And thank you, Melinama.
 

Just so that you all know, the remarks that got deleted are not the ones that is causing a recapper to leave. I'm clarifying this because the comments seem to tie the 2 things together. My remarks had nothing to do with politics and definitely not directed at the recapper who is leaving. That person had already decided to leave when I wrote something yesterday that got deleted. I questioned a remark made by someone else, which I can assure you had nothing to do with the recapper who is leaving.
DC
 

Okay..Okay
Simmer down, simmer down.
I was the one who had it with the comments & not cause they were directed at me, but because of the crap they started.

I feel people want to be spoon fed this nonsense in big ol heaping helpings of caramel coated sweetness. People that is like the Caramel flavored box of Snack of Minute, Walmart 99 cent crap, it is Fat and Salt coated with Sugar, ummm worthless, but it tastes so good.

I guess it is nice that people want to experience the Latin Culture of Wonderfulness, but these TeleNovelas are nothing, I mean nothing like life in Mexico. Learning the Culture from these is like watching Dynasty to see Real American Life, say how many of you have 5 really good looking friends, you all live in the same apartment building and swap partners, oh no, how can that be? I saw it on Friends. If real Mexicans were like these characters, there would be no illegals, everyone of these idiots would have drowned in the Rio Bravo, (that is Rio Grande to you gringos) . You want to see real life…watch Univison News..yep check out all the dead people from the brutal war between the Drug Cartels & the Govt.

I really didn’t care if someone didn’t like what I wrote, I figured they would not read mine, I mean that is what I would do. BUT no they had to go and get all pious and offended, that is where I step off. Flesh and Blood Mortal that I am, I can't argue with “the already guaranteed a place in eternity”. I would rather use “common words” (if god didn’t want us to use graphic modifiers, he certainly would not have created adverbs and adjectives). Seriously, you can't argue with righteous people cause you look all heathen and they just look like a good person who has been persecuted, rather than twist the knife snake they really are.

So why bother?
Anyway to paraphrase..that great thinker Billy Joel
“I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints…
the sinners are much more fun”.
 

Dang Beckster! Now I'm really bummed 'cause I know who it was (not that I wouldn't miss another, it's just that now I have a specific person to mourn) and I loved reading your comments and recaps (though these days I don't get to see them 'cause I gave up on Fuego, but there was always hope for the future). Anywhoo, I understand if you got fed up, but as we've all said, we hope you reconsider or decide to come back 'cause you miss the rest of us. Even if you don't want to spend the time recapping, we would love to have you come back to comment 'cause your snark was truly outstanding.

Thanks for all the support from those who like my comments. We all love feeling appreciated ;)

And just 'cause I forgot to say this earlier, thanks also to Melinama for creating this wonderful haven for us and for taking care of it as our blog mom!
 

Beckster, I'm glad you added a "face" to exactly who is leaving. I've been following the novelas and reading your recaps since the days of Mundo and I can honestly say that I never responded to anything you wrote in a negative way. In fact, I have left many comments about your filling us in about life in Mexico. So, I'll join the others in hoping that you will reconsider.
 

Beckster: your humor and wit and dedication have been appreciated perhaps more than you realize. Whatever you do going forward, you've made many friends here that will miss you like HELL.
Best regards,
"Creemelo"
 

Hombre...
Now I feel like a total whiner. I probably should not have posted such left slanted comments. (Still I do believe each one had a factual basis at the root of it...you can't make this stuff up).

alas..As Robert Plant says
[Heaven knows] what kind of fool am I
You were pumping iron as I was pumping irony.

Seriously, I did think it was funny at the time. Now that is ironic.
 

Well here is my "two cents" worth of wisdom......

Anytime there are a group of people gathered under one roof, topic, or blog site, there will be dis-agreements, hurt feelings, and folks that come out of left field, with nothing sustantial to contribute, but just want to make a splash.....

As many commenters that are on here, various opinions, are bound to occur when we attempt to make "Art, Resemble Real Life".

We should remember at the close of each JQ show, was the phrase. "Any resemblance to real life is purely by chance" This is still just television.

As far as offensive coments... to be always politically correct, would mean to remain speechless....

Those who are offended should educate the offender, to the nature of the comments, and how the comments are offensive.

The group will come to the defense of anyone with proper justification for any statements made, and taken out of context.

P.S. Some of the old timers on here know, I can't speak Spanish, but I watch Telenovelas for other reasons.(smile)

Re-Cappers - Keep Up The Good Work, We Owe You For Your Dedication.
 

Hi Beckster. Some of us don't have other resources to learn about the culture other than these telenovelas, that's exactly why we value input from those of you who can share it with us. We realize telenovelas aren't representative of the average person in Mexico, but they are a good conversation starter for us. Those of you that are able to "straighten us out" on the reality and explain phrases are a big part of why many of us frequent this blog.

I make a point of watching and reading news from Mexico for the nitty gritty in addition to learning fun stuff like basic cultural traditions from the telenovelas and this blog. I've really loved your willingness to share your insights over the past few years that I've hung around here, your connection and understanding of the culture is valuable to those of us who have limited access. I really hope you continue to share!
 

I just wanted to say thank you. I started reading the blog when I got hooked on La fea in Brazil. Yes, I was learning portuguese in Brazil for a month and watching novellas. I came home and found La fea a few weeks ahead but with an english translation and my high school spanish and it was on! I am still looking at novellas and loving the recappers! I thank you, thank you, thank you!

mello1
 

I have been away for a few days and then.....Oh no! This makes me sad because this blog is outstanding! All the recappers are great! And the reason is because they put their own special brand of humor into the translations and that makes them fun to read and enjoy!

These novelas are, of course, not true life but like all fiction they are an escape and of course everyone's Spanish is improving by watching them!

So, Thank you recappers...even if I don't say it enough! You all do a great job on your own free time and the regulars really appreciate you!

And I have learned a lot from the regular commenters, especially when the talk turns to special and favorite foods or recipes or interesting places they have visited! And thanks Melinama for having this great site!
 

I believe it is possible to enjoy the recaps and comments and be deeply appreciative of the talent and efforts of the recappers and still be offended or hurt by an offhand comment made by another reader. These are not mutually exclusive feelings. I have been reading and occasionally posting here for more than a year and look forward to my daily Caray dose. It brightens my day to learn, share and laugh with all of you. Yet last week I was offended by a comment from a reader (not a recapper)that seemed to quote, in a light-hearted anecdotal way, a sentiment derogatory to a whole group. Any group could have been substituted and I believe the comment would have been just as insensitive, even if inadvertently. I did not respond originally as I did not want to call out the commentator, but now reading these comments, I have gotten the impression that even a politely worded objection would have been grounds to be told to read elsewhere. That was even more hurtful than the original comment.
 

A huge thanks to all you commenters who enjoy the blog. It's been a gas getting to know many of you and it's delightful that some who have not commented before are sticking up for the recappers and regular commenters now. Thank you!!

And Margarita, if you stop helping us out with our recaps I will be very annoyed!

Beckster, I hope you reconsider and either continue recapping or come back to it later. You're a talented writer with a distinctive voice. It will totally suck if you bail.
 

I was muy pero muy impactado to find this note on the blog this afternoon when I checked in, and to read all the comments to find out what had been happening.

So sorry to hear you have decided to leave, Beckster. I always enjoyed reading your comments -- sometimes your recaps were more entertaining than the episode itself. Take all the time you need, and just remember when you do want to return as a recapper or a commentor, we'll be here to welcome you back with lots of hugs.

As for me, I try my best never to offend anyone with the words I use in my recaps and comments. If I did so inadvertently, I do apologize.

Melinama - I send you a great big thank you hug for starting this blog. Tu eres un gran tesoro.

One question does no spoilers mean I should stop including the advances for the next night's episode at the end of my recaps?

VIVA CARAY CARAY!
Jody :)
 

I want to thank all the recappers. You all are helping me to learn the language.

I got hooked on LFMB and then Pasions, and have popped back now and again to see what is going on. Now I am hooked on LTNVAC, and it feels so good to watch a show, and then read the recaps and realize how much I understood, learning that I am actually making progress.

I don't think I would have learned so much without Caray, Caray.

Beckster, I know these are stories,
but they help take me out of my real life, and sometimes I really need that. I hope you will at least pop in and out once in awhile or more.

Thank you again recappers, commenters and Melinama.

Patty B. Utah
 

I'll miss you too. I stopped watching FELS because the recaps are so much better - I understand the Spanish just fine, but I love the witty writing in the recaps. I wish I'd had something like this to read when I started watching telenovelas 10 years ago.
Please don't let nasty commenters drive you away - they aren't worth paying attention to
 

Hi all, my internet connection died yesterday and I haven't been able to see all these lovely comments. Thanks for the kind words...

I like the idea of "no attacks except on the show itself." I believe the comment the troll took exception to was meant harmlessly. My own blood family is full of people whose politics etc leave me cold. My father thought I was a communist and a drug addict! (I have never even puffed on a reefer FYI.) HIS father, who beat my dad and his sibs regularly, was an unhappy Pennsylvania Dutch farmer who snarled once, "They're going to burn down the cities, and if it isn't the Jews it will be the n-s." I wonder what he would have thought if he'd known two of his grandchildren would convert to Judaism (I did and one of my cousins did, too). SO please, troll, cool it and let us get on with the fun at hand.
 

Whoa...I miss a few days on the blog, and things seem to have changed...Beckster thinking of leaving? No puede ser! Other's comments have said it all so well, mine would just be redundant, but I do need to restate my appreciation to the recappers- Thank you all! I have a suggestion for the structure of the blog- would it be possible to limit the input comments to people that are registered bloggers, and eliminate the complete anomynity that is possible now. Not that I want to make it an exclusive club, as Mark Twain said, " I wouldn't be a member of any club that would have me a s a member", but it isn't much to ask to make everyone register, we are still anonymous. Maybe it would alleviate the workload that Melinama has babysitting/refereeing this machine, whose eforts I also applaud and agradecer...let's keep this thing going, but in a civil manner. It's perfectly possible to snark w/o being nasty. I fyou don't like the site, move on and leave us to ourselves...
 

Like several other commenters, I am unaware of the negative activity here, but am VERY dismayed by it.

I wholeheartedly thank Melinama and the "Cuidado con el Angel" recappers for their labors of love, on behalf of us Anglo American fans who aren't sufficiently fluent in rapid-fire, slang-laden Mexican Spanish!
 

Beckster, this situation saddens me. Even though I haven't commented on your recaps before I have enjoyed reading you ever since you would make fun of Sofia or Isa's wardrobe in Destilando. I am currently not watching Fuego, but I check in once in a while to catch the recaps or comments. I have often found them more entertaining than the telenovelas themselves.

I appreciate Melinama for providing this blog and all of the recappers; but, your recaps or comments have always been among my favorite. I enjoy getting your point of view on the many serious issues in Telenovela-land. You are gifted with an awesome sense of humor. I may not agree with all of your views, but for the most part I feel you try to keep it real and fun. You give us your perspective: whether it be to comment about the writers' sometimes prejudiced portrayal of society in Mexico; or with your own experiences as a visitor there. Reading your stories I feel that I myself am visiting Mexico. I can sense your love for Mexico and its people, yet you always tell us your honest observations

It would be a shame that your unique voice and insight would be silenced by this situation.

Prinny
 

Melinama..
Bwahhaaaaaaa
Your communist comment..a classic..

Ninth grade civics class, I was in so much trouble when my teacher said "Better Dead than Red" and I said I'd rather be Red than Dead. Red can change, Dead is forever.

This led to much parental hand wringing, angst and threatened psychiatric help. Seriously, Dr. can you reprogram my child, she is having independent thoughts.

Look whole blog thing is just way too much Drama, so I am just going to do a sista finger snap twice & say Geez, if the next suckfest TeleNovela, looks cheesy, I will continue. I will not insert any political comments.
 

Ahh...public-school indoctrination...
That reminds me of the time MY ninth grade World Studies teacher told the class that Hurricane Katrina was the homosexuals's fault. I said that was impossible because we all know that homosexuals would never destroy the Gulf coast--it has too many artist communities. Anyway, I was scolded for questioning the teacher's authority. This mixed with the debut of that wayward after-school special "Rebelde" pretty much tipped my little political ideology into the red... though, it's still too soon to tell...
 

Cheese and crackers, I met blue... as in liberal-democrat blue...
 

Well, I'm not surprised that Beckster and her son Nickster have a reputation for being outspoken. Keep it up!
 

Nickster..

Wow thanks for straightening that out..all this time I thought it was cause of the French influence in New Orleans. Please don't tell me I have been blaming the the wrong group all this time.

Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya Da Da Da
Itchi Gitchi Ya Ya here
Mocha-choco-lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade

Lyrics don't lie!!!!!!!!
I mean I'm just sayin...

Okay, really after this I really am going to try and stop..but it is one day at a time...

An Olive Branch to the Red Side..
Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich "would make Lincoln roll over in his grave." Blagojevich was arrested Monday on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Well all I got to say is on the upside he didn't try to sell it in the last stall of the Men's Restroom in the Lindbergh Terminal, Minneapolis Airport.

Seriously I really am trying to quit.
 

Wow, I went off for a weekend immersion advanced Spanish class and the whole CarayCaray does a group shudder. Don't go little Beckster, Don't go! I am indeed moved to read all the fans come out of the woodwork and so many recappers chime in with appreciation for this site and support for all of us.

I love this blog both as a participanting commenter and as a recapper. When I started a year ago it would take me as much as seven hours to crank out a recap and I needed to watch it two or more times. Now I watch in Spanish once, usually with Spanish caps turned on and write the English recap at the same time. I need the hour of the show to do that and then another hour to clean up my typing and add a bit of spit and polish. This is the best training for improving one's Spanish in the world. You can't get this kind of experience for any amount of money. That is why we do it for nothing, or at least I do and yes, the comments keep me coming back to do more writing too like Ferro mentioned.

Thanks to Melinama for creating this site and to all of the wonderful recappers and commenters that make this such a fabulous site to hang with. This takes a small town life and turns it into an international boundless community. I can't imagine my life without it. This is a large part of my social world and I have a pretty active Spanish social life.
 

OK, I think I see what happened now. I understand why someone who is personally invested in what's going on in Mexico currently would find the disconnect between the novelas and Mexico falling apart due to the drug wars pretty hard to take. I've been there. I lived in Venezuela in the late 80s and early 90s and it was the same thing. I love Venezuela but it was a dreadful and scary time. Consider this: people do need an escape from the unrelenting bad news and danger of living in situations like that. Thats what novelas were/are for people. There was one novela that I watched that was well written and became a "protest" story line but after an initial flush of good ratings, people tuned it out in favor of novelas like Kassandra (which was the precursor to Peregina) that were total fluff.

Of course, we in the US are watching at a distance with our own different notions of what life in Mexico is like. But these novelas travel all over the world. What do you think women in Saudi Arabia or Russia will make of some of the protagonistas in these novelas? It's a big world and these novelas seem to be popular everywhere. The chord they strike isn't necessarily the gritty realism that would make people get up and do something to change the world but if it helps them get through the day, I am not going to argue with it. There are other ways to get people engaged.

Sometimes a novela is just a novela. It's not a representation of true life. It's a fairytale. They are entertaining to watch and you may learn something from them, but in the end, they are just fairytales.
 

To our recappers. Thanks for all you do. I can't tell you how much help this gives me in learning Spanish.
Gary