Caray, Caray!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
 

NovelaMaven:

Fantastic, superb recap! I especially loved Anibalic steroids lol.

Ay yi yi, I thought Nikki had changed, but nopis. I think she really does love Frankie, but she is so used to living a life of priviledge it was hard for her to live without even the basics. So if she moves back home, she'll have to take another room, her old one is occupied.

Poor Angel, I really feel for him and Cande and these secrets have got to stop! You can tell by her eyes she is worried and flustered. I'm surprised she doesn't accidently spill all she knows. Angel is so right about Anyballs, I like that he brought up the fact to Cande about all Anyballs had done to Ms Vikki, Adri, and Nikki. He so doesn't want the same for his Lili.

I had to agree with Lili on one point, about giving Cande heck about not telling Cris herself that Anyballs was her Papa. So why did Cande want to protect her from Anyballs? I think Cande has a clue about what he is really like.

Roy I feel really badly for. The poor schmuck is working his heine off for Lili and trying to win her trust and now he is just an employee. So sad, he really loves Lili. I had to laugh at the Angel's face when he was talking to Roy, that look was priceless!

So who didn't think that Anyballs would be back as the head of Meta Imagen? FF walked right into that!

Kendho is just evil, pure evil. She deserves the biggest anvil there is. I have only been watching TNs since 2010, but I haven't seen a more evil mother than Kendho. She takes the cake and then some. A Pox on the Kendho!

I too wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July!
 

about time Ratiana started blaming her grandma and not Vickie and Arriaga!! Didn't I just ask this the day before?
Poor Nikki, she'll end up homeless!!! I could just see the smirk on her usurper to the Princess of the old "coot".
Guzmancito showed his fireworks a day early!!!!
Have a safe and happy fourth!!!!!
 

Novela Maven - Thank you for the recap.. You brought on the LOL snark with it, too. My two personal faves were --- "…Aníbalic steroids…" ( that was simply brilliant!) … and …"The guys are wearing more make-up than René Casados in La madrastra. "

How would "lobuki" translate?

A safe and happy 4th to all!

 

"Anibalic steroids" - priceless. Once again NovelaMaven you have composed a true masterpiece. Your words ebb and flow smoothly - you can actually feel the tone of the words "Go see for yourself," says her tatito coolly". "snails are blubbery" had me smiling away. "Macabre plots, someone is shot.Kendra smirks, death lurks" and "They look like Metal, they play like Bubble Gum" were a few more of my favorites. This was excellent.

doris, we always seem to agree about our favorite lines. The Rene Casados line was excellent too.

I had high hopes Nikki had matured and to see her backslide into such thoughtless behavior and cruel speech was difficult. You can take the rich girl out of the palace but... I felt so badly for Francisco but he is doing the right thing.

Paula has always tugged at my heartstrings and she did so last night. I teared up at her scene with Felipe and am hoping the writers will miraculously spare her...She caused so much suffering but she had paid such a high price - time from her children that can never be recaptured. To have her taken from them now would be terrible.

And JA."He can't bear the thought of losing Lili, "mi única sangre" (my only blood relative)??" Another devastating blow - let's hope Vicky is back before that is revealed.

Madelaine,I am disgusted with Cande - she has had so many opportunities to speak up and yet has remained silent. At this point - she is as culpable as Anibal. Vida2 - yes, Lili should hold her accountable as well.

I didn't think the "handsome" quotient could possibly improve in this TN. But I saw a brand new name in the credits last night. I almost jumped up from my chair. I don't want to ruin the surprise but I expect a new galan (hopefully tonight). Sigh...

Stay cool and safe tonight!

Diana
 

Happy 4th of July!

Novela Maven- This was a wonderful and delightful episode. The best lines have been mentioned, but the one that struck me, because it was exactly what I was thinking at the time was, "They look like Metal, they play like Bubble Gum." Seriously, I was not expecting such a soft pop-like voice and song to come out of that lead singer and his band! Not with that kind of heavy metal makeup and "luke." Is that the way the real band looks all the time? I hope not. They need a stylist to give them a luke that better matches their music.

Roy needs a bit more patience. Lili let him kiss her after all. She's melting little by little. But I think it was important for him to let her know that his feelings for her have nothing to do with her Balvanera status. In the meantime, they are building a nice friendship. They have honest conversations about their current difficult family circumstances, and they are working really well together. They are building a strong relationship slowly, without even realizing it.

Nikki just hit another rough spot on her road to maturation. I don't think she really meant to sound so cruel about their home, but Nikki has not yet learned that the insulting words that she carelessly tosses around, can really wound people. It's all fine when she wounds someone she doesn't like (Lili, Kendra), but now she knows the consequences of wounding someone she really loves with her words. Hopefully she'll learn to hold her sharp tongue more often and to think before speaking.

Other lessons for her from this whole debacle-- 1) Knock off the petty jealousy and cat fights (it cost Frankie his job); and 2) Money is to be honestly earned, and not carelessly/wastefully spent. If she can't live by that rule, then she doesn't belong with Guzman.

 

Diana- I didn't notice the change in opening credits. But that must mean that Vicente is on his way soon, and since I know who the actor is, that makes me very happy. :)

Carlos is going to lose out if he doesn't solve his Bruna problem quickly. He might lose out anyway, considering the upcoming competition.
 

Diana:

I didn't notice the name in the credits either, but Vincente should be coming soon, I can't wait for that ; )
 

NovelaMaven - You are a true champ to do this so early on the 4th of July. Thanks! I too loved "Anibalic steroids." Terrific recap.

Nice to see JA and Lili starting to question Cande. JA seemed to particularly turn a corner on having confidence in his suegra.

JA was just too cute warning -- without rough stuff -- Roy not to take advantage of Lili at this difficult time for her.

I feel so bad for Nikki. I'd have kept the money too. I do see both sides of this argument. Guzman needs to give her a break. But losing Guzman his job? That's just crazy. The perils of jealousy must be an underlining theme here. Cause everybody's been bitten by the jealousy bug, but only Cris' was justified.

 

Niecie- I would have been tempted to keep the money too. Anibal deserved to lose it. But Nikki should have filled the cupboards, put the money in a new joint bank account, paid off the household bills and any debts I and Frankie had incurred, gotten a sensible (not hoodlum bait) car, so we weren't relying on public transport anymore, and had a big romantic dinner waiting at home for Frankie at the END of his long, hard day at work. That would have buttered him up sufficiently to maybe accept all that dough I just put in our joint account-- only to be used for our necessities, of course.
 

By the way, she bought TWO expensive sports cars- his and hers. Those were her two surprises. LOL! She really needs to know her man better.
 

Doris:

About "lobuki" --

Check out this page (in Spanish):
http://www.chilango.com/ciudad/nota/2013/01/15/como-identificar-una-lobuki-y-no-morir-en-el-intento

As I understand it, it's fairly recent slang to describe a young, rich, upperclass (or wannabe) woman, who hangs out in clubs. She is shallow, and vain and dresses to be noticed. She is often seen where her male counterparts, los mirreyes, gather.

The funny thing is that it sounds uncomfortably like Nikki herself. This isn't the first time she has used it to insult someone. In an earlier episode she referred to Kendra as a lobuki.

I have the feeling she is using it as a euphemism -- she would use a more vulgar word if she weren't too "nice" to do so. Of course these women aren't simple lobukis, they are lobukis de quinta (fifth-rate lobukis). Hah.
 

Novela Maven - thank you for a wonderful, hilarious recap. You had me at "anabolic steroids"! And "Macabre plots, someone is shot, Kendra smirks, death lurks" is inspired!

It was a bad day for job security in Balvaneraville: Nikki got fired, Guzman got fired, FF got demoted and Yawn Carlos is on disability leave. On the other hand, Anyballs is back in control (for the moment), and Lili is now a "landscape architect" so anything is possible!

These BV girls all seem to have a heavy entitlement streak. They want what they want when they want it, and they get very testy when they face resistance. IF Nikki does go back to BV mansion, I want a front row seat for the bedroom brawl.

If the new man is Vincente, Yawn is gone!

Barbara
 

Thanks for your nice words, folks!

Mads:
Do you think Nikki will really move back home? To judge from the previews ... well you know what they say: Life is what happens while you're making other plans. :)

Vida2:
"Guzmancito showed his fireworks a day early!!!!"
Nice!

Doris:
When it comes to bringing on the snark, you are my idol!

Diana:
This is a treat for us! I was thinking you'd have the day off from work and wouldn't be commenting. (So maybe not such a treat for you.)

"I had high hopes Nikki had matured and to see her backslide into such thoughtless behavior and cruel speech was difficult."

That's exactly what it was -- backsliding. A relapse. I have faith she'll learn from it and get back on the wagon. (Or the bus.)

Oh and you are so right about the "handsome quotient" in this novela!
 

Vivi:
If you google "Moderatto", you'll see that they pretty much look that way all the time. And apparently it works for them. They are a phenomenal hit and have been for 20 years.

"Nikki just hit another rough spot on her road to maturation."
Well said. She'll figure it out. She's not dumb.

Niecie:
The whole jealousy thing is always so interesting.

Message 1. Too much jealousy or unwarranted jealousy is toxic.

Message 2. If you're not SOMEWHAT jealous, you're not really in love. (This is what Bruna whispers in Joan's ear about Adriana: if she cared about you, she would have made a scene when she saw me here.)

Message 3. Jealousy is cute and sexy. That's how we are invited to see Vikki's and JA's little snits -- as cute.

For me there has always been a cultural divide here. I thinks we anglos are less likely to see the positive side of jealousy but we sure recognize the negatives.

----
Would I have kept the money? I'd have been tempted to. But since the money was given to Guzmán and he wanted to return it, I like to think I would have listened to him.

(This is a man who feels uncomfortable accepting a bag of oranges from his own father! You know that money is going to be poisonous to their relationship. Well okay -- you know, I know, the snails know, but maybe Nikki doesn't know. )
 

Barbara:

"It was a bad day for job security in Balvaneraville"

"These BV girls all seem to have a heavy entitlement streak."

"If the new man is Vincente, Yawn is gone!"

HAHAHAHAHA

You are on a roll this morning, amiga.
 

"This is a man who feels uncomfortable accepting a bag of oranges from his own father! You know that money is going to be poisonous to their relationship."

Nikki's purchase of two expensive (Porsche?) cars shows the difference in how she views money, and how Guzman views and values money.

ITA with Vivi in how the money should have been spent, if used at all and not thrown back at Anibal's face. But for Nikki, money has always been there for her, taken for granted, and never ever hard-earned. Acquisition of and disposal of were never tied in with one's sense of character and values. The girl does not yet fully understand the value of a dollar/peso beyond the lack of, which has caused her to live in the 'rat hole.' She still has some growing up to do.

Guzman, on the other hand, grew up much like I did and probably some other folks in Viewerville. Money is hard-earned, spent wisely, saved for a rainy day. One does not take a windfall and blow it on overpriced toys.

As a women's magazine always in doctors' waiting rooms titled a regular monthly article --- "Can this marriage (relationship in this case) be saved?"


 

NovelaMaven- Very true that most other cultures view jealousy over your lover/spouse/sginificant other to be normal and expected, and a sign that the person loves you. They tend to ignore the warning signs about this kind of thing, while we tend to over-react to it, choosing to ignore that a certain amount of jealousy is normal. Vicky was fine with JA's jealousy, until he became physically violent with Carlos. She knows where to cross the line. Guzman was also fine with Nikki jokingly saying she didn't want him guarding any young women. He was not fine with her dropping in on his job and having a physical fight with his boss/client. Both Vicky and Guzman knew where to draw the line.
 

NovelaMaven, your recaps are always wonderful and this is especially so. Thanks.

Happy Independence to everyone here at Caray Caray. Enjoy and be safe.

Aníbal's plan didn't work quite the way he drew it up but it accomplished exactly what he set out to do and that of course was to split the two up. As we discussed yesterday, there really wasn't much of an upside for Guzmán to go along with Aníbal's offer and it managed to turn into a double reverse sting.

Poor Nikki, yet another -ana, this time Morgana, has managed to vex her.

I so hope that Nikki moves back home ...at least long enough to bond with Ratiana.

Points to Aníbal for telling pizza guy that Nikki could own a whole chain of pizza places if she wished.

In addition to favorite quote already acknowledged, please add this from your response to comments:

"The funny thing is that it sounds uncomfortably like Nikki herself."

One of the reasons I like Nikki so much is that she is not reluctant to throw stones in a glass house.

Carlos
 

Carlos:

"One of the reasons I like Nikki so much is that she is not reluctant to throw stones in a glass house."

ZING!

I also liked the way Aníbal put the pizza guy in his place. (Like he's going to let some little petit bourgeois with a pizza oven insult his nieta! That's his job!)

(I had included the exchange in the recap but then cut it (and a bunch of other stuff) because it was getting unmanageably long.)
 

Nikki's splurge on two (2) cars - Porsches? - cost about $100,000, so she has 400K left.
She may have to rent a suite in the best hotel because I can't see her going back to the B mansion and living in another room while Lili redecorates her old bedroom.
I really hope Guzman falls in love with a more mature woman. Is it too late for him? Is he doomed to marry Nikki?
 

*****Happy fourth , everyone ***** Thanks, NOvelamaven. Gee, I wonder if Anyballs is familiar with the poem "Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley.. It is one of the poems that made the biggest impressions on me when I read it in college. it is all about the fleeting nature of power. I think of it every time I watch Anyballs trying to manage the universe . I got a real giggle out of that ginormous sketch on the wall of Anyballs the Great hovering over the table in the conference.

I cannot wait for karma to bite the ho in the heiney.
 

Vivi..If only you were available to talk to Nikki. he needs some reality lessons about life without a trust fund. I guess that most of us here were not "to the manor born." Our older daughter met a guy in college and became engaged to him. He was from a wealthy family, but he was a very sweet guy. He was a trust fund baby who was used to regular ski trips to Whistler. Once, they came home for a family wedding. He packed his Armani suit, but forgot his Armani tie. I offered him a choice of hub's ties...one from Sears and the other from Penneys., And he graciously accepted one with a smile. Daughter broke that engagement just a few months before the wedding date, and she ended up marrying a guy from humble background who pulled himself up by the proverbial bootstraps. They both understand the concept of building a life by working for what you need and want .Nikki slid back into rich girl mode. I am sure that she and the Guz will end up together, but she has a lot of growing up to do and she has to learn compassion and get that mouth of hers under control.
 

Brilliant recap, NovelaMaven! LOL, anibolic! You never fail to amaze me!

Totally agree with "They look like Metal, they play like Bubble Gum." I was dumbfounded when I saw that band, I thought, "Surely they can't be real!" but I had this sinking suspicion they were. Oh well, if it works for them, it does. How bizarre . . .

I squeed, just SQUEED when I saw the new cast member listed in the credits! I knew he was slated to appear and am delighted that his time has finally come. I checked IMDb yesterday (before this episode aired) and it says he should appear in Cap 167—this next episode! I hope they got that right. In any case, his presence will definitely liven up the place!

I too was appalled that Nikki bought two CARS with that money. I was actually not disapproving of her keeping the money (after all, they've both been blackballed from employment, so why not?) but her blowing it on two expensive CARS? How ridiculous! I agree with Vivi, I would have bought groceries, paid bills, and so forth. She probably couldn't have gotten Guzman to agree to even that, but she might have had a shot of justifying it by saying that it never would be needed if they could actually get work.

I was so disappointed that she blurted out that cruel thing, but I see it as a bump in the road and she'll learn from it. That she was willing to work as a waitress (well, until this episode) says a lot about her willingness to adapt and change.
 

I too agree with what Vivi said about the money spending, and why in the world did Nikki buy two sports cars? Should have bought two economical cars, at least and paid the bills, and bought some food and put the rest in that joint checking. I also think Guzmi was so hurt with what she said, because of that dream she had a couple epi's ago about not wanting to be poor. I hope they work this out and Nikki matures enough to see money isn't everything.
 

NovelaMaven- I noticed that I said the episode was wonderful and delightful, but I meant the recap. The episode was ok. Your recap took it to another level.
 

If the new name in the credits indicates Vicente will be arriving on the scene, then bring. it. on.
I really, truly do not think Carlos is all that into Adriana. If he was, he would not let Bruna hang all over him -and- stay in his apartment (because surely she can afford a hotel).
 

A BIG thank you Novela Maven and on the 4th no less.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY TO EVERYONE.

Novela Maven---Great snark!! Cande's brain stuffed with Anibolic
steroids was a real winner---I also
liked Nikki storms the Balvanera citadel---and Bruna is all ofer Carlos like a cheap suit.
There are other great snark lines but several have been mentioned several times already.

I have so much to say that I think I'm going to have to break it down into two parts, yesterday and today

Yesterday---
Julia---Nikki amuses me more. Ok, that's honest and fair. To each his/her own, nothing wrong with that.

Carlos---Wow! November the 14th, you must have an awesome file system. My quote ending in "but I guess that she will mellow out befoe too long."---Well it looked like that was happening with the exception of her attitude towards Lili of course. [I am still holding out hope that they will become close friends---they have to, they just must.] Nikki was mellowing out, that is until last night.

Anita---I wasn't under the impression that Nikki's things were being thrown out, just moved. If Nikki's things were thrown out on Lili's orders, that would be wrong and there would be hell to pay when Nikki finds out. I know that Lili and Nikki have not been on good terms but I just can't believe that Little Orchid would sink that low, Nikki's personel things? Besides, even if Lili wanted to, I don't think that Adri or Tomasinia would allow that.

Elvira---Thank you for the great screen shots yesterday.
the gringo






 

Susanlynn:

Thanks for classing up the page -- Ozymandias, no less! "... whose frown and wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command..." Wow. Very apt. (Well except for the blue glasses. :D)

Elvira:

Right back atcha! So with all this squeeing, I had to look for myself. And now -- SQUEE!

Gringo:

My pleasure! You have to admit that the episode offered a lot to work with. :-)
 

Today---I guess that I should have put the NovelaMaven thank you's on my today's comment, my mistake.

Today---
I thought that they should have given the money back, you know, make it on their own kind of thing.
Frankie would have done that but materialistic Nikki [she's a Balvanera] desided to keep the money. I wish that they had given it back but Nikki made me laugh on this one. You lost the money Anyballs, too bad. Your bank account is a little lighter.

Actually I think that Vivi had the best idea as what to do with the money. Vivi, you're 100% right, but now we will have to wait and see what happens.

And he expects her to live like a rat in this pigsty.---OH MY!

Bea wants Salsero to accept the honar code.---another OH MY!! Can he do it?

VIVI---Yes the band looks like that
A Mexican version of Kiss, I guess that you can say. You should see them and rocker Alejandra Guzman together. She's just as wild looking as they are. I'm sure that there is something on youtube.

Niecie---Yeah right! Only Cris was justified. She knew what was going on over at the Balvanera Mansion and after Vikki got shot and her Angel didn't come home or even call
well---then she knew for sure.

One last thing---I don't blame Nikki for fighting for her man last night, that woman was out to score and Guzman was her target. As far as Nikki mellowing out, well not so much, that wild part of Nikki has not gone away and may never go away completely. I'm just glad that it was Nikki and not Lili
for that would have just have given the patio crowd another opportunity to put Lili down. I know, I know, no one blames Nikki for fighting but the Disney Princess??? Well that's another story.

Sorry for all the mispelled words. I use a dictionary and being a one finger typist doesn't help at all.
the gringo




 

Nikki's splurge on the two sports cars isn't the issue, although it speaks volumes about her current outlook on life. That money was not hers to spend. She had no business appropriating Anyballs dirty bribe money just because she was pithed with him. Guzman should have made sure the money went back to the old creep.

Barbara
 

Barbara,

Thanks. You said it so very well.

Carlos
 

Ay, Nikki, Nikki, Nikki (Shaking my head, but laughing) - pobrecita but hopefully she'll learn her lesson.

Why does Lili think she "deserves" to live like a Balvanera? Just being born into money doesn't mean you deserve it. Look at Warren Buffet. He gave his children an education and then they're on their own. He has made it clear they are not inheriting anything (all will go to charity) from him. Whatever they make out of their lives is what they deserve. Okay, say Anibal had found out Cris was his daughter way back when. Who's to say he wouldn't have gotten rid of her to "preserve appearances?" After all, he DID get rid of Liliana (Lucia) once. You only deserve what you work for. Even Victoria, Adriana and Nikki don't "deserve" the lifestyle they've received. They just happened to get it.
 

Thanks for the recap NovelaMaven!

It was great. I laughed at this:

"They look like Metal, they play like Bubble Gum"

Lol, that's Moderatto. Their looks are sort of a joke but they actually sound great live and although I'm not a fan of the lead singer's voice he is excellent at the piano. I like them best when they join other artists and enhance their music by playing it themselves while the artist sings. I loved their concert with Alejandra Guzmán, especially. They even made Belinda bearable.

I think Nikki slip is understandable but she needs to learn a little more about how to administrate herself. Guzmán is not poor, he is middle class and in our very obsessed class society insulting the middle class by calling it poor is very hurtful because you are basically dismissing all the hard work put to earn what you have.

Jarocha






 

Anon 4:22 :

"Just being born into money doesn't mean you deserve it. "

I agree but this is very common in Mexican thinking. The "apellido" is very important, it marks who you are, the opportunities you'll get in life and the kind of life you'll live on this earth. Social movility is extremely difficult, a poor person is expected to be poor for the rest of his/her life, no matter how much they work. You don't just work hard and go to college and get a good job and make money, if you aren't from a family with connections you probably won't make much money even if you become a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer. There are more exeptions nowadays of course and everyday there's more opportunities (we've been building a middle class in the last 15 years so even if people can't become rich yet, they are starting to leave poverty behind) but more than 30 years ago, when Cristina was born, that was the rule.

Jarocha
 

Jarocha:

Thanks so much for helping us understand a little better some of the underlying class issues in this story. Wow, that sense of entitlement really bothers us, doesn't it? I really appreciate your perspective.

You've piqued my interest in Moderatto. I'll have to take a look at one of their videos. :)
 

I loved Bryan Amadeus(that's the vocalist's artistic name lol) at the piano during their concert with Alejandra Guzman while she sang Volverte a Amar,here's the clip the song starts a 1:18.

Jarocha
 

Jarocha.. Thanks for your explanation . I guess Americans are so used to the idea of anyone being able to get ahead if he or she works hard enough regardless of the name or circumstances.

NOvelmaven...We could rename Shelley's poem "Ozyanyballs." it certainly fits the old tyrant.
 

Jarocha:
Thanks for the link but unfortunately it's not available in the U.S. I'll poke around -- I'm sure there's something out there!

Susanlynn:
Ozyanyballs, huh? Hah! I love it!
 

Thank you, NovelaMaven. Everyone is right-This is a brilliantly crafted recap!

I particularly enjoyed:

...he just bought off the love of her life for thirty pieces of silver (a cool half million at today's exchange rate).

Now off to actually watch the episode!
 

Sara:
Thank you so much

P.S. The Anibalic steroids for your testimonial are in the mail. (no se lo digas a nadie, ok?)
 

Many thanks, I so enjoyed the recap, NovelaMaven!

Yes, Annonymous 4:22! So true!! I'm so tired of hearing them say they 'deserve' this and that.

Jarocha thanks for the info on this.
 

Gringo:

"I don't blame Nikki for fighting for her man last night, that woman was out to score and Guzman was her target. As far as Nikki mellowing out, well not so much, that wild part of Nikki has not gone away and may never go away completely. I'm just glad that it was Nikki and not Lili for that would have just have given the patio crowd another opportunity to put Lili down. I know, I know, no one blames Nikki for fighting but the Disney Princess??? Well that's another story."

Well, if Lili had beaten up a woman who was trying to hit on a man who wasn't even her boyfriend - the Patio would've put her down rightfully.

And Nikki's reaction was utterly ridiculous and wrong.

There's a big difference between fighting hard for a man/woman with verbal insults, fighting hard with a few and light physical insults (like tossing around), or beating the c**p out of another person.

That's what Nikki tried to last night. And that's what Lili did many times she had a fight with Nikki.
 

Thanks again, NovelaMaven.
Susanlyn. It really brought tears in my eyes when you mentioned Ozymandias/Percy Bysshe Shelley. I had a crush on Shelley back in my schooldays. Thank you.
Jarocha, thanks for enlightening us on social class issues of Mexico. I am not too familiar with it and in wonder why such things matter a lot in most telenovelas and when last I visited Mexico's museum, I was surprised to learn and read that there exist different levels of social caste/class there.
 

Even though no one is likely to read this*, I can't resist adding another word on class:

The United States DOES have classes but they aren't (completely) determined by accident of birth.

Most people would agree that we are a MERITOCRACY where, at least in theory, people who excel rise to the top.

We believe that we can improve our lot in life with a combination of hard work, natural ability and a little luck. I have to admit -- in the 4th of July afterglow -- that I love this sense of optimism about our country.

*It won't be the first or the last time I am left talking to myself. :)