Saturday, March 28, 2009

Tontas no Van Friday 3/27 I Think I Translated it Right, But I have some Doubts

Doubt. Many of our characters have relationships with each other, and these have changed significantly since the show began. But at this point, not everyone trusts the new relationships. And despite words of encouragement, not everyone believes things will be okay. This episode explores the fragile nature of changes in our lives.

Before we get to these doubts, we revisit some scenes from the other day:

Pat is playing fútbol with his two boys, Candy arrives to tell Soledad some good news, Lucía’s test results for HIV were negative!

Then we switch to the scene where Donato bribes Tina to kiss him, to show Jaime that Don isn’t really in love with Isabel, he even has another girlfriend (not true, of course).

And finally, we see Ed with his mucama (maid), telling Chayo he won’t reveal his salary, and doesn’t want Estrella (the mucama) to say anything either, but as we saw, Chayo taped the whole thing with a little cassette recorder hidden inside a magazine, and Ed’s not too happy when Chayo says she’ll take the tape to her lawyer.

Our first new scene is a family gathering at Santiago’s house, with Santi, Lucía, Isabel, Jaime, Rocío, Tina and Donato , as Santi has called everyone together to give them the good news, that Lucía’s results were negative. Tina is very emotional, and retreats to the kitchen, followed by Donato. She tells Donato how worried she was, and he comforts her, putting his arm around her in a show of tenderness.

The other family members join hands, close their eyes, and give a prayer of thanks, as Santi, the leader of the family, speaks for all of them in thanking God for bringing light to their moment of darkness, and for giving them the news that Lucía is healthy, and Rocío says amen.

In the restaurant, Charly is trying to prevent Meño from overexerting himself, in light of his recent fainting spell from high blood pressure. Meño insists he’s fine, but the two of them each have to care for each other now. He reminds Charly that today Lucía’s test results should be back (they don’t know the results yet), and Charly should go to Lucía to find out if she’s okay. But Charly says he’s a coward, he can’t face Lucía, and he runs out of the restaurant.

At Candy’s house, she and Santiago are sitting on the sofa discussing Lucía. Santi tells her how they’re all relieved that the tests were negative, but Lucía is still angry and upset, because she has to have another test in 3 months, to confirm she’s still HIV free, since sometimes the disease takes a while to develop. Lucía is mad at Charly, and Santi still feels a little mad at Charly, but at the same time, he also feels bad for Charly. Candy points out that Charly is destroyed with guilt, he’s suffering, but he loves Lucía. Santi knows this, and is glad that one of his problems is at least partially resolved, but of course, there’s still the problem of Marissa. He’s going to try to be positive, though.

Humor time. Lulu assures Toño that he has a lot of talent with his sock puppet, Tonito. Toño doesn’t want Zamora to know about it, doesn’t want to compete (with Zamora’s Merengue show). However, Zamora overhears a little of this, and asks who Tonito is. Toño fumbles and stumbles, but Lulu stands up for him – Tonito is a puppet that Toño makes with his sock, and he’s much more talented than Zamora with Merengue! All right, let’s see him, says Zamora, and Toño proceeds to take off his black mariachi sock, puts it on his hand, holds it up to Zamora’s face, makes it say “hola” in a high voice, and Zamora faints from the smell! Tonito then says hi to Lulu, who also recoils from the pungent odor, and Tonito goes back and forth with both Zamora and Lulu coughing and sputtering to get away from him.

Santi is still talking to Candy, now wants to know how she’s doing, he assumes that since Candy told his daughters she wasn’t Santi’s novia, Candy must be going with Patricio, but before she can answer, Pat and Chava burst through the door, back from fútbol practice. After Chava goes upstairs, Santi and Pat greet each other like gentlemen, Santi first is a little defensive as to why he was talking to Candy, then tells Pat that Lucía’s studies were negative, and Pat is genuinely happy and supportive. However, Santi then realizes he’s a third wheel, and awkwardly exits, Candy once again saying how happy she is for Lucía.

And we get our first moment of doubt, as Pat has a look on his face, and Candy wonders if he’s actually jealous of Santi. Well, guess what – he is, a little, making a sign with his fingers about 1 inch apart, which changes into both hands, a foot apart, and he runs upstairs to play with Chava, leaving Candy smugly smiling.

Isabel and Jaime are discussing Donato. Isa confirms the fact that she gave Donato a job despite his prison record, but still thinks it’s strange for him to carry around Isa’s picture, until Jaime says he saw Donato and Tina kissing, which relieves Isa, maybe Donato’s not in love with her. Jaime gets a twinkle in his eye, he has an urge…..Isa’s not sure she’s in the mood, until Jaime finishes his sentence, an urge for some chocolate cake! He then apologizes for the other day (when he had some “performance” problems), but Isa reassures him that men are not like watches, they don’t run perfectly all the time, and neither are women. Jaime offers his shoulder and his tenderness in support of her (with the worries about Lucía), and the two of them hug in a moment of sweetness.

We then cut to a bowl of fruit (sweetness) in the kitchen, as we see Donato take out a large photo of Isabel from under his jacket, as he tells himself he was saved, no one knows, but he really IS in love with Isa!

At Soledad’s house, Beto wants to watch TV, he doesn’t want to do his homework. Sole insists on the homework first, at which point Beto asks if she’s mad at his Dad (Pat). Why would she be? Well, says Beto, because he doesn’t come around as much as he used to (before he found out about Chava). Oh, he just has a lot of work. But, adds Beto, Chava said Pat might live with Chava. No, Candy said that wasn’t true. Well, does my Papá love Chava more than he loves me? Sole pauses waaay too long, before saying of course not, no way, let’s do the homework (but Soledad’s face reveals her doubts and concerns).

Ed’s looking all over for the cassette recorder, can’t find it, when Chayo comes in holding it like a prize. He wants to buy it, how much? She thinks it’s a pretty good brand, how about 3,000 pesos? (about $210.00) No way, says Ed, but he offers 2,000, as Chayo agrees. Ed gets his money roll out of its hiding place under the tv, and the dramatic arms-length exchange is made across the little table which divides their two domains. Immediately he realizes there’s no cassette in it, but Chayo briskly informs him that he didn’t buy the cassette, just the recorder, bye!, thus leaving a stunned Ed, telling himself “she trapped me”, and bemoaning the additional fact that he now has to find a new hiding place for his dinero.

We see Lucía rushing out of the house, not telling Donato where she’s going.

Santiago (in his office) has now told Marissa about the good test results, and Mari says of course she’s happy (however, she seems to be paying more attention to the magazine she’s calmly reading). She then asks Santi to put his hand on her belly, then to rest his head on her belly.

Charly answers the door, and it’s Lucía, screaming that she hates him! He’s shocked, were the results positive? No, negative, but I have to go for more studies, and it’s your fault, I hate you, I hate you, says a frantic Lucía as she tries to hit Charly. He begs her to calm down, she repeats that she hates him, but he responds “And I love you”. She breaks down and they hug.

Pat is finishing up a business call in his office when there’s a knock on the door. It’s Candy, looking very happy and pretty. Okay, why has she come? She wants to know if he was REALLY jealous of Santiago. (!!) He admits, yes, a little. Candy thinks that means that the one who doesn’t trust is Pat. He denies this, he trusts in Candy 35,021 percent, but doesn’t trust Santi. Oh really, do you think those curls (chinos) that (Santi) cut will make me fall for him? Pat doesn’t think that’s funny. But Candy’s just teasing, and she grabs his tie, and pulls him in for a juicy kiss. At that moment, Alicia walks in, and the scene is a little like the one years ago, when Candy walked in, in reverse.

And that’s what Alicia thinks. After quickly recovering from her hurt, she asks what she should do now. Should she slap Pat? Should she strip off her clothes and run out? (I’m rooting for that one :).

Back at Candy’s house, Lucía is still upset, pushes Charly away, as Meño enters. He calmly tells Charly to go upstairs, and sits Lucía down. She tells him the results were negative, but she has to go back in 3 months, and it’s all Charly’s fault. Meño says it’s the responsibility of both, and Charly is suffering, and loves Lucía. Lucía is still distraught, she wanted to be a pediatrician, and he tells her she still can. She thinks the 3 months are going to last a century. Yes, replies Meño, for you, they’ll last a century, but for my son, it’s going to be torture for his whole life (calvario, which derives from Calvary, related to Jesus’s crucifixion). And Charly is really feeling down, Lucía.

Candy explains the difference in kisses to Alicia. This time, Candy is not going to flee. She’ll stay and defend what she feels. Alicia is not impressed. She asks if Candy really loves Pat. Before Candy can answer, Pat jumps in, telling Alicia she knows that Pat loves Candy, he’s told her millions of times. (Candy, though is not saying anything. Notice that she didn’t say she loved Pat). Alicia says SHE loves Pat, and because she doesn’t want to hurt him, she’s leaving now, but she doesn’t think he’ll really be happy with Candy. After she leaves, Pat tells Candy he’s totally sure that he’ll be happy with her. But Candy is still silent. You can see the little bit of doubt in her face.

In the lobby of Pat’s building, Alicia, visibly upset, calls Marissa, wants to meet her at her apartment. In Santi’s office, Mari (who is sitting with Santi’s head in her lap), cooly agrees, without Santi knowing what’s going on. She proceeds to get Santi up, and when he says it was nice being with her, she throws in that it would be nice if they got married. Santi can’t believe she still wants to get married, after all that’s happened, but she reminds him that she made it all very clear to him (that he either marries her and they have the baby, or she leaves and he doesn’t see the baby). She walks out.

Candy now voices her doubt. She’s afraid that maybe the two of them are making a mistake. She doesn’t want to hurt Pat by leading him on. And the matter of Alicia is contributing to her doubt. Pat, though, has no doubts. He tells Candy to listen to her heart, and he’s totally sure he’ll be happy. He then decides to actually listen to her heart (a la Chava), and he gently rests his head against her chest, and what does he hear? Patricio, Patricio, I love you. And his own heart is saying Candy, Candy, Candy.

Meño is still counseling Lucía, who is now calmer, drinking a glass of water. Meño again tells her it’s almost certain that Luc isn’t infected. Almost, almost, why is it almost? Lucía laments. Meño tells her when people love each other, they find a way to unite themselves, and don’t dwell on things that would separate them. Lucía still can’t pardon Charly, and Meño tells her she will also have to pardon herself, because both she and Charly made the mistake.

We now switch to Bárbara at the Institute, greeting a woman named Refúgio. She tells the other ladies not to interrupt her counseling session. After she goes to her office, the others think she’s spending far more time with this one patient than with others, and that is strange. Ever curious, they decide to offer their other services (make-up, nutrition, etc.) and that way they’ll be able to figure out what’s going on.

Apparently, our twisted sisters are starting to come off the wheels of their Crazy Train. Mari is sitting calmly on the sofa with a piece of cheese in her fingers, making fun of Ali, who paces back and forth behind Mari’s back. Ali thought they were allies. Oh, Mari’s says she’s just joking, what’s wrong with a little laughter. But Ali’s upset about Candy, and actually, she’d like Candy to go with Santiago! Ooops, this p-o’s Mari, but Ali tells her to keep laughing, maybe that’ll speed up the contractions, and get that baby out a little sooner.

Santi calls Meño on the phone, asks him to send Charly to Santi’s office, not to worry, Santi “comes in peace” (es un son de paz). After the commercial, a somber Lucía and Charly enter Santi’s office.

Margarita is at Pat’s office, trying to talk him into going back to Marissa. He’s going along with Alicia’s hijo plan, but he’s not going back to her, and right now, he’s very busy, he’s planning a Christmas Eve and Christmas party. His Mom thinks he’s nuts, it’s the wrong season, but he’s insistent.

Santi now goes through a long PSA about HIV with Lucía and Charly. He first tells them the 3 ways you can get it (pre-natal, blood transfusion or sexual relations). Then he explains to Luc about the follow up visit, because her test is 95 percent accurate, but after 3 months, there’s that small chance that it was still developing, so the second test will confirm for sure she is not infected. Charly, though, has to be careful, because he does have the virus, but not AIDS. But with the virus, he has to care for his body, because his immune system is not as resistant to disease as it was before. A cold can become pneumonia, etc., so any time he gets sick, he has to be especially careful. Sometimes when a disease does change into something much worse, the HIV could become AIDS (SIDA, in Spanish). At this, Charly asks if that happened, would he die? And Santi says no, even with AIDS, there are treatments, and medicine is making progress in this, so patients can still live for years, receiving treatment. And Charly is young and strong, he should be able to live a full life. Of course Charly has doubts, though.

In the restaurant, Meño receives a call from Pat. Pat wants to reserve the restaurant tonight. For a romantic dinner, asks Meño? No, for a family Christmas!

Now it’s time to hear Refúgio’s story. She tells Barb that 3 times, she was just about to get married, and each time, the guy cancelled the wedding the day before! In the meantime, the other ladies are reading the same info on Refúgio’s intake sheet (so much for confidentiality). Now, Ref is engaged again, and she came to the Institute to avoid the problem with this fourth novio, and to finally get married. But she tells Bárbara that recently her boyfriend has been acting strangely, distant, not interested in the wedding. Bárbara confirms with her that that happened all the other times, too. Barb asks if Ref ever asked herself if SHE was doing something to upset the boyfriends. Ref never thought of that. Barb suggests making an appointment for the boyfriend to come to the Institute, so they can find out, as we see a hint of self-doubt in Refúgio’s face.

Pat is visiting the little baby’s room that Alicia and Margarita have set up, with a crib, a mobile over it, lots of baby toys, a hobby horse, a high chair, everything in nice blue colors for the boy baby. Ali and Marg say the little boy will be like a prince, isn’t Pat impressed? Yeah, sure, it’ll change his life, really nice, but I’m busy, responds Pat half-heartedly, as he heads for the door. Marg thinks it went well, but Alicia has her doubts, she can tell how NOT into it Pat is. Marg counsels patience.

Back in Santi’s office, Charly is still upset, how can he keep his disease secret from everyone? Santi says it’s a private matter, and you are entitled to your privacy. Lucía says sooner or later, people are going to find out. Santi says you can keep it private pretty much, but you do have to tell some people, like the government, which needs to know for statistical reasons. They have to keep it confidential, since there’s a lot of discrimination against people with HIV. Also, one has to tell a doctor if you’re going to have an operation, and a dentist, and a person with whom you intend to have sexual contact….At this, Lucía shakes her head and asks “Who would want to have sexual relations with someone infected with HIV?”! Charly’s eyes narrow, his head turns toward Lucía, and that’s it for tonight.

Next time: A Monday full of surprises!

Vocabulario:

Calvario – a torture, or hell
Un son de paz – an errand of peace, or to come in peace

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Frustrated with the closed-captions? Send an email of complaint to Univision!

Hi all,

Carlos appended this link to his last comment, and we should all send them emails:

http://www.univision.net/corp/es/contact.jsp

I'd say, don't be intimidated that the form is in Spanish, you can fill it in using English! They should know there are a lot of us!

Thank you Carlos!

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Doña Bárbara - Thurs., March 26 - I guess I need to turn in my novela card - Marisela isn't pregnant

DB takes the lying route once again. She tells Santos that the man in the picture is not Sapo. Santos says that the photo is of Fidel Castell who visited her when she was in jail. DB denies knowing Castell and denies that he visited her in prison. Santos asks why he doesn't believe her. DB says that is simple. He has never believed in her. "You would doubt the Our Father if I recited it," she says. DB tries to jolly Santos into a better mood.

Marisela asks Genoveva if she is sure that this is an alcaraván calling and Geno assures her it is the same call that was heard for Gervasia and Cecilia. Marisela momentarily gets carried away with speculating how beautiful her and Santos' baby would be then she says that it would be horrible to be pregnant at the same time as her mother and by the same man. Geno says that it would be horrible to be pregnant by a man named 'Pajarote'. Marisela agrees that is horrible, "Instead of babies, you'd have chicks (pichones).


The terneras discuss how Genoveva, serious as a funeral and who never does anything wrong, could have gotten herself knocked up.

Poor Néstor has received a beating. Sapo asks if he has learned his lesson not to stick his nose where it doesn't belong. Néstor says that he understands. Sapo says that he had better not write anything, good or bad, about him again. Next time he won't get another chance.

DB tells Santos to lighten up. Santos tells her to stop wasting her time flirting with him. He came to ask a question and once again he recieved lies from her. Santos asks about Eustaquia. DB tells him that Eustaquia would love to see him. Eustaquia is trying to get mud out of Juan Primito's ears.
She tells JP that he has to take a bath; he smells terrible. She threatens to get out of bed and scrub him with a wire sponge until he bleeds. Santos comes in and tells JP that he never visits him any more or brings him mangoes. Aren't they friends anymore? JP runs out to get mangoes.
Santos asks how the most beautiful old woman in all the llanos is. Eustaquia replies that she must be ill because Santos has never complimented her before. Santos says that up to now he showed his bad upbringing but from now on he will correct his error. Eustaquia sends DB out of the room to get some tea. When they are alone, Eustaquia says that she doesn't have much time left so she will get right to the point. Will Santos return to DB? "Why do you ask me that question," says Santos, "when you already know the answer?" Eustaquia says that he should have compassion for an old woman and at least he could tell her a little white lie (mentira piedosa). Santos says that he cares very much for Eustaquia but he won't tell her white lies or that he will return to DB.

Néstor gets dumped by the side of the road.

Eustaquia tries to get Santos to promise to take of DB when Eustaquia is gone. Santos tells her not to manipulate him. She knows that it is over between him and DB. "For you, yes," replies Eustaquia, " but not for her." Eustaquia tries to convince Santos that DB has changed and that her pregnancy is making her bloom and turn into the person she was before the rape.

When Santos finds DB, she is looking at the newspaper. Once again Santos accuses her of hiding things from him and she denies it. Santos says that she has to take care of herself, if not for him then for the baby and if she doesn't want his help, he will leave. DB begs him not to leave but at that moment, JP comes in and asks when the 'girl of his eyes' will return to Progreso. Santos says that he doesn't know and leaves.

Marisela tells Genoveva that they have to find out the truth. She wants them to go to the hospital and get a pregnancy test.

Pajarote is getting some juice in the kitchen at Altamira when the spectral Genoveva appears and says that even though the won't admit it, he is in love with her. Pajarote denies it and yells at her to leave him alone. He tosses his glass of juice at the vision and leaves. Carmelito wonders what his going on with their friend. María Nieves says that he doesn't know but Pajarote has a screw loose ('se le zafó un tornillo').

Dr. Arias tells Cecilia that Toñito has an allergy or an insect bite. Cecilia goes overprotective mother on him and insists on taking the baby to San Fernando to see a specialist.

DB shows the picture of Sapo to Eustaquia. Eustaquia says that if Sapo is in San Fernando and is with Gonzalo, then he has seen Marisela. DB thinks that Sapo might use Marisela to get to DB just like Meléndez did. Melquíades thinks that it is very strange that Gonzalo is with Sapo.

Marisela tells Gonzalo that she and Genoveva need to go to the hospital to see Lucía. Gonzalo lets them go but knows that Marisela is lying.

DB tells Melquíades that they have to find out whose side Gonzalo is on. Melquíades offers to take care of the Gonzalo problem but DB says that he will come with her to San Fernando and then see what they want to do. Eustaquia urges DB to hide until the danger is over and her baby is born. DB says that she won't leave without Santos. She believes that little by little he is coming back to her and now this happens. She tells JP to take care of Eustaquia while she is gone.

Sapo is annoyed that he let himself be photographed with Gonzalo. Now all his enemies will know where he is and all his precautions were for nothing. Facundo suggest doubling the guards at the house and Sapo agrees. He says that he can't trust his own shadow now.

Néstor staggers into Andrés office in Progreso.

Antonio sees Marisela and Geno at the hospital. He asks what they are doing there. Marisela finally comes out with a very unconvincing story that they are there to find out their blood type.

Néstor tells Santos that it was Fidel Castell who had him beaten up.

In San Fernando, DB first has a long flashback to her rape by Sapo and the others and then she sees a little boy and asks him to 'give her five' ('dame cinco').

She tells Melquíades that she can't believe that she laughed with a little boy. Melquíades looks like he can't believe it either but not in a good way.

Santos tells Néstor and Andrés that Sapo [for convenience, I referring to him as Sapo although Santos doesn't know for a fact that Fidel Castell and Sapo are the same person.] is a criminal who once tried to buy Altamira using a front man (testaferro) and that he tried to buy all the haciendas around Progreso. Santos tells them that to his knowledge, Sapo wasn't sucessful in buying any of the haciendas and he hasn't been seen around lately. JP comes in and tells Santos that DB just rushed off to San Fernando. Santos is sure that it has to do with Sapo. He says that DB is in danger.

Lucía doesn't want to eat her salt-free diet and Antonio is trying to persuade her when he is called to see the doctor.

The doctor tells him that the results of the tests are not good. Lucía needs to be put on dialysis. Her one kidney is not working properly.

Marisela and Genoveva get their pregnancy test results. They decide to open them at the same time. Marisela is not pregnant but Geno is.

Antonio asks the doctor if Lucía could die. The doctor says that Lucía's condition is very serious. Her pregnancy is putting a strain on her one kidney which has a congential defect [the writers have messed up a little bit, here. Lucía got a transplant of a presumably healthy kidney from her father. She could be rejecting the transplant or pregnancy could be too much for her one kidney but the problem shouldn't be a congenital defect.] The doctor doesn't really answer Antonio's question so he asks it again. The doctor says that they will try to save both Lucía and her baby but she likely to give birth prematurely. The doctor tells Antonio that he is the only support Lucía has when she gets this news and it will be hard for her to deal with the blow especially in her condition.

Genoveva tells Marisela that she was the one who criticized Gervasia so much when got pregnant, she is the one who believed herself to be the most perfect and correct and who laughed at the idea of love. She says that she has really put her foot in it. Marisela tells her not be so hard on herself. She fell in love, that's all. Geno says that she did fall in love but with the wrong man, a man who doesn't love her and doesn't take her seriously. She says that she is a worse slut than Federica. When Geno says that she deserves to die, Marisela gets annoyed and tells her never to say that. Geno asks what she should do when people notice her belly - disguise herself with a gourd (calabeza) for nine months?

DB comes to see Gonzalo. He starts off by saying that he has good news about his future wife. DB interrupts and says that first he has to explain the picture in the newspaper.

Santos goes to Sapo's house and asks to meet with him. Sapo is surprised. Facundo asks how he dares. "He is very bold (guapo), crazy, an idiot or all three," says Sapo. Sapo says that they will amuse themselves and make Santos wait for half an hour to show who has the power. "The mouse is coming right to the mousetrap ('el ratoncito vino derecho al la ratonera')," says Sapo.

Gonzalo makes a joke about how photogenic he is but DB says that she is serious. She wants to know what his relationship with the guy in the picture is. Gonzalo says that Sapo is just a rich investor who in interested in making donations and came to offer his services. DB backs off and says that she since Sapo looks like a mafioso in the picture, she wondered what a refined guy like Gonzalo would have to do with him. Gonzalo says that appearances can be deceiving. DB asks what is his news about Marisela. Gonzalo says that his conquest of Marisela is going full steam ahead ('viento en popa,' literally, 'wind from astern') and in a little while he will celebrate his engagement with the best champagne. "You'd better, ('más te vale')" says DB.

Marisela tries to reassure Genoveva and tells her to stay in the room and get some rest. "All for some balloons and now I will look like a balloon!" laments Geno. Marisela tells her to look at the bright side: she will have a pretty baby. She tells Geno that she isn't alone in this.

The terneras are excited about getting their own houses but but Gervasia is concerned about leaving Melesio alone. The other terneras say that they will visit every day and that is how life works. Children move out. "He who marries wants a house, ('El que se casa quiere casa,' this is a play on words in Spanish where 'casar' means to marry and 'casa' means a house). Pajarote shows up and asks if they have heard from Genoveva. When Altagracia says that Geno just left the day before, Pajarote says that it seems much longer.

Genoveva flashes back to various conversations with Pajarote. Pajarote also has long series of flashbacks about his relationship with Geno.

Cecilia runs into Antonio at the hospital. He tells her the bad news about Lucía's condition.

When Sapo meets with Santos, Melquíades is in the bushes with a gun. He is surprised to see Santos there and wonders if he should kill two birds with one shot. [I don't know much about guns but that looks like a shotgun (double barrels), which fires pellets and has a pretty short range. I think he needs a rifle.]

DB finds Marisela and warns her that Sapo is her worst enemy and is Marisela's enemy too.

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Tontas No Van - Wed. March 25 - Macho, macho man....I've got to be a macho man...

My alternative was....Bottle of red.....bottle of white....whatever kind of mood you're in tonight....

I don't know, songs came to my head tonight. First I owe you all an apology for my delay in posting last week. I ended up super busy with work all week and part of the weekend, and well in these days, if work comes your way, you take it gleefully. I do still plan to finish last week's, and since there is no Tontas tomorrow, I'll try hard to post it then, even though it may not matter much for most people. I may take my sweet time getting around to things, but I do like to come through in the end.

So, here we are...

Pato complains about how loca Ali is.

Chayo and Lalo fight over who is deaf and who was coming. Santi and Candi are listening outside of the front door thinking they might tiptoe away when Chayo opens it and welcomes them in.


Issy asks Donato what he’s doing with her photo.

Candi and Santi are sitting on the respective halves of the room without their hosts and talk about how things are going. He said he didn’t know she would be there or he wouldn’t have come except that he is very confused and he was wrong. He thinks it’s horrible though that she told his daughters she’s not his girlfriend.


She retorts that she is going to stop telling lies, so he can stop calling her Madam Liar. Santi tells her he dreamed that she married him and tells her she should send Pato off the deep end. She says Pat says the same about him. He suggests they flip for whether she marries him or Pato. She says that’s not how things should be done, one doesn‘t decide one‘s life with a coin toss. She calls him Macho and makes a comment about men being all the same give or take a few centimeters. Santi of course thinks she's shallow for suggesting something like that because he's thinking with "that" brain, you know, but she clarifies she meant height!

He continues with this idea insisting the truth lies with the toss. Eventually she agrees that if it’s the eagle she’ll stay with Pato, but if it’s the sun she’ll go with him. They are using a ten peso coin, and it turns out to be a sun, but she shields it from his view. She says she’ll only show him when she wants to decide her life with a coin toss. He teases her that it must have been the sun in that case. I swear her underwear is showing from those super low hipsters she’s got on.


Just then the War of the Roses returns fighting about having to spend all the last five or so Mother’s days with HIS Ma, he explains because she is a better cook than hers and Chayo says well he can marry Candi’s uncle then once they get a divorce, because he‘s a good cook. Why aren’t these two divorced yet? I mean, when folks want they can seem to be divorced in a matter of hours. Or never married in the first place….

Issy and Donato fight about the picture, him fumbling over having found it and forgetting to give it back to her and her saying it’s been missing for two years, now. She wonders why, if he kept it so long in his vest pocket he never cleaned the vest, found and gave it back.

Candi and Doc try to silence the feud and decide they are going to play Dr. Phil and sit Chayo and Lalo down Concentration style to listen to each other rather than talk at each other the whole time. Of course male assists male, and female sticks up for female. They start with Chayo who says Laloe started out ok but turned into a beast. Lalo says yeah, but she liked the beast every night. She starts kicking him under the table that is separating them. I swear the actors are trying like hell here to not crack up. For someone mad enough to kick a guy she sure has a smiley smirk on her face. This therapy session ends up degrading, her wondering why he never shared his salary and that he only “fulfilled” his duties once a month, oh and that he‘s macho. This lack of manly attention shocks the enablers.

Issy tells Jaime about Donato and her picture. Jaime tells her he thinks Donato is in love with her. She doesn’t agree at first , but he says anyone who meets her would fall in love with her and they talk silly voices and get excited about going to bed.

Candi and Santi have started drinking wine and pretty much staying out of the fire. Chayo and Lalo break from the yelling fest only to slog down some wine. Ladies with white, men with red.

Issy consoles Jaime on his apparent inability to, you know. Guess his fear was realized. He says this was the first time it happened to him. She begs God for patience with macho anxiety.

Candi and Santi leave the pair still yelling at each other. Once outside the door Candi gets the call that something happened to Meno.


They get to the hospital to learn that Tio Meno just had a bout with high blood pressure. They know it’s because he hasn’t been taking his medicine the way he should. He says he just hurts over his son. They give hugs.


The next day at breakfast Issy yells at Jaime and tells him she’s not a young chick any more, she’s a mature woman, and she didn’t get married only to have a piece of meat. There are all kinds of other reasons she is with a man. She yells at him for being macho, thinking if that one part is no good the whole relationship is worthless. She asks if he wants breakfast or if she has to wait for the macho to go and hunt and bring her back a buffalo. He says everything sounds unappetizing to him now, so he's not sure about breakfast. I'd like to see him try to hunt and bring home a buffalo. That would be interesting....in Guadalajara...

Santi is wearing a yellow cow spot shirt, when he gets a call from Marissa beckoning him to therapy with Barb. He agrees.

Candi and Sole are discussing that Beto wanted Sole to be the girlfriend of Santi and that Chava did the same to Candi. Lulu brings them their salaries in an envelope and Candi swears she’ll save it for the building and live only off the magazine money.

Ma & Pa are in therapy which doesn’t go well and gets worse when Barb asks Santi if he’s sure it’s his baby. Like a macho he gets offended that maybe she thinks he’s not capable(of producing that which a baby needs to form). He walks out eventually in a huff. Barb gets mad and doesn’t like this whole concept and I think wants out of therapizing them. Mari is offended that she’s more concerned about professionalism and threatens that Barb will need Mari one day.

Grego is taking care of Meno who has made it home at this point. They argue about whether they are of the same age, she thinks not, he’s much older, but he says she’ll grow three wrinkles on her forehead and will end up his age. She leaves and he utters something about her being sort of a pain but that she makes good tea, he thinks.

Ali is still keeping up with this charade that she wants a baby and Pato’s Ma is impressed at the baby room. She thinks Pato should see it, so Ali calls him at work, but he was just kissy facing with Candy. He says he’ll come, but after, as he’s the coach so has to go to the match with his kids. Pato will be in charge of the strategy at the game he told Candi on the phone.

Jaime invites Don to have a whiskey with him to talk about his wife. He asks him straight out if he’s in love with his wife.


Santi goes to hospital, still in his banana holstein shirt to get the HIV results for Lu. He gets into the car and opens them. He makes a very emotional, but non-emotionally descript face. In other words, we don’t know which way they went.

Pato and Candi are making kissy faces and discussing the kids. Santi rolls up probably to talk about the results and sees them making out and decides he’d best move along. We still don’t know the results.

At the game Pato gives Chava huge hugs. Later whiny Sole interrupts that Beto made a goal too. Pato looks at her with a funky eye and gives Beto encouragement too.


Santi encourages Lu to look at the results. Lu is negative. She’s all happy until Santi tells her now she’ll just have to test again in 3 months and probably she’ll still be negative. You know I wondered about this, it does take time so you might not know that soon. Anyway, of course she freaks out and thinks she’s being punished by the Universeand wonders how she could be such a bad person.

Sole complains that Pato pays more attention to Chava than Beto. Ah jeez here we go again. Candi tells her that’s nonsense, and just watch him he loves them both. They laugh and Sole shakes off that double personality evil half for a little while.

Donato laughs off Jaime’s suggestion of unrequited love. Things get serious. Jaime says look, you wouldn’t have that picture for two years for the hell of it so what gives. Donato is p***d Jaime suggested he’s lying.

Donato says he’s not in love just grateful for some help. He says he was in prison for three years for something he never did. After, no one would give him work, he remembers the pain of going hungry. Issy gave him work when no one else would and for that and saving his life he carries her close to his heart always for appreciation. Jaime wants to know what he was in for. Donato won’t say except that he wouldn’t even kill an ant, so he‘s not dangerous. He says to keep this a secret in front of his girlfriend. Jaime is perplexed and doesn’t believe that Tina is the girlfriend. Donato bets him he’ll get a kiss.

Back at the field, Beto asks the dreaded, who do you love more question, me or Chava. Pato asks him what he likes more, Strawberries and Cream or Chocolate with ice cream…..both Beto says and won't choose. Pato’s point is made for him. He loves them both the same and couldn’t choose, they are both his campeons.


Lu is still freaking out about not really knowing for sure that she is in the clear and Abue and Santi still are trying damage control for Santi telling the truth about how these tests go. Candi calls to find out the results and he tells her fine, and he’ll come over later to talk to her.

Sole’s other personality appears again briefly and she and Pato have the "you love him more" talk. Of course he denies it for either and tries to tell her to cheer up. What a crappy situation.

Don bribes Tina with a little dinero to kiss him. She does and thanks him for the money, we think. Jaime apologizes for doubting and pays up. Tina returns the money and says she doesn’t want his kiss and gives him another kiss. He smiles and tastes it.

Chayo and Lalo are still arguing over how much he makes, she thinks he won’t tell so she won't learn how much he spent on his lovers. There is a maid there who clearly has a “closer” relationship with Lalo than Chayo and she agrees not to answer Chayo's question of how much she is paid, for her work here, not any "extras". Lalo and maid are calling each other little deers. Estrella, this maid, repeats that the senor is not going to tell the Senora anything about his bank accounts etc. Well, behind the magazine Chayo had a tape recorder. She jumps up that she is taking that to her lawyer. Lalo is a bit impactado. And we are left for Friday.

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MEPS, Wed. March 25, (#28) - Let's Give The Greek Chorus of Big Cats Something To Really MEEEE-OWWWW About

So heartaches and DisemPowerMllk Drinks make for a romping wedding night but not for the novios, or at least not both of them. Errika's big drunken idea is to have her poor smashed little face seem like it could attract a hunk like Franco. Lucio wants to desecrate Soledad's dear little cottage and begin to live his dream of being the kept man who lives high on the hill because he has such juicy secrets to guard for the Barbinator. Fernanda puts two and two together and comes up not with the two betraying her in the bed but the one betraying her with flowers. And, cuidado Aurora, that act of voyeurism is going to put you in danger and let's hope Liliana is getting mostly pills she can spit out and not shocks or needles or drips.

But tonight we hear:

* BOW barking on the phone, demands that Dr. Matamentos get from Liliana exactly what the devil she said to her sister. She sees the light under the office door and knows that the turtle doves aren't billing or cooing.. Eduardo has to consider doing what Erika asks and breaking his pledge from years ago. Fernanda cries, what is going to illuminate these sad days.

The damage is done. I tried to ruin your wedding and though I didn't achieve it, I did earn your hatred.

Nana was like the water flowing through her hands he only mother . . She cries that you will always live in my heart and I will never forget you. Soledad steps toward her in aura light left over from the wardrobe of La Rosa De Guadalupe. She will assure her eternal rest in a really really nice grave.

Where is your love? snarks Barbara, He returns, she is in the chapel praying a rosary for Soledad's eternal rest. I had to support your step daughter. And I have to work while missing the nice wedding night where I was planning to take possession of my bride. But what's this I see as the robe slips off, Barbinorgasma plans to help him enjoy a great wedding night after all. Where is your husband, sleeping sweet dreams after his disempower milk. [Boy she does smile beautifully at CERTAIN times.] Ohh, ohh, Aurora is up and wandering, decides to go for a little walk.

Liliana is walking too. she wakes up Ciro, sleeping over his chess board. Wake up, wake up (despierta) , what's happening . I dreamed that (Eduardo) is crying because Nanda married another. Ciro asks, When is the wedding? I don't know but, I remember her telling me that she was going to marry. She can't marry him, she is still in love with Eduardo. What can I do to help you? asks kindly Ciro.

Out wandering among the wilting wedding flowers, Aurora thinks, inside the writhing, panting nearly naked couple are not needing to think much. Aurora continues to walk near a row of the windows and sees the hot action, against blue stained glass, [duck, Aurora. BOW has eyes in the back of her head. . and makes love with her eyes wide open.]

In the horse barn with his wheelbarrow of fresh greens, Jacinto, says good day to Tomasa who says that Camlo woke up in a foul temper (se levante de un genio) and is looking for you.

Back on cottage row, Gardenia continues to nag at Margarita that she swallows his lies easily, insinuating that she is getting lovey instead of standing on principle and continuing to torment her husband. (Me thinks pretty Gardenia needs some of what BOW got last night to cool her jets.)

Camilho screams at Jacinto waving the little piece of leather with tacks which has magically reappeared inspite of his unconscious departure from the wedding. What is the meaning of this tack strip. This was your fault that the mare rearedup (botó) on my girlfriend. He rants several lines includng, your scars are going to be worse than ever. You are in charge of all the horses. But just as he moves forward to whip Jacinto, Nanda comes down the stairs in virgin black and stops her enraged brother. Jacinto's quivering is palpable.

* Erika emerges from her beauty sleep and manages to smile at Eduardo, good day, When you are ready, I will drive you to your house. Have you thought about what I asked last night, she wonders. He hands out ice water this morning.

Nanda reminds Camilho that problems are not resolved with blows. Camilho is disappointed with this news which he really did not know, and Nanda is further distressed that he showed up with a new girlie and destroyed Erika making yet another scene at her disaster of a wedding. Who cares, he sneers. You got your big fat power husband didn't you? Nanda springs back with, I don't need the big hubby to know you are a miserable lout (patán)

Dr.Matamente (Dr. Gay to some of his fans) approaches Liliana about her medications and says Barbara ordered that she be controled more but if she cooperates, perhaps they can be friends.

The sweet couple (meaning Dam and Nan) kiss goodbye demurely while Anibal huffs and puffs that they have to get to the airport like now.. She will miss him she says without much conviction. This is an outrage to send him off to New York instead of off to their honeymoon.

Dr. Mata promises Lili he can ignore the orders of BOW and she could make more trips to the garden and lifting of some of the restrictions if Lili will just agree to be his friend (I keep misspelling this fiend, is that a Freudian slip) She wants to know about the pills, he promises today she won't have to take any. if she will confide in him and tell him ALL like friends do. Do you promise Lily do you promise.I will leave you to think about this.

This depends on the future of Grupo Lactos says the always ruffled and ever shriller Anibal. Nanda thinks they can't be that close to bankruptcy (quiebra), One can almost hear Anibal's thoughts, If only you knew.

Erika and Eduardo discuss the crime that CamHo Elizalde committed and how many years has she accepted this engagement (noviazgo). Erika wants to know when he will answer her question. With this much spirit to push, it's a wonder she is such a punching bag for Cami. Let's go to your house. Seatbelt (cinturon) he says gently, just to show he can make anything sound sexy...

Anibal needs to rehearse the roll of convincing the gringos to invest in Lactos. Nanda thinks they could talk about other things at least on the way to the airport and infact she will drive her new husband if they can't even have a honeymoon they can spend as much time together as possible. Anibal wants to talk strategy. Damian insists with a swagger that PM must be impressed with his abilities if they insist he comes to NY. Further aggravating Anibal and especially Damian, Nanda insists that Jacinto come with her and the dweeb and the yellow SUV. Anibal has to get into his car alone.

Aurora puts a necklace back on the dresser and prepares to leave. Cheerful Santi, says I came to look for you do you want breakfast. She has to go, she says sadly looking back at the pretty things. He is looking for the magic words that will make her stay and have breakfast so she won't have an empty stomach. Finally she agrees that she won't go until after breakfast. She has left the lovely party dress and all. Santi is sad that she is all packed.

Aurora next sees BOW kissing again but this is only the old Gonzo kisser upon which she superimposes her memory of the hotter scene from last night.

* Aurora looks dimly and Barbara tells them to come in. How did you pass the night. Aurora says it's better if I go now. But Papa says please join us for breakfast. Santi kisses papa. the Maids carry in coffee and toast.

Ciro what are you doing, asks Lili. The instructions he says, I am looking for the instructions for the game. where are they? He places money on the table but leaves the rest in the back of the chess board and says last night you asked me to help you. Let us play chess for a while and I will look in your room, don't leave until I come back for you.

The breakfast is nerves on toast and BOW pretends that she is so pleased to see Santi whom they don't see often and therefore his friend. Santi doesn't look convinced, Papa has to go to work, but invites Aurora to feel like she is in her house. BOW moves in Where do you come from? Santi offers, She is from Michoacan but we met in Guadalajara? Then for some time we have lived in Jalisco. So senora where are you from? Aurora finds her own spunk. Santi reflects that they have never known where she came from. Aurora asks again, and again Barbara evades with I came from a small town in the north. Aurora continues, but what is the name of it? Barbara smiles her Cheshire cat smile, perhaps Santiago can take you there before you leave, he is a good tourist. .

Erika says okay now we are at my house. The time to think has ended. Sr. Santoro, I am grateful that you rescued me and sorry I asked something so crazy. I understand that you wouldn't want to do what I ask. No I want to but I am trying to understand. She spins her argument to look great, The only thing she did wrong was to be in love with a miserable.creep . You want to pretend (fingir) at the hacienda that we are dating and together. He agrees that she needs some way to not feel humiliated. I don't think the good Erika realizes just how ugly this beaten face looks, but after all it seems to move Eduardo to think he should risk his business stance and help her.

*Eduardo says what you are proposing to me seems crazy (descabellado) but it's a deal. In return I need to ask a favor that you help me find a really fine horse. That's all she asks hoping he needs other help. NO, I understand that your family raises horses so you should know where I can rent a good horse.

At the airport Nanda returns to the car and Jacinto helps her in. I want to talk to you alone so you will tell me the truth. Why haven't you told me that Eduardo is here. Jacinto swallows loudly.

Eduardo is talking to Steve on his car phone (correctly hands free) Damian will be in New York in some hours, the plane should have taken off (despagar) by now. Communicate with me after the meeting. I am sure he is coming with Fernanda .

Nanda keeps on about what friends Jacinto and Eduardo were and what have they heard of Ed and when he says nothing she continues, and you or Margarita have talked with him, NO? You are hiding something. They hid for whatever motives that Soledad had died. Jacinto holds his own denying the contact. She plans to have Soledad moved to the famly crypt when Eduardo shows up so they can have a proper service.

Ciro gives money to Alfonsina saying all things are possible, and this is just for her grandchildren and the presents they might need. He only wants to get permission for Lili to talk on the phone Nurse Alfonsina says, who does she want to call? He says calmly, her sister, She seems to enjoy foiling Dr. MataMente so says, in 5 minutes the guard changes wait for me in your room.

Jacinto is grasping for words, understand that the death of Soledad was.... well it was her wish to .... I'm having trouble (Me cuesta trabajo) believing that Eduardo is here and he hasn't communicated with you I want to know because that I want to move Soledad to the mausoleum of my family. Jacinto shrugs This is what my father promised her years ago.

Franco talks to Steve . that his when his Mother died, she told him she had left a secret he needs to find out. He flashes back to her death bed saying the secret is with Liliana at the asylum.

*Gotta love the PSA's tonight where men pledge not to beat their women, anymore. Camilho, we are talking about people like you.

At the elegant asylum with fountains. Lili keeps repeating dont' marry with Damian. about 10 times. The nurse says Ciro everything is ready (está listo, remember that ser listo = be smart) . There isn' t much time Adolfina. Let's look for Liliana but as she leaves the room Dr. Mata finds her and says where are you going? Adolfina says meekly, to check (reviso) Lili's room. He waves his flowers, and says, I will do that. Once in her room he cajoles, these are for you, friends bring presents and we are friends. she takes the flowers but he immediately ask her to remember the visit from her sister and just what did your sister tell you?? Lili looks worried and says the flowers want water. He will bring her all the water she wants if she answers his question. You are trying my patience. Adolfino bursts into the room. Dr. M snaps what are you doing? She pretends some patient's family is looking for him and he hands the flowers to her. Adolfina says come with me, Lili to my office don't you want to talk to your sister.

It was you, right? says BOW to Cigarman. [Does she mean the flowers, she really isn't sure yet.]

The car comes into gas station fill it (llena) she says . Then I will take you to your house so you can give me the number to call Eduardo

And who should appear but Ed right behind her pulling up his car miraculously right behind Fernanda. I will attend to you in a minute young man. Ed does the obvious walks up to her window and says buenos dias. What a smile.

Lili on phone who's is on the phone, Tomoasa the made answers, Lili timidly gets out that she wants to talk to Fernanda.

Fernanda calls from Jacinto's while Eduardo uses a hanky to disguise his voice. They make plans to see him but what is he really going to do.....

Next chapter is FRIDAY, you have tomorrow night off for the Premios awards.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Doña Bárbara - Wed., March 25- The alcaraván is not singing for Altagracia so that leaves Genoveva and Marisela

DB is ecstatic that Santos has come to her. She says that she has dreamed of this day and always knew that he would come back to her side. Santos says that the didn't come for her. He has come because of their baby, to see if she ok or needs anything. DB won't believe this. She tells Santos not to deceive himself - he came because he loves her, because he misses her, because he needs her. "Barbara," says Santos, "I don't need you anymore nor do I love you but that doesn't mean that I don't care about my child." He gives her the book from his mother as his first gift to his child. DB continues to talk about her love for Santos and her certainty that he loves her in return. Santos says that he didn't come to talk about love and if she continues, he'll leave. She begs him not to leave. At that moment, Melquíades appears and asks if DB needs anything. DB actually seem to be annoyed at his intrusion.

Gonzalo tells Marisela not to let this opportunity for happiness escape. He needs a woman by his side, a woman like Marisela. He tells Marisela that he fell in love with her the first day that he met her and has thought about her every day since and now he has found her again and she agreed to work with him again. Marisela says that if having her nearby affects him so much, maybe she should leave. Gonzalo says no. If she leaves, Santos will follow her and harass her. Gonzalo recommends that she say here and think about what he has said.

DB asks Melquíades wants he wants and he asks if she needs anything. DB sends him to sit with Eustaquia. DB tells Santos that Eustaquia is very ill and soon DB will be alone with her soul lost in the llanos and without anyone to help her give birth. Santos says that he will be there for her. His child will not lack for anything. DB asks if he promises to do this for love and Santos replies that he is doing it for their child. Santos tells DB that he came to tell her that she can count on him for everything to do with child and that is all. Now that he has said it, he will leave and he does. DB tells herself that he will return.

On the way out, Santos runs into Melquíades who wants to have a few words with him.

Genoveva and Marisela discuss her options. Being with Gonzalo keeps Santos away and if she leaves, he will follow and harass her again. Marisela says that she doesn't care about Gonzalo but she will stay and see what happens. Maybe she will realize that her destiny is to be with Gonzalo.

Melquíades tells Santos that there was no need for him to come and tell DB that he would take of her. Melquíades tells Santos that he should know that DB isn't alone. She has him. He has always been faithful to her. He says that he will take care of DB and be with her until he dies. Santos asks if Melquíades is in love with DB and Melquíades replies that is his business. Santos says that he doesn't care about Melquíades' personal life or DB's but no one is going to prevent him from coming to see how DB's pregnancy is coming along. Santos leaves. Melquíades says to himself, "You are alive thanks to her, doctor."

Carmelito tells Pajarote that Genoveva has left for San Fernando with Marisela. Carmelito says that no one knows why she left but she was very angry.

Marisela shows Genoveva how to use a computer. Gonzalo comes in and orders that Marisela go to lunch with him.

The doctor tells Lucía that if she wants to have her child, she can't leave her hospital bed. Antonio says that he will make sure she follow the doctor's orders.

Eustaquia asks DB why her cheeks are so rosy and DB tells her that Santos came into her room the previous night. She puts a little better spin on what Santos said than the truth. She shows Eustaquia the book Santos gave her and says that she is sure that Santos enthusiasm for their baby will bring him back to her.

Nestor compliments Andrés on his newspaper and suggests that they link their work ('trabajamos en mancuerna,' a mancuerna is a cufflink or a dumbell). Nestor will tell Andrés what is going on in San Fernando and vice versa. (I guess they'll have to send telegrams to each other or get together personally since no one in Progresso appears to have a phone, much less email.) Nestor points out Sapo to Andrés and says that he is a millionaire who just moved to town and no one knows where his money comes from. Then they see Gonzalo and Marisela arrive.

Sapo is annoyed that Gonzalo brought Marisela with them. He pulls out a wad of cash and tells her to go buy expensive trinkets (chucherías) that women like as if she were a prostitute.
Marisela is furious, throws the money back at him and tells Sapo off. Gonzalo does not defend her. She walks out. Andrés and Nestor are interested in why Gonzalo is meeting Sapo.

Sapo tells Gonzalo that he shouldn't have brought such a rude girl with him. Gonzalo replies that Marisela is his future wife and Sapo should treat her with more respect. Sapo mentions that Gonzalo is getting Marisela on the rebound from Santos Luzardo. Gonzalo tells Sapo that Santos is interested in Sapo and before their friendship ended, Santos asked Gonzalo to get information on Sapo. Sapo says that Santos is a little dangerous and maybe Sapo should get rid of him once and for all. Gonzalos asks why. What has Santos done to Sapo?

María Nieves comes to Santos for help with the housing problem that is preventing him from marrying Altagracia. They count up all the people living at Melesio's house and Santos says that at the rate the terneras are reproducing, there is an overpopulation (superpoblada) there and something had better be done quickly.

Sapo says that Santos has not done anything to him but he doesn't like anyone invading his private life. He tells Gonzalo that, "he who isn't my friend, is my enemy." But Sapo tells Gonzalo that they have gotten together to discuss business, not enemies. Gonzalo asks what Sapo is proposing in detail. Gonzalo tells Sapo that he knows that he is being fattened up (cebando) to be tempted. He tells Sapo that he is all ears. Sapo says that he wants to finance Gonzalo's political campaign in return for a big favor. As Gonzalo and Sapo lean closer together to talk, Nestor takes photo of them.

Nestor tells Andrés that an image is worth a 1000 words and if his intiution is right, he has a bombshell (notición). Nestor tells Andrés that his intuition tells him that the relationship between Gonzalo and Sapo stinks. He smells something fishy going on ('me huele a gato encerrado,' literally, 'a locked-up cat'). Andrés asks what Nestor is going to do the photographs. "Stir up a hornet's nest ('alborotar el avispero')" replies Nestor, "This town is too quiet. If the news doesn't come out by itself, it's our job as journalists to produce it."

Gonzalo tells Marisela that she was very rude to Sapo. When she replies that the offered her money like she was a prostitute, he says that she misinterpreted the gesture. Marisela says that Sapo looked like a mafia guy with all his rings and jewelry. Gonzalo replies that bad taste doesn't indicate character. "Are you blind or what?" Marisela asks him, "That guy is bad, Gonzalo. I don't like the way he looks at me, how he smells or how he looks. He has the smile of an old sadist. I don't like this gentlemen, as you call him, at all." Gonzalo tells her not to judge by appearences. Returning to work, Gonzalo gives Marisela some payment orders for Antonio to sign and Marisela offers to take them to him at the hospital. Antonio signs the orders and when Marisela and Genoveva have left, Lucía tells Antonio that she is surprised that Antonio would sign them without even looking at the amounts or who they were for. Foolish Antonio tells her that if Gonzalo authorized the expenditure, it must be all right.

Santos arranges an intervention with Melesio, MN and some of the ternera husbands.

MN says that he wants to do right by Altagracia but he doesn't have anywhere to take her to live. Santos says that he will give MN some land, help him buy the materials and provide the labor to build a little house and this applies to all the married guys. MN tells Santos that he doesn't know what to say and Melesio doesn't lose sight of the matter at hand tells him that all he has to say is the date of the wedding. Santos tells Pajaorte that he has to stay in the bunkhouse until he settles on one woman.

Leonicia tells Celeste that her brothers are going to beat her up for going to town on her own. Celeste says that she isn't a little girl. She says that her brothers want her to be left on the shelf ('me quede para vestir santos,' literally, 'stay to dess saints') and she doesn't want that. Leon and Tigre come in and grab Celeste saying that they won't let her become a slut. DB comes in and tells them to let Celeste go. They say that Celeste is behaving like a mare in heat but DB tells them not to treat her that way. Pernalete and Mujica arrive. They try to demonstrate their loyalty to DB by bringing her a case of the whisky that Sapo gave them. They show her the note from Sapo.

Marisela and Genoveva are having a gloomy ice cream when the alcaraván starts calling.

Geno confesses to Marisela that Pajarote has burst all her balloons. Geno says that she gave Pajarote her virginity, her love and lots of balloons and he started chasing after other skirts as if nothing had happened. She tells Marisela that the worst thing is that she is in love with Pajarote.

DB pretends to be very pleased with Pernalete and Mujica and asks them to let keep her informed on what is going on with Sapo. They leave. Melquíades says that this is good news. DB says that a storm is coming.

Not even the accomplished Federica can get Pajarote's bird to fly. He gets another scolding from the vision of Genoveva and when he tells Geno to leave him alone, Federica thinks he is talking to her, takes offense and leaves.

Santos has a long series of flashbacks to his various encounters with Marisela.

Sapo is furious about the article and picture of him with Gonzalo. Facundo says that it may interfere with their plans. Sapo orders that Nestor be brought to him so that he can be made to swallow every paper that was sold in San Fernando.

Andrés shows Santos the picture of Sapo and Gonzalo. Santos says that he finally can put a face to the name of Fidel Castell. Santos tells Andrés that he doesn't know this Fidel Castell but he has heard a lot about him. Santos excuses himself and says that he has to do something. Andrés says to himself the Néstor was right. There is something fishy going on here.

Néstor is brought by force to Sapo. Sapo asks if it isn't an abuse that Néstor took a photograph of him without his permission. Néstor says that it is his obligation as a journalist to take whatever photographs he believes would be of interest to the community. Sapo asks what interest there is in photos of him with the Commissioner. "I don't know," replies Néstor, "You tell me." Néstor asks who Sapo really is. Sapo says that if the problem is that Néstor doesn't know him, he tells Facundo to give Néstor his business card. Facundo punches him. "Now you know me," Sapo tells Néstor. Sapo tells Facundo that before Néstor leaves, he has to eat the newspaper, page by page so that he doesn't get the desire to take photos of Sapo again.

Altagracia finds out that she isn't pregnant. Gervasio says that the alcaraván must have been wrong because since Genoveva left, it hasn't called any more. "¡Genoveva!" say all the terneras in unison.

Back in San Fernando, Genoveva tells Marisela that she still hasn't gotten her period and she is very afraid. The alcaraván starts calling again and Geno says that she must be really, really pregnant because the bird hasn't stopped calling. Marisela wonders if the bird might be calling for her.

Santos comes into where DB is having breakfast at El Miedo. He says that he wants to know something and he doesn't want her to lie to him. He puts the newspaper with Néstor's photo on the table and says, "The man in the picture is Sapo, right?"

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Where, oh where have our captions gone?

Folks, this is Schoolmarm Jeanne and you know I have to weigh in on this since captions r us in my field. There are several things going on with the captions on Univision and other networks at the moment. For those who do not yet know me, I have been here most of the last two years until just recently when my schedule got nutty, and in my real life I am a school administrator at a school that exclusively serves students who are deaf or hard of hearing. I have had captioned television since 1980 when it first arrived on the scene, and never, ever turn off the captions; I’ve kept up with the issues nationally regarding captions—this is an especially hot topic at the moment since it appears that the current digital converter box is not especially compatible with the caption decoder chip in the older televisions that are not digital. So deaf folks trying to access the digital signal through the air are finding they cannot get their captions anymore.

At the end of this post, I have included the additional information on Spanish Language Programming directly from FCC fact sheet website—which are slightly different than the NIDCD information states (one of my favorite websites, by the way, and I’m glad to see you using it, Carlos). The NIDCD info is primarily about English language programming and they seem to have an error in the Spanish programming statement…..my apologies that I haven’t gotten adept at making the URL links work, you’ll have to cut and paste to get to the FCC fact sheet.

How closed captions are prepared: a human being (it’s not yet ready for the linguistic nuances of voice to digital transcribing yet, folks) must transcribe the audio track. Sometimes the captioner has a script, sometimes not. The person captioning can mix up sounds. Thus, in Spanish, the caption might read that the character is trying to “break the heaven (cielo)” when he or she was trying to “break the ice (hielo).” I actually saw this caption blooper on Yo Amo a Juan Q early in the program once and caught it only because a) I was recapping and b) I was very familiar with caption bloopers. There’s a Deaf online magazine called DeafDigest that has a caption blooper of the week every week!

Captioners are trained in programs like those for court reporters (sometimes the same programs). Each captioner must create his or her own personal “dictionary” of sound transcriptions that are merged to form the words heard—there is not a standard dictionary and I could not tell you why for the life of me.

This is why you sometimes see some funny things in live captioning, like when the President speaks, and then suddenly the mess becomes a full word. They work in words and syllable-like units. The initial dictionary must be about 10K words/syllable units before a trainee is ready to go out professionally and speed is an issue. Still, they hit the wrong keys in live captioning. This happens less in pre-recorded captions, but it happens (and may be the similar sounds, noted above). Melinama has noted in a previous thread that Univision is using live captioners. There is no way on earth they can be listening to even ten minutes of the rapid-fire dialogue we hear and be able to caption it all, especially if they have no script in front of them. I can’t type as fast as people talk, can you? I couldn’t take shorthand that fast and that accurately back in the days I did shorthand, either. Even with their shortcuts in their personal caption bank dictionaries, they can only catch part of what is being said live.

Watch a live captioned news special in either English or Spanish—the captions have all kinds of interesting differences from pre-recorded and pre-captioned programs. This is not a local provider problem, because it is occurring nationwide on Univision primarily, by the way. It’s definitely a network problem.

Back to the general captioning process, and pardon me for sidebars: the pre-recorded audio/video track and the caption track then get merged by the network so they match--theoretically, and when the local cable station plays back the video/audio for airing, the caption transmission equipment must be activated also. However, the equipment they are using for playback and airing locally must match the equipment on which the tracks were prepared and must have the same type of technology. It must merge and display all the tracks with appropriate timing, or your television screen comes up with a caption garble that you can’t resolve by turning it on and off, or pausing-restarting with something you have recorded, etc. (remember the old videotapes? They would get stretched and you’d have to manually “track” so they wouldn’t break up the picture and sound? This is similar but there is no correcting it at the user’s end). The video/audio track will be fine in the transmission from your local provider or national network, but the local provider’s captions will be terrible. (But as we have noted, this IS a problem at Univision at the moment. Others may be having it as well….see below). My local provider had problems with total garble on Univision when I came here five years ago. I complained, and they discovered they had outdated caption playback technology—they had to update it and totally replaced their caption playback technology/equipment.

Here’s what’s happening now:

First, some stations are now transitioning to digital transmission. Caption playback equipment is in your local cable service provider’s offices and may or may not be capable of handling digital---so far, the transmission has all been analog for the most part and the playback equipment handles analog captions. Since it’s happening nationwide, there may be other factors, however. In analog captioning, I noted that at least with my provider, there were always two characters for an accented vowel. They would caption “maás” for más. This was because the captioning equipment was displaying the “place marker” that gets put into some text programs for an accented character. There were other flaws like that, too. NOW, I am noticing they have cleaned that up. They are also slowing the captions (some of you have noted that, too) and stripped out some of the words—which is likely so they can begin building the transmission merge between captions and video/audio tracks.

These are just a couple of the factors I am fairly certain are influencing our captions. They remind me of the early days of captioning (1980-1985) when the captions said only half of what the characters did (and my deaf friends would look at me with the “what did he/she REALLY say?” look. But it was too late to interpret as the action moved on too fast. As captioners got more proficient and as the tracks got merged better without junk captions (garble that shows up when the tracks are mismatched), more of what the characters said was in the captions. Live captioners never get all the words, in my experience, that the speakers are saying unless there are large gaps in what the speakers say—as in some sports programming with occasional commenting. If Univision is hiring live captioners—they may be using trainees, which would account for some of the issues.

Finally, the FCC rules for Spanish language programming are different until 2010. (Also some of the rules for HDTV transmission are different, even if it is a form of digital). Have patience; the captions are actually clearer now than they have been since the Univision folks who’ve hired the captioners are changing their transmission format (analog to digital to match signals) although they are having growing pains and the captions are way slow. They have awhile to get it right, unfortunately for us, as the section below shows.

See below and thanks for your interest! (The entire following section is quoted from the FCC fact sheet website).

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/closedcaption.html

“Different closed captioning schedules apply to new, pre-rule, and Spanish language programming.

"New" Programming

As of January 1, 2006, all “new” English language programming, defined as analog programming first published or exhibited on or after January 1, 1998, and digital programming first aired on or after July 1, 2002, must be captioned, with some exceptions.

"Pre-Rule" English Programming

Analog programming first shown before January 1, 1998, and digital programming first shown before July 1, 2002, are called “Pre-Rule Programming.” Pre-Rule Programming that is not exempt from the closed captioning rules must be captioned as follows:

* January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2007: 30 percent of programming per channel per quarter.
* January 1, 2008, and thereafter: 75 percent of programming per channel per quarter.

Spanish Language Programming

Because captioning is fairly new to Spanish language program providers, the FCC allows them a longer time to provide captioned programming. All Spanish language programming that was first shown after January 1, 1998, must be captioned by 2010 with some exemptions. The following schedule applies to Spanish language “new” and non-exempt programming, or programming shown after January 1, 1998:

* January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2006: 900 hours of programming per channel per quarter or all of the new, non-exempt Spanish language programming on that channel, whichever is less.
* January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2009: 1350 hours of programming per channel per quarter or all of the new, non-exempt Spanish language programming on that channel, whichever is less.
* January 1, 2010, and thereafter: 100 percent of all programming, with some exceptions.

For Spanish language “Pre-Rule Programming” (first shown before January 1, 1998) that is not exempt from the closed captioning rules, the following schedule applies:

* January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2011: 30 percent of programming per channel per quarter.
* January 1, 2012, and thereafter: 75 percent of programming per channel per quarter.

For more information on the FCC’s closed captioning rules and requirements, go to www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/caption.html.”

Jeanne

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Manana Es Para Siempre - March 24th - "Not Tonight Honey, I Have a Heartache"

From last night: We’re still going around in circles about where Soledad’s final resting place will be and Priscila get’s the tie-breaking vote. AnyBalls reminds her that only their familial ancestors are buried there. She dryly says thanks for the info.

New stuff: Priscilla votes in favor of Soledad being buried in the family crypt. Fernanda and Santiago are ecstatic, while Barb curses Priscila in her mind. Anyballs doesn’t look too thrilled that Prisci voted against him either. Barb tries to make nice with Nanda by telling her that she and Gonzo will do everything possible to make sure Soledad gets a funeral deserving of a queen - “digno de una reina”

Aurora, in Nanda’s room, is admiring all of Nanda’s beautiful clothes and thinking house nice the family has been to her, especially Santiago – he’s been an angel.

Lucio’s still drunk as a skunk in Jacinto and Margarita’s house with Fr/Ed lurking in another room out of sight, but listening. Lucio tells Jacinto and Marg that Barb said that Gardenia and Florecita were the ones who sent the flowers to Nanda at the wedding. Lucio says not to worry he’ll help them, but Marg’s is sure it won’t be free. Lucio promises to tell Barb that Gardenia and Florecita had nothing to do with the flowers as long as Jacinto and Margarita give Lucio the keys to Soledad’s house. They’re appalled at the thought and tell Lucio they have no right to give away something that isn’t theirs, and besides, Soledad paid for that house with her blood, sweat and tears. Lucio tells them he doesn’t get what the big deal is, Soledad doesn’t need the house anymore, right? Fr/Ed listens and is starting to look irritated with drunk Lucio.

Back to Aurora, thinking how nice of a family she’s found herself with, especially that good guy Don Gonzo and his beautiful wife Barbara. But, she thinks, there’s something about Barb that troubles, but intrigues her, she’s not sure what it is, but maybe it has something to do with the things that Santiago has told her – that Barb is very ambitious and all the affection she shows the family is fake. Boy, has Aurora got a thing or two to learn! She thinks how different her life is than when she was with cruel Dominga. Speaking of the drunken Dominga, who is at this very moment screaming and yelling for Aurora, saying that once she finds Aurora she’ll make her pay dearly. Aurora vows never to return to Dominga’s house. Somehow I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Dominga!

Back at Jacinto’s place, Lucio is still trying to convince them to let him move into Soledad’s house. They’re still against it, but then Fr/Ed catches Jacinto’s eye and shakes his head yes, to let Lucio live in the house. Jacinto tells Lucio they’ll think about it, and instead of just goin’ with the flow, good ol’ Marg starts yelling no at Jacinto, whose yells back at her that his word is final. Lucio’s happy and compliments Jacinto on how he treats his wife – yuck. Marg is stunned and of course tries to start an argument, when Fr/Ed comes out and tells her to simmer down, that Jacinto was only doing what he signaled him to do. Fr/Ed, like he’s talking to a 5 year old, has to explain to Marg that he wants to figure out if Lucio spilling his guts because he’s drunk, or if he’s really on Barb’s side.

Barb is in her bedroom and Gonzo enters – he’s happy that she’s made Nanda happy about burying Soledad at the family’s crypt. She says when she married The Gonz that she vowed to care for his family too. She just hopes that Fernanda knows that she’s putting herself in danger. Gonzo, like the Big Mouth Bass that he is, opens up his pie-hole and just waits for Barb to insert the fish hook. She explains that whoever sent the flowers is very close to them, obviously. She fakes being scared that this whole thing will turn against her. Of course he buys it – hook, line, and sinker, and vows to protect her with his life.

Uh oh. Errorika is waking up and her head hurts big time. Who knows what’s worse, the hangover or the beating from Cadmilho. She turns on the light and has no idea where she is. That must be an awful feeling.

Fr/Ed’s walking back to his house in the dark, thinking about Fernanda, and how the memories hurt him so.

Nanda goes to her bedroom with Damian and they talk about how difficult the situation is, with him having to go to New York in the midst of all this business with Soledad. He promises to do everything he can in order to get back quickly. He asks her to come with him, and she says no, they’ve already discussed that. He says that after the funeral he’ll wait for her in New York, he doesn’t want to leave her alone for long. She tells Damian none of this has happened by accident, there’s someone behind it – but she doesn’t tell him she thinks its Eduardo.

Errorika comes down the steps calling out to see if anyone is in the strange house where she has just woken up.

AnyBalls is letting Prisci have it for voting against him. She gives it right back to him. She says they’re together until death separates them, and that Gonzo’s first grandson will be her child.

Vladimir is calling Prisci from his car, but changes his mind and hangs up. He thinks to himself she is a dream come true.

Errorika is still calling out to see if there’s anyone is there. The fireplace sure looks good – the only thing missing is Fr/Ed and his towel. Just then Fr/Ed walks in and asks Errorika if she slept well – she doesn’t remember him at all. He reintroduces himself as Franco Santoro. He reminds her that the name probably doesn’t ring a bell because at the wedding she kept telling him he didn’t have the “face” of a Franco. She’s looking a little nervous. He tells her he brought her to his house because she was in bad shape, and he didn’t know her address. He didn’t think it was a good idea to be asking her boyfriend, either. “Boyfriend?” she says. He says yes, Cadmilho Elizalde. She says, “That pig is not my boyfriend!” He offers her some OJ that actually looks more like watered-down Sunny D – maybe it’s a new product he’s testing out for Pow-Where Meeeeelk – or something Esteve invented at Harvard as a hangover cure after a frat party. She still doesn’t understand why she’s there and why he wanted to help her. She says until he proves otherwise she’s going to think he brought her to his house with other intentions. He says, yes, I have brought you here with other intentions – she jumps up, immediately afraid and stares him down.

Damian struts in the bedroom, showing off his six pack in his open pyjama shirt and gets lovey-dovey with Nanda. By the look on her face, she’s not really diggin’ it. He gets serious when takes off his glasses. She explains to him that she wants their first night together to be unforgettable. He tries to go for it again, and she backs away saying she feels very sad. She promises that one day soon that they’ll do it. He can’t believe she’s saying they’re not going to consummate their marriage until after he gets back from Nueva York. Dude! She’s just not that into you!!!! He said he never imagined that his wedding night would turn out like this, and it’s all Franco Santoro’s fault. She doesn’t understand what he has to do with any of this – Damian explains about the business. But, more importantly, she denies ever having seen Franco Santoro in her life. Lying to the hubster already Nanda?

Our favorite galan, f/k/a Ricky McPirateson, tells Errorika that his intentions are only good. He tries to get her to call someone to let them know she’s okay. She calls her maid, Rootie (!) who is very happy to hear from her, and tells her that a gift will be arriving for her tomorrow. Errorika doesn’t seem very interested and hangs up. Finally, Errorika sees her reflection in the mirror and cannot believe her eyes. Shocked at the bruises on her face, she asks, “What’s this?”

Nanda is having another conversation with her alter ego – who always seems to be smarter than the real life Nanda. Smart Nanda questions Not-So-Smart Nanda as to why she lied to her husband about knowing who Franco Santoro was, and why she’s always so nervous when Franco is around.

Aurora is shacking up in Liliana’s old room. Santiago says he’ll tell her all about Liliana later. Aurora says she’s happy to have a warm bed to sleep in tonight. She asks why he doesn’t like Barb. He tries to avoid answering with jokes. She says she’s thinks Barbara is “rara” – or strange. He says that’s the best way to describe her.

Barb is putting droplets of something into El Viejo Gonzo’s nighttime glass of milk. I’m sure it’s probably the opposite of Pow-where Meeeelk.

Aurora tells Santiago how nice Barb and everyone else has been to her. But she says Barb is a bit strong. He confesses that his sister’s marriage was more complicated than he thought, but he’s happy that Aurora was there with him. She says this is the end though – tomorrow she’s leaving to go look for her mother. He begs her to stay. She says she doesn’t want to take advantage of his family’s hospitality. He asks if she’s running off because of all that she witnessed with his family. He said he hasn’t felt this good in years and promises to help her tomorrow look for her mother. He says if she can’t sleep all she has to do is knock on his door and they can go out to the garden and tell stories to the stars and the singing crickets. After he leaves she thinks how nice he is, and how she could really get used to living there, but this kind of happiness can only last for a moment.

At Jacinto’s it looks like all is forgiven with Marg. But Marg’s having doubts about Fr/Ed’s plans. Jacinto says Eduardo is their friend and they have to help him put an end to all the vileness that is La Hiena. Somebody’s knockin’ on the door, somebody’s ringin’ the bell . . . just let ‘em in . . . . It’s Gardenia who still thinks that Jacinto has another woman in the house. Surprise, surprise, she finds Margarita. Gardenia thinks that Jacinto fed Marg a bunch of lies and she believed him. Gardenia can’t get it through her thick head that Jacinto isn’t lying to Margarita. They try to explain that Jacinto’s doing business with the “engineer” Franco Santoro. Gardenia’s not buyin’ it. Margarita says she confirmed it with Franco Santoro.

Back to Errorika and Fr/Ed. Errorika says there’s no reason left for her to go back to Camilo. [she’s only remembering how he humiliated her with Natasha, though.] Errorika wants a favor from Fr/Ed, but before she asks, she wants to know something personal. She asks him if he’s in a relationship with anyone. He says no, but asks why. She says if he were in a relationship he wouldn’t be able to do her the favor she needs.

Errorika is ashamed of what’s happened, but Fr/Ed tells her she doesn’t have to say anything more about it. She says it’s hard to look at herself in the mirror. She asks him to think about her proposition. He tells her to go and rest and he’ll think about what she’s proposed. She tells him she wishes they would have met under different circumstances. He flashes her his Gazillion Dollar Smile and tells her to go back to sleep, everything will look different in the morning.

Nanda brings Damian coffee in the office. She says she couldn’t sleep. She says she wants to go the chapel. After she leaves, he thinks to himself he can’t believe that the death of a servant could actually ruin a wedding night. How sensitive Snake Boy!
Nanda’s in the capilla, crying, and asking La Virgencita for help with the pain of losing Soledad (shades of Slofia!).

Barbara is on the phone with the Evil Gay Doctor from the Crazy House. She tells him she doesn’t care how he does it, but he better find out what Liliana told Fernanda the day she came and visited. He tells her he tried, but Barb is not satisfied with that answer at all. She wonders where the pair of “tortolitos” (two little birds) could be? I assume she’s thinking of Damian and Nanda?

Fr/Ed’s torn between his juramento with Nanda and the deal that Errorika has proposed. He doesn’t understand why the promise he made to Fernanda so long ago should even matter anymore.
Nanda-fia is still crying in the chapel. She misses Soledad’s warm hugs. She says Soledad went away like water spilling through her hands.

Fr/Ed says soon Fernanda will find out that it was him who ruined her wedding.

More crying, when Soledad’s ghost appears behind Nanda to touch her shoulder. I can’t stand when they put ghosts in the novelas – except when it was Rosario haunting Feo in FELS!

Previews: A nurse is trying to coax Liliana into seeing her sister, but I’m pretty sure it’s a trick cooked up by Dr. Gay. Fr/Ed looks like he’s going to go along with Errorika’s plan. Nanda tries to trick Jacinto into telling her that Eddie’s back in town. Barb gives Damian his wedding night after all!

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