Tortilla or toast?

As you know I lived in the mountains of NM for 14 years.
I was thinking today of if I heard one more time from
someone that hasn't really lived anywhere outside of their
safety zone - "People are all the same everywhere you live."
I'd puke. Until you've experienced it, let me tell you that
regional differences, culture, and people are different
even in different parts of this country! You'd be surprised
at the number of people in the United States that think
the state of New Mexico is part of old Mexico. So I was
thinking today of someone who never traveled through
NM before suddenly doing so. And here are a few tips for
ya:
*Upon ordering breakfast in a restaurant, expect to be
asked if you want tortilla or toast. Many people do eat
tortillas with their eggs.
*Ah while we're on the subject of restaurants - let's not
forget the one question you'll hear a lot upon ordering in
New Mexico - "Red or Green?" OF COURSE they are
referring to red or green chile, not to be confused with the
chili dish one eats in the midwest of hamburger, tomato
sauce, and beans. It is common for an outsider to immediately
reply to this question with "Which one is hotter, red or green?"
(Insert buzzer sound here) That is not the correct answer.
You see, it varies upon restaurant which chile is hotter (usually).
ASK the waitress which one is better, as most chile is made from
scratch there at the restaurant that very day, and the waitress
will be delighted to be asked a question she can actually answer.
A general rule of thumb is the green chile is hotter. But this
depends on the chile pepper.
*People in NM tend to have an accent. No it's not a heavy
southern drawl, or even twang. But the way to recognize
a local versus a tourist is how they pronounce the words
with 'r' in them. New Mexico people tend to roll their 'r's,
kind of a variation with the Spanish language I'm thinking.
Ask them to say words like 'fire' and you'll know what I'm
talking about.
*Unless you are traveling to New Mexico in July or August,
or are going to extreme southern NM, be sure to take a
heavy coat, hat, mittens or gloves, etc. The weather can be
positively anything!
*Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT shellfish! Do NOT order
them if you do not know what they are!! (Google it if
you don't believe me).
*New Mexico by and large is a democratic state. Pretend if
you are not a liberal. Or unless you find other republicans.
*Do NOT just take a highway you see on the map as a shortcut,
unless you REALLY know that road and have traveled it
before! You could end up lost in the mountains and New
Mexican's will hear about you on the local news as Search
and Rescue went out looking for you. If you do decide to
take a 'scenic' route, fill up your gas tank, go potty, and eat
first! Better yet take some snacks with you! And just DON'T
do it from October through April!
*Sopapillas - be aware that in NM sopas are NOT a little
hard pastry dessert type item. Sopapillas are a fluffy pastry
type bread that you can eat before, during, or after dinner.
Many restaurants serve complimentary sopas before you
even get the menu. Yes honey is still good with them, usually
there is not any cinammon on them though.
*Water - Don't waste water! Many areas don't have it to spare.
*Bears and other critters - Yes NM has black bear, mountain
lions, and bobcats, as well as other critters. When you hear
someone say to take everything edible out of your car before
locking it up for the night - believe them. This means everything,
including cantaloupe, chocolate, granola bars, etc. Do not
leave your McDonald's wrappers near your door or tent. You
will have a visitor! I cannot tell you how many times I heard
the story of someone who had relatives visiting from out of state,
and they told them to take all food out of the car. The next
morning they awoke and the windows were smashed or something.
The visitors response was always something like - "Well I never
thought bears liked cantaloupe!" When they say take all food
away from your campsite or out of your car, LISTEN TO THEM.
*The people - ah yes they are different than what you might be used
to. There is a certain independence about them. This often times
comes over as having an 'attitude'. While Colorado identifies
more with the west, NM really identifies with themselves. Just
be persistent and patient and you can get along with them!

About people

I group everyone in to catagories. Those I don't like
(majority), those I don't like but tolerate for whatever
reason, and those I like. If I like you you will know it
as I babble incessantly at times about nothing (so sorry).
But learning from people in all three catagories is so
interesting....I learn patience, understanding, and
forgiveness. I learn my own strengths and weaknesses.
I learn through one how to tolerate another. I am
forever learning from people. Those I like I love dearly,
and they probably know it. I am an all for nothing type
person. I think people in general are here on earth to
teach us. Those that are crossing our life are doing so
for a reason. I know all types of people and am so glad
(of the ones I like) for all I have learned. Thanks for
crossing my path! :) FYI this blog is unlisted and is not
searchable in a search engine. If you are viewing this blog
it is because I either invited you or someone I invited sent
you a link. Told ya I am private! I do NOT have a site
meter on this site and have no idea who is on here reading
what, and I do allow anonymous comments. I HOPE you
sign your name after, but you don't have to! :)

Another house possibility

Yes call me crazy. You think I decide something
that I'd stick with it. But. Well. Okay. Found
another house for sale today. It's a total remodel
job. Priced at $108,900, I think it's a repo. Stopping
there today I found the back door unlocked and went
right in. Didn't look around too much though as I
had visions of someone coming back with a gun in
my face! But apparently it is vacant, as they took
everything of value out of it. Weird as there are
clothes still hanging in the closets though. Anyway
my realtor is trying to get official permission for me to
go over there (with some big flashlights as the
electrical box has been pulled) and look around legally.
It's a cute 3br, 1.75ba house with a full basement. Basement
has a little kitchenette type thingy in it. Kitchen and
baths I really didn't look at, it was dark in there and I'm
skeered! Fireplace in the l/r. 2 car attached garage. Back
deck and privacy fenced. No signs of water damage in
basement (of course it was pitch black and I had an itty
bitty flashlight and I was trespassing so I didn't look TOO
good). Anyway I'm thinking especially if it is a bank repo
of throwing an offer at them of about $50,000 and seeing
what happens. It's right off the highway (160) but that can
be a good or a bad thing depending on how you look at it
(like, not dusting every 5 minutes).

Smackdown 3/22

Matt Hardy entrance

Triple H. He and Jeff Hardy spent the most time
with the fans.



Ready for action!

Smackdown was a great time. The pictures all came out very

dark though. Undertaker's didn't come out at all, as he dresses

all in black. The wrestlers were all comfy in $350,000 motorhomes. They sat in them with
the engines running. Four motorhomes in all. We saw a couple of wrestlers, Shelton
Benjamin and Matt Hardy, come in cars. When the wrestlers went in, they couldn't be
bothered with the people, they just sneaked off the motorhome and slipped inside
the building. That was totally cool with us cuz we were just there to get fresh air anyway :)

Advice

Sharing a bit of advice. Not my words and I don't necessarily
endorse. Just repeating something I read on someone else's
blog today:

"Never get involved with someone who is more f----d up than you."

Snowbirds

SMACKDOWN coming to MY town!

Woohoo living in small town America I didn't think

I'd see it - SMACKDOWN is coming in March! Now

if we can get some good tickets I'll be happy.

Undertaker's comin'!