USMB Coffee Shop IV

[Foxfyre]

it is zozobra time again!

How in the world did you know about Zozobra? Last Friday, August 30, commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the tradition of burning Zozobra ('Old Man Gloom') to usher in the annual Santa Fe Fiesta, a weekend of food, music, craft shows and other stuff for sale, entertainment et al in the Santa Fe Plaza. When I was a teenager the event was free and great fun. We wouldn't have gone this year even though it is free--our nights of revelry of that sort are behind us--but we did see that the tickets for the burning of Zozobra were $30????? People would pay to see that? I suppose so.

Zozobra is a bigger than life figure with light firewood and kindling laced with pyrotechnical substances piled around him designed to make a spectacular fire and he writhes and groans when burned. And even though we had fun at the festival that particular aspect always seemed a bit grotesque and barbaric to me. But tradition is tradition. . .

This year's Zozobra:

 

[Foxfyre]

And welcome to the Coffee Shop Zebra. I believe this is you first visit? Remind me again what country you are in? We're happy you found us and keep right on joining in. We have Coffee Shoppers scattered across the globe.

First timers receive a complimentary beverage. Because it was one of my favorite drinks when we were still consuming alcohol, I'll make it a pina colada.

 

[Zebra]

How in the world did you know about Zozobra? Last Friday, August 30, commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the tradition of burning Zozobra ('Old Man Gloom') to usher in the annual Santa Fe Fiesta, a weekend of food, music, craft shows and other stuff for sale, entertainment et al in the Santa Fe Plaza. When I was a teenager the event was free and great fun. We wouldn't have gone this year even though it is free--our nights of revelry of that sort are behind us--but we did see that the tickets for the burning of Zozobra were $30????? People would pay to see that? I suppose so.

Zozobra is a bigger than life figure with light firewood and kindling laced with pyrotechnical substances piled around him designed to make a spectacular fire and he writhes and groans when burned. And even though we had fun at the festival that particular aspect always seemed a bit grotesque and barbaric to me. But tradition is tradition. . .

This year's Zozobra:

View attachment 1006815
View attachment 1006816

I am always interested in these kinds of ceremonies!

 

[Zebra]

And welcome to the Coffee Shop Zebra. I believe this is you first visit? Remind me again what country you are in? We're happy you found us and keep right on joining in. We have Coffee Shoppers scattered across the globe.

First timers receive a complimentary beverage. Because it was one of my favorite drinks when we were still consuming alcohol, I'll make it a pina colada.
View attachment 1006820

Thank you very much!

And Dankeschön!

My home is Germany, I am from Baden-Baden.

 

[Foxfyre]

Thank you very much!

And Dankeschön!

My home is Germany, I am from Baden-Baden.

And bitte or danke schoen which is getting pretty close to all the German I know fluently.

 

[Zebra]

And bitte or danke schoen which is getting pretty close to all the German I know fluently.

Schöööööön for you!

 

[Zebra]

Here are a few umlauts or Umlaute for you :


äääää
ööööö
üüüüüü

And our special s ….. ß

 

[Foxfyre]

Schöööööön for you!

I looked up Baden Baden on the map and saw Stuttgart in that area that reminded me that my mother worked for the government at a prisoner of war camp here in New Mexico during WWII. The only prisoners held there were German and they were mostly just folks and good people. When given opportunity to work for a bit of wages on farms around there, many jumped at the chance and enjoyed being out of camp doing familiar things.

My mom got really close with a couple of the boys who spoke some English and wrote to the one from Stuttgart for years before they finally lost touch. The other she wrote to was from east Berlin and that correspondence ended as soon as the 'Iron Curtain" went up.

 

[Zebra]

I looked up Baden Baden on the map and saw Stuttgart in that area that reminded me that my mother worked for the government at a prisoner of war camp here in New Mexico during WWII. The only prisoners held there were German and they were mostly just folks and good people. When given opportunity to work for a bit of wages on farms around there, many jumped at the chance and enjoyed being out of camp doing familiar things.

My mom got really close with a couple of the boys who spoke some English and wrote to the one from Stuttgart for years before they finally lost touch. The other she wrote to was from east Berlin and that correspondence ended as soon as the 'Iron Curtain" went up.

Fine to hear!

Yes, both my town and Stuttgart are in the German land of Baden-Württemberg!

 

[Ringel05]

By the way I have been slowly moving from Linux/Windows to the MacOS ecosystem as my primary systems. I'm honestly liking Mac a lot more. I still have the Windows gamer and a Linux machine but the Linux machine is slowly being replaced. Most likely I will keep the Linux machine as my gamer and possibly turn my Windows machine into a gaming server. We'll see.

 

[Foxfyre]

By the way I have been slowly moving from Linux/Windows to the MacOS ecosystem as my primary systems. I'm honestly liking Mac a lot more. I still have the Windows gamer and a Linux machine but the Linux machine is slowly being replaced. Most likely I will keep the Linux machine as my gamer and possibly turn my Windows machine into a gaming server. We'll see.

I've never used a Mac but those who do swear by them.

 

[Ringel05]

I've never used a Mac but those who do swear by them.

With the most recent Microsoft move (see Microsoft Recall thread) it might be time to switch to Mac or Linux. Both have a definite learning curve but a good Mac Mini with an M1 or M2 chip will set you back $400 to $500 'renewed'. The reason for a newer M1 or M2 chip is the older Intel chips generally will not upgrade to the newest Sonoma MacOS without CorePatcher. You can get an Intel chip Mac Mini and run up to Ventura most of the time for half the price of the M chips. Linux will load on your PC but you will need to lean a few things about getting into BIOs and making some changes. Not really hard but intimidating to the uninitiated.

 

[Foxfyre]

With the most recent Microsoft move (see Microsoft Recall thread) it might be time to switch to Mac or Linux. Both have a definite learning curve but a good Mac Mini with an M1 or M2 chip will set you back $400 to $500 'renewed'. The reason for a newer M1 or M2 chip is the older Intel chips generally will not upgrade to the newest Sonoma MacOS without CorePatcher. You can get an Intel chip Mac Mini and run up to Ventura most of the time for half the price of the M chips. Linux will load on your PC but you will need to lean a few things about getting into BIOs and making some changes. Not really hard but intimidating to the uninitiated.

And far easier for people like you with high tech aptitude than it is for low tech types like Hombre and me.

 

[Ringel05]

Also, Unfortunately my primary care provider at the VA will be retiring in November. Best PCP and staff I've had the whole time I've been with the VA. Don't know yet who will be taking his place.

 

[Zebra]

There should be one place in the USMB village where folks can just be themselves and get to know each other as we would if we lived next door or worked together or joined the same gym.

This is a place to just come in and say hi, let us know what's going on with you these days, celebrate joys, concerns, jokes, music, hobbies, interests, love and life.

So check your spurs, sidearms, politics, and religious fussing at the door, come in to enjoy an adult beverage or a hot cup of coffee and a piece of pie or whatever comforts your soul, and let's just enjoy each other.

good idea!

 

[Foxfyre]

Also, Unfortunately my primary care provider at the VA will be retiring in November. Best PCP and staff I've had the whole time I've been with the VA. Don't know yet who will be taking his place.

Yes it's tough when you lose a trusted healthcare provider because building that trust is sometimes not that easy. I hope you will get someone as good or better though.

 

[Dajjal]

I am up in the middle of the night again. I am back to criticizing the Quran on twitter. I have been a bit scared of saying anything lately because the new government locks people up for posting things they don't like. But the temptation to speak my mind is too great to resist.

 

[Oddball]

Saturday morning!

Those disintegrating pistols can be dodgy.

Let the cartoon begin!

 

[saveliberty]

Due to the lack of posts here I conclude only Ai bots inhabit this space.

 

[Oddball]

Saturday morning!

One of my all-time faves.

Let the cartoon begin!