The below is an excerpt taken from Canadian DJM's daily e-newsletter called "Instant Breakfast".  I found it fun and relevant yesterday.  (Sidenote: Sorry for being a day behind - I took another three day weekend, pretty much because I was too lazy to groom myself for work yesterday.  Yes, I called in "shave".  Expect like four posts today).  If you have any interest in subscribing to his newsletter, drop him an e-mail at CanadianDJM@gmail.com. 

September 10, 2007

 

Happy National Day Gibraltar!

 

On this date in 1967, the people of Gibraltar (all like 25,000 of them (or at least the ones of voting age)) voted to remain under English rule rather than being returned to Spanish rule, and then they did turn and bite their thumbs at Spain, saying "We're WORKING from 2-4, confound you, and nothing you do will stop us! Rule Britannia!" 

 

Today, the citizens will celebrate National Day by, um, I don't know... eating peas and playing cricket, or something.

 

Anyway, Gibraltar is often known as "The Rock" (birth name: Dwayne), and there's a good probability you've heard of the "Rock of Gibraltar." The reason it's called The Rock? Because it looks like this: http://tinyurl.com/372xt5 Yeah. So. Aptly named.

And yes, that little tidbit reminded me of my little layover at Gibraltar.  Check the pic below:

Indeed, that's the official "National" Gibraltar soccer team at the airport, returning home from a tourney.  If they don't look like your average national soccer team, it's because when you are talking about a team from a "country" of under 30,000 people, you'll be lucky if you can field a team of 11 players in their 20's and in top shape.  Most of these guys probably double on Gibraltar's national hockey team, basketball team, etc...

The airport is lovely.  It's as tiny as you probably imagine it to be.  There is no gate for the planes to land at, so you get off in the field.  Not a surprise if you've ever flown into a tiny airport before.  But what did surprise me is that as the plane was coming in for a landing, the strip was literally in the middle of the "city".   Like on the right side of the plane was a beach, with people playing soccer, some grass fields, tennis courts, etc.  On the left side were some buildings, including a few hotels,restaurants, and, of course, The Rock.  It's the small town equivalent of landing on 5th Avenue in Manhattan or something.

Oh, and DJM's "The Rock" joke reminded me of a cute conversation while we were there:

SML (to GF):  That's the Rock of Gibraltar.  It's the most famous... rock... in the world.

GF:  Alcatraz.

SML:  Kid Rock.

GF:  Dwayne Johnson.

SML :  Oh, fuck! <pause for a second to think>

SML:  Ha... Charles S. Dutton, mo-fo!

Conclusion:  SML is still undefeated. 

Here are some nice pics of the sun setting on the Mediterranean:

Look at those f*cking rays of light... sh*t is beautiful, right?  The water was perfect, too.

But not as beautiful and perfect as this:

An Argentine restaurant.  With really good food and drink.  For really cheap, too.  It was jam-packed, but well worth the wait.  I should mention that all these pics are from the Spain side of Gilbratar, in the "La Linea" area.  All you have to do is walk across the border (literally just flash a passport as you pass the security booth), and you are in Spain.

One last pic:

Yeah, that little white orb over the Rock is the moon.

Here's the rest of Instant Breakfast yesterday:

*****

 

Happy 168th birthday to Isaac Kaufmann Funk, who SHOULD HAVE invented the electric bass guitar, but in actuality was the publisher in 1893 of the Standard Dictionary of the English Language, which is (arguably) just as important, but not nearly aptonymic enough for my tastes. 

 

*****

Unsubscribe Information

 

Just don't stop 'til you get enough.

Michael Jackson?  Nah, the only appropriate way to end this post is with this video:

Leave a comment

Also on the Network: √ While the Cat is away... [C70 At The Bat] √ Tom Thibodeau + Mullet = Auto-Post [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, & Magic Johnson in Heat Jerseys [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ Doc Gooden Retires As a Met Sunday [Loge 13] √ Doing It The Hard Way [C70 At The Bat] √ Bobby Jenks Saves Sox's Win Over Seattle [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ Deadline moves [Feeling Dodger Blue] √ Manny's impact [Feeling Dodger Blue]

 Subscribe to my feed

3 Comments

Comments

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

Please only click "Post" once. It may take a few moments to process.