Cinco De Mayo Celebration- A Resounding Success

Photo Credit: Karen Kopp,  Ole! Ole!  

Dean Elias with his Sombrero that match his Shirt. I had a red sombrero that matched my red  49er wind-breaker jacket that I wore during the Cocktail Hour. 

The beautiful music of the Monumental Mariachi Band reverberated thru the Liberty Pavilion with the sharp sounds of the two trumpets. It was accompanied by  two guitars and a violin with and vocalist singing Mexican Classic songs. The marching band started and ended the Cocktail Hour with the Classic Cielito Lindo💚-one of my favorite Mexican songs.   Margarita and chips with salsa and avocado dip flowed freely during this happy musical hour on a perfect sunny afternoon here at the THD Liberty Pavilion. Veronica and I danced with the salsa music along with Marsha, Martha, Galen, Karen and Yefem.  

Incidentally, the wall mural had been updated with several animals( ducks) and a small farm house by the river.  Thank You Trenton for the beautiful details added to the wall mural. 

The Cocktail/Happy Hour was followed by an authentic Mexican Dinner.

 Here are some photos I took during dinner with Marsha Kefer, Dean Elias  and Jay Pollack. I had the Chili Relleno.  Martha had the Fish Tacos, and Jay had the Chicken Ensalada. Dean had the Taco Bowl and Chicken Tortilla soup. No one ordered the Beef Fajitas. Here are the photos:

The Chicken Tortilla Soup

My Chili Relleno-Yummylicious!

The Taco Salad Bowl

The Chicken Ensaladas and Fish Tacos

I had the Mexican Flan ( Custard ) to Go that I ate later before I retired for the evening.

Churros with Chocolate Sauce- I had this in my Fridge a couple of days ago.  

A special Paper Placemats for our Special Mexican Dinner, Friday, May 3, 2024

💚💚"Cielito Lindo" is a Mexican folk song or copla popularized in 1882 by Mexican author Quirino Mendoza y Cortés (c. 1862 – 1957).  It is roughly translated as "Lovely Sweet One". Although the word cielo means "sky" or "heaven", it is also a term of endearment comparable to "sweetheart" or "honey". Cielito, the diminutive, can be translated as "sweetie"; lindo means "cute", "lovely" or "pretty". The song is commonly known by words from the refrain, "Canta y no llores", or simply as the "Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay song".

Commonly played by mariachi bands, it has been recorded by many artists in the original Spanish as well as in English and other languages, including by Tito Guizar, Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernandez, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Eartha Kitt, The Wiggles, Menudo and Ana Gabriel. It also featured prominently in the iconic Mexican film Los tres Garcia. 

There is some debate as to whether the song's lyrics refer to the Sierra Morena, a mountain range in southern Spain, or the similarly named Sierra de Morones, in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. However most Mexicans believe that this is a misrepresentation of the lyrics and is intended as "la Sierra, Morena", "Morena" is a common term of endearment, and with the comma, it now means he is directly speaking to the woman in the song instead of a specific place. 

 It has become a famous song of Mexico, especially in Mexican expatriate communities around the world or for Mexicans attending international events such as the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup.

Here are some photos taken by Karen: Thanks Karen for the beautiful photos.

Here are Photos taken by Galen

Galen, I love this photo of Me!  

            

I Learned Something New Today-The Name Dusan

The other day, I introduced myself to a new resident here at THD. His first name is Dusan. I saw him eating alone at Newton's and his face was not familiar at all. After my introduction, I learned he is a local and his name is Dusan and this was his first meal at Newton.

I must admit my ignorance, because this was the first time I heard of the name Dusan. I guessed it was Slavic. My guess is correct. 

I did some search and here's what I learned about the Name Dusan from Wikipedia.   

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dušan

Pronunciation	Czech: [ˈduʃan] Serbo-Croatian: [dǔʃan] Slovak: [ˈduʂan]
Gender	male
Language(s)	Slavic
Origin
Language(s)	Slavic
Word/name	duša "soul"
Derivation	duš- (root) + an (suffix)
Region of origin	Slavic
Other names
Pet form(s)	Dule (in Serbian)
Related names	Duško (in Serbian)

Dušan (Serbian Cyrillic: Душан) is a Slavic given name primarily used in countries of Yugoslavia; and among Slovaks and Czechs.^] The name is derived from the Slavic noun duša "soul".

Occurrence

Emperor of Serbs and Greeks Stefan Dušan

Name	Count people (Rank)	State	Date
Dušan	14,972	Czechia	2016[3]
Dušan	40,191 (57rd; 19th man's)	Slovakia	2000-10[4]
Dušan	7,660 (33rd)	Slovenia	2021-01-01[5]
Dušan	5,656	Croatia	2011[6]

In Serbia, it was the 29th most popular name for males, as of 2010.

And Now for my Name David. So far I am the only Resident here at THD named David. There are 20 male residents here at THD. 

David is a common masculine given name. It is of Hebrew origin, and its popularity derives from King David, a figure of central importance in the Hebrew Bible and in the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Etymology

David (Hebrew: דָּוִד, Modern: David, Tiberian: Dāwîḏ) means "beloved", derived from the root dôwd (דּוֹד), which originally meant "to boil", but survives in Biblical Hebrew only in the figurative usage "to love"; specifically, it is a term for an uncle or figuratively, a lover/beloved (it is used in this way in the Song of Songs: אני לדודי ודודי לי, "I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me"). In Christian tradition, the name was adopted as Syriac: ܕܘܝܕ Dawid, Greek Δαυίδ, Latin Davidus or David. The Quranic spelling is دَاوُۥد Dāwūd or Dā'ūd.

David was adopted as a Christian name from an early period, e.g. David of Wales (6th century), David Saharuni (7th century), David I of Iberia (9th century). Name days are celebrated on 8 February (for David IV of Georgia), 1 March (for St. David of Wales) and 29 December (for King David), as well as 25 June (St. David of Sweden), 26 June, 9 July (Russia), 26 August, 11 December and 30 December (Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Czech Republic).

Hypocorisms

The oldest, most popular and most commonly used diminutive form in the English speaking countries of David is Dav, which first appeared in written form in the 16th century. The nickname Dav or Dave has been used as a name in its own right in the 19th and 20th centuries, at least in the United States. At the height of its popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s, the name Dave was bestowed upon more than 3,000 infants each year.

Other common English-language hypocorisms of the name David are Dave, Dav, Davey, Davie, Davo, Davs, Davis, Daviey, and Davy. The Welsh Dafydd is also abbreviated Dewi, Dai and Daf.

In Ashkenazi Jewish culture, common hypocorisms of Dovid are Dovi and Dov. Dudi is a common hypocorism in Modern Hebrew.

Davo is also used as a nickname, and is quite common in Australia and Armenia, while the nickname Dato (for Davit) is popular in the country of Georgia.

https://www.ifate.com/name-meanings/meaning-of-the-name-david.html

Once again, may I reiterate that you never stop learning no matter how old you are. One of my goals in my late stages of my life here in Planet Earth is to learn new things every day.  I hope you have the same goals with me.  

The TV Series, Fallout-My Review

I just finished Episode 1 of this New series from Amazon Prime. I am hooked. I binged-watch the 8 episodes of Season 1. Each Episode is about 30 minutes. Season 2 is planned. There is violence, slight nudity, cannibalism and of course robots and a love story. This is a TV series worth your time and entertainment. However, it is not geared for Seniors but the younger generation of TV viewers.    

 I am one of the 65 million viewers who enjoyed this series and described in the following write up from pushsquare.com. I have never played a video game, but I love the series specially the sound track of 1940-1950's music. The music soundtrack of the Fallout series is composed of both licensed music from the mid-century's Jazz Age to the Space Age, as well as original scores by Mark Morgan, Matt Gruber, Devin Townsend, and Inon Zur. The series also features original songs and covers commissioned for the games as diegetic music heard in the world of Fallout.

Here's a short write up of the second most popular show from Amazon Prime Videos. 

The TV series was based on one of the greatest video games of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two Hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them above.

"The Fallout TV adaptation continues to go from strength to strength as Amazon has revealed the series has received 65 million viewers, making it the second most-watched show in the streaming service's history. It's also the most popular series on the platform since The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuted in 2022.

Details include the show proving popular amongst the 18-34 age demographic, where it's Amazon Prime's most popular series ever.  Sixty per cent of overall viewership came from outside the USA, with the UK, France, and Brazil all engaging with Fallout more than most. The firm has already confirmed a second season will be shot as Fallout fans return to the games in their droves having finished the TV show. They've proved so popular these past few weeks that Bethesda has recorded five million players in a single day across all its titles.

In our Fallout TV Show review, we concluded: "In accurately capturing the overall direction of the games, it forges a new path the series can take without a controller in your hands, all the while replicating its tone and bringing back those classic tunes you had hidden away on your iPod more than a decade ago. We don't want to set the world on fire, but if Fallout is the aftermath, then maybe the LA wasteland isn't so bad."

Are you one of those 65 million viewers? Let me know in the comments section of my blog. For complete details visit:

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/04/fallout-tv-show-marks-huge-success-with-65-million-viewers

Here one review of the show that I can concur:

The series has the ability to appeal to both gaming enthusiasts & newcomers alike. Even if you've never picked up a controller, the richly developed characters & intricately woven plotlines will draw you in effortlessly. The series doesn't rely solely on its gaming roots to carry it forward; instead, it stands confidently on its own merits, offering a fresh & immersive experience for all viewers.

The casting choices are spot-on, breathing life into characters that fans of the Fallout franchise have come to love & new viewers can instantly connect with. Ella Purnell's portrayal of Lucy MacLean is nothing short of captivating, bringing depth & resilience to the character as she navigates the harsh realities of the wasteland. Aaron Moten as Maximus, a squire of the Brotherhood of Steel, delivers a performance filled with both strength & vulnerability, showcasing the complexities of survival in a world ravaged by nuclear fallout. Walton Goggins as The Ghoul/Cooper Howard, is a scene-stealer, infusing the series with charisma & mystery that would keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

It's a shining example of how a game adaptation can not only do justice to its source material but also transcend it, carving out its own place in the pantheon of great television.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a riveting series that seamlessly blends action, drama, thought-provoking themes, look no further than Amazon Prime's Fallout. And as for the next potential game adaptation, I couldn't agree more a series based on BioShock would be an absolute dream come true. Here's hoping that someone out there is listening & ready to bring Rapture to life on the small screen.

Meanwhile, here's a photo of my purple okra from my Gardens in my previous residence, Fair Oaks, CA and my own recipe for okra sauteed. 

 https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2022/08/eleven-ways-to-cook-okra-my-own-okra.html

Cinco De Mayo Celebration Here at THD

Cinco de Mayo has been referenced and featured in entertainment media, and has become an increasingly global celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, and heritage. It will be celebrated here in THD, Friday, May 3 (tomorrow) during our weekly Cocktail Hour outside at the Liberty Pavilion followed by a Special Authentic Mexican Dinner (Flyer Above).  We will have the Mariachi Band-Monumental. Our Friday Happy Hour is now renamed as Cocktail Hour. 

Here's what Wikipedia says about Cinco de Mayo ( 5th Day of May).  

Cinco de Mayo
Battle of Puebla
Observed by	Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and people of non-Mexican heritage
Type	Political
Significance	Celebration of the Mexican victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862
Celebrations	Parades, food, music, folkloric dancing, battle reenactments
Date	May 5
Next time	May 5, 2024
Frequency	yearly
Related to	El Día de la Batalla de Puebla

Cinco de Mayo (pronounced [ˈsiŋko ðe ˈmaʝo] in Mexico, Spanish for "Fifth of May") is a yearly celebration held on May 5 to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Zaragoza died months after the battle from an illness, and a larger French force ultimately defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla and occupied Mexico City. However, following the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States began lending money and guns to the Mexican Liberals, pushing France and Mexican Conservatives to the edge of defeat. At the opening of the French chambers in January 1866, Napoleon III announced that he would withdraw French troops from Mexico. In reply to a French request for American neutrality, the American secretary of state William H. Seward replied that French withdrawal from Mexico should be unconditional.

More popular in the United States than in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture. Celebrations began in Columbia, California, where they have been observed annually since 1862. The day gained nationwide popularity beyond those of Mexican-American heritage in the 1980s due to advertising campaigns by beer, wine, and tequila companies; today, Cinco de Mayo generates beer sales on par with the Super Bowl. In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla marks the event with various festivals and reenactments of the battle. 

Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16, commemorating the Cry of Dolores in 1810, which initiated the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. Cinco de Mayo has been referenced and featured in entertainment media, and has become an increasingly global celebration of Mexican culture, cuisine, and heritage.

Cinco De Mayo Celebration in New York City

My Two Cats- Batman and Robin

My Two Year Old Cats- Batman and Robin

Cats are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Although studies on feline intelligence are ongoing, scientists believe that cats are uniquely smart when compared to dogs and other animals. And of course, if you're a cat owner, you've likely seen evidence of your cat's intelligence firsthand. 

Yes, I have 2 cats and this post will show you how smart Batman & Robin are.

1. They mew when they want to get out to enjoy the patio.

2. At exactly 7AM, they climb in my bed to wake me up and get fed.  

3. They respond to my clapping and voice commands.

4. When they see me holding my back scratcher, it's time for them to get out of my way.

5. They respond with affection, when I pet them looking at me with their doleful eyes.

6. They know when I am tired. They will lie down by my side and stay close. 

7. When I am in the computer room, both of them keep me company even If I ignored them because I am busy writing.      

8. After I returned to the apartment after a long absence, Robin greets me with a big mew. Batman brushes my legs and wants to be petted by lying his back on the floor.

Based on several studies, behaviorists believe an adult cat's intelligence is comparable to that of a 2-year-old human toddler. Studies have shown cats have object permanence recognition, an awareness of objects that aren't directly visible. That is, out of sight doesn't mean vanished forever.

Cats are known for their aloof personalities and mysterious natures, which often gives the impression that they're more intelligent. But both cats and dogs have high levels of intelligence in different ways. For example, cats are often better problem-solvers, while dogs excel at social intelligence.

 Cats can recognize their owners' faces, voices, and scents. Even though cats don't have the same eyesight as humans, but they can still distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar faces. They may also use body language and tone of voice to recognize their owners.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_intelligence#:~:text=According%20to%20several%20feline%20behaviorists,actions%20cats%20are%20capable%20of

Batman-look at his Face- It looks like the Mask of Batman-Less Needy than Robin  

Robin, Loving and Needy! Sits on my lap when I watch TV. Massages my legs! 

I adopted B& R when they were 4 and 6 weeks old. They are now 2 years old. Here are two short stories of their adoption.

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/06/change-of-names-from-romulus-remus-to.html

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-pets-can-help-fight-loneliness-in.html

Lastly, here are some famous quotes about cats

• “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – Terry Pratchett
• “I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.” – Bill Dana
• “Cats are inquisitive, but hate to admit it.” – Mason Cooley
• “As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows, cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the humankind.” – Cleveland Amory
• “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” – Hippolyte Taine
• https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/cat-quotes/
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  Meanwhile, How Many Faces to You See? Do You See- 7, 8, 9,10, 11 or more?