rocinante has left 2032 comments

rocinante comments on 'Sin tetas no hay paraíso' no tendrá la palabra 'tetas' en la producción para mercado latino de E.U.

¡Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!

rocinante comments on Now Hiring Native English and French Teachers

If one can't figure out the web address from the email address they may not make all that good a teacher. Howabout www.fullanguage.com ? Just a guess on my part.

rocinante comments on 'Sin tetas no hay paraíso' no tendrá la palabra 'tetas' en la producción para mercado latino de E.U.

Leí esta articulo esta mañana en el tiempo. Telemundo es lo peor. Gracias a Dios que vivo en Medellín!

rocinante comments on PC de “Raúl Reyes" no fueron alterados: Interpol

Don't sweat it Monpirri - no one reads this forum anyway.

rocinante comments on Learning Spanish

The best way for me is a quantative approach. Grammar coupled with conversational reenforcement. Without the grammer one wastes alot of time because certain things just don't make sense because they don't exist in both languages. (pre vs imperfect, Subjunctive, the inside out verbs etc...) Nothing beats one on one and it is how I learned 90% of the language. So you and I are in agreement 100% there! Group classes can waste a lot of time. I only attended about 3 months worth of group organized classed clases 2 hours a day just to hammer down things I already knew. Also every day after these classes I paid $ to have a tutor teach and correct me and basically converse for another 2 hours every day. Sure the University provided an endless supply of these tutors for free but the caveat is you have to split the time equally teaching them and conversing in English. Plus these students have a great deal on their minds and they tend to let you make mistakes as long as you are understood. They are not teachers I guess also it has to do with what type of level one is trying to achieve. I also gossiped with my private tutor because you can talk in slang and ask about how to say personal things that you just can't get away with in class. Speaking Spanish opens up a whole new world.

rocinante comments on The Site was closed for so long... I can't help but think and believe that....

You are born and live in Bogotá yet you don't speak Spanish. Who's kidding who? You are a fat hairy guy name Chester.

rocinante comments on Can I retire at my age with my savings

" Only problem I guess i if the USD keeps falling then the conversion to COP will decrease." For now the dollar is falling - but the peso is gaining. There are two economies and two countries at work in this relationship. Everyone keeps posting in terms of curriencies other than the COP. Quite amusing actually.

rocinante comments on India Colombia trade target set at USD 2 bn

For colombians who think Kraft/Heinz barbecue sauce is hot Indian food with knok you off your chair. Indian food varries greatly but the overall concept is similar to Italy. The northern Indian food is more creamy, meat oriented and fatty. The southern Indian stuff is more veggie and red sauce and also hotter. Palak Paneer or Saag Paneer is an awesome spinach side dish (Spinach and a firm cheese that's not all that cheesy). My fav all time reg dish is Malai Kofta. Tandoori are grilled meat type dishes not all that hot. Tandoori mixed grill is a safe bet and offers variety. If you want hot get a Vindaloo dish (lamb, chicken, beef) - another one of my favs. If they see you are a foreigner they will tone down the heat. Ask for it doube or triple hot as they treat westerners with kid gloves. But only if you want to sample it like the locals. Naan is the pita type bread and get a lot of this if you are ording hot stuff. Remember - water does not solve the hots. Rice and bread do. There is a desert that Gulab Jamun (I can't spell it) it's little balls of milk bread and fat in a sugar syrup sauce. one of these = half a heart attack. They are served warm and the portion is litlle - 3 balls usually - you only need one or two. Some places westernize it and serve them with ice cream.

rocinante comments on Chavez tells Colombia not to build base for US

Yeah there is a movable border over there... The US is getting poised to get those nationalized oil profits back in the hands of the cronies. Maybe?

rocinante comments on need a new name

Is this a nickname for late night chatrooms or is this a name you expect to be called by your drinking buddies (that's what Panama Lowell sound like) or are you going to ask everyone of your friends and family who have known you for years to switch to a new name or are you going into the witness protection program in another city.....?..... Some details would be nice. Just who will address you by this new name? In the interim you can be "senior equis"

rocinante comments on Direct TV receiver from the US work in Colombia to show all US programming?

I would agree with MCheasley - take all of your equipment except the TV and hook it up in Latin America. Why can't you get the signal if you still pay your bill? How does the satellite know you are pointing your dish at it from Latin America? Why would they care? Apparently it knows and they do. Why? Probably propaganda control - ask gringoloid about that one. But some here have tried this and vehemently deny that it will work. I don't watch TV but I'd love to know if one day this will work.

rocinante comments on Can I retire at my age with my savings

Brains and the others who have mentioned lifstyle are offering the piece of the puzzle that MUST be taken into consideration and GREATLY affects the anwser to this thread and where you get pais and in what currency also matters a LOT. The fact that some of you are talking Euros and USD is a bit scary but I can handle that. OP you need to live here, see what things cost, see what's of interest to you and your lifestyle and plan accordingly. I have figured for me owning my residence that I would need 5 millones a month as my target montyhly income. This 5 millones target includes money for everyday living as well as medical, retirement, investment, travel and emergency cushion. NOW the question is where is that money coming from? If it's USD converted into COP then you have a currency fluctuation problem. If you earn your target monthly COP (5 millones for me) IN COP and not another currency, get out of this post right now. I picked an exchange rate of 500 COP to a US Dollar. If it stays above that for a long time I retire early or take more vacations. Guess what? I have to earn USD160,000/yr to hit that 5 millones at an exchange rate of 500COP (US Yearly income * .75 tax /12mos * COP FX) .75 reflecting a 25% US tax and stuff off the net of my salary. To hit 5 millones a month 160,000 year at FX 500 80,000 a year at FX 1000 54,000 a year at FX 1500 45,000 a year at t FX 1790 (today''s rate) What's social security these days? clearing 2,000 /mo or converted: FX500 - 1 millone 1000 - 2 millones 1500 -3 millones 1790 - 3.5 millones I don't want to hijack this thread into a COP thread but for you guys quoting "I need USD$5,000 a month to live decent and not in the gutter" that number may be more or less - bottom line is what happens if before you move you struggle and save and hold off and invest and live with your mom and dad because you are gearing up for a rate of say 1000 and then in two years the rate is 3000 for ever? You wastred all that time and struggled for so long. Got a crystal ball? Me neither. But I tihnk I have an idea that over time Latin America and the US are gravitating towards the median. Globalization. Bottom line is you can never really be absolutely sure and people just don't realize the risk exposure of FX rates when you are paid in one and live in another. If you can't afford to worry or you can't afford to count on the 500 exchange rate MOVE TO PANAMA or ECUADOR with your Colombian wife where the currency is USD dollars and the only thing you need to worry about is inflation. Guys you are missing out big time by not getting to Ecuador NOW. International living and other websites are always a few years ahead of the curve on these retirement locations. It would behoove those of you who are not well off or have no connections or family here in Colombia to consider Ecuador.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

"they never took him to the station and apparently he had donuts and coffee with the police chief " The chief was on the beat that night - not in the station - more crap. POLL: What type of Colombian doughnuts are purchased on the street at (by this time) 2:30 AM? Is there a 24hr Dunkin' that I've been missing all these years? a) Boston Cream b) Chocolate Frosted c) Glazed d) Crullers e) Donitas (Spanish for Munchkins - did they use that when the dubbed Wizard of Oz?) f) Arepas De Choclo with a hole in the middle This is a tough one

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

"In the US, I try to always keep a fresh doughnut in the glove compartment." Christobeldawg So Chris what to you do with the doughnut on nights when you are not in the station for killing people? You must weigh 300LBS or have some really appreciative dogs over at the neighbors whose fence borders your driveway..

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

POLL! The OP is: a) Totally fulla shit b) The shooter c) Friends with the shooter which is why he has all these details d) Has the shooters permission to post this if details are changed enough If he is not friends with the shooter how does he know the shooter's PBH handle? I guess the informant to the OP knows the PBH handle? And if yes, if the shooter and/or informant read this the informant or even the shooter will be able to figure out the identity of the OP. No? My vote: A

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

I skimmed over the witness earlier

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

"unlicensed" - detailed enough. Meaning not tracable - at least to the driver "His lawyer was called in, made a claim of self defense and also said the (unlicensed) gun belonged to the thieves. Apparently they are trying to claim that one of the thieves dropped the gun, he then picked it up and defended himself."

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

"WHy would one say that he was clearly in possesion of an illegal weapon?" - Tony The OP says so. He's the one informing us of all this nonesense. Although taken at face value we have notthing to go on but his story. Weather it's true or not there's something to think about. I just can't see how you hand over your wallet (with a gun pointed at you) to two guys mounted on a motorcycle and as they speed away you are able to grab your gun and then shoot them while seated in your car. If you get out of the car or whatever these guys are flying down the street. CatGirl he never snatched a gun from the two guys - as per the OP. It was always his gun - he was armed the whole time. It's just with a gun in your face through the driver's side window and your hands up it's pretty diffiult to grab a gun from under your seat/shoulder holster/glove compartment quickly and unnoticed, me thinks.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

MT - Depends on the shit coming down. I'm talking about this exact situation. I'm the guy in the car and all of a sudden there's a gun in my face. I can't get to my gun so I gladly give the armed thugs what they want as I'm in NO position whatsoever to bargain. What am I thinking about? MY LIFE. I want them to be gone because as I said before I am in no position to bargain nor get my hand in my holster. These guys drive away and now I'm safe and have access to my equalizer. ¿Suddenly my life is no longer that important and I feel the need to confront/revenge the ARMED guys that just drove off with my phone and wallet? How do I know a third guy doesn't exist? Witnesses? I've had a gun in my face twice, once in Patterson NJ and the other time in Jersey City. It's not fun and for some reason I'm always thinking about surviving and not what was stolen (wasn't my store). Plus if this guy is a right handed shooter he's got to leave the car pretty fast in order to get a shot as he can't shoot in front of the car unless he uses his left hand. The thugs never dismount the bike and they always take off pretty quick. There's a lot of holes in the story. It's not as if the thugs went 5 yards away and counted the money. This guy had to attack almost as soon as they sped off. In my opinion he left himself wide open. For 300K

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

"im not a killer but i would have done the same. yes rocinante after they sped off WITH MY STUFF!!" Mitch I guess 300K is a lot to some of you guys and killing is easy and putting your life in possible danger from the wounded thug who still has his piece or maybe one of his family members later on down the line. My peace of mind and avoiding a deadly conflict is worth more than 300K pesos. I'm not rich but you can feel free to call me crazy. Were talking a wallet and a cell phone and the thugs were leaving.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

I prefer not to take the risk and sleep at night - at the expense of a couple hundred mil pesos. Even if there is only a 10% chance someone could possibly be looking for me. For 300K pesos this idiot starts shooting up the joint, kills two thugs who were leaving and puts himself in huge danger and maybe possible future danger?

rocinante comments on Un papel en blanco tiene más valor legal que las supuestas computadoras de Raúl Reyes

Sobre todo! Bola Que tonterías Por qué siempre habla paja?

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

Angel Canada. The gringo's life being in danger ended as the criminals sped off on the bike. They were leaving.

rocinante comments on JUANES great, amazing concert in Los Angeles!!!!

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

Ok hunt down the witness.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

It was most likely someone in Bogotá. There's no need to tell the truth about the location and I'm sure other details were purposely skewed. I just reread the post - there IS a witness. If I'm this guy I find this witness and pay a hefty sum to shut the fuk up. More than what the cell phone and wallet were worth. Although I had a Coach wallet once that was really nice and very expensive....

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

I can see if your life is in danger and you need to defend your life or the lives of friends and family - draw your own line. But these criminals were leaving. I think this guy took a big risk.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

News or not - you have no idea who is lurking in the shadows. A cousin or friend on another bike watching out. However unlikely it does happen when you got one guy 30 feet away from the actual mugging. Do you want to risk that? How about a stray witness? The cities here are smaller than one might think. So you unnecessarily whack your assailants for 300K pesos and a phone book you should have backed up on your PC? And maybe there's a 20% chance that someone can ID your car. And maybe there's a chance someone wants revenge - or a chance you get popped from the 3rd guy 30 feet away or one of the guys on the ground? Foi 300K pesos - AND risking possible jail time? For 300K pesos? This guy needs his head examined. Who wants that risk?

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

I just read all the responses. I don't think it's worth the risk for a wallet or cell phone. Someone standing on the corner ID's the car/tags and this guy could be the victim of a revenge killing two weeks from now. Happens all the time. Plus what happens if one of the armed downed bikers pops him in the right spot as he approaches? To me none of this is worth it. Be a cowboy, go ahead Charles Bronson/Clint Eastwood.

rocinante comments on Gringo Shooting on Friday

I think the whole thing stinks. I don't think they got what was coming. There is a chance there were witnesses or the cops could talk and this individual's cover blown. Does he really want to be looking over his shoulder the rest of his life? Revenge is huge here. I know the thieves were in the wrong and maybe I'm a pacifist wuss bag but hand over your shit, avoid the conflict if any, avoid death as much as possible - yours or someone elses. What if he approached the bike and ate two slugs from one of the ARMED bandits. Worth the risk? Not to me.

rocinante comments on Colombian middle class & their preferred McDonald’s culture

Is this all we got on McDonalds?

rocinante comments on Can I retire at my age with my savings

6 different jobs? That ain't retirement. Even being the landlord of three places would be a constant headache.

rocinante comments on Chiste Paisa ( Spanish Joke )

Si cambias el equipo es un chiste nuevo.

rocinante comments on

Anyone who feeds this post is undermining Peter's efforts and you know it. If you want to post in this thread and want this sort of entertainment I think you should seriously consider gettng a life.

rocinante comments on Chiste Paisa ( Spanish Joke )

Hoy mi vecino me dijo el mismo pero el equipo era Santa Fé. Aunque en el principio parecía lo mismo yo no me daba cuenta. Y cuando me dijo "es jugador del Santa Fé pero me daba una pena decirlo" casi me muero - que listo! Mitch no son iguales. Siempre es diferente y mas charro. Todavía estoy riendo.

rocinante comments on Second best daily newspaper a few years ago El Espectador

People post fotos all the time. What's amazing? I've only heard of two rof those papers...

rocinante comments on Second best daily newspaper a few years ago El Espectador

18 de diciembre 1988 o 1988.

rocinante comments on The downside of allowing new members.

CG - I hear you but there's only one Colombiano Gringo

rocinante comments on The downside of allowing new members.

Cool!

rocinante comments on What happened to the "edit"

Loid - I see countless examples of this. And not just with economic posts either. But one guy on one of the million peso threads said it will never go below 1800 in the next year and then ADDED weeks later to the end at the bottom of his original post that it WOULD go down and gave a range. He never fixed his original comment in that post. Quite funny actually. Yeah this edit gone after 15 mins is a godsend. I tried to hack around it and couldn't. THANKS PETER!

rocinante comments on The downside of allowing new members.

CG where did you put in the IP block? In the applicaiton itself or on the server level or up front on some piece of hardware? Do you do a look up on every request? I love to hear about this stuff.

rocinante comments on I don't know the way or the place - Subjunctive!

If you are confused ignore this: NUANCE I dont know - Subjunctive: (recap) "Este viernes vamos a salir donde QUIERAS- "this Friday let's go out where you want" - SUBJ. I don't know where you want but wherever you decide is fine by me. (recap over) If I say "Este viernes vamos a salir donde quieres" - indicative - and we DIDN'T really talk about it beforehand, I am asuming I know where she wants to go. She may respond "No, quiero hacer algo diferente". Or I could be starting something if she usually wants to go to her monther's and I don't like her mother - if I respond with the indicative I am assuming I know (that she wants to go to her mother's) and she could come back with a "You think you know everything" attitude. If I respond with the subjunctive I am conveying that I'm not sure, enlighten me. If I SHOULD know where she wants to go and I use the "I don't know" subjunctive, I am implying indiference or unfamiliarity or ignorance. This can raise an eyebrow or start a fight. How could I not know?

rocinante comments on Levels of politeness in requests or, asking for things.

I hear "me regalaste" (preterit) by pushy broads.

rocinante comments on ...he asked camply

Que grosero!

rocinante comments on Colombia fraternity/sorority is getting larger!

I still like the cut and paste entire article posters here who had me convinced back in the fall that Chávez and the FARC were taking over the world because of support from 300 European hippies who like to wear controversial T-Shirts (without really understanding the bandwagon cause they support). As we have seen in the past the US does not really need the support of others in order to initiate full blown war. Since Chavez nationalized oil resulting in money coming out of the already fat pockets of some oil big wigs, Chávez has been on thin ice with the US.

rocinante comments on What happened to the "edit"

Who goes back and reads their posts 24 hours later? Post it take a sip of coffe and read it. If you need to add something make a change or edit a mistake - do it and be done with it. After about 15 minutes you should know what you are tring to say - not 24 hours later. In the past I could attack someone or report something like "Mr PBH Poster is a complete idiot if he thinks X and he probably was raised in a cave by pigs " and then attack him even more. Then after he fights back with me and has a melt down I edit my original post to say "Mr PBH Poster should rethink his logic if he would be so kind" Now it looks like I'm a saint and the second poster is flying off the handle for no reason. The possibilities of altering the board and changing history are endless. The ability to change what was said is extremely powerful and can cause endless problems and misunderstandings.

rocinante comments on Announcing Kat1 as a new moderator

I wish you guys would stick to one set of mods so we don't have to worry about changing whose ass to kiss.

rocinante comments on I want to Learn How to Cook Sushi

Those look like the pods in "Invasion of the body snatchers" or some Alien movie. I can't beleieve what I've been missing. OK where in the US do Sushi joints have these cones? Those actually look really good.

rocinante comments on What happened to the "edit"

Mistakes - 15 minutes is more than enough - Perfect.

rocinante comments on What happened to the "edit"

The edit button has about half an hour - at this time. But it does fluctuate - probably from a timer process that runs every half hour.