Monday, August 31, 2009

This n that

We showed the apartment to half a dozen people yesterday. There was one person who wanted to sign a lease and pay a deposit on the spot. Not so fast, said we. The brother in law of the newly arrived student from abroad offered to co-sign the lease. Whoa, just hang on. See, we've been burned by the "I'll sign and pay right now" people and also burned by the father who cosigned for his son. That still burns me up. But chasing after $500 involved spending time and energy with no guarantee of payoff, so we let it drop. (I don't care what's right or wrong, I just analyze the cost vs benefit and go that way. Hmm, maybe I'm more capitalist than I thought.) Anyway, I told them that I would love to trust them and take their words at face value, but the world has taught me that that is folly. They understood. We may end up renting to them anyway, we shall see after we check their story.

Spouse and I are trying to learn Spanish. We got this box from Costco called Immersion Spanish. It's pretty cool with interactive lessons and games on the computer. We especially like the record and listen feature so you can see how well you remember/pronounce the words. I took a couple videos of us yesterday during cocktail hour which is when we sit down to practice. The better of the two is unfortunately blurry. I guess it focused when I stood in front of the camera to push the button, so when I went to sit down we are out of focus. Still it's kinda cute:



If you want to see the long version, in focus, but boring, you can just click here.

21 comments:

CoffeeDog said...

Cute. I tried learning Spanish, but I kept trying to speak it like french!

lattégirl said...

Learning a new language and taking videos during cocktail hour. It makes for a very interesting mix. :-p

I think it's cool you're learning Spanish together. Acquiring that kind of knowledge really only works if you can practice often with someone else... Which is why I have not done so myself. I was learning the rudiments of German for awhile, but lack of practice and the fact that I was learning someone else's admittedly rusty German didn't help.

Unknown said...

asi cualquiera aprende castellano.

My adventures said...

When you guys get really good, come down for a visit, I've got a guest room, and I'll take you to some of the markets where no one speaks English! I'm doing Rosetta Stone to learn Spanish, although, I've yet to open the first box, I've been pre-occupied. I like the cocktail thing though, that might be just the way to go, instead of the market, we'll go to the hispanic gay bars, even better!!!

Rox said...

I'm glad you two are learning to be more cautious with your renters, although I do love a good bad renter story! LOL!

I think it's great that you guys are learning Spanish together!

Fatinah said...

and my husband was excited to learn "mouche noir" and "frappe la balle" while golfing this year in Montreal!

You guys look like you're having a ball - my husband & I giggle that much when we take dance lessons!

A Lewis said...

So, what?, enchilada, taco and tortilla aren't enough? Oh, and salsa too.

Maurice said...

Estan locos! :) I just love the cocktails and Spanish angle. You guys have it figured out.

GayProf said...

More language lessons should involve drinking.

Rebekah said...

Be careful though... you might get so you can only speak Spanish when you've been drinking.

It's true! My Japanese comes back much better if I've had a couple of cocktails.

Mel said...

Que bueno! La próxima vez que visito a Montreal, podéis practicar conmigo.

Greg said...

I can't help but think you should be quaffing margaritas or at least some nice Sangria for this. No denying you're having fun, tho! : )

Good luck with the renters!

Larry Ohio said...

Just learn the cuss words. That's all you really ever need.

that's J-O-S-H said...

You may not speak Spanish...but I can already hear a little bit of an accent when you were practicing your lesson! Yay! Authentico!

Lemuel said...

You are lucky to have each other to work on the language together. I would think that it would help to have a partner and mutual encouragement and fun. (You are obviously having fun with this.) From time to time I keep trying to teach myself both French and Spanish. Alas! Not with much success!

Franciscus van Munster said...

Hmm, interesting technique. After three weeks I still haven't made it past lesson 1 of my Russian course. I'll start inviting friends over and buy some more vodka!

AL? said...

I think we need to book you both for your first speaking/chanting engagement. When you come for the Idle Eyes soirée in a couple of weeks, perhaps you could put on a show for us all. Gracias!

Cameron said...

I happen to disagree with Larry's suggestion to learn nothing but cuss words. I lived in Mexico for 4 years and KNEW those words, but never spoke them to others, because it would have gotten me into BIG trouble!

Patrick said...

My spoken Spanish always improves if I've had a LITTLE bit to drink. If I've had a lot, I just think it's good. But that's true of my English as well. You guys are adorable.

word verification: cropholo. Sounds Spanish.

Patricia said...

I love that you're learning the language together. My hubs would never sit still long enough to do that with me. I also like that the cocktail hour is also the learning hour. Throw in things like the chili rellenos and you're halfway there!

Summer said...

I want to be in your Spanish class! I have a non English speaking Spanish student in kindergarten this year. I'm going to steal my son's English to Spanish dictionary.