Grab bag

Here's a crazy post in the middle of another crazy week.

• Having mom and dad around is even better than I expected. We found a couple of great bars to eat tapas (hors d'oeuvre type dishes) and knocked out most of the big tourist sites in one weekend. We had a few drinks at the Hotel Alfonso XIII on Saturday and saw the cathedral on Sunday (photo at right). My dad ate five or six meals on the plane to Madrid and the train to Seville combined, but now I may be eating more than he is. Hard to believe, isn't it?
  

• It barely rained my first month in Spain. Most days were simply blue sky and hot sun. Since my parents arrived Saturday, every day has rained, been cold, been cloudy, or all three for at least a few hours. I walked home through the pouring rain tonight. Way to go, mom and dad. Otherwise, my parents are touring Spain this week (with the new camera). They went to Cordoba and are in Granada today.
  

• The buses are becoming harder and harder to predict. Monday morning, the driver of one of my buses (I take about six buses every day) let so many people on that nobody could get off for their stop. Today, the driver only let people on at the bus station and wouldn't let anybody from other stops get on the bus. Any guesses for tomorrow?
  

• Philadelphia can finally enjoy October baseball as the Fightin' Phils prepare to square off against the Colorado Rockies. After saving grounds crew from the tarp in Colorado in July, I'm predicting the good karma will help the team win this series. I'll be watching on MLB.com. If you are a Phillies fan, this should make you laugh. For now, enjoy the greatest 6 minutes the Phillies have had in at least 14 years.