Music (from my birth year) meme (taken from Madame U)

Go to http://www.musicoutfitters.com/ and put your birth year into the search blicky. The first link is likely the top 100 songs of that year. Cut and paste that list here. Bold the ones you actually like. Understand that the word "like" in this case means, in the very least, "wouldn't immediately change the radio station from." Pick a favorite. Underline that favorite.

( The List )

Dinner with my brother's future in-laws

Last night we went to my brother's house to meet his future in-laws. Arij, my brother's fiancee, is the only one of her immediate family living outside Morocco. Her mother, Sarif (?), and her youngest brother, Yasin, were the only one's visiting (her elder brother and father weren't able to come).

We had a lovely time. Yasin, who is only nineteen and about to start University, is 6'2" and very slim with eye-glasses that suit his sensitive, poet's face. He's shy but there's mischief behind his smile. Arij's mother is very sweet, beautiful in an older woman's "faded" way and very poised. I sat next to her at dinner.

Both Sarif (I know that's not correct but, damn it, I've already forgotten. Grr!) and Yasin speak English but struggle a bit to make themselves understood. French they speak fluently which would be helpful if I'd taken French instead of Spanish in high school! ;oP

At some point over dinner the word "bottle", in Arabic, came up. Arij had tried to teach my brother's children how to say it and they (my niece and nephew) were encouraging me to try it. So I did but I'd obviously pronounced it poorly. Arij's mother turned to me and pronounced it slowly. I mimicked.

Before I go on, I want to set up this visual for you. We'd wedged ten chairs in around the dining room table so we could all sit together. MrBug is to my left and Sarif is to my right, tight. Our knees are, literally, touching because we're so close together. To Sarif's right is Yasin. To Mr. Bug's left is Arij.

Okay, back to the Arabic lesson. Sarif says "bottle" in Arabic which, with my limited recollection was some vowel sound followed by a rolling "r" and then a guttural "ah-ish" sound at finish. My American palate, throat and ear were foiled by this finish sound. I say "guttural 'ah-ish' sound but, in truth, it was far more subtle and complicated. Anyway, I'm diligently trying to echo the sounds Sarif is making but it's obvious by her continued insistence that I mimick her that I'm just not getting it. The word becomes more and more protracted as she says it until it nearly sounds like two separate words. After about fifteen tries, I notice my latest attempt has silenced her. She's looking at me with amusement dancing in her eyes. Yasin has covered his mouth with both hands and is laughing hysterically and Arij, also laughing, is making cutting motions with her hand.

I've just said one of the foulest words for a woman's genitalia there is.

So much for the Arabic lesson. :oP