Five days after the actual corrida on 11/25/07, I was finally able to find some photos of José Tomás in Juriquilla. In what has to be one of the most picturesque plazas in all the Taurine world, Tomás cut an ear on each of his bulls and continued his successful tour of Mexican rings. Performing with Zotoluco and Fernando Ochoa who each cut two ears from the fine encierro from Xajay, Tomás thrilled the crowd with his toreo en redondo accented with masterful Trincerillas. With this Juriquilla corrida, Tomás has concluded the first part of his Mexican season which he will continue in January after fulfilling some corridas in South America. Upon returning to Mexico, Tomas will appear in La Mexico again and the much anticipated Feria in Jalostitlan, Jalisco. Fotos Burladerodos.com.

Citizens of Ciudad Rodrigo woke up this morning to a novillo running up and down the streets of their Spanish town just outside of Salamanca. Seems the novillo knew his fate when he escaped from a transport truck headed to the slaughter house. The novillo entertained the curious by avoiding his captors and charging vehicles. He was finally cornered in what looks like a basketball court and loaded into a truck. BTW, there is no way this was a Toro Bravo. His capture looked to damn easy. The way the Spanish media reported the event made it sound as if a Toro Bravo had escaped. Body structure and horn shape clearly show a different raza de toro, carne. Check out a small video. Foto EFE.

On a Champions League Tuesday when clashes such as Manchester United v. Sporting Lisbon, Stuttgart v. Rangers and Dynamo Kiev v. Roma were being contested, the news and worlds attention was on Sydney, Australia instead. Not really. Yes David Beckham and his Los Angeles Galaxy supporting cast members took to the pitch in Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, home of world soccer power Sydney F.C.. The game had the usual Galaxy drama. The Galaxy outplayed. The Galaxy mucky mucks gasp as Beckham goes down clutching his ankle. The Galaxy’s star player ponders if its worth the money as he realizes the shit hole he signed up to play for. The Galaxy lose 5-3. The Galaxy’s GM Alexi Lalas is not fired. The Galaxy suck. Normal day at the office. Never the less, America’s Team and it’s star Spice Boy attracted 80,295 Beckham loving fans who got a taste of the best American soccer has to offer. The Los Angeles Galaxy. ¡Auxilio, auxilio, Mauricio Cienfuegos donde estas!

Mexican Toreo has a bright future. His name is Joselito Adame. Since making his way back from training in Madrid, España for a couple of years, Adame has landed in Mexico his homeland and is making quite a splash. Adame is demonstrating his pedigree by turning in some classy performances in Orizaba, Aguascalientes and Monterey. WQF 4.0 is a timeless photo taken this past Sunday 11/25/07 in Monterey. Adame is winning over crowds and cutting ears. The only ones to ignore Adame so far is the Empresa of Plaza Mexico. Empresario Curro Leal came out and said they were not interested in signing him for his confirmation this season. Well, denying the Mexico City crowd of Joselito is only putting off the inevitable. In my opinion, Joselito will secure himself as the best Matador Mexicano for decades to come and the Empresa of La Mexico would have changed their mind by then. Foto de Burladerodos.

With the coming of December brings a new cover of Vogue. Who cares you say. Well there is always a place on DBB for Penelope Cruz and I couldn’t resist commenting on the December issue of Vogue. My wife surprised me with a copy when I got home from work today. Cruz is on the cover with pretty boy Cayetano Rivera. The article is about Penelope, but to me what it illustrates is the trend of the American media going against conventional wisdom by posting stories of Toros, no matter what angle. Earlier this week, the New York Times ran an article on the hot topic, child bullfighters in Mexico. Poster boy Jairo Miguel was featured in the article as he was in the previous post on the ESPN documentary. If you look beyond the current “Baby Bullfighter” issue, the trend has been to say what the Hell, fuck PETA, write the damn story. I like it. The Los Angeles Times wrote a very balanced article earlier this fall on José Tomás quest to silent the Anti-Taurinos of Barcelona, while simultaneously conquering Mexico. The LA Times has also written article on the Central California Bloodless Bullfight season and culture. With the elusive release of Manolete, the mainstream US media will be challenge to cover the “Red Carpet” affairs of Penelope, Adrien Brody and Cayetano, who has a cameo in the taurine love story. My hopes are for us to return to the days when being spotted at a Corrida wasn’t a Politically Incorrect slip up. John Wayne didn’t give a shit. It was accepted back then. Today, Bo Derek is the only one who dares venture out in public to openly attend a corrida. George Bush Sr. (arrgh) waited to leave office before attending a corrida. So, as logic has it, with the current trend of tolerance, we might be seeing George W. in the Plaza Monumental de Tijuana just as Hillary enters her first summer as President. Haa

The issue of foriegn underage aspiring bullfighters flooding into Mexico continues in this up close and personal with Spanish export Jairo Miguel. Why the hell call the piece “Baby Bullfighters”, and what’s up with the uptight winch. The action and story are pretty well researched and presented. Just as certain phrases don’t translate easy into English, reasons why the young men in the video step into the ring is desire mixed with culture fail to convince. In a Puritanical society run by the “moral majority”, the message in this video from ESPN is of misunderstood budinskyism and applies only to a culture closed minded to rituals and cultures not of their own. These young men are in there because they want to be. People like that lady should turn their attention to Little League Baseball in this and other countries. Poor little baseball playing pawns of their parents are gonna get hit with a fastball. “Baby Bullfighters” implies poor little boys forced to perform in tights in front of a savage crowd. Hell, little Rafita Maribal has bigger balls than Jeremy Schaap himself. BTW, Jairo Miguel has recovered from the second goring in Plaza Mexico and recently successfully fought (above) in Acho, Peru. Enjoy the documentary. Ignore the winch. Guest appearance by Coleman! I saw you.

On a grateful day such as today, there is nothing better than to open my favorite Taurine news sites and read something great. Today I give thanks, Morante de la Puebla is returning to the ring! Morante announced this morning in Mexico City he is to appear in at least 25 corridas, beginning in Mexico and including an appearance in Plaza Mexico on January 6th, 2008. Morante has been attending the top corridas and participating in tentaderos throughout Mexico. Rumors of offers to return to the ring in Plaza Mexico surfaced after José Tomás’ corrida in the same plaza. In a Temporada highlighted by José Tomás and his coming dramatic out of retirement reappearances, its about to get even better. Welcome back Maestro, and Happy Thanksgiving

The November 18th Corrida in El Nuevo Progreso de Guadalajara was another event which brought out the stars. The headliner was of course José Tomás, who was accompanied by Cesar Rincon, Fernando Ochoa and Omar Villaseñor. The bulls didn’t show up though. Many delegates in the Taurine world did. Morante de la Puebla and Antonio Barrera were among others in the callejón. As for Tomás, he performed well on his first animal, but was tossed and received an 8 centimeter puntazo on his back right leg. Despite the goring, Tomás continued and killed his first toro. His second animal was replaced only to set the “plaza en bronca” after his killing the substitute bull. After some masterful Veronicas by Cesar Rincon on his first toro, Rincon nor his fellow performers could light up the crowd. Fotos courtesy of muchos.

This past weekend I witnessed thousands of people, mostly women, reach down deep and follow through with a commitment. My wife walked from Del Mar, California to PetCo Park in Downtown San Diego in The Breast Cancer 3-Day 60 Mile Walk. She walked for my sister, a breast cancer survivor. I gained 6000 heros this past weekend, my wife and my sister included. It was the most heroic display of determination and sacrifice I have ever witnessed. I am humbled and in awe. The three days consisted of walks from the Del Mar Race Track to Mission Bay via Torrey Pines State Park on Day One. After camping in Mission Bay, Day Two was a tour of Point Loma, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach. Day three the walkers toured more of Mission Bay before heading into Downtown San Diego via Old Town San Diego and Balboa Park. A well timed drizzle fell onto the walkers as they made their way into PetCo Park where they closed their valiant efforts with the closing ceremonies. Wow, all I did was drive around and cuss.

A few pictures of Spanish Matadors Alejandro Talavante and José Tomás action in México on Sunday November 11th. Talavante (above) received his Confirmation of his Alternativa in Plaza Mexico and cut an ear on his second animal. Tomás (below) performed in Orizaba where he cut two ears and continued his triumphant tour of Mexican plazas. Photos courtesy of many.

What not to do if you find yourself in a final of a regional club championship on the oppositions pitch. Leave the dramatics clips reminiscent of Maradona clutching the 1986 World Cup trophy up to Maradona on a neutral pitch. Ignore the memorable scenes of Romario and Dunga lifting the same trophy in Pasadena, California in USA 1994 while Al Gore and other mild mannered “soccer moms” and pops look curiously on. Today, Tunisia’s Etoile Sahel club traveled to Egyptian club Al-Ahly’s home pitch and had the balls enough to not only win second leg final football match 3-1, but also the African Champions League title. So what does the Tunisian club do? Climb the stands to collect the trophy and essentially shit on a stadium full of Egyptians. Hell, I’d of thrown bottles of piss on them as well.

José Tomás successfully returned to Plaza México yesterday with a performance consistant to his masterful form displayed throughout his 2007 Spanish season. In a corrida with toros respectable in size from the Mexican ganaderia Barralva, Tomás cut an ear from each of his animals and exited the plaza “en hombros”. The Corrida was attended by the “who’s who” of the bullfight and entertainment world. Victorino Martin Hijo, Pedro Armendariz Hijo, Miguel Bosé, Juan Silveti, Antonio Barrera, and Morante de la Puebla all witnessed Tomás mesmerize the crowd with his Mantiles, Goaneras, Manoletinas and a quick and effective estocada on his second toro. The two Mexican’s who appeared with Tomás, Rafael Ortega and Alejandro Amaya were relegated to minor roles for the afternoon. Ortega did cut an ear for his performance but it was Tijuanense Alejandro Amaya who squandered his opportunity by sending his first toro back to corrals alive. Amaya failed to kill the toro successfully before hearing three avisos. Money not well spent I’d say. After the corrida, published reports stated the empresa of La México have propositioned Morante de la Puebla to return to the ring in a corrida with another Spanish Torero and two Mexican Matadores. Its been long enough I’ve had to endure a Morante-less temporada, but now I’m faced with a dilema. José Tomás has successfully filled the void left behind by Morante’s early departure earlier in the temporada. Now I must face the possibility of choosing who’s toreo I favor. Both are artist unparalleled. Each has their own style, from two different schools. Right now I lean towards Morante. It is a pretty cool problem to have. Photos courtesy of… Hell I forget.

What drives an Aficionado Practico to enter the ring year after year. Most Practico’s are older in age, like myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m only 46 years old and I know I have many years in front of me. In the bullfight world age comes quicker. Its a very maturing endeavor. Nobody forces anybody to enter a ring with a Toro Bravo. I do it for the love of it. I, nor do any of my counter parts get paid for it. Great fiscal sacrifices are assumed for us to practice our lust to fight bulls. Age is not an obstacle, physical fitness and the continuity fighting real animals are. We take opportunities which are presented if the funding is there. For some, this desire has ended personal relationships. Its turned the course of lives, including mine. It takes dedication and guts to satisfy the urge and yearning to fight vaquitas, erales, becerros, becceros, vacas and novillos. We fight on our days off and around our other lives. I know lawers, directors, actors, writers, journalists, doctors, students, engineers, pilots and housewives who are Practicos. We do it when we can, how we can and because we can. Carlos Vargas was not a household name in Mexico, Colombia, Peru or Spain. Vargas was an Aficionado Practico from Saltillo, Coahuila born in 1944. Vargas had been a novillero in the 70′s but never achieved the fame of the upper echelon of bullfighting stardom. In 1972 he did earn a fight in Plaza Mexico only after holding a successful hunger strike. In his later years, Vargas continued his aficion by participating in festivals throughout Mexico as an Aficionado Practico. I never had the chance to fight along side Vargas, but I do understand the drive, the desire which allowed him to continue to fight. Having fought as a novillero, Vargas had experience fighting bigger animals and continued fight bigger bulls compared to the average Aficionado Practico. It was last Saturday at 63 years Vargas dressed to fight in Guadalajara’s Nuevo Progreso in a Festival alongside 5 other Practicos. Vargas’ novillo was more than 300 kilos. As normal Vargas opened with cape work, placed banderillas and moved on to the faena. The story has it the novillo was unruly and unpredictable. Vargas was tossed, rose and continued to fight the novillo. Being tossed by an eral or becerro is not the same as being tossed by a novillo or toro. They are violent tossings with tons of force and precluded with lethal horns. In Vargas’ case and at his age, the torero chose to continue fighting the strong novillo and eventually was tossed a second time. This time Vargas hit the ground head first and lost consciousness. Vargas was rushed to a local hospital and eventually pronounced brain dead four days later. Vargas died yesterday November 4th, 2007. With Vargas died the safety and innocence sometimes associated with Festivales de Aficionado Practicos. It is the same mortal game played in the bigger plazas. There is guaranteed death as there is in Corridas de Novillos or Toros. With this though comes a sense of responsibility I will follow. I will continue to fight. I will want to progress in size of animal. I will think how it could end just as tragic. I will not however lay down my muleta because of the danger involved. The danger for me has always been there. Bruises take along time to go away, but they eventually do. QEPD.

While searching for a cool picture of Alejandro Amaya to use on my previous post (I ended up using my own BTW), I came across a very insightful article on Amaya written by Wright Thompson, of ESPN.com. I met Wright a couple of years ago while riding in a crowded truck on our way to see Amaya fight with El Juli and Cesar Castañeda in Tijuana’s Plaza Monumental. He since has written a couple of good articles on ESPN.com while surfacing as the bullfight coorespndant of sorts for the “leader in sports” and now Toros. Olé Wright, bien hecho. Photo by Nick Laham for ESPN.com

Its the way Mexican bullfighting has been for years. It’s a fucked up business. Backstabbing, bribes, prejudice, homosexuality, corruption and even an occasional murder. So why should under the table funding for “opportunities” be so shocking. Case in point: One of the most unorganized two weeks before the confirmation of the opening cartel in Mexico City’s Plaza Mexico on November 4th. It had long been known José Tomás was going to make his reappearance in Plaza Mexico, but what Mexican or Spanish Matadors would accompany him? The news of Rafael Ortega surfaced first, OK that’s cool. Not a whole lot of people like Ortega, the working man’s Figura, but it was the announcement of Tijuanense Alejandro Amaya which revealed some Mexican chicanery. Son-in-Law to the Alcalde of Tijuana, Baja California and failed Gubernatorial candidate Jorge Hank, rumor has it Hank opened his wallet and laid out the Pesos to bump who ever was originally on the cartel to make room for Amaya. Don’t get me wrong, I truly like Amaya. I believe he is the best Matador ever to surface from the “streets” of T.J. Others such as Rafael Gil “Rafaelillo”, mi primo Ismael Gomez “Mayito” and Rogelio Leduc have been great Toreros. I do not list Cesar Castañeda on purpose because he just doesn’t rank. A nice guy personally, and he has always been complimentary to my escapades in the plazitas. Amaya has paid for and received the best training and sponsorship the tax payers money of Baja California Norte can buy. He does however have natural skill, arte and poise. Its just a little tainted and reeks of payoffs. Just think how good “Rafaelillo”, Leduc, “Mayito” or even Castañeda could have been with as deep pockets sending them abroad for the same caliber of training Amaya recieved. So, don’t be surprised these payoffs happen. They have, they do, and they will continue to happen. Like I said and especially in Mexico, bullfights is a fucked up business.