Being an American
January 21, 2004

I forgot to add something from the gig at Toca do Vinicius last night. Zé Paulo tends to have 3 ways he likes to announce me.
1 - ex-jazz guitarist turned pandeiro player from nyc, etc., etc....
2. just my name, as if I was a local guy, etc., etc...
3. have fun with me being an American and get some laughs out of it

Last night was number 3! He announced me using number 2 ... then changed his mind ;-). He serious told the audience that when I was registered at the airport (with the whole fingerprinting, photo thing - which of course didn't happen, cause I've been here the whole time) instead of giving the camera the finger, like the American Airlines pilot, I gave them the "thumbs up" sign. This sign is a very universal gesture in Brasil .... the audience laughed like crazy. It was pretty funny.

You have to realize that there is 'always' something for non-Americans to use to poke fun, or complain about Americans and the US. Shit, I remember this from my first trip to Europe in 1990! But really, after 9/11 there was that bit of sympathy .... then Bush did such a great job of pissing everyone off (thanks George). All you need is some jerk-off like that A/A pilot flashing the bird at the Brazilian authorities ... and you're got at least a good month of American jokes.

Luckily, being a pandeiro player gives me a 'bit' of diplomatic immunity ;-).

Posted by Scott at 12:31 PM