Reader Mail (13 January 2003)
with your host, Lore Sjöberg

Hi there.

We're big fans of your site over here at Naked News. I just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know that we've done a short profile on you for our "Hot On The Web" segment. It's going to be airing this weekend, so if you see a spike in visitors (And I hope you do) then that will be why.

By the way, the Mr. T Name Generator is pure genius.

Best of luck to all of you, especially to Lore on his book!

Greg Preece
Head Writer, Naked News

Unfortunately, I got this mail after the segment in question after the segment had aired, so I missed it. Oddly enough, this is the third time that not reading my e-mail has kept me from watching a naked woman extoll my virtues to the world at large.

Love the site. For what does FAQK stand? Frequently Asked Questions _______, presumably, but I'm stumped as to what the K could be. Li'l help?

"Frequently Asked Questions, Kevin"

Actually, that's a long-standing Mexican tradition. I don't know if it's just not talked about (like a lot of other random Mexican traditions) but my boyfriend's family has practiced it forever. You stand on a chair and you eat twelve grapes, and for each grape you make a wish.

Each grape stands for a month of the year, so you make twelve wishes for the new year. you're supposed to make "honorable" wishes, like you wish for the health of you and your loved ones, you wish for the mortgage to go through, you wish for your faith to stay strong (If you have it. Which if you're Mexican, you generally do.), You wish for your relationship to stay as loving as it is, and stuff like that. And then when you are done with your grapes, you get down and drink a glass of wine to kind of seal the deal.

It sounds kinda silly sometimes, but when you're actually there doing it, it's a really beautiful ceremony. just figured you might want some background info on it.

From various helpful readers, I learned that some people eat grapes on New Year's Eve, some stand on a chair, and a select and honored few stand on a chair and eat grapes. And make wishes. And then drink wine. Shine on, you crazy diamonds.

Have something to say? Send mail to comments@brunching.com and if we find your correspondence particularly insightful, helpful or--let's be honest, this is the most likely option--worth mocking, we'll respond here. Letters may be edited for clarity, brevity, or charity.