First, I don't want anybody to be offended by this post. I am not promoting alcoholism or anything like that, but for the second time in a few days I stayed sober while everybody else was drunk, and that was a bad idea.
Why? It's not only that you have to put up with the drunkard chat of everybody else while sober --it's not only that. The point is that when you're sober, you're a good person. When you're drunk, you're selfish. And when you're a good person and everybody else is selfish --well, that's not good for you.
When I am drunk --as everybody else is-- I have no qualms about leaving whenever I want, with my selfish thinking to the full, no matter who I am with, no matter where. 'Cause when I feel like leaving, it's for a reason, and I'd better leave, so I do, and that's all. Kind of. Yeah.
But on Friday, I didn't. I had been drinking all the afternoon --we had one of those long Spanish lunches-- so I stopped drinking in the evening. I then went with some other friends who were drinking at that time, so at some point I decided to go home and leave them go on with the party --that was enough for the day... Then the story gets far more complicated, but the point is that for three or four times that night I was positive I was leaving --but finally felt compelled to share my friends' miseries. Kind of. Yeah. So I was the last one to get to bed. Alone and sober, of course. And very tired. And it had all been really expensive.
The morning after I was still wondering why I had stayed, and after considering the fact that I may be a saint for being such a good friend, I realized that indeed, had I been drunk, I would have left --maybe I would have stayed, but that's another story... Actually, on Friday there was a lot of bad luck involved too... Still, I stayed because I felt I had to, my decision to stay was more like an act of sacrifice than of will --it was terrible!
Moreover, the next day, some of my friends didn't even remember what happened the night before...
And today --it happened again! I am not getting into details either this time, but it's a completely different situation --still same plot and main character, ME! Again, some bad luck... or whatever... Again, I wonder why. Again, same conclusion. Had I been drunk, I would have been home far before I did --and for what? I didn't really enjoyed being there... I wasn't even drinking! Well that was a joke...
Anyway...
I haven't been going out very much lately...
Pity this happens...
Dreaming of Seattle...
Be there soon...
To sum up, as Baudelaire put it: LET'S GET DRUNK!
dimarts, 23 de març del 2010
dimecres, 10 de febrer del 2010
Campanya anti-plàtans
És increïble com una campanya publicitària pot anar TAN directament en contra del seu propòsit últim --la promoció d'un producte. I encara més increïble és com DUES campanyes publicitàries poden fer tan de mal al consum de plàtans en aquest país.
Sembla que el govern canari estigui cansat de la producció bananera i espera que després d'aquestes campanyes es col·lapsi el mercat per, finalment, organitzar un carnaval perpetu o bé concentrar-se en l'exportació de patates amb mojo picón --cap de les dues opcions no serien mala idea!
PER QUÈ? PER QUÈ es gasten els diners en anuncis HORRIBLES que fan ganes de deixar de menjar plàtans de per vida? No sé quin és pitjor, si el del musical a l'oficina o el de "Canarias, región ultraperiférica de Europa" --però què diuen? De què parlen? Qui té TAN mal gust?
Si realment volen promocionar el consum de plàtan canari... mmm... no sé... se m'acuden un MUNT d'idees! --és clar que no totes aptes en horari protegit... Però collons, després de veure aquests anuncis, només puc fer un clam al BOICOT del plàtan canari pel d'una altra nacionalitat amb un mínim de bon gust --i no parlo dels plàtans.
Per cert, heu tastat els plàtans equatorians? Són boníssims!
dimarts, 9 de febrer del 2010
La venjança del Gran Esperit
Això passa a les millors famílies, sens dubte. Vius al Canadà, amb un metre de neu cada hivern, i quan et decideixes a muntar els Jocs Olímpics, va i no neva. És ben bé la llei de Murphy.
O no. Potser és la petita venjança del Gran Esperit.
No sé com li deuen dir al Gran Esperit els pobles indígenes St’at’imc i Squamish, però segur que ja m'entenen --el Gran Esperit és el mateix a tot arreu! I és que resulta que les magnífiques instal·lacions olímpiques d'esquí es troben a territoris St’at’imc i Squamish, i de segur que aquesta genteta de pell roja i ulls tristos que fa temps que reclama els seus drets sobre aquestes terres ha celebrat més d'una sessió amb tambors i bolets, a la vora del foc, per demanar-li al Gran Pare (o Mare) que aturi tot aquest circ. Que es respectin els seus llocs sagrats. I ves per on, sembla que algú els ha escoltat!
La situació dels territoris indígenes a la Colúmbia Britànica canadenca és, per variar, complicada. Hi ha qui diu que mai no s'ha signat cap tractat i que, per tant, totes aquestes terres, ara plenes de remuntadors i d'urbanites lliscant muntanya avall amb colors fluorescents, són territori ROBAT. Però tal com explica amb honestedat i valentia aquest article, els principals consells de tribu estan d'acord amb els Jocs i hi participen d'alguna manera o altra --se'n beneficien d'alguna manera o altra, faltaria més!
Aquesta entrada no és per condemnar ni atacar els Jocs --me la suen bastant. Reconec que sí que em semblen un circ que fomenta les regles del joc capitalista i, en aquest sentit, estic d'acord amb el moviment www.no2010.com i en contra dels Jocs en general --com si no hi hagués d'altres coses més importants a fer! D'altra banda, pensem en els esportistes! I que maco que és veure'ls per la tele!
Des del punt de vista indígena, realment, jo què sé? Hi ha hagut altres disputes contra la construcció de resorts d'esquí a terres considerades sagrades pels nadius canadencs, i d'alguna manera el clam indígena ha prevalgut --i jo me n'alegro! Però uns estan a favor, d'altres en contra, tots han de menjar... és complicat...
La qüestió és que no hi ha neu a Cypress Mountain. I això sí que em fa gràcia. Veig les notícies i somric, maliciosament, donant gràcies al Gran Esperit i fent-me còmplice del que em sembla la seva petita venjança contra una política de fets consumats...
I perquè els slogans són tan macos: NO OLYMPICS ON STOLEN NATIVE LAND!
dijous, 4 de febrer del 2010
City of Arts
It's almost three weeks that I am back home and still feel like I am losing my time here. However, I know I cannot leave yet so I am trying to enjoy my time here as much as I can.
Fortunately, Barcelona has a very rich and diverse cultural agenda that helps me get through this time in limbo. And fortunately again, my mom is an expert 'free-ticket finder' --she knows about every radio show or web site that offer promotional tickets, especially for the theater. Three weeks, three theater shows:
- Natale in Casa Cupiello, by Eduardo de Filippo. This play takes place in Naples, Italy, on a Christmas Eve --it was beautifully translated into Catalan and outstandingly played by the actors. I don't know if you, my friends, remember about my close relationship with Naples and its people... This play was a signal! I am going to Naples next weekend! Hurrah!
- American Buffalo, by David Mamet. Ooooh, my god! It was great! Sooooo American! Exactly what I needed...
- L'Auca del Senyor Esteve, by Santiago Rusiñol. A version of a Catalan classic... not bad... especially because I only payed 5 euros for it... It's a good play though, always fun to watch...
I also go to the movies from time to time, but haven't watched anything remarkable lately... And every Monday, my friends delight me with their music at the Limerick Pub --always great!
Besides my evening cultural events, my life here is calm and quiet --too quiet. I spend my time sleeping, swimming, practising yoga, making jewelery, going for walks... not bad, huh? Still --I'm bored. Think I'm gonna take a course on something --Photoshop? Web design? Gardening? I'll let you know!
Miss you all!
Fortunately, Barcelona has a very rich and diverse cultural agenda that helps me get through this time in limbo. And fortunately again, my mom is an expert 'free-ticket finder' --she knows about every radio show or web site that offer promotional tickets, especially for the theater. Three weeks, three theater shows:
- Natale in Casa Cupiello, by Eduardo de Filippo. This play takes place in Naples, Italy, on a Christmas Eve --it was beautifully translated into Catalan and outstandingly played by the actors. I don't know if you, my friends, remember about my close relationship with Naples and its people... This play was a signal! I am going to Naples next weekend! Hurrah!
- American Buffalo, by David Mamet. Ooooh, my god! It was great! Sooooo American! Exactly what I needed...
- L'Auca del Senyor Esteve, by Santiago Rusiñol. A version of a Catalan classic... not bad... especially because I only payed 5 euros for it... It's a good play though, always fun to watch...
I also go to the movies from time to time, but haven't watched anything remarkable lately... And every Monday, my friends delight me with their music at the Limerick Pub --always great!
Besides my evening cultural events, my life here is calm and quiet --too quiet. I spend my time sleeping, swimming, practising yoga, making jewelery, going for walks... not bad, huh? Still --I'm bored. Think I'm gonna take a course on something --Photoshop? Web design? Gardening? I'll let you know!
Miss you all!
dilluns, 18 de gener del 2010
Bad beer, good music and tones of cigarettes
At last. That's my BCN: bad beer, good live music and lots of cigarettes! I was missing it so much, only I didn't realize it until I had it.
I went to see a Brazilian bossa-nova concert by Luna Cohen Quintet, 'cause three of the five happened to be my friends. Have lots of friends who are jazz musicians --too many, I would say... Bad beer and cigarettes were everywhere, but we didn't really like the venue, so after that we went to a jazz jam session that is held every Monday at the Limerick Pub. More friends there. Awesome music. Bad beer and cigarettes --again.
And that's my life in BCN. There's always a gig to go to, there's always bad beer and a foggy ambiance at the venue, there's always a friend who is playing here or there... I'm glad I found my BCN again! I really like it!
Today I went downtown for some shopping and came back home walking, as I always do... It could have been a 'painful' experience --downtown BCN is crazy!-- but since I knew exactly what I needed and where to go, I could avoid the crowd. So on my way back home I had another cheerful sight: there's an open-air exhibit of Rodin's sculptures in Rambla Catalunya! I love it. I love street art, and I love when art hits the streets --which is not always the same thing. Rambla Catalunya is a boulevard parallel to Passeig de Gràcia, which are two posh streets with architectural interest in BCN --do not mistake with the famous Ramblas! Actually, 'rambla' means 'boulevard', so... Anyway, 'The thinker' was there! Awesome! BEAUTIFUL! Along with some other sculptures! I just loved it!
It seems I'm making it up with my city... it was about time...
Wanna hear my friends playing?
www.myspace.com/colectivodeimos
www.myspace.com/mysticflugelhornband
www.myspace.com/miguelfernandezmusic
www.myspace.com/joelmcmusic
I went to see a Brazilian bossa-nova concert by Luna Cohen Quintet, 'cause three of the five happened to be my friends. Have lots of friends who are jazz musicians --too many, I would say... Bad beer and cigarettes were everywhere, but we didn't really like the venue, so after that we went to a jazz jam session that is held every Monday at the Limerick Pub. More friends there. Awesome music. Bad beer and cigarettes --again.
And that's my life in BCN. There's always a gig to go to, there's always bad beer and a foggy ambiance at the venue, there's always a friend who is playing here or there... I'm glad I found my BCN again! I really like it!
Today I went downtown for some shopping and came back home walking, as I always do... It could have been a 'painful' experience --downtown BCN is crazy!-- but since I knew exactly what I needed and where to go, I could avoid the crowd. So on my way back home I had another cheerful sight: there's an open-air exhibit of Rodin's sculptures in Rambla Catalunya! I love it. I love street art, and I love when art hits the streets --which is not always the same thing. Rambla Catalunya is a boulevard parallel to Passeig de Gràcia, which are two posh streets with architectural interest in BCN --do not mistake with the famous Ramblas! Actually, 'rambla' means 'boulevard', so... Anyway, 'The thinker' was there! Awesome! BEAUTIFUL! Along with some other sculptures! I just loved it!
It seems I'm making it up with my city... it was about time...
Wanna hear my friends playing?
www.myspace.com/colectivodeimos
www.myspace.com/mysticflugelhornband
www.myspace.com/miguelfernandezmusic
www.myspace.com/joelmcmusic
diumenge, 17 de gener del 2010
Cheering up
Yes, my friends, it's been extremely difficult for me not to get stuck in the 'I hate this place' feeling, but enough is enough --I've got to cheer up and keep 'the traveler's attitude' even in my hometown!
One thing I forgot about my city is that we also have BEAUTIFUL sunsets here! The vision of a cloudy red sky always makes my day... and I had a lot of those in America!
Another good thing I found is that the new dumpsters I told you about are helping BCN go green --we had special recycling bins for glass, plastic and paper, but now they are fiercely encouraging the citizens to separate the organic trash from the regular trash. They gave every household a special bin for that, and my mom is so enthusiastic! She's going mad at me because I forget we have this new bin and always misplace the trash, poor lady... Well, enough of trash and dumpsters for now...
Today I was struck to discover that we have two new subway lines --we call it 'metro'. Ain't it AMAZING? Only a few stations of the two are working, and it's not that I will use them very often since they cover an area in the outskirts of the city, but still I was surprised to find them open only three months after I left --and I felt like a tourist checking the metro map!
So many new things to discover and old things to revisit! Keep tuned to find out!
One thing I forgot about my city is that we also have BEAUTIFUL sunsets here! The vision of a cloudy red sky always makes my day... and I had a lot of those in America!
Another good thing I found is that the new dumpsters I told you about are helping BCN go green --we had special recycling bins for glass, plastic and paper, but now they are fiercely encouraging the citizens to separate the organic trash from the regular trash. They gave every household a special bin for that, and my mom is so enthusiastic! She's going mad at me because I forget we have this new bin and always misplace the trash, poor lady... Well, enough of trash and dumpsters for now...
Today I was struck to discover that we have two new subway lines --we call it 'metro'. Ain't it AMAZING? Only a few stations of the two are working, and it's not that I will use them very often since they cover an area in the outskirts of the city, but still I was surprised to find them open only three months after I left --and I felt like a tourist checking the metro map!
So many new things to discover and old things to revisit! Keep tuned to find out!
dijous, 14 de gener del 2010
Home sweet home?
Hello everybody. The mission of this blog was to report my friends and family on my adventures abroad, so why not use it the other way around? Here's my first impression of my return back home: HELL!
The truth is we don't have any sense of 'service' whatsoever, and this, after three months in the most obliging country in the world, where customers are gods, is a pain in the ass. The nightmare I went through in the airports of London and Barcelona ruined what could have been the happy return of the prodigal daughter, but still, here I am!
After three months abroad, and within the few hours I've been here, I could only notice that the city hall has changed the dumpsters or trash containers --again! Here in Barcelona you can find them everywhere, because that's how we collect our trash --not within the buildings, as it is done in most American cities. Actually, it was about time, because the last ones they installed were all broken thanks to the 'hi-tech' system they used to empty them out. The new ones are pretty much alike as the old ones, only new. I'll tell you how they work as soon as I try, OK? And you'll get pictures very soon too!
Today I had to drive back to the airport to claim my lost luggage, so I could experience again how it feels like to drive here --another nightmare! There are motorcycles everywhere, crossing lanes and dodging the cars as if they were the masters of the road. Cab drivers are next on my own particular 'most hated' list of people, after motorcyclists... And THAT'S WHY I avoid driving in the city whenever possible --which is most of the time.
I was so late yesterday that couldn't go and see my friends that were waiting for me in 'our' bar, the ELECTRIC, so that's what I am going to do now. Hoping that my English is better written than spoken, I'll keep you informed of my adventures in this place I call home...
I MISS YOU!
The truth is we don't have any sense of 'service' whatsoever, and this, after three months in the most obliging country in the world, where customers are gods, is a pain in the ass. The nightmare I went through in the airports of London and Barcelona ruined what could have been the happy return of the prodigal daughter, but still, here I am!
After three months abroad, and within the few hours I've been here, I could only notice that the city hall has changed the dumpsters or trash containers --again! Here in Barcelona you can find them everywhere, because that's how we collect our trash --not within the buildings, as it is done in most American cities. Actually, it was about time, because the last ones they installed were all broken thanks to the 'hi-tech' system they used to empty them out. The new ones are pretty much alike as the old ones, only new. I'll tell you how they work as soon as I try, OK? And you'll get pictures very soon too!
Today I had to drive back to the airport to claim my lost luggage, so I could experience again how it feels like to drive here --another nightmare! There are motorcycles everywhere, crossing lanes and dodging the cars as if they were the masters of the road. Cab drivers are next on my own particular 'most hated' list of people, after motorcyclists... And THAT'S WHY I avoid driving in the city whenever possible --which is most of the time.
I was so late yesterday that couldn't go and see my friends that were waiting for me in 'our' bar, the ELECTRIC, so that's what I am going to do now. Hoping that my English is better written than spoken, I'll keep you informed of my adventures in this place I call home...
I MISS YOU!
dimecres, 6 de gener del 2010
Final de trajecte
Ara que tots sabeu que torno, ningu llegira aquesta entrada, pero sento que el blog de les meves aventures necessita un final... del primer capitol, es clar.
Torno a ser al punt de partida, en aquesta magica ciutat que em te el cor robat i on encara ara, continuament, em sento envoltada de bons designis i un etern somriure. Seattle, mon amour.
Em sento a la recta final d'aquesta immensa muntanya russa on he estat pujada durant tres mesos, plena de 'subidons' i tambe d'algun 'baixon', pero en definitiva una d'aquelles atraccions on tornaves a fer cua per pujar-hi una vegada i una altra.
I aixo es exactament el que fare. Em tornare a posar a la cua per, ben aviat, tornar a gaudir dels altibaixos d'aquesta muntanya russa que vull que sigui la meva vida.
Us estimo!
Torno a ser al punt de partida, en aquesta magica ciutat que em te el cor robat i on encara ara, continuament, em sento envoltada de bons designis i un etern somriure. Seattle, mon amour.
Em sento a la recta final d'aquesta immensa muntanya russa on he estat pujada durant tres mesos, plena de 'subidons' i tambe d'algun 'baixon', pero en definitiva una d'aquelles atraccions on tornaves a fer cua per pujar-hi una vegada i una altra.
I aixo es exactament el que fare. Em tornare a posar a la cua per, ben aviat, tornar a gaudir dels altibaixos d'aquesta muntanya russa que vull que sigui la meva vida.
Us estimo!
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