Tuesday, July 31, 2007
the return of the king
Well, i sure don't get treated like royalty, but I have to use an obvious Tolkien reference when I have a chance. London has been great: great pubs, museums, etc. I return tomorrow to NJ with the sister. Then I shall be in touch with you all by telephone. Can't wait to see you all.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Out of Exile
And if you are wondering
what i am doing
as I am heading for the sink
I am spitting out all my bitterness
along with half of last drink
-Suzanne Vega
And so the sun sets on my tour of duty here in Madrid. Haven't seen Dave in a year, so it will be good to see him. And I haven't been to London in 12 years. Damn, time shoots by like the box cars of a train, just whipping down the track.
Maria was sick again was just about recovered when she slipped in her flat and sprained her wrist badly. She said she was clumsy, but goddamn! Anyway, we're going to dinner tonite which I look forward to. Cute and clumsy. At least she's not blonde! (Hi yo!).
Seems i can't get anything done with Internet problems Madrid-wide and just the Spanish attitude of "Es Verano, lemos mis heuvos (it's summer, lick my balls)."
So desperate am i for steak that i just fried one. Wasn't so good. I sauteed it okay, but not a great cut. Oh give me the rib eye of VA, so plentiful they have butcher shops at pharmacies.
We didn't go to Segovia cuz Maria was sick (fuck it, i'm never going to try to go to Segovia with a chick again - remember, dear bleader, the Patricia Incident). So i cleaned out my drawers and packed all my clothes as i edge ever closer to my departure.
It was probably a good idea to use London as a quarantine. This way I can be introduced to all that English while still being in Europe. Then, 5 days later, i jump into the freezing cold water of culture shock that will be the United States. Spend some time in the house that used to be home. Meet Annie. Hopefully have civil interaction with Darth. Feed Fripp hot dogs (loves 'em!). And kayak on my old lady, the potomac.
Okay- getting sappy now.
That's enough red wine (tinto they call it here) with my late lunch.
REVISED TOUR DATES
Jul 27-31- London, England
Aug 1, 2 - Hasbrouck Heights NJ
Aug 3 - 9 Washington DC
Aug 12, 13 - Lavalette Beach, NJ
Sept 17, Madison Square Garden, NYC
Sept 19 Madrid
Crime in the City
Poor cousin Sydney got mugged last night, 5 blocks from her house. She had a little red purse on and a bandit on a motorbike came cruising up and latched on. It was around her body and didn't break. She was dragged a few feet and broke two front teeth. Kept her purse, which is little consolation. Fucking terrible.
Time to pack more and then shower for my big date with Maria.
At the Mural Bar one of these past nights:
JJ: What's up with you and this woman?
You're in love aren't you?
El Dude: I like her. Too early to say.
JJ: You're in love! What's her name?
El Dude: Maria.
JJ: Maria!!! Of course. What is this, WEST SIDE STORY?
el Dude: Popular name. An Adalucian woman.JJ: Maria, Maria, Ma- reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaa!Jay: Want to play Aljedrez (Chess)?
JJ: Sure.
I kicked the snot out of him in both games, the last one he had just his king and I hunted him down like a wild boar. That's the American in me! I also was raised Catholic, and our god is a vengeful god. Easily pissed off, she is.
This will be my last post from Madrid, I believe. Talk to you from London as I edge closer to my destiny in the US.
Miercoles 4:05 AM
Just got back a bit ago from having paella with Maria and then beers. I really care about this women, which essentially means I'm fucked. My timing sucks. But you if you love something, set it free, i guess. And see her in 7 weeks. Damn, did she look HOT in her little black top and her LITTLE black skirt. The skirt was actually a top she wore as a skirt (she is a bit odd, but i dig it). She had to explain to me three times how she was wearing it. It was a good excuse to stare at it. What words come to mind: intoxicating, dizzying, quirky and refreshing. Also the phrases; time stands still, angels sing, clouds part and warm gooey stickiness. Oh yes, and lastly; I am fucked.
She sprained her mueneca (wrist) when she slipped on the stairs. If she had not gotten her hand out she could have broken her back or her head. She is really clumsy: a female John Ritter. After all I have been through, this I can live with.
I gave her a copy of SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE that I found at the J & J bar. She was thrilled. She'll read it while i'm away.
I gave her a disc of mixed stuff a few weeks ago: Marillion, Suzanne Vega, Liz Phair, Rush, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Lou Reed. She said she loves it. Her liking progressive rock stuff is probably essential, if only in self defense, to any future we may have. Just another thing she has going for her.
Her use of English swear words is impeccable. She knocked over a candle tonight and let loose a hearty "Fuck!" Este mi chica!
I am fucked.
But alack, I come home to visit my family. The Seester has done a yeoman job of taking care of all the family affairs (including my own personal finances) while i have been away. She deserves a break.
Two nights left. I am so wide awake, still buzzing from the night's activities. I am listening to some old Wayward Platypus: DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE SEA. Pretty enjoyable, not too many drum parts make me shiver. Looking forward to recording with Jim, Mark and Pete in July. Oooooooh, that old Godless Black Magic.
Speaking o which, Maria is a bit of a witch. I knew someday I'd have to date one. She wears a lot of black. Gypsy blood? Who knows? She did some type of thing with our hands and a candle, said her grandmother taught her.
I am fucked.
Okay- voy a mi cama. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Bless you, dear bleader. My the road rise to meet thee yet not slam you in the nuts.
From the point of ignition
to the final drive
the point of departure
is not to arrive
-Rush
July 27
I have arrived safely in London. It is 16:20. I gained an hour coming here. Flight was uneventful.
Leaving Madrid was much more emotional than I anticipated. The Mural Bar (the local) was all hugs. I'm keeoing some of my stuff in the store room there at at JJ's, where it will be quite safe. But it was 40 degrees yesterday and I lost like 2 kilos hauling mine and Sydney's stuff.
It was emotional saying goodbye to Maria: our first date was on June 30th, so it ahsn't been long. We'll be in close touch I am sure. A lot to look forward to when I return, which is nice. And a lot to look forward to on my American Tour! The London setlist includes a stunning Medley:
Close to the Edge (Yes)/Close to You (Carpenters)/It's Raining Men.
I also DJ'd one last time at the local this week:
Jamming (Bob Marley)
Julie's been working for the drug squad (Clash)
Squeezebo
The other Half (Marillion)
Five Years (David Bowie)
Stay up late, Once in a lifetime(both live - Talking Heads)
SHoot out at the Fantasy Factory (Traffic)
5 Years, David Bowie
Us and them (Pink Floyd)
Sunshine of your love (Cream)
Limelight, Cross Roads (both live) - Rush
I slept in my flat without Diego knowing last night. Hoder! He is a horses ass. But now I am gone. I must nap before Dave comes home, as we'll need to hit some pubs, i am sure.
So my dear bleaders, i am one step closer to the US. I am in a first world country. I have Internet and the paint isn't peeling! The only minor acts of vengeance i allowed myself towards Diego were:
-Leaving the garbage in the flat
-Not cleaning like I normally would
-Leaving the laundry line like it was when i moved in (I cut line we had used to fix it)
- calling him a slumlord (señor de los tugurios)
Diego claimed a woman was moving in this weekend
A) She had never seen the apartment
B) a human woman? Even the toughest women i know would want no part of that place.
Okay! Siesta time. You can take the hombre out of Madrid but you can't take the Madrileno out of the hombre!
what i am doing
as I am heading for the sink
I am spitting out all my bitterness
along with half of last drink
-Suzanne Vega
And so the sun sets on my tour of duty here in Madrid. Haven't seen Dave in a year, so it will be good to see him. And I haven't been to London in 12 years. Damn, time shoots by like the box cars of a train, just whipping down the track.
Maria was sick again was just about recovered when she slipped in her flat and sprained her wrist badly. She said she was clumsy, but goddamn! Anyway, we're going to dinner tonite which I look forward to. Cute and clumsy. At least she's not blonde! (Hi yo!).
Seems i can't get anything done with Internet problems Madrid-wide and just the Spanish attitude of "Es Verano, lemos mis heuvos (it's summer, lick my balls)."
So desperate am i for steak that i just fried one. Wasn't so good. I sauteed it okay, but not a great cut. Oh give me the rib eye of VA, so plentiful they have butcher shops at pharmacies.
We didn't go to Segovia cuz Maria was sick (fuck it, i'm never going to try to go to Segovia with a chick again - remember, dear bleader, the Patricia Incident). So i cleaned out my drawers and packed all my clothes as i edge ever closer to my departure.
It was probably a good idea to use London as a quarantine. This way I can be introduced to all that English while still being in Europe. Then, 5 days later, i jump into the freezing cold water of culture shock that will be the United States. Spend some time in the house that used to be home. Meet Annie. Hopefully have civil interaction with Darth. Feed Fripp hot dogs (loves 'em!). And kayak on my old lady, the potomac.
Okay- getting sappy now.
That's enough red wine (tinto they call it here) with my late lunch.
REVISED TOUR DATES
Jul 27-31- London, England
Aug 1, 2 - Hasbrouck Heights NJ
Aug 3 - 9 Washington DC
Aug 12, 13 - Lavalette Beach, NJ
Sept 17, Madison Square Garden, NYC
Sept 19 Madrid
Crime in the City
Poor cousin Sydney got mugged last night, 5 blocks from her house. She had a little red purse on and a bandit on a motorbike came cruising up and latched on. It was around her body and didn't break. She was dragged a few feet and broke two front teeth. Kept her purse, which is little consolation. Fucking terrible.
Time to pack more and then shower for my big date with Maria.
At the Mural Bar one of these past nights:
JJ: What's up with you and this woman?
You're in love aren't you?
El Dude: I like her. Too early to say.
JJ: You're in love! What's her name?
El Dude: Maria.
JJ: Maria!!! Of course. What is this, WEST SIDE STORY?
el Dude: Popular name. An Adalucian woman.JJ: Maria, Maria, Ma- reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaa!Jay: Want to play Aljedrez (Chess)?
JJ: Sure.
I kicked the snot out of him in both games, the last one he had just his king and I hunted him down like a wild boar. That's the American in me! I also was raised Catholic, and our god is a vengeful god. Easily pissed off, she is.
This will be my last post from Madrid, I believe. Talk to you from London as I edge closer to my destiny in the US.
Miercoles 4:05 AM
Just got back a bit ago from having paella with Maria and then beers. I really care about this women, which essentially means I'm fucked. My timing sucks. But you if you love something, set it free, i guess. And see her in 7 weeks. Damn, did she look HOT in her little black top and her LITTLE black skirt. The skirt was actually a top she wore as a skirt (she is a bit odd, but i dig it). She had to explain to me three times how she was wearing it. It was a good excuse to stare at it. What words come to mind: intoxicating, dizzying, quirky and refreshing. Also the phrases; time stands still, angels sing, clouds part and warm gooey stickiness. Oh yes, and lastly; I am fucked.
She sprained her mueneca (wrist) when she slipped on the stairs. If she had not gotten her hand out she could have broken her back or her head. She is really clumsy: a female John Ritter. After all I have been through, this I can live with.
I gave her a copy of SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE that I found at the J & J bar. She was thrilled. She'll read it while i'm away.
I gave her a disc of mixed stuff a few weeks ago: Marillion, Suzanne Vega, Liz Phair, Rush, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Lou Reed. She said she loves it. Her liking progressive rock stuff is probably essential, if only in self defense, to any future we may have. Just another thing she has going for her.
Her use of English swear words is impeccable. She knocked over a candle tonight and let loose a hearty "Fuck!" Este mi chica!
I am fucked.
But alack, I come home to visit my family. The Seester has done a yeoman job of taking care of all the family affairs (including my own personal finances) while i have been away. She deserves a break.
Two nights left. I am so wide awake, still buzzing from the night's activities. I am listening to some old Wayward Platypus: DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE SEA. Pretty enjoyable, not too many drum parts make me shiver. Looking forward to recording with Jim, Mark and Pete in July. Oooooooh, that old Godless Black Magic.
Speaking o which, Maria is a bit of a witch. I knew someday I'd have to date one. She wears a lot of black. Gypsy blood? Who knows? She did some type of thing with our hands and a candle, said her grandmother taught her.
I am fucked.
Okay- voy a mi cama. I have a lot to do tomorrow. Bless you, dear bleader. My the road rise to meet thee yet not slam you in the nuts.
From the point of ignition
to the final drive
the point of departure
is not to arrive
-Rush
July 27
I have arrived safely in London. It is 16:20. I gained an hour coming here. Flight was uneventful.
Leaving Madrid was much more emotional than I anticipated. The Mural Bar (the local) was all hugs. I'm keeoing some of my stuff in the store room there at at JJ's, where it will be quite safe. But it was 40 degrees yesterday and I lost like 2 kilos hauling mine and Sydney's stuff.
It was emotional saying goodbye to Maria: our first date was on June 30th, so it ahsn't been long. We'll be in close touch I am sure. A lot to look forward to when I return, which is nice. And a lot to look forward to on my American Tour! The London setlist includes a stunning Medley:
Close to the Edge (Yes)/Close to You (Carpenters)/It's Raining Men.
I also DJ'd one last time at the local this week:
Jamming (Bob Marley)
Julie's been working for the drug squad (Clash)
Squeezebo
The other Half (Marillion)
Five Years (David Bowie)
Stay up late, Once in a lifetime(both live - Talking Heads)
SHoot out at the Fantasy Factory (Traffic)
5 Years, David Bowie
Us and them (Pink Floyd)
Sunshine of your love (Cream)
Limelight, Cross Roads (both live) - Rush
I slept in my flat without Diego knowing last night. Hoder! He is a horses ass. But now I am gone. I must nap before Dave comes home, as we'll need to hit some pubs, i am sure.
So my dear bleaders, i am one step closer to the US. I am in a first world country. I have Internet and the paint isn't peeling! The only minor acts of vengeance i allowed myself towards Diego were:
-Leaving the garbage in the flat
-Not cleaning like I normally would
-Leaving the laundry line like it was when i moved in (I cut line we had used to fix it)
- calling him a slumlord (señor de los tugurios)
Diego claimed a woman was moving in this weekend
A) She had never seen the apartment
B) a human woman? Even the toughest women i know would want no part of that place.
Okay! Siesta time. You can take the hombre out of Madrid but you can't take the Madrileno out of the hombre!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Vamos!
All hell has broken loose. My landlord, Diego, showed up last night without my deposit. After two hours i bullied him into giving it to me after talking with his son. Diego is the dumbest fatest person I ever met. We agreed he would give me the deposit the day before i left in June, but he always goes back on his word. ¨How much water could i use?" Then he said he had to make sure the place wasn´t damaged. What could i possibly do in one day to hurt a ceiling that is peeling and falling on my stove and in my sink, or the moldy bedroom, leaking fridge, jury-rigged clothesline, or broken showerhead supported by a hangar (very ingenious of Kristen). Then he told me to get out in an hour. I told him to go fuck himself. I am still there, but sleeping at JJ´s tonight where i will store my stuff. Sydney and Kristen still have stuff at our place, which further complicates things and Syd is still hurting from the bruising she took.
Diego came in this morning at 11 and said in Spanish "You´re still here."
" Of course I am. And you smell like ham," I said in English.I´ll help Syd move her stuff, meet Maria at 5 in Atoche, say good bye and then meet JJ at ten to move. No rest for the wicked. Then London. Then home.
Adios!
Diego came in this morning at 11 and said in Spanish "You´re still here."
" Of course I am. And you smell like ham," I said in English.I´ll help Syd move her stuff, meet Maria at 5 in Atoche, say good bye and then meet JJ at ten to move. No rest for the wicked. Then London. Then home.
Adios!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Fucking Internet hates me
Sorry the last blog is a train wreck but i have had nightmare problems with Internet. CMS´s, etc all week. ANd airfares for christmas go up $500 while you´re booking. The Intrent and I are no longer on speaking terms. See you in London!
Twilight
jueves jul 19
I could drink a case of you
and I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
-Joni Mitchell
The only bad thing about starting the new novel is that it has been a detriment to the blog. It's now called "Breathe" by the way.
But I shall not forsake thee, dear loyal reader. My spanish is getting better by the fucking day. I have two new private students for the Fall. And Maria, well, she's just awesome. We talk every day and are looking forward to us both having the week off next week for some quality time - ooh la la! I'll let u know how that works out. But I can't get too graphic for all you horndogs out there, my mom reads this (Que disturbing!).
I am like that piece of paper blowing in the wind in a back alley in AMERICAN BEAUTY. I don't know exactly what it means, but it's good.
I am all alone in the flat now. We are in high summer and Madrid comes to a grinding halt because of the heat and their own natural lethargy. The Metro is uncrowded. The heat is astounding yet bareable. The humidity in DC in August is going to be like a forearm to the huevos (balls).
It's 21:30. I will miss the sunsets at the back of our house. The entire penalty box is bathed in red light as the sun slips behind the mountains. I love Madrid. I feel like she's a puta and I'm a john, but i love her anyway!
Listening to "Seconds Out - side 4" with Supper's Ready and Cinema Show. How I look forward to a few good prog rock sing-a-longs with my loved ones; Kevin, Jim and the Seester all come to mind. And I may have told you all, but we are all going to see Rush at the Garden in NYC on Sept 17th. Woo hoo! Rush shows are like religion in my family. even mum saw one in 1984 and dug, though she was bent they didn't play Limelight (it was one of the odder setlists).
Long time since i've seen a rush show with any of these folks. Also the first Rush I haven't seen with Darth since 1991 for Presto. Fucking Hell! I will continue to love her for many reasons, not the least of which is that she loved Rush.
1990:
DARTH: Hey, I picked up two Rush cassetes for like $9.99! (she only knew Presto at this time).
EL DUDE: Really? Nice! Which ones?
DARTH: Permanent Waves and Hemispheres.(Now Permanent Waves is brilliant but accessible. Hemispheres is brilliant and in the deep end of the progressive pool).
EL DUDE: How do you like Permanent Waves?
DARTH: It's excellent!
EL DUDE: And how do you find Hemispheres?
DARTH: You know, I like it even better!
And that was the first time I thought "I could marry this women." True story. Es verdad. Hey, all told, we were together about 15 years. 11 of them were good. That's 73.3%. What more could you ask for? You'd be a god as a baseball player if you hit .730 and marriage is at least as hard as baseball.
I have seen Rush in so many places: NY, NJ, CT, VA, NM and at countless venues. I first saw them at the Garden on Dec 2nd in 1982 for Signals. It changed my life. Saw them at the Garden in '82, '84, '85, and '94. I apologize.I am a geek.
I sit on the front patio and wax poetic, or so i hope. It is the end of an era, dear bleader (blog reader), and heavy petting is such sweet sorrow. I go to see what i hope is my new flat tomorrow. I will be WAY more south. Miss this area, I shall. But I'll always come back to see the folks at the Mural Bar. And I shall be close to Athletic Madrid's stadium.
Okay. 9:40. No work tomorrow. Time to eat and then head to the local to see my mental Spanish family members.
The sky over the mountains is pink like cotton candy. Dulce (sweet)!
Hasta Luego!
PS
Who am I? Who are you? Come over here and say that, you bologney!
viernes Jul 20
I am caught in the wake of cleaning - never be the last one to leave the flat. I don't even give a damn if the place is clean, god knows daft old Diego won't notice. How can you with the paint peeling and the refrigerator oozing an indeterminable brown fluid.
But I think I have a place for Sept, closer to the center for less. Ye hoo! It's with this girl Sarah, friend of a friend from Maine. Only met her few times but she's easy to get along with and i like her. So i'm going to see that place tonight before Maria and I go for Thai food and then dancing (hee hee). Just the mention of her and I'm like a lovesick puppy. I got to pull myself together.
Better give my self a talking toBetter work out what I'm going to doBetter get myself a lifeMaybe get myself a wifeInstead of the these post-nuclear talking blues.-Big Country
There'll be no wives in my future. Been there, but it's a great quote. Such a shame that Stuart Adamson, who wrote it, hung himself years ago in Hawaii. So it goes. The world lost a great artist.
Speaking of which, I must have mentioned that Annie was born on April 11th, the same day that Kurt Vonnegut died earlier that day. UFO: Unlimited Freak Out. What are the odds that's my wife's baby (don't hear that expression very often) would be born on the same day that my favorite author dies? Astrofuckingnomical- that's what they are. Random chance? I think not. What does it mean?
What do you call a dear with no eyes?No eye dear.What do you call a dear with no eyes and no genitals?No fucking eye dear.
What does it mean? I have no fucking idea. But I'm dying to find out!
I am on the porch, blogging in full shade. It's only 27 C today. Hooray!
Sabado Jul 21
Times like these
Any fool can see
Any fool can see
your love inside me
-Marillion
Oh man. I have picked the wrong time to be love struck, with me leaving in 6 days.
We went for thai food. We danced til 4 am. We laughed and laughed. Time stops when I'm with her. Light and dark hold no reference. And she's just gorgeous.
I put here in a cab at 4:30 am, back to Getafe which is 15 minutes away. I realize I need to exercise some caution here (Yeah, I'm just fucking GREAT at do that!) but she is special. And I'm a writer, so I could go on like this for hours.
But that warm feeling in my belly? Hunger? No, hunger hurts. Alcohol? Nope, haven't had any, and that only lasts a little while. Thai food? That was 16 hours ago (and if anyone is keeping score out there- NEVER order transparent noodles on a date! The fuckers are impossible to get on a tenedor (fork).Well, I don't know what it is, but it sure feels good I can hear you groaning from here, Seester- be careful- its so soon. Good advice, pero mi corazon tiene un cerebro todo su propio! (my heart has a mind all its own). Besides, life without love is just existence. And so I take that lover's leap of faith.
I had to look up 'propio' in the dictionary and i found a new word: ninfomana - nymphomaniac. God, I love learning Spanish.
We talked for the first two hours in Spanish, then my cerebro relented. Maria has really helped mySpanish.
Lastly, little Annie Greco is being christened today in the Motherland (NJ). I believe she is going to go through at least the first part of her amazing life with my name. This makes me happy.
Okay! Time to get my lazy ass to the locotorio and post this bitch.
See you all in about 2 weeks! Besides seeing friends, cats, and children, I can't wait to:
- Go to a baseball game
- Kayak
- Barbecue steaks, lamb, buffalo burgers, swordfish, salmon, brie and asparagus. Not sure what I'll have the second night.
and in the end
the love you take
is equal tothe love you make.
-the Beatles
Domingo Jul 22
Happy Birthday Darth! It didn't end so pretty, but life isn't always very pretty.
Okay- I am going to the locotorio right now to post this thing. I am dressed in a an orange polo shirt, khaki shorts and a straw hat cousin Sydney got in Pamplona when she saw the bulls run. Why? I don't know. I just like it. The Spanish will look at me with curious ojos (eyes) but i care not. You get nowhere in life without being saucy sometimes. And I am a bucket of sauce, I suppose. Get ye to a locotorio!
Jul 24
Sorry it´s been so long and there are so many typos but this fucking control panel won´t save and the Internet has been hell all week. Talk to you from London.
I could drink a case of you
and I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
-Joni Mitchell
The only bad thing about starting the new novel is that it has been a detriment to the blog. It's now called "Breathe" by the way.
But I shall not forsake thee, dear loyal reader. My spanish is getting better by the fucking day. I have two new private students for the Fall. And Maria, well, she's just awesome. We talk every day and are looking forward to us both having the week off next week for some quality time - ooh la la! I'll let u know how that works out. But I can't get too graphic for all you horndogs out there, my mom reads this (Que disturbing!).
I am like that piece of paper blowing in the wind in a back alley in AMERICAN BEAUTY. I don't know exactly what it means, but it's good.
I am all alone in the flat now. We are in high summer and Madrid comes to a grinding halt because of the heat and their own natural lethargy. The Metro is uncrowded. The heat is astounding yet bareable. The humidity in DC in August is going to be like a forearm to the huevos (balls).
It's 21:30. I will miss the sunsets at the back of our house. The entire penalty box is bathed in red light as the sun slips behind the mountains. I love Madrid. I feel like she's a puta and I'm a john, but i love her anyway!
Listening to "Seconds Out - side 4" with Supper's Ready and Cinema Show. How I look forward to a few good prog rock sing-a-longs with my loved ones; Kevin, Jim and the Seester all come to mind. And I may have told you all, but we are all going to see Rush at the Garden in NYC on Sept 17th. Woo hoo! Rush shows are like religion in my family. even mum saw one in 1984 and dug, though she was bent they didn't play Limelight (it was one of the odder setlists).
Long time since i've seen a rush show with any of these folks. Also the first Rush I haven't seen with Darth since 1991 for Presto. Fucking Hell! I will continue to love her for many reasons, not the least of which is that she loved Rush.
1990:
DARTH: Hey, I picked up two Rush cassetes for like $9.99! (she only knew Presto at this time).
EL DUDE: Really? Nice! Which ones?
DARTH: Permanent Waves and Hemispheres.(Now Permanent Waves is brilliant but accessible. Hemispheres is brilliant and in the deep end of the progressive pool).
EL DUDE: How do you like Permanent Waves?
DARTH: It's excellent!
EL DUDE: And how do you find Hemispheres?
DARTH: You know, I like it even better!
And that was the first time I thought "I could marry this women." True story. Es verdad. Hey, all told, we were together about 15 years. 11 of them were good. That's 73.3%. What more could you ask for? You'd be a god as a baseball player if you hit .730 and marriage is at least as hard as baseball.
I have seen Rush in so many places: NY, NJ, CT, VA, NM and at countless venues. I first saw them at the Garden on Dec 2nd in 1982 for Signals. It changed my life. Saw them at the Garden in '82, '84, '85, and '94. I apologize.I am a geek.
I sit on the front patio and wax poetic, or so i hope. It is the end of an era, dear bleader (blog reader), and heavy petting is such sweet sorrow. I go to see what i hope is my new flat tomorrow. I will be WAY more south. Miss this area, I shall. But I'll always come back to see the folks at the Mural Bar. And I shall be close to Athletic Madrid's stadium.
Okay. 9:40. No work tomorrow. Time to eat and then head to the local to see my mental Spanish family members.
The sky over the mountains is pink like cotton candy. Dulce (sweet)!
Hasta Luego!
PS
Who am I? Who are you? Come over here and say that, you bologney!
viernes Jul 20
I am caught in the wake of cleaning - never be the last one to leave the flat. I don't even give a damn if the place is clean, god knows daft old Diego won't notice. How can you with the paint peeling and the refrigerator oozing an indeterminable brown fluid.
But I think I have a place for Sept, closer to the center for less. Ye hoo! It's with this girl Sarah, friend of a friend from Maine. Only met her few times but she's easy to get along with and i like her. So i'm going to see that place tonight before Maria and I go for Thai food and then dancing (hee hee). Just the mention of her and I'm like a lovesick puppy. I got to pull myself together.
Better give my self a talking toBetter work out what I'm going to doBetter get myself a lifeMaybe get myself a wifeInstead of the these post-nuclear talking blues.-Big Country
There'll be no wives in my future. Been there, but it's a great quote. Such a shame that Stuart Adamson, who wrote it, hung himself years ago in Hawaii. So it goes. The world lost a great artist.
Speaking of which, I must have mentioned that Annie was born on April 11th, the same day that Kurt Vonnegut died earlier that day. UFO: Unlimited Freak Out. What are the odds that's my wife's baby (don't hear that expression very often) would be born on the same day that my favorite author dies? Astrofuckingnomical- that's what they are. Random chance? I think not. What does it mean?
What do you call a dear with no eyes?No eye dear.What do you call a dear with no eyes and no genitals?No fucking eye dear.
What does it mean? I have no fucking idea. But I'm dying to find out!
I am on the porch, blogging in full shade. It's only 27 C today. Hooray!
Sabado Jul 21
Times like these
Any fool can see
Any fool can see
your love inside me
-Marillion
Oh man. I have picked the wrong time to be love struck, with me leaving in 6 days.
We went for thai food. We danced til 4 am. We laughed and laughed. Time stops when I'm with her. Light and dark hold no reference. And she's just gorgeous.
I put here in a cab at 4:30 am, back to Getafe which is 15 minutes away. I realize I need to exercise some caution here (Yeah, I'm just fucking GREAT at do that!) but she is special. And I'm a writer, so I could go on like this for hours.
But that warm feeling in my belly? Hunger? No, hunger hurts. Alcohol? Nope, haven't had any, and that only lasts a little while. Thai food? That was 16 hours ago (and if anyone is keeping score out there- NEVER order transparent noodles on a date! The fuckers are impossible to get on a tenedor (fork).Well, I don't know what it is, but it sure feels good I can hear you groaning from here, Seester- be careful- its so soon. Good advice, pero mi corazon tiene un cerebro todo su propio! (my heart has a mind all its own). Besides, life without love is just existence. And so I take that lover's leap of faith.
I had to look up 'propio' in the dictionary and i found a new word: ninfomana - nymphomaniac. God, I love learning Spanish.
We talked for the first two hours in Spanish, then my cerebro relented. Maria has really helped mySpanish.
Lastly, little Annie Greco is being christened today in the Motherland (NJ). I believe she is going to go through at least the first part of her amazing life with my name. This makes me happy.
Okay! Time to get my lazy ass to the locotorio and post this bitch.
See you all in about 2 weeks! Besides seeing friends, cats, and children, I can't wait to:
- Go to a baseball game
- Kayak
- Barbecue steaks, lamb, buffalo burgers, swordfish, salmon, brie and asparagus. Not sure what I'll have the second night.
and in the end
the love you take
is equal tothe love you make.
-the Beatles
Domingo Jul 22
Happy Birthday Darth! It didn't end so pretty, but life isn't always very pretty.
Okay- I am going to the locotorio right now to post this thing. I am dressed in a an orange polo shirt, khaki shorts and a straw hat cousin Sydney got in Pamplona when she saw the bulls run. Why? I don't know. I just like it. The Spanish will look at me with curious ojos (eyes) but i care not. You get nowhere in life without being saucy sometimes. And I am a bucket of sauce, I suppose. Get ye to a locotorio!
Jul 24
Sorry it´s been so long and there are so many typos but this fucking control panel won´t save and the Internet has been hell all week. Talk to you from London.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Faith
What I have here in my hand
Is like faith but not faith
For those without faith also have
What I have here in my hand
What I have here in my hand
Is like feeling but deeper
It's why I am here
What I have here in my hand
Is knowledge without proof
What I have here in my hand
This is what I feel for you
-Marillion
I am alive and well. Packing. Hoping the flat doesn't colapse until i leave - cleaning chipped paint out of the sink- oi! The shower head holder is broken. Stuart's room has green mold on the wall. The laundry line hangs by a thread. The curtain rod in my room where i hang wet dress shirts keeps falling down. The fridge is oozing a brownish redish liquid that is sticky as fly paper. I'm ready to leave this place. I have a good line on a place with a friend of a friend, luckily.
Dancing with Maria went smashing on Saturday. She has next week off so we'll have some time to hang. Odd how shit works out, eh? I really like her and pretty sure she digs me at this point.
She's really unique - great sense of humor. She weighs like nothing after losing 2 kilos when she was sick. I think I could juggle her if I had to. Looking forward to juggling her, actually. Unfortunate that i leave for 7 weeks, but i'll be back. Yes, indeedy.
Comet Girl left this morning. We all went out for Thai food last night. Sydney moves out today (i'm gonna go help her after this). So the Scattering is complete. I am the last in line. But i have faith that we will all meet again.
There can be only one.
-Highlander
Weather has been nice. only 29 out. But the weekend was a scorcher.
I have a new student and that's always good- private lessons. A doctor. Smart as hell.
And my Spanish is getting better! And the new novel is progressing nicely. It's nice to be a man of Leisure!
New Suzanne Vega and Pumpkins today. Woo hoo! Love them both, i do.
Tell all of your children to get out the hockey sticks and nets! I am coming home.
But I guess my home is Madrid now, since it's where i live and work. I have a great house in McLean, but it is currently occupied. I hope Annie likes drums.
Time to help cousin Sydney move.
Is like faith but not faith
For those without faith also have
What I have here in my hand
What I have here in my hand
Is like feeling but deeper
It's why I am here
What I have here in my hand
Is knowledge without proof
What I have here in my hand
This is what I feel for you
-Marillion
I am alive and well. Packing. Hoping the flat doesn't colapse until i leave - cleaning chipped paint out of the sink- oi! The shower head holder is broken. Stuart's room has green mold on the wall. The laundry line hangs by a thread. The curtain rod in my room where i hang wet dress shirts keeps falling down. The fridge is oozing a brownish redish liquid that is sticky as fly paper. I'm ready to leave this place. I have a good line on a place with a friend of a friend, luckily.
Dancing with Maria went smashing on Saturday. She has next week off so we'll have some time to hang. Odd how shit works out, eh? I really like her and pretty sure she digs me at this point.
She's really unique - great sense of humor. She weighs like nothing after losing 2 kilos when she was sick. I think I could juggle her if I had to. Looking forward to juggling her, actually. Unfortunate that i leave for 7 weeks, but i'll be back. Yes, indeedy.
Comet Girl left this morning. We all went out for Thai food last night. Sydney moves out today (i'm gonna go help her after this). So the Scattering is complete. I am the last in line. But i have faith that we will all meet again.
There can be only one.
-Highlander
Weather has been nice. only 29 out. But the weekend was a scorcher.
I have a new student and that's always good- private lessons. A doctor. Smart as hell.
And my Spanish is getting better! And the new novel is progressing nicely. It's nice to be a man of Leisure!
New Suzanne Vega and Pumpkins today. Woo hoo! Love them both, i do.
Tell all of your children to get out the hockey sticks and nets! I am coming home.
But I guess my home is Madrid now, since it's where i live and work. I have a great house in McLean, but it is currently occupied. I hope Annie likes drums.
Time to help cousin Sydney move.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
En Verano
In the summertime when the weather is hot
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
-Mungo Jerry
The weather is hot! I just laid in my cave of a bedroom and wrote all day. The new novel, restarted for the 3rd time as my brain shifts and drifts, is underway. I think know it is called Breathe, but who knows really.
What else - not much work as summer slows things down. Packed a lot of stuff up to leave at JJ´s. Went to the pool, which was indoors (no sense) and then people sunbathe in a grass park. Odd. But lots of topless beauties sun bathing. One was working with the headset on, shifting through papers and talking heatedly as her perky little hooters saluted the clouds at a 90 degree angle. She was beautiful, so brazen and self confident.
Going dancing with Maria tonight (who was really sick this week, pobrecito). We´'ll see what happens. I beginning to think she might be a train-wreck waiting to happen. Not sure, but there is something there more than meets the eye. I still like her though. She's a crazy nut.
I love all you fuckers and can´t wait to see you!
You can stretch right up and touch the sky
When the weather's fine
You got women, you got women on your mind
-Mungo Jerry
The weather is hot! I just laid in my cave of a bedroom and wrote all day. The new novel, restarted for the 3rd time as my brain shifts and drifts, is underway. I think know it is called Breathe, but who knows really.
What else - not much work as summer slows things down. Packed a lot of stuff up to leave at JJ´s. Went to the pool, which was indoors (no sense) and then people sunbathe in a grass park. Odd. But lots of topless beauties sun bathing. One was working with the headset on, shifting through papers and talking heatedly as her perky little hooters saluted the clouds at a 90 degree angle. She was beautiful, so brazen and self confident.
Going dancing with Maria tonight (who was really sick this week, pobrecito). We´'ll see what happens. I beginning to think she might be a train-wreck waiting to happen. Not sure, but there is something there more than meets the eye. I still like her though. She's a crazy nut.
I love all you fuckers and can´t wait to see you!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late.
And if I were a good man,
I'd talk with you more often than I do.
If I were to sleep, I could dream.
If I were afraid, I could hide.
If I go insane, please don't put
Your wires in my brain.
-Pink Floyd
TOUR DATES
Here´s new dates for me in Europe and North America:
Jul 27 - 31: London.
Aug 1: Hasbrouck Heights NJ
Aug 2 - 5: Washington DC
My entire trip will go until about the 20th of Sept.
Hope to see you all. The closer to the first set; me singing ¨Texas has a Whorehouse in it!¨while dressed like Margaret Thatcher is just priceless. Almost as good as my duet with Bette Midler on ¨Black Dog.¨Almost.
If I were a train, I'd be late.
And if I were a good man,
I'd talk with you more often than I do.
If I were to sleep, I could dream.
If I were afraid, I could hide.
If I go insane, please don't put
Your wires in my brain.
-Pink Floyd
TOUR DATES
Here´s new dates for me in Europe and North America:
Jul 27 - 31: London.
Aug 1: Hasbrouck Heights NJ
Aug 2 - 5: Washington DC
My entire trip will go until about the 20th of Sept.
Hope to see you all. The closer to the first set; me singing ¨Texas has a Whorehouse in it!¨while dressed like Margaret Thatcher is just priceless. Almost as good as my duet with Bette Midler on ¨Black Dog.¨Almost.
A Spanner in the Works
She said there is no reason
and the truth is plain to see
but i wandered through my playing cards
would not let her be
one of sixteen vestal virgins
who were leaving for the coast
and although my eyes were open
they might just have well been closed
and so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face at first just ghostly
turned a whiter shade of pale
-Procol Harum
and the truth is plain to see
but i wandered through my playing cards
would not let her be
one of sixteen vestal virgins
who were leaving for the coast
and although my eyes were open
they might just have well been closed
and so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face at first just ghostly
turned a whiter shade of pale
-Procol Harum
Sabado 3pm
Well, Maria is coming over tonight and I am cooking dinner for her. It's just the two of us (ooh la la!) as Cousin Sydney is in Barcelona. I feel like a lovesick puppy. I'm making aliolia sauce with Pasta (my specialty, since it's illegal to barbecue in my flat- which is a goddamn heresy). I am going to barbecue my balls off when I get back to DC.
The plan is to have dinner and go out dancing (she LOVES to dance, and I would love to WATCH her). Who knows? I 've been out of the game a long time. Time will tell. But i really like her. Hopefully if something happens, it'll be nice and natural. I don't get nervous often, but I guess I am. O tangle of emotions that is love, like and lust! What's that serenity prayer? Give me the power to know the difference and the wisdom to choose the most sticky and intoxicating? Something like that. Been a long time since i practiced Catholicism.
Dancing..hmmm. Can you dance to Pink Floyd? That's kind of slow, no? Or maybe some 80's King Crimson? The Spanish love shitty pop - whatever is stuffed down their throats, they listen too. Probably don't have to worry about hearing either of those. Although last night at the local they let me DJ a bit with my iPod and I played some King Crimson, 21st century Schizoid man, live from Central Park in '74. Kick ass! One person, Juan Jo, wents. The rest of the people looked on with blank stares.
Downside in
I have not had very good luck in the dating department, for whatever reason. I got a call from Maria yesterday that her she had to take her mom to a clinic. She was really dizzy and couldn't walk. She later called to say she wouldn't be able to make it because they had to give her mom more tests. I could tell she was as disappointed as i was. Bummer.
Luckily, her mom seems fine now. They think it was her blood pressure.
Maria's Dad died last year. Her mother and he had known each other since she was 11. Needless to say, she has been very depressed since he died.
She called at 10 to say she was still at the clinic. Maybe we'll see each other today if her mum's okay. Her mum lives near her in Getafe and Maria was going to sleep over her house. Her other sister is down south in Andalucia.
I could tell it was tough for her. "I hate this place," she said, meaning the clinic. It brings back bad memories of her father's death for her. Hospitals are just a drag. And that bright white! I told her to pretend she was at the North Pole and that the nurses were big elves dressed in their pajamas.
She was really apologetic about canceling. I told her not to worry. The bowtie pasta, olive oil, garlic and anchoas (anchovies) wouldn't go bad. I'll just cook for her another time.
"Look, I don't know what I could possibly do, but let me if I can do anything."
"You are so cute!" she said. "I don't know if is the right word, but you are cute."
Remember Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the claymation thing? Rudolph says, "She thinks I'm cuuuuuuuute!" and goes leaping through the air. Then I think the black cover on his red nose falls off, his nose shines red like a police car light and he's busted. So it goes.
Bite me, Jenifer J Lo
hey Mr. DJ, play my #&*^ing song!
-Jenifer Lopez
Once again I was asked to DJ at the local. Here's my basic setlist, in order. It can be difficult to find crowd pleasers in my selection, I guess my tastes border on eclectic.
Bob Marley and the Wailers-Small Axe-Duppy Conqueror
The Clash-Washington Bullets-Rock the Casbah
Led Zep-In the Evening-Fool in the Rain
Marillion-the other half
Procol Harum-Whiter Shade of Plale
Velvet Underground-Sweet Jane-Rock and Roll-Waiting for the man
Gordian Knot-Some brighter things (this kind of just clobbered them)
Audioslave-Be yourself
Fleetwood Mac-Black Magic woman
Ozric Tentacles-coily
The Ozrics were an attempt at electronica. After that James took over to play some true electronica. And thusly, I spent the night with JJ and my other pals down at the local. Que bueno! It's a Spanish CHEERS.
I also got to practice my Spanish a bit. I am at the point where it's a pain in the ass. I know what I want to say but can't put it together. Putting adjectives after nouns and reflexive pronouns before the verb is a bitch. And why so many fucking verb tenses! Sweet baby Jar Jar Binks! It is either happening, or happened, or will happen - isn't that enough?
My class yesterday with Paco from Oracle went very well. Nice guy.
It was fucking 37 degrees yesterday. That's 101 farenheit. Unreal. It's so dry here. I drink water by the liter. I actually had to buy some moisturizer for my face last week. Who am I, Princess Di?
I met Paco at his parent's flat and it was hot as hell. But the dry heat seems to be better than the stifling humidity of DC. My fan just follows me around the flat. Men here ususally don't wear shorts, at least not my age. I needed shorts so I got a pair at H&M. They come past my knees. All of the styles are different here.
Fuck, I thought after I got home and put them on. I bought a pair of Capri pants!
But I kind of like them now when I go out at night because they are longer. It's just too goddamn hot to wear pants.
"Hey kid, where's your skateboard?" JJ said the other night.
"Bite my ass."
She wandered through the garden fence
and said I've bought a great expensive potion
guaranteed to bring
relief from all your suffering
and though I said you don't exist
she grasped me firmly by the wrist
threw me down upon my back
strapped me to her torture rack
and without any further argument
i found my mind was all so bent
upon a course so devious
it only my torment worse
-Procol Harum
Thank you, whoever you are
-Marillion
2pm Domingo
Hot as balls. Sit in front of the fan in bed in the dark. It's not so bad really, but even time sweats in Madrid.
The patio at least has a breeze and is in the shade, but the air is actually hot as I think we are at 36 today.
I have started packing stuff up so it's not too much at once. I will leave a good deal here, in a suitcase with someone, maybe JJ. You put down roots after six months.
Blue cheese and lomo for lunch. Lomo is a cured cold cut of lamb, which tastes like... you guessed it - ham!
No Internet in the flat this weekends, which is a drag. The Internet places are sweatboxes. But blog I must. I blog therefore I am - still existing in the minds of my friends and family, not as a static image, but as a kinetic mass of energy and meat.
Love us all
how you never broke your heart
how you lose them
if you feel the feeling start...
and you
may find time will blind yout
his to just remind you
all is meant to be
-Yes
1:15 pm Martes
As I post this, just wanted to let you know Maria called at 4pm on Sunday.
"I'm near your neighborhood and wanted to see if you had sometime to get coffee."
"What the hell are you doing in this neighborhood (I am in the North of the city, and she lives outside of the city to the South)?"
"I was on Gran Via and just walked up here. I have to meet friends for the theater at 6:30. What are you doing now?"
"Going to have coffee with you!"
So cute, isn't it? But I don't know where it's going. She seems alternately extremely agressive and then painfully shy. I don't understand Spanish folks. I don't understand women. Thought I did once, and I was horribly horribly wrong. I don't understand geometry either.
So I'm just waiting to see what will happen, just like the rest of you.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Death or Glory
The Ground opens up before me like some kind of earthen monster made of sand and clay. The cries of the pteryadactyls pierce my ears as they soar overhead. Terror - dactyls is what they fucking are. Their shrill calls shatter the few remaining windows left in the long abandoned Plaza Castilla Towers. Its a monday or a tuesday, or a just-try-not-to-be-eaten day.
Martes 19:45
Dancing on an Awning
All is well. Still looking for teaching hours, but think i'm on the right track. No place to live for sure, but think i'll stay here for a period longer. Not too hot this eve - there is a breeze. The day was a scorcher. I walked to this fill-in job today in unbroken sun. Suprised my watch didn't melt. But still, it was some how bearable. That may change as they are predicting 35C this weekend (96 F).
Okay - Internet problems were fucking rampant at the office today (helping the Daft Cunt with some marketing - and god damn he needs it.) Got not a thing done. Oh well. Hourly baby, hourly. He's going on vacation for 2 weeks and forgot to tell me. Business as usual in Espana.
Putting your Foot Down
Cousin Sydney finally went to a podiatrist for her oft beat up feet (Fell in the Metro while still in TEFL class and Mashed up her foot, put a piece of a bear bottle through the other like two weeks ago.). Gave her some cream and some therapy tips. We knew the best thing is for her to stay off them, but that's kind impossible in Madrid.
Factura
Is my invoice. Got to go finish that for PLT (the group i do intensives with). More later- and that's a threat
July 5th
Got my meds yesterday! Hooray! I did okay in their absence, excepting this blogs opening paragraph.
Always weird to be away on the 4th. The Seester was like "you crusty old expat!" That's me i guess, minus the crustiness. Some American friends and I went to a bar and had a few beers. it was fun.
The week in review
Well, as usual, there was some funky shit going down both inside and outside the city.
No Laughing Matter
The funniest and worst moment of the last intensive was Friday night. The second bottle of vino was half gone and we were at dinner. It was our last night. Abel, my student, ordered cafe. Lyndsay Buckingham, my boss, offered him the sugar. He declined it.
"You take it black," she said.
"Uh...solamente. Nothing in it."
"Black."
"Black?"
"It's like that old joke, 'I like my coffee like I like my women..."
Now, I don't know if it was the vino or what, but Lyndsay is about 27 from Pittsburgh and pretty straight-laced. Nice, but kind of conservative for an expat.
The Spaniards didn't understand and it required an explanantion.
"Let me pull your mask off. Who is this imposter?" I joked with her. We were sitting next to each other.
"What did I start?" she asked.
It was time for an explanation and the punchline.
"So the joke goes, 'I like my women like I like my coffee...." Then she just seemed embarassed. "And how does it go, Jay?"
Okay. My boss was telling me to say this.
"...Hot, black and screaming for cream."
"OH MY GOD!" cries Lyndsay. John, the other teacher, is sprawled out on the table laughing. The VP, mercifully, is laughing, as is another student.
Hoder, i think. "Is that not how you heard it?"
"No, the first two, but not the last one!"
"Oops. That's why I was so surprised you brought it up."
"Never again!"
"Agreed."
But one student didn't get it and the moment was prolonged while they explained to him in Spanish, Then he cracked up.
"Sorry Lyns."
"No no - my fault."
Fair enough. The moral of the story is to never finish someone else's jokes.
Seduction and Table Service
I'm going out with Maria tonight to celebrate the 4th of July.
"What do you do on the 4th of July?" she asked.
"We drink beer and barbecue."
"I love it!" she said.
But to bring you back to our first encounter, we were sitting on a terrace. Our beers were empty and I had tried in vain to get the camerero's attention. Finally Maria started shaking her boobs and motioned to further unbutton her shirt. Now I had just met her and laughed like hell. The waiter kept going. I was transfixed.
She sat sown and faked a pout. " I guess not."
"Maybe he's gay." I think he was because I eventually got his attention.
But what did not go unnoticed by me was that at some point later in the evening, she had unbuttoned the button, revealing more cleavage.
I like this woman.
The Possibility of an Island, part two
The character in the book talked about love as a curse. That once you're head over heels, you're fucked - waiting on phone calls, longing to see the other person, never wanting to see them leave. Very existential, but that's the French for you.
It is a bit scary though. It's that intoxication of being in someone else's presence. Someone that makes you laugh and forget about the passage of time. Someone you hate to be parted from: the other half.
Maybe love evens out once people are married because you couldn't function your whole life with that mad possessive love. I don't know.
Trabaja
I picked up some more work yesterday. I'll be teaching a VP from Oracle at his house on Saturdays from 11 - 2pm. Pretty cool. And also a student who is a Spanish doctor and speaks no English, twice a week.
How death or glory becomes just another story
How death or glory becomes just another story
Every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock n roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But I believe in this-and its been tested by research
That he who fucks nuns will later join the church
-the Clash
Martes 19:45
Dancing on an Awning
All is well. Still looking for teaching hours, but think i'm on the right track. No place to live for sure, but think i'll stay here for a period longer. Not too hot this eve - there is a breeze. The day was a scorcher. I walked to this fill-in job today in unbroken sun. Suprised my watch didn't melt. But still, it was some how bearable. That may change as they are predicting 35C this weekend (96 F).
Okay - Internet problems were fucking rampant at the office today (helping the Daft Cunt with some marketing - and god damn he needs it.) Got not a thing done. Oh well. Hourly baby, hourly. He's going on vacation for 2 weeks and forgot to tell me. Business as usual in Espana.
Putting your Foot Down
Cousin Sydney finally went to a podiatrist for her oft beat up feet (Fell in the Metro while still in TEFL class and Mashed up her foot, put a piece of a bear bottle through the other like two weeks ago.). Gave her some cream and some therapy tips. We knew the best thing is for her to stay off them, but that's kind impossible in Madrid.
Factura
Is my invoice. Got to go finish that for PLT (the group i do intensives with). More later- and that's a threat
July 5th
Got my meds yesterday! Hooray! I did okay in their absence, excepting this blogs opening paragraph.
Always weird to be away on the 4th. The Seester was like "you crusty old expat!" That's me i guess, minus the crustiness. Some American friends and I went to a bar and had a few beers. it was fun.
The week in review
Well, as usual, there was some funky shit going down both inside and outside the city.
No Laughing Matter
The funniest and worst moment of the last intensive was Friday night. The second bottle of vino was half gone and we were at dinner. It was our last night. Abel, my student, ordered cafe. Lyndsay Buckingham, my boss, offered him the sugar. He declined it.
"You take it black," she said.
"Uh...solamente. Nothing in it."
"Black."
"Black?"
"It's like that old joke, 'I like my coffee like I like my women..."
Now, I don't know if it was the vino or what, but Lyndsay is about 27 from Pittsburgh and pretty straight-laced. Nice, but kind of conservative for an expat.
The Spaniards didn't understand and it required an explanantion.
"Let me pull your mask off. Who is this imposter?" I joked with her. We were sitting next to each other.
"What did I start?" she asked.
It was time for an explanation and the punchline.
"So the joke goes, 'I like my women like I like my coffee...." Then she just seemed embarassed. "And how does it go, Jay?"
Okay. My boss was telling me to say this.
"...Hot, black and screaming for cream."
"OH MY GOD!" cries Lyndsay. John, the other teacher, is sprawled out on the table laughing. The VP, mercifully, is laughing, as is another student.
Hoder, i think. "Is that not how you heard it?"
"No, the first two, but not the last one!"
"Oops. That's why I was so surprised you brought it up."
"Never again!"
"Agreed."
But one student didn't get it and the moment was prolonged while they explained to him in Spanish, Then he cracked up.
"Sorry Lyns."
"No no - my fault."
Fair enough. The moral of the story is to never finish someone else's jokes.
Seduction and Table Service
I'm going out with Maria tonight to celebrate the 4th of July.
"What do you do on the 4th of July?" she asked.
"We drink beer and barbecue."
"I love it!" she said.
But to bring you back to our first encounter, we were sitting on a terrace. Our beers were empty and I had tried in vain to get the camerero's attention. Finally Maria started shaking her boobs and motioned to further unbutton her shirt. Now I had just met her and laughed like hell. The waiter kept going. I was transfixed.
She sat sown and faked a pout. " I guess not."
"Maybe he's gay." I think he was because I eventually got his attention.
But what did not go unnoticed by me was that at some point later in the evening, she had unbuttoned the button, revealing more cleavage.
I like this woman.
The Possibility of an Island, part two
The character in the book talked about love as a curse. That once you're head over heels, you're fucked - waiting on phone calls, longing to see the other person, never wanting to see them leave. Very existential, but that's the French for you.
It is a bit scary though. It's that intoxication of being in someone else's presence. Someone that makes you laugh and forget about the passage of time. Someone you hate to be parted from: the other half.
Maybe love evens out once people are married because you couldn't function your whole life with that mad possessive love. I don't know.
Trabaja
I picked up some more work yesterday. I'll be teaching a VP from Oracle at his house on Saturdays from 11 - 2pm. Pretty cool. And also a student who is a Spanish doctor and speaks no English, twice a week.
How death or glory becomes just another story
How death or glory becomes just another story
Every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock n roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But I believe in this-and its been tested by research
That he who fucks nuns will later join the church
-the Clash
Monday, July 2, 2007
The Possibility of an Island
Lunes, July 2 14:16
Rare weekday off. Cleaning the house to make it look like i am moving. Took a break for a tasty egg salad sandwich ( i always make it fresh in this heat!). Yesterday was nice and cool.
Kristen, the 24 year-old daughter i never wanted, is on her way to Galicia. Miss her, i shall. The kids are all gone now except for cousin Sydney. Alack, I am an empty nester.
GRIM VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
A book i just kicked that's a great read is THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND by Michel Houellebecq. Wow! Grim but facinating. And you thought Piere Boulle (Planet of the Apes) and
Camus were dark! Damn baby. French authors need anti-depressents.
Earthquakes, ice age and war have left the planet decimated. Human being run around in packs like animals. The only survivors are neo-humans: cloned from original humans by a religion as a form of immortality. One of the most original, twisted, existential and human stories i have ever read.
INTERCAMBIO
Is a language exchange. That was how at met Patricia (Doh!), at the J&J bar. So, i was looking for work on this website, lingobongo.com, and saw an add by a 32 year old woman who
wanted to practice english and teach Spanish. We met last Tuesday and she's awesome! Very mellow, and funny! We hung out for like 3 hours on Tuesday evening and then spent like 8
hours together with her yesterday. Nice gal. Spanish, long straight dark hair, skinney as hell (needs to eat a steak - i like women curvy). So that has been fun. We'll see what else happens.
She used to be a teacher.
We ate lunch at wok place and celebrated her birthday (she's 33). She asked me about playing drums and i taught her some simple stuff at the table with chopsticks. She drummed around
with them all day long. She also used them like a ruler (with Penguin-like accuracy) the way the nuns did in school. She whacked me when I switched from Spanish to English. She's a taskmaster and seems to like it kind of rough.
lunes 17:21
THE NATURE OF EVIL
Well, my medicines are running out. They arrived in the states two weeks ago. Darth never answered my emails about it. I have been frantically trying to contact her via email and phone
(thanks to all of you who helped!) She mailed them on Thursday, the 21st. I told her I needed it by this Friday, the 29th. She sent it 6-10 business days, basically insuring i would not get it in
time (in order to save $30 that i will pay her anyway). After two weeks she emailed me late this Sat, said she would send me the tracking number. No email. I just called her. She said it left
the facility. I asked why she hadn't answered my emails, calls home and calls to her cellphone. She said she was in canada and out fo range - but she had three days to email me from home.
She asked if I got her long email this morning - there was no email. She started yelling and said i should have ordered it earlier (It was a month ago - 2 weeks is a lot of time to get to Europe). I just asked her for the tracking # and told her I 'd take care of it.
Then, when i found out how she shipped it, I said, "That's why. It hasn't been 10 business days yet!" She yelled and told me to shut up. I pleaded, "Just give me the tracking #". She hung up. She hung up on me from Europe, and didn't answer when i called back twice. So I am screwed. Already out of one med. Run out of the most important tomorrow. I am hamstrung. I've tried to get them here but no luck. The last pharmacy told me they don't have either of my meds in Europe. Hard to believe.
And then I thought about the nature of evil. How does it get to this?
I think some people are capable of lying to themselves until they actually believe it.
I think some people, when they realize they have made a mistake or done wrong, turn their anger on the subject they have wronged.
I think some people need a good kick in the ass.
I don't say the preceeding to besmirch her name (she does that just grand herself!). I just can't understand. In what way have I not been accomodating? Ever since we've been seperated
she's been living in OUR HOUSE while i pay rent. Someone or someboday please help me understand. I think it's horrifying that people who once loved each other can do such monstrous things to one another.
Now let's be candid: I'm no angel (Laughtrak played here). Quite the contrary. In fact, if God is anything like the Catholic Church portrays him, I would have been raising my hand to be cast out of Heaven, right behind Lucifer. But it's been a rare occasion when I've pre-meditatedly tried to hurt people, and in the end it was no fun at all.
Hmmm. Curious to see what I'll be like when I'm off the meds and not heavily sedated. Maybe I can find a 24 hour shock treament place.
4TH OF JULY
I will have some kind of party with friends at Casa de Monos if i still have a place to live. We had some kind of blast in Jamaica all those years ago,. I think i gave the guys off that day. It's always very emmotional to be out of the states on this day. Besides, i'm a sucker for a good barbecue.
UK TOUR DATES
I'm looking at multiple dates in the UK in late July, with London assured. Been years since I toured London.
DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
The running of the bulls in Pamplona is this weekend. Loco. I think Sydney is taking the MEAN GIRLS to see it. I think poor Syd is starting to wonder why the hell she's friends with these
girls in the first place. The dark haired one worships the Alpha Blonde. Syd seems to be in Admin, not sure. But Alpha Blonde does have nice tits. She was breezing out her right one
(hooter a la dercha) in the metro last night. Everyone wants to be Lyndsay Lohan.
I want prescription drugs, a roof over my head and Maria. Is that so much to ask?
Rare weekday off. Cleaning the house to make it look like i am moving. Took a break for a tasty egg salad sandwich ( i always make it fresh in this heat!). Yesterday was nice and cool.
Kristen, the 24 year-old daughter i never wanted, is on her way to Galicia. Miss her, i shall. The kids are all gone now except for cousin Sydney. Alack, I am an empty nester.
GRIM VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
A book i just kicked that's a great read is THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ISLAND by Michel Houellebecq. Wow! Grim but facinating. And you thought Piere Boulle (Planet of the Apes) and
Camus were dark! Damn baby. French authors need anti-depressents.
Earthquakes, ice age and war have left the planet decimated. Human being run around in packs like animals. The only survivors are neo-humans: cloned from original humans by a religion as a form of immortality. One of the most original, twisted, existential and human stories i have ever read.
INTERCAMBIO
Is a language exchange. That was how at met Patricia (Doh!), at the J&J bar. So, i was looking for work on this website, lingobongo.com, and saw an add by a 32 year old woman who
wanted to practice english and teach Spanish. We met last Tuesday and she's awesome! Very mellow, and funny! We hung out for like 3 hours on Tuesday evening and then spent like 8
hours together with her yesterday. Nice gal. Spanish, long straight dark hair, skinney as hell (needs to eat a steak - i like women curvy). So that has been fun. We'll see what else happens.
She used to be a teacher.
We ate lunch at wok place and celebrated her birthday (she's 33). She asked me about playing drums and i taught her some simple stuff at the table with chopsticks. She drummed around
with them all day long. She also used them like a ruler (with Penguin-like accuracy) the way the nuns did in school. She whacked me when I switched from Spanish to English. She's a taskmaster and seems to like it kind of rough.
lunes 17:21
THE NATURE OF EVIL
Well, my medicines are running out. They arrived in the states two weeks ago. Darth never answered my emails about it. I have been frantically trying to contact her via email and phone
(thanks to all of you who helped!) She mailed them on Thursday, the 21st. I told her I needed it by this Friday, the 29th. She sent it 6-10 business days, basically insuring i would not get it in
time (in order to save $30 that i will pay her anyway). After two weeks she emailed me late this Sat, said she would send me the tracking number. No email. I just called her. She said it left
the facility. I asked why she hadn't answered my emails, calls home and calls to her cellphone. She said she was in canada and out fo range - but she had three days to email me from home.
She asked if I got her long email this morning - there was no email. She started yelling and said i should have ordered it earlier (It was a month ago - 2 weeks is a lot of time to get to Europe). I just asked her for the tracking # and told her I 'd take care of it.
Then, when i found out how she shipped it, I said, "That's why. It hasn't been 10 business days yet!" She yelled and told me to shut up. I pleaded, "Just give me the tracking #". She hung up. She hung up on me from Europe, and didn't answer when i called back twice. So I am screwed. Already out of one med. Run out of the most important tomorrow. I am hamstrung. I've tried to get them here but no luck. The last pharmacy told me they don't have either of my meds in Europe. Hard to believe.
And then I thought about the nature of evil. How does it get to this?
I think some people are capable of lying to themselves until they actually believe it.
I think some people, when they realize they have made a mistake or done wrong, turn their anger on the subject they have wronged.
I think some people need a good kick in the ass.
I don't say the preceeding to besmirch her name (she does that just grand herself!). I just can't understand. In what way have I not been accomodating? Ever since we've been seperated
she's been living in OUR HOUSE while i pay rent. Someone or someboday please help me understand. I think it's horrifying that people who once loved each other can do such monstrous things to one another.
Now let's be candid: I'm no angel (Laughtrak played here). Quite the contrary. In fact, if God is anything like the Catholic Church portrays him, I would have been raising my hand to be cast out of Heaven, right behind Lucifer. But it's been a rare occasion when I've pre-meditatedly tried to hurt people, and in the end it was no fun at all.
Hmmm. Curious to see what I'll be like when I'm off the meds and not heavily sedated. Maybe I can find a 24 hour shock treament place.
4TH OF JULY
I will have some kind of party with friends at Casa de Monos if i still have a place to live. We had some kind of blast in Jamaica all those years ago,. I think i gave the guys off that day. It's always very emmotional to be out of the states on this day. Besides, i'm a sucker for a good barbecue.
UK TOUR DATES
I'm looking at multiple dates in the UK in late July, with London assured. Been years since I toured London.
DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON
The running of the bulls in Pamplona is this weekend. Loco. I think Sydney is taking the MEAN GIRLS to see it. I think poor Syd is starting to wonder why the hell she's friends with these
girls in the first place. The dark haired one worships the Alpha Blonde. Syd seems to be in Admin, not sure. But Alpha Blonde does have nice tits. She was breezing out her right one
(hooter a la dercha) in the metro last night. Everyone wants to be Lyndsay Lohan.
I want prescription drugs, a roof over my head and Maria. Is that so much to ask?
HOME
When they overrun the defences
A minor invasion put down to expenses
Will you go down to the airport lounge
Will you accept your second class status
A nation of waitresses and waiters
Will you mix their martinis
Will you stand still for it
Or will you take to the hills
-Roger Waters
So much to say and no time. My work schedule shifts and drifts like a porsche tearing up a small Jamaican road on the way to Ocho Rios. At the last minute our fucking landlord went back on his word to let me pay my share, plus 100E and now wants a full month´s rent. Not to worry- El Dude always has a back up plan. The deal should go down tomorrow night.
Sydney moved in (at least til tomorrow). Her friends are visiting and I swear they are the girls from MEANS GIRLS (PS: I love you Tina Fey!). Shallow, bitchy and MEAN. That god they have a hostel and their luggage now.
TOUR DATES CONFIRMED!
The first date will be August 1st in Hasbrouck Heights NJ! More to follow.......
A minor invasion put down to expenses
Will you go down to the airport lounge
Will you accept your second class status
A nation of waitresses and waiters
Will you mix their martinis
Will you stand still for it
Or will you take to the hills
-Roger Waters
So much to say and no time. My work schedule shifts and drifts like a porsche tearing up a small Jamaican road on the way to Ocho Rios. At the last minute our fucking landlord went back on his word to let me pay my share, plus 100E and now wants a full month´s rent. Not to worry- El Dude always has a back up plan. The deal should go down tomorrow night.
Sydney moved in (at least til tomorrow). Her friends are visiting and I swear they are the girls from MEANS GIRLS (PS: I love you Tina Fey!). Shallow, bitchy and MEAN. That god they have a hostel and their luggage now.
TOUR DATES CONFIRMED!
The first date will be August 1st in Hasbrouck Heights NJ! More to follow.......
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
