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!