Happy Fucking New Year!!!

(Maria, so dramatic!!!!)

Your multilingual business friend
Has packed her bags and fled
Leaving only ash-filled ashtrays
And the lipsticked unmade bed
The mirror on reflection
Has climbed back upon the wall
For the floor she found descended
And the ceiling was too tall
Your trouser cuffs are dirty
And your shoes are laced up wrong
You'd better take off your homburg
'cos your overcoat is too long
-procol harum

It's been a crazy year, but a good one. I look forward to 2008- the year i get divorced! Finally! Here's to new starts. I wish you all a happy, healthy prosperous one!

Paydirt

Keep your 'lectric eye on me babe

Put your ray gun to my head

Press your space face close to mine, love

Freak out in a moonage daydream oh yeah!

-David Bowie

Has it really been a week? Bad blogger! Bad blogger! Well, it's been nonstop tour action - wall to wall. I've driven almost 1500 miles and been i've hit seven cities (or towns) so far: Ansonia, Wilton, Newtown, New Milford, NYC, Newark, and Rockvill, with multiple dates in Ansonia, Wilton and New Milford, NJ.

Saw a Devild game in the new stadium. It looks like a war zone around the stadium - no where to get food or beer - just like it was at the MCI Center in DC at first.

Well, i'm too road weary to entertain much. So i give you, on this last day of 2007, pictures of La Profesora. She finally relented and sent me pictures to refute allegations that she is a vampire, a porn star or a CIA operative. But as you can tell, like me, she is a wise ass.

Well - i can only load one for some reason. I don't mean to be such a tease: nature just loves me this way!

Here Again

I said I played this song so many times before
That the melody keeps repeating
Growing new ideas, flowing chords and notes
Like a mountain river bleeding
-Rush

Hey people. Just spent three great days with the Mum, The Tietjens and Jim, Mel, Pete, Seam and Chris. We saw the Genesis cover band THE MUSICAL BOX and they were great. After some car troubles (dead battery and a problem with the alarm that hasn't been used in 7 years) I drove to DC and am staying with Bryan and Rebecca (Who are fasting and very hungry!). So nice to see everyone.

The City was full of people – just crazy. The city that never sleeps was busting at the seams. We were down on Chambers Street and the amount of space from what used to be the World Trade Center was eerie. Those buildings used to dominate the horizon from that street.

Everybody seems well. Does NOT seem like I haven't seen them in a long time at all, which is such a sweet sticky feeling! With family and goof friends you can jump right back in!

I am watching American Football - what a treat (even if it is fucking Dallas).

Tomorrow i get Fripp and bring him to CT. It will be just like old times.

You know I've, I've seen your face before
Is it ever gonna, ever gonna change again?
Oh, oh, I've, I've been in one place too long
Is it ever gonna, ever gonna change again?
-Rush

Volver

Let's tell the future
Let's see how it's been done.
By numbers. By mirrors. By water.
By dots made at random on paper.

By salt. By dice.
By meal. By mice.
By dough of cakes.
By sacrificial fire.

By fountains. By fishes.
Writing in ashes.
Birds. Herbs.
Smoke from the altar.

-Suzanne Vega

BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR 2008

Yes, herr bloggees, 'tis the time of year for El Dude's bold and beautiful predictions for the new year:

-The New England Patriots will go 16 – 0 but will not win the championship, losing the Superbowl to Seattle, in the second fixed Super Bowl (both involving the Seahawks). A probe into the game in 2089 shows the fix was largely bankrolled by the 1972 Dolphins.

-Shrubby will choke on a peanut, but this time the Secret Service will not save him. Dick Cheney becomes president and in an hour long inauguration speech, filled with cackling villainesque laughter, drops dead of a heart attack.

-The campaigns of Hillary and Rudy both sputter and fail. Obama just runs out of gas in August and nominates Oprah Winfrey, who wins the Election. By 2012 the country has a 300 billion dollar surplus.

-Atletico Madrid wins either the UEFA Cup or the Copa Del Rey in 2008.

-My boss Alex, the Daft Cunt, is found dead, drowned in the Retiro Park lake in just two feet of water. A Washington Nationals hat is found in the lake near the body. The case is never solved.

Sleep comes like a drug
in God's country
-U2

Had lunch with Nikos at a vegetarian place on Saturday and then spent a fantastic Sat night and Sunday with La Profesora. Sunday night we went to a Mediterranean place where we sat on the floor. It was fantastic.

I slept in Geta last night at left at 6:30 for class. I need a nap.

18 de Diciembre

RE-ENTRY

Floodlit in the hazy distance
The star of this unearthly show
Venting vapors, like the breath
Of a sleeping white dragon

Crackling speakers, voices tense
Resume the final count
All systems check, T minus nine
As the sun and the drama start to mount
-Rush

i have two more classes tomorrow morning, then i come home and collect my bags and head to Barajas airport for the 15 hour odyssey that will bring me to the other side of the Atlantic, to my friends and love ones. Can't wait to see you all! I have friends and La Profesora who will miss me in Madrid. Indeed, i am a fortunate man. Next time we converse, it shall be from North America!

20 de Diciembre

This is major tom to ground control
Im stepping through the door
And Im floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet earth is blue
And theres nothing I can do
-David Bowie

I am back and safe, taking refuge in Ansonia. It was a marathon 18 hour odyssey marked by temporarily missing luggage and long delays but i arrived in one piece, as did my luggage, which is all you can ever ask for. The snoring guy next to me, the grown man who kept kicking my seat and the chick in front of me who put her seat so far back i couldn't use the computer are soon forgotten. Thus begins Winter Tour 2007 - 2008. Onward to Wilton. Then Hasbrouck Heights and NYC. Then Rockville, MD. Woo hoo!

On the mend

DOMINGO 17:30


And all the time that´s passed me by
It hardly seems to matter now...
not now
-Genesis

There´s a new blog below as well - i had lots of trouble with the Internet this week so it just posted even though it´s from Viernes.

I´m in Getafe now and all is well. Madrid is fucking loco with xmas madness. It should be a little better tonight and Maria and I are going to go to Chueca to a mediteranean place for cena (supper). We are both on the mend, although still snotty and hacking.

Well, I know you all hang on this every year; the Spanish Exile Top 3 Albums of 2007

Honarable mentions in a GREAT Year for music:

Fear of a blank planet - Porcupine Tree: A great modern day prog band with Alex Lifeson on one tune
Zeitgiest - Smashing Pumpkins: Crunch-a-holic homage to Sabbath, with one of the best drummers around in Jimmy Chamberlain
Beauty and Crime - Suzanne Vega: That Suzanne edge meets show tunes, and it works. A collection of tales about post 9-11 New york
Systematic Chaos - Dream Theater: These guys are in the deep end of the prog rock pool. Not for everyone, but harder and more complicated than Chinese ´rithmatic.


3rd - Joni Mitchell - Shine: Still breaking new ground 30 years later. Opens with a jazzy instrumental and never stops. Some very innovative guitar work and odd, odd song structure. The first time you hear it you have no idea what´s going on. The 6th time you fall in love.

2nd - Somewhere Else - Marillion: Timely lyrics, soaring guitar and busy piano and keyboards. Bizarre song structures - a band at their peak under Hogarth as lead singer.

1st - Rush - Snakes and Arrows: In talking about the last album, Alex said he purposefully held back on the guitar and wouldn´t make the same mistake on the next one. Amen brother! A rich fat guitar sound, amazingly thoughtful lyrics and commentary about the world we find ourselves in, and the drums and bass don´t disappoint either. After countless listens I have still have no idea what Neil is doing on drums, but i love it.

God bless me, every one.
-El Dude (Gemini May 21 - June 21)

Aqueduct

Miercoles 12 de Diciembre

Well I looked at the granite markers
Those tribute to finality - to eternity
And then I looked at myself here
Chicken scratching for my immortality
-Joni Mitchell

No - not horse racing in NY! The Roman aqueduct in Segovia. I finally found software to resize my photos, coupled with a decent pirated Internet connection. You got to see this freaking thing to believe it.

It was -4 C today when i left the house. Joder! But it gets up to 12 C during the day with the sun.

Viernes 14 de Diciembre 21:22


The bad news is i'm getting over being sick- the good news is that this always happens this time of year, and better to get it over before the holidays and before i carry it across the Atlantic like an ETA terrorist.

All else is well. I have already said goodbye to some of the students for the Christmas break, a very warm and fuzzy - feel good situation. Always nice to feel that they appreciate you and think you a good teacher.

Just laying low. Maybe go out for a quiet beer with Nikos later, maybe not. La Profesora is on the mend (hopefully!) in Getafe tonight. Everyone in her office is sick. And she starts a week of holiday on Monday. Que Bummer! Her and her sister, Gelles (pronounced Helles) are going somewhere on Martes, maybe Barcelona. So here's asking for you all to send some psychic "get well" energy her way. DO you know there are several books written on this subject: is the power of prayer that some divine force listens or that a lot of people sending psychic energy and good wishes towards something has an affect on matter? I lean towards the second.

Viruses aside (Vee-ruses, as they say here), all is well as the second season of The Spanish Exile Blogg comes to a close. NOTE: We will not be affected by the Hollywood Writers Guild Strike, happy to say, but I fully support the writers! Their share of the big fat Hollywood pie is shamefully small. Let the producers and stars write their own shit if they think writers are so expendable. But DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES could probably just resort to having the actresses sit on a stool topless and pull the same ratings.

Dates, names and wallowing

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how she said that
We would meet again
Some sunny day

Vera! Vera!
What has become of you
Does anybody else in here
Feel the way I do ? -Pink Floyd

Just Announced! - Winter Tour 2007 – 2008, first leg

Dec 19 – Ansonia, CT
Dec 20 – Wilton, CT
Dec 21- NYC, Hasbrouck Heights,NJ
Dec 22- Rockville, MD
Dec 23- Ansonia, CT
Dec 24 - Newtown, CT
Dec 25 – Ansonia, CT

That's the first leg. The opening act is Jamie Farr. Put that in your hat and smoke it, Colonel Potter! Special guest: Fripp for the 23 and 25 Ansonia shows

Help the Needy
As we do every year, we will be collecting vibrators for the less fortunate who do not have one. Please bring a SEALED, UNUSED vibrator to the show and get an free El Dude fire axe.

Life comes at me like a freight train with dealings on both sides of the Atlantic. Long distance coordination is a bitch. Rommel really must have been a fucking genius.

Peace in Our Time
It would appear that a true and honest peace has been reached with the Empire. I was at the US embassy today getting something notarized so that Darth can refinance the house when she buys me out.

At first I couldn't find the embassy. Then I saw all the armored cars (Spanish Military) and the concrete poles to keep out suicide trucks and I thought “Yeah, I'm home!” Thank you Shrubby for flushing our credibility down the toilet like a used condom and a parking ticket.

EMBASSY GUY: Looks like your taking out a loan.
EL DUDE: Actually, I'm getting divorced and my ex is buying me out of the house and this is so she can refinance.
EMBASSY GUY: I want you as my lawyer!

This conversation actually happened, verbatim. I am my own lawyer, my civil servant brother. And you, out there in blog land! Last time I checked my original lawyer, Brian, was still ALIVE! There was a time when a bounty on a man's head did wonders. All you had to do was pony up the cash and an asshole was dead. Those were better days.

As i type, Real Madrid is tar and feathering Lazio of Italy in the final match of the Champions League Group Stage. Both Madrid teams are on fire and I am like a pig wallowing in its own excrement.

When I don't eat I don't shit and when I don't shit I don't eat!
-Spanky Ham, Drawn Together

Football Domingo

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the heart
-Rush

Domingo 22:46

Listening to the Seahawks bitch-slap the Cardinals 10-0. Just came back from watching Atletico squeak by Getafe 1-0 at Calderan stadium. I scalped and for 20E sat 10 rows away from the action behind the net where Madrid scored in the first half and defended furiously in the 2^nd half. It was great. Old ladies screaming “Hijo de Puta!” Little kids screaming “Grab my balls!” Fun for the whole family!

It was a long weekend for Constitution Day (6^th) and Immaculate Conception (8^th), so Maria and I just camped out in Getafe. We saw Cirque du Soleil's Delirium on Friday, which was great, though much more singing and dancing than gymnastics. And they sang a lot of songs in ENGLISH, which they never do. It was strange for me. It was Maria's first Cirque and she loved it. Then we shopped on Saturday and I taught her how to play poker, and then she kicked my ass. Same as it ever was.

On Wednesday, Atletico beat FC Kobenhaven and advanced to the final 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Thursday Maria and I went to Madrid and saw Cortyl Landia. Corte De Ingles is like Macy's or Sears, and they have a big light scene outside the store in Madrid's center. Maria used to see it when she was little with her dad. Funny. Weird.

Maria was born in 1974. Four years younger than the Seester. EEEEEEK!6 years seems like nothing. Saying 1974 makes me poop my boxers!

My life is beautiful – and i hope yours is too.

I am not wearing any pants. Hope you aren't either.

Maybe.

Choosing the 5th....

Shine on Reverend Pearson
Who threw away
The vain old God
kept Dickens and Rembrandt and Beethoven
And fresh plowed sod
Shine on good earth, good air, good water
And a safe place
For kids to play
Shine on bombs exploding
Half a mile away

Let your little light shine
Let your little light shine
Shine on world-wide traffic jams
Honking day and night
Shine on another asshole
Passing on the right!
Shine on the red light runners
Busy talking on their cell phones
Shine on the Catholic Church
And the prisons that it owns
Shine on all the Churches
They all love less and less
Shine on a hopeful girl
In a dreamy dress
-Joni Mitchell

Here's to Nana, whose birthday was the 5th of Dec, a very favorite kick-ass lady.

2 weeks from now i will be packing my bags for America. Whew! Time goes fast! It was fucking fantastic to see La Profesora on Lunes. My life is SO different from a year again. Praise jah!

I rent a flat to someone. I work here. I have a girlfriend (although she prefers amante: 'lover'). I have 2 decent companies i contract for. I guess I actually live here now.

No new news on the struggle with the Empire.

Miercoles

News from the Empire! My lawyer dragged his ass, so i am sent him another angry email. Then he sent me a blank email. Then he sent me the doc. I will read tomorrow morn. I'm going to complain to the VA Bar about this butmunch. It's like I hired Lionel Hutz!

I am listening to Triana- Spanish progressive rock. Oh yeah!!!! Progressive rock with flamenco guitar!

I called the American Embassy about getting the refinance document for the house notarized. It was after hours, but i got a Marine guy who picked up. I told him i needed to find out about notary services. He said “I know nothing about that and hung up.” How Spanish!

I saw a woman on the Metro today with gray hair dyed bright orange in the front. She had a translucent orange scarf around her neck, orange shoes and was reading a book that had an orange slice on the cover. I mean, what the fuck?

Tomorrow is Constitution Day, the anniversary of the Republic. Long live freedom! Down with Franco and fascism! Viva Espana!!!!

Shine

Oh let your little light shine
Let your little light shine
Shine on Wall Street and Vegas
Place your bets
Shine on the fishermen
With nothing in their nets
Shine on rising oceans and evaporating seas
Shine on our Frankenstein technologies
Shine on science
With its tunnel vision
Shine on fertile farmland
Buried under subdivisions

Let your little light shine
Let your little light shine
Shine on the dazzling darkness
That restores us in deep sleep
Shine on what we throw away
And what we keep
-Joni Mitchell

Lunes 17:31

Twas a great weekend but i am a bit tired. I just got down here to Getafe. I came on a Monday since Maria and I haven´t seen each other alone in over a week. Then back to Madrid early tomorrow morning to start a new class. But the 6th is Constitution Day- so guess what? Anotherday off! This place is bonkers over holidays. When in Madrid...

The Martian´s visit was fantastic- great to see the old Sod. We were out til 7:30 am on Sat night. Last night we laid low and watched Atletico beat Betis 2-0 on TV at a bar.We played a lot of pool and fooseball too.

Thursday I´m going to jam with a new band, so we'll see how that goes. Friday I´m taking Maria to see Cirque du Soleil (Delerium). She´s always wanted to go so while its in Madrid...

Alright. I´m going to take a nap. Careful with that eggnog people!

Mmm - a kinky little sister
Mmm - a-wearin' rubber gloves
A sexual health emergency
A copulation fantasy
You and me, ecstasy
Hate to be reality

Popsicle of love
Gimme gimme gimme one of those (hoo!)
(It's summertime, boy!)
I'm taking off my clothes
Honey honey honey don't let go
(It's summertime, love)

-Talking Heads

19:52

I am back from Avila. The Martian has landed from Kobenhaven and is here with some Paddy friends of his, so i am on my way to meet them and La Profesora. Always nice to have friends in town (hint hint- this mean you, people of North America)

Teaching went well. Last intensive of the year!

Just wanted to let you know I am well. The peace process with the Empire continues and i am hopeful. But danger lurks in the shadows i am sure.