wishes from Ushuaia to Spain

Just a quick note:

Thanks to each and all of you for your wishes for my birthday.

I'm a year older, but happier and wiser.

Pity that some of you couldn't try my birthday cake!

happiest than ever

Remember that in my last post I decided to count on a caterer for my party? No, I didn't change my mind. But as the weather is quite bereable at this moment, I decided to go to the kitchen and do something for my day. I'll be 34 in a day and I don't want to spend it cooking.

So, taking into account that I should be very happy at this time of the year, though what I really feel is that I'm tired-super-tired, tomorrow I'll be pampering myself: it'll be a spa day! (my birthday party will take place on Sunday, no need to worry about laying the table tomorrow).

There are two thoughts at the back of my (sick) mind: a) Either the spa will make me feel renewed or b) I'll be sleeping like a baby in no time at all. Let's hope I won't snore (zzzzz) while the masseuse is doing her best. Ok, I should paraphrase: let's hope I won't snore (like an old bat!) at all. Nobody has ever complained about it, if you really really needed to know.

almost 34 and a week away

I'm sorry I couldn't post during the last ten days, but I've been preparing myself for my birthday and holidays (besides I've been taking care of those final details at home after moving in, sightseeing with my friends coming from the North, working a lot, plenty of stuff has been done!) .

Concerning my birthday, for the first time in my life, I've decided not to pay attention to home made meals, and count on a caterer. In regards to my holls, this is the place where I'll be scubadiving, oh yeah.

As you can see, some changes were made. Of course, some of them are pretty shallow, but some others are more profound... The thing is that I realize that this year has to be different to the past one (may be it's the hot weather -it felt like 44 centigrades or 111 Farenheit yesterday- that is changing my brain cells). Am I turning into a spiritual being? (I'm sure I'm just melting down).

23 horas y un dia

Para muchos contar las horas es fundamental en sus vidas. Vivir pendientes de lo que dicta nuestro calendario también.

Es cierto que todos llegamos a este punto: un dia de veintitres horas nos agota. Aunque pensar en aprovechar la luz del día sea algo positivo!

Por ese mismo motivo, y sólo a un día de cambiar de calendario, aprovecho para saludarlos a todos y cada uno de ustedes (los que leen este blog, los que no tienen idea, los que dijeron que estaba bueno, los que comentan y los que leen en silencio). Que todos sus deseos se puedan comenzar a cumplir con el inicio de un nuevo almanaque!

¡Salud, pesetas y amor, como decía algún familiar entrado en años! (y vaya a saber por qué en ese orden)

Un último comentario del año: un ser cibernético contestando un mensaje de texto saliendo de toilette de damas, se mete por error en el de caballeros, al ver que el camino parecía no seguir, levantó la vista y se dio cuenta de la situación, mientras le pedía disculpas al hombre que vio desde el espejo para seguir enviando su mensaje de texto... ¿no saben de quien podría tratarse, verdad?

Christmas fever

Fever facts (highly contagious, be aware!):

Everybody seems to be busy trying to buy some gifts. But, why can't they do it a month earlier? It's a sea of people out there and not exactly a sea of love, if you know what I mean. Result: it's impossible to walk as a normal person while the others are pushing, elbowing their way to the shops or malls.

If you didn't have time during the year to see your friends, should you crowd restaurants, pubs and other places just for the sake of making toasts? Oh, come on... It's one more season's time, not the end of the world.

If you don't drink alcohol, why should you worry about getting a Dom bottle in a winery store? Don't you see that it looks shallow, even if you want to make a good impression?

And what about food and all those crazy menus our mothers, aunties and grannies prepare? Hot meals (and high-calorie food)! Italian Panettones and Spanish nougat bars in hot summer days!

And supermarkets changing their prices? (you end up leaving your salary and almost your holidays there!)

I love Christmas time, but I just don't understand certain traditions. It seems I'm immune to the fever, after all.

old stuff

While I was trying to make my home look cosier, I discovered some things:
1) the things you need are never were you left them the previous day.
2) what you are not looking for appears everywhere.
3) all those unnecessary books/magazines/leaflets that were supposed to be discarded/ given away are still laughing at you from your library. Hence there's no room for your precious books and encyclopedias.
4) what is about cushions that dogs love them just to destroy them in a second? and what makes me buy more so as to feed my dog's obsession?
5) what is wrong with all my family that they care about my porcelain/crystal figures and curtains more than anything else?
6) is it possible that whenever someone tries to help you in finding something you need, you lose all your time and patience?
7) why does the super of the building interrupt what I'm doing when he knows I'm very busy?

mobile on the yoghurt

I thought I was the only one who could have an accident such as letting my mobile fall into the street drains. Apparently not.

He was having a yoghurt as a quick snack on the way home after some shopping. Putting the empty container in the bag with the stuff, keys and mobile was the second step towards disaster: the container wasn't completely empty and the liquid flooded everything.

At the following day of such event, I received a text message: "I hear you, but it seems you can't. A yoghurt fell on my mob".

Result: he won the gold medal and I thank God for finishing a runner-up.

nineteen to the dozen and angels

Even if I'm very busy at this time of the year, I can't stop thinking about those Christmas gifts for those I care. Last year I forgot to give a friend a couple of angel figures for her Christmas tree. Then, I moved out and forgot all about it. When I came back home a month ago, I saw one of the figures without the original wrapping on the floor and I felt like I had betrayed my friend. Call me a fool, but I'm sure it was in a box with other stuff. Highly suspicious (remember the working men at my place? guilty as charged!).

So, some days ago I bought new angel figures (my friend still remembers the figures lying on the floor as she was with me the very first day I moved back in). The funny thing is that, this time, the figures are, in fact, candles. And the shop assistant, a very nice man, told me not to light them before Christmas unless I wanted to behead them...

Of course this was not the real subject I wanted to write about. Yesterday a well-known journalist and writer passed away. He wrote all sort of books about angels and he said he came back from death several times after having been operated on his heart many times. I wonder if he actually saw the "white bright light", as he mentioned his own experience and other stories he recorded from ordinary people in his books.

Now, why I connected the not-to-be-beheaded figures before Christmas with the books this man wrote is a mystery to me. Possibly, because I'm working too much and all sort of associations are made in my mind. Definitively, holidays is the key word.

clouds and rain and losing perspective

I'll be all week long behind the screen trying to meet deadlines. But why? Oh well, there's no point in trying to avoid my obligations. Anyway, I can't stop thinking of perfect weekends and spare time, enjoying a rainy day like today.

Because even in a moment like this, I think there's a good reason to do what I do. The thing is that I need to keep focused.

The question is: how will I do that if I'm bored to death from the very beginning?

still breathing

I haven't gone anywhere. I have just started to settle down in my flat, after a looong time waiting for the working men to take off and leave me alone. Still, some little things are "in process" (the painting can wait at least a month while I try to recover from this nasty experience of sharing my life with the plumber and the mason).

While I was covered in dust and construction material, my computer said "no more". Some virus took over my files, but I was prepared: backup is my middle name!

The result of moving in: several boxes still to be opened and checked, furniture still to be brought back home, pen drive still missing, a suspicious broken floor tile in the kitchen, the old-not-so-old lady from the floor underneath mine calling the police to complain about the noise coming from my flat, a policeman ringing my doorbell not knowing what to do (the noise wasn't that bad). And if you think that's all, you're completely, absolutely wrong: I'm still taking part in the "association of flat owners" which means taking care of other problems in the building (lift, lights, the maintenance of the structure of the building, neighbour issues, etc!).

The good news: I'm back home. Planning my holidays!

polishing

I'm back, after a complicated week. Dealing with men that polish floors can be really stressful. Picture myself on bended knees looking at every corner of the rooms, checking for imperfections. The thing is that I paid extra money for the service. And instead of relying on other people, I had to check it myself. I was right: they ended up leaving a wet towel on my dining-room wooden table, and all the corners were less than just fine. They had to do the process again. So now I can say I'm houseproud, as far as it concerns my wooden floor.

local issues

Some rivers in Argentina are about to become contaminated by a factory that produces cellulose in Uruguay, a neighbouring country.

I thought it was useful to link this blog to a webpage in which some facts are explained.

I still can't believe how things work.

pigeons

Dear readers,

I'm back, even though I was "blessed" by a pigeon's green liquid splattering on my tshirt, not exactly the resounding comeback I was expecting to have. "It won't ruin my day or my clothes" was my thought.

Now I'm thinking that I'll dodge all sort of trees if I hear any pigeon around. Grrrrrr.

heads and tails and scripts

Under a pile of papers, I'm overwhelmed while trying to work.
So here I am, keep visiting this blog. I'll be back in no time at all.

suggestion

A friend of mine retells me a conversation he had with a professor I had many years ago:

He: She suggested that I should change my studies, and forget about translating!
Me: She did what?!
He: Those were her words. I can't explain how I felt.You know, I'm not the smartest guy on earth, but I'm doing the best I can.
(we're talking about a guy who's actually working as a tranlator in dubbing, so he has a lot of experience in real literary translations).
Me: And what did you tell her? please tell me you said something to change the subject, there was no point in talking to her. Did you mention your (great) job?
He: Yes, but she insisted on talking about how bad I am at translating, and I added some information about other subjects I took.
Me: Of course you gave her reasons to keep her going... next time, and take my advice seriously, don't tell her anything. She's great at what she does (providing material), but she's a lousy professor (no technique implemented), and if there's something you don't need at this moment is her being judgemental and rude.
He: She also said she didn't know how I managed to do my job...
Me: God! Did she say that? Well, basically because you're excellent at your job. In other words, because you've got the brains!
He: I wonder if she has any real experience beyond college.
Me: I know she does. But where and doing what, who knows... She mentioned some of her works...
He: Oh, new subject to talk about next time I see her!

conversation

Client: Oh, could we arrange a meeting for this week? I want to discuss the project I sent you last month. Can you come to my office?
Me: No, I'm sorry, I can't go, but if you'd like to discuss it now... Any changes on that project?
Client: No, no changes at all. But it would be nice of you if we could have a cup of coffee and talk about it.
Me: If nothing changed, then the project's still on for... let's take a look at my deadline... the end of the month?
Client: That's right (mumbling)...
Me: Allright, then, and the budget was approved last month, so I should continue working on it (very patiently). Unless you need to make changes...
Client: No, no changes. You can continue, but, will have some free time next week?
Me: No, really, I won't; I'll be working all week long so that the deadline will be met on time. Please give me a call if you think there will be changes on the way.
Client: Fine... I'll call you next week... (sigh)

What's the matter with people?! Was I too polite the first time I said no?

birthday girl

Today's my sister birthday!

Happy birthday girl! I wanted other picture, but this was very cute indeed! (taken from her own space, hehe). I'm sorry you're 30 years older! Well, not sorry, but who wouldn't like to be a child again?

pre-teens

One question: will you give your pre-teen daughter a cell for her birthday? I know technology is part of our lives nowadays. But is it a need in a eleven-year old girl? It's not a matter of being communicated with her family. No, it's just a way to show off. So, again, will youy give her a cell for her birthday? I don't have children, so sometimes I can't understand the dynamics of parent-children relationship. What I know is if a pre-teen spends huge amount of hours messaging with friends, why does it seem a requirement to buy her a cell? If she's at home, she doesn't need one (a computer is more than enough). If she's at school, she doesn't need one.

Is it in some sort of way showing she has certain status? But, the most interesting matter, who's trying to prove this, parents or pre-teens?

s-mssing

Look, it was me, I must confess. I was the one who texted "Happy birthday! Hugs!" Who else could have done that? Anyway, I was a bit mysterious, but hey, that's who I am. But aren't we, women supposed to be like that?

walking

Walking down the street in a rainy day turned into an interesting activity, especially when coming across an actor I always liked.

He was in a sort of soap opera when I was a teenager, so you can imagine how wonderful it was to meet him, even though he seemed to hide under his cap to avoid being recognized. The thing was that I was not quick enough to take him a picture with my cell. But there were some nice pictures of him in the net.

Next time I'll ask him to light my cigarette (it's a pity I don't smoke!).

passer-by

Have you ever seen a turtle trying to cross a route? I knew about frogs, but turtles?

in translatus

It was a very sunny day. But it was not a common Sunday, oh, not at all; it was my day: Translator's day.

When I first thought of becoming a translator, I knew there was a new world to discover, with new words, ideas, concepts, methods, etc. And I knew it was not going to be easy. Today, I see my world quite differently: words mean the world to me.

I could have become a lawyer. In fact, I studied Law and, after long years, I decided to quit. It was boring and I didn't know what to do with my creativity. Now, I'm creative in a different sense! (sometimes I need to be very creative when my clients ask me awkward questions).

Thanks to those of you who remembered me!

crypt

Visiting the crypt of the oldest abbey in the country wasn't that nice after all. While I was taking a good look at Virgin Mary statue, a woman approached to me and whispered "You're not allowed in here", "People can't visit the crypt". I thought she was wrong as other people were taking pictures of one of the Saint statues, and pictures with an abbot. I told her that there was no sign saying that the crypt was not supposed to be visited (in fact, there were signs everywhere explaining where the crypt was, as if the crypt was asking to be visited!).

But, why were they taking pictures at Saint images? (I didn't ask, but it seemed my face spoke for me). Well, she said that those people were the relatives of one of the abbots (oh, well, I didn't have any relatives there, but I'm a christian, and I'm supposed to be let in if I'm visiting a Christian church, right?) .

She gave me some time to stay there (no more than five minutes), then asked me to turn off the lights (while other people were coming in). Incredible, uh!

buds

Now that rainy days are officially over, though it is a little bit cold, I'm happy to hear the birds singing in the morning once again. Besides, my favourite plant is covered with buds.

Apart from that, I'm organizing my next holidays, and a few days off.

It's great to have a break while working hard, in the middle of the week.

strippers

I was reading the online newspaper when an article caught my attention: a woman who is running for the senator election in the province, held a party for the Teacher's Day (to which entire families attended), and as "a surprise", after delivering her speech, she presented a stripper show (it seems she danced in the middle of two interesting guys).

Now she's saying that she was "ambushed"... by whom, I wouldn't dare to ask...

raindrops

Though I enjoy rainy days, I think it has gone too far: it's been raining for days, and nights, and days. And it was almost 30 degrees, then the temperature dropped to 20 degrees, then to 16.

Even my dog is suffering the consequences of bad weather: she sneezed ten times in a role!

But, back to the bad weather issue, can somebody please let me know when it will stop raining? In general terms, I think that rainy days are great to spend time at home (doing those things you would never do otherwise!). Now I think I can't stop counting raindrops!!! (I'm going mad, you know). And the umbrella and the raincoat are a girl's worst friends when Spring is a week away!

bbq

I was invited to a bbq. You could think that going to a bbq is something nice, a moment to enjoy. But I knew there was a catch in the whole matter: she wanted to cry on my shoulder. I knew it from the moment I got there (well, I've been avoiding her for some time).

But how can I solve other people's problems? I just can't. I mean, I can listen to them, give them my support, sometimes I give them some advice, but I can't live their lives. It seems that this time I convinced her to get some help, and even though her husband didn't say a word about it, he didn't say anything against my idea (a step forward indeed).

I foresee bbq invitations and phone calls to come soon (that makes me think that I should have become a psychologist).

Pavarotti

Earlier this morning my alarm clock went off with Pavarotti's "Nessun Dorma". Then I heard that he passed away. Some days ago was the 10th anniversary of Mother Teresa's death. And Lady Di's. And a year has passed by since Steve Irwin died.

Pavarotti was incredible at singing, but also a caring person regarding humanitarian work. He sang with pop stars from all over the world just because he believed in that cause.

These four people are great examples to follow, don't you think?

one year

Dear Blog readers,

Today's a special day. Exactly a year ago I decided to begin writing this blog, and it's amazing how things have changed in a year. I remember reading Petite Anglaise as well as A baguette on my table, and those two incredible women inspired me to do something more.

And as a blog friend said, it's been a lot of fun sharing my thoughts with very interesting people! (More to come soon, today I'll be celebrating!).

blogging experience

Next week this blog will be one year-old.
How cool is that?

crick crick

If you think my neck is stiff, you're wrong. Crick-crick was the sound a professor used to make (many many years ago) when she asked the class a question and nobody answered (including myself), meaning that it was like the sounds heard in the countryside when it was dark (and all that could be heard was the chirp crickets made).

Many years later, watching a tv show I hear the same sound expressing the same idea. She should have made a copyright out if it. Because now, with no exceptions (but myself), I hear everybody using the expression.

wet

It is impossible to think carefully when you're in a hurry. And you need a taxi to take you downtown because you should be in a meeting at that moment.

In fact, it is impossible to reconsider that your calendar in in your bag, and you need to check the address of the place you're supposed to go.

But, let's say that your mobile starts ringing, and you know, because you're quite sure, that it is your boss, on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. You know it, still, your hands are busy and while you're trying to get the phone (always at the bottom of your bag when you need it badly), you see a taxi approaching. You make the driver the sign to stop, and while you're opening the car's door, you hear a "Splash!", and your mobile is suddenly in silence.

What would you think of? (mobile missing since you heard the splash noise).

Clue: your phone has just disappeared in the dark waters of the street drains!

forbidden fruit

I can't resist (refrain?) myself... oh well, let's blame the changing weather for my mood. Or is it the spring in the air?

eclipse

Yesterday night I set the alarm clock to get up very early (at 4.30AM) and watch the last eclipse of the year. It seems that this morning I changed my mind. It was very cold, seven degrees only. And my bed was really warm. Imagine which was the easiest choice.

The good thing is that the boyfriend of a good friend takes excellent pictures of eclipses. Surely, he woke up early enough to have the best picture. I might give him a call. I really like eclipses, and I don't know why I believe when there's an eclipse, something strange happens.

pitch

A well-known local starlet entered the bakery ten seconds before I did. And forgot to take a number. But of course I didn't pay so much attention to that, but to the fact that a man was kind enough to let her take his place in the queue. Which meant that she took my place, and I was in a hurry (and surely, the man was not kind, but interested in the girl).

All the shop assistants behind the counter looked surprised to see her there. One of them even took a good look at her. It was the highlight of the day for those girls. That, and the gossip they'd spread that the starlet didn't speak in a normal voice, but in a high-pitch one.

strangers

I felt as if talking to a stranger. It never occurred to me that I would feel that way. But I did. I didn't know what to ask, or what not to ask.

I didn't mention personal matters, but of course I didn't ask him about personal matters either. Even though I've known him for years and years, I became impersonal. And small talk didn't help much, not this time. Because small talk took me to other things in the past, but this time I remained in silence, or in other words, there were more gaps in our conversation than holes in Swiss cheese. Definitely, silence turned into awkwardness.

The worst thing is that are a zillion things I'd like to tell and ask, and I just feel I'm not prepared to utter those words. May be, and just may be, I should take some courage next time we meet. Or I should take gallons of coffee at that time (well, courage takes different forms, some people need a glass of wine, I just need caffeine). The good thing is that I never lose my sense of humour.

Hearthquake in Peru

I know it happened some days ago, but please contact Peruvian's embassies in your countries to help Peruvians at this very sad moment.

sign

I saw a dog in the railway. It wouldn't have called my attention if it weren't that the train was coming. And the dog wouldn't move out from there. It was a stubborn dog, a suicidal one. I closed my eyes because I can't stand things like that, and I knew an accident was about to happen. I even started saying a prayer for the dog. People stayed watching the scene without trying to persuade the dog to leave the place.

Then, there was a horn, and a second one, and a third one. I opened my eyes, as I couldn't believe that the train driver stopped the train just to not bump into the dog.

I don't know why the dog waited until the very last minute to get out of the railway. It hid underneath the station platform once the train was stopped. May be it couldn't perceive something bad was about to happen.

Five minutes later, life continued as usual. But for me, it was a sign. I still don't know a sign for what, but I guess I'll discover it soon.

funny question

While we all were waiting for our professor to bring the exams (I'm taking a new course), one of the girls asked if anyone had nail polish.

I didn't know if my first option was to say no or if I should have laughed instead. It was a really funny situation, as we were a bunch of girls surrounded by men.

blue sky

Blue sky and flowers. The perfect combination to make me smile.

mi mundo laboral

Aunque la invitación la recibí en marzo, decidí no ir. Es que era para intérpretes y no para traductores. Me acuerdo que miré con cariño la invitación y quedó en el escritorio, como flotando. Al final mantuve mi decisión.

Y este es el resultado: algo excelente! (todos hablan de este tema sin parar).

Aprendí la lección y el año que viene me sumaré a los felices participantes de semejante evento.

back in date-land

One friend of mine was off the market for quite some time. She had a long relationship that did not end well. But, now she feels she's ready to give somebody else a chance.

The thing is that she's in her thirties, and she's worried (terrified is the right word in this case) about the kind of guys she'll find out there, in dateland. I don't know exactly what to say, as I'm not the best when it comes to advising people about love matters. And I'm as old as she is.

We've got a mutual friend who spent years looking for the right one in the net, signing up in every dating agency online, going to blind dates and meetings, and even took several cruises for singles only. It never worked out the way she wanted, though she has a vast experience in the dating department. She never met the person she was expecting for so she dedicated herself to work harder to get the promotion she always wanted.

Tonight we're meeting for some cocktails. We have also invited some of our friends to work on a private network of available men to introduce to her. Who knows, may be Mr Right is closer than we thought.

some phrases women hate

1. I need some time.
2. I need some space.
3. What happened to your hair?
4. I’ll call you.
5. The number you have called is temporarily out of service.
6. I’m sorry, I sold the last one a minute ago…
7. You can have as much water and jelly as you wish.
8. I’m sorry to tell you so openly…
9. When you move to your place, you’ll live by your rules. For now, as you’re living under my roof.
10. We need to talk.
11. The ATM is out of order at this moment.
12. Only cash accepted.
13. I live with my mother because I'm comfortable. Whenever I feel the need to move, I'll do it.
14. He’s nice, such a nice guy.
15. Did you have an appointment?
16. Ups, I forgot my wallet…
17. Take a deep breath…

More to come soon...
(I translated these phrases from a girl's blog, I guess you have already figured it out!)

winter break

One question: is it me or this winter break seems to be lasting longer than previous ones? Because children seem to spring from the floor. Everywhere. Any time of the day. And teenagers. And toddlers in prams. My second question: where are the parents?!

This makes me think that, some time ago, I found out that some places (restaurants, tea houses, etc.) had a new regulation: they don't let children in. Which means that there are some children-free places in the city. And I smiled because somebody had the same idea I had some years ago.

(By the way, I like children when they behave as human beings).

I must get the list of such places.

tips

In this country it is not mandatory to leave tips, though it's customy to leave at least 10% of your check if the service provided was good.

But what about deliveries? Because I found many messages written on the service lift door about how people tend to be mean (storeys and flats are indicated unmistakably on those messages).

Embarrassment is all over my neighbour's faces every time we share the lift...

old tv shows

I guess you all remember the Little House on the Prairie tv show.
I guess you'd like to know what happened to the actors of that show.
(in Spanish)

I guess I was too young to remember the whole story...

old calendars

I moved some time ago where I'm living now. The good thing about moving was that many old things were thrown away. The bad thing was that I opened all sort of boxes containing all sort of old papers that needed to go.

So, what did I find among all those papers? old calendars with poems, sketches, some short stories I used to write when I was a teenager (a long long time ago). You see, the kind of stuff that makes you laugh for hours and makes you lose track of time (not a very productive activity when you're in the middle of the move, right? But a great recreational activity, after all).

Anyway, curious as I could be sometimes, I took some time off to read my old calendars because I wrote very funny entries, or at least there were many details of different subjects I could have never recalled of. Interested enough in those entries, I put all my all calendars in my briefcase, and brought it back home, to continue amusing myself with my own stories in some other time.

Needless to say, my briefcase was emptied a day after, and the calendars were long forgotten on one shelf, an automatic activity when I'm busy trying to focus on other matters.

Time went by, months went by, and one day, out of the blue, I remembered I had some info about an interesting event written down in those calendars. I cannot go into details, but I can say that in the event there were: a guy involved, a Simpsons' plastic glass, and ... oh well, I've to go back to read the whole story again...

incidents à la carte

I had a funny incident yesterday, I got trapped in the lift! It was only for five minutes (yes, I pressed the alarm button, though I wasn't worried), but I enjoyed them all: I sit on the floor, as if I were in my living room, and began to read a book [Brave New World, isn't it funny I was reading it?] I had with me (I was coming back from the doctor's office, reading material was mandatory).

So this week I learnt some valuable lessons: stay away from lifts, unplug computers and check voice-mail messages just in case the doctor's secretary says she left a message to cancel the appointment five minutes before I left home, grrr...

And it's only Wednesday!

cultural minds

I never thought of taking both girls (almost teenagers, daughters of a second-cousin) to the National Museum of Fine Arts in their winter break. Being wrong in my decisions and views, this time is the time to create cultural minds, or that's what their mother thinks. "No argue" is my motto, and next Sunday I'll wear my smile and politeness just to show them that I really enjoy art, a fact in my life.

I wonder if they'll find the way to cope with me reciting all the painters in every room... (I foresee a long visit to the museum's cafeteria instead of a visit to the rooms)... Isn't it cultural to have tea there?

computer incident

My sister had an incident yesterday. She was changing the usb cord from one computer to another, and bang, she received an electric discharge. I was in a bit of a shock when she told me that her muscles were paralized for a second, and she couldn't move. Then I saw her, and we bothed laughed at the incident.

Lesson learnt: next time you need to interchange usb cords between computers, please unplug the computers... or else your hair will be frizzy for a while!

energy

I need some cafeine. Wrong, I need litres of coffee.

And someone to think for me, and work for me and live for me.

Is it too much to ask? All right then, I'll get some coffee and see how my Monday continues...

friends' day

It seems that cell text messages are not working, emails are a bit slow, and I've been trying to post for some time now...

Happy Friends' Day for all of you who read this blog!

I really don't know how it is celebrated in other countries (I do know that in Spain is not even celebrated!), but in Argentina is very important to take some time off to hang out with friends today.

So if you don't celebrate it, copy the Argentine way and have some quality time with your friends!

pottermania

I received several emails from a local bookstore just in case I'd like to order the book in advance. Later on Amazon also made me the offer. Then, a spam text message. I wonder if they're going to ring the bell next as a marketing device so that they make sure I'll buy the book.

Of course the answer is no. There's nothing wrong with Harry Potter, but I'm not interested, as I'm not interested in many other things. Let's say that top ten cds, books, charts or any other products sold nowadays are not in my must-have list. My life can go on without consumerism, and I'll buy whatever I want when I really feel the irresistible urge to buy it.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Winter? I mean, conversations about yesterday's snow were really boring. And the telephone calls received including the same topic made me feel sick.

But the fact that I had to wear gloves and a knitted hat was unbearable. A snowman is nothing compared to me.

It's snowing in BA!

Incredible as it may seem, it is real and also a rare thing in this city.
And it's very cold.

Listening to Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow seems the right thing to do at this very moment, that, and drinking some hot chocolate or even a glass of Riestling (some other ideas crossed my mind) ...

Why he used to call himself "the master" is something I will never know. It was funny, indeed, as our relationship developed, and our names and nicknames changed from serious to short, nice, and caring in our becoming-adults phase.

But, again, "the master"? Was he supposed to teach me? He certainly did, though I wouldn't say he taught practical matters to me (well, not completely true, but I guess I can't go into details here). He unveiled a new world to me, a world that was completely different. He made me feel I could grow wanting more, and achieving goals, and still have hopes. He always gave me the courage to learn from wrong and turn grey days into clear skies. A task the master performed faultless.

I miss that mastery of life, and the master's witty sense of humour.

sightseeing spot downtown

Buenos Aires has many interesting places to visit. Many of them are not so well-known, that's the case of the "Mitre Museum" where one the presidents of our country lived at the beginning of 20th century. It is placed downtown, and it's very nice. It counts with a library, and definitively, it should be a must-see spot. At this very moment it's a place where to hide when you need some time off when in the "jungle".

games

Can I play darts with the heads of two enginneers? I mean, that's the least they deserve for making holes in my kitchen's floor (and denying it), among other things. How could I have the idea things had to be a little bit easier when it came to remodeling a flat?

random thought

Too often that thing you want most is the one thing you can't have.

oldies

I was 9 when this song caused a sensation. My mother used to take my sis and I to school listening to this song (and the whole cassette!). And then, we listened to it the whole Summer, and the following Autumn, and Winter, and for some years it was my mum's favourite song (and ours too).

Any memories around the world?

sueño vs noni

Nobody in this world would understand the meaning of these words, but I'm certain somebody will get the hint.

There used to be a a guy an a girl who had a relationship going on. To cut the story short, they were in love, and there were codes between them. Sueño and noni was one of them, kind of "sleep and dream" thing.

I cannot tell the secret, unless you understand the code... or at least try to crack it.

dvds and movies

What's the matter with Blockbuster's dvds?: last weekend I was given one I have already watched (it was placed on the wrong shelf, their fault, not mine!), and yesterday, I picked a dvd that didn't work the way it was supposed to. Conclusion: I don't know how Scoop ends!

I'm putting these points on my black list. grrrr

The good news is that I'm watching Four Eyed Monsters, it is said to be a honest, quirky, touching and occasionally hilarious story.

Lost

I must admit, I've been caught by "Lost". I've been very busy trying to watch all the episodes over the last two weekends with a friend. The result?
1 I fell asleep more than twice
2 I got lost in the stories
3 I don't like the series so much, I was expecting a better show...
4 There are so many characters that I can't remember their stories or names
5 The time reference becomes blurred with so many flashbacks
6 My friend fell asleep more than twice
7 At least I'm not the only one having trouble in that department, ha ha
8 Former "Party of Five" actor, Matthew Fox, doesn't look so nice with that short haircut

Now I can't watch the third season as I'm very busy, though I'm recording it. It seems that in this city everybody is talking about it everywhere (there's no point in watching it after all). So what I really would like to know is how it ends. Anybody?

colecciones

Qué valor puede tener encontrarse con esas cosas que uno guardó durante aproximadamente más de la mitad de su vida? Me he encontrado con todo tipo de coleccionistas: de bolitas de vidrio cuando eran chicos, de papel carta de nenas, de dibujos de tierna infancia, de perfumes, lápices, lapiceras, música, marquillas de cigarrillo, cajitas de fósforos traidas de lugares exóticos, etc.
Como cosa rara, me acabo de encontrar con alguien que colecciona historias de amor. Propias y ajenas. Y en internet se puede encontrar gente que colecciona secretos de otros, y también postales con los secretos que los otros no le contarían a nadie más.
No sé si mi primer sensación fue la de sorpresa, pero, definitivamente, la idea me pareció bastante original.
Alguien con alguna colección por allí?

lessons

click on the image to enlarge it

picnics

I used to fill both containers with some salad and chicken. Then, I grabbed two bottles of water, and some snacks for dessert (or was it some fruit?). We used to meet at the door of his office. It was the best of times, walking a couple of blocks from downtown just to enjoy our lunch together in the park. Sunny days were the best when I think of that, as we watched the blue sky while sitting on the blanket I carried with me.
His trousers spotless, his shirt in the right place, his tie gone for an hour, his disarming smile ready to crack just for me. In the blink of an eye, back to the madness, to the unbereable boss, to the telephone calls, to the paperwork.

I wonder how I managed to survive all these years without those picnics.

too sexy

Look, I know I'm a hottie, but how about wearing this for a nightdress? I mean, nobody will see it and I absolutely love it. Do you think my image will change a bit? Satin lacy things are not my favourite nighties when I go to sleep (there are some exceptions I can remember of, surely).

Don't tell anybody, please! I really want to keep my image the way it is now...

btw: matching slippers have never been used...

tangled

Instead of thinking of Lost in Translation, it would be more accurate to say I'm tangled while trying to translate a subject I don't like.

I should change what I do for a living, it would be easier to sit behind a desk and pretend that I work from 9 to 5. Or may be I should have a husband to work for me instead. Interesting, don't you think? (allrighty, I could never do that, you caught me!)

sharing

I thought you might like a piece of the relaxing deep blue, a world that I love, and try to discover every time I can.

I also liked the Shedd Aquarium when I went there some years ago. Oh, well, a great place and great company.

renewals

Can you imagine spending two hours waiting to renew your passport?! I just hate this sort of things! The positive side was that I had great company, my sis, and we were like old friends meeting after several years. We couldn't stop talking!

Anyway, my passport will be ready in a month, though there was a sign saying that it would take them 15/20 working days. I shouldn't expect that, as I live in the third world. I think I might like to move in the future to a first world country to check if things like this are better, or worse.

juiced

Old things come back to me sometimes, I remembered an old friend's saying: "if life gives you lemons, make some lemonade". Now that I think of it, I see there was a reference to something else...

I should have taken his advice into account. May be I can still do it...

Cafe Los Angelitos

That is the name of the place in which lots of tango people used to go to dance. It was opened for the first time in 1890, and it gathered many well known people from arts, politics, and common people with the desire to take tango lessons.

Unfortunately, many, many years later, in 1992, it closed down because one of its ceilings fell down. I have passed by this famous corner of the city many times as my father lives in the same block.

So it was a surprise to see the place has been renewed, and reopened to the public last weekend. It is also a surprise that the ticket to a tango show (very famous shows in Argentina) is said that will cost around USD100, or more. I hope they will provide more than a show for that!

crazy neighbour

She's nuts, there's no other way to say so. She complains about the works in process in my flat, even though I told her six months in advance. She even called the police last weekend! (I never thought of masons opening the door to the police). I decided it was time I paid her a visit. And what was more, I met her by chance at the entrance of the building, so I said hello, and she answered back by saying "I'm not going to talk to you, [insert bad names here]". Pity, because we took the lift together, and there was a man there too, in the middle of this awkward situation. The man (to whom I introduced myself) was a city inspector she called saying that her flat was falling down because of the works at mine. Unbelievable! Of course the man checked it wasn't true, and said the lady was in a very confused state of mind.

Next time I see her, I'm going to take her a pic to show you the monster who lives below my flat. You'll see I'm right.

nonsense

While my flat is being redecorated, I need to find patience somewhere within myself to stop thinking about getting rid of the engineer who supervises the work that's already been done. He's supposed to give me all the budgets (for pending jobs) for my approval. Instead, he refuses to do so and contacts directly the architect that has to supervise the engineer's job. It's like a vicious circle in which I'm caught in, exactly what I don't like.

An email was sent to the architect, and another one to the engineer. Explanations were asked. I might turn into a nasty young woman, but there's no other option here.

Then, electricians and plumbers are second in my list. And carpenters, impossible to forget them. I foresee storms coming my way soon.

connections

I just hate my internet connection, it keeps failing (every five minutes or so). After calling the Customer Service, the response I was given was the same I supposed, to install the modem again.

The thing is that I don't think it's the modem. But I fear there's a bug eating my files (without being found by my anti-virus)...

May be it's time I called Superman to save me, and my translations.

question

I was about sixteen when I was invited to have coffee at my boyfriend's friend house. I knew there was a guy who was studying to become a priest, and I wanted to ask him some questions.

So, in no time at all, I asked him what he thought about premarital relations (sex was a very interesting theme to me at that moment, and religion was other topic to talk about). Aha! I knew it was a very unpleasant question to ask, but anyway I wanted to know if he was prepared to answer such a question.

Of course my boyfriend almost choked in coffee, and I think the guy never answered while being completely embarrassed. Some years later, I found out he never became a priest.

But sometimes, like today, I remember my question and laugh. I think I can write a book about questions like that!

detouring

I was supposed to wear the suit of tourist guide for a foreigner visiting BA (Buenos Aires, or Good Airs as a friend baptized it). I know the city and its tourist spots (I like my city, though I don't have much time to go sightseeing myself), I used to organize sightseeing days for my bosses who were expatriates. So go figure, the suit would look just fine on me.

After several emails exchanged and research done, the meeting was cancelled (a later flight was booked so as not to spend money on visiting the city). Who would think that a local flight was going to be detoured to the international airport, far from the city.

I breathed a sigh of relief, it was good my appointment was cancelled before that, and I didn't have to get up at 6 AM to find out about detoured flights... After all, it seems my luck is changing!

conversación - conversation in the street

Un niño en la calle le pregunta a su mamá:

-Por qué los árboles no tienen hojas en otoño y en invierno, mamá, si es cuando más frío hace?
- Porque están ahorrando savia para cuando llegue la primavera y les broten de nuevo las hojitas verdes.
- Ah, ya entiendo, están ahorrando energía como tienen que hacer las personas, que malgastan los recursos naturales?
... (madre sin saber que responder)... - Mirá para adelante que te vas a caer...

I thought this entry had to be bilingual!
A boy told his mather in the street:

- Why is it that trees are naked during Autumn and Winter, the coldest time here?
- Because they're saving sap for Spring time to renew their green leaves.
- Oh, I see, they're saving up energy as people are supposed to do, instead of wasting natural resources?
...(mother in silence thinking what to say) - Look ahead or you'll stumble...

programa chino

Tener un programa chino significan varias cosas:

1. hacer cosas que no nos gustan en los momentos que no nos convienen

2. coordinar cosas que no nos interesan, y para colmo, siempre se relaciona con gente que no nos interesa.

3. que otra persona nos organice la vida y claro, no siempre que lo organizado nos sea útil/relevante para algo.

De todas estas variantes puedo decir que he tenido experiencia en las tres. Es más, me estoy convirtiendo en experta en chinescos varios, tanto en forma pasiva (ser el objeto del programa) como activa (ser la organizadora). Alguien más por ahí con programas chinis?

sixth sense

Saying that my sixth sense is working fine would be a lie. It's working excellently well!

Yesterday I met some colleages and as they attended the same conference I attended two weeks ago, they commented on the "affair" I thought of. At least my eyes were not the only ones to see that.

I should try to buy a lottery ticket, just in case.

fashion creature

She's in her late sixties, so it could be said she's getting a certain age in which fashion shouldn't be a matter at all. But it is, with big red capital letters. She was dressed as if she were eighteen, the age of her big grand-daughter.

I can understand aging could be a delicate subject for certain people. A different thing is to get dressed for her youngest grand-son first-year birthday party in that way (footless tights included in the outfit). She looked as if she had been taken out of a picture of some eighties magazine, or even Jane Fonda's picture in her workout outfit.

That made me think that if she's still in the eighties, other interesting features are to be seen soon. A punk hairdo, perhaps?

el arte de bloquear

Hace unos días una amiga se conecta por el mensajero y leo que en su nick aparece una leyenda: "cómo saber si te bloquearon de la lista de contactos". Hago click y accedo a la página donde podía ver quienes me habían bloqueado o eliminado. Debo decir que lo leí cuidadosamente, primero por curiosidad, luego por dudar lo que estaba leyendo, y por último, porque necesitaba entender si es que yo había hecho algo extraño para que alguien me hubiera sacado de sus contactos. La respuesta fue no, no hay motivos. Quizá algunos contactos medio vetustos, con los que cada tanto nos saludamos, pero nada más.

Lo que no entiendo es que si alguien te bloquea, para qué te manda mails de esos invasivos en los que quieren: 1) salvar al mundo, 2) ayudar a hacer aparecer personas "desaparecidas"/perdidas, 3) agregarte a un listado de personas [por el motivo que sea]. Como que es extraño, no? Digo, si no quieren "charlar" con vos, para qué mandarte un mail en cadena que saben que vas a eliminar casi automáticamente?

Creo que lo más curioso de esta experiencia es descubrir el lado oculto de las personas, algo en lo que uno nunca pensó antes.

Conclusión: he realizado la misma maniobra. No siempre se puede poner la otra mejilla, no? Yo también tengo derecho a elegir.

bola de nieve

Estoy mirando qué nos depara el tiempo para los próximos días y podés creer que luego de una semana de sentirme una bola de nieve por la cantidad de abrigos, el lunes va a ser un día de 19 grados de máxima? Es un chiste, no? Porque así no hay forma de que me cure la gripe. Un día 2 grados, al otro 10, al siguiente casi 20!!!

Pero claro, si total yo tomo remedios a dos manos: uno para la gripe, otro para la tos, vitamina c, aspirinas multicolores, con varias dosis de tecito curativo con miel.

A ver si nos ponemos de acuerdo otoño querido, o te dedicás al frío o al calor, porque esta mélange me complica un poco la salud!

fracture

Have you seen the movie? In my opinion, it was a very good thriller, though parts of it were not very credible. There's no way you could see a young lawyer in black tie at a hearing. What about him visiting his dying client and reading a book aloud to her? And the fact that he found his way to his future-boss' bed in no time at all? You see, I'm very "picky" when it comes to thrillers because I really enjoy them.
All in all, I could say it was four thumbs up.

hobby-horse

Having a new version of Big Brother, this time unknown VIPs in it, makes me think tv producers lack inspiration. I know, it sells well, everybody watches it. Rating figures are incredible.

Still, I can't understand how a bunch of people living in the same place, doing nothing, is a show watched all over the country. What's the matter with people these days, don't they have anything more interesting to do?

Yesterday I was in bed and I couldn't focus on anything, so I watched the show for five minutes. No attention was required to watch it, mind you. And it was so boring that I felt immediately sleepy.

flu

I got the flu, I feel sick, tired, sleepy. I'm taking some medicine, and I hope I'll feel better tomorrow.

At this very moment I'd like to say that the school round the corner is not helping much, or shall I say children playing and screaming outside are not helping much? No idea, but this is a case of severe headache, and I need silence. It's not that I'm rude, it's that I'm floating in clouds in my dreams.

Hopefully normal blogging will resume tomorrow!

red conference room

Today I attended a conference, a very interesting one about translators and interpreters.

The most interesting things weren't the moderator's speeches, but her way of looking at him, my God! He seems to be nice, works for the government, and apart from that, works with her.

Looked like a sealed deal, but who knows...

printed in Spain and wedding invitations

I'm used to reading in my mother tongue, but I don't enjoy reading books translated into Spanish from Spain. It seems to me quite a different language, though it's very rich in its form.

I hope I'll get Belle de Jour's original book in English soon (to check the translation, something I always do to compare languages).

Spanish from Spain sounds different to me when I think of verb patterns and vocabulary, somewhat archaic, even though it's the language used by master writers. Anyway, it sounds odd when you receive an invitation to a wedding written in that kind of Spanish, especially if those who were invited live in Argentina.

sharing

I still don't know what to tell her about breaking up a long relationship.

May be I should invite her over to tea, and talk about how she feels.

disappointment

I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was ten or may eleven when my aunt, who is a singer, took me to a tv show that was like "American Idol" (without the American and the idol) in which she was part of the jury panel.

In one of the many moments that the show was recorded, I remember there were people laughing when a red sign was lit telling them the exact moment to laugh. You can imagine that for me it was a magical moment, it was my first time in a tv network, and expected real things to happen. But laugh per-pay was not such the case. I felt very disappointed.

When I was taken home that day, I told my mother what the show was about, who won the singing competition and that people laughed when they were asked to. She stared at me while I explained everything to her. She smiled at me and said that life would have many of those moments...

Now I see her point!

new record

Today I forgot my keys at home. I realized that the minute I closed the door. Ohhh, I felt I had a new record for being stupid!

A second later, I was in the street looking for a telephone booth to call my mother (of course, my cell was with my keys on the kitchen table, grrrr), as she has a spare key to my place. My porter was nowhere to be seen, and the security guard didn't know what to do in these (insert adjective similar to stupid here) cases.

Ten minutes later, my porter was available, and he managed to force open the door to let me in, a wonderful moment after explaining my mother the reason why I was waking her up so early in the morning.

Isnt' it a great thing to live alone and have no one to blame for my own stupidity?

shhh!

While working from home yesterday in the afternoon, I heard the voice of my young neighbour who is 4, telling his sister: "be quiet, the dog's sleeping, you don't want to wake the doggie, right?". He made me smile for hours. Very cute!

peppermint oil

I bought some to get rid of the migraines. Let's see if it helps. In fact, it helps my friend Alex, and she told me that I should have some at home.

Last Sunday I had a severe migraine, one of those you will remember for ever. So first thing I did this week was having some peppermint oil.

I wish I bought it before I had that migraine.

odd comment

Today I had a meeting with a person I didn't know, but we had to meet to talk about business.

At a certain point in our coversation, she said she had a dog (I don't know exactly how we got there, but it was her for sure, as I don't talk about my dog that easily with strangers), and that she took it once to her job hiding it in one of the drawers of her desk (to keep it secret from her boss).

I couldn't picture that, though I know in some other countries you can take the dog to the office. But here in Buenos Aires? Come on, I thought she was cracking a joke. Hell no, she showed me a picture to prove that. In fact, she had the picture of the strange creature in her purse.

MG, I'll never reach that phase.

in memory

He gave me one of his pictures when I told him I was going to write this blog. He helped me when I decided to buy my first flat and then when to sell it. He gave me courage when I felt defeated. He had many cups of coffee with me sharing great talks sitting on my couch (a couch he really liked and wanted one for his own place). He gave me good advice. He even wanted to go out with me and I said "no, but thanks for thinking about me". He was truly a gentleman, one of the old school days. And now he's gone because he decided it was time to go.

How he did it and decided it, it's something I'll never understand, but I feel it was no longer himself when he decided it.

His kids are teens now, and his business is ok, but I think that not having a serious relationship in his life helped him to take the final decision.

Today I want to remember him as a person who loved teaching everybody else things about finance and life matters, because he knew a lot. He had a great heart, that's all that matters.

survivor

Maradona is out there, alive and kicking. It seems he has many lives to live. I wonder how is it that he survives every time he's believed to be dying. I wonder how an addict can be left alone to do whatever his mind tells him to do, never a good thing. I wonder what sort of life he's living by trying to die every two months, or so.

I hope he'll get better.

game over

Yesterday was Big Brother's finale in Argentina. And while I was translating, my neighbour's tv could be heard from the distance, so there was no way out than turning the tv on and watch it in my breaks.

What I watched was the mess, the confusion, the fans screamings, the camera men all around (one expected more of a million-dollar programme). And I couldn't resist laughing, because for me it was worth pennies, "organization" was not a word producers had as one of their skills. But hey, what would I know, if everybody watched it.

Next Sunday the VIP version will land, and I really really really hope nobody will watch it. But again, what would I know... or else, ask my neighbours, friends, colleges, professors who'll watch it.

showbiz news

I know, it was in the Entertainment Section, but still, is that a big deal that the Queen has invited Mrs Helen Mirren to have dinner at Buckingham Palace and that she has declined the invitation?

alike

I went to a shopping mall today, the larger in Buenos Aires. I didn't buy anything, but noticed that all women in their thirties or so looked all alike: jeans, t-shirts and vests. Is there any fashion style I'm not aware of? I shouldn't forget to tell you that they did have the same hairdo.

I can't include myself in such a wonderful trying-to-look-like-teens group, as 1) I didn't have neither a vest nor jeans on, 2) I had my hair cut last week. Besides, I don't like being like everybody else (and I'm proud of being 33).

Is it me or is there a global tendency for women to look similar?

phone call

"Hi! Did he arrive in one piece?"
"Hi! He did! Did he speak Spanish? or refused to do so?"
"He spoke Spanish and he was very good at it! So surprising!"
"I'm so glad, because he didn't want to"
"I know, I know, but you should stop worrying, he has to find his own way of communicating"
"Oh, yes, I know that, but I'd like to be a fly when he has no other choice but to speak Spanish, just to listen to him"

And our conversation continued on other interesting matters. But can you believe that we were talking about her husband? Oh, well, sometimes men act like children, right?