The other day I was reading a fun little blog called The Square Peg. The theme of that day's post was terrorists, and not perhaps the kind that you may be associating with the word 'terrorist'. In the author's story (and he is a professional writer), the terrorists were a couple of mockingbirds that were attacking people and this my friends was the 'breaking news' he was watching on his local channel until the signal was lost, which was too bad as by then there was an alligator moving up behind the reporter. A dangerous place to live I fear!
Before I get to the point of 'my story', let me say how much I enjoy S. Stoner Bradley's 'The Square Peg'. The posts are lol's. Anyway before reading about the mockingbirds, my story is that I'd just got an e-mail from the embassy saying they'd raised the threat level to 'high', which is not surprising after the recent attacks on France, Tunisia, Kuwait and Somalia. Also earlier I'd read a joke about a squirrel that attacked a motorcyclist. Of course, the title I've given this post also refers to the weather. It's best not to look at the daily 100º + temperatures in store for us continuing, I guess, as long as we don't get anything, like a storm or air from Norway or somewhere similar, to cool things down. I don't know what you think, but I think these are a lot of coincidences, and don't pay any attention when I say not to look at the temperatures all the time, because I do. Last night my phone said we had electrical storms in the area. They must have been silent and invisible, and there was certainly no rain to be seen, only cloud cover.
What else is orange? Well, the gazpacho and the sauce from the meatballs I had yesterday at the restaurant I go to with friends. I stopped by on Tuesday morning to order the meatballs. You know this is the place that some of us have been going to for years. The new people who have taken the place over after the owners retired will surely do well if they continue treating their customers as well as we've been treated. By the way, if you've seen the photo of gazpacho on my facebook page, mine usually comes out red and not orange.
In my last post, I mentioned weighing the necklace I got. With the chain, it weighs almost half a pound. I say almost, because my kitchen scales are in grams.
That about does it for today. Hope everyone's 4th of July weekend has been good. Have a good week.
Summer begins in earnest. As I begin writing this, it's 99 ºF but that feels like 108º F. My phone says that in my area we have 11% humidity, and that's the only saving grace. I think later on I'll go out and fry a couple of eggs - only joking. I'd have to put on some clothes to do that. My friend Jenny always says what weather they have in New York we get a couple of weeks later. Sure hope she's right, because I've heard some folks are getting temperatures in the 80's. I'm staying in until the sun goes down today that's for sure!
Yesterday I joined the end of term celebration of my old institute in the centre and prepared myself as best I could against the heat. I took a frozen bottle of water and sprayed my body with sunblock. Unfortunately, I forgot my fan. We were going to our favourite Mexican restaurant, but Penny said she'd seen a new Mexican restaurant in a square two minutes' walk from the institute, so we decided to try that. Honestly, I don't think we could have made it to the other restaurant without a few pit stops on the way to cool down. The food was spicier than the dishes we have in the other Mexican but was good too.
On Wednesday evening, I went to a party given by the mothers of my classes for me. All of the kids were there, except one who was studying for his university exams, and one of the dads came too. The food was delicious and plentiful - not much remained though. I might add that we ate out on the patio, because on Wednesday the heat was still bearable. Here's the lovely present I received from them, and is it ever heavy!
Not only is the stone big and heavy but so is the chain. I was going to weigh it on my kitchen scales. When I do, I'll post how much it weighs.There's an animal on the chain. I understood Cielo to say it was a cat, but looking at it I think it's some kind of reptile.
And here are a couple of black and white photos. This first one I've shared before, but have recently made a copy of it and put it in a frame for my friend Chris. It's of our old language institute that was founded in 1949, but the actual photo is from the 1950's. It's part of the pack and album of old photos I came across when I was helping to clean out the institute a couple of years ago.
The last one is from the now longest street in Madrid, Alcalá, from 1886. This was before the Gran Via, or Madrid's Fifth Avenue, was built.
I think I'd best do some clearing out of my bedroom at least, so I'm going to get to work after wishing everyone a good week.
I'm one of those people who love trivia. Although I'm not a gamer, I've always enjoyed Trivial Pursuit. The other day I learned which was the shortest street in Madrid, and it's not this one. This is the longest - Alcalá Street, and this I've known for a long time.
The photo was taken nearly 5 years ago by my nephew when he came to visit. This was the year that Spain won the Soccer World Cup, but let's leave all the FIFA scandals out of this. Actually the building in the photo is located at number 39 of Alcalá, I think, and, on the right, a bit of the Alcalá Gate can be seen. I'm not exactly sure how many numbers the street has, as part of it used to be called Aragón Avenue. It must have 500 and then some, because I live near something like number 211 of Alcalá.
And here's the shortest street - about 20 metres in length:
It's called 'lance breaker' in English, and is on the corner of one of the most commercial streets in the Puerta del Sol area. There are lots of funny names for streets like Globe or Ball Street, Fish Street, etc. Again Rompelanzas is near our old institute that now has an updated version of the same institute in one of the same buildings.
Today I can say that I've done almost nothing. Later on, I'll probably be sifting through more books, papers and things to get rid of. Yesterday I went to a crafts fair in the home of one of the two-beez. Look at the lovely awning, made from scarves, that they put together to keep the garage cooler.
This photo was taken just as they were getting ready to open to the public. I went before anyone else showed up, because I knew later on in the day it would be blazing hot. It was and is even hotter today. Summer has returned to stay I suppose. That means gazpacho weather for me.
Here's something I bought. Can you guess what it is, besides a champagne cork?
So this is the long and short of it for this week. Happy Father's Day and also a happy week for everyone.
Since Thursday when Madrid and much of Spain had more rain in a short period of time than the drains could handle and lots of flooding, it's been cool in Madrid. Okay, it's afternoon and although I'm not dressed for the street, I am wearing long sleeves and enjoying the cooler temperatures while we have them. We'll soon be hot again.
At the end of May there were elections in the Community of Madrid. This building, usually referred to as the Telecommunications Palace, is the Town Hall. It's only been that since 2007. When I came to Spain, it was the central post office.
One of the candidates who actually received more votes than the woman who will be the new mayor (because of a pact with another political party) said she wouldn't use this building as the Town Hall. Madrid has another building that was used for the Town Hall until somebody in Government decided to change it for this magnificent location. Can you imagine how much money it must take to run?
Somebody said that one of the ex-mayors even had a secret apartment in the palace. I don't know whether that's true. Anyway, the building was constructed in the early 20th Century and finished round the same time as my humble block of flats.
The Telecommunications Palace
Curiously the building used by the President of the Community of Madrid (not to be confused with the President of Spain) is also a former post office. It was built in the latter part of the 18th C and is located in what is traditionally called the centre of Madrid, the Puerta del Sol.
Outside this building in the street is the marker for 'Kilometre 0' from which distances are measured in Spain. Everyone at one time or another has stood on Km 0. The clock you see is the one that rings in the new year for the people of Madrid. The Puerta del Sol is the place I always swear not to visit ever again at Christmas, and is where my old institute was located. However, I usually worked in the one near where I live - round the corner really from my house.
The Royal House of Post
That's my history lesson for this week, and I did it without a lot of political references. Politics makes people angry and friends enemies, so it's a subject I try to avoid. Now onto present history.
Last night I went to a housewarming party for our friend Eirian and her husband. We had a lovely time and too much to eat. Cathy and I had similar ideas. I made an onion dip and took chips and Cathy took sour cream and onion chips. Both of us took wine. Chris was the practical one. She took a present for the house in the form of glazed clay cooking dishes. When we left, Eirian gave me enough pasta salad for two meals. Incidentally, housewarming parties are not traditional in Spain.
And on this note, here's where I finish up another week. Hope everyone's weekend has been a pleasant one and hope your next week goes well.
And so summer begins unofficially! It just couldn't wait until the 40th of May! I assume that means we're in for a hot time. My place is still relatively cool no thanks to me. I opened all the windows too early last night hoping some nice cool breezes would come through like they did the night before. I wasn't worried about the noise from people in the street after the bullfights, because I wasn't watching TV or trying to concentrate or sleep. Sleep is something I can do with the windows closed or after everyone finally decides to go home. Anyway, I can't believe how much hot air came in the little time I had the windows open. I'll bet the street was cooler with my windows open though.
Yesterday was our monthly get together, but some of us will be going to one of our friends' house for a housewarming party next weekend. This was my first time in the new old place where we almost always go for our lunches. I don't know if you remember that the family that owns and operates the bar decided to retire and rent it out. The food was nice and well-presented - a bit more expensive mind you. The service was good, maybe since we were the only ones in the restaurant part. I took a photo of my main course which was lamb chops with fries and padrón peppers. Padrón peppers are small peppers and every so often you'll get one that's hot. I didn't this time. I think one of the peppers looks like a mouse's tail peaking out from under the chops. For starters we had either salad or gazpacho. Gazpacho for me is a staple in hot weather, so that was my choice. We were told to put in requests for what we'd like to eat in future, so I'll be the one to stop by and tell them. After all, I live just round the corner.
True to my promise, I went this morning to give one of my students a preparation class for his school exam. I couldn't believe how much English he spoke without me saying 'In English, please!' I hope he does okay on the exam. The material and vocabulary isn't too difficult. Poor kid was scratching the whole time. He had mosquito bites everywhere and made me itch too out of sympathy I hope.
Other than stay out of the heat, go out with friends and the usual things we have to do, I've been sorting out teaching material that is useful and throwing out lots of old stuff. I took a few things to the paper bank when I went out this morning. I may sort through a few more things today, but will hold off throwing them away until tomorrow. All the motorcycles parked obstructing the containers makes it difficult to throw away glass and paper. Thankfully today is the last day of daily bullfights. There will still be some and concerts and other noisemakers in the bullring. The bullring, for your information, is where the Beatles performed their first concert in Madrid. AC/DC gave two concerts here last week, but not in the bullring, of course.
That about does it for me. Hope everyone has had a good first week of June. Enjoy the second week too.
Actually the kids begin their last few weeks of classes by going to school until about 1 p.m. tomorrow, but Friday was my last 'official' day of giving class. I just have to shout it out! I'm finally RETIRED!!! Yes, that deserves capital letters and extra exclamation marks. So what am I going to do with so much free time?
First of all, I know I should be more like the girl in the photo and just throw all the papers and lesson plans up in the air. I am throwing away papers and have been for a while. However, I feel the need to go through the files that I haven't used up during this course and take out things that could be useful for my friends at the language academy, especially the speaking activities and children's games. This is what I've spent a few hours doing this weekend. I have no idea when I'll finish the 'paperwork' from over 10 years as a freelance teacher.
A bigger project will be to do up my apartment. It needs everything doing to it - floors and all the installations. I want just a shower put in in the bathroom. I don't often take a bath anyway. I told one of my friends that I wanted tile floors throughout and not wooden ones like I have in the bedroom and my 'office'. She said they'd be cold in winter to which I answered that any floor is cold in winter. I think having the same flooring everywhere will make the place look bigger. I'd also like some carpentry work done - just hope I can afford all this. I've been told about some builders who are reliable by the person who has done my tax returns for years. It'll be a question of getting a few estimates and decide on one.
Of course, I have other plans as to how to enjoy some of my free time. I don't think I'll get bored. I've always been able to find something to do. For those of you who are retired, do you ever get bored?
This Saturday, my friends and I are getting together for our monthly lunch and gab session. I must remember to send Chris a message to ask what time we'll be meeting. It's usually about 3 p.m., but last time they met up at 1(13.00). I wasn't feeling well that day and didn't go. Hope Chris makes it at a time that Cathy can come, because I have some resource material I want to give her. I know that Chris, and maybe someone else, will be going to a hosted charity at the Anglican church afterwards, so it's possible she'll want to meet up earlier.
We still have bullfights every day, but this coming week starting tomorrow will be the last week with daily fights. Although it hasn't been so hot as it was a few weeks ago, we've definitely got summer weather but no more tropical nights.
Hope everyone who has attended graduations recently have enjoyed the ceremonies. I have a great-niece who graduated from 5th grade and a great-nephew from preschool, both photos were shared on facebook. Have a good first week of June!
The other day on facebook, I shared a funny video that used the music from one of Billy Joel's hits with lyrics describing what was popular with kids in the 70's and 80's. Throughout the song, the line 'But we never owned an Ipad, Never heard of texting, only teletexting' is repeated. Although some of the things the singer mentions are typical of Britain, such as some of the popular personalities (I gather he wasn't too keen on a certain weather forecaster), but who doesn't remember 'The Goonies', one of my all-time favourites, and Michael Knight's car?
Without the technology we have today, the man who made this particular video would have had quite a few difficulties putting it together. By the way, he does a good cover of Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire'.
I was thinking the other day about how much I rely on my mobile phone for more things than just texting. It's also my watch, easy-to-use camera and weather forecaster. I don't (yet) go walking down the street looking at it and not looking where I'm going, and have been known to forget it at home or in somebody's house.
The photo above is one that my sister took and tagged me in and posted on facebook, because she knows I'm always looking at the clouds. Isn't it amazing how we can store what we want to keep 'in the cloud'?
The next photo is of one of the best early almost 'smart' phones that I've had. I know I could send multimedia texts on it though most of my friends couldn't open them. I really liked that the keyboard was round. As it no longer works and I've been de-cluttering some today, I decided it's time to get rid of it. The next time I go past a battery container, I'll drop off the dead battery, which I was finally able to get at. The backs of phones are put on so it's extremely difficult to open them, aren't they?
This week we didn't go to the Chinese, because my friend Chris's cousin died, and, naturally, she was and is very sad. I'm sure she would appreciate prayers and/or positive thoughts for the family. You remember that Chris's cat was very ill recently. She says Sami follows her everywhere. Poor Sami.
Two week ago, we had that preview of summer with too high temperatures for this time of year. Thank goodness, the temperatures have gone down to normal. We even had a few mornings where it was cold, and in a town not too far from Madrid it was 32º F at 8 a.m. I've worn long sleeves and a jacket most of the week. It does warm up into the 70's during the day. I'm glad that at least one saying still holds true - the one about waiting until the 40th May (9th June) to put away winter things. I'm just not ready for sandals yet.
I hope that everyone who has a long weekend enjoys a safe one and the rest of the week passes as quickly as your 3 days.
