Everyone happy
Last night i indulged myself into a music feast. I was still feeling slightly sick and extremely tired, which put me on the verge of cancelling the date with my pals. Luckily I managed to find the energy to go to that terrible venue (only one access available for 20.000 souls) and my heart started beating to the big band rhythm as soon as I caught sight of the stage.

It was beautiful, it was encouraging and it certainly was worth every minute of the show. Manu Chao gave a gig that captured the exact spirit of what a concert is meant to be, at least what I expect it to be.

He travelled in time and throughout his career, mixing songs, changing beats, never stopping his dance. The lights were gorgeous, the atmosphere was one of a memorable party and I was truly amazed by his way of making everyone happy.

So I don’t give a shit if Manu Chao fights for standards he may fail to respect in his daily life, and I couldn’t care less about his view on music piracy. The fact is he’s a brilliant musician and he has that rare power of setting your mood as he wishes. I’m sure Tom would have enjoyed the show as much as I did –if he hadn’t been working his ass off out in Poland-, so here’s to him.

And here’s to Luis as well, wherever he may be, because the music he believed in is still there to remember what’s important and what the whole game is really about ("tú no tienes la culpa, mi amor, que el mundo sea tan feo…").

Cool end
I woke up shaking and feeling like a sick five year old girl. I had a suspicion that something like that would happen after the strong air conditioning at the concert last night, and the fact that i couldn't get the chill out of my spine even after i walked with LovelyV in an apparently cool summer night. So i woke up with my body out of order and dark clouds dancing around my window. What an autumn preview, i said to myself.

I closed my eyes and pretended nothing had happened. I covered my head with the pillow, thinking it would take some minutes until everything went away. Just like a five year old kid. When i opened them my body was slowly going back to its original inner shape, but the clouds were still there.

I stepped outside and noticed that everyone was wearing breezy summer clothes and looked confident, as if the sun was shining full volume since six am. So i see we're going to cling to this summer. We can't let go of it, not before August ends. Happy cool end of the season.

The thing about short stories
The book i'm reading is making me see the world under a whole new perspective. I love it when that happens. The book i'm reading is written in a simple way, with short sentences that give you an insight of life's most complicated things.

I'm actually reading three books now. I used to say that you can't concentrate in more than one novel/essay/poetry book at the same time, but i've changed my mind -yes, i know i'm rather good at doing that.

I like to have the latest Potter adventures ready for me at my bedside, but now that i've given up television (cigarettes will be next) i also love having my 'How the Irish saved Civilization' for those dead hours that go between doing my laundry and meeting up with a friend.

Then there is the book i read the rest of the time, this small work of art written by someone who is surprisingly my age. Maybe i'm not that young anymore and he's not even a promising author, but a healthy-minded writer. The fact is that his words stirr something inside. I wish i could have that power one day.

I was never a fan of short stories. I could read one, maybe two, but an entire book of short fiction would make me anxious, eager to have a long story before me. I love the way a good novel twists and turns throughout the pages. My mum hates short stories. Is this something you can inherit, like blue eyes or a brown spot behind your left knee?

Anyway, I'm revising my short fiction theories lately, because i figure if i can concentrate on three books on the same month, why shouldn't i be able to concentrate on ten different situations, one after the other?

Life is about going through several short stories, one after the other. Or three at the same time. As long as their well written and they stirr something inside.

Ready
I’ve seen my first traffic jam this morning, after weeks of walking through ghost streets and empty avenues. They’re back. They’ve exhausted their summer and now they’re returning to their routines of work and brown pencil bouquets.

Yesterday I discovered the tiny lines under my eyes are here to stay. I stared hard into the mirror before jumping into the shower and decided I liked them. They’re kinda cool. They tell me I’ve seen a lot of stuff so far, but they don’t push the line towards that dreaded boundary in which I’ll find myself looking for concealer or a plastic surgeon.

Autumn is shyly making its move into our lives. The tree I see from my window is surrendering its green leaves to hazier shades. September comes with one promise and four weeks of expectations. I’m ready.

Bliss
I'm on vacation. Meaning i'm not working this week, but other than that i'm still here, in Madrid, spending time with the Mountain Family, visiting wild exotic and exhausting places. Anyway, i'm happy. I'm aware these past months have been a little lame on my side, with the lack of updating posts and all, and i have to be honest with you: it doesn't look like my Internet access is going to be any better in the near future. But now that i'm talking to you, i want to make this point clear. I'm happy.

There is always a light at the end of the tunnel and time does have stuff to say. I have a plan. One of those proffesional projects that bring me back to life. My personal mess is also improving. The hard feelings are softening up, the expectations are slowly coming back and i'm hungry for business.

Summer is behaving well so far, a little harsh at times, a little tempting, and kind, generally speaking. One of those seasons that will be missed when i look back. I've picked up my writing (that's 18 poems/songs and the begginning of the novel) and my new place doesn't look that brand new anymore, which is good. I've discovered songs that stirr something inside, i've made arrangements for concerts with LovelyV in October and i can't wait for Saint Petersburg at the end of September.

Days in bliss that lead to opening nights. I'm liking it.

Voyage, voyage on a Friday

1. What's the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country?
I spent two quite long weeks in Barcelona, but the last time i left the country i paid a glam visit to my friend LovelyV in Miami. That was fun...

2. What's the most bizarre/unusual thing that's ever happened to you while traveling?
I ran into a cousin whom i hadn't seen in ages. He started yelling naughty remarks to my sister, dressed in his white uniform, in the Canary Islands. My sister walked faster, holding my hand, and then we realized it was him. We ended up having a quick coffee, i think. This was a couple of centuries ago.

3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go?
I'd take the first plane to Montreal to visit my friend Martin and i'd spend all of my time and money with him. Then i'd hop down to NYC with a bunch of credit cards in a small purse. After that, i'd probably head to Mexico for a couple of months. See ya in Monterrey or something!

4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car?
Planes kick ass. You meet tons of people, you get to drink disgusting coffee while keeping a straight face and you live in a permanent stress for fear of not seing your luggage ever again.

5. What's the next place on your list to visit?
Saint Petersburg, Russia, baby!!!!

Brief update
I know it's been some time, and i'm the first one to be sorry. Poor Internet access and many things on my plate have kept me from spreading the ambivalent feelings that make this blog the silly entertainment you all love ;-) While i take some time to put the digital pics together and a good story about Dixie's wedding, i'll give you a brief update of what's been going on lately:

- The heat wave in Madrid has been driving me nuts. Hence the weird hair do i wear these days, plus the permanent and invisible fan in my hand. Using the underground is not a good idea. Nor is living in a non AC appartment, like i do.

- I finally made it to Ikea. Strangely enough, i didn't buy the entire shop. This may mean i'm growing up and winning control of my impulses, or that i didn't find that many things i liked. There's a kick-ass shelf on the way and the studio is beginning to look like an actual hotel room home.

- The fiestas are on. That's the August fair that turns Madrid into a summer village, when the bars serve drinks directly on the streets, people dance tacky songs with strangers and everyone develops a sudden interest in drinking home made mojitos. I can't wait to have a go. Perhaps next Sunday?

- My holidays start next Friday but the lack of cash, zero expectations and the fact that i've nowhere interesting to go will make me stay in crazy Madrid. Let's see if this heat wave goes to Canada or something.