Madrid Teacher

Christmas in Alcala is great. I have eaten loads , drank loads and smoked loads (although I am planning to stop smoking on new years day).

There seemed to be a lot more fireworks this year but it wasn´t a problem because I could lie in. One of the more nicer things about Christmas in spain is that it isn´t as commercialised as it is in the UK, although the downside is the Christmas tele. I didn´t really have the ganas for OT on Christmas Eve I prefer the Vicar of Dibley or the Royal family. R is away so i have spent nearly the whole of Christmas with my father catching up on family gossip and a few heated debates about politics.

I now realise that I have reached the age of parent presents, my main present this year was a Lynx (AXE) hygiene set still at least I will smell nice.

Nova ate my mobile phone charger so a day without the mobile, she also ate my dads toothbrush.

Finally saw series 7 of West Wing I think I have to crown it my favourite program of all time.

At about two o clock last night when I returned from my works do (I was the first to leave but my excuse if my new duvet and also at 36 years old the thought of the last day feeling like shit no longer appeals) myself and r had a discussion about Nova´s new food substitute R´s trainers.

We have worked out that in a year apart from her food expenses she has helped scuander the following dinero from our accounts:

2 pairs trainers (not mine because they probably smell too much for Nova´s refined nasal sensitivities) @ 80 euros
1 pair of glasses @ 200 euros
2 pairs of sandals @ 40 euros
document holding bag @ 36 euros
countless toilet and kitchen rolls
dozens of ear plugs stolen while I am sleeping
at least 10 books at a minimum of 3 euros each
a copy of Viz (these are treasured you can´t buy them in Spain)
several DVDs
all this years christmas wrapping paper
dozens of packs of Camel and Marlboro
A map
The base for the mirror in the bedroom
DVD machine remote control

plus countless other items

However, would I prefer to lose this money or keep Nova. It goes without saying that having a loyal pet, a companion when R works nights (not like that thankyou) the extra exercise I have from walking her, and the people I meet is well worth more than my chattels she has munched.

This is a story about Blair justifying dropping a fraud enquiry

Speaking at an EU summit in Brussels, Mr Blair said he had put to one side the effect on "thousands of British jobs and billions worth of pounds for British industry" - basing a decision on this would have potentially put Britain in conflict with international law.

What about Iraq??????

I haven´t blogged for over a week and I am glad to say that it is not due to owing telefonica money this time. I have done what every good Spanish resident and citizen does , I have extended my credit limit for Christmas so all bills paid this month, I will worry about january in january.

I have had a few friends over and have just spent the past weekend completely wazzed.

I think that I visited the worst nightclub in Spain this week, it was named after a town in the North and my mothers sofa is one, however it could feasiably be the nightmare nightclub because I am about 20 years older than the average visitor to the place. This is becoming a common occurance at the moment.

Had a great customer service experience at Chamartin last weekend, they should certainly change the advertising policy for new jobs if this is the best they can get. Still the thought of shouting " Chuckles, fu*king give me the p*ta ticket you fat c*nt" brought a smile to my face and saved me from filling out another reclamations form. I think I met his twin brother later in the day in a cafe in the centre of madrid serving the tables without a smile.

However all this means nothing, I have blown away a few disco cobwebs, drank beer and actually rocked along to that camisa negra song, theres more to Spain than a few miserable customer dis-service agents.

I am not exactly a film buff but have seen two films this weekend which led me to question the fact of whether I am too traditional or conservative (with small c). I sometimes feel that it is an insult to be seen as traditional today. I´ll explain this in the context of the films.

Firstly the new James Bond, I don´t know if it is my Spanish translation but he seemed to very touchy feely, why have they changed the James Bond formula, it would be like Rebus taking E and actualy be content with his life. I like James Bond to have missiles in his cars not medical kits, jump over rivers full of crocodiles not spend 45 minutes playing Poker and fly to space stations not take in the architectural delights of venice, he needs to crack sexist jokes not fall in love and have his heart broken.

The second film I saw was The Queen. I am a monarchist and thought that the Queens role was actually the correct way, putting her grandchildren first and when Prince Phillip looked and acted shocked when he realised Elton John was going to the funeral I would actually agree with him, who would want that publicity seeking prima donna at their new fridge opening never mind funeral.

R enjoyed the film and it is amazing how the Spanish view the British Royal Family, although R did think that Cherie Blair was quite nasty. So maybe modernism has faults as well.

I am traditional in many ways but I believe that there are a lot of good values to hold on to.

Talking about values I saw something in Madrid last night which made me feel angry and sick, someone has sprayed 11 M = ZP at the plaza at the end of Maria Molina. It makes my blood boil that certain people think that Zapatero is to blame for 11M. Is this resepctful to the victims, does this aid any discussion over the problems of terrorism, does this in fact engender anything positive?