tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320351852024-03-07T07:26:02.677+01:00Madrid Teachermadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-58984822258939464942007-11-04T14:32:00.000+01:002007-11-04T14:40:37.439+01:00Ethically created fat geeseI can now continue on my path to contract gout ethically thanks to the morally driven farmers from Badajoz.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/11/03/wfoie103.xml">Guilt-free foie gras has been developed in Spain</a>, so while bulls may have their ears set on fire and forced to run around the pedestrian free town centres (Vila Real), hens can get their heads pulled off (was told this happened in Basque Country) and goats get thrown from the tops of towers (probably an urban myth), geese are fattened then slaughtered sensitively. The article reports that the geese are fed free range so that there bellies can scrape along the floor, "They feast on figs, acorns, lupins, grain and olives left in piles around the 30-acre farm until, after 14 days of gorging, their bellies touch the ground and their livers are deemed big enough". They really eat well.<br /><br />The image of fat bellies running around the fields of Badajoz reminds me of a queue of taxi drivers waiting out side the airport at Barajas.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-79551816588345920322007-10-27T12:28:00.000+02:002007-10-27T13:00:37.402+02:00What a laughAlthough I am a guirri I am a crap Guirri not only do I live about 20 miles away from any other northern european, but at the Giggling Guirri last night in madrid I only knew the people I went with whereas all my friends seemed to know everybody else in the room, it was like been a member of a club but knowing no-one in the club. There was a great commedian who entertained us with his views on guirris and foreigners abroad, his foot and general observations on life. He was playing to a packed out audience at <a href="http://www.teatroalfil.com/v2/index.html">TEATRO ALFIL</a>. My brother had told me about this guy he has seen him on Paramount comedy in the UK, Adam Hills.<br /><br />He has a very good take on languages and national characteristics.<br /><br />Its the first time I have seen a comedian in the last 7 years in Spain (well a standup one anyway). And the great news is that there are plenty more to come at this theatre.<br /><br />Comedy in <a href="http://www.comedyinspain.com/">Spain Site is well worth a look</a>, its great that the people who run the Giggling Guiri comedy club have such enthusiasm and energy. I hope they realise that they make a difference for foreigners living in Spain and that people appreciate it.<br /><br />Here are some clips of him I found on youtube.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOXBYjPUSiw&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOXBYjPUSiw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jGrmm0PhIGc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jGrmm0PhIGc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I just hope he comes to town again, and I must try and get to know more peoplemadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-49642436244614616932007-10-01T12:10:00.000+02:002007-10-01T12:17:46.638+02:00a quick linkThis made me giggle this morning it is about a Labour minister who was photoshopped in on an <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7018729.stm">NHS photo</a> . Here is a take on this<br /><br /><a href="http://www.recessmonkey.com/2007/09/30/minister-meets-burmese-monks/">Recessmonkey1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.recessmonkey.com/2007/09/30/labour-minister-at-tory-conference-shock/">Recessmonkey2</a><br /><br /><br />I really need to start understanding Spainsh politics, it was a task I set myself to do but still haven´t got round to it.<br /><br />Some good Humour of the satirical type at <a href="http://southofwatford.blogspot.com/2007/09/young-businesswoman-of-year.html">south of watford here</a>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-23665013085614308902007-09-30T15:25:00.000+02:002007-09-30T15:43:10.040+02:00What words are these pictures painting<a href="http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/130/independentistas/queman/fotos/Rey/Lleida/Manresa/elpepunac/20070930elpepinac_17/Tes">The picture burnings of the King and Queen are a total disgrace</a>. I think it is the most infantile method of showing opposition to something. The TV pictures I saw had the photos of the King and Queen upside down while being set alight by a protester with the rest of the crowd cheering him on. I know that it is only a couple of thousand people so it really is not worth worrying about, but if they finally achieve what they wish who would want this lot in charge. The politics aside, the Queen does many good works and I think that it demonstrates a lack of respect for the person rather than the institution. They will probably do their cause no favours, as I think that many people in Spain will be horrified. <br /><br />They will be burning efigies next. <br /><br />The say a picture paints a thousand words, well I daredn´t think what this paints. <br /><br />Election - UK It might be worth sorting out very quickly any voting rights, I read that there will be a cut off date very soon. I contacted my local council in the UK.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-29942902278816430422007-09-19T21:36:00.000+02:002007-09-19T21:47:07.419+02:00How to save 868,000,000 eurosThe Air force is buying 87 Euro fighters and according to <a href="http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/avion/124/millones/euros/elpepunac/20070919elpepinac_14/Tes">El Pais</a> each one costs 124,000,000 million euros. Why don´t they just buy 80 and save 868,000,000 euros. One of the justifications is that 22,000 jobs are involved. It seems quite an expensive way to keep down the numbers of people claiming the paro. Funny how an election is around the corner as well.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-63722979374610925442007-09-18T23:26:00.000+02:002007-09-19T21:47:34.838+02:00Another incentive to keep practicing SpanishI have just found another incentive to continue with my epic adventure of trying to develop my Spanish, being bi-lingual keeps the brain sharp <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3794479.stm">according to the BBC</a>. This is quite handy because I need to phone Jazztel tomorrow to explain to then it is the router NOT our tele that is on the blink.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-53863331098862400052007-09-10T13:02:00.000+02:002007-09-10T13:13:06.872+02:00Don Limpio´s private lifeWhenever we stay in a saturday R makes me sit through about 17 hours of salsa rosa programmes. Sometimes they are enjoyable sometimes unbelievable. Usually the guest end up crying and being overly melodramatic when I think many of their problems would easily be solved in they just bought tamazapan on a regular basis. However I think I have found who would be the perfect guest, Don Limpio, while he flirts with the housewives on the TV and leads them up the wrong path he must have deep seated issues with his own sexuality. I have never seen a cleaning product advertised by someone so obvioulsy gay. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIhyIvHPPLzEA1T0sKJOqaV1sRn4MHaqJNso8vUbpjRdk4pttmvlKWC8VWLyzPk_GBRL617HwjxonAxb_kbDERB1Pre31Blj38nb7RWK7E97E4LLypymFxIuCkGnP_xmoZaKvtQ/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIhyIvHPPLzEA1T0sKJOqaV1sRn4MHaqJNso8vUbpjRdk4pttmvlKWC8VWLyzPk_GBRL617HwjxonAxb_kbDERB1Pre31Blj38nb7RWK7E97E4LLypymFxIuCkGnP_xmoZaKvtQ/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108531009114816562" /></a><br /><br />Gran Hermano - last night the new series started, two sisters who were guests met for the first time, and the tackiest of the two when confronted by a long lost sister, who she obviusly had no idea about , instead of been emotionally overwrought just asked for a light. Amazing!!madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-88060603175437831222007-09-05T13:57:00.000+02:002007-09-05T14:12:36.690+02:00Cameras can save livesI visited many places in the UK this summer as part of my interest in my family tree. My father did the driving as I am afraid I have become acustomed to drving in Spain and tend to find that every unmarked junction in the UK causes massive palpatations in my chest not remembering which way to turn. I was shocked by the amount of speed cameras in the roads. At the V festival in Chelmsford they had placed a very crafty one , the road drops from 50 to 30 and then a speed camera is situated just at the corner, out ancestors must have been guarding us because the camera didn´t flash. This journey made me change my mind on the usefulness of these cameras. Before I felt a pang of happiness when they had been smashed (see the roads near Jabalquinto in Jaen for series of smashed velocidad monitors), however I now see their usefulness and the DGT should place more of them. <a href="http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Madrid/segunda/comunidad/aumento/siniestralidad/carretera/verano/elpepuesp/20070905elpepunac_1/Tes">The road deaths this summer highlight the urgency of this</a>. I have little sympathy for the lunatics driving like arseholes but for every innocent death on the road there are dozens of families who have to live with the aftermath. <br /><br />I thought the points system on the licences would have an impact but obviously not, so speed cameras with large fines might tone down the number of fatalities. Some of my friends argue that people wouldn´t pay the fines or take any notice, but this does not need to be the case, I am sure that the government using technology can capture the money from bank accounts.<br /><br />I used to find driving a pleasurable experience, but to be honest I find I am beginning to dread driving. My swearing in Spanish reaches new highs when driving on the motorway or around Madrid.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-29062545485280080672007-09-02T22:39:00.000+02:002007-09-05T14:13:12.635+02:00Benidorm - the pearl of the medJust had our holiday in Benidorm. We love it, English breakfast for 2.75 euros, tetley´s bitter and sticky vicky who does stuff with razor blades you can only find in peep shows, beautiful beaches and its the only place where I actually look trendy (not wieghing 25 stone and having to buy XXXXL t-shirts). R who is Spanish just thinks that all we do is drink ourselves legless but I actually got him to try Bitter and he asked "do you think they have it in Carrefour?", however he just couldn´t face the belly buster full english<br /><br />Our hotel was 17 stories high and the views were amazing, its our Las Vegas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg90w4h8TOejdEtsZdmTy2semliAxhCoVeIrmmD_bLBTXCMKR93__p6rvEP9IuaKjMc3sOR9qbmCQ3kzuTDWph4NGdUysnysSg-QHed8UKeoa-L__GAv2EtvaYzG_8k6L5hAEN7Q/s1600-h/DSCF0226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg90w4h8TOejdEtsZdmTy2semliAxhCoVeIrmmD_bLBTXCMKR93__p6rvEP9IuaKjMc3sOR9qbmCQ3kzuTDWph4NGdUysnysSg-QHed8UKeoa-L__GAv2EtvaYzG_8k6L5hAEN7Q/s320/DSCF0226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105710392422383634" /></a><br /><br />Sunset<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN7-ffPwz0gF3e0aGGiLc3jddLP0peocWER1B43P4TOG877MzIXNTiyrj4BfuOGQ9w8tQYkjuXVrJ1UX6uPllUIu4mUDJewyLdtzCZ_EsCeVMlRpmUS1lWGUWJZpIqBVIgIfODw/s1600-h/DSCF0238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFN7-ffPwz0gF3e0aGGiLc3jddLP0peocWER1B43P4TOG877MzIXNTiyrj4BfuOGQ9w8tQYkjuXVrJ1UX6uPllUIu4mUDJewyLdtzCZ_EsCeVMlRpmUS1lWGUWJZpIqBVIgIfODw/s320/DSCF0238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105710813329178658" /></a><br /><br />Just look at the statemadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-10407078038514575692007-07-19T12:36:00.001+02:002007-07-19T12:37:43.179+02:00Explaining to R why my mother has not visited yetThis video succinctly explains to R why my mum has not visited. This video operates on so many levels. She lives in Pudsey, I have a jumper like the one in the video and I hate the food they mention.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlJTdHQVJhQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AlJTdHQVJhQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-70319259447940669782007-07-19T11:36:00.000+02:002007-07-19T12:21:21.096+02:00Why men should be able to use fansIn a metrosexual Madrid (see how many men have their legs shaved) why can a male not cool himself down with a fan without drawing the opprobrium of other their fellow citizens. In a place where Beckham gets away with being the gayest gay icon and men can cluck around the aftershave counter at El Corte Ingles like viejas around the olive shop in the local mercado, do male fan users get stared at as though they possess lepracy. Spanish machismo bravado society in my experience only exists when they are safe behind the car door and protected by changing traffic lights. I think its time for a new formation the MCUFWBSALF (males can use fans without being stared at liberation front). A fan is much more use when dealing with 38 degrees than wafting a 20euro note on the face while queuing<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtsgxit0wkF2R1W1bkGg6M3iI7Bies55fN39ZhbeZ9y3b08oKTJigG1bxPxOllRdBSCUDCAQhrS7ljmWDya_oSk_7_omsnR8tV_jtCZtTwnKU-GDF7M60XV1DiClu6at9RjRM_A/s1600-h/DSCF0094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtsgxit0wkF2R1W1bkGg6M3iI7Bies55fN39ZhbeZ9y3b08oKTJigG1bxPxOllRdBSCUDCAQhrS7ljmWDya_oSk_7_omsnR8tV_jtCZtTwnKU-GDF7M60XV1DiClu6at9RjRM_A/s320/DSCF0094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088845771588524850" /></a>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-44744815936686601142007-07-18T15:09:00.000+02:002007-07-19T12:21:00.382+02:00FlowersMy attempts at being Percy Thrower have been quite limited although the roses on the balcony are just about surviving and the avacado plant is showing healthy adolesent growth as the before and after pictures below show.<br /><br />Before<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0pNkltPtNv4_OXMZp_IITJIfUmeETiFGh6NWNxHQzeScpqaU7MlmD8H0rgthuwvf21s9G89wfNMPRwFxC6hNdhJzKPdj9lJZDObMLRYYcq4YU5s6Cc32LPp_5zumDVVZ2BXJ0w/s1600-h/PIC00001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0pNkltPtNv4_OXMZp_IITJIfUmeETiFGh6NWNxHQzeScpqaU7MlmD8H0rgthuwvf21s9G89wfNMPRwFxC6hNdhJzKPdj9lJZDObMLRYYcq4YU5s6Cc32LPp_5zumDVVZ2BXJ0w/s320/PIC00001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088524671243541218" /></a><br /><br />Current state of affairs<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJku4RPBnu6kh5hDlhjD5eASiUvepcBXFL7ux8iJIY_8uFmMNfkrXhQTDWyM42Q91qVfImZiYQMici9ZkpSqwWv-jQ3tiXvxgeVHVba5ZZGgK8cRA0WycUH1K_OyYIuZenjtpF3Q/s1600-h/DSCF0049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJku4RPBnu6kh5hDlhjD5eASiUvepcBXFL7ux8iJIY_8uFmMNfkrXhQTDWyM42Q91qVfImZiYQMici9ZkpSqwWv-jQ3tiXvxgeVHVba5ZZGgK8cRA0WycUH1K_OyYIuZenjtpF3Q/s320/DSCF0049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088525388503079666" /></a><br /><br />However, a more impressive array of flowers can be found in the parks of Madrid and Alcala through out the summer. I was really impressed with the rose garden in the Retiro. It was interesting to see the names of the roses such as French Revolution (red obviously) and Cosmos (white which triumphs over the rest because its the symbol of Yorkshire). here are a few of the pictures taken yesterday in the park.<br /><br />One of my first memories of Spain was walking at about 5:30 am in benidorm of all places back to a rented Villa in about 1994, the car pollution had subsided and the smell of the flowers and shrubs was in the air. Every so often I sometimes regain a sense of that aroma when returning late and walking through the park near our flat<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VhMzJ1dGr_2W9FnMP2rX59805_eXSXrmXwdXEWNxA-jeoBBSeq5m4_G7aGJwFWDtq4VDh55fr44LimYx8T3dOFg-tUF29DnAneyD5NwVsMgQ79DZuJHTaGQ7Rhgy1ASy4WgwQg/s1600-h/DSCF0075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VhMzJ1dGr_2W9FnMP2rX59805_eXSXrmXwdXEWNxA-jeoBBSeq5m4_G7aGJwFWDtq4VDh55fr44LimYx8T3dOFg-tUF29DnAneyD5NwVsMgQ79DZuJHTaGQ7Rhgy1ASy4WgwQg/s320/DSCF0075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088527127964834594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzC_fNeFY7lt0sQPR30OUs39zSh0QAjUXslWdIotP4HAQN3dKgXyiEAFt522H6KkTXz_qLc4vxOepC9scrOOTPufzmPw09Ci-T6G8OnjT6LeU9IJqU3svVqwTIiVBPFmyrqDS7g/s1600-h/DSCF0062.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzC_fNeFY7lt0sQPR30OUs39zSh0QAjUXslWdIotP4HAQN3dKgXyiEAFt522H6KkTXz_qLc4vxOepC9scrOOTPufzmPw09Ci-T6G8OnjT6LeU9IJqU3svVqwTIiVBPFmyrqDS7g/s320/DSCF0062.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088526878856731410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGn0cjS0aT98Sq6Uu3j-IoRYFdumPOhPiY86PGU3ZUQ4TP6W86bTbqgJqh7NVzShyZnA5pCr1mjJ0UBYsxnu2i240TTX6u5piWuH7K3xU6gkK8PnRE8P9SmW6NnGdzQr-vy1eBw/s1600-h/DSCF0059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGn0cjS0aT98Sq6Uu3j-IoRYFdumPOhPiY86PGU3ZUQ4TP6W86bTbqgJqh7NVzShyZnA5pCr1mjJ0UBYsxnu2i240TTX6u5piWuH7K3xU6gkK8PnRE8P9SmW6NnGdzQr-vy1eBw/s320/DSCF0059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088526655518432002" /></a>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-83832797067071729272007-07-13T14:19:00.000+02:002007-07-13T14:24:48.048+02:00SiestaI read an interesting article in last fridays Independent (a friend brought it over for me from Scotland) It contained a story about hotels letting out rooms for a siesta. Not the usual room for the hour type serivce but one which allows all those who live miles away from their place of employment, to take a nap and therefore not miss out on their Spanish brithright. I only ever have a couple of siestas a year, don´t know why just dont need them. What was quite typical is that the employers association in Sevilla said that they are against it because it would mean that their members would have to work more. I don´t actually see how because the people in the rooms would be sleeping.<br /><br />A big thankyou to the Doctors and Nurses in Alcala hospital. I have just come home after a operation and they were brilliant. How anybody can argue against a socialised health service I cannot understand. Still feeling quite high on the drugs though so will have to stop writing.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-4412769948437506512007-07-08T11:47:00.000+02:002007-07-08T12:07:21.191+02:00Summertime and cooking programmesI once read that the murder rate drastically increases in Spain during the summer, I presume due to the heat. A physicist friend of mine told me that in Valencia a persons brain swells due to the humidity so is this the reason why?<br /><br />However I find that people seem much more jayquilo during the summer. I have experienced functionarios actually being polite and useful this week, I would go so far as to say that one of the education civil servants I met this week, went the extra mile and directed us to the correct building. The whole <a href="http://www.fox.com/house/">Dr House</a> persona evaporated in the ministry of education this week, and although we still had to savour the queing, I actually left the building with a big cheesy grin on my face satisfied that my objectives de jour had been met. <br /><br />Everyone seems happy in Alcala, there has been more drunk revelers but less car beeping at 7 in the morning, which demonstrates energies are being diverted in preparation for the August break and the fiestas.<br /><br />Even the bulls in Pamploma have been generous this July only a couple of gorings so far.<br /><br />To top the last week, R won a holiday in a four star hotel for us after he appeared on a cooking program. Things can only get better, soon I will be able to find parking outside my flat when everyone else goes on their holidays.<br /><br />I love summer in Spain and not just because of the weather, everyone and everything feels content. Just watch out for the swollen brains!!!madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-30358247293330949022007-07-01T15:06:00.000+02:002007-07-01T15:19:30.533+02:00Banging to the sound of danceYesterday the streets of Madrid were taken over by a manifestation which did not comprise of the usual malcontents bleating on about anything which this government does, or cause trouble and upset in the name of conspiracy theories. Although Rajoy was missing which means he is either ill or on his holidays because that is a man who is present at every march in Madrid or so it seems. Yesterday was a celebration of everything that is gay, but also more importantly to me a place where people of every sexulaity come together and celebrate diversity. It is fun, good humoured and for me it illustrates that labels are not important.<br /><br />Here are some of our photos the rest are on our facebook<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB0UOjWMDRnsPKPktYFZV5sPYeIsqwKV04JLf9p_yjFQwiXR8OoylNtCaGDvv27kkfldrp2FqI2BR4uEh9cXxZK__jRzqwFgBaPrrrjpA0vB2sUG2yKf7KmHW4pZhUMaTQCG50A/s1600-h/PIC00157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB0UOjWMDRnsPKPktYFZV5sPYeIsqwKV04JLf9p_yjFQwiXR8OoylNtCaGDvv27kkfldrp2FqI2BR4uEh9cXxZK__jRzqwFgBaPrrrjpA0vB2sUG2yKf7KmHW4pZhUMaTQCG50A/s320/PIC00157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082216006864856706" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf-s7xQhooUgM_6kTdQmQk5hyphenhyphenvnqlrmvDU-E4YDSTRhf_u2s4KGSrK8jS2VPryTRE7mSJXr18fiehBKOKoUcYQcz3_NA4zU6ejFGKU23Zx6Y83SGbgwONGsR3edaPF8enh0quIQ/s1600-h/PIC00217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf-s7xQhooUgM_6kTdQmQk5hyphenhyphenvnqlrmvDU-E4YDSTRhf_u2s4KGSrK8jS2VPryTRE7mSJXr18fiehBKOKoUcYQcz3_NA4zU6ejFGKU23Zx6Y83SGbgwONGsR3edaPF8enh0quIQ/s320/PIC00217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082216281742763666" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1QARlqIksNYgEksskKPlGTAQ5VMCHFVsnEzVvzJvNQ4deUPRE2Ja0VKo_m5fSOv_gErxtlR6kKHRhgrDNZ4xG-ivnmZnbFugVHCLLhE0qFYZ4mEECUrtejLyzP9UeCYWJA_kkg/s1600-h/PIC00168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1QARlqIksNYgEksskKPlGTAQ5VMCHFVsnEzVvzJvNQ4deUPRE2Ja0VKo_m5fSOv_gErxtlR6kKHRhgrDNZ4xG-ivnmZnbFugVHCLLhE0qFYZ4mEECUrtejLyzP9UeCYWJA_kkg/s320/PIC00168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082217342599685794" /></a>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-42311896131094453402007-06-28T22:39:00.000+02:002007-06-28T23:07:11.480+02:00When you have been away from England for too longI was just catching up on the BBC site to see what was happening in the UK. What struck me was that I only recognise about four or five of the cabinet members announced so far. It will be interesting to see how Gordon Brown does, it is always quite exciting when there is a new Government (even if he wasn´t elected by the people). With luck he will do well and hopefully withdraw from Iraq (or any other conflict which Blair might get the UK into now he is some kind of international peace maker). I have been out of the UK for six years now and was a little bit suprized at my lack of recognition of who the current political leaders are. With Spanish politicians I really wouldn´t have a clue apart from the leaders and the presidents of Madrid and Valencia, but I am happy with this situation because it doesn´t allow me to develop obsessive anger rages when they mess things up. However as part of my political education my objective de semana will be to find out who the ministers are here in Spain and over in the UK.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLKBDaNbwt8FZy5i59hjDtngngzlKdXfDCmIu6aW3tb44lDbxeDhuCpunuz7vlEM_8fImcaAbw6LNNQcoxxwQxzgIjXLw9Nv6nTZ-YoBcFbdjUSQo1wGAkdE4M9xr0C2M41J8Dw/s1600-h/_42436088_sarah406afp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLKBDaNbwt8FZy5i59hjDtngngzlKdXfDCmIu6aW3tb44lDbxeDhuCpunuz7vlEM_8fImcaAbw6LNNQcoxxwQxzgIjXLw9Nv6nTZ-YoBcFbdjUSQo1wGAkdE4M9xr0C2M41J8Dw/s320/_42436088_sarah406afp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081220845762504306" /></a>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-23205896718413818162007-06-27T22:15:00.000+02:002007-06-27T22:26:42.362+02:00Why is there always some retard at the front of the queueSometimes when I can´t be arsed walking to Ahorra Mas I go the Dia which is round the corner, and at 37 degress this afternoon I just couldn´t face it.<br /><br />DIA always has long queues but the food is cheap and foot leather is saved, but 9 out of 10 times there is always a dithering fool pissing about with money at the front of the line. My solution is cattle prods that will get them moving.<br /><br />Interesting to see today that Spain is pushing <a href="http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/efe/20070627/tsc-espana-aprueba-seis-nuevos-proyectos-268c425.html">forward green technology</a>. Its excellent news and hopefully the hub of these projects will move to Alcala and make the mayor think a little bit more about the environment here.<br /><br />My technology news is that I have joined facebook, I read recently that it is middle class and I want to be a social climber, soon it will be no more DIA for me , I going to El Corte Ingles for my Jamonmadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-27673625670412706112007-06-25T23:01:00.000+02:002007-06-25T23:13:57.055+02:00Not a bad earnerVictoria Beckham just recieved an extra cash bonus for being insulted, she was called "picky demanding and rude", <a href="http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6238060.stm">she won undisclosed compo</a>.<br /><br />She is surely without shame, there are people starving and she makes a court case out of words which I have been called often and worse.<br /><br />I know someone who met her while working and they said a lot worse than that about her. I wish she would just piss off from Spain. <br /><br />Only a few days left in my job and looking forward to the next chapter, I have the feeling I had six years ago in valencia when I knew that anything is possible.<br /><br />How many more soldiers have to die and get injured on these so called <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6236188.stm">peace keeping missions?</a> I have family out in Bosnia at the moment, although they wouldn´t agree with me I just don´t agree with UN intervention because I can´t actually remember any success stories.<br /><br />Also I can´t really see the advantage for a settlement in Israel when certain groups strap <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6235754.stm">people up in dynamite</a>. It is a one sided peace? process but images like this do not endear people to a cause for freedom and self determination.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-26294704687233678042007-06-18T19:41:00.000+02:002007-06-25T23:13:35.092+02:00How to have empty roads outside a puente?Move to a city where the football team wins the league. It happened a few years ago in Valencia. Only downside is that you can´t get to sleep the night beforemadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-9692409308705090522007-06-16T12:21:00.001+02:002007-06-25T23:13:12.599+02:00Pure theatreSoon I will be leaving my job, and I will miss the discussions I have with my pupils. we oftem debate politics amongst other things, however I feel disheartened, not because of the fact that we have some amazing indepth discourse about the future and present circumstances of Spain, but in the fact that the disdain these pupils hold for elected representatives. For the first few years in Spain , I put it down to their age, but when I reflected back to my experinece in the UK, many children had ambitions to be politicians, or work for the Government out of a sense of public duty or to better the world. I worked at both Middle class and Working class schools, but there was a sense in both of these institutions that people can make a difference. So it wasn´t their age or the fact that it was in Spain, it is I believe that politicians have wasted the chances they were given thirty years ago to develop a new Spain and improve the lot for its people.<br /><br />Spanish politics has become pure theatre. In thirty years of democracy when a new deal could have been found, it has been turned into a self serving process for politicians. There are marches against gay marriage and marches which attack the personalities of politicians from opposite view points, marches which seem to me to play light of terrorism, while ignoring that something should and could be done to stop it, but there seesm to be a lack of protests against issues which effect the social and economic welfare of the people. I was reading yesterday on <a href="http://southofwatford.blogspot.com/2007/06/question-time.html">South of Watford</a> that the only question that Rajoy asked of the prime minister was, what is he doing at the weekend? Is this somesort of Joke, or is it a reflection of the contempt in which politicians hold the people<br /><br />Beaucracy and paperwork stiffle any attempt at economic liberalisation, friends of mine have told me that in paperwork alone it can cost up to 30,000 euros to set up a restaurant or cafe, unless it is set up illegally. This same beaucracy hinders people from going around their daily business, and living their lives simply, recently in the legalisation of papers department for non-nationals I was informed by the information desk in the legalisation department that they cant give out information about legalisation of papers. The only reasons I have ever heard for poeple becoming civil servants here is that they can´t be sacked and it will help them find a good mortgage, this is not to say it doesn´t exist but I have never been given the rationale of public service as a choice for this career path. When Spain joined Europe, money flowed and whilst there might be nice trains and shiny new roads, many people still have to survive on less than a 1000 euros and on contracts which are not really worth the paper they are written on. What has the present Government done about this, when it had a chance? Very little, in the last three years the circumstances of many workers has not improved<br /><br />The housing market is in crisis or at least on the cusp of one and the Government reply is basically don´t worry <a href="http://www.thebigchorizo.com/the-spanish-economy/will-the-spanish-real-estate-sector-crash-the-eurozone">(see the potential implications here on The Big Chorizo)</a><br /><br />In Alcala, industry is relocating to other areas which results in job losses, while any attempt at developing new skills is answered by the authorities "send people on some cooking training courses with the unemployment office". What about a debate about public education, rather than the teaching of religion in schools. Spanish public schools are seen as some of the worst in Europe, there is money available to improve them and the morale of teachers, why for example in Valencia a few years ago did the Valencian speaking schools get new ICT suites before the others, is this not politicians playing (bad)politics?<br /><br />Legalised sexual slavery is visable on many salidas from towns or at the sides of the motorways, and again I have seen no marches in protest at this dispicable act against women, who come here with the promise of work in a disco, but end up becoming future AIDS victims.<br /><br />Immigrants are vilified, although many blogs hold out the hope that it will be better in the future, my friends who are black still see it has a them and Spanish situation, how can it be argued that all will be fine when a professional friend of mine still gets her basket checked every single time she goes to the self service checkout at a famous Spanish supermarket, she pays taxes does not wrong and is still viewed as a thief. I have argued before that immigration is the poker that prods the economy to keep it burining away at over 3% growth.<br /><br />Certain sections of the population are literally disenfranchised, and although I am not in agreement with the cause of the basque nationalists, if they have no way of expressing their desires they feel at liberty to find alternative processes, there was a chance for a peace treaty and the politicians did not move far enough, and when Zapatero did, he was vilified as a supporter of terrorism. The conspiracy theories about 11/M still abound, do these people have no shame or respect for the people who died and were injured?<br /><br />Politicians use nationalism in Catalunia, Valencia and Galicia to feather their nests, offer them referendumns, let them put their money where their mouths are, after the results are known they will still be part of Spain. Turkeys dont vote for Christmas<br /><br />In my job there are several pupils who could have the ability to be high ranking politicians, when I say to them, go for the top, not one of them sees any virtue in being a politician, I might as well be saying aim to be on the checkout at Ahorra Mas. Is this the state the country is in when the next generation see being a politican as a not worthwhile job, in fact see it has a negative career development. It is a shame over the last 6 years I have taught many wonderful pupils who really could make a difference, but unless the current political game is changed for the better they will be turned away from public service.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-47407547227897017052007-06-15T19:09:00.001+02:002007-06-16T12:21:15.726+02:00telefonicaisedI now feel like a proper expat, we have had three days of the runaround by telefonica: I have been telefonicasriseated. Threatened them with a denunciation and hey presto workmen came around tonight. On monday in the hospital again I was asked to queue for the registration for the second time in a month because the first time after queing for an hour and half, they made a mistake, I refused to and held my ground for half and hour or so, and then they let me push in. I have the key to bad customer service, dont move and hold your ground don´t threaten a reclamation and again hey presto problem solved. Although it can lead to a headache lasting for a couple of hours after. My new philosohpty is reply with the bad attitude and they will give in.<br /><br />Some update on the ETA from two other great sites.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thebadrash.com/2007/06/10/is-that-it/">The Bad Rash</a><br /><a href="http://southofwatford.blogspot.com/2007/06/chronicle-of-peace-processtheres-no.html">South of Watford</a><br />It seems to me that it is either black or white with regards to the ETA issue. If people are blocked from voting in a democracy, and today is the 30th anniversary of the return of democracy, where do people turn to. If you cut out a tongue the person must find another way of communicating and its not always hand signals.<br /><br />On tele 5 breakfast programme this morning they interviewed several of the old party leaders at the start of the democracy, the Communist seemed really really happy and quite content, does this tell us anything?madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-55914262248134959232007-06-12T18:08:00.000+02:002007-06-12T18:45:59.650+02:00Google EarthQuite an interesting article on <a href="http://dizzythinks.net/index.html">Dizzy Thinks blog</a> today about the possibility of terrorists using google maps. He quotes from an article in the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/06102007/news/regionalnews/queens_pol_blasts_google_as_a_terror_risk_regionalnews_brad_hamilton.htm">New York Post</a><br /><br />It was argued that terrorists can use Google earth to find targets. This balance between the positive aspects of technology and the negative downsides always seems to cause problems. Should the internet be a place for freedom and a tool for developing knowledge? For example I frequently use google earth in my family history research, to compare what life was like then using <a href="http://www.old-maps.co.uk/">old maps</a> and comparing the place to present day times. Its useful for identifying churches, streets, areas and the farms where many of my ancestors worked.<br /><br />However I can also understand the other side of the argument, could Google Earth be used by criminals or terrorists to plot targets? My own particular problem with any curtailment of uses of technology on the web is that it could destroy the fundemental objective of the web, a free exchange of ideas and views and a superb resource for developing understanding of issues, history and society. I remember reading an article many years ago when I studied law about who guards the gate keepers, it seems to me that this is still a moot point.madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-20911034691899028882007-06-11T23:01:00.000+02:002007-06-12T18:46:13.776+02:00X factor naming conventionsThe three groups all have english names, which I would think in the UK would ensure at least top 97 or an entry in Eurovision rounds where still they would be 97 in the final if they arrived there. They are firstly Lady´s, very original seeing as they are all ladies, the second group is called United who have the talent of Leeds UTD rather than Manchester (big sorry for this to my cousins (this is a pre action forgive me clause)), and Sometimes which is just a shit name for a band.<br /><br />The panel of Judges are stil going strong, the straight guy is just a bit boring, the female panelist gets more glam every time the show is on, and The Joker look a like is trying to be like a less camp Smon Cowell and flirts with all the girls. The flamenco guy is on now it is a shame cos he will not win, but the rest of tonights performers were constantly reminding me of when I worked at the Mainline social club in Armley, Leeds, I felt as though they should have been a break for the Bingo snowball rather than the Fiat ad. It was The Wheel Tappers and Shunters club but in Spanishmadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-79169554454875183632007-06-11T21:27:00.000+02:002007-06-11T21:37:46.215+02:00Bob Monkhouse and SpainAfter many years of not visiting the doctor or needing madical help except for broken bones, I have literally spent the last year in and out of my doctors after a series of minor illnesses, the bacterias have finally caught up with me. It has given me loads of conversation starters with my Spanish family and as brought me closer to them, we now have lots more to talk about. Theres nothing like a good illness to get people fussing over oneself, and the cred it gives me with my Spanish reli´s is well worth the pain and medicines. <br /><br />I know that our medicine box is truely Spanish because I have even offered to give medicines to our friends, and it take one whole shelf in the Kitchen.<br /><br />What as this to do with Bob Monkhouse you may ask. I am reading his diaries and in one of his chapters about Larry Grayson, he states " Larry Grayson, blessed with just enough ill health to satisfy his demanding hypochondria", this year I can fully relate to this. My other X files link to Hypochondria is that it as often been commented that I smoke like Dot Cotton.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cO0E85keqJ8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cO0E85keqJ8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>madrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32035185.post-64174089888817212942007-06-10T21:41:00.000+02:002007-06-10T23:16:11.326+02:00Sea of olives part 1Just spent a wonderful weekend in Jaen, we stayed where we usually stay with R´s family in Menjibar (more on Menjiibar in the next few days and why it is worth a visit when driving through Andalucia), but paid a visit to Jaen capital. We often visit this provincial capital but usually a night because although blessed with Olives and the best people, it doesn´t have the greatest nightlight except in the capital. We have been to Jaen castle in the past which has been renovated and possesses an excellent visitor sentre with a google earth type computer which allows you to focus in on the houses in the town (this must break EU privacy law).This time we visited Jaen Cathedral. It was magnificent. It has a beautiful, well maintained borroque facade which enters into a Cathedral which is unlike another in Spain which I have seen, it is ornamental but not fussy. The stone work is a browny sandy colour which reflects the lighting well, so it seems to be a more jolly rather than sombre religious monument. The alter table is actually quite plain, but the backdrop the Main Chapel is a neo classical delight. In fact every chapel in the Cathedral is a unique example of Church art.<br /><br />We drove back through the old town by mistake but we couldn´t have made a better error. It contained several churches and convents, a jewish quarter and lots of lovely traditional houses. Apart from the cars it could have been from fifty years ago. We had already eaten in Menjibar so we just has coffee and ice cream at La Columbiana, which had an amazing variety of gout bombs.<br /><br />We had only intended to go shopping so I didn´t have a camera, so here are some stolen from the Internet<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5At3Vsr0IpdK7F6kEAZfgmXI3AJdNPuQcXBz45a9JwzM2jMje9lTWUcC5tOfE2VFGcDzHR5UFJStmjxKXfO9MZVosnhp_YeTKbGKw4MJmkMJLWilt9deLnfqWZwK2dyrWPZZoDw/s1600-h/3730373025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5At3Vsr0IpdK7F6kEAZfgmXI3AJdNPuQcXBz45a9JwzM2jMje9lTWUcC5tOfE2VFGcDzHR5UFJStmjxKXfO9MZVosnhp_YeTKbGKw4MJmkMJLWilt9deLnfqWZwK2dyrWPZZoDw/s320/3730373025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074546431729646690" /></a><br /><br />The facade<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk0XU_doeC2x5STP9rESWrDCOjHUbkNQ7zXDpBiTagkMOZCZW0rwB4AuUJfZIWWnsNALguujLu0ariZDkcIlLz4Vb6VnaY0rig9kKCfTo0jk-CrdJ7_6sQN3fTlsNDDnVU99vtg/s1600-h/3731397064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQk0XU_doeC2x5STP9rESWrDCOjHUbkNQ7zXDpBiTagkMOZCZW0rwB4AuUJfZIWWnsNALguujLu0ariZDkcIlLz4Vb6VnaY0rig9kKCfTo0jk-CrdJ7_6sQN3fTlsNDDnVU99vtg/s320/3731397064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074546586348469362" /></a><br /><br />The Cathedral (I assume photo taken from the castle where the views are spectacular)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTPrKwa51kmJNM3SPi32ddxGrQeID_sPHpK_mCTW3ot20rVYi4GTRFBjhCzX8TLWkmE-yDs0ENpuNV9oySAbSqmtcgqzaWe7pgv46TJLnkuzOlXcYrc1nAJsghjRJysQOLi6NdA/s1600-h/h-renais14L.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTPrKwa51kmJNM3SPi32ddxGrQeID_sPHpK_mCTW3ot20rVYi4GTRFBjhCzX8TLWkmE-yDs0ENpuNV9oySAbSqmtcgqzaWe7pgv46TJLnkuzOlXcYrc1nAJsghjRJysQOLi6NdA/s320/h-renais14L.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074546968600558722" /></a><br /><br />The Domemadrid teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228538121415482871noreply@blogger.com0