Europe triumphs

Rosetta, a European space probe has successfully completed a close fly-by of the planet Mars in a crucial manoeuvre on its 10-year journey to land on the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. A true-colour picture of Mars by the OSIRIS instrument.

Sábado gigante

Shopping! Movies! Copas! That was my Saturday. In the morning, I decided to go therapy shopping: Zara first, I bought a wonderful jacket there (go to check their website, the photoshoot with Will Chalker is amazing). I have also realized that when I see something nice there, I have to buy it at that very same moment. Last weekend I saw a nice black sweater there and they were all gone after just week! Well, I know how it works now. Then I wanted to get the same cologne that the "train man" was wearing, so I visited Sephora on C/ Fuencarral, simply the best perfume store so far. In the afternoon, I went to see Inland Empire by David Lynch. On the way there, I stopped by in a shoe store and got great looking shoes, surprisingly made and designed in Spain (thinking of the avalanche of shoes made in China these days). The movie was very strange, though. It lasted 3 hours! Almost unbearable, many people actually left the movie theater before the end. Similar to Mulholland Dr. in the atmosphere, but significantly more cryptic. I still don't know what to think about it. In case of Mullholand Dr., I had to get the DVD to see it couple of times to understand the meaning of many scenes. In case of Inland Empire, I am afraid there might be no simple explanation available whatsoever. It's an ecclectic mix of "film-about-film" scenes (or is it "dream-about-film-about-film"?), Polish prostitutes, rabbits cooking dinner and talking on the phone... For the night I needed some fun, so I went to "Why not?" and it's really my favourite bar here.

Man of Science, Man of Faith

Today, I have accidentally visited a Monthly Forecast for Pisces, and I am pretty scared:

SUPER NOVA DAYS
Feb 8 - 10: Heights and Depths
The life-giving Sun conjuncts dreamy Neptune on Feb. 8 and puts a slow-moving opposition with Saturn into motion on Feb. 10. A quick trip from fantasy to reality can darken moods and create melancholic moments if your aspirations seem out of reach. However, a Venus-Jupiter square on Feb. 9 prefers excessive play now to worrying about what tomorrow may bring. Moments of pleasure can provide a needed break and enliven your spirits. But overindulgence can be a temporary physical fix for a long-term malaise of the soul if deeper needs are not addressed.

I contacted him on Feb. 8 and we had that ill-fated date on Feb. 10! I cannot believe it, but it's simply amazing.

Cute & Funny

Rodrigo Revisited

It's never enough.

Modulus

Today, I have visited a permanent collection in the MNCARS. I have discovered several works that I really like: "Sur" by José Guerrero, "Dentro" by Esteban Vicente, "No. 179" by Luis Fento and "De Somnis XIII" by Pablo Palazuelo. Walking home on the sunny Paseo del Prado, I was thinking how regular everyday decisions shaped one's life. Would my life be the same if I grew up in another place than a socialist country? Would it be the same if I hadn't accepted a job in the US where the events dragged me to spend five years in the Southern California? Would it be the same if I hadn't met my current boss in Michigan and later decided to apply for a job in his lab in Madrid? How do we make decisions? Can one play the old "if...then..." game?

Rodrigo Santoro

Rodrigo Santoro is now a regular on Lost. Even though you see him wearing a sweaty and dirty T-shirt there, I have no doubt: God must be Brazilian.

Dangerous waters

I wish I could turn back time. One week would be enough and then I would need to miss the train or metro that morning or to forget my pen at home. I need my safe waters back.

Fuori orario

After that Saturday afternoon débâcle (preceded by several hours of happiness), my plans for the night changed and I went to see an Italian band called Bandabardò in Sala Heineken with Marco, Mar and Juan Manuel. Those guys were totally crazy! They play combat rock (as I was told, but who knows) and their name is apparently a homage to Brigitte Bardot. It was a total madness and I guess it was just what I needed.

ALCOB-SSREYE

A good time (for a change),
but can you see?
The luck I've had
can make a good man
turn bad.

So please, why you didn't
let me get what I wanted
this time?

I was a stitch away from making it.
Now I will get away with a nod
and a wave of my hand.
How cruel is the golden rule.

(Intertextual collage, lyrics
by the Smiths and the FOB)

C.W.M.C.F.O.T.

Conversations with my Cuban friend on a train
(A dictionary)

• The Animal (a unique specimen from the CNB groundfloor)
  
• The Cuter, the Faster (a unique specimen from the CNB firstfloor)
  
• From the bottom of my heart (desde el fondo de mi corazón)
  
• The Substrate (short, cute and dark skinned)
  
• The hips don't lie (the way they walk)
  
• A feather boa (musculocas)
  
• Manhattan/Queens (Nuevos Ministerios/Recoletos)
  

Infinity on High

Yo, FOB! Let's go!
I like the FOB's "Infinity On High" new CD so much. Patrick's voice is totally haunting and Pete's lyrics is... well, Pete's lyrics. My favourite songs:

• The (After) Life Of The Party (watch you work the room)
• The Take Over, The Break's Over (seasons change but people don't)
• Thriller (fix me in 45)
• I’m Like a Lawyer With The Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off (bulletproof and loneliness at best)
• I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers (now press repeat)

Land of a Thousand Words

How do they treat guiris?

"El Jueves", July 1998

One near perfect thing

And far away somebody read the letter
He condescends to read the words I wrote about him
And if he smiles, it’s no more than a genius deserves
For all his curious nerve and his passion

I’m going deaf, you’re growing melancholy
Things fall apart, I don’t know why we bother at all
But life is good and “It’s always worth living at least for
a while”

If I could do just one near perfect thing I’d be happy
They’d write it on my grave, or when they scattered
my ashes
On second thoughts I’d rather hang around
and be there with my best friend
If she wants me

If you think to yourself “What should I do now?”
Then take up the baton, girl, you better run with it
There is no point in standing in the past cause
it’s over and done

(Belle & Sebastian, If she wants me)

El Síndrome de Estocolmo

On Friday, I attended a fabulous party for José Manuel. It was a reunión sorpresa! Together with Enrique, Maite, Marco, Gloria, Roberto and others I had dinner in a taberna first and then we went to a bar called El Barbu, where we met Andrea and Bruce and we were all waiting for José and his better half to show up. He was really surprised, it was great. Estanis had coupons for free drinks for us, the ambience in the bar was magical... oh, what a wonderful life! To make it even more marvelous, I am posting my all-time favourite fashion pictures.

Etro, Spring/Summer 2007

Sex in the city

Pro jedno nevychované hovado:
Today I have participated in a ménage à trois, with a guy from Wisconsin and one sailor.

The Water Cube

I am totally in love with the Beijing National Aquatics Center, one of the venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. A little excerpt from Wikipedia: "The entire structure is based on a unique lightweight construction and derived from the the structure of water in the state of aggregation of foam. Behind the apparently random appearance hides a strict geometry as can be found in natural systems like crystals, cells and molecular structures. By applying a novel material and technology, the transparency and the apparent randomness is transposed into the inner and outer skins of ETFE cushions. Unlike traditional stadium structures with gigantic columns, beams, cables and backspans, to which a façade system is applied, in the Water Cube the architectural space, structure and façade are one and the same element. Conceptually, the square box and the interior spaces are carved out of an undefined cluster of foam bubbles, symbolizing a condition of nature that is transformed into a condition of culture."