Lost in Translation

In the insert that came with the DVD there's a interview with Sofia Coppola and Ross Katz. In the last bit of the interview she's saying about why she made the movie-

''to convey what i love about Tokyo and visiting the city. It's about moments in life that are great but dont last. They dont go on, but you always have the memory and they have an effect on you''

Im reminded of christmas eve in Sevilla last year where i met this guy at the hostel there. I had arrived at 5 in the morning at Sevilla, having taken the bus from Madrid at 10 o'clock the night before. I only found the hostel 2 hours later after asking for directions from every drunk on the street and seeking refuge at a 24 hour churros stall where no one spoke English (but they had hot churros and coffee, bless them).

We were both sitting at the waiting room of the hostel, waiting for reception to open at 8. He was rifling through maps and papers while i was sitting there, bleary eyed and tired- our eyes met and we said hello. I asked him what he was up to- he said was gonna go sightseeing straight away. I smiled and told him that i was gonna shower and sleep first and go around a bit later. Then he told that places were closing early for christmas eve. I was blasted. I didnt have a plan and i was tired....it wasnt good.

I didn't even think it through when i asked him if i could tag along. I didnt expect him to say yes but then he said, 'sure'. I dumped my stuff with his, we grabbed some breakfast in the hostel and headed out. It wasn't awkward at all, in fact, we got along like old friends. I even forgot that i was really tired and was in need of a shower. We toured the Alcazar and after much pleading (on my part) and making sure no one was looking, he plucked an orange for me off on of the orange trees that surround the Alcazar.

We talked about things: home- his is on a farm in Brazil where his father plants coffee; about family and school. We talked about our adopted countries and how hard it is to get used to a foreign place. We wandered Sevilla- he was full of trivia and stories of the places (he had the guidebook after all). We sat down by the river to have lunch- bourbon creams, crisps, juiceboxes and bottled water as we watch the sun glinting of the water and rowers. I told him about rowing, he told me about the places he's been to and we just sat there, munching and enjoying the winter sun.

We walked along- past the bars where old ladies dance flamenco outside, fueled by alcohol and the hearty claps and cheers of everyone there. Wandered the winding streets of the Jewish quarter in the fading light of evening. The streets so narrow that balconies almost touch and in some, we had to squeeze into doorways to let cars pass. There were random pretty buildings and we'd take a quick peek through ornate doors into someone's fountained courtyard while hunting out places marked on his map.

It was late when we finally got back, and he had an early start the next day, so he went off straight to bed. I chirped a quick, 'thanks for a great day! see ya in the morning!' before he climbed up the stairs.

That was the last i saw of him. I woke up late on christmas day and didnt even get to say goodbye.

The happy song: siki siki baba

Good music week

If you've been listening to Beirut, then you'll love what ive stumbled upon.

A hawk and a hacksaw at La Blogotheque.

Kocani Orkestar is great! I cant help but feel happy listening to Macedonian wedding music. Whan i figure out how to put it on this blog, i will. It's music that makes me wanna get up and shake booty!

Start Wearing Purple- Gogol Bordello

The band's name is Gogol Bordello. Gypsy punk, that's what they're calling this riot of sound that is absolutely crazy and happy.
In an alternate universe i would be working in new york and hanging out with the likes of Gogol Bordello in seedy underground clubs.
I love the campyness, OTT drama/crazyness, accordions and borat-esque lead singer. Its a weird but not all too bad sound.
And i heartily approve of wearing purple all the time.

The experiment begins

Baby BenQ crashed this morning.
I cant find my copy of microsoft office.

But, Adrafinil has just arrived through the mail.

Im elated and hopeful.

The information sheet is in French. But i've figured out that i have to take 2-4 tablets per day. I guess that's what "2 a 4 comprimer par jour" means.

Im gonna take one with lunch, and see what happens.
Wish me luck people. This may usher in a new era of brainier, better me or.............lets not even explore the less than favourable alternative. The drug is classed as a psychostimulant.

Im just really curious if it really does works.

Update

I got a wee bit hyper in the afternoon, but no percievable improvement in concentration or focus. I slept like a baby. Damn, maybe a up in dosage is needed.

Sisu

DSC01167
Originally uploaded by n.eliza.

Sixteen Military Wives - The Decemberists

Since im on a roll, and i might as well entertain you lot.

Just in case you didnt know, or forgot, The Decemberist rock. Not in a Machine Head kind of way, but in the way that they make good stuff. And this video is uber-funny. And thought provoking at the same time.

On a side note-my essay is not going anywhere. Someone help- to get my essay done, and another someone to drive me to Lyon to see Beirut. Please.........

The Mariner's Revenge Song

The Decemberist weave a happy upbeat tune that belies a dark and tragic tale of a young man's life long quest for revenge.

Worth 8 minutes of your life to watch. These guys did a pretty good job acting the song out too.

Dont forget to sing along:

" Find him, bind him
Tie him to a pole
And break his fingers to splinters
Drag him to a hole
Until he wakes up, naked
Clawing at the ceiling of his grave "

Alanis Morissette sings My Humps

The best parody ive heard in ages....A right good laugh!!!! Alanis has this amazing ability to make even the most inane song (my humps) sound poignant.

mayan-aztec astrology

Your Most Personal Traits -- The Day-Sign of Your Birth

Here are your strongest and most obvious personality traits. The delineation below describes who you are and how you appear to others, at least on the surface. In Aztec astrology this part of is your horoscope is your Tonalli, or Day-Sign, the form bestowed upon you by the Sun.

Flower: You are a person motivated by your ideals. You have a beautiful vision of what life, and most importantly life with another, can be. In many cases, your obsession with the future and perfection leads to illusions, unrealistic expectations and, ultimately, disappointments. In your effort to create a more perfect world, you try to be as "nice" as possible to others.

The world of art and beauty holds your interest. You could be a successful artist, or more usually, craftsperson -- a producer of decorative or aesthetically pleasing products. You may have a particular liking for jewelry. While you appreciate man-made things, you also appreciate the perfection of nature. The more intellectual Flower personalities will be interested in the beauty of numbers or ideas.

Relationships, particularly close, intimate relationships, are your greatest challenge. You must be with others -- at least that is what you think you must do. But your motivations are complex. In many cases, you may be using others to meet your security needs, yet you may be unaware of this. Relationships can become so fraught with problems that you find it easier to stay home and dream, a temporary, though deeply unsatisfying solution to your relationship dilemma.

A major stumbling block in relationships is your unwillingness to compromise your ideals. You can be a very stubborn person who would rather die then accept a less-than-perfect situation. You will devote yourself to another with unbelievable intensity -- and hold on for years after the relationship has ended. Such fanaticism leads to an unbalanced life, exactly what you fear the most. You should strive to become more well-rounded and flexible.

Over the course of your life you will realize, to some extent, your dreams and ideals. Your devotion and dedication to another, or even to a cause or crusade, is considerable and can effect changes in the world around you. You are a person who takes on the responsibilities and work involved in such projects, and you are rewarded accordingly. Ultimately you are a person who needs to combine realism and idealism, and when this is done, the doors will open to a more perfect world.

Is it mania or plain and simple self obsession
when i think everything is a sign
for me

The shade of sky
the broken plate
all that goes wrong
or right

A reminder
Lest i forget

A warning
should i dare defy

The photoshoot

I spent my sunday afternoon with my best mate getting our photos done!

For someone so ugly and fat i am very vain. And thus i spent an exorbitant amount of money to have a few copies of the photos i liked best. They arent the sexiest, or the most posed, but its the photos that i think capture my spirit best.

I look a bit silly, slightly droll and quirky, but definately me. Yes, i can look slightly sophisticated too.........

My best mate looks stunning in her shots. She looks great most of the time, but in her photos she looks fucking awesome!

So yeah, check out phatty's photos on the side bar. And laugh. I hope at least when my grandkids see it (hopefully, god willing, i'll have a few) they'll think, yeah, she was cool in her day.

Heart breaks

Im leaving my lovely Scottish doctor behind and i found out that i missed Beirut playing live in london. In fact, his whole bloody UK tour.

Anyone living in Lyon?
Driving down to Lyon next friday, in time to be there by saturday evening?

I have a sleeping bag, and if you let me, quite happy to sleep on your floor/ in your barn/ in the car.

I know the tickets are sold out (that's what i think 'Pas de places disponibles' means) but i know if i'm there i could wangle a ticket. Somehow.

So, anyone doing a roadtrip to Lyon? Its ok if you're driving down earlier- im free from wednesday. I may have to hitch a truck ride back to london saturday night after the gig- i start a new firm on that coming monday.

New firm, hence i'll be leaving lovely Scottish doctor and will be missing the 'just the two of us' ward rounds, him enticing me with chocolate before 9 am, and just listening to him talk........

There are joys though- Beirut has a new album! The Flying Cup Club!!!

The more i see and listen, the more my heart breaks because i missed them. I love them/him! Come back to England, Zach Condon, please!

Listen!!! Just pick a picture- you wont regret it!

cute

he called me cute.
he keeps on telling people im cute.
and sweet.
and a good student.

i adore him. he has the cutest scottish accent. i love the way he says 'perf'.

he's a brilliant doctor as well, and i love the way he treats patients. he's so smart and friendly. he takes the time to introduce me to patients and explains things to me. he buys me (and the team) cups of coffee.

he shouldnt have told me he thought i was cute.

im convinced he means it in the 'adorable but ugly' sense.

It doesnt matter though, at least he has an opinion about me.


never ever tell an impressionable girl with a frail sense of self worth that she's cute. Especially if she adores you and follows you around like a lost puppy. She'll have a stupid grin on her face and obsess about it. for days on end.


at least i look forward to something in the mornings.

silly me

Henley

My second year on the henley trip.

I had fun this year. It was good fun. I wouldnt put it down to alcohol, but maybe because i've warmed up to the other rowers, and them to me. I adore the girls and more comfy with the boys (when they're not stupidly drunk).

Partied hard on friday and then did some leisurely rowing all day saturday. It wasnt all stressed- there was some coaching, and a lot of it was for the freshers, so i was left well alone. Henley is beautiful as always, but somehow its a lot more beautiful this weekend than i remembered. The sun glinting off the water and the gorgeous autumn trees in rusty browns and orange......and rolling hills in the distance. Even that jog i had didnt kill my good mood.