Thursday, November 16, 2006

So I know I haven't been as diligent in postings as I had originally intended, but I hope you haven't completely denounced my blog from the regular web browsing routine. There are hours and hours to be wasted, and most of us fulfill all of them, so it wont hurt to check in periodically with me. I really dont have many exciting new locals to describe or really life altering moments, but in a sense, the fact that I am used to living in Barcelona is quite the topic. No matter where we live, it is impossible to not take some things for granted. I walk by Casa Batllo (cut and paste it u lazy people-http://www.barcelonagallery.com/cas/menu1%BF5.htm) and no matter how many times i tell myself that I need to stop and smell the roses, there is no way to capture that initial moment of seeing it for the first time. So, is it more cool to see it for the very first time, or better to know it so well that it has become a part of me? Its like relationships, many people would argue (probably not Kahil because hes a foul beast) that those first few weeks of meeting somebody new are the best of a relationship. It's a good argument, is there anything better than fledgling relationships, where everything about the other is completely captivating and exciting and perfect? On the other hand, to have somebody that already knows you inside and out and has seen and accepted your flaws and insecurities is a very comfortable feeling. To get back to my point, I think my news is that there isnt much news. Life here in barcelona is beginning to feel like the long term relationship girlfriend.

It is not to say that I am completely comfortable here, nor that there isn't anything new and exciting. Far from the truth, in fact. There are still things that people see on day one of siteseeing that i have not even seen. Which brings me to my next random thought. I feel many times like I am not being as productive with my life as I should be, which is true. I have been mentally lazy. I haven't opened a spanish book since i got here, i haven't kept a journal, and you all know that i havent kept a very good blog. Yet somehow, despite the lack of all these things, I seem to lead a pretty full day. There is work 6 days per week, normally working between 30-40 hours at the hostel, there is plenty of time spent wasted on the internet, there is plenty of time spent drinking coffee with will , lots of sleep when possible, copious amounts of alcohol consumed 2 or 3 nights per week normally, and a fair amount of hangout time with either my new roommates or people at the hostel. Bottom line, I want to start spending my time more productively. There is a small little birdie in my ear reminding me that im 24 and that I need to start preparing for the "real world." In a way I wish it were the real world where they get lunatics from all over the united states with as many conflicting personalities as possible and throw them into an insanely nice house that none of them deserve and require them to do some stupid task or job, but i am now officially too old for the show. No, the real world is the US. It's six figure salaries, its nice cars, three piece suits, and a degree of some sort that says im successful (although the vast majority are never happy and would probably rather live in the other real world where the only responisibility is to get sloshed, start fights and go skinny dipping in the hot tub). I feel like I can ward off this evil demon a little longer as long as i begin to spend my days a little more productively. I really need to get some exercise, which is surprisingly hard to do here (and my body feels like im 42, not 24), find a cheap spanish class, attend some intercambios (very informal language exchange meetings, normally at a bar where it is agreed between english and spanish speakers to meet and practice their respective languages with the other. To me, it seems like a very good way to meet some ugly spanish girls {cuz if they were hot spanish girls then this would be too perfect, too easy, and nothing is ever both too perfect and easy at the same time}, but i would prefer them to all the Americans and Aussies that I see come through the hostel), and explore more of the city. Don't get me wrong, in no way am I trying to convince you that my life is really hard. I will take the list of things to do right now over any other future list that i make in my life.

Next random thought, dont think ive touched on it in the past. Good things come from bad, and in my case horribly terrible shattering events. I really dont think I would be here had I not lost my Dad. The way I view things now is that everything good that happens in my life is because of bad things that have happened in the past. How can they not, everything is related (you would already know this if you have seen I heart huckabees). My Dad dies, have an unsettling relationship, get a DUI and now I'm "living the dream" as my brother says in Barcelona. I don't think that I would have been in such a place had not so much shit conspired to hit me in such a short period of time. Im not sure that you can make much from shit (like lemonade can be made from lemons), but down the road a little ways that shit can make for some damn good manure and sprout one kick ass _________(fill in your favorite plant for optimum affect). I spare you the obligatory "shit happens" lame joke right now.

Speaking of absolute crap, I did my best to furnish my room recently. I went into some tiny version of a 99 cent store and managed to blow 30 euro on things that I would consider grounds of terminating any type of friendship/relationship if given to me as a present. Bought a little rug for my room, plastic cups, spoons, beer mug, wine opener, bathmat, trash can, clothes hamper, soap, scissors, and to seal the deal, a candle. But I am happy with my crap so leave me alone.

I had a big weekend, long saturday night and currently am sick, so I will be going. I would love to have a more interactive relationship with all of you, so gimme ur numbers and u might be the recipient of a random phone call. I will hope for the reverse. It really isnt that hard to buy a phone card and push buttons. If you want to call me, my number is 0034 600 073 822.

1 Comments:

Blogger choijoy said...

I think I've gone slightly blind reading all that white text on black background but I love what you have to say. Everything great does come from something bad. I had a lot of weird shit to write about in English class due to my strange childhood and odd situations. Even as I penned my A+ paper (English teachers are sucker for weird sob stories) I was gleeful and thankful for the trials and tribulations I'd been through. Thanks to society's glee at reveling in other people's pains I managed to get a sweet English and Art degree and am now "living the dream" as you and your bro put it. Thanks for the great posts-- I'm proud to call you my bro. in law. See you in Spain in a couple of months!!

11:27 AM

 

Post a Comment

<< Home