I have now been on Spanish television. And I even had a speaking part! Not only that, someone recognized me and phoned Teré who then phoned me. I didn’t catch the TV news last night, but Teré sent me the link. (Click here.) It’s the entire half-hour news program, but the time counts down on the right side of the video. The segment begins at 15:00 and my bit starts at 13:34. Truthfully, the only reason I’m so excited is because I spoke easily in Spanish and didn’t embarrass myself.
There’s been a trash collectors’ strike in Sevilla and the trash has been piling up on top of and around the dumpsters. I must admit, it’s being kept very orderly, but it’s unusual to see piles of trash in a city that is always so well-maintained. The street cleaners still come through every night. The sidewalks and plazas are still spotless. But, the dumpsters have become an eyesore. It’s also, obviously, very bad for business.
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| THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES FOR ME TO BE FAMOUS (WELL, ALMOST FAMOUS). |
Before heading upstairs after breakfast yesterday morning, I stopped on our plaza to take a picture of the piles of trash. I hadn’t noticed that a reporter and a cameraman were doing the same thing. The cameraman asked if he could film over my shoulder as I locked in on my photo. Of course I agreed. Then the reporter started to talk with me and asked if I would mind being interviewed. Of course I agreed.
When we arrived for breakfast this morning at Los Niños del Flor one of the other regulars exclaimed (in Spanish), “I saw you on TV last night. I want your autograph. No! I want a signed photo!” (Of course I agreed.)
What aired of my “interview” lasts about 7 seconds. So, be sure to spread the word. It’s the only way I’ll get my entire 15 minutes of world fame.
Manners, Timothy, manners! You forgot to thank your Mother, your agent, your make-up artist and feng shui consultant …
😉
Owl Wood:
Oh crap. Do you suppose they'll give me a do-over?
WOW! To think I knew you when you were nobody … Great to see you and Jerry adapting so well to life in España! All the best from Santa Rosa (my home since 2008), Diane Noel
Diane:
What a joy to see your name here! We are surely adapting. Hope you're enjoying life in Santa Rosa.
Well done. You rattled on in Spanish as well as anyone. Best supporting roll for that. Just next time, don't look at the camera.
Stew:
Thanks! Where were you when I needed you, Mister DeMille?
Oooh oooh! I don't have time to listen yet (it's 6:15 a.m. and I'm wolfing down my oatmeal and soon running out into the 10° F temps to head to school), but I'll be tuning in around 10:05– plan time! Can't wait!
Judeet:
Wow, you've got 10 and we've got 16. But ours is 16C!
Hope the build-up wasn't too much for my 7 seconds.
Hello Mitch:
It is extraordinary that 7 seconds is all it takes. Celebrity status is now surely yours and the film offer cannot be too far along the line. 'The Awful, The Bad and The Ugly'….rubbish sites across Spain…..bound to be a blockbuster!!!!
Jane and Lance:
Couldn't it be "The Dashing [me], The Bad, and The Ugly"?
I don't understand Spanish, but I think the announcer called you a tourist and your last word was "now"? I have no clue what else you said, but consider me impressed.
Frank:
The reporters take on the story was the affect the trash has on tourism and business in the historic center of the city. And did finish with the word "now." So, you understood everything… sort of.
Now you have a piece of Fifteen Minutes of INTERNATIONAL Fame!
Bravo!
PS You seem like a native speaker which is truly amazing!
Bob:
I WAS relieved when I watched the video and wasn't embarrassed by my Spanish. I've never heard myself.
Do we each get an entire 15 minutes? Have I used up only 7 seconds or does all this conversation about it mean I've gone over my quota?
Just when you hit the big time in Seville, you move away! Are you going to post this on youtube so we can watch who live beyond the reach of Spanish TV?
Kristi:
I don't have my own copy of the video, so can't post it or a segment. Wish I could.
But, now that I'm so very famous here in Sevilla, we really do have to move away. Autograph hound (singular) can be very demanding.
I most certainly will s-p-r-e-a-d the word…you are now Mr. Famous….International Man of Mystery! Silliness aside…good going Mitch…I can see you fit in very easily!
Ron:
I should have listened to The Dowager Duchess. I had simply rolled out of bed, thrown on Wednesday's clothes, and gone out for breakfast. No shower. No shave. I should always be prepared for the cameras!
Now you may have to stay in Sevilla!! They will be begging you to stay!!lol
I am impressed with your Spanish speaking! Too bad San Geraldo wasn't there too and had a chance speak…….
Jim:
No, it's impossible now to walk down the street without being surrounded by my fan.
Well, you're lookin' good! With all the trash around, it's a good thing that it's not summer. I didn't see any flies on you!
Ms. Sparrow:
Ugh. I hadn't even thought of what it would be like during summer. Despite what the American student said at the beginning of the segment, there's no smell coming from the trash right now. Raise the temps a bit and it would be awful!
Well well! A celebrity! I actually did understand you. You came over like a native. (It helped in coming on one of my two 'Spanish days' of the week when, not doing anything in particular, I play language tapes in the background.
But will any viewers care what you said when they'll all be astonished at the dishy vision of you on screen? Do let us know (with appropriate link) of your next 'public appearance'.
Btw: Isn't there a stench with all that stuff lying around? Or maybe it's cleared away before that happens. I imagine if it was happening at the height of Summer the dispute would have been resolved rather quicker.
Raybeard:
Dishy vision, huh? Promise me you will look at all my future "work" without your glasses.
So far, there's no smell coming from the piles of trash on our plaza. I'm sure smaller streets with less air flow are not doing so well. I sure hope they resolve it soon. You're so right about it being resolved more quickly in summer.
now Mitchell is in the middle of an international union labor dispute……….
Mitchell, you're famoso! Quite impressive, and you're looking handsome as ever in your coat and scarf. And The Oscar goes to…
Wasn't planning to be on camera that day… Well, I don't plan on being on-camera ANY day!
/Can I have your autograph?
Spo:
You'll have to write to my agent… I'm now too busy with personal appearances (on my way to the drug store right now).
I know a world-famous man in Spain! It starts with 7 seconds and before you know it you have your own TV series. 😉
Peter:
I wonder if it will be a sit-com or a drama. Sit-com. Definitely sit-com.
How cool!!!!!!!!!
Judeet:
Sí. ¡Qué guay! My big excitement for the week.
You are freakishly handsome, dude.
Maria:
I'm so sorry about — and so grateful for — your obvious vision problems.
Natural, at ease, even ebullient. Definitely a media career in the making!
Will:
And this from a pro!!! Can you get me an agent?
You did great with your interview! 🙂 A year ago come Feb 8 or 9th, I was on the channel 1 news talking about running in Madrid! People also called me and Antonio saying "Brittany was on tv!!" ha. I wasnt pleased with response though…maybe I should start hanging around the dumptsers. ha. 🙂
Brittany:
Well, fellow celebrity, no one has been beating down my door with movie contracts either. There was another film crew from a different TV station by the dumpsters yesterday. I avoided them. I don't want to get typecast.
Fame is not easy to cope with and with your good looks and skill with speaking the language watch out as the agents will be in touch soon if they haven't already by the tim e you get this.
the cuby poet:
No word from the agents yet!