La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
The world is full of good intentions. One of mine is to post every day of the week except Sunday. It’s Sunday. This was intended to be yesterday’s post. Oh well. My days are still not what I’d like them to be, nor now my nights. But I decided yesterday that as long as I’m still reading and commenting on blogs (interestingly, I’ve noticed that reading and commenting come before writing my own — I’ve made an exception today), doing laundry, keeping up on the dishes, and taking my meds, and getting out at least a little bit, I’m not rock bottom.
I’ve been rock bottom in my life. This is not it. San Geraldo agrees. I expect the tide will turn, sooner or later. There was a party in one of the parks near us this weekend. I read it’s part of the Verbena del Vial-Icónica (which literally translates to festival of the iconic road), an event intended to “unite generations surrounded by a musical atmosphere.” Lots of beverages. Lots of people having a good time. The expected age range was “0 to 99 years old.” And the music theme was supposed to be reggaeton. Huh? Everything the DJ played had such overwhelming bass that it made our chests pound. One staffer in the pharmacy across from the park said he thought he was having a heart attack. The pounding raged on from 5 p.m. to about 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. I was going to walk over last night for photos, but decided it wouldn’t be healthy.
Rain is a possibility today and tomorrow. Saturday morning the forecast was for an 80% chance of rain all day today. Now it says there’s a 24% chance of rain today and 64% Monday. It’s the tail end of what was Hurricane Gabriel and we’re in its outer range. I was looking forward to rain but it looks less likely. However, the air smells like rain this morning and that’s pleasant. So, maybe, maybe not.
Nothing is black and white, except today’s photo sliders. The light was right that day and I thought I’d prefer some of these views without color. Again, I leave it up to you.
I’ve been waking from bizarre dreams in recent mornings. This morning, it was a heist of money from bad people. My one-quarter share was €11 million. I stuffed it in my shorts (somehow, all 11 million and no one could tell) and left two 50s in my wallet. One of the bad people caught up with me just before I woke up. I wonder how it turned out.
El mundo está lleno de buenas intenciones. Una de las mías es publicar todos los días de la semana excepto el domingo. Es domingo. Esta iba a ser la publicación de ayer. En fin. Mis días siguen sin ser lo que me gustaría, ni ahora mis noches. Pero ayer decidí que mientras siga leyendo y comentando blogs (curiosamente, me he dado cuenta de que leer y comentar va antes que escribir los míos; hoy he hecho una excepción), lavando la ropa, fregando los platos, tomando mis medicamentos y saliendo al menos un poco, no he tocado fondo.
He tocado fondo en mi vida. No es así. San Geraldo coincide. Supongo que la situación cambiará, tarde o temprano. Hubo una fiesta en un parque cerca de casa este fin de semana. Leí que forma parte de la Verbena del Vial-Icónica, un evento que busca “unir generaciones en un ambiente musical”. Mucha bebida. Mucha gente pasándola bien. El rango de edad esperado era de “0 a 99 años”. Y se suponía que la música sería reggaetón. ¿Eh? Todo lo que ponía el DJ tenía unos bajos tan fuertes que nos hacía latir el pecho con fuerza. Un empleado de la farmacia frente al parque dijo que pensó que le estaba dando un infarto. El palpitar se prolongó desde las 17:00 hasta la 1:30 del viernes y el sábado. Iba a ir caminando anoche, pero decidí que no sería saludable.
Hay posibilidad de lluvia hoy y mañana. El sábado por la mañana, el pronóstico era de un 80% de probabilidad de lluvia durante todo el día. Esta mañana, dice que hay un 24% de probabilidad de lluvia hoy y un 64% el lunes. Es el final de lo que fue el huracán Gabriel y estamos en su rango exterior. Esperaba que lloviera, pero parece menos probable. Sin embargo, el aire huele a lluvia esta mañana y eso es agradable. Así que, quizás sí, quizás no.
Nada es blanco y negro, excepto los deslizadores de fotos de hoy. La luz era la adecuada ese día y pensé que preferiría algunas de estas vistas sin color. De nuevo, lo dejo en tus manos.
He estado despertando de sueños extraños en las últimas mañanas. Esta mañana, fue un robo de dinero de gente mala. Mi cuarta parte fue de 11 millones de euros. Lo metí en mis pantalones cortos (de alguna manera, todos los 11 millones y nadie se dio cuenta) y dejé dos billetes de 50 en mi billetera. Una de las personas malas me atrapó justo antes de que despertara. Me pregunto cómo resultó.
If sliding isn’t enough, click on the thumbnails to make them big.
Si deslizar no es suficiente, haz clic en las miniaturas para agrandarlas.
The first photo is much better in black and white. Get some rest, take care of yourself.
David:
I’m still up in the air. I like them all both ways.
I like the photos in color because of the gorgeous sky and the color of the buildings.
If you need a place to stash some loot, I know a guy.
We’re waiting for rain and a cool down that was supposed to start on Friday and yesterday was warm and never really cooled off at night so I had the worst night’s sleep.
And I need to paint the sunroom today!! Oy!
Bob:
Yes, the light and color was so strong that day, it’s a shame to lose it. Hope the sunroom painting went well!
Those slider photos are wonderful – #1 and #3 I thought were better in black and white, whilst in #2, it’s the bright yellow and the blue sky that makes it a better photo. What, however, is that sadly-neglected building at the top of the post? It’s most intriguing… Jx
PS drizzly rain here today, too – but then that’s not entirely out of the ordinary for London in late September! 😎
Jon:
It’s so hard to decide which I like better. I lean toward your takes. That building with the shoe repair shop out front (and a jewelry shop to the left) is around the side of The Church of San Pablo. The building is huge. The two photos that follow are through the arched gate at the right in the original photo. The front entrance of the church faces the Ayuntamiento. The church is well maintained and dates back to the 13th century (another of Fernando III’s churches). I’ve written about the church before and should have noted what it was.
The architecture is amazing. The design, the balance, the cast shadows, everything.
I hope you start to feel better soon. Your walking and picture taking must help. Boud
Boud:
It was such a glorious day for color and contrast. Walking and picture taking do help. (But then I stop walking and picture taking.)
Thanks for entertaining us with the sliding feature 🙂
As I’ve mentioned before, I have various places highlighted on my weather spots on my Phone, so I can see what my friends here and there are having for weather, and I recently added Córdoba… so, oooohhhh là là, I see that you are at just about 75°F there today, at about 4pm your time. Fab!
Judy C:
Right now it’s about 71. 93% humidity! Still, a nice change. We actually had nice, light rain throughout the night.
Good call on the photos; I couldn’t decide which I preferred on any of them (and I’m picky and opinionated). One of the good things about being tall is that you can pull off the 11 million € in the sorts look. Tell SG he has great taste in pianists; I also swoon over Daniil Trifonov.
wickedhamster:
I often find SG sat at his computer watching these pianists perform. Amazing. Just before I woke I even thought, how is all that money so hidden? And all I did was drop too tight packages down there. Million-dollar bills?
I was walking the dog on the next street over about halfway down when a car turned onto the street and into the first driveway. Windows up and the music was so loud it was loud to me four houses down (1/2 acre lots so not cheek to jowl) and all I could think of was that guy was probably going to need hearing aids later in life.
I rather like the golden light in contrast.
ellen abbott:
We hear those cars all the time. However, I must admit I remember one or the other of us pulling into the driveway in San Diego on a return from work, with what sounded like headbanger music. Maybe it sounds worse outside than in. However, the party in the park was simply absurdly loud. I, too, loved that golden light, which is why I think I had a hard time deciding.
Color for me. Even the tiniest licks of gold light are too grand to hide.
Well. As I said- for me.
I am really uncomfortable with bass like that. I, too, feel like I’m having a heart attack.
Now. As to not being at rock bottom- such a very, very low bar. But I am very glad you’re not there. Yes. The tide WILL turn, just as the rain WILL come. Hold on.
Moonsigh
Moonsigh:
The rain did come not as much as we thought, but it was nice. Yeah, rock bottom is a low bar, but we’ve been there and it’s nice to know we’re not there now.
I must say, I am almost always partial to color photos.
“Hey, is that €11 million in your shorts or are you happy to see me?”
Steve:
Sadly, and not sadly, just happy to see you.
Oh, and I looked up reggaeton, because I had no idea what it is either. According to Google’s AI overview (which I’m SURE is correct), reggaeton is “a modern, electronic-based music genre blending Latin music with hip-hop and Caribbean dancehall rhythms, characterized by its signature “dem bow” beat. Originating in Panama and gaining prominence in Puerto Rico in the 1990s, it features Spanish lyrics, rapping, and singing, and is known for its danceable, infectious rhythm.” So there you (and I) have it.
Steve:
My “huh” wasn’t meant to say what the hell is reggaeton. It was meant to say how the hell is that for ages 0-99? I must admit I love the music. It’s got great rhythms and energy. But it tends to be extremely sexist and misogynistic.
I like all three in colour………the doors/rooves/fixtures get a chance to show off a bit more.
I find change of seasons can cause body/mind changes/adjustments as well. Take care and be kind to yourself.
Jim:
The Colors were so vibrant that day. It’s a shame to lose them. You’re so right about change of season. I’m being hit with the perfect storm right now.
I like the first photo better in B&W. The other two are a toss up. I’ve always been a frequent, vivid dreamer. My current meds cause them to be even weirder than they were. Nights have not been good for me lately either, for reasons other than the dreams. We’ll get there, Mitchell.
Kelly:
Yes, we WILL get there. Clearly we’ve both been down this road before. But why couldn’t we get there with that €11 in my pants?!?
Fascinating to see the photos and compare them.
Urspo:
I do enjoying doing the comparisons.
I LOVE the architecture on the building in the first photo. And it’s it amazing the difference a photo takes on from color to black and white? A photography friend of mine did nudes of me once. I learned the nudes and architectural picture looks so much more artsy and detailed when in black and white.
I sure hope your feel better soon and can shed the awful feeling.
Mistress Borghese:
I always wanted nude portraits done. And, yes, I do prefer those in black and white.
The bad person who caught up with you betrayed you by taking the 2 50s from your wallet but had no idea the rest of the money was in your shorts so you still have it. You’re going to use some of it to buy a nice, small house for Princess and me in a blue state. You’ll have enough left over so you and SG can visit anytime you want. Bring Bob, Carlos, and Mistress Maddie, too. I’ve hit rock bottom before, more than once. It’s not pretty. I’m glad you’re not there and I hope you never get there again.
Love and big hugs,
Janie
janiejunebug:
Thanks for filling in the story. I’m going to check my shorts when I sign off.
Your talk of dreams has reminded me that when I was talking to the aneasthetist last week ( hip op this Thursday) she told me that one of the painkillers would be ketamine…….and it might well give me ” scary” dreams. Not sure about that!!
Frances
Frances:
I will be keeping good thoughts for you Thursday that the hip operation goes smoothly and perfectly. Wishing you an excellent recovery! Yeah, ketamine, aka Special K. A popular party drug at one time (it probably still is). I’ve been told by those who know that it gives hallucinations. They didn’t complain about scary dreams. Just go with it! Seriously, I wish you good health and a quick recovery.
The black and white photography is stunning.
Rade:
As I took the photos in color, I kept wondering what the conversion would look like.