This is exactly what it looks like...

La infeliz Caracas

2012-03-08T22:59:00.001-03:00

Tal vez porque hace un par de días fue su cumpleaños he visto varias veces posteado en Internet este relato de Gabriel García Márquez que hace unos instantes me decidí a leer.

Dicen de la literatura, y de las artes en general, que mientras más personal sea el acercamiento que el autor haga, será más universal su obra, porque en esencia, todos los hombres tenemos muchas cosas en común; amores, miedos, ilusiones y todas esas otras cosas que nos hacen perder el sueño. Tal vez por eso las palabras del Gabo describen perfectamente muchas de las cosas que siento acerca de Caracas, esa ciudad infeliz a la que he extrañado tanto estos días.

La primera vez que la oí nombrar fue en una frase de Simón Bolívar: La infeliz Caracas. Desde entonces, pocas veces la he vuelto a oír nombrada sin que vaya precedida de ese antiguo prestigio de infelicidad. Al parecer, su destino es igual al de muchos seres humanos de gran estirpe, que no pueden ser amados sino por quienes sean capaces de padecerlos.

El resto del relato lo pueden leer aqui.

-

Caracas, unhappy city

A couple a days ago was Gabriel García Marquez's birthday. I guess for that reason there was a text of him being posted and twittered all over the Internet usual sites. A moment ago I decide to read that text.

People often say about literature that for your work to be universal it need to be really personal and intimate. That's because regardless of most contextual circumstances, we all have common loves, fears, illusions, and all that stuff that keeps us awake at night. Maybe that's why García Marquez's words right now describe perfectly a lot of the things I feel about Caracas, that unhappy city that I've been missing a lot these days.

The first time I've heard of her was in a Simón Bolívar's phrase: Caracas, the unhappy. Since then, not often I've heard someone talk about Caracas without her name being accompanied by that old unhappiness fate. Apparently, her destiny is the same of a lot of great lineage human beings; they cannot be loved but by those who are capable of bear them.

The rest of the text, if you speak Spanish, you can read it here.

Etsy Women

2012-03-08T09:35:00.000-03:00

This is my new treasury list with 16 products made by my favorite Etsy sellers, all of them women, all of them amazing designers, illustrators, photographers or crafters.

Click on the image to have a look and have a happy Women's Day everyone!

Emotional Pantone

2012-03-06T17:42:00.002-03:00

A couple of weeks ago I saw on TV a little bit of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. As I was watching I started to remember how I loved that filmed the first time I saw it. I thought it was amazing how that wonderful couple (Gondry/Kaufman) managed to create Lacuna Inc, something that I guess we all have wished it existed at some point of our lives. I was happy to see that Jim Carrey was a surprisingly perfect fit for the Joel character, same goes to Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst and (creepy) Elijah Wood, and specially I loved Clementine, that "fucked up girl looking for her own peace of mind", that had so much yet so little in common with me.

Anyway. Clementine's hair-color changed depending on her mood. When she and Joel meet on the train she was wearing it blue, Blue Ruin. This name supposedly was given to that color (and mood) because of a Tom Waits song: 9th and Hennepin. Dark.

It is known by everyone that colors have influence in our emotions. I've been reading that since my early days in uni, for saying the least. But just so you know the reason I decided to make this badges was not that distant theoretical knowledge, it was Blue Ruin, Clementine, Eternal Sunshine, Montauk and its overrated sand. Someone has to have the job of naming colors, she said on that train. Why not me?

The badges are almost ready. I'm adjusting colors and designing the packaging. I'll keep you posted about this and I hope you like them.

"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd."

Alexander Pope.

March Felicidad

2012-03-01T20:57:00.001-03:00

A mixtape to start the month.

1. White Winter Hymnal. Fleet Foxes.

2. Another Sunny Day. Belle and Sebastian.

3. Run Right Back. The Black Keys.

4. Vitamin K. Gruff Rhys.

5. The Next Time Around. Little Joy.

6. Happiness Runs. Donovan.

7. Little Bit. Lykke Li.

8. Common People. Pulp.

9. Surprise Track ;)

Click on the image to go listen on 8tracks :)

Happy Leap Day

2012-02-29T18:56:00.000-03:00

Images from Wikipedia.

So, I learn something new today: the folk traditions of the Leap Year and Leap Day. It turns out that in Ireland and Britain the Leap Year is the year when traditionally women propose marriage to men. Allegedly the tradition was initiated by Saint Bridget and Saint Patrick, but is in the 19th Century when the tradition widely spread. Other legends says that by law if a man refuses a proposal he should pay a fine that consists of: a pair of leather gloves, a single rose, £1 and a kiss.

Finland and Denmark have the same tradition with different compensations, but in Greece instead getting married in a leap year is considered unlucky.

Here in Latin America we don't have any tradition associated with this particular date... as far as I know. If any of you gentle readers knows something that I don't, please speak now... or be forever silent.

More about the Leap Year in this BBC Article.

-

Hoy aprendí algo nuevo: las tradiciones populares del año y día bisiestos. Resulta que en Inglaterra e Irlanda el año bisiesto es tradicionalmente el año en el que las mujeres le proponen matrimonio a los hombres. Supuestamente la tradición fue iniciada por Santa Brígida y San Patricio, pero fue en el siglo XIX en el que se hizo popular. Otras leyendas dicen que, por ley, si un hombre rechaza la propuesta debe pagar una multa que consiste en: un par de guantes de cuero, una rosa, una libra y un beso.

Finlandia y Dinamarca tienen la misma tradición pero con multas diferentes, pero en Grecia, en cambio, casarse en un año bisiesto es considerado de mala suerte.

En Latinoamérica no tenemos tradiciones o mitos o algo especial asociado a esta fecha ¿no? Si alguno de ustedes, queridos lectores, sabe algo que yo no, por favor hable ahora... o calle para siempre.

Carnaval en los bosques

2012-02-21T20:46:00.000-03:00

It was fresh, not so crowded, with lots of people fishing in what it appears to be a fishless lake. I discovered a bench that says "Prince I love you"... I felt in 1999. Also on my way home I saw a group of brown and yellow leaves that made me think that the autumn is finally coming... YES!

So, how was your Carnival holiday? Or you didn't have any free days at all?

Instagramers Anonymous (II)

2012-02-20T02:35:00.003-03:00

Brunch at Oui Oui.

Tea at Ale and Gaby's house.

Tienda Palacio.

Spices at El Gato Negro.

Doggies in my neighborhood.

Belated Xmas present by Ariany.

I see faces.

Restaurant in Palermo.

Sunset from my balcony.

Frank's Bar.

This Sunday was the laziest ever. I spent the whole day in bed. Now is 2am and I'm wide awake of course. So I thought I might as well post some Instagram photos and a mixtape I made on 8tracks called Two More Bottles of Wine. Hope you like it!

Monday and Tuesday are holidays here because or the Carnival... in your country too? x

Just Saying

2012-02-17T17:52:00.001-03:00

A very popular Venezuelan phrase to close a particular week (there's no relation between the two, except that I painted the first one with watercolors in the second one). 2012 is been weird so far. Fast but slow, exciting but boring. This week however was filled with good changes and pretty cool news both for me and some loved close friends, it feels like finally things are in motion. And that's nice... but scary of course. Although I reckon we're all ready. So 2012, bring it on!

Hope you all have a nice weekend x

Tea (Towel) Time

2012-02-15T12:12:00.001-03:00

A new Treasury List on my Etsy. To see all those nice tea towels click on the image :)

Paris in B&W

2012-02-14T18:33:00.000-03:00

They say is the most romantic city in the world, so I guess is alright to post some photos of lovely Paris today, specially if they are in black and white, innit? The Brasserie Lipp dans Saint-Germain des Pres, le Champ Élysées, one Boy-Scout dans le Quartier Latin, le Jardin du Luxembourg, le Pont Alexandre III, and of course the Rue Mademoiselle dans le 15e arrondissement.

My french sucks, so the most suitable soundtrack for this post it must be Flight of the Conchords's Foux Da Fa Fa, or because conditions are prefect... Business Time.

Happy day everyone! x

Demencia dosificada

2012-02-13T18:50:00.001-03:00

"En tren de recomendar, recomiéndese también una Psiquiatría Constructiva que procure a cada uno el grado y tipo de locura que ayude a vivir ilusionado; un 10 % de demencialidad, euforia y analgesia por mitades, que nos deshorrorice algo el vivir, que nos desperfile la fiereza del encaramiento que nos propone la Vida; en lugar de perder el tiempo en inútiles clasificaciones forzadas y ya que nada curan de la perfecta salud mental, lucidez que es una condena, súplannos una dosificación útil de demencia."

Poema al astro de luz memorial (fragmento).

Macedonio Fernández.

--

Note: It is really hard to translate poetry. I only dare to translate this phrase so you have an idea: "It should be recommended a Constructive Psychiatry that supplies each and every one of the degree and type of madness that help us live with illusions". If you want to know a bit more about Macedonio Fernández, Jorge Luis Borges's inspiration, you can have a look at this article in The Quartely Conversation.

Moleskine Stuff

2012-02-10T19:55:00.001-03:00

I'm about to finish my current Moleskine, so I've been checking the old pages and my traveling notes that usually are as you see it on the photo. Whenever I travel it is essential for me to take notes or keep some sort of diary, otherwise my lousy memory would totally forget moments, places, names, anecdotes... regardless of their awesomeness, at the end of the day, boom! Gone.

I don't have any travel planned for now because I'm in a self-imposed war-economy saving plan... (or at least I'm trying)... what about you? Any fun destination coming your way this year?

This Year

2012-02-09T12:13:00.002-03:00

"This year, I will
stop saying yes
when I really mean no,
and stop saying no
when I'm too afraid to say yes.
I will stop caring what perfect strangers think,
and hold close the opinions
of those who care for me."

Hila, a nice writer based in Perth, Australia, whose blog le project d'amour I've been following for quite a time now, wrote a poem and posted it in her blog. Lynn from Satsuma Press, who makes delicate stationary, cards and invitations in Oregon, US, liked it and -after asking Hila, of course- printed it. Now if you like it too you can buy it online.

Words made a tangible piece of art. This is the kind of cool collaborations are happening more often thanks to the Internet and make us feel closer together even if we are in opposite sides of the world. It is inspiring, don't you think?

Congrats girls for making it happen!

Indoors

2012-02-08T13:46:00.000-03:00

View from my balcony.

I don't like the summer that much you know? And I think, ironically enough, that's because I grew up in the Caribbean. In Caracas to be more precise. The higher temperatures there are not as high as in south of South America or in Europe (France, Spain, Italy) for that matter. Our eternal summer is around 25-30 degrees all year, a little colder (18C) in December. For that reason feeling that much heat without being on the beach doesn't make sense to me.

This past week was really hot, therefore I spent a lot of time indoors watching movies. I've seen already The Iron Lady, The Ides of March, Drive and Sherlock Holmes 2. I almost ready for the Oscars minus The Descendants and The Artist, which I'm looking forward to see. If you were fancying a good movie, or you were needing an excuse to see Ryan Gosling, I recommend for very different reasons any of the above.

Coiffeur Garbis

2012-02-07T17:15:00.002-03:00

I saw this wonderful place today while walking around my neighborhood, the ad reads: "If you don't mind that an amazed stranger in a totally random place and moment ask you about your haircut... you can cut your hair in Garbis". And "Garbis, the name of a perfect haircut". For things like this you gotta love Buenos Aires.

Other ads I liked are the ones made for the Super Bowl specially the Camry one (I want a reinvented blender) and the Volkswagen Campaign, Part 1 and Part 2.

If I ever go to Garbis, I'll let you know... but most probably, you'll notice and ask me about my haircut!

Tips for Happiness

2012-02-02T20:29:00.000-03:00

Yesterday when I was posting the Bristol photos I bumped into this one that definitely deserves a post of its own. This was on the Harbour's floor during the Festival and the idea was for people to write their tips for happiness, as you can see, the two most important things in the pursue of happiness are: beer and Batman. In that order. Don't forget.

Also, Happy Groundhog Day!!! Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter so, lots of patience, wool, beer and Batman! x

Last But Not Least

2012-02-01T21:34:00.001-03:00

Bristol was the last city I met in my summer trip to the UK. I liked it a lot. The harbour, the weird textures of the houses (some looked like as if the walls were made of bones), the street art, those lovely chimneys shaped as little kings and specially my hosts Abi and Pat, adorable friends.

I have no idea why I've have not posted photos from Bristol so far, only the Tobacco Factory ones, but well, is never too late and is a good way to start February... remembering July, innit? I stayed there for only two days but during that brief time I went to the Harbour Festival, where Abi was working campaigning for Not In My Banger, attended to a mini birthday party where I had my first time ever all-vegan chocolate cake (it was good!) and afterwards we all went to the Invisible Circus (that's why everybody is dressed as "Neptune Child", that was the theme).

Good times. Good memories. Good February to everyone! x

This Week

2012-01-29T23:21:00.001-03:00

This week, thanks to my friend Alejandro, I had the opportunity of participating in a really nice project. I cannot say more for now, but you'll definitely see it when is ready.

Meanwhile here are some photos I took this (incredibly hot) week around Buenos Aires :)

How was your week/weekend?

Albert Einstein's Words of Wisdom

2012-01-25T09:38:00.002-03:00

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-23T17:32:00.001-03:00

Today starts the year of the water dragon, most powerful creature of all represented in the Chinese calendar. "In Chinese culture, dragon years are widely believed to be good for marriage, birth and achieving great success, but they also have their dark side -- the mythical creature holds potent powers over water and rain, bringing good harvests but also floods and other natural disasters." Very 2012 everything, don't you think?

I hope love surround all of you with full hands, as the fortune cookie says.

Happy 4710 everyone! x

Instagramers Anonymous (I)

2012-01-20T18:19:00.000-03:00

Hi! My name is @anaplaya and I'm an addict.

This weekend is the Chinese New Year, are you going to celebrate it? :)

More Random Brighton

2012-01-16T21:12:00.000-03:00

More random Brighton just because I've been watching my last year pictures lately. This incredible sunny day I wondered around town with Chris and the wonderful Nem (if you are ever in Brighton, you got to go to Nem's pub, you're gonna have a super nice time!). We walked the lanes, had a nice Vietnamese lunch (that included Pho, one of my favorite soups in the whole wide world) and then went to the beach to have some cider. Lovely Brighton, innit?

Outrance

2012-01-15T22:39:00.000-03:00

Outrance was the word of the day in my Dictionary App and since I couldn't come out with a title for this post I use it... an outrance resource? (did I use it correctly?).

I spend my weekend enjoying the last moments of my lazy week. Organized photos (the ones in the post are from lovely Brighton, I'll be posting more), went to the auto-cinema with some friends but without a car, read a little my new book, and now I'm watching the Golden Globes.

Was your weekend as lazy as mine?

Nordelta

2012-01-14T13:16:00.000-03:00

Traveling is one of the best things in life, without a doubt. When you can't travel the second best thing is discover new places around your house, and so I did yesterday when my friend Giselle took me to meet Nordelta, her sister's neighborhood in the north of Buenos Aires. We enjoyed a quiet afternoon, swam in the pool, fed the ducks and an occasional otter, drank coffee and headed back downtown in time for Tintin (which I really liked, btw). It was a lovely Friday :)

Any big plans for this weekend? Hope you have a nice one! x

Lazy

2012-01-10T23:35:00.000-03:00

I wanted to return to Buenos Aires because I wanted to start all my projects as soon as possible, but the truth is that since I came here I've been really lazy, I guess the unbearable heat has something to do with that. Procrastination, that's so my trade mark.

In my laziness (that definitely has to be over by the end of this week), I've managed to start the gym again, a new new diet, pay bills and that sort of stuff, finished reading Roseanna and started A Fine Balance and I've seen for the first time lots of episodes of Modern Family. Is good, everybody told me so, now I understand... and I love Gloria. Sometimes I feel like her when I talk in English.

The photos are from my local park. Yesterday I took a walk there and read a while :) And speaking of books, have a look a this nice video called The Joy of Books.

40 degrees

2012-01-09T18:01:00.001-03:00

Today the Real Feel in Buenos Aires is higher than 40 degrees, so the only thing in my mind are my treasured memories of beaches and the sea. In this temperature it doesn't make sense to be someplace else, innit?

The beaches in the photos are:

1 y 2. Playa Grande, La Guaira, Venezuela.
3. La Barra, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
4. José Ignacio, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
5. Durdle Door, Lulworth State (English Channel), Dorset, UK.
6. Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK.
7. La Pared, Península de Macanao, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela.
8. Playa Grande, Choroní, Venezuela.
9. Sidmouth, Devon, UK.
10 y 11. Brighton, UK.
12. Los Roques, Venezuela.
13. Naiguatá, Venezuela.
14. Playa Larga, Todasana, Venezuela.

Fake Plastic Pigs

2012-01-08T15:36:00.000-03:00

A very important Christmas tradition in Venezuela is "aguinaldos". Workers of bakeries, parking lots, hot dog cars, dry cleaners, etc... buy a plastic piggy bank and decorate it in all sorts of ways to ask for money, their "aguinaldo" (a word that means both "Xmas song" and "gift"). Here are some of the "cochinitos" I bumped into this Xmas in Caracas :)

Is there a tradition like this where you live?

EZE

2012-01-08T02:10:00.002-03:00

Arriving at an airport with no electric power is a magical mystical experience that I don't wish for anybody. Specially in a sunny summer day at 36 degrees Celsius. Ezeiza, you owe me one ;)

BTW, yes, now I have Instagram, and I'm loving it. I'm @anaplaya in case you want to have a look at my pics.

My Friends: Germán Herrera

2012-01-07T13:58:00.002-03:00

Awesome designer, animator, comic illustrator, story-teller, and a super cool friend. From time to time he enjoys making stories about the people he knows, specially his kid sister and his friends. The one in the drawing is me, and although I'm a wicked witch I loved the story he wrote.

"The interview with patient "L" was without any doubt peculiar. Of course you could say that about every person that steps into the office, but this one had some extra value because she suffered from some kind of language-curse.

An innocent spectator might think that she only mixed different languages and accents when she speaks, but the sounds that escaped her throat were no other than diabolic words. Most likely a consequence of the studies she recently made. That was easy to deduct from the School of Magic and Necromancy crest stitched in her tote.

According to her story, after a brief but successful time as End of the World Prophet, she decided to add to her resume an Apocalyptic Management and Cults Administration specialization. For her thesis dissertation she broke her soul into little buttons she handled to her followers. With those innocent little objects she would be able to catch the minds and hearts of the entire world... and maybe she would become immortal.

Knowing that she will never be alone and considering her love for classics and cliches, she is planning to take her knowledge to good old (but actually new) England."

Fingers crossed Ger ;)

---> Have a look at German's work on his lovely Blog de monos.

Así Sea

2012-01-02T00:00:00.003-03:00

Todasana, Venezuela.

Welcome 2012. I've been expecting you.
A little bit of Caribbean salt water is what I call a good way to start the year.
How was your first of January?

*

Bienvenido 2012. He estado esperándote desde hace tiempo.
Un poco de agua salada del Caribe es definitivamente la manera ideal de comenzar el año.
¿Cómo estuvo tu primero de enero?

2011

2011-12-31T16:20:00.000-03:00

January. The year started in Caracas. Try to go to the beach a couple of times and failed. Finally went to the beach a couple of times. Went to El Ávila a lot. Decided to stay one more month.

February. Designed a Memory Game prototype with my friend Ale. Flighted back to Buenos Aires. Payed the bills. Quit my office job. Met a lot of new friends in La Casa Latina.

March. Started a brunch tradition with Lara and Daniela. Travelled to Córdoba to saw a massive moon. Went to Tigre. My friends Danielle and Andrea came to Buenos Aires. Had little to sleep.

April. My friend Chipi got married. Hanged out with Andrea, Danielle and Jean-Sylvain. Went to The National and Flaming Lips concerts. Didn't take much photos.

May. Made badges. Walked around Buenos Aires. Saw lots of movies. The world didn't end.

June. Traveled to London for the first time in my life. Fell deeply in love with the city. Walked around with Lore and Ariany. Met the Manor and their lovely residents, amazing people. Moved to Stoke Newington. Crashed into Glastonbury. Saw Paul Simon. Let the "diversion" begin!

July. Got to know my new neighborhood, learned new English words and some slang. Had Fish & Chips and my first Sunday Roast. Traveled a weekend to Paris to see my friend Danielle. Went to Lovebox and Secret Garden Party. Traveled to the West Country. Drank cider in Sidmouth. Had lunch in Lyme Regis. Ate a Mr. Whippy in Durdle Door. Dressed as a gipsy in Bristol.

August. B-Right-On. Helped, danced and attended a mini-Michael Jackson party at Playgroup. Ran around London trying to see what I hadn't saw. Met Lore, Joyce and Bader, for tea, beer and cider. Went to Wilderness and saw a cricket game. Left London. Missed London. Woke up suddenly in Buenos Aires.

September. Worked a lot and spent lots of time at my house. Had brunch with the girls, and the boys. Played poker. Spring sprang.

October. My brand Objetitos turned 5. Started to sell badges to Magma in London. Went to listen a lovely hippie gig of my friends Lara and Daniela. Printed my "The Beginning is Near" totes.

November. Participated in Cristina's traveling notebooks project. My mom came to visit me. Also Ceci and Ale. Ran 10K. Went to Punta del Este, Uruguay and had a delicious time. Start organizing everything for my holidays trip. Seriously brunch season started.

December. Went around walking and eating with Ceci and Ale. Celebrated my birthday and some more. Went kayaking. Left Buenos Aires. Arrived in Caracas. Saw a lot of dear friends that now live in Chicago, London, Miami, New York, Madrid. Thought how fast this year have passed. And a couple of hours ago I saw the first star appear over Caracas' sky (right there in the left corner) the last day of the year in a square near home.

This was one of the best years of my life. Lived, loved and learned a lot. Hope 2012 is everything I've always dream it will be and more.

Lots of love for all of you and the best of lucks next year! x

Around

2011-12-28T23:55:00.000-03:00

Some Caracas, around my neighborhood this last couple of days.

As soundtrack, Radiohead's The Daily Mail.

"Where's the truth what's the use
I'm hanging around lost and found."

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T14:16:00.000-03:00

1. Coffee. In some places here in Caracas they are really good at making drawings with the coffee foam.

2. Gift masking-tape wrapping.

3. A Christmas toast with my mum

4. Cider. I'm trying hard to make it popular in this side of the world.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you're all having the best of times :)

Punta in Film (II)

2011-12-22T22:53:00.001-03:00

Punta del Este and a little Piriápolis.

Magic indeed.

A new playlist here.

Doppelgänger

2011-12-20T15:22:00.001-03:00

This is the text I wrote for a nice Venezuelan magazine called Mono. Each issue of Mono is about an specific subject, this number's theme was opposites.

First, you can read my rough translation to English, then the original text in Spanish.

Hope you like it! x

-

Doppelgänger

The last couple of months it happened to me quite often that when I go out, I see someone's doppelgänger. And I'm not talkingabout those of celebrities or people who I care about. No. These are the eviltwins of random people. Strangers I wouldn't think about under any othercircumstances: the man from a BP's service station in El Cafetal, the coffee-boy from a bakery in Santa Eduvigis, my mom's nasty neighbor from the third floor back in Caracas.

The minute the encounter happens, I start doubting, not aboutthe doppelgänger’s ID because some mysterious neuron manages to identify themwith a very scary precision, but of my mental health in general. I don't know ifthis is about nostalgia or if it's just a nervous breakdown. The only thing that appearsreally clear to me is that my brain is playing dirty to me.

II.

Most of the people I know called me Ana. I have a veryimportant amount of nicknames and each and everyone belongs to a different momentof my life, nevertheless my other identity is called simply Patricia, my secondname.

Thinking about that now I realize that Patricia beganto exist since I was a little girl. Every time I was naughty that was the namemy mum chose to lecture me. Patricia,come here, she used to say with a deadly serious voice. Ana managed to escape all thetime. Ana was incapable of breaking a thermometer just to play with Mercury.

Patricia, say those who have met her as agrown-up, is my opposite. The one that takes my place to do those things Iwouldn't dare. She usually appears in high-stress situations, important decision-makingmoments, or in nights of heavy drinking and partying. Those nights thatlasts until morning light and then a little longer. Sometimes I could swear thatI've seen Patricia coming into the party and look at me from the other sideof the room while holding that glass of wine I shouldn't drink.

III.

Doppelgänger stories are very popular in literature,paranormal activity books and psychiatric offices. Their existence could evenbe explained under quantum mechanics principles. Our doubles would beprobabilities of ourselves in different universes. Alan Guth, a famous MIT'sphysicist once said, "there is a universe in which Elvis is alive and Al Goreis president". I wonder if Alan has a second name that his mother used toreprehend him when he was little.

The possibility (or probability) ofPatricia truly fascinates me and intrigues me. I like to think of her, walkingaround, always on the other side of the road. Think that someday I going to get to watch her talking with the magazine-stand woman near my homeor next to that guy that I went to uni with but I cannot remember his name.

Doppelgängers, can't live with them... can't livewithout them.

Estos últimos meses me hapasado con relativa frecuencia que cada vez que salgo a la calle me encuentrocon el doppelgänger de alguien. No me refiero a los dobles de famosos o degente a la que extraño, no. Estos son los hermanos gemelos malvados de laspersonas más aleatorias de la vida, gente en la que no pensaría bajo ningunaotra circunstancia: el bombero de la BP de El Cafetal, el muchacho del café dela panadería de Santa Eduvigis, la vecina antipatiquísima del tercer piso. Enel instante dudo, no de la identidad del doppelgänger en cuestión porque algunaneurona misteriosa logra identificarlos con una precisión que da miedo, dudo desi se trata de nostalgia o de un brote psicótico. De una manera u otra, loúnico que me queda claro es que mi cerebro me la está jugando.

II.

La mayor parte de la gente meconoce como Ana. Tengo una cantidad importante de sobrenombres, todoscontextualizados en el tiempo, sin embargo, mi otra personalidad, essencillamente Patricia, mi segundo nombre. Ahora que lo pienso, Patricia empezóa existir desde que era una niña. Cada vez que me portaba mal ese era el nombreelegido para el regaño, Patricia, ven acá.Ana escapaba siempre, Ana sería incapaz de haber roto un termómetro para jugarcon el Mercurio. Patricia entonces, me dicen quienes la han llegado a conocerde grande, es mi opuesto. La que toma mi lugar para hacer lo que yo no haría.Suele hacer apariciones fugaces en situaciones de alto estrés, al momento detomar decisiones impulsivas o en noches de excesos, de copas, locas, de esasque se prolongan hasta que sale el sol. A veces juraría haberla visto llegar auna fiesta y desde el otro lado de la sala mirarme a los ojos mientras sostieneesa copa de vino que no debería tomarme.

III.

Las historias dedopplegängers (alemán para “doble andante”) son famosas en la literatura, enlos libros de fenómenos paranormales y en consultorios psiquiátricos. Suexistencia podría incluso ser explicada según los principios de la mecánicacuántica. Nuestros dobles serían probabilidades de nosotros mismos en múltiplesuniversos. Alan Guth, reconocido físico del MIT dice “hay un universo en el queElvis está vivo y Al Gore es presidente”. Me pregunto si Alan tendrá un segundonombre que usaban para regañarlo cuando era pequeño. A mí la posibilidad (oprobabilidad) de Patricia me fascina y me intriga. Me gusta pensar que estácaminando por ahí, siempre en la acera de enfrente, y que un día de estos laveré pasar, tal vez junto a la mujer del kiosko de revistas de Los PalosGrandes o al chico aquel que se graduó conmigo pero estudiaba en la tarde.

Doppelgängers... can’t livewith them, can’t live without them.

2011-12-15T11:11:00.001-03:00

Photo: El Ávila mountain silhouette, by far the best of the city.

I'm in Caracas. Mixed feelings as usual. The only thing that I can think to say here is a paraphrasis of Nirvana's words of wisdom: here I am now, entertain me.

Malvón

2011-12-11T18:03:00.001-03:00

Yesterday one of my best friends, Mabe invited me to a very special brunch for my birthday (the ideal gift because I love having breakfast) in a place in Villa Crespo called Malvón. I've already read something about it in the blog of my brazilian friend Túlio and they both were right, it was delicious, beautiful and specially plentiful. As a matter of fact the table was too small for all the food the brought us... and we ate it all :P

Thanks Mabe for this lovely Bday present! x

Salt Water

2011-12-09T16:46:00.001-03:00

By checking on the statistics on how people from so many different places in the World end up here in my blog (which made me infinitely happy) I found a wonderful quote from Karen Blixen I couldn't be more agree with:

"The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea."

I really would like to live closer to the ocean, it doesn't matter to me if it's tropical, cold, sandy or stoney, as long, of course, it is salty.

*Photos are from La Barra, Punta Ballena and José Ignacio in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Send me a postcard

2011-12-09T16:23:00.001-03:00

... drop me a line.

I love postcards. Looooove, and cards, and all stationary stuff really. That's why I made this new Treasury on my Etsy Shop. Have a look at the lovely cards and postcards I selected by clicking on the image, and if you're interested in buying something from my shop, you have until Monday, so I can go to the post office on Tuesday... if not, just go ahead and pay me a visit! :)

Kings of Convenience

2011-12-08T17:52:00.001-03:00

This happened last Tuesday and it was beautiful!

The New Yorker Cartoons

2011-12-08T10:43:00.001-03:00

Last night I had a fun time looking at the Facebook Page of The New Yorker, they have a nice selection of their cartoons, so I thought I could share some of my favorites. The last one is brilliant!

Punta in Film

2011-12-07T16:07:00.001-03:00

More things that happened on December 05:

I developed this photos from Punta del Este I took with a disposable camera. I'm currently into that type of cameras, they are really nice :)

The Morran's Book Project is ready, if you wanna find out what is it about please visit the previous link or Camilla's Blog.

And last but definitely not least an Earth-like planet was recently discovered, is called Kepler 22-b. I posted a couple of articles in my 2012 Blog. Does someone fancy to join me on that interstellar trip?

Remember, remember the 5th of December

2011-12-06T11:40:00.001-03:00

So, I've been partying since Saturday because lots of my friends happen to be Sagittarius as me, we've done all sort of things even go kayaking at night. Yesterday was my turn of a birthday party and being Monday and everything I chose diner. We ate some delicious curries at Bangalore and then have some more drinks. I really loved it. Loved that I got to share both with some old dear friends and new found ones. The four-days-non-stop celebration will finish tonight with the Kings of Convenience concert in La Trastienda. I'll post photos of this lovely days all together soon! Thanks to all my beloved friends for being there, always :)

This is a Birthday mixtape I made yesterday, hope you like it!

Around Palermo

2011-12-03T19:03:00.001-03:00

Again, with Ceci and Ale, working around Palermo. You can see some colors, street art, me and my "The Beginning is Near" tote, a little bit of Buenos Aires and us three playing with shadows at the end of the day.

I'm starting the never-ending celebration of December birthdays tonight. Most of my friends' birthdays are in December, mine too. What about you? Any exciting plan for the weekend?

Bye bye November

2011-11-30T17:15:00.001-03:00

This are random photos of things that happened in November. My mom visited me and there was, of course, a lot of sightseeing in Buenos Aires, a delicious breakfast in Oui Oui, Punta del Este minitrip, Ale and Ceci working, Marilyn and Axl in San Telmo, a beer called like me, and a book I bought after reading Hila's post. Overall it was a good month. Hope December will be better though.

The bench photo was taken by Ale and the last one by Ceci :)

Wondering

2011-11-27T13:33:00.001-03:00

In the middle of a really hot, and therefore unbearable, week, I can't help but wonder how's my favorite city looking this time of year.

This are random photos from my summer there. I still have tons, you'll get to see them here, even if they are out of season :)

Dream a little dream of Christmas

2011-11-24T12:24:00.001-03:00

Click on the photo to see my last Treasury List that is basically random stuff I fancy for Christmas. Click HERE to visit my Etsy Shop. I'll be open until Dec. 13 :)

Piriápolis I

2011-11-23T11:31:00.001-03:00

Exactly one week ago I was wondering around Piriápolis in Uruguay. A little city near Punta del Este on the coast of Río de la Plata. On the photos you can see a little bit of the seaside and the Argentino Hotel. Between the years 1920 and 1930 that hotel was one of the biggest hotels of South America. Now, due to the declined popularity of Piriápolis as a resort and the lack of proper maintenance the luxurious hotel would fit perfectly as location of a summer version of The Shinning.

-

Hace justamente una semana estaba paseando por Piriápolis en Uruguay, una pequeña ciudad cerca de Punta del Este en la costa del Río de la Plata. En las fotos pueden ver un poco de la costa y el Hotel Argentino. Entre los años 1920 y 1930 ese hotel fue uno de los más grandes de Suramérica. Ahora, por el descenso de popularidad de Piriápolis como balneario y por la falta de mantenimiento las instalaciones de tan lujoso hotel quedarían perfectas como una locación para una versión de verano de The Shinning.

My Own Private Mercury Retrograde

2011-11-21T23:07:00.001-03:00

This last couple of days had been really uneasy. My printer broke the exact instant I had to print some important stuff. I got a whole bunch of clothes damaged because of some stupid short that painted all black. Decided to uninstall the Whatsapp to update it and I never could download it again. Went to a bookstore to return a book... and forgot the book at home! None of this things qualifies as a big tragedy obviously, but just a bunch of annoying little ones.

Is someone, somewhere, trying to tell me something or am I just REALLY distracted? Where's my mind? I guess we all go thru stages like this one, right? Did this ever happen to you?

The Future

2011-11-21T00:10:00.001-03:00

Yesterday I saw Miranda July's The Future and I think I liked it. True to her peculiar and too-cool-for-school way of telling stories this movie was somehow magic and complex at the same time. At the end of the movie I really didn't know how to feel. I can only compare it to the end of a psychotherapy session. Mixed feelings of confusion, relieve and lots of new questions popping into my head. Nevertheless I recommend it. Even if you ended up hating it. Why not?

Here's a scene that didn't make it to the final cut of the movie to which I can relate completely.

Arrivals and Departures

2011-11-18T06:23:00.001-03:00

My mom's visit to Buenos Aires ended a couple of hours ago :( I'm gonna miss her a lot, we had a great time. Now I can/must start dieting... again. I've been eating a lot. Delicious meals, no doubt about that, but my body needs some fasting.

This week we went to Punta del Este for a mini-break within her mini-break. This are some images of that lovely trip. As a soundtrack a song of Feist I've been listening in my head a lot recently.

Happy Friday everyone! x

My Weekend

2011-11-13T23:14:00.001-03:00

Lots of walking around Buenos Aires with my mom that is visiting me. Good news in a mail. Sold a t-shirt via my Etsy Shop to Warszawa, Poland (how exciting is that?). And ran 10K :)

Carlos Cruz-Diez

2011-11-11T15:46:00.001-03:00

No Venezuelan artist has studied the color as Carlos Cruz-Diez. He is some sort of genius that made vital contributions to a theory and practice of color within kinetic art. I've just had the chance to see the exhibition of his life-time work in the Malba in Buenos Aires and being Venezuelan it moved me a lot. I'm use to his art. I used to see Cruz-Diez pieces in the streets of Caracas when I was growing up.

This exhibition called Carlos Cruz-Diez: Color in Space and Time, was originally curated by the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and is going to be in Buenos Aires until March next year. Probably it will travel the world afterwards, so if you happen to bump into it, don't miss it!

Ningún artista venezolano ha hecho un estudio tan exhaustivo del color como Carlos Cruz-Diez. Al ver sus obras es imposible no darse cuenta de las vitales contribuciones que este genio le hizo a la teoría y práctica del color dentro del arte cinético. Hace un par de días tuve el chance de ver una exposición de su trabajo en el Malba en Buenos Aires y me movió mucho encontrarme con su obra porque este es el arte con el que crecí, el que veía en las calles de Caracas cuando era pequeña, el que me despide en el aeropuerto cuando me voy.

La exhibición se llama Carlos Cruz-Diez: El color en el espacio y en el tiempo, y fue originalmente curada por el Museum of Fine Arts de Houston. Va a estar en Buenos Aires hasta marzo y luego, me imagino, que cotinuará su recorrido en otros museos del mundo, así que si por casualidad llega a su museo local, por favor no se la pierdan.

PS. This is a nice post for 11/11/11 don't you think?

Seven Bar Jokes

2011-11-10T21:42:00.001-03:00

Seven Bar Jokes Involving Grammar and Punctuation

By Eric K. Auld

- - - -

1. A comma splice walks into a bar, it has a drink and then leaves.

2. A dangling modifier walks into a bar. After finishing a drink, the bartender asks it to leave.

3. A question mark walks into a bar?

4. Two quotation marks “walk into” a bar.

5. A gerund and an infinitive walk into a bar, drinking to drink.

6. The bar was walked into by the passive voice.

7. Three intransitive verbs walk into a bar. They sit. They drink. They leave.

Even though I must confess that I don't understand the first two jokes (now you probably know why I make the mistakes I make when I write in English), I think this whole thing is genius. Equally brilliant are most of the texts that you can find in Timothy McSweeney's Internet Tendency. If you're up to some cool way of procrastinating, definitely have a look, is worth it.

Here's another story about a guy that walks into a bar ;)

Le People

2011-11-09T15:44:00.001-03:00

Le people dans Paris... and a monkey.

Today I've been listening to Gruff Rhys and loving it.

I didn't know you, but you felt like a friend.

The Big Bad Wolf

2011-11-05T16:37:00.000-03:00

Like the song, but pretty. A new Treasury List I made on Etsy.

Have a look by clicking on the image! :)

London Bus Tour

2011-11-04T17:55:00.001-03:00

Simple yet full of very nice images and well edited with a super ideal tune from Ratatat, Moritz Oberholzer's London Bus Tour is the kind of video that make me think: why didn't I come out with something cool like that? I hope you like it.

I'm off to a Festival. The Strokes, Broken Social Scene, Goldfrapp, Beady Eye and some other cool bands awaits. A nice way to start the weekend, regardless of the non-stopping rain!

Happy Friday everyone! x

Food Memories From My Holidays

2011-11-03T22:10:00.000-03:00

Byron in South Kensington. Dinner with Lorena. Tasty hamburgers, super cold beer.

These nachos were our appetizers.

Scandinavian food in a place in Soho, London. I can't remember the name,

I went there with Osiris and Vanessa.

Lots of sushi in Okirama in Paris. My first night visiting my friend Danielle.

A perfect pic-nic in the Eiffel Tower with Danielle, a baguete, a Camembert,

olives and a bottle of wine.

Back from Paris. Dinner at home with more cheese!

The meal I want to have all the Sundays of my life: Sunday Roast

at The Jolly Butchers in Stoke Newington.

Fish and Chips. Of course.

A typical English Breakfast. Complete. Delicious. This was in Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

Mackerel fish with cream cheese (Chris's recipe) and king prawns salad with Red Stripe (yeah!). Lunch in the garden.

Bi Bim Bap in Bi Bim Bap Soho. I so love Korean food.

Everytime I see a food post on Sandra Juto's blog I get both hungry and happy, so I though I can share my food memories with you all. The photos are not that pretty because they are from my Blackberry, but seeing all this dishes together definitely made me remember some very nice moments, and also got me both hungry and happy, so at least speaking for myself only, the mission of this post is accomplished.

The Beginning is Near

2011-10-31T15:31:00.000-03:00

This is my last design: The Beginning is Near. If the end is near, as the prophecies, Anonymous, and the beard guy in the corner said is near, well, a new beginning is near too... and personally I rather focus on that. For me 2012 hopefully is going to be a year full of changes and beginnings (fingers crossed).

If you like this tote bag, that's a very good news, and if you desperately want to buy one, is a better one and you can do it in my Etsy Shop clicking here.

Sundays

2011-10-30T11:33:00.001-03:00

One thing I really love about Sundays is that you get to have an endless breakfast. At least I know I can and I do, like have some fruits really early in the morning with a cup of tea, and gradually during the day keep on having different breakfast dishes: pancakes, toasts, arepas, eggs, you name it... I love all kinds of breakfast food. As I write these lines I'm actually finishing my second breakfast :)

As a soundtrack of this Sunday I've been listening to Ruby and the Rib Cage. Ruby is a friend of some friends but I never have had the chance to hear her music until now. This morning I've discovered her Soundcloud and really like what I heard. Check it out, you can find three nice tunes for today :)

Horror - Live Demo by RubyandtheRibCage

London according to my BB (I)

2011-10-29T15:17:00.002-03:00

My temporary homes sweet homes and some scenes from the streets,

like Billy Elliot being hit by a taxi. That's London.

As soundtrack of this post a song that's been in my mind this whole week :)

Abney Park Cemetery

2011-10-28T18:53:00.000-03:00

In Halloween mood, but in a country where there's no Halloween, I decided to post the expired fisheye photos I took in Abney Park Cemetery, a really nice place in Stoke Newington. Is more a park than a spooky place. It used to be one of the ‘magnificent seven’ garden cemeteries of London, now is a space surprisingly lovely, regardless of the fact that it is mainly a cemetery, that offers their visitors a wide range of activities, from workshops, a training center, an abandoned church and lot of quiet spots to read, run, make a picnic, a concert, an expo, a photoshoot or a movie.

Have a nice weekend everyone :)

Anarchy in the UK

2011-10-27T19:01:00.000-03:00

Silly, I know, but it made me laugh.

Via my friend Luis and The Curious Brain.

You Can Leave Your Hat On!

2011-10-26T20:59:00.000-03:00

My new Treasury List on Etsy. Have a look by clicking on the image :)

Holga in Paris

2011-10-25T10:41:00.000-03:00

I have a friend that used to say that the holidays are not over until the last photos are developed. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I keep taking film pictures.

This are some of the photos that Holguita, my friend Danielle and I took in Paris this summer. Hope you like them.

Tobacco Factory

2011-10-22T10:16:00.000-03:00

Back in July when I was in Bristol I have the opportunity to visit a lovely Sunday Market in the Tobacco Factory in Raleigh Road. There was a lot fresh and delicious food as well as plants, books, vinyls, vintage clothes and super nice people willing to give you a taste of their lovely dishes.

We bought 'falapples' a delicious recipe created for Jabob that mixes, as you probably imagine, falafel and apples, we also tried the falafels with tomato and the hummus, everything was amazingly good. We got carried away and end up buying lots of cheese and chutneys (the onion marmalade was my favorite one) for sharing with friends and to finish our time in the market we shared a nice pie from the popular Pie Minister.

The Sunday Market has its own Facebook Page and the Tobbaco Factory, that also serves as a café and a venue for cultural events, is having soon a 10 Year Anniversary Celebration, you can see the details of the event here. So if you happen to be in Bristol don't miss any of this, you're in for a treat :)

Fish & Chips

2011-10-18T22:01:00.000-03:00

Soho, Central London. June, 2011.

I've just received a mail from Society6 saying that one of my photos, the one above of course, is been promoted to appear in their shop. Even though I'm not sure on how this site works, these are definitely good news, so yay!

If I have to guess I would say that the charm of this photo is the look and smile of the gentleman that staring right at the camera, don't you think?

And well, since we're on it, if you want to see my recently created profile on Society6 please click here :)

RIP: A Remix Manifesto

2011-10-17T21:57:00.001-03:00

Recommended by my friend Carola I started to see the documentary RIP: A Remix Manifesto, a very interesting exploration on the extents of intellectual property on the digital era, and on the music and style of Girl Talk, a mashup artist that I really enjoy. The documentary was made by Brett Gaylor and consistently can be watch for free on You Tube.

Whether you believe in Copyright or Copyleft or whatever I think is a very interest piece that you can definitely enjoy.

The documentary You Tube Channel is here. And Girl Talk's last album here. Go get'em!

-

PS. I finally saw Ray last night, and I loved the movie. If you haven't seen it already is another good film plan.

Foggy Sunday

2011-10-16T18:19:00.001-03:00

(Photo taken with my extremely low-res Blackberry camera, but you get the idea, don't you?)

This Sunday it's been absolutely weird. The volcanic ashes from the Chilean volcano Pehueye are back in the Buenos Aires' sky turning it into a foggy white shinny screen that makes everything looks pale. I went out for a tea and I felt like in the early minutes of a low-budget terror movie.

So I came back to the house where I've been working a little bit, listening to James Blake, reading a couple of good books and later I'm going to see Ray, I don't know why I never saw that movie, everybody said is really good. Let's see.

Hope you've enjoyed your weekend. Mine it's been quiet but good :)

Five Years Time

2011-10-14T14:19:00.001-03:00

Today is the birthday of my little brand Objetitos... it's FIVE years now! That's a lot, or it feels that way, so I'm making a giveaway in the Facebook page. Click on the photo to go to the post on the page and like it or leave a comment to participate... join the little Objetitos party!!!

Noah and the Whale - "5 Years Time" por cherrytreerecords

Stokey on the sole of my shoes

2011-10-13T14:48:00.002-03:00

1. Stoke Newington High Street.

2. Church Street. Shillelag, an Irish Pub.

3. Antique Store in... I'll say... Defoe Road.

This week I've been using my wellies a lot because it's been cold, grey and rainy around here... impossible not to think of London and specially on my favorite neighborhood the N16.

Today also happens to be Paul Simon's birthday, so lots of happiness to him, and to everyone. Enjoy the song he shared in his FB page.

Paul Simon - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes by Legacy Recordings

Summer in Film (II)

2011-10-10T15:00:00.002-03:00

Lyme Regis, Durdle Door and Budleigh Salterton. UK I miss you.

Morning Thoughts

2011-10-07T14:40:00.001-03:00

Trapped between sleep and consciousness.

A new Treasury List I made in my Etsy Shop. Have a look clicking on the image :)

Summer in Film (I)

2011-10-06T18:34:00.000-03:00

There's something about film photos. About their texture, their colors, their grain, their everything. They are perfectly imperfect. There's also something about the waiting, for me specially I reckon. I usually wait a long time to develop my film pictures, not for any particular reason but my usual distraction. It takes me ages to take the reels to the photo shop, and some more ages to pick them up. In the meantime I usually forget what's on the reels, so when I finally got the photos I end up with a handful of surprises.

Some photos arrive just in time to color your day with beautiful memories. Some photos are like a delayed mini epiphany that arrive a little too late and that's part of their perfect imperfection.

Well, I said too much, except that this photos belong to the gorgeous towns of Sidmouth, Lyme Regis and Durdle Door in the wonderful West Country in England.

PS: I know that I took one too many photos of that Mr. Whippy, but come on, look at it, is the most beautiful ice-cream ever, isn't it?

Waking Up

2011-10-06T11:46:00.001-03:00

Waking up is a parachute jump from dreams.
Free of the suffocating turbulence the traveler
sinks toward the green zone of morning.

Prelude (fragment). 1954

Tomas Tranströmer.
Winner of the Literature Nobel Prize 2011.

Full article in the NYTimes.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

2011-10-05T22:43:00.001-03:00

Of all the things that are being said right now about Steve Jobs I really like to remember the speech he gave in Stanford in 2005 named How to Live Before You Die, here are some extracts:

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

(...)

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

(...)

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Watch it here. Read it here. Bye Steve and thanks a lot for everything.

Mambrú

2011-10-04T11:50:00.000-03:00

Cuando era pequeña había una popular canción infantil que decía: Mambrú se fue a la guerra, qué dolor, qué dolor, qué pena, Mambrú se fue a la guerra y no sé cuándo vendrá... do-re-mi, do-re-fa, no sé cuándo vendrá. Eso es más o menos todo lo que la gente recuerda de la canción, pero resulta que la historia es bastante más larga, triste e incluso poco apta para niños. Resulta que a Mambrú lo llaman a la guerra el día de su boda y es su prometida quien lo espera para la Pascua o para Navidad, pero Mambrú muere en la batalla...

Que Mambrú ya se ha muerto, ¡qué dolor, qué dolor, qué entuerto!, que Mambrú ya se ha muerto, lo llevan a enterrar... do-re-mi, do-re-fa, lo llevan a enterrar.

Lo más interesante de todo esto es que gracias a la mamá de una amiga descubrí que Mambrú es un personaje real: John Churchill, Primer Duque de Marlborough, a quien se creyó muerto durante la batalla de Malplaquet (1709) en la que se enfrentaban Francia y Gran Bretaña durante la Guerra de Sucesión Española. De Malrborough eventualmente llegamos a Mambrú, bastante más fácil de pronunciar obviamente.

La letra y la alegre melodía fue compuesta por los franceses para quién Mambrú, su enemigo en la batalla, era un personaje siniestro y antipático y por eso su muerte, aunque falsa, fue razón de burla y alegría. Originalmente se llamó Marlbrough s'en va-t-en guerre o Mort et convoi de l'invincible Marlbrough (Muerte y entierro de Marlbrough el invencible). Más info aqui y un video de la popular canción francesa aqui.

Sun Day In The Park

2011-10-02T23:17:00.001-03:00

We too have our Indian Summer in here :)

Everything goes my way

2011-10-01T12:43:00.000-03:00

Metronomy - Everything Goes My Way por metronomyUK

This is the perfect song to start the Saturday, the month, the last trimester of the year and the rest of your life.

Lovely video too. You gotta love Metronomy.

30 de septiembre (!)

2011-09-30T19:18:00.000-03:00

September is over, I just can't believe it. There are moments in life when you can feel every minute ticking, there are others when you just keep bumping into the calendar with the same surprise face every other month. I have no idea what that could mean except that time and our perception of it is a mystery, and so are neutrinos (by now).

I'm gonna stop trying to think deep thoughts and I'm just gonna go to the movies to see The Tree of Life (not very light I know) and eat popcorn. Happy weekend everyone, specially for Bader, Luis and the lovely Gabina :)

With No Hands

2011-09-29T17:11:00.000-03:00

Truly lovely happy video. A professional display of 50 No Handed Bike Moves* performed to "Golden Tree" by Martin Brooks, directed by Ninian Doff and found in the wonderful page Is Nice That.

I want a bike and learn how to do the MGM Lion, the Royal Wave, the Oscar Acceptance Speech and the Venus... you? :)

*approved by the Official Federation of No Handed Bikes Skills™

Pin up!

2011-09-28T09:47:00.000-03:00

Trying new things with my badges, mixing some new and old phrases with my doodles. Soon to be in the shop :) How do you like them? Please leave a comment!

Ephemeral

2011-09-26T22:40:00.000-03:00

Ephemeral things (from Greek εφήμερος – ephemeros, literally "lasting only one day"^[1]) are transitory, existing only briefly. Typically the term is used to describe objects found in nature, although it can describe a wide range of things.

Sigh

2011-09-23T15:45:00.000-03:00

Just that.

Well not just that, who am I kidding? Also a couple of interesting articles in The Guardian to read, one about books, the other one about neutrinos. Have a nice weekend and wish me luck tomorrow!

Spring / Sprang / Sprung

2011-09-21T21:50:00.000-03:00

Professional procrastinators don't have the strength to keep their no-blogging promises, furthermore in a beautiful Buenos Aires' sunny spring day like this.

Spring & Autumn

2011-09-21T09:25:00.000-03:00

I know that I say that I probably won't blog this week. Well, today I couldn't help it because is Spring & Autumn Day, my two favorite seasons. I want to share with you a mixtape I made. Click on the illustration to listen to it and have an amazing day everyone! x

Time Out

2011-09-20T15:15:00.002-03:00

Don't you ever have that feeling that sometimes you have a lot of free time and then all of a sudden you're drowning in deadlines and thousands of things to do, I reckon is a freelance thing. Well, I'm drowning this week. I have a lot of work to do and I'll be taking the IELTS test this Saturday (wish me luck), so I won't have to much time for blogging, well I shouldn't at least. Let's see how it goes, but in case I won't appear around here soon, you know that I'm around, going crazy. xxx

Photo is from the soon-to-be building of my very best friend Danielle in Paris :)

Music Monday: James Blake

2011-09-19T10:02:00.000-03:00

There’s a limit to your love
Like a waterfall in slow motion
Like a map with no ocean
There’s a limit to your love.

Muy buenos días y buen lunes para todos. Qué buena música para empezar la semana.

Good morning and good Monday to everyone. Such a lovely music to start the week!

Happy Friday

2011-09-16T11:05:00.001-03:00

One of the few things you miss when you're working as a freelance is the Friday happiness. Since everyday is pretty much the same, you usually forget what day it is and Fridays passes by without any glory. So looking for reasons to celebrate I discovered that I have quite a few, I've been invited to be a regular collaborator of Mono Magazine and gotta send my article today. Also tonight is the releasing party of the 8th number of 7Capas the skate magazine I collaborate with as a sort of Style Editor. Happy friday it is!

Photos belong to the usually girls-day-out brunch I try to do every month (every other month, once a year maybe?) with my friends Daniela and Lara and to the book I've started to read yesterday: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

A suitable soundtrack for this post, since is the music I'm listening right this instant, is the latest Kasabian album that you can hear on stream on The Guardian page.

Have a good weekend everyone! x

OCD

2011-09-14T11:11:00.000-03:00

The Swiss artist Ursus Wehrli demonstrates that OCD can be a rather amazing visual exercise. You can see this in his book Kunst Aufräumen where he shows "die ganze Welt in Ordnung", the whole world in order.

If your obsession, whatever that is, can deliver such beautiful images, I definitely would encourage you to love it, live it and share it with the world! x

Found via Jeannie-Jeannie.