Happy Leap Day

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.

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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

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)

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

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

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

Paris in B&W

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

"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.


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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

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

"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

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

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

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

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