Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Not the best time to enjoy a New Orleans Hurricane cocktail, I'm afraid! Best wishes to all in Louisiana and Mississippi. I loved it when we visited those states and wouldn't mind going back!

No es, precisamente, el mejor momento para disfrutar del tipico cocktail Huracan de Nueva Orleans ! Mis mejores deseos para los ciudadanos de los estados de Louisiana y Mississippi, dos estados que he visitado y a los que me encantaria volver!

The weather today:
Cloudy
23C
UV Index: 1 Low
Wind: From the South at 1 mph
Dew Point: 16C
Humidity:65%
Visibility: 5 miles
Barometer: 1,008.1 mb

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Quoting from The Guardian's article : Young think "Isas" are Ipod accesories . "More than one in ten young people think an Isa ((Individual Savings Account) - savings account with tax benefits. Savings can be made through cash deposits, stocks and shares or insurance) is an accessory for an iPod, while many adults admit they would rather read the back of a cereal packet than their financial mail, according to research released today.[...] A survey of 1,000 adults, carried out by communications company Docucorp, found that three-quarters were so turned off by information on mortgages, pensions, insurance and bank accounts that they would prefer to read the ingredients panel on a cornflakes box instead".

I agree. I am always mesmerized by the ingredients panel while eating cereal! Banks should learn their marketing strategies from Kelloggs!<
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Cito de The Guardian el articulo : Los jovenes creen que las "Isas" son accesorios para el Ipod . "Mas de uno entre cada diez jovenes piensa que una Isa ( en ingles,Individual Savings Account - cuenta de ahorro con beneficios fiscales) es un accesorio para el Ipod, mientras que muchos adultos admiten que preferirian leer el reverso de un paquete de cereales que cartas del banco o relacionadas con sus finanzas, segun un estudio publicado hoy. [...] Un estudio realizado entre 1000 adultos por la compania de comunicaciones Docucorp, revela que 3/4 de los encuestados encuentran tan aburrida la informacion sobre hipotecas, pensiones, seguros y cuentas bancarias que, si les dieran a elegir, leerian en su lugar la tabla de ingredientes en un paquete de cereales".

Completamente de acuerdo. El texto de los paquetes de cereales es hipnotico y adictivo! Que aprendan los bancos de la Kelloggs!

The weather today:
Partly Cloudy
23C
UV Index:3 Moderate
Wind: From the Southeast at 10 mph
Dew Point:16C
Humidity: 64%
Visibility: 10 miles
Barometer: 1,021.0 mb

Friday, August 26, 2005




Closed for long bank holiday weekend from Friday 26 August to Monday 29 August (both inclusive). We are going to the Champagne in France!


Cerrado por fin de semana largo del viernes 26 al lunes 29 de Agosto (ambos inclusive). Nos vamos a la Champagne en Francia!

The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy and Windy
17C
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Wind: From the West Southwest at 22 mph
Dew Point:11C
Humidity: 64%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,014.6 mb

 

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

As promised!! I'll post about.... My favourite washing-up liquid. It is Fairy . A bit predictable, I know. But there was a time, in the mid-eighties, when Fairy arrived in Spain and it was mostly unknown, expensive and it took a while to catch on. My mum bought it, tried it and was a faithful customer from then on. Now Marketing students pay attention to this detail, because this is real proof that fidelity can be passed from generation to generation. Unfortunately for the manufacturers, it can also be lost for the older generation, which is generally considered more conservative but in fact, it is not! My mum decided to change to Froggy because Fairy made her sneeze (click on the links to know why!).


Lo prometido es deuda y hoy posteare sobre... mi detergente lavavajillas preferido. Es Fairy . Nada del otro mundo, ya veis. Pero a mediados de los 80, cuando Fairy llego a Espania, era el gran desconocido y mas bien caro. Costo un tiempo y gran cantidad de anuncios en television el que Fairy se convirtiera en el detergente mas popular. Recuerdo que mi madre lo compro, lo probo y se convirtio en consumidora fiel por mucho tiempo. Atencion, estudiantes de marketing, no os perdais este detalle porque es prueba de que la fidelidad del cliente se transmite de generacion en generacion. Lamentablemente para los fabricantes, nuestro caso tambien viene a demostrar que la primera generacion, que se supone mas conservadora, no lo es tanto y pierde su fidelidad sin problemas. Justo lo que ocurrio con mi madre, que se paso a Froggy porque Fairy la hacia estornudar. Haced click en los links y vereis el por que!


The weather today:
Rain
15C
UV Index:2 Low
Wind: From the South Southwest at 17 mph
Dew Point: 14C
Humidity: 94%
Visibility:6 miles
Barometer: 1,005.1 mb

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Now I've started with product recommendations and this blog is really degenerating into I don't know what, let's talk about contact lenses. Do you wear contact lenses? Are you happy with them? Wouldn't you like to wear them all the time? Night and Day? Well you know what? You can. In fact, it has been possible for several years. I have been wearing Focus Night&Day contact lenses since 2001 and I am very happy with them. I have had no problems at all. No sensitivity, no infections, no dry eyes. Yes, that's what I said. I wear my contact lenses all the time. I sleep with my contact lenses. Since 2001. Obviously, it is not the same pair I bought in 2001!! I change them every month, that's all. One night every month I sleep without contact lenses. My eyes are all right. IN fact, my eyes have never been better. Because every time you take your contact lenses off, you touch your eyes with your fingers. Your contact lenses go in and out of your eyes, you touch them, you clean them. With all this touching and cleaning, there is more possibility of infection. Me, I don't have any infections, conjuntivitis, anything at all. Because I only touch my eyes and my contact lenses once a month. In fact, this Night&Day contact lenses are better than your usual contact lenses. Your eyes breathe through them!
Yes, they are more expensive than normal contact lenses. But think of the advantages. Waking up in the middle of the night and....miracle of miracles! you can see! Oh, and think all the money you will save not having to buy any cleansing liquids ever again. As I said I have been wearing this type of contact lenses since 2001 without any trouble at all. That's why I am always amazed at people not knowing about them or opticians not reccommending them to everybody. Try them, they will change your life.

And tomorrow... I'll talk my favourite washing up liquid!


Ya que he empezado a recomendar productos y este blog esta degenerando en algo indescriptible, me parece que ya es hora de hablar de lentes de contacto. Llevas lentes de contacto? No te gustaria llevarlas siempre puestas? De dia y de noche? Pues sabes que? Puedes. De hecho, es posible desde hace ya anios. Llevo las Focus Night & Day desde el 2001 y bien content@ que estoy con ellas. No he tenido ningun problema. Las llevo siempre. Duermo con ellas. Evidentemente, no son las mismas que compre en el 2001! Las cambio cada mes. Una noche al mes duermo sin lentes de contacto. Al dia siguiente, me pongo el nuevo par. Y venga! A olvidarse hasta el mes siguiente. Y mis ojos bien, gracias. De hecho, nunca han estado mejor de salud. Porque, piensalo, cada vez que te quitas y te pones las lentes de contacto, tus dedos estan en contacto con la lente y el ojo. Por mucho que limpies y limpies, siempre hay posibilidad de infeccion. Yo no tengo infecciones, conjuntivitis, nada de nada. Porque solo toco los ojos y las lentes de contacto una vez al mes. Y mis ojos respiran a traves de la lente de contacto, porque ese es el principio que permite llevarlas de dia y de noche. Con lentes de contacto normales, los ojos casi no reciben ventilacion.
Si que hay que remarcar que son mas caras que las lentes de contacto normales. Pero piensa en las ventajas. Te despiertas a medianoche y...milagro! puedes ver! Ah, y se acabo el fastidio de comprar liquidos limpiadores y conservadores. Nunca mas!
Como antes decia, llevo este tipo de lentes de contacto desde el 2001. Y sigue sorprendiendome que otros usuarios de lentes de contacto no sepan que estas lentillas existen. Y que sus oftalmologos no se las recomienden. Me huele a algun interes comercial por su parte, porque si no, no lo entiendo. Tu pruebalas. Ya veras que diferencia.

Ah y maniana.... hablaremos de mi liquido para lavar los platos preferido!


The weather today:
Partly Cloudy
21C
UV Index: 3 Moderate
Wind: From the West Southwest at 14 mph
Dew Point: 12C
Humidity: 53%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,017.9 mb






Monday, August 22, 2005

A mouthwash without alcohol, with appealing taste and colour and which really works? Try Dentyl and you will notice the difference. I don't suffer from bad breath. I have not been paid by Dentyl, either. It's just that I tried and I could really see how this product cleaned my mouth, much better than any other traditional mouthwash. Quoting Dentyl's website : "Dentyl pH is unique. Shake vigorously to physically activate the two-phases. When you swish and gargle, the advanced formula moves around the mouth powerfully attracting, lifting and absorbing the bacteria and debris that cause bad breath, plaque and gum disease up to 18 hours in a single use. Rinse out and you will see what has been removed - proof that it really works".
I saw what was removed! I saw it!! I am converted to Dentyl!!

Un liquido de enjuague bucal sin alcohol, con sabor y color atractivo y realmente efectivo? Olvidate de las marcas tradicionales y prueba Dentyl . No sufro de halitosis y los de Dentyl no me han pagado para hacerles publicidad. Simplemente es que es el primer enjuague bucal que pruebo que realmente funciona. Cito de la pagina web de Dentyl : "Dentyl Ph es unico. Agite la botella para activar los dos componentes. Al enjuagarse la boca con Dentyl, su formula unica atrae y absorbe las bacterias y particulas que causan halitosis, placa y gingivitis hasta un maximo de 18 horas. Vea las particulas desechadas al terminar su enjuague bucal - prueba fisica de que realmente funciona". Las vi, las vi! Me han convertido!

The weather today:
Cloudy
18C
UV Index: 1 Low
Wind: From the West Southwest at 17 mph
Dew Point: 18C
Humidity: 97%
Visibility: 3 miles
Barometer: 1,014.6 mb

Thursday, August 18, 2005

We are going to the World Mystery Forum on the 4th and 5th November in Interlaken, Switzerland. Quoting the Forum's website : "Every year from 2004, the WORLD MYSTERY FORUM will make Interlaken and the Mystery Park the international centre of research, controversial discussion and encounters concerning the great mysteries of this world. Experts will face the public and revolutionary discoveries come under scrutiny. The focus will be on questions, answers, communication and interaction". The Forum and Mystery Park are Erich von Daniken's (the controversial author who first came up with the idea that the ancient gods may have been ETs visiting Earth and the Nazca lines a space-port) creation. We thought it was quite an interesting idea attending a forum where teleportation, space travel and lost civilizations are discussed... in a pseudo-theme park....in Switzerland. Who said the Swiss were boring and only good at cuckoo watches, chocolate and army knives?


Los dias 4 y 5 de Noviembre asistiremos al World Mystery Forum en Interlaken, Suiza. Cito de la pagina web del Forum : "Cada anio, empezando en el 2004, tendra lugar el WORLD MYSTERY FORUM en el parque tematico Mystery Park de Interlaken. Con ello queremos conseguir un punto convergente de investigacion internacional, con debates sobre temas controvertidos y encuentros sobre los grandes misterios del mundo. Los expertos responderan a preguntas del publico y los descubrimientos revolucionarios se ofreceran para el escrutinio de los asistentes. La base del forum sera las preguntas, respuestas, comunicacion e interaccion". Para vuestra informacion y por si clarifica un poco mas el tema, el Forum y el Mystery Park son creacion del controvertido autor Erich von Daniken (si, el von Daniken que tuvo la idea de que los antiguos dioses podrian haber sido extraterrestres visitando nuestro planeta y que las lineas en Nazca son, en realidad, un aeropuerto para naves espaciales). Se nos ocurrio que podria ser una idea 'muy interesante' esto de asistir a un Forum sobre temas como la teletransportacion, los viajes espaciales y las civilizaciones perdidas... en un pseudo-parque tematico... en Suiza! Quien dijo que los suizos eran aburridos y solo eran capaces de producir relojes de cuco, chocolate y navajas multi-uso?


The weather today:
Fair
26C
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Wind: From the Southwest at 3 mph
Dew Point:13C
Humidity: 44%
Visibility:6 miles
Barometer: 1,011.9 mb

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Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Which Fantasy/SciFi Character Are You?

Which Fantasy/Sci-Fi character are you? Click on the photo above to go to the questionnaire.

"With good intentions but misunderstood motives, you are a hardy, if somewhat unreliable, companion.
I ask only for the strength to defend my people! Boromir is a character in the Middle-Earth universe."


Que personaje de Fantasia/Ciencia Ficcion eres? Click en la foto de arriba para ir al cuestionario.

"Con buenas intenciones pero motivos mal entendidos, eres un companiero resistente aunque a veces es dificil confiar en ti. Dadme fuerzas para defender a mi gente!
Boromir es un personaje en el mundo de la Tierra Media."

 
I have added Permalinks to this blog. Now if they were to work....

Acabo de aniadir Permalinks al blog. Ahora solo falta que funcionen, claro....

The weather today:
Sunny
21C
UV Index:5 Moderate
Wind: From the South Southeast at 13 mph
Dew Point: 16C
Humidity: 70%
Visibility: 5 miles

 

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

The formula to discover if you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) according to the experts. This quick and simple test can be done by all of us at home to help us realise if we are really suffering from SAD and consequently, seek our GPs advice, instead of suffering in silence thinking we may just be imagining depression.

X = a x ( (24 - b) x (c+d+e) + f x (g+h+i) ).

X = Susceptibility to winter blues

a = Inherent vulnerability (pick the following which best applies to you):
If there is no history of depression in your family score 1 point
History of depression yourself or in your family score 2 points
History of depression yourself and in your family score 3 points

b = Approx. number of hours of daylight in winter where you live (min 6 hours)

c = Psychological effect of leaving home/office each day in the dark
Score 0 if you leave home and return each day in daylight (or if this question does not apply to you because you do not work or you work from home)
Score 2 points if you either leave the house or return home from work in the dark
Score 4 points if you both leave the house and return from work in the dark

d = Work conditions
Rate your working conditions in terms of light contact from 0 - 4 where:
0 - maximum amount of natural light - for example you work outside or in a light office with large windows etc.
4 - minimum amount of natural light - for example, you work long hours in a basement or a space with no windows and very little light

e = Home conditions
Rate your home conditions in terms of light contact on a scale of 0 - 4 where:
0 - maximum amount of natural light - for example, you live in an airy house with large windows
4 - minimum amount of natural light - for example, you live in a basement flat with no windows

f = Stress
Rate your general stress levels on a scale of 1 - 5, where:
1 - Very relaxed
5 - Very stressed

g = Sociability
Rate your level of daily social contact on a scale of 0-4 where:
0 - You very often socialise or seek entertainment outside the home
4 - You very rarely, if ever socialise outside of work

h = Exercise
Rate how frequently you exercise on a scale of 0-4 where:
0 - Exercise more than 4 times a week
4 - Never exercise

i = Diet
Rate the quality of diet on a scale of 0-4 where:
0 - Very healthy and balanced diet
4 - Very unhealthy diet with lots of stodgy processed food

Score scale = 0 - 828, where 0 is a very limited susceptibility to winter blues and 800 is a very high chance of suffering from winter blues.

Zero to 100 = you're very unlikely to suffer winter blues
100 to 300 = you may suffer mild to moderate symptoms
300 to 600 = you're at risk of symptoms severe enough to affect your quality of life
600 to 800 = you have a very high risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder and should seek medical help


I can't believe I ony scored 82 and everybody knows I am always (more) grumpy and tired in winter. Then again... everybody knows I was never good at Maths!




Aqui esta la formula matematica, segun los expertos, para calcular si padecemos de TAE (Trastorno Afectivo Estacional), esa melancolia depresiva que nos afecta en invierno, debido a la falta de luz natural. Esta formula, que cualquiera puede calcular en cinco minutos en su propia casa, nos puede ayudar al darnos cuenta de que estamos padeciendo una autentica enfermedad y no solo imaginaciones nuestras y, en consecuencia, solicitar la opinion y consejo de nuestro medico de cabecera:

X = a x ( (24 - b) x (c+d+e) + f x (g+h+i) )

X = Susceptibilidad de padecer SAD

a = Vulnerabilidad inherente (escoge la que mejor se aplique a tu caso):
No hay historial depresivo en tu familia, 1 punto
Hay historial depresivo en la familia o la has padecido tu mism@, 2 puntos
Hay historial depresivo en la familia y ademas la has padecido tu mism@, 3 puntos

b = Numero aproximado de horas de luz natural en invierno en la zona donde vives (minimo de 6 horas)

c = Efecto psicologico de salir a oscuras de casa/trabajo cada dia
0 puntos si sales y vuelves de casa cada dia con luz natural (o si esta pregunta no se te aplica porque no trabajas o trabajas desde casa)
2 puntos si sales o vuelves a casa del trabajo sin luz natural
4 puntos si sales y vuelves a casa del trabajo sin luz natural

d = Condiciones laborales
Califica en una escala de 1 a 4 tus condiciones laborales en terminos de luz natural considerando que:
0 - el maximo de luz natural - por ejemplo trabajas al aire libre o en una oficina con ventanas grandes, etc.
4 - el minimo de luz natural - por ejemplo, trabajas a jornada completa en un sotano o espacio sin luz natural y con poca luz artificial.

e = Condiciones del hogar
Califica en una escala de 1 a 4 las condiciones de tu hogar en terminos de luz natural considerando que:
0 - el maximo de luz natural - por ejemplo, vives en una casa con grandes ventanas y mucha luz natural.
4 - el minimo de luz natural - por ejemplo, vives en una planta baja sin ventanas

f = Stress
Califica tu nivel general de estress en una escala del 1 al 5 donde:
1 - Muy relajado
5 - Muy estresado

g = Sociabilidad
Califica tu nivel de sociabilidad diaria en una escala del 1 al 4 donde:
0 - Tienes mucho contacto social o sales mucho de casa
4 - Casi nunca tienes contacto social fuera del trabajo.

h = Deporte
Califica la frecuencia en que realizas ejercicio fisico en una escala del 1 al 4 donde:
0 - Haces deporte mas de 4 veces por semana
4 - Nunca practicas ningun deporte

i = Alimentacion
Califica la calidad de tu alimentacion en una escala del 1 al 4 donde:
0 - Alimentacion sana y equilibrada
4 - Alimentacion muy pobre con mucha comida congelada y precocinada.

Los resultados variaran entre 0 y 828, donde 0 indica susceptibilidad minima al SAD (depresion invernal) y 800 indica gran probabilidad de sufrir SAD.

Cero a 100 = es muy improbable que sufras de TAE.
100 a 300 = puedes sufrir de sintomas leves a moderados.
300 a 600 = puedes sufrir sintomas suficientemente severos como para afectar tu calidad de vida.
600 a 800 = corres el riesgo de sufrir TAE y seria aconsejable que consultaras con tu medico de cabecera.

Lo que no entiendo es como me da un resultado de 82 si es de tod@s conocido que en invierno me siento totalmente falt@ de energia y tengo bastante (mas) mal humor de lo habitual! Claro que tambien es de tod@s conocido que SIEMPRE suspendi las Matematicas!!!


The weather today:
loudy
21C
UV Index:6 High
Wind: From the South Southeast at 10 mph
Dew Point: 16C
Humidity:74%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,021.3 mb

Monday, August 15, 2005

Join us in the attempt to drive planet Earth a new orbit, by letting millions of people jump says the World Jump Day 2006 website. D Day will be 20th July 2006. Check on the website for your local time. You can even register on the website to receive a reminder before the D Day. On the actual Day, just look for a hard surface and make sure you jump at the right time. It may work! And if it doesn't, who cares, we are here for a laugh, arent' we?


Unete a nuestro intento de darle al planeta Tierra una nueva orbita mediante el salto coordinado de miles de personas, dice la pagina web del World Jump Day 2006 (en ingles, Dia del Salto Mundial 2006). El dia D sera el 20 de Julio del anio 2006. Comprueba en la pagina web la hora local para tu salto. Puedes incluso registrarte con tu email para que te envien un email recordatorio unos dias antes de la fecha senialada. Al llegar el dia y la hora, asegurate de que estas situad@ sobre una superficie dura y....salta! Quiza incluso funcione y cambiemos la orbita terrestre. Y si no funciona... que mas da, al menos nos habremos reido un rato!

The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
20C
UV Index:4 Moderate
Wind: From the Northwest at 8 mph
Dew Point: 13C
Humidity: 64%
Visibility: 6 miles
Barometer: 1,025.1 mb

Friday, August 12, 2005

I want an illuminated umbrella ! You can see how it looks inside in this review . And this blogger explains how at last he's got his wish fulfilled, years after watching a similar version of an illuminated umbrella in the film Blade Runner . I was getting my credit card out to fork off the 38 dollars for an umbrella when I realised the shop is only available for US shoppers. Snif.


Quiero un paraguas con luz ! Aqui podeis ver como funciona y como es por dentro, con fotos. Y este otro blogger nos explica que, despues de anios de ver una version similar en Blade Runner , por fin tiene su paraguas con luz. Yo iba ya a desembolsar los 38 dolares cuando me he percatado de que la tienda en cuestion solo vende en los USA. Snif.

The weather today:
Partly Cloudy
18C
UV Index: 3 Moderate
Wind: From the North Northwest at 13 mph
Dew Point: 11C
Humidity: 62%
Visibility: 10 miles
Barometer:1,014.2 mb

Thursday, August 11, 2005



In my 12/09/2003 post I explained my participating as a "dummy" candidate in a series of fake job interviews designed to train interviewers. Today I can explain what it is to sit on the other side of the desk. And this time the interviews were real. I had not even attended the interviewers training but a week ago I was asked to replace a trained interviewer in a panel for an administrative job. Today's candidates did not have any inkling that one of the panel members was a novice in the job! Luckyly, I did not fuck up! I asked my questions, took notes and after 5 hours of interviews, I sat down with the other two panel members to discuss and agree on a successful candidate. The last choice was between a hard-working little mouse and a strong ex-rebellious girl who wanted to turn a new leaf on ther life. I would have chosen the last one. I am not scared of strong ex-rebellious girls. But we chose the little mouse. Personal likings were not taken into account. The final choice was made depending on the best candidate to "fit in" the job. The little mouse will feel at home between filing cabinets and archives. The other candidate was too big for a small job. Conclusion : all the times I was rejected for a job for which I thought I was the perfect candidate... I was probably the best candidate but that was not MY perfect job. Too small for me. Just like with the strong girl's today. I wish her all the best. She really deserves it. And she will get it!



Si en mi post del 12/09/2003 explicaba mi participacion como 'conejillo de indias'- candidat@ en entrevistas de trabajo - para ayudar en los cursillos para entrevistadores que organizamos en la oficina, esta vez cuento lo que representa estar en el otro lado. Esta vez era yo un@ de l@s entrevistadores y no en un cursillo, sino en entrevistas reales para cubrir un puesto de administracion. Sin ni tan solo haber asistido al cursillo para entrevistadores, hace una semana se me propuso cubrir la vacante de un entrevistador que no podia participar en el panel de tres de esta maniana. L@s candidat@s de hoy no tenian ni idea de que era mi primera vez en ese lado de la mesa. Afortunadamente, no meti la pata. Formule mis preguntas, escuche con atencion, tome notas y al final, despues de cinco horas de entrevistas, escogimos a la candidata ideal. En eso coincidimos l@s tres miembros del panel. La eleccion final quedo entre una ratita trabajadora y una chica que pisaba fuerte y que queria dar un nuevo rumbo a su vida. Por mi, hubiera escogido a la segunda. No me dan miedo los que pisan fuerte si pisan con buen motivo. Pero escogimos a la ratita. No era cuestion de gustos personales, sino de ver quien se adaptaba mejor al puesto de trabajo. La ratita encajaba con los archivos. La otra, era demasiado grande para un puesto tan pequenio. Moraleja de la historia: esas veces en que me rechazaron para un puesto que yo creia ideal...quiza no era tan ideal como yo creia. Quiza se me quedaba pequenio. Como a la chica que pisaba fuerte, a la que deseo toda la suerte del mundo, porque se la merece. Y no dudo que tendra exito en el futuro!


The weather today:
Fair
25C
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Wind: From the South at 5 mph
Dew Point: 12C
Humidity: 44%
Visibility: 6 miles

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

I thought I had heard of all possible diets. Even the most bizzare diets. Well, I was wrong! Now there is a diet for 'good Christians' by Don M.D. Colbert, explained in the book What would Jesus eat? . It seems Dr Colbert has been studying the possible food eaten in the eastern Mediterranean area of 10AD and collated his findings in this book, which recommends wholemeal bread, fish and vegetables for a (holy?) balanced lifestyle.


Y yo que creia que ya lo habia oido todo sobre regimenes alimenticios y ahora van y me salen con otro, digamos 'especial'... Un regimen para 'buenos cristianos', por el doctor Don Colbert, explicado en su libro What would Jesus eat? (en ingles "Que comeria Jesus?"). Parece ser que el buen doctor se ha dedicado a estudiar el tipo de alimentos que posiblemente se comian en la zona del Este del Mediterraneo en el anio 10DC, y ha llegado a la conclusion de que eran, basicamente, pan integral, pescado y verduras los que garantizaban una dieta (santamente?) equilibrada.


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
23C
UV Index:4 Moderate
Wind: From the North at 5 mph
Dew Point:22C
Humidity: 93%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,015.6 mb

Tuesday, August 09, 2005



Our lunch last Saturday. Paella!
Paella is a typical Spanish dish, traditionally cooked in a "paellera" - a round flat pan with two handles - which is then put on the table for all to see and admire. It is normally cooked using shellfish but can also be made with chicken,rabbit or only vegetables. In many Spanish villages, especially in coastal areas, they use a giant paellera to cook a paella on festival days which is big enough to feed everybody. A paella is very flexible so if you don’t have the exact ingredients or if you find some of them hard to get hold of, substitute them for something similar. Getting fresh shellfish can be a problem, but you can always use frozen fish and use fish stock instead of water to increase the flavour. There are hundreds of ways to cook a paella and every cook has their own favourite recipe. This one which I found on the internet and slightly modified to my personal taste, will serve 4 people:

INGREDIENTS:
2 onions, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 red pepper, boiled until soft and then cut into long thin strips
8 medium-sized tomatoes, skinned and finely chopped
100g peas, cooked
200g prawns (if using cooked prawns substitute fish stock for the water)
200g small clams
200g squid
12 mussels
350g rice (traditionally short grain rice is used)
2 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped
a pinch of saffron strands (if you can’t get saffron, use yellow food colouring instead and add it once you have added the liquid)
a sprig of parsley, finely chopped
olive oil
about 800ml water


PREPARATION:
MUSSELS: Wash the mussels, removing the beards. Throw away any that are open or smell funny. Boil the mussels in a pot without any water until they open.
FRESH SQUID: Rub off the outer dark skin. Pull out the insides (including the transparent back bone) and pinch the eye away from the tentacles. Save the tentacles. Cut the squid into rings. Or get frozen squid rings, if fresh are not available.
CLAMS: Discard any open clams. Wash in water and boil without any water until they open.
PRAWNS: Do not peel them, let your guests do it the Spanish way, with their own fingers while they are eating the paella. Grill the prawns until they are almost cooked.
GARLIC: In a pestle and mortar, grind the garlic, saffron (if using), parsley and a pinch of salt.


RECIPE:
Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion, green pepper and fry gently for about five minutes. Add the chopped tomato and squid (with the tentacles) and fry on a low heat for another ten minutes.
Add the rice and stir well to make sure that it is thoroughly coated. Add water (or fish stock if using frozen fish), clams and the garlic/saffron/parsley mixture and bring to the boil. Season with salt. Put a lid on it, turn the heat right down and cook very slowly for about ten minutes. Add the prawns and peas and give it a stir. Arrange the mussels and strips of red pepper artistically on top, put the lid back on and leave for another ten minutes - checking that it has enough water. If you think it is getting too dry, add more water, but shake the handle of the pan rather than stir so as not to upset the pattern. Once the rice is cooked and the mussels have opened,let in rest for five minutes, covered and then it is ready to eat.


El almuerzo del sabado. Paella! Y bueno, arriba he dado la receta de la Paella en ingles. O una de las muchas recetas para preparar Paella, porque en cada casa se prepara de una manera distinta! No la traduzco porque me imagino que, si lees en castellano, ya sabes bien lo que es una Paella. Y nada...uno de mis platos preferidos y el primero que prepara mi madre cuando vuelvo a casa (por Navidad, como los turrones El Almendro, o en cualquier otra epoca del anio. A mi me da igual la epoca, la Paella siempre me va bien!).


The weather today:
Partly Cloudy
23C
UV Index: 6 High
Wind: From the West Southwest at 9 mph
Dew Point: 16C
Humidity: 64%
Visibility: Unlimited
Barometer: 1,015.9 mb

Monday, August 08, 2005

This week we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Internet's as a mass phenomenon marking "a decade since the explosive stock market debut of Netscape, which triggered the dot.com boom and unleashed a friendly browser to navigate the web". More news in this article from The Guardian.


Esta semana celebramos el decimo aniversario de la consagracion de Internet como fenomeno de masas, marcado por "una decada desde la explosiva entrada en Bolsa de Netscape, que disparo el boom del dot.com y nos puso en las manos un navegador decente para el usuario". Mas informacion en este articulo (en ingles) de The Guardian.


The weather today:
Fair
22C
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Wind: From the North Northwest at 8 mph
Dew Point: 9C
Humidity: 43%
Visibility: 6 miles
Barometer: 1,020.0 mb

Friday, August 05, 2005



"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
Mark Twain , how right were and ARE you!

El viajar es fatal para los prejuicios, el fanatismo y los puntos de mira estrechos. Mucha gente necesita viajar solo por estas razones. No se puede adquirir una mentalidad abierta, tolerante y caritativa quedandose un@ vegetando en su rinconcito del mundo para toda la vida"
Mark Twain , que razon tenias y AUN tienes!

The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy and Windy
21C
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Wind: From the West Northwest at 20 mph
Dew Point: 17C
Humidity: 80%

Thursday, August 04, 2005

As featured in The Guardian article "Mind if we don't?" the 10 trips you would REALLY want to miss...

- Hunting seals : NorSafari offers a 110GBP in which tourists can shoot a seal. Fro 650GBP, tourists can shoot as many seals as they want. As mentioned some months ago with indignation, which I share, in Ylek's Todo lo solido... se desvanece en el aire .
- Nuclear chill out: A guided tour of Chernobyl for 83 GBP.Get real close to the reactor and visit the houses at the abandonned nearby village.
- Get the hump : The Camel Cup , an event in Central Australia where tourists are encouraged to ride a camel in a race. Now camels are known for their docile and friendly nature, yes...and if you are wondering about the presence of camels in Australia, see : here for the full story.
- Rough justice : Organised by Peacemaker Circle , participants are sent to live on the streets, living on the rough and begging for their food. Even the enrolment fee is paid by begging! Not tempted? Try their Auschwitz retreat!
- Spin out : Rolling down the Perthshire hills inside a 12-foot plastic sphere at speeds of 35 mph, an activity known as Zorbing . No brakes. I'd like to try this!
- Chop-chop : Lake District courses preparing participants for life in the bush . Includes axe workshop. Just in case.
- Shovel off : Hurtling down a mountain at 70 mph on the front of a snow shovel in Angel Fire Resort , New Mexico. Basically, any structure that supports you is alright. Even a bathtub.
- Dead pets' society : A 400 GBP , two-day stay in the Isle of Man, where participants are taught how to read their pet's minds . For communication with dead pets, participants bring along a photo and stare into the pets' eyes.
- Extreme naturism : In the Austrian mountains during winter, with below zero temperatures and surrounded by snow. That's taking naturism to another level, for sure.
- For peat's sake : In Llanwrtyd Wells locals have dug out a 60-yard long, four-foot deep trench through a dense peat bog. Competitors armed with a snorkel and flippers have to doggy-paddle their way to the end and back in the slime. And that is called Bog Snorkelling !



Esas vacaciones a las que no te apuntarias ni loc@..., segun el articulo de The Guardian "Mind if we don't?" :

- Caza de focas : Por 110 libras esterlinas, la compania NorSafari te lleva a cazar una foca. Por 650 libras, puedes cazar tantas como quieras. Ya mencionado, con indignacion que comparto, hace unos meses por Ylek en Todo lo solido... se desvanece en el aire .
- Chill out nuclear: Visita guiada a la central nuclear de Chernobyl por 83 libras esterlinas. Echale una ojeadita bien de cerca al reactor y luego paseate por las casas abandonadas del pueblo mas cercano.
- Monta en la jiba : La Copa del camello en Australia, donde se anima a los turistas novatos a montar y competir en una carrera de camellos. Animalitos dociles y amables, los camellos, si...ya, tambien os estareis preguntando a que viene los de camellos en Australia. Aqui nos lo explican.
- Justicia pura y dura ? : Peacemaker Circle organiza 'retiros' en la calle, donde los participantes viven sin techo y mendigan para comer. Tambien hay que mendigar para pagar la matriculacion. No te tienta? Pues naadaaa, que tal el retiro en el campo de concentracion de Auschwitz ?
- A rodar! : En las colinas de Perthshire, dentro de una esfera de plastico a velocidades de 35 millas por hora, actividad conocida como Zorbing . No hay frenos. Esto lo quiero probar yo un dia.
- Chop-chop : Cursos en el Lake District que te preparan para la vida en la montania , lejos de la civilizacion. Incluye seminario en el manejo del hacha.
- : En el Angel Fire Resort de New Mexico, donde los participantes se lanzan montania abajo en un 'snow shovel' a velocidades de 70 millas por hora. Basicamente, cualquier vehiculo vale. Hasta una baniera.
- Amor animal : Por 400 libras esterlinas los participantes aprenden, en dos dias, a leer la mente de sus animales domesticos . Y si el animalito ha muerto, se comunican con el mirandole a los ojos...en una foto.
- Naturismo extremo: En las montanias de Austria , durante el invierno, con temperaturas bajo cero y rodeados de nieve. Eso SI es amor al arte.
- Banio de limo : Los habitantes del pueblo de Llanwrtyd Wells (Gales) han excavado un agujero de 55 metros de largo y y metro y medio de ancho en una cienaga de turba donde los participantes participan en una carrera con snorkel y flippers. Y hasta tiene un nombre : Bog snorkelling .



The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
19C
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Wind: From the West Northwest at 12 mph
Dew Point: 12C
Humidity: 63%
Visibility: 9 miles
Barometer:1,026.1 mb

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

London's first EasyHotel opened yesterday at 14, Lexham Gardens. It features 29 standard rooms without window, 3 standard rooms with window and 2 rooms for disabled people. All of them with a maximum occupancy of 2 people and for a minimum of 20 GBP per night. I had a look at the EasyHotel website and photos of the rooms. First I thought it wasn't that bad. Even if the rooms have no window. But then I read a bit more. Your towels and bed linen will be changed during your stay if you pay for it. 10 GBP each time. Fine, I'll keep the same towels. But... come on Stelios , paying to watch tv???? Believe it or not, Stelios wants us to pay 5 GBP for the remote control. It is not clarified if that is per night or per stay. Now Stelios, even in the cheapest of the cheap hotels you get tv for free. Look at the wonderfully cheap Formule 1 , one of my favourite cheapos in France! So.. Stelios we flight with you because your flights are cheap. But sorry, we are NOT going to sleep with you. And it's not only for the petty tv detail. No. It's also because, as threatened, you've painted your hotel rooms in that horrid orange colour. And that gives me nightmares, Stelios. Your planes are orange outside but not inside. And that's fine. But an orange hotel room? I don't think so, Stelios, I don't think so.



El primer EasyHotel en Londres abrio ayer sus puertas en el numero 14, Lexham Gardens. Cuenta con 29 habitaciones standard SIN ventana, 3 habitaciones standard CON ventana y 2 habitaciones para personas con minusvalias (con o sin ventana? no se especifica). Para un maximo de dos ocupantes y precios por noche desde 20 libras esterlinas. He estado mirando la pagina web y fotos del hotel. En principio, pense que no era mala idea. Incluso con las habitaciones SIN ventana. Y continue leyendo. Si el cliente desea cambio de toallas o sabanas durante su estancia, debe abonar 10 libras por cambio. Vale. No me cambieis las toallas. Pero...hombre, Stelios , nos quieres hacer pagar por ver la tele???? Increible pero cierto. Stelios quiere que paguemos 5 libras esterlinas para "alquilar" el mando a distancia sin el cual no podemos ver la tv. Y lo que no dice es si el precio es por noche o para toda la duracion de la estancia. Venga, Stelios, incluso en los hoteles mas baratos te dejan ver la tele gratis. Mira si no los fabulosamente baratos Formule 1 , uno de mis favoritos en Francia! Asi que...Stelios, volamos contigo porque eres barato, pero me parece que NO vamos a dormir contigo. Y no es solo por lo de la tele, Stelios. Es que, ademas, como era de preveer, has pintado las habitaciones con el habitual tono naranja que me da pesadillas! Y eso si que no, Stelios. Porque los aviones me los pintas naranja, pero es por fuera y durante el vuelo yo no lo veo. Pero la habitacion del hotel ya es arena de otro costal. Sorry Stelios, pero esta vez si que no.


The weather today:
Partly Cloudy
18C
UV Index:3 Moderate
Wind: From the Northwest at 13 mph
Dew Point: 11°C
Humidity: 63%
Visibility:Unlimited
Barometer: 1,021.3 mb

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

A good investment if taking short breaks in any European city : buy a city card from European City Cards . A different price applies to each city as well as the possiblity of buying a 24, 48, 74 hour card. And what does your card get you? To start with, free public transportation in the city of your choice. Forget about buying lots of tickets and having to deal with different cards for bus, metro or tram. Your City Card is a All in One card. Plus, you get free entry to most of the city museums and discounts in many shops and restaurants. I checked the coverage for Budapest , as we are thinking we may go to Hungary in Easter. The city card also included free entry to the zoo, the Matthias church and the Palvolgy Cave and discounted entry to the famous Museum of Terror . Now this is not your usual cheap-thrills place. We are talking real terror here, the history of Budapest under the Nazi and the Soviet regime. Now I don't know about you, but I am going to buy the City Card when going to Budapest.


La mejor inversion en visitas cortas a ciudades europeas es comprar la City Card. Se puede comprar tambien online en European City Cards . El precio es diferente dependiendo de la ciudad a visitar y del tipo de tarjeta : validez de 24, 48 o 74 horas. Y cual es la ventaja de la City Card? Para empezar, te da acceso gratis a todo el transporte publico de la ciudad. No mas lios al comprar tickets individuales, calcular descuentos al comprar tickets colectivos y distinguir entre billetes de metro, bus o tranvia. Con la City Card, una es para todos y todos son para una! Ademas, el poseedor entra gratuitamente en la mayoria de los museos de la ciudad, ademas de recibir descuentos en determinadas tiendas y restaurantes. He investigado la cobertura en Budapest , a donde quiza viajemos en Semana Santa, y la entrada es tambien gratis en el zoo, la iglesia Matthias y la caverna Palvolgy asi como entrada con descuento al Museo del Terror . Y no me refiero a una atraccion de feria, precisamente, sino a autentico terror. El vivido por Budapest durante la epoca de la invasion Nazi y, posteriormente, la Sovietica. No se vosotros, pero lo que es yo, sin dudarlo compro la tarjetita de marras.


The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
17C
UV Index:2 Low
Wind: calm
Dew Point: 16C
Humidity: 93%
Visibility: 6 miles
Barometer: 1,020.7 mb

Monday, August 01, 2005


"Big lollipops for long distances"
"Enormes chupa-chups para largas distancias"

Now everybody is taking their summer holidays or planning them at the last-minute... it's when we have booked our winter holidays. As usual! We will be travelling to the US from the 25th December to the 13th January. This time we are flying to Houston, Texas. Provided the weather behaves nicely, our plan is : Texas ( Houston , Dallas , Amarillo ), Oklahoma ( Oklahoma City and the Route 66 bits left), New Mexico ( Santa Fe , Los Alamos , maybe Roswell ) and Arizona (Petrified Forest , Painted Desert ). And back to Houston! The weather being terrible on the West we would then drive to the East, New Orleans and Florida. I love B Plans. The last time we had to reject most of Plan A due to horrid weather and Plan B proved to be really good!


Ahora que todo el mundo esta de vacaciones de verano o bien planeando las vacaciones a ultima hora, nosotros ya hemos reservado nuestras vacaciones...de invierno. Como es habitual! Viajaremos a USA del 25 de Diciembre al 13 de Enero. Esta vez volaremos a Houston, Texas. Suponiendo que haga buen tiempo en esa zona, nuestro plan es, a grandes rasgos : Texas ( Houston , Dallas , Amarillo ), Oklahoma ( Oklahoma City y lo que queda de la Route 66 ), New Mexico ( Santa Fe , Los Alamos , quiza Roswell ) y Arizona ( Petrified Forest , Painted Desert ). Y de vuelta a Houston! Suponiendo que el tiempo sea horrible en el Oeste, el Plan B es dirigirnos hacia el Este : New Orleans y Florida. Me encantan los Planes B. La ultima vez desechamos casi en su totalidad el Plan A debido al mal tiempo y lo pasamos estupendamente.



The weather today:
Mostly Cloudy
20C
UV Index:4 Moderate
Wind: From the East at 9 mph
Dew Point: 13C
Humidity:64%
Visibility:6 miles
Barometer:1,017.9 mb