Category Archives: blogging

behind in my correspondence

28 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in blogging, communication, computers, friends, websites, work

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The last couple of months or so I have been falling behind in my correspondence. And also my blog reading and interaction there. What can I say? I am online almost all day long, mostly flitting here and there getting work stuff done for clients, and also checking my own social media and websites and trying to keep them updated. So it takes a special effort sometimes to just sit down in front of the computer for some “me time”.

This is just to say to those I haven’t been in touch with enough lately that I’M SORRY and that – truly – you are on my mind, in my heart, and very much valued.  I just can’t seem to focus long enough to write down all the little conversations I’ve been having with you in my head.

I kind of miss just being able to faff about on the internet doing a whole lotta nuthin at times, but these days I am mostly working and trying to find more work (still not quite there in terms of making ends meet). But it’s good that I’m so busy, doing things I enjoy. I should maybe get a voice recording app for my iPhone to remember all the little things I think of telling this or that person when they come to mind, then write it out later. Because another reason for not writing back is that I often go blank not knowing where to begin. Gotta get more organised… or something! What do you suggest?

about az updated

11 Friday Nov 2011

Posted by in blogging, cats, change, photos

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I usually forget all about my about page, but I was reading someone else’s the other day and realised that mine was quite out of date, especially in the ol’ cat department. So now the new family member has been added, and I guess I should have updated that photo of Loki since he’s about three times that size now, but that’s one of my favourite kitteh pics and I couldn’t bear to take it down.

How often do you update your about page (if at all)?

azahar.me

12 Wednesday Oct 2011

Posted by in blogging, geekiness, internet, social media

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How many of you have noticed the change in my blog URL?

The name azahar (pronounced “ah-thaar”) means a lot to me. When I first saw those pretty white flowers and smelled their gorgeous fragrance after moving to Sevilla all those years ago I was transported. Nothing had ever made me feel… like that. I can’t even describe it. Since then every spring I have looked forward to those few weeks when the streets smell heavenly and I feel… like that.

And so azahar became my internet nickname. But when I wanted to start self-hosting the Sevilla Tapas blog I found that the domain name “azahar.com” was taken, so I opted for azahar-sevilla.com. I didn’t know back then that a lot of “taken” domain names were actually bought up for re-sale, and a few weeks ago I noticed that “azahar.com” was for sale for about $500 US. Like, forget about it. And anyhow, it turned out to be a good thing having “seville” in my URL. But then this new option came up! The whole new range of “dot.me” URLs. So I succumbed for this blog because, let’s face it, it’s my most personal blog, really just a daily scrapbook, and what could be more “me” than that.

And so I bring you the new “azahar.me” blog on WordPress. Love it!

easyjet az

06 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by in blogging, computers, culture, fiestas, friends, internet, iphone, sevilla, social media, spam, twitter, work

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Yesterday evening I was thrilled when I got an email from Annie Manson saying that while flying from Geneva to Málaga she’d seen me mentioned and quoted in the EasyJet’s April Inflight magazine, and congratulating me on such a great PR coup. At first I was totally flummoxed as I had no idea why I would be in there, then when I saw the article (about the Feria in Sevilla) written by Derek Workman, I remembered meeting Derek for tapas a while back and spending a pleasant leisurely lunchtime chatting about Sevilla stuff. He was in town doing research for this article as EasyJet was about to launch a new London-Sevilla route in April. So that was quite exciting! If you want to read the article (which starts on page 50) you’ll have to register, which is a bit of a pain but only takes a minute.

Anyhow, after a few emails back and forth to Annie I got into bed with my iPhone to read a few last tweets and emails before sleeping and saw that one of my favourite tapas bars was mentioned in an article by Shaney Hudson, an Australian travel writer now living in Holland who was here on a research visit last autumn. Then I saw that my tapas tours got a personal recommendation from Shaney in her Essential Guide to Sevilla (!!!). How cool is that?

All of which has me thinking this morning about all the amazing connections I’ve made, and continue to make, via my blogs, Twitter and – okay I admit it – even Facebook.  I’ve made friends and biz contacts, and have also found work, as a result of not only sitting in front of my laptop (or with iPhone in hand) several hours a day, but also by going out to meet many of these people when they are in town. Which of course I love as one of my favourite things to do is show people “my Sevilla” and especially take them out for tapas. So anyone who still thinks social media is silly is, well, silly.  😉