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Category Archives: covid

overwhelmed by laundry

13 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, life stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

coronavirus, covid, sevilla, work

laundry

It’s not always easy, coordinating loads of laundry when you live alone. I usually have 2-3 loads a week. Two of sheets and towels, pyjamas and light coloured clothing, then one of darks. The darks don’t happen every week because those are mostly my outdoor clothes and I only go out maybe twice a week. But today I got overwhelmed by laundry.

It turned out I had to do an extra load thanks to Loki making a mess on my duvet cover (and I only have one of those, so it had to get washed and dried in the sun same day) and suddenly I had to time all this washing and drying, and sheet changing, which now included wrangling with the duvet cover, with… well, nothing at all really. Because I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO. But it still felt like my whole day was consumed by this to the point that I had to ask myself how I ever ran my own business and worked full time. Answer? No fucking idea. Though I am a firm believer in the more you do, the more you do. If you know what I mean.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Casa Román having some tapas and it was only me and Peter inside, plus maybe 2-3 other tables outside. Predictably the usually attentive waiters were not paying any attention at all. And because I know them so well I said something to that effect, complaining about how the service had really gone downhill, blah blah, joking with them. But it’s true, and Inma said the same to me, that when it’s busy they all switch into high gear and everything runs super efficiently. But when there is next to nothing to do, motivation dwindles. I remember that very well from when I worked in restaurants.

But it’s the same in just day to day life. When you have a full schedule you get all that done and then some. It’s because you have so much to do that you are already geared up to do a bit more. The energy is already there. I’m not talking about being so busy there’s no time for anything else, just a healthy amount of work to keep you feeling challenged and interested. And guess what? Somehow the laundry gets done too!

Since last March I’ve had one writing assignment and a short stint as community manager for a small group of restaurants here. Other than that, I just get up in the morning and wonder what the fuck I am going to do that day other than make lunch. Thing is, although I miss the money from those two jobs I had, what I miss more is the sense of purpose I had when I got up, that I had STUFF TO DO. I don’t know why I find it so hard to self-motivate, because I’m sure there are plenty of things I could be working on (other than lunch). Okay, maybe not true that I don’t know why. The thing is that I’m scared. Sometimes scared out of my wits. When someone gives me a job to do I HAVE to snap out of it and get it done. And what a relief that is. Or was.

So I don’t know. I realise many people are suffering much more than me. On the other hand, others are complaining about the contents of their gourmet organic vegetable delivery… my online friends are all over the map.  😉  Which is fair enough because we all have different lives. I know I have to make some very big decisions about mine. And yet I can’t seem to… oh, guess I wasn’t overwhelmed by laundry after all.

new restrictions for january 2021

11 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, sevilla

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

covid, covid-19, covidiots

jan 11-25

Here they are, the Christmas hangover restrictions for the next two weeks. Meanwhile the new Covid strain, which is supposedly 70% more contagious, is still being taken around Andalucía by people who insist on having “their old lives back” and taking non-essential trips. At least they’ve closed the regional borders again. Also a shout out to those people who have to go out and about town every single day, cramming into shops and bars. What the fuck is wrong with you? These next two weeks are going to be very telling in terms of new cases and deaths. I’ll be spending them mostly at home, as I have been doing since, um… March?

accidental lunch

09 Saturday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, covid, sevilla, spain, tapas, tapas bars

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Tags

covid, sevilla, tapas

accidental lunch (1)

I was supposed to have a perfectly on purpose lunch with my friend Lucy, since our birthdays are a day apart and we haven’t seen each other in ages. But when we arrived at the bar I’d chosen (a new place being run by my friend chef Javi Abascal) it was fully booked. Should have known as it was the first Saturday since the January sales started, and also the first non-rainy day all week. After checking out a couple of other places (all fully booked) Lucy and I decided to postpone our birthday lunch for another day, preferably mid-week. To be honest, I have only been going out to eat during the week and at an early hour so I get to places before they get busy.

Anyhow, since I was already dressed and outside I decided to take a river walk, something I haven’t done in far too long. And it was lovely. Meanwhile, my friend Peter had been in touch so I told him I’d be in the Alameda in about half an hour if he wanted to meet for a beer. Then, while I was waiting for Peter (by chance I’d stopped to check my phone in front of Al Aljibe) I saw a couple of women at a table in the terrace paying up (it was 3 pm by this time) and so I took possession of the table and told Peter where I was.

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adapting?

08 Friday Jan 2021

Posted by azahar in art, covid, culture, sevilla

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Tags

art, fiestas de primavera, sevilla

primavera

All of the Fiestas de Primavera have been cancelled for this year, well in advance (unlike last year when it was all quite unexpected and last minute). This means Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril and the accompanying month of bullfights will not be happening. Once again.

I came across these small sculptures in a shop window and thought they were interesting. Couldn’t tell if they were a playful mash-up of the various fiesta images or if there was a more serious (sinister?) meaning to them. But it also looks like a way of adapting? Since it’s unlikely we will return to how things used to be.

covid christmas

23 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by azahar in christmas, coronavirus, covid

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

christmas, coronavirus, covid-19

covid christmas eve

This photo by Associated Press photographer Emilio Morenatti @emilio_morenatti, who is based in Barcelona, just ripped straight through me. It encapsulates so many of my feelings about the pandemic, this very difficult year we’ve gone through, and especially about how people have responded to it. Because this is the reality of the coronavirus. This photo shows hope and courage, as well as tragedy and indifference. I know I go on about this but how could anyone risk doing this to someone else? For all of those who have gone away on a Christmas holiday or who just couldn’t stay away from friends and family – just this one fucking time – THIS is what you have put at risk. Not just yourself, and your own loved ones, but also someone you will probably never meet. It’s truly heartbreaking, witnessing so much callous selfishness.

But I am also left in awe of the frontline essential workers who are still at it, in spite of not being shown the respect and consideration they deserve. It’s because of them that I haven’t totally given up on humankind. As you know, I’ve been on my own since March, haven’t left the city (heck I still barely leave my house), I don’t have friends over to visit and I’m extra careful whenever I’m out. So it’s unlikely that I am a carrier. But since I don’t know that for sure, I’m being careful not just for myself (because if I catch this thing that’ll be me in a body bag) but for all of us. Hopefully there will be a return of social conscience in 2021, though I wonder what it’s going to take to make that happen or if it’s even possible. What do you think? And how are you feeling?

Mortuary workers take off their protective clothing at the entrance of a building decorated with a Christmas tree, after removing the body of person who allegedly died of COVID-19 in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 ~ Emilio Morenatti

 

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