Category Archives: friends

december…

01 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in cats, christmas, friends, holidays, home, sevilla, weather

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I woke up this morning with a definite Christmassy feeling!

This week it’s been much colder, going from “Indian summer” temps to very chilly overnight and then sneaking up to about 16-18º during the day. Still pleasant for walking around, and people are making the most of terrazas that get direct sunlight, but it’s suddenly winter. And December. So thoughts have turned to my favourite holiday of the year.

To be honest, I haven’t had a really great Christmas in many years, for many reasons. And that’s kind of made me sad, and made me almost give up on even trying to celebrate. But this year feels different somehow. So I plan on having a wonderful Christmas this year in my fabulous new home (still feels new to me, though it’s been almost a year). Who wants to join me?  🙂

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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?

on clients and friends…

10 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by in friends, twitter, work

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So this was my today, spent with these three lovely people…

I had an appointment with María Paz to help her revive the blog I’d made for her a couple of years ago, and integrate that with new social media accounts I’d created. Our appointment was for 11 o’clock, and I thought we’d finish in time for me to get to the gym, shower and have a quick bite to eat before my Spanish/English class with Pablo at 3.00. Well, due to this and that María Paz didn’t show up until 1.40 which kind of put the kibosh on, well, everything. Though I did manage a quick shower before she finally arrived. And then made a sandwich after Pablo got here. A part of our class involved helping Pablo get connected with London people on Twitter for an upcoming trip there, and it ended just fifteen minutes before my “proper” English class with my friend Agustín’s son (also Agustín)… and whew! Not the day I’d expected or planned but lots of cool stuff happened, and I was inspired in a many ways. But the really cool thing is how my personal life is also becoming my professional life, which is turning into what I’d want to do anyhow when I get out of bed in the morning. So it’s sometimes hard to tell when I’m working and when I’m not.

After all this it was suddenly 8pm and I remembered that another Twitter pal from Madrid was in town for a bloggers convention, and so I called Graeme and he met Nog and I for a lovely dinner out at one of my favourite places, La Azotea. And I actually got to eat! Which doesn’t often happen on my tapas tours, so that was a nice change.

And now I’m home and thinking about all the social media stuff I need to get done in the morning before I go to the gym and then prepare for an impromptu gourmet tapas tour that was booked by a group of Dutch people who happened to run into the group of Dutch guys that had been on my tour the day before… yeah, I know!

I really love how some friends have become clients, and how clients and online acquaintences end up becoming my friends. It’s all mixed up and it’s great. Just how I like it. And now to bed! There’s a little black cat waiting for me…

más málaga!

27 Thursday Oct 2011

Posted by in friends, Malaga, work

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[click to enlarge]

So this is a bit of what I’ve been up to. I met two Twitter pals in person for the first time – had lunch with David on Monday and with Lisa yesterday. And I had two very productive meetings with Victoria. In between I mostly hung out at the apartment getting some other work done. Manolo has new sofas, a lovely neutral colour, making me want to move in here more than ever. But if things go as planned I’ll be making monthly trips down here, which is almost as good.

I’m heading back to Sevilla this afternoon, but first will take a wander into the centre and dip my toes in the Mediterranean on my way back in to pick up my suitcase. It’s been a great visit.

meet my new flatmate

21 Friday Oct 2011

Posted by in friends, home, hope, teaching, work

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Yeah okay, I know what you’re all thinking. You’re thinking that my new flatmate looks just like my old flatmate, but the truth is that he is different. Because today my new flatmate landed a new client for his Restaurant English classes and next week he finds out if he’ll get two new intensive English courses (Nov-Feb) at a language school here.

Aside from that he has been helping me out with Sevilla Tapas Tours when I am either double-booked or unavailable, and carrying on with his other private English classes. So if it all comes to pass, by next month this new flatmate of mine will actually be making a fairly comfortable living, at least enough to put in his share for house stuff, which will also make my life a lot less stressful.

But aside from that… well, just look at him. Since getting some very nice “reviews” for his tapas tours, and becoming more involved with the restaurant stuff, Nog has had a real boost in self esteem and that’s great to see. Sometimes it just takes one or two things to go right for a change to make all the difference in one’s outlook. After a couple of disappointments earlier in the week, the good news about Luna yesterday and today’s new job prospects have renewed both our spirits and it’s great to look forward and see good times ahead as flatmates and friends. Yay!