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Category Archives: work

masking the problem

09 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by azahar in coronavirus, health & happiness, work

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

coronavirus, covid, masks, sevilla

‘You should not think the only way you can get the infection is if someone coughs on you or sneezes on you’ — Dr. Fauci dispelled myths about how you can catch COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/JYe2hd9TqA

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 9, 2020

So I had a two work-related meetings yesterday, both about an hour long, and I was surprised to see that at both places the people I met with weren’t wearing masks. And well, okay, we were seated *almost* a metre apart (the new magic distancing measurement) and nobody was coughing or sneezing, but we all know about transmission from aerosol droplets now, which can stay in the air for up to eight hours. So I sat there uncomfortably until the meetings were finished, slathered sanitising gel on my hands and left.

Then on the way home I decided to see if anyone was at my hairdresser’s. I know they stay open all day and that usually during lunchtime (2-4pm) it is quiet. And so it was. In fact at first I thought they were closed but the owner was outside having a cigarette and came over when he saw me at the door. I told him I just wanted a wash and cut, and he could skip the blow drying, so I was out of there again in about 15 minutes. I noticed that they are now using disposable “towels” and single use plastic capes, but just before I sat down to have my hair washed I said to Joaquín, “aren’t you going to put on a mask?” and he said yes of course, that he just had it off while he was outside, etc. I explained about my immunocompromised situation (he knows about the cancer, been going here for years) and after that he seemed to take even extra care, wiping down the chairs with antiseptic gel before I sat down, so that was good. And while I am never totally comfortable in public places these days, at least I felt precautions were being taken.

But I noticed – and learned – something about those different experiences. At the meetings where I was hoping to get a work offer I didn’t feel like I could mention the mask issue, but where I was a paying customer I felt totally within my rights to request that a mask be worn. And I thought to myself afterwards, is that what it comes down to? That my life is worth less when there is money involved? And so even though I really need the money, I vowed never again. If some people want to believe they are somehow safe from this virus then I guess I will have to keep my distance. Me? I’d rather believe Dr Fauci.

 

patreon

03 Friday Jul 2020

Posted by azahar in work

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

patreon, photos, work, writing

patreon page
So I am giving Patreon a try. As I have mentioned here before I’ve had friends who have very generously sent me donations since lockdown. But sometimes it’s awkward for them to ask, and also to receive. I’ve also had a couple of people I don’t know at all, but who have been following my various blogs about Sevilla and Spain, and wanted to send me something in appreciation for all the work I’ve put into them. Which of course is lovely and very much appreciated.

And then I heard about Patreon. Now there are several ways to offer up your creativity here. Some offer services, some online classes, others access to otherwise private online content. And others, I have seen, just promise to keep their content free and accessible to all. I’m in that last category. I mean, I always would anyhow, but it has occurred to me that maybe people like it enough that they may want to sponsor me. This is my page…

Patreon / Azahar Sevilla

I’m still working my way around how this works. I know there’s a fee (8% of whatever I receive) as well as handling fees for receiving money (same as Paypal charges, 3.4% + 0.35€ per transaction), then of course taxes. Anyhow, this is for monthly patrons, which is what their infrastructure is set up for. For one-off or occasional donations it still seems like Paypal is the best option.

So I thought I could just put this out there and see what happens. It’s still early days, so we’ll see how it goes. They asked me to write something about what I was doing/offering so I will copy and paste it below here. Let me know what you think.

Continue reading →

verema 2020

09 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by azahar in sevilla, wine, work

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

sevilla, verema, wine

Had a great time at my third Verema event, held at the glorious Alfonso XIII Hotel, and featuring winemakers from all over Spain. I wondered if I should attend, what with the whole coronavirus threat, but somehow it only dawned on me after I was there that maybe this wasn’t the smartest move. Oh well, it’s done. At least I didn’t go back for the after-lunch session because I didn’t want to stress my sprained foot too much. It was great seeing old friends (the usual suspects) and meeting a few new ones too. Also got to know a few new wines. A good day.  🙂

ronda research

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by azahar in wine, work

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

bodegas, decanter magazine, ronda, ronda getaway

What a day! Hot on the heels of my last Decanter Magazine article on Madrid, my pitch for Málaga was accepted so I am out and about doing bodega research this month. First stop… Ronda! I’ve been wanting to visit Bodegas Descalzos Viejos for years and I wasn’t disappointed. In fact it was one of the best bodega visits ever. I also got to visit Bodegas Melonera and Bodegas Schatz. All in one afternoon! More to come, but for now a few pics of these beautiful wineries. Next up… the Axarquía!

new wine tasting venue!

05 Thursday Sep 2019

Posted by azahar in sevilla, sherry, wine, work

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

lalola taberna gourmet, sevilla, sherry, tastings, wine

How cool is this? It’s the ceiling of the patio inside the uber-cool hotel where my friend Javi Abascal has just relaunched his restaurant Lalola Taberna Gourmet. When I was there last week we not only had a fabulous time trying his new menu, we also talked about the possibility of me giving my wine tastings there. Turns out it’s perfect because it’s quite central and there’s a section of the restaurant that can be closed off for me, though for the most part the tastings will be held outside of usual dining hours.

We talked about what wines I wanted to present and he is going to organise the food, so that we have great little snacks to go with the wines. I’m really excited about this. I would actually love to do more tastings. So fingers crossed that these will start taking off!

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