Tag Archives: home

shadowfax

27 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in casa azahar, computers, devices

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shadowfax (1)

This afternoon Peter was on his regular family zoom chat when his laptop conked out. And when he tried to reboot he got the same scary blue screen HEY YOUR BATTERY IS FUCKED message I was getting on Boquerón last summer, which prompted me to purchase Galga before I lost everything. Frankly Peter’s Silver was getting on, over six years old, and had been acting up for some time. And so what the hell, we went shopping.

Say hello to Shadowfax… a sleek Lenovo model that has everything and more to suit Peter’s requirements. And it was on sale! Bonus. When I saw it I thought of this name immediately but just said to Peter he should name it before we set it up at home later. Then over a post-purchase celebratory glass of cava he said… how about Shadowfax? Guess it was meant to be.

Anyhow, Shadowfax is now all set up and ready for Peter to fire up in the morning. Long may he run.

shadowfax (2)

brrrrrrrr…

08 Tuesday Oct 2024

Posted by in casa azahar, home, sevilla

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cold showers

A few weeks ago the hot water pressure started acting up. Sometimes it was there, other times nothing, although the cold water was working fine. Landlord had someone come over from his insurance company and – of course! – just before he showed up the hot water kicked back in again. So this guy reported back that there was no problem, even though I had told him it was an intermittent thing, and he actually told me (but not the landlord) that the water heater was probably blocked, so nothing was done. Spent the next couple of weeks fiddling with the cold-hot water taps to get the hot water to kick in, which usually happened.

Until last Saturday when it didn’t. And that was it, we’ve had NO hot water since Saturday morning. Not wanting to bother the landlord over the weekend I sent a text message hoping they could do something first thing Monday morning, which they did. Nice guy who came over late last night told me the water heater definitely needs to be replaced, called the landlord, and apparently no problem. Except now I have no idea when we are going to get a replacement water heater. Might be today (doubtful), more likely tomorrow or even whenever.

Meanwhile, we’ve been taking COLD SHOWERS since Saturday and – can I tell you? – it’s really really unpleasant and even painful. I’m actually considering booking a hotel or asking a neighbour if I can come over and shower. I mean, I could call the Corte Inglés right now and pay for a new water heater to be delivered and installed within 24 hours, but I already did that when the washing machine died earlier this year, and I really don’t think it’s up to me to replace these basic appliances. This is very frustrating.

so demanding…

23 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, home

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wet comb (2)

I have created a little wet-combing monster. Have to admit that since I first discovered wet combing a few years ago (thanks to FB pal Nancy in Paris) I’ve become a bit lax with regular combings in summer. That was until last month when Morcilla horked up two massive hairballs (and accompanying ick) all over my bed twice in one week. This led to DAILY wet combing and malt twice a week and… can I tell you? It has become such a routine that now I’m not allowed to not do it. At first I would wet comb Morcilla around noon, because if I am going to go out it is usually shortly after that. Initially she looked decidedly put out with me rousting her from her favourite spot on my bed pillows (the big ones up against the wall, not the ones I sleep on) but once I got going she clearly enjoyed it.

Then one day when I wasn’t going out I lost track of time doing something or other on the computer and suddenly there was Morcilla doing the meowing equivalent of WTAF?? I checked and it was about an hour after the usual combing time and omg it totally cracked me up. Then she jumped up on the office table giving me THAT look until I got the comb, ran it under the tap, and got to work. And it’s been like this ever since. If I ever slip up, miss the appointed hour, Morcilla lets me know about it. Cats sure do love their routines.

Below is what I get off her EVERY DAY (and she’s tiny). Since starting the daily routine Morcilla hasn’t had a hairball (fingers crossed) but it still feels prudent to keep her out of my bedroom when I’m not home. What about Luna you ask? Well not only does Luna detest the combing (but loves the malt) I have never known her to hork up a hairball. I have no idea why. Could be that she’s not an obsessive groomer like Morcilla? No idea.

wet comb (1)

new lease on life

23 Tuesday Jul 2024

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lease

So, you may or may not know about the housing situation here in Sevilla. Over the past ten years or so we have lost so many of our neighbourhoods to tourist apartments and boutique hotels taking away from us what used to be our homes. I moved here in 1993 and after 18 years in Barrio Santa Cruz I was forced to move. Ended up in a place with all-night bars which meant five years of no sleep… then in 2017 I happened upon the place I live now. It’s smaller than my other apartments (had to down-size, got rid of lots of STUFF) but that was fine because it’s just so cosy and charming here and I love the neighbourhood. And I damn well know that now – in 2024 – I would never find anything even remotely similar in the centre of Sevilla at a price I could afford.

Right now I am on a year-to-year contract. And omg this gives me so much anxiety. Because what if one year my landlord decides not to renew? Here rent increases are based on the annual IPC, which varies from year to year and this year the percentage is 3%. Given the scarcity of dwellings many landlords choose to oust tenants and get new ones in at a much higher rent. So far this hasn’t happened but I always worry that it might (because it has before).

Today I signed my new contract for the upcoming year, same as last year, but with a significant bump in the rent. I know it’s not within the legal guidelines but I also wasn’t about to argue, because I really don’t want to lose my home. We can just about afford the increase, at least better than the cost of moving (both financially and emotionally). And so this Casa Azahar will continue for another year, and hopefully many more to come.

new towels!

17 Wednesday Jul 2024

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nre towels

I’m on a roll here. After checking how often I should replace pillows (FYI turned out to be every 1-2 years and I was way behind) I decided to check towels and – eep. Same. Well okay, not as bad as the pillow situation as it turns out I last bought new towels in 2021 and google says it should be between 2-5 years so I’m still in the running. You see, there is a reason I keep this fascinating blog going! How else could I check back on this stuff?

Anyhow, found these lovely towels at 50% off at El Corte Inglés and they are now freshly washed, sun dried, plump and soft and hanging in my bathroom as we speak. Goodbye old loofah towels! How’s your summer going, but the way?