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Tuesday, May 13, 2003 Well, I've been having one of those days in which I just can't seem to figure out what the hell to do with myself. Can't seem to concentrate on any one thing for any substantial span of time. I start doing something, something else occurs to me, all of a sudden I find myself veering off to take care of whatever the hell that something else might be. Along the way one or two other things might catch my eye, I wind up getting sidetracked. Not by anything important -- little diddly unimportant stuff. Distraction for the sake of distraction. If I'm lucky, I actually finish whatever it is before finding myself drifting away in another direction. Otherwise, it's off to start something else or standing staring at a book or newspaper or at the window. Somewhere in the middle of all the pointless movement, I managed to sit myself down and focus long enough to get some homework done. Other than that, the day's major achievement has been playing far too many games of hearts with my computer. Embarrassing. (At least I'm giving the hearts program a serious ass-kicking from time to time.) A short while ago, I couldn't stand it any more and got myself heading out the door for a breath of Madrid's warm weather version of fresh air. Found myself walking in the direction of a DVD rental joint I signed up with this last weekend. We're not talking Blockbuster Video here -- far too effete for that. Nothing but DVDs, with a wildly international selection, including The Sopranos' first two or three seasons -- no Buffy The Vampire Slayer, though (waaaaaahhhhhh!!). (The truth: if it weren't for being able to read detailed episode summaries at BuffyWorld, not being able to watch the last season of BtVS would be killing me. Hey, we all have our vices.) Where was I? Oh, right -- the DVD joint. It's a small, austere place, usually with pretty good alternative or techno playing instead of a TV. Staffed by Spanish women, all seeming to be between 19 and 25 years old. All small, all unbelievably slim. All seeming a bit distant until you ask them something, at which point they become very nice. Kind, helpful, patient. Chatty, even. The kind of comportment that tends to get repeat business from me. And I'll tell you what, on a day like this, when I can't seem to focus too well, someone treating me with kindness has an effect. Damn -- just happened again. A thought occurred to me that sent me off to do something in the bedroom for a couple of minutes. Which then led me off to the other end of the flat for a bit. Probably a good thing -- I think I may have been on the verge of a preach about kindness. (Not that this world of ours couldn't use some talk re: kindness.) I've discovered that the DVD player in the new laptop I picked up a week and a half ago does a seriously great job. Hence the DVD rentals. This last Sunday evening I went to the DVD place, came home with Minority Report. Tossed it into the machine, sat in my comfy Ikea chair with the laptop in my, er, lap, headphones plugged in. A real good time. I'm going to do that again. BTW, in yesterday's entry, I wondered about the back-to-school theme in the current get-out-the-vote ads happening here (in advance of the May 25 municipal elections). You may have noticed my friend Jaime posted a comment in response -- for those who don't read Spanish, he says that the polls are called 'colegios electorales.' Primary schools here are also called 'colegios,' and the polls, just as they are in the States, are often located in schools. Making the 'return to school to vote' metaphor an easy, logical one. So there you have it. It's good to have smart friends. (Thanks, Jaime.) *********** Sign seen in a neighborhood café/cafetería, located across the street from my gym: ZUMO DE NARANJA -- 0 ZUMO DE LIMÓN -- 1,50 [ORANGE JUICE -- 0 LEMON JUICE -- 1.50] (A couple of the numbers had clearly fallen off the price for the orange juice and never been replaced.) Another sign, hanging near the first one: HOJAS DE RECLAMACIÓN ESTÁN DISPONIBLE A LOS CLIENTES [COMPLAINT FORMS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE CUSTOMERS] rws 12:43 PM [+]
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