Recompiling Saturday's Ideas

I am blaming the rain now. All my active plans for the day are gone due to the current weather condition... No shoes pictures, no chakra talking, sorry. I spent my day watching movies and reading books.

I am a full-time worker, quite committed - and lately busy - I must say, so I don't feel guilty for having devoted some spare time to relaxing and enriching activities.

Book: I am still finishing Eat, Pray, Love, beautifully written, witty, contemporary and scarily real. I am amazed by Elizabeth Gilbert, who shows courage throughout her self-development journey. And I am not only referring to the actual trip through Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (Love). She is able to dig into herself in search for answers... The endless quest, I would say, for soul food. Her style is engaging and her discoveries could illuminate many of us.

Movie: Slumdog Millionaire (by D. Boyle). A modern fairy-tale filled with pain, sorrow, karma, family issues, social revolution and redemption. I loved every single bit of it and I found myself getting extremely involved into the main character's adventure through Life. A Must See for those who like Hope.

Now I am putting together some pieces I wrote in the past, just as a Saturday night recreation. It's fun and hard to manage your life as a naturally lazy writer... You have to believe in it every day, every second, every word. It is a side-activity that requires a lot of attention and commitment... Which I didn't have in the past, busy as I was working, studying and living in NY. I like the challenge of balancing my life between work and words, definitely more doable now. I find it quite thrilling to come back home every night and open this blog to devote some time to it. Although I know that certain - admirable - people are able to stay awake all night to write and produce and create... And then go to work! How do they manage?

As a justification, I must say that my (real) job involves writing, creativity, research and a flair for reality, aspects I really love and enjoy. So all in all I test my most sacred skills every day/all day long!

Actually, next week I will be the host of one of my conferences and I am quite excited as there is a lot of expectation around it. One of the aspects of my job that helps me the most is the need to be constantly communicating a message. It can be part of your team, a business partner or a perspective client... You have to be able to deliver a message. A real-life school, I must say.

Maybe this is another side-reason for this blog. I feel the need to communicate and I am also quite certain that I am the most devoted reader of these words. I read them like they were not mine. I use them like a notebook to recall ideas and feelings and concepts and inspirations.

It is hard and fundamental to apply memories to our daily life. It appears quite clearly in both Eat, Pray, Love and Slumdog Millionaire.

In the book, the main character tries hard to heal herself through constant questioning and flashbacks of who she used to be, before choosing to fly on her "re/discovery trip".

In the movie, Jamail has to answer questions to win the contest Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He comes from Bombay slums and has no formal education. The memories of his troubled past will assist him in what I deem one of the most magical journeys ever.

I truly hope to tickle your curiosity and get you to experience both of them...

I am off. Now you can watch the Slumdog Millionaire trailer, no?

A+ Facts:

- Having been daydreaming about random holidays and places. I love Lonely Planets.

- Movie + Book made me smile and cry.

- My room is so comfortable that I would never leave it.

- Next week my communication and organisational skills will be tested, again. Love it.

- My cat didn't eat any pigeon today... (will tell you the whole story another day)

- I managed to stay away from wine, as prescribed by my new diet.

- For the first time in ages, I didn't get depressed because of the rain.

Live from the World Economic Forum, Davos

Live from Davos: This is what is happening these days in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum 2009.

In the meantime, a Refugee Camp Simulation has been set up for the worldwide CEOs and other powerful representatives to experiment the "reality" as a refugee. The simulation was sponsored by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and developed by Crossroads Open Village (an Hong Kong NGO).

What is going to be the practical outcome of this "life altering experience"? And, most of all, are the endless talks and reports of the WEF2009 going to have any positive effect on the present - and apparently long term - crisis?

One voice among many "President Obama is the greenest person [in the White House]. He is pushing hard for a dramatic and bold move in the right direction. If other governments do the same, then we can make the change to a low-carbon future" Al Gore, Vice-President of the United States of America (1993-2001) and Nobel Laureate 2007.

BBC Live Coverage

I am not the only one who loves Shoes

Citing the BBC website "A sculpture of an enormous bronze-coloured shoes has been erected in Iraq to honour the journalist who threw his shoes at ex-US President George W. Bush."

The article arrives like a breath of fresh air although this is everything but a solved issue. Mr. Zaidi, the Hero and journalist, is currently waiting for his trial and could face up to 15 years of prison. However, he dared acting against the so-called (ex) most powerful man in the world, responsible for the 6-year-long war in Iraq and other atrocities not suitable to be discussed in a Lady's Blog.

Let's be honest. I would love to throw one of my shoes at Bush as well. And for me to get rid of one of my shoes is a Big Deal. If I had to choose, I'd go for something really symbolic like this pair, which I Love!I think this would represent a fiery attack to everything I despise and could be used to hurt with class quite a few people. Funny enough, most of them are powerful politicians and top (...Wall Street?) business executives. I wonder if they'd be able to appreciate the style of this pair of heels.

...I don't think they deserve to be hit by something so valuable...

Together Time & the Shameful Bonuses

I cannot express fully how good I feel about today being Friday. I am tired, exhausted, sick and needy to switch off.

For this reason, tonight we have organized what Corey properly called "Together Time" - which I truly love. The plan is not to have a plan and to play it freestyle with food, movies, wine, sweets, music, laughter, secrets, the sticky-note game and - if the weather allows it - a trip to the beach to scream at the Moon (newly born).

This week Eclipses are extremely powerful and I suggest you all read this Transit link to give you an idea of what is going on above our heads. I am experiencing the strangest sensations ever. My mood is rollercoastering with no control and I am not even bothering to try to fix it.

The general situation - within myself - is not bad though. I am slowly but constantly learning to detach from whatever happens around me. My street is somewhere else and no matter where I am physically, I can turn in and see things from my perspective, which I also have decided to be the most appropriate one to follow, right now.

Do not misunderstand me. I listen and process suggestions and voices around me but I cannot allow too much confusion to get on my way. It is a delicate moment made of silk strings I am the only one able to move.

This weekend the weather forecast announced horrible news, rain, cold and wind... As a matter of fact, I should not complain and take advantage of this forced reclusion in the house to do 1,000 things.

As promised, I will try to cover 2 aspects of my life I think will help enormously (me and this blog): Chakras and Shoes.

A+ Fact:
- It is Friday indeed!

One quick bottomline note: I Heart Obama. (p.s. Follow the Link!)

A.

Finally (almost) Found Friday

So tomorrow is Friday and to be honest I feel great about it.

Today I saw on my boss' desk the tiny Buddha statue I brought to him from Japan. It made me think about those days. A far memory, I'd say.

Stress was all over the place in the office but I managed to maintain the coolness and do my things. You'd better have some antibodies well operating to protect your organism against stress threats. I think I do have some of those... I didn't know but they are fighting hard to preserve my balance and lower my level of stress, as indicated by my new life regime and health protection scheme. 

How to ensure you do have them? Well, I guess the key is to cure yourself from within. Chakras are a fundamental player of the game and I have decided that this weekend I will find time to discuss this further.

Isn't this a perfectly suitable year to heal our own selves? (as it seems the the World is not precisely an easy place to rescue).

Another thing I am planning to do is to take pictures of my shoes and let you know more about their stories. Each of them relates to a specific moment in my life and I believe it will be an interesting way to disclose some facts (A+ to Z-) about me.

One more thing... In doubt, try to smile at yourself in the mirror. If you like what you see, you are half way in the process.

A+ Facts for Today:

- My dinner was so healthy that it's not even funny.

- My cat Nietzsche is purring next to me.

- Friday is almost here.

- No news , good news. Actually, the first news of the day was an A+ one (read post below).

- I learned some new info about blogging. Will share soon.

The House of Stimulus

This is the first day in quite a long time that the first news I have the chance to read is actually positive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/opinion/29thu1.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

A+ Fact:
- The first news of this morning is POSITIVE (and it comes from the NYT)!

Mercury & Others A+ Facts in Turmoil Times

While last Monday will be remembered as the day when 75,000 jobs were cut across the world, Obama is trying to have his stimulus plan approved to get the U.S. shaky economy back on track. He is also showing an interesting change of attitude towards the Middle East. I don't feel like expressing my opinion, yet, but I believe that a finally-balanced and more diplomatic approach is on its way.

In the meantime, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi is surely busy drafting a new law to protect himself against countless lawsuits. This is really a sad topic. After tons of laws issued to save his ass, what's next? I am sure some new moves are on their way.

Zapatero, in Spain, finally showed up on National TV answering questions about the crisis. It was about time, I must say. In the meantime, the Popular Party (PP) is being hit by a weird and confusing scandal involving private investigations to PP members... Meaning, we'd better stick to what we have now (Zapatero) and hope he is capable of pushing for change.

And the rest of the world is assessing its own, personal mess... I am sick of reading news, at least for today.

Sometimes I wonder what is my role in this dramatic scene? I move economy, that is a fact, as the crisis hasn't given me a reason - yet - to stop buying what I want and what I need. I work, another proven fact, doing my best to generate occasions for business intelligence to benchmark. I make plans, third and last point, to escape this frame and get the best of this not-so-bright 2009.

However, I feel that this new year brought with itself a new wave of energy, burning inside me with hot sparkles of inspiration. I am writing like I have never done before and using this Blog as a scrap-book for further reference.

If my plan goes through, I will need to remember how I was feeling today. I hope. I do have a lot of hopes.

Mercury, ruler of my sign and of Wednesdays, is here to help me communicate this change that is happening fast in my personal path.

So here I am with a skinny list of A+ Facts for today:

- I read the article mentioned in my previous post.

- My dinner was just as healthy as those served in hospital, tasty and colorful though.

- Barcelona today looked friendly, especially during my trip to the Boqueria Market.

- I talked to my mom. We will travel to Egypt in March.

- My lifestyle is rapidly shifting towards health.

...This is not an A+ Fact, yet, but a wannabe marvel about to be born. Let's hope I get THAT answer soon! And, most of all, let's keep fingers crossed while waiting for feedbacks.

P.S. Stay tuned for details!

Meanwhile, you can watch "The fool looks at the finger that points to the sky", by Aaron Bradbury, a sound and touching metaphor of our daily shock towards this caotic world. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/A13778256

A.

The Fine Art of Finding Your Spot

After having found this http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html, I felt the need to briefly chat with one of my colleagues. One quick note: please do read this article as it's an inspiring piece that could serve as a guideline when you are about to choose your next step.

These were the conclusions:

From: V.M. Sent: 28 January 2009 12:52 To: A.N.
Subject:
I'd always imagined Barcelona would be the ideal place—that it would basically be London with good weather. But when I finally tried living there a couple years ago, it turned out not to be. The message Barcelona sends is: you should live better. Life in Barcelona is very cool. It's probably the place with less power Europe where someone from Northern Europe would feel most at home. But it's not humming with ambition.

From: A.N. Sent: 28 January 2009 14:22 To: V.M.
Subject: RE:
When I decided to move back from New York to Barcelona, I knew I was giving up the Achieve Mode. I didn’t know what to expect precisely, besides good weather and easier lifestyle. Life in Barcelona is very relaxed. It’s possibly the warmest place you could choose among industrial, Western cities. But its Slow Mode and Laziness are starting to get on my nerves.

From: V.M. Sent: 28 January 2009 14:28 To: A.N.
Subject: RE:
When you decide to move out from a city because you feel a need for different messages, you change the game into a more active (and interesting) one. Its you now sending the messages (and don’t bother with who the audience is). All that matters when you are the voice is how you feel towards the new and unknown paths that will draw the messages of your future).

From: A.N. Sent 28 January 2009 14:30 To: V.M.
Subject: RE:
I tend to listen to my inner voice and try to turn its requests into reality. When New York was chosen, there was a sound need for movement, speed and challenges. Once they were accomplished, the needs shifted towards sun, light, time and human dimension… Lately, the voice is only talking about airy, spiritual and abstract concepts. It’s never been more appropriate to say that there is no place like your – inner – home.

Now my question is: if you live in a city where you go food-shopping at the local market, is General Laziness the price that you have to pay?

I hope to have energy to come back to this later.

A+ Fact:
- I read that article.

Health First - Reality Check

I think a solemn decision has been made.
Time to change a few things in my life, starting with my diet.
It seems like my organism is asking for new lymph... Ok, I answered.
Should admit though that I had a sound instant of panic.
Today I did not feel good. Shaking health, reality check.
I need to modify several habits... Am I ready?
...I don't really feel like talking about it nor about anything else.

List - short - of A+ Facts:
- Decision made. I can do it. Improving my lifestyle, starting NOW.
- I drank 2 full cups of mixed herbs infusion for nervous stomach (is my stomach nervous, or is it me...?).
- I worked. A lot has been done today. So, I am nervous because I work too much, ah?!
- I bought a bunch of lavander to sleep better. Placed it in a vase next to my bed.
- Tomorrow is Wednesday, which all in all is not too bad.
- Let's not say it loud but maybe Friday we have a plan, a fun one...

Need more A+ Facts. They will definitely follow once I make the change happen.
This is going to be an important year, I can feel it.

...Almost forgot another A+ Fact: I saw the cute beach bar guy in the street. He hugged me.

Maybe Mondays are Necessary...

Just got back from the event on Women and Afghanistan (Mujeres contra el olvido y la impunidad, organised by ASDHA,  in cooperation with the Catalan Institute for Human Rights, directed by my friend David Bondia). 

Got quite impacted of course, as the pictures were mostly portraits of women and kids, hurt by the endless conflicts in their unfortunate country.

One conclusion. Maybe Mondays are Necessary.

I got to meet a special woman, Ms. Rosa Roisinblit, Vice-President of the Plaza de Mayo Grandmothers' Organisation. It was powerful to kiss her as she smells of history and pain. Their story is about Hope and Fights and I believe it was a great present for me to get to see and exchange a few trivial words with her, about her recent trip on a cruise across the Mediterranean.

Now I am back home and there is so much to be done that I don't really know where to begin. But I feel that there is no need nor time to stress about it. After having gently touched the reality of those people, I know once more how blessed I am.

A+ Facts of the Day:

- I am a lucky person: young, restless, energetic and without close experience to pain and sorrow.

- The pictures from Gervasio Sánchez were touching and real. They opened a hole in my heart.

- I have eyes to see the truth. Ears to listen to its words. Voice to spread the message.

- Last but not least, I do have hands to place my tiny brick on the wall of hope.

Now I have got to go back to those details that require my attention (e.g. dinner, shower, emails, unfinished books and notes). But my energy flows free today and I feel part of the boundary-less movement towards tomorrow.

A.

P.S. I hope I am not infringing any copyright posting this picture (by Mr. Sánchez). In case I am, it will be promptly removed.

Relevant Links:

http://www.afgancat.org/

http://www.idhc.org/

htts://www.abuelas.org.ar/

Is Monday really Necessary?

Meteo/Geographical Information:
Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Detailed map of the day: Home (Born) - Office (Eixample).
Sky: Fiction Blue throughout the day.
Temperature: currently 8°C (feels like: 3°C).
Lowest - expected - point of the day: 7°C (which I believe will feel like 1°C).

Some words on the need to have Mondays.

My horoscope (Jeff Prince) said I am currently affected by a tough case of Mondayitis. Sounds about right. I do feel it. I was so comfortable in bed. My cat was sleeping next to me, his face on the pillow. And I was actually having a nice dream going on. Don't remember the topic but definitely not related to Mondays.

My question is: Do we really need to work 5 days a week? Wouldn't I produce more if I knew I have only 4 days to activate myself?

Pointless to complain as it looks like I do have to work on Mondays, trying to survive the virus that spreads around my organism on this unlucky day.

Tonight I am joining the opening of a 3-day event on Women and Afghanistan. At least a couple of hours will be well spent.

...I will work on the "what do you want from life" issue for the rest of the day.

Tiny - provisional - list of A+ facts:
- I had a nice breakfast: coffee, yogurt and banana (+ 2 glasses of water);
- I don't think I cursed at anyone, yet;
- My communication skills led me to send a nice email to my boss (doing my best to help out);
- I finished a task (a report) that I usually postpone forever perfectly on time;
- My flatmate and close friend Corey sent me an email thanking me for the nice weekend: proving I did spread good vibes around.

More A+ notes at the end of the day, hopefully. Now I have to go back to the Giant Question.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Meteo/Geographical Information:
Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Detailed map of the day:
Barceloneta, Gothic Quarter, Born area.
Sky: Fiction Blue throughout the day.
Temperature: currently 11°C.
Highest point of the day: 21°C.

A few words after a Positively spent Sunday.

If our actions are in line with our principles, does it mean we are actually behaving well? And, if the answer is Yes, is our good behavior in line with the Universal Balance?

Ok, sticking to simpleness. How would you define Karma?

E.g. The fact that I most likely acted badly towards my ex boyfriend will lead to bad pains at one point in either this or future lives, doesn't it?

I am not sure whether this makes sense or not. One sure fact. I behaved well today.

List of A+ facts:

- Woke up and tried to smile as soon as I opened my eyes;
- I fed my cat before he could actually have a panic attack (12,30pm);
- In spite of my laziness, I managed to get out of the house;
- The day was spent amazingly;
- I stared at the beach, at the crystal clear horizon, at some cute guys bathing in water (Jan. 25???) and at some other silly things I captured with my camera;
- I drank 2 fresh juices and 1 infusion;
- The cute guy at the beach place told me "It is always beautiful to see you";
- My friends were around me throughout the day and I think I transmitted positive vibes;
- We discovered a new bar that immediately became one of our new favorites;
- I talked to my family and made them laugh;
- Gabri and I had a short briefing and we opened the Lonely Planet, we got excited;
- We checked practical details such as flights and maps (not for too long though);
- Now I am exhausted (of nothingness) but I am managing and writing;
- In a few minutes, I will take a hot hot hot shower and wear my PJ;
- I will make sure to cuddle and play with Nietzsche before going to bed;
- I am listening to Faithless, Crazy English Summer, and it is such a powerful song...

...Sunday, January 25. Mission - so far - accomplished.

2am Sticky Note

...I don't feel that good tonight. I think this is a wake up call. Undone things are whispering guilt messages in my ears. Maybe tomorrow I won't remember their sound. Good idea to blog about it, then.

This Blog concept gives me a new sense of responsibility. I'd love to say "towards my readers".

Today I watched a documentary about journalism in Italy at the time of the Second Republic (1994 - today). It mentioned how professionals like Indro Montanelli or Enzo Biagi cared only about their readers, while putting together a piece, and why they are remembered as free and dedicated men, who devoted their life to Information. Believing in the right and need to spread the news.

This is the reason why Mr. Biagi ended up being a victim of a restrictive (legal?) measure that banned him from freely express his ideas on (national?) television (AKA Decreto Bulgaro).

Creating this page today meant to me a step forward to achieve my best level of Information constancy.

Going back to that Wake Up Call, a few things should be put into the To-Be-Done list:

- Open that Lonely Planet: get excited;

- Modify slightly my diet: + fruit & veggies +;

- Run 2-3 times/week: stop finding excuses;

- Devote 30"/day to personal meditation: turn in;

- Save xx Euro per month: this dream is cheap but not for free;

- Universal Love: highly recommendable;

- Individual Love: ...what?...;

- Material Things: digital voice recorder (wish-list for February);

- Movies: Millionaire.

- Last but not least, my favorite one... Use more time of my time.

I love it. Use More Time of My Time.

(I know that "Make a better use of my time" would be more "proper" but the crooked sound of my version is stickier.)

An Intro is Needed...

I have always liked the idea of owning things...

Although not especially attached to them, the view of shelves of books, closets of shoes, boxes of old pictures, make up, tiny useless objects simply makes me smile.

Why? Wondering Why leads to doubts. As usual. I ponder if it is right to collect. I am a collector, how does it sound? I buy with enthusiasm and honesty. I like it, I want it. No particular guilt nor second thoughts... I don't believe in consequences when it comes to such a trivial thing like shopping.

However, the collection of items doesn't necessarily mean that I am a superficial person. 

So I have decided.

Now I am about to abandon them all. I am opening this blog to collect thoughts and feelings about my future steps. Apparently, I have received a phone call from my soul. 

I am still uncertain about it but yes, let's say that my soul rang me.

We had a brief discussion to set some points and coordinate on what has to be done next.

The endless search for soul food.

Another level of collection. This is what is attracting me now.

I have chosen to go. I have chosen to change. I have chosen to choose.

One day I am going to have to story-tell these days to the family I will hopefully generate. It will be a story filled with History, Love, Adventure, Light, Places & Faces... And, after having tried to recompile my life as a old, grumpy and a bit confused Grandma, one concept will stand out (let's hope): the adorable restlessness of my soul.

This is the reason for this Blog and I really feel like repeating it..

The Adorable Restlessness of My Soul.

I will collect small thoughts and, hopefully, huge conclusions.

I will tell you my story and put in writing my moves towards...

I will make sure to make you laugh and smile.

I will try to make you cry.

My Shoes are staring at me, right now. They are asking me if I am truly ready to store them in boxes and fly away.

This is what I am trying to figure out, I answer.

My Lonely Planet is laying in bed, next to me.

Eat Pray Love (Please, do read it) just joined us.

My cat Nietzsche is sleeping in between my legs.

But my soul is packing.

My feet are willing to walk.

And I just cannot help that smile...

Follow me... I will make my best to find juicy soul food for all of us.

A.