My 11 Million € Dilema

Life is so unpredictable that at an instant on any day, something least expected might happen at the blink of the eye, to change your life course totally, for better or for worse, for a long time or forever. Other times something might suddenly happen to offer you a life changing direction, which you and you alone must make the decision, instantly or, when fate treats you kindly, you might be given a bit of breathing time to decide your destiny yourself. Like a throw of dice, with your entire future, in many cases your entire life, hanging on the outcome of that throw, that decision of yours.

Such is the theme of a book, 'Residue', by the British novelist, Tom McCarthy, just out here translated into Spanish. I always prefer to read a book in the original language it's written, in this case, English. I feel that however brilliant and correct the translation, it's almost sure that some fine points, like words or expressions unique only to that language, would be missing. So even though I am very tempted to buy this book, I decided to wait until I go over to England later on in the year to get it there.

I know something of the story line from the brief publicity review of the book: A man had an accident one day, being knocked unconscious by some unidentified object fallen from the sky. When he came to from the coma he suffered amnesia, and after several months of rehabilitation, he was offered by a mysterious society / organisation £8.5 million (11 million Euro) as compensation, as long as he remained amnesic. Here is where the drama begins. It might even be a book of science-fiction.

Interesting plot I think. Human nature being what it is or how it is, the first inclination would gear most to the easy money, the guarantee of a financially and materially secure future. So what's so great about the memory of a past that has been done with? May not even be a pleasant one of a fabulous life, or a record of outstanding achievements. Life can always begin as from today, right? With so much money most things are accessible, obtainable, possible. Yet ...


I tried to pretend I was the protagonist of this novel, and I have been thinking hard all day what I would or should do? The money? Or my memory? With my earlier argument with myself, why am I even hesitating? At this moment, I am trying to figure out what it is that makes me so unsure about letting my memory go forever. What is a person without any past, however ordinary and humble?


Why can't I let go? Why should I be offered so much money to forget my past? Why should it benefit them if I don't? Believe me, they must benefit; nobody pays a fortune without getting something specific back! What is worth so much to them must be something that's lurking in my memory. What can that be? Now instead of trying to find out about myself and my past, I began thinking of them, the people and their motive ...

Even though the dilemma is only hypothetical, I can't get out of this circle I keep running around in! And, I haven't even read the book yet!!

Please tell me, what would you do??

Tags:memory,amnesia,dilema

• Current Mood: confused

Well Matured & Delicious

You are sitting at a dinner table, lavishly decorated and beautifully laid out in such a way, that reminds you of a page from the 'Ideal Home' magazine, or 'Beautiful House and garden'. Most of your table companions are food experts: critics, writer and authors of fine cuisine, professional chefs and gourmets. As previously promised, you have just been served the first course of, amongst other delicacies, the star item, a very special cured ham, denominated 'Jamon de Joselito'. The colour is perfect, wine red with just a hint of discernible sheen, the aroma alone would have the critics write a thousand words, and the texture is so smooth that it practically melts in your mouth ...

Then, as if a bomb had been dropped right on top of your head, the host of the evening proudly announced that the piece of ham had taken 55 months for the curing process to have acquired that exquisite quality. Your heart misses a beat, and that last little bit still in your mouth seems to have suddenly turned to stone as if by magic, and your brain works double time thinking what you should do now. Swallow a piece of meat that has been hanging about for 4 years and 7 months?

With the rest of diners going wild and absolutely elated about the discovery, and the privilege of being amongst the first to taste it, you certainly can't be the only ignorant idiot to spit it out. I guess the only recourse you have would be to wait for the right moment when no one's attention is on you, to have a little gentlemanly wipe of your mouth with your hankie (not the serviette, it might somehow be discovered later) and stealthily wrap that little piece of offending meat up, then thrust it in your pocket.

Or, have a quick but intelligent reasoning with yourself: How come something 2 seconds ago tasted so divine and made you so happy could suddenly become so revolting to you, simply because someone said something, not even against it, but an explanation of how it got to be so delicious? You can't rely on your own judgement of something you like or not? Chances are, you love it so very much you are willing to die for it! Like love itself. I just wish I was amongst the invited!

The Gastronomic Festival is celebrated this week in Cavas Vilamiu. Many people also give private 'Do's' to special friends. Very much like the Chinese, any excuse for indulging in good food in company of good friends.

Tags:curedham,gastronomicfare

• Current Mood: ecstatic

Difference Between Men & Women

The difference between men and women is not only physiological; there are many other gender differences and some are rather amusing. I say, 'Vive la différence.'

1) Nicknames:

If Claire, Louise and Hannah go out for lunch, they will call each other Claire, Louise and Hannah.

If Russell, John and Trevor go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Jackson, Parrot-face and TC [Top Cat – from the 1970’s television cartoon series].

2) Eating out:

When the bill arrives, Russell, John and Trevor will each throw in £20, even though it's only for £32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.

When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

3) Bathrooms:

A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from Tesco.

The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. [A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.]

4) Arguments:

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

5) Cats:

Women love cats.

Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.

6) Future:

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

7) Success:

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

8) Marriage:

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, but she does.

9) Dressing Up:

A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the bins, answer the ‘phone, read a book, and get the post.

A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

10) Offspring:

Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dental appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.

A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

Tag:Men,Women

• Current Mood: amused