Beach Opera And Library

Apart from what I was talking about recently, the outdoor cinemas, and the normal activities on beaches like sing-alongs, mini concerts, dances, there's also opera transmitted directly from the famous Opera houses like the Liceu and the Coliseo, onto the huge screen on some beaches. This latter started 7 years ago, has now become the expected regular feature in the summer months, to delight the perennial opera enthusiasts, and educating the younger generation who is not yet initiated in this art. The projection has also since extended to the public gardens.

So far, famous works like Turandot of Puccini, Madam Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel, Weddings of Figaro amongst others, and the renowned tenor Jose Carreras ...

For day time, the public libraries on wheels also come to the beaches as well for those who prefer to sunbathe or just take it easy reading on the sand than to swim. This service is free, all you need is your normal library card (issue to all resident free on request) or, if you are a foreigner, your identity card or passport. There are hundreds of titles and types of novels, fictions or non-fiction, including comics, magazines and press, local or international. The only restriction is the book you borrow must be return on the same day, from 11.00 to 18.00 daily. If you are hooked by a murder mystery and haven't yet discovered who done it yet comes the closing hour, no big problem, the book will be kept for you the following day if you are the first to ask for it.

I live just yards away from the beach in Roses! So with the dozens of offers all available on the beach: food, drinks, massage, nail care, music, dance, games, books, and operas, who has time to swim?

Tags:beach,library,opera

Current Mood: Accomplished

Some People's Dysfunction Is Almost Fun

1. As I let go of my feelings of guilt, I am in touch with my inner sociopath.


2. I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia.


3. I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.


4. I no longer need to punish, deceive, or compromise myself, unless I want to stay employed


5. In some cultures what I do would be considered normal.


6. Having control over myself is almost as good as having control over others.


7. My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of self-judgment.


8. I honour my personality flaws for without them I would have no personality at all.


9. Joan of Arc heard voices, too.


10. I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.


11. I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and complain.


12. As I learn the innermost secrets of people around me, they reward me in many ways to keep me quiet.


13. When someone hurts me, I know that forgiveness is cheaper than a lawsuit, but not nearly as gratifying.


14. The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice things.


15. As I learn to trust the universe, I no longer need to carry a gun.


16. All of me is beautiful, even the ugly, stupid and disgusting parts.


17. I am at one with my duality.


18. Blessed are the flexible, for they can tie themselves into knots.


19. Only a lack of imagination saves me from immobilizing myself with imaginary fears.


20. I honour and express all facets of my being, regardless of state and local laws.


21. Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so!"


22. False hope is better than no hope at all.


23. A good scapegoat is almost as good as a solution.


24. Why should I waste my time reliving the past when I can spend it worrying about the future?


25. The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working.


26. I am learning that criticism is not nearly as effective as sabotage.


27. Becoming aware of my character defects leads me naturally to the next step of blaming my parents.


28. To have a successful relationship, I must learn to make it look like I'm giving as much as I'm getting.


29. I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them.


30. Before I criticize a man, I walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot.

Tags:dysfunctional

Current Mood: Amused

Take A Look At Your Own Behind ...

Through the window of the Cafe where I sat this morning. I saw a middle aged couple walking by, heading for the beach. They, especially the woman, looked like a red Indian, and no doubt must be in great physical pain. Year after year during summer, I often marvel at seeing so many people with their skin a crimson red, looking like an overcooked lobster, and their faces showing the pain they suffer silently, almost heroically. Yet, under their arms they are still carrying the beach-mat and other paraphernalia they need making for the beach, again, with the self deceiving belief that, using heavier dose of sun cream their skin would get used to the sun after exposing it a couple more times. More than talking about the biology of the skin, it's really the sociology we are dealing with, that the suntan, apart from being considered sign of health and beauty, stands for an elevated self esteem and higher social class. Because you have to have free time, and plenty of it, to be able to get brown on the beach instead of slaving in the work places. This also means that you have enough economic means to do so. Not that going to the beach costs much money, but not working and therefore not earning does. There's also that hidden psychology, that satisfaction you feel when you write those 'Wish you were here' postcards at the beach to your friends perspiring in their jobs. To culminate all that and sum up your privileged capability of having been lazing away a couple of weeks at the beach, must be rather smug, and what better proof is there than showing off your well tanned skin? You might even be quite aware of the harm too much sun could cause, including the dreaded skin cancer, which has increased steadily over the years, now to an alarming figure. The sacrifice is too huge for upholding the false cultural value that brown is beautiful. That is only a man-made standard encouraged by the commercial industry, the hundreds of sun products, the before and after creams, sprays and lotions, the eye masks, the lip balms, etc, etc. Not all that many years ago, the elegant pale skin was fashionable for a long time, and all face powders come in white only. Sun soaked skin labels you as of peasant class, having to labour under the sun for a living. I do think there is a happy and healthy middle path solution to avoid serious damage to the skin. When you can't see your own shadow, or when your shadow is shorter than your height. Hide from the sun. If you are not totally convinced about all this, stand in front of a long mirror, holding another hand-mirror, turn and take a look at your bottom: doesn't the skin there look smooth, young and wrinkle free? Tags:suntan,bottom

Current Mood: Awake

Are You Qualified For The Job?

Murphy applied for the job as head chef at a very swish restaurant.
'Come to the kitchen and show us what you can do,' said the manager.
'Give me an egg,' said Murphy, 'any size, any colour' - and this was done.

In a trice, our hero grabbed the egg and threw it five feet in the air, caught it on the instep of his right foot, flicked it to his left foot, flicked it onto his left shoulder, shrugged it over to his right shoulder, shrugged it up to his forehead and gently nodded it towards a frying pan on a nearby cooker.

The egg hit the rim of the pan and broke, the contents oozing gently into the fat and the shell dropping into a waste bin.

That's brilliant,' said the manager. 'Can you do it again with 2 eggs?'
'Certainly, sir,' said Murphy, and duly obliged.

Staring at the two sizzling eggs and the shells neatly stowed in the bin, the manager remarked, 'That's the most amazing display I've ever seen.'

'Do I get the job then?' inquired Murphy.
'No,' said the manager, 'you mess about too much.'

Tag:EggTricks

Current Mood: Amused