Other good Spanish movies

La flaqueza del bolchevique - sad love story, but good

El laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth) - weird but probably one of my favorite movies, english language included

Eres mi héroe - pretty good movie about the end of Franco

Abre los ojos - very weird movie, Penelope Cruz is in it though...

Los amantes del circulo polar - love story, sad, really good. previously posted.

Ja ja

A magician was driving down the road...then he turned into a driveway.

Plaza de España

This is Plaza de España.  It's right by my school but I hadn't been there until last weekend.  They just finished some construction on it but I wasn't there to see what they worked on so I can't really tell you.  I guess you can check out these pictures, there are probably some cooler ones online.

Two Things

1.  I talked to one of my flat-mates that has lived here for two months for the first time this weekend.  It happened during an "american party" when we were drinking in our kitchen.  Apparently now we are brothers and he has my back against any of my enemies, which is good because he looks like a beast.  But what if my enemies are his friends?  Are we still brothers?

2.  As previously stated, we threw an American party this weekend.  No, no, there weren't American flags or anything like that.  Instead all we had to do was stay inside and hang out.  The ratio was like 15 Spaniards to three americans, but it was still an American party.  We don't really have enough room to get too wild or play games, but I think the Spaniards may have liked it.

Okay, I lied.

3.  Today was the most Oregon-like weather of my time in Sevilla so far.  London was pretty similar to home, but today was wet.  I can't decide which is worse (or better): having to dodge hundreds of Sevillanos that walk like butterflies on my way to class, or having to dodge less Sevillanos, their umbrellas, and all of the damn puddles that are everywhere.  I thought Eugene was the "city of a thousand puddles," but Sevilla is definitely challenging it.  Also, if you ever come to Sevilla in the winter, try not to have your eyes poked out by the umbrellas, they're everywhere.

Los amantes del círculo polar

I watched this movie in my film class this morning.  It's a romance, and it's kind of sad, but I really liked it.  Maybe you should watch it?

"Lives have many cycles but mine has only turned once and not
 completely... the most important thing is missing."

"I'm waiting for the greatest coincidence of my life."

"I'll love you forever and if I run out of gas, I'll die."

Cute Girls

Power Rankings: Week 12
*first place votes in ( )

1. Sevilla (45) -- Like the Oregon Ducks football program, the dominance of las Sevillanas is clear.  However, unlike the Ducks, las sevillanas are more conservative and don't beat you with lightning fast speed.  Instead, this group, that is extremely gifted on all levels (except in talking to Americans), forces opponents to slow down with their persistent window-shopping and aggressive side-walk blocking...disrupting any sort of offensive rhythm.

Paz Vega stole my heart in "Carmen"

2. London (3) -- London has had some very impressive showings so far. This top-heavy group has a couple of real stars, but can the rest of the team keep up?  Questions have been raised about their defense...and the colder climate, increased clothing, and amazing accent may have also deceived many voters into this high ranking.

Kate Beckinsale

3. America (11) -- Playing outside of the European power conference has really hurt their chances for a title shot.  But these girls continue to prove time and again their worth.  Dark horse for the championship game.  Received my vote.

Hard to go wrong with the depth America has. 

4. Barcelona -- The wild night life in Barcelona has contributed a great deal to this ranking.  It is uncertain whether their current success is a result of great playmakers or their "blur offense."  With upcoming travel to other regions of Spain, the verdict on this exciting team will soon be in.

When you can't find any famous girl from Barcelona, just type in Miss Barcelona.

Not Rated:
Amsterdam -- While Amsterdam clearly has some of the most talented prospects in the world, their continual acceptance of improper benefits and perpetual probation has hindered their ability to put together a solid team. This team appears angry, especially on the line, but without any quality players at the skill positions they'll continue to struggle.

Cordoba -- Cordoba has yet to fill a team, considering there is no one in the city.

Granada -- May be time for a coaching change.

Good Book

Small Is Beautiful ... by E.F. Schumacher.

"Economics as if people mattered."

More than just economics though.

I'm only on page 100 out of 318, but I can't put it down!

Took a walk today for a few miles west along the Rio Guadalquivir (the river that runs through Sevilla).  There's a bunch of graffiti all over the walls there and a bunch of it is pretty cool.  I'll go east next weekend.

bridges are cool

Mickey Mouse on crack?

I am a TRAVELER.

Rise up?? In some language I think?

Only love can break your heart!!!

Cool bridge.

Artists at work.

A lot of tags by BUBLR

Pretty

You like?

Like a troll.

Reminds me of Squidward (sp?) from Spongebob for some reason.

The only empty street in Sevilla

beautiful

London Miscellaneous

London was a pretty crazy city.  I loved it.  There was so much going on and so much craziness that I needed at least another month to absorb it all in.  I'd seriously consider living there if I could afford it (even if you gave me a tent and heat lamp and told me to stay somewhere in Hyde Park).  Anyway, here are some random things that I thought were either funny or interesting or random:

1. This was in the airport. I'm not really sure. For handicapped? Or little kids? Really intense pees?

2. Thought you'd like this one Mom.

3. Great idea to tell people which way to look. Almost died a couple times. But I wondered how much it costs to paint all the corners of this humongous city.

4. Darwin buried in Westminster Abbey. Evolution?

5. But... you're supposed to litter on the street not in a can...

6. Henry VIII apparently would get a little too excited in battle.

7. I guess this is what you get after a long day along the River Thames in London.

8. This is considered modern art. Also on display in the Tate Modern Art Museum: piles of clothes and blank paintings. Although they did have the "Metamorphosis or Narcissus," which is a cool painting...and a bunch of Andy Warhol, Picasso, Dalí, etc.

9. Think I'm going to start making "mind the gap" underwear.

10. London has to have the most security cameras in the world by far. There are cameras all over all the buildings and oftentimes on the street lights. Seriously V for Vendetta status.

11. I kept running into these memorial walks. Queen Victoria (I think?) had one too in Green Park I want to say.

12. The city must have a ton of deaths in traffic accidents to require so much instruction all over the place.

13. "Way out" = "exit". I kept looking for the "fire way outs" but all they had were "fire exits."

14. The Royal dining room. Invite only. From here they walk down the royal staircase to the royal box.

15. Largest restaurant in Europe, right inside Wembley stadium. Seats either 1,900 or 2,900 at the same time.  92,832 seats (some guy counted), but really 2,800 of those are wheelchair locations. The stadium has like 4,000 bathrooms! And no urinals (so they're unisex).

16. We went during their Veteran's Day. Its called Remembrance Day though and you could pretty much tell who was British or not from the poppy pins that everyone wore for some kind of fundraiser. I guess there is a lot of patriotism in London?

17. I just can't escape the essence of Andalucía.

18. I don't even know what to say. The Senior Playground was hidden by bushes but I couldn't help wondering what those old rascals do on their playground.

19. So many ads for escorts in the phone booths.

20. London has so many nice cars. This is a Bentley. I think Maserati must sell most of its cars in this city. Mercedes galore. Probably the most Porsches I've seen in one place. Can't forget Land Rover.

21.  British girls + British accents = WOW (Even the girl at Burger King in the airport!)

22.  My favorite thing was probably the Tower Bridge.  It's hard to explain the impression it leaves you with.

23.  Everything closes SO early in comparison to Sevilla! Or even the United States for that matter.

24.  I think my time in Sevilla has weakened my ability to endure cold weather.

25.  

Life-saver.

26.  There are tons and tons of crazy things about london, but my patience has worn thin.  If I think of any "must-reads" I'll be sure to post them.