Squackett

I can't stop thinking big

I can't stop thinking big

In a world where I feel so small

I can’t stop thinking big

-Rush

13:41

I am listening to the new Squackett album, A Life Within A Day, The first collaboration between Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Chris Squire (Yes.) I am pleasantly surprised. I don't expect much of new Hackett stuff these days, just because the production sounds the same as it did in 80's. And while it's not very proggy, there's some interesting stuff. 

Also cool is Neil Young's Americana, which is he and Crazy Horse re-working old classics such as O' Susannah, Clementine and She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain. It's in your face, grinding rock and roll. I like it. 

So just a slew of interesting releases here in early June. 

Wow, some of this Squackett stuff is quite interesting. It's a bit edgier than Hackett's last few albums. And of course it doesn't hurt to be playing with one of the best bassists of all time. 

The Fucket List 

Finish editing Buying New Soul with Vicky 

Ride the Teleferico  

Lunch by the lake at the Uruguayan Barbecue

Watch my last Euro Cup while i live here

Beers by the statue of Ángel caído

Visit North of Spain

The Fucket List

Edited for a few hours with Vicky on Fri. Then i went to a going away party for some Canadian friends who are moving back to Canada (Alberta.)


I have created a Fucket List, the things i need to do before i leave Madrid. i crossed two things off the list yesterday with the Welsh Witch. We went to Casa de Campo and road the Telefrico, a tram that goes over the park and gives you a great view of the city. Then we had lunch by the lake (lago.) Fried murcilla (blood sausage) and then a great steak. 


Then watched DEN upset HOL in the Euro Cup. That was huge. And Germany beat Portugal, 1 - 0. Tonight Spain plays Italy. The Ireland plays Croatia. But first, more editing.


Editing the novel is number 1 on my Fucket List. 


I am listening to the new Rush album, Clockwork Angels, even though the release date isn't until the 12th. Welcome to the brave new world of the Internet. I've listened to it this weekend and i like it. It's massive and dense and there are a few songs that i can't even grasp yet. That's a good sign for a progressive rock album. Watch can be baffling at the beginning can later still hold my interest years later after dozens of listenings. This new album covers a lot of ground. It's the 1st time they've told a story over an entire album. 





Thank your stars you're not that way 
 Turn your back and walk away
 Don't even pause and ask them why 
 Turn around and say goodbye 


 All that you can do is wish them well 
 All that you can do is wish them well 
 All that you can do is wish them well
-Rush

Earthshine

Over 15,000 page views. Mierda Santa (holy shit!)! 


Work at 9:00 til 14:00. 


Then edit with the Welsh Witch. 


Then it doesn't matter.

Has anyone seen my f#*king pants???!!!!

And the days go by....

She said luck is what you make it

you just reach out and take it.

Now let's dance a while.

She said nothing ever happens

if you don't make it happen.

And if you can't laugh, then smile.

But after a while

you realize time flies.

And the best thing that you can do

is take whatever comes to you.

'Cuz time flies.

And laughing in the summer showers

that's still the way I see you now.
-Porcupine Tree


As you might have guessed, the world did not end. Apologies to all my Mayan friends for calling them out and questioning the date. Perdona.


The Bender Birthday was epic. There were streamers, a cake made of pastry, at least 40 people in and out. It was great. Then we went to Barbaroi where we hung out for another hour and a half and listened to some prog rock.  


It was as Kevin wrote me "..worthy of being chronicled in a 20 minute anthem by Rush" which is said by Bender in an episode. 


They made me a card and everyone wrote something inside. It was really cool. It's like a little timecapsule. 




RIP Ray Bradbury. Farenheit 451 was amazing. Truly amazing. Way the f*^k ahead of it's time. 


The Euro Cup starts on Friday. 


Kevin's birthday is on Saturday


I will be two months away from leaving. 


Time flies. 

The Apocalypse in 6/5

The game was great. Real Madrid won 3-2 and Figo had a killer goal that was buried in the upper right corner. 


Gonna have drinks with John King and Norman tonight. Got to swing by and say good-bye to Carolyn beforehand. Busy, busy. And then manana is Bender Birthday. The police have let me know that they will have police in riot gear out in Mala Sana for Bender Tuesday Apocalypse. Could it be that the Mayans had the right year but the wrong date? Priests and nuns are keeping a 24 hour vigil. Mahou has stocked with J&J's with twice the number of cases of beer. If it's the end of the world, i am ready.

Abre la Puerta

15:57




Abre la puerta niña
Que el día va a comenzar
Se marchan todos los sueños
Que pena da despertar.

Por la mañana amanece
La vida y una ilusión
Deseos que se retuercen
Muy dentro del corazón.
- Triana

Translation: 

Open the door girl 

That the day will begin 

They leave all the dreams 

It's time for awakening. 

Morning dawns 

Life and illusion 

Desires that twist 

Deep within the heart.

I saw John King and his friend norman. They are in Madrid this weekend, so John, Norman, Vicky and i all went out. It was great to catch up. Today they are in Toledo. 


Last night was Carolyn's big good-bye party. It was fun. Crazy, as always. Jesus was there looking like a statue. He looked very uncomfortable. I found it amusing. 


Tonight Vicky and I are going to the Corazon (Heart) for Africa match between Real Madrid and Manchester United. An old timers game with Zidane and Figo. Two legends. 


It's June. The busy season. I will be 44 on Tuesday. This is will be my 6th birthday in Madrid, and the last for a while. Five and a half years. I was telling John King about how Sue and i lived in Northern VA and and how i got my MBA in 2004. And then i thought, that's almost ten years ago! Crazy.

Now i roast me down to sleep...

Hot, hot, hotter than hell
You know she's gonna leave you well done
Hot, hot, hotter than hell
Burn you like the midday sun
-Kiss

Books I read May 20121

The Lifeboat - Charlotte Rogan

Kill the Dead (Sandman Slim 2) - Richard Kadrey

Tik Tok - John Sladek

The Postman - David Brin

The Dead and the Gone - Susan Beth Pfeffer (last survivors 2)

This world we live in (last survivors 3) - Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Lifeboat was good, about survivors at sea after a shipwreck in 1914.) It's fiction. Quite good.

Tik Tok is about a robot who rebels. Futurama's Bender was influenced by this character. It was awesome. "Kiss my copper-plated ass, you shitbag."

The Postman is oustanding. Post-apocalyptic. Way better than the idiotic film Kevin Costner did in 1997. 

Also post-apocalyptic and gripping as hell were the last two books of The Last Survivors trilogy.  I read the first one a few weeks ago. I cannot say enough about them. Deals with some terrifying things, but the fact that it's written for young adults means it doesn't go too far. Kind of like The Hunger Games. 

I ♡ my Kindle. I can find anything i want even though i am in Madrid. 

€ Watch

Spain is now considered the epicenter of Euro crisis. Has something to do with Bankia asking for €30B .I knew it was coming. I am leaving at the right time. Adios Espana. Que casi no te conocí (good-by Spain, we hardly knew ye.) Is it really any wonder my reading list has been full of post-apocalyptic novels?

And it's hot. Broiling hot. It's 93F. It's only June 1st!