Uncle Ernie

I just came back from a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate the birthday of my great-uncle, Ernie.

What made the trip so important was that I found him after 35 years.

And, I got to wish him a happy 95th birthday in person!

Serving up perplexion

Ever try to take a photo of curved posts because for some unknown reason the posts just seem to hold your fascination?

And on the post is a kid who finds you his fascination.

Well ... after looking at this photo hundreds of times, I've decided that he gives purpose to the posts and so I publish this post.

That will teach him.

Behind the dark, the day

Flying from Barcelona to Switzerland, the dawn was breaking and I got to see the beginning of the Alps formations.

 I remember words like grandiose, majestic, eerie and isolated coming to my mind.

Post work-out payoff

Jogging, joga, jumping certainly take a toll on your body.

And, what's a good way to have your body relax after such a strenuous workout?

Why, drinking La Casera, a sweet fizzy soft drink and vino tinto, or red wine, another popular drink in Espana and just about every where else in the world.

These 2 beverages combined with an intense workout and a power siesta will leave you relaxed and mellow.

See for yourself!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Emily

She was fun, tender and a great worker. She always greeted me with a hug y tenia una sonrisa que me encanta or a smile that enchanted me.

Now what fast-food restaurant do you go to where the worker embraces you?

She knew what I liked to eat and drink and always had my meal ready to perfection by the time I had to pay.

I loved the bocadillo con queso y bacon ... which is a bacon and cheese sandwich.

She left the restaurant for good to pursue a new line of work a year before I arrived back to the states.

She was Emily and I wish her, her new marriage and baby well if she ever googles this blog.

Hasta luego, Emily!

People of Interest FLCKR photoset.

Precious Moment

I can't resist,

Could YOU?!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A slip of the leg

No need for her to worry about her clothes getting caught on any part of the bicycle except to catch the eye of a roving camera.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Halloween in the middle of summer!

On August 15, 2010, Barcelona's barrio of Gràcia will celebrate la Festa Major de Gràcia 2010.

I've missed the last several years of the festa and for nostalgia sake I post this video of the 2006 winner carre de Torder, MY ALL TIME FAVORITE STREET.

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!

 carre de Torder

Click HERE for the video!

Now, what is la festa de Gràcia you might be asking yourself?

Well, it's little streets within Gràcia that are outrageously decorated and prizes for the best decorated are awarded.

Themes run from pre-historic times to aliens and star-trek like creatures to quiet corners like reading for the kiddies.

It's Halloween except right in the middle of summer.

Children end up having a great time and grown-ups a better time.

If you click on CLICK, I found an itinerary of the weeks events displayed.

If you like what you saw, just search la festa on my blog to see more.

And!

If you're in Barcelona that week, go, go GOOOOO!!!!

He takes a camera break

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Who wore it best?

Look at my post of July 12, 2010 called Five steps for an effective meeting,

And, tell me,

Who wore it best?

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Five steps for an effective meeting

Consider the location ... maybe a carnival might do.

Never miss your next job ... always carry your cell phone.

Surround yourself with colleagues who are youthful and good looking.

Check the weather ... sunny days make you happy.

And most importantly, wear comfortable clothing ... air-conditioned hosiery is smart.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

How to tell if he's just that into you

When I was 19, a fella named Joe took me to dinner on our first date and like all young girls, I was a nervous wreck.

I dreamed of numerous forks and spoons set on the table and would I know which one to use.

I dreamed of over eating, ordering the most expensive meal, and missing the food in my mouth.

How I wished I could be calm and serene like this couple.

They were soooo into one another.

They were at Plaça Gal-la Placidia, a cute park in the barrio de Gràcia.

They sat there for a long moment quietly talking and seriously looking into each others arm pits and their own., completely oblivious of me or anyone else at the park.

I don't know what kind of relationship they had but to me the moment was beautiful.

Caring, sharing and communicating is how I defined the picture.

We should all be so lucky!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Hope, fear or just plain tired

I took this photo from inside a steamy restaurant in a favorite plaça of mine.

It was dark with only florescent lighting illuminating the area

Contemplating whether to chose a diet coke with ice or a diet coke without ice (life is so challenging), I saw this lady walking and just about to sit down.

I got my camera ready, she sat, I took a few shots and here we are.

I photo shopped for contrast and that's it. I wanted to keep the ambiance of the moment. I chose not to crop to show her aloneness in a big space.

I hope you like the picture and that the photo evokes feelings and emotions for you as it did with me.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

What are they thinking?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Don't they look great?!

They sat, in that pensive way, at a fountain located at carrer de Cucurulla on the way to the Cathedral (in Barcelona) and I couldn't resist.

Such a great place to take pictures.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A Bloom in Yellow

The cactus and many other flowers were given to me by an expat from the states living in Barcelona.

She died and her family gave me her entire cactus collection.

I took what I could by hand and carrito and found my way back to the piso.

The one you see here is, of course, hers.

I photographed this beautiful flower when I saw its first bloom in my care.

Thank you, Alice.

One more day before the San Mateo County Fair of 2010 ends!

Let me tell you what I think of this county fair!

It's fun for genders of all kinds including humans.

It's Well organized and there appears to be more rides.

However, I did miss the roller coaster and the dragon ride for kids 5 and under.

The coke, cotton candy, ice cream and hot dogs were great but my tummy didn't agree.

Now here's some advice.

Put on lots and lots of sun block, wear a hat and don't forget to drink lots and lots of water.

And if you've got youngins, BRING THE STROLLER!!

View barcalunacy's San Mateo County Fair, 2010 FLCKR photoset.

Tying the knot!!

He's cuddly, cute, a dapper dresser and for those seeking good conversation, not tongue tied as evident in the photo.

I don't know his name but he was quite engaging, with some tricks up his sleeve.

He's the wizard of the Magic Show here at the San Mateo County Fair currently opened until Father's Day.

View barcalunacy's San Mateo County Fair, 2010 FLCKR photoset.

How to fall off a mechanical bull

Very carefully!

No matter what books you read or movies you see made of the Titanic, the ending is always the same ... the ship sinks.

Now ... what does the mechanical bull have to do with the Titanic?

Nothing much, with the exception that each participant, no matter how young or old, had the same ending ... they landed on their touckas.

For me, I rather enjoy observing.

To bad their isn't a county fair booth for my hobby!

View barcalunacy's San Mateo County Fair, 2010 FLCKR photoset.

Erase Una Vez

Or ...

Once Upon a Time,

I was able to put my toes into my mouth.

No. It's really true.

Could you?

And, more importantly, can you now, hmmmm?

Overcast day in sunny Spain!

Surprise!

Overcast day in sunny Spain!

Surprise!

The Camera Never Lies

Slips in photos like typos in writing are springboards to magical impressions.

So it was with this photo.

Before my very eyes, the human seemed to slowly emerge out of the wall, unto the sidewalk, as if in a dream ...

Was it?

The camera never lies!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A Real Winner

She struggled to climb, fell several times and eventually reached the top.

She might be the girl in the middle but she was tops in my book.

Golden Point

How does one siesta in Barcelona?

Well, you bring your lawn chair, your pooch, relax

And , oh yes!

Be sure to wear a suit and tie.

Like my mom always said: "You never know who will be watching"!

FYI: How could I not resist taking his picture. Could you?

I wondered if I would ever see him again.

A few years passed by and we were bumping into each other here and there and everywhere.

He was ever so gracious to let me click away each time we met.

He was indeed as nice as he looked sleeping.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A How-to On Overcoming Dental Phobia

Just before a stressful visit to anywhere, at the door do a little 2 step.

I guarantee that your qwurky behavior will make you feel great and those unseen will feel good too!

And just by sheer luck someone with a dental appointment and a camera might just capture your quirky moon-dance and blog it.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

The Heart of Barcelona

Plaça Catalunya is in the center of downtown Barcelona.

The park is surrounded by restaurants galore, shopping stores up the kazoo, street artists extraordinaire and birds ... lots of birds!

I love this area and I love the statue that you see.

So ... to my delight these 2 pretty ladies were sitting where they were.

And,

It was hard to know who was admiring whom!

Oh, yeah! And the suspenders added a certain touch, too.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Tapa i àpat

Folks! If you're looking for tapa meals and you happen to be in the barrio of gràcia walking on carrer Gran de Gràcia passing building #44 then YOU have to stop at the Tapa i àpat restaurant.

Let me tell you why!

Locals frequently dine there.

They know how to fry foods which can be a bit tricky.

The service is above par.

Menus are in different languages for the Catalan challenged.

You are special, even if you are a pesky tourist.

So ... all you have to do is order, smell the delicious aromas, eat and pay for the food.

I remember this cafe fondly.

But I warn you. I haven't been there in over a year and this is what I knew, for we were frequent customers. After all, I did shoot this photo to remember the place.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Real Magic

The little girl with the banana sees herself riding the dangerous dragon, happy and fearless.

Little did she know that 10 months later her time would come.

And, her mom would survive.


An aside note: In case you're wondering, the picture was manipulated with photoshop.

It was soooo easy and fun to do.

I thought I needed to say something in case any of you thought this picture was real.

And, I personally know some folks who might think so.

Hmmm ... what does that say about them?

More importantly, what does that say about ME knowing them?

Gotta go. I hear voices.

Treasure

About 20 years ago I was given this baby photo.

As far as I know, it's the only infant picture of this child who, at the very least, was 9 months old decades and pre-decades ago.

barçalunacy as a child

I treasure and protect this photo and today I finally scanned it.

So, I delight in it's existence and share with the world this picture of

Me!!

Attention to Detail

Is a quality every good waiter should strive for giving good servicing.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.