Spanish
(non)Government: The proposed PSOE-Ciudadanos coalition was voted
on in parliament yesterday evening - by each of the 350 MPs shouting
out Yes or NO, in turn. Naturally, I fell asleep during this
(medieval?) process but wasn't surprised to hear later that the NOs
had won the day. This is largely because the far left Podemos party
is happier to let a right-wing party get back in power than to dilute
some of its (extreme?) demands. So, there'll now be another vote on
Friday, when things will almost certainly go the same way. Roll on a
continuing hiatus and a new go at electing a functioning government
in June/July. Well, maybe September, if the holidays intervene.
A
Prediction: In these increasingly gender-conscious times, the
neutral Ze will increasingly replace He and She
among right-on writers and commentators.
Talking
of English . . .
A
Big Cheese: I knew, of course, that the Persian for thing
is cheez. But I didn't know 2 things about this word:- 1. It comes,
as many Persian words do, from Urdu, and 2. It's the origin of the
English phrase 'A big cheese'. So, nowt to do with the foodstuff.
Which, incidentally - like the Chinese - I eschew. Largely.
Local
Corruption: Here in Pontevedra, the investigating judge in the
Patos case has decided that, contrary to public certainty,
there's not enough evidence that anyone in our town hall indulged in
taking commissions on purchases and contracts handed out. All the
stories must be apocryphal, then. We're yet to hear the result of the
investigation into the far greater (alleged) corruption in the
provincial government. Which may well be one of those abolished by
any combination involving the PSOE and Ciudadanos parties. As and
when Spain finally has a new government.
Finally
. . . Self-help Books: The daughter of 2 psychiatrists says
these are counter-productive. Life, she says, sucks and you should
face up to the fact. Borrowing her parents' favourite quote, she's
written a book entitled Fuck Feelings. Or maybe Fu*k
Feelings. I'm not sure. Co-written with her Dad, this claims that
wallowing in your feelings and trying to fix the unfixable isn’t
going to get you anywhere. Life, the pair insist, is a Shit
Sandwich. Or maybe a S*** sandwich. More here, if this
approach attracts you.
FOREIGN
RESIDENTS SUPPLEMENT
HT again to Lenox of Business Over Tapas for this article on the travails of importing stuff
from outside the EU. It might
not be worth the candle, thanks to one thing and another. Having
recently brought in a gift of some (old) books from Canada, I can
endorse the concern. Paper, hassle and cash are the by-words.
Thinking
of living here? Already embarked on the challenge? Then read
this amusing list of the relevant Ten Commandments.
BREXIT
SUPPLEMENT
If
you're worried about a Brexit denuding you of all your rights
in Spain, then this is an article for you. A HT to Lenox of Business
Over Tapas for citing this, even though he personally opposes a
UK departure from the EU.
Apart
from that, can't be bothered posting articles today. Some days are
diamonds; some days are stones. And this goes out to Lorraine in Buenos Aires, who's had a trying few days moving from one flat to another. Or apartment, as she'd actually say it.
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