Dawn

Dawn

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Ponters Pensées 17.5.16

The Looming Spanish Election: As predicted . . . Another incident aimed at showing how tough Madrid is over Gibraltar. Spanish authorities stopped a British military aircraft carrying the Foreign Secretary from flying through Spain’s airspace on its way to Gibraltar and forced it to fly over Portugal instead. Petty, petty, petty.

Problems with Spanish Authorities: Years ago, I was told by a village mayor that one doesn't usually have these unless an angry/interfering neighbour indulges in the Spanish hobby of making a Denuncia against you. So it is that my regular bar has had to remove all its outside tables – except my personal one yesterday – because a neighbour has reported them to the police for not having a licence. Like every other bar in the street. This, in fact, has been granted but not yet issued. So, today will contact the mayor, whom I know, to see if this problem can be solved in the traditional Spanish way - via a personal relationship with someone in power. This will hopefully trump the heft the complainant has as the widow of the guy who used to be the city architect. Así son las cosas.

Life-Changing SpainHere's an article by someone who feels Spain has improved her life in 7 ways. I can certainly relate to some of these. On the other hand, I'm no longer prompt and lie a good deal more than I used to. Anyway, the writer calls herself a travel blogger, leaving me wondering how I'd refer to myself. Ideas welcome. Honest.

E-cigarettes in Spain: I was going to call them E-fags but realised this would confuse American readers. Anyway, they seem to be falling out of fashion. Fifty percent of the population is said to regard them as just as harmful to health as real cigarettes. And that doesn't include the ones that catch fire or explode. More here.

TV Language: There was a practice terrorism incident in Manchester other day. Sky News spoke of the relevant mall as a place where people congregate to engage in retail activities. Or, as we humans say, to go shopping. Or perhaps marketing, if you're American. Going forward, of course.

Which reminds me . . .

The Letter H: This used to be pronounced 'aitch' in the UK. But even TV announcers and (Sky) ads voice-overs say 'haitch' these days. Is this regrettable? Probably not. That's English for you. It's 'crowd-funded'. Wonder how they pronounce it in the USA.

The Pope's Legions: They're still spamming my Google+ page. The latest example comes from a Maria Pereira, who asks What was the role of Mother Mary in the Early Church? And answers(?) that She was married to St. Joseph but remained a Virgin till death. As if. I didn't read on but merely blocked her.

Finally . . .  Scouse humour. The Everton football club has 2 big shops in the city, one at its ground and the other in the new-ish central shopping area, Liverpool 1. The latter is called Everton 2, giving the address: Everton 2, Liverpool 1. Brilliant. If, a tad optimistic.


An insight into Donald Trump's mind . . .




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