The first day of October kicks off with Notte Bianca in Valletta- an open day in the capital where all the museums are free and street entertainers populate every corner of the capital- usually a ghost town in the evenings, but not tonight. It turned out an excellent night of exploring- the Fine Arts museum, Strait Street (a derelict alleyway famous for its red-light activity in the past, itching to become popular again), a play at Manoel Theatre, a tour of the Presidential Palace (with the bonus of watching the national philharmonic orchestra through one of the balconies), churches, tapestry rooms, St John’s cathedral (amazing interior decoration)... so by the time I got to looking round the archaeology museum at 11:00 I couldn’t keep my eyes open and nothing was interesting anymore.
Had another back-at-university dream. But now, instead of pre-exam anxiety over having not revised, I had passed exams without doing any work. Maybe a subconscious change in my peace of mind.
This weekend I was reminded of my place as a lodger as I started trying to organise more space for myself in the room upstairs. I politely suggested that there is no point in hoarding things that have been lying in cupboards for 10 years- pretending you’ll use them one day... also suggested a big clear out instead of cleaning in-and-around all this “junk”... it was suggested back to me that I can always move out... cue argument etc. etc... Eventually made a good job of it, but still so much work to do to convert this space into a mini flat.
Traffic is getting worse in the mornings, there is a crash almost every day, but still it’s only a half hour journey. I could not go back to the commuting life again. I will need to live in a city when I go back to the UK but who knows when that will be. Here, I do not get the Monday morning blues, so that's one good sign not to leave. Also spoke to someone about getting Sky TV set up using a box from England and a dodgy satellite dish, so that will be another bonus.
The Amanda Knox (and that other bloke’s) appeal came to a head this week and it seems to be the correct result that they were acquitted. How can so many people be so sure they are guilty based on no solid evidence? Some just love to hate and condemn. However, I think they definitely know something, as suggested by their behaviour at the time of the incident. Maybe they decided to shut up shop completely to reinforce their innocence. We will never know, but it is a big thing for an Italian court to overrule such a decision, thus highlighting corruption and inadequacy in the police force.
Meanwhile, a man in Malta has been convicted of throwing his dog away in a skip, wrapped in a plastic bag like a piece of trash. The dog was found alive but died soon after. The man’s excuse was that the dog was already sick. He got 9 months in prison and a 20K fine. Some people claim it is too harsh for “just a dog” but like most of the country I disagree. Yes people do go overboard, seeming to care more for animals than for humans, but I like the fact that the whole country has been appalled by this as it shows the level of compassion that exists.
A few storms have started, but they only last 15 minutes and then the sun comes out again, so it’s nothing to complain about. Hopefully it will all clear up in time for the parents’ visit on the 20th- busy planning a busy activity schedule for them to see the whole island in 10 days.
Work is about to get a lot busier- one of the consultancy firms is being let go and it seems I am about to take over all of their responsibilities regarding infrastructure- not a part of my engineering background. But that’s how it is here- you have to generalise- for example, dealing with the film studio next door- asking us to stop the lorries when they are filming dialogue scenes for Sinbad the Sailor.
I was invited out to Tana Del Lupo in St Julian’s for a meal with the managers and directors from Dubai, which sounds daunting but turned out quite enjoyable. There was no work talk allowed and I surprised myself by having plenty of things to pull out of the locker for conversation. I ordered Bistecca alla Fiorentina, so was a bit shy when they dumped this massive cut of steak in front of me, but you have to seize the day- if I was paying I’d be having a burger. Quite pleased on the bus ride home- I seem to be giving a good account of myself, though I never feel like I fit in 100%, but that’s how it’s always been. I’ve grown to like that feeling nowadays and use it to my advantage.
Going on mad drives at dinnertimes- round Fgura and Birgu looking for different places to get dinner... but ending up back at the usual place near St Joseph’s church. It all helps to get orientated as the traffic signs are not good. Another day- lost in Tarxien after an airport run, then on the way home got caught in a massive traffic jam (because it rained) and made a fatal error heading into the heart of the jam rather than going round it. I was already pissed off but then the car overheated and cut out in Pieta. Quite lucky it didn’t happen on a slip road I suppose. I sat in a layby, fuming but patiently studying from my Maltese language book (always try to make a positive out of bad situations), and eventually got home to complete a 2.5 hour journey. It should have been 20 mins. Have to start coming into work earlier to avoid all this bullshit.
At the weekend a local estate agent tells me there is no minimum price for buying property after all, so that puts a new spin on things. While I save for a deposit, I still need my own space in my lodgings though... cue more bitter arguments about throwing stuff out... The thing about arguments is that there seems to be no positive outcome at the time i.e. nobody is getting their views heard, so that adds fuel to the fire and you do things like kicking a kitchen cupboard really hard... but afterwards the dust settles and you find that you were being listened to after all. I am just trying to make improvements, but people are resistant to changes when they live alone for too long. It frustrates me, as I know what needs doing and I will do it all and pay for it all, so what is the problem. As a start, I am now hunting for a wardrobe for no more than €200. Furniture shopping reminds me of the hectic time before I moved- doing the house up for tenants so that they can pay my mortgage.
I am relying a lot on my Mum and Dad when they visit to bring clothes, my electric guitar, and hopefully a Sky TV box. It will make a big difference, so I have to pay them back by organising their holiday properly. I was wondering whether to go back for Christmas, but it’s obvious of course I have to, if only to see the cat, so now need to book leave and flights.
I am into another phase of watching Carl Pilkington videos on YouTube- always entertaining to hear his random and original thoughts on everyday things. I think I used to be a bit like him but I stifled that side of me to avoid being patronised. I will try to bring out my random side more I think. I seem to have slipped into a sensible life of saving money, staying healthy and not drinking or doing anything interesting. Not the way I’ve been for the last 10 years, but still, I’m feeling better about myself this way. Now the blistering heat has subsided, I can think/sleep properly and also start running again round the track at Tal-Qroqq. Plenty of other unfit runners go in the evening. I only do about 5 laps, i.e. 2K, so it’s nothing to brag about.
At work this week, I realised I may be in a new country but it’s the same old life- you work to live, and your time is not your own. This is why I am keen on the property investment idea so one day I won’t need to work. Only a job in the music industry would allow me to really be content. But I don’t have one of those so I am trying to decide which area I could buy a flat in. I could avoid the rush hour traffic at Marsa and find somewhere closer to the site, but the area is too quiet- more suitable for families and village people. Also have to think about rental value, so the Sliema area is the best bet. Or maybe I won’t bother and should just save for another property in the UK. As for the traffic, I can beat it if I stop fannying about in the mornings... On a clear road it is a 20 minute journey, but if I set off any later than 7:30am, I get an extra 15 minutes of queuing, overheating and inhaling fumes.
General boring things... Car still playing up- the steering belt became frayed and had been lacerating the water pipe, thus severing it. Feels like the car is falling apart. Needs attention urgently... Found out my iPhone has been sitting in a repair centre in Norwich for a month for no reason. Getting very impatient now- the only game on this old ericsson phone is MiniGolfBT and I can now do 18 holes in 21 shots (but I know 20 is possible)... Revisiting my musician profile on MySpace- song recordings are not the best but once I get up and running again I’ll make some improvements... Good progress with the Maltese book- at dinnertimes I do my studying by the sea overlooking the film studios- currently learning massive lists of verbs and how to separate into present and past tense- everything is structured differently from English so it’s a challenge- basically like learning Arabic with a few Italian words thrown in.
Doing a lot of film watching and making lists of films I need to buy (download)... mainly the horror / psychological / surreal ones. With any other genre it has to be something special or I can't get interested in it. The latest- Paranormal Activity 2, which was ok but I just don’t believe in ghosts / demons anymore. I am laughed at by a mate for this, as if I am the deluded one. It seems clear to me that “the devil” only exists as a manifestation of the evil within mankind. In my humble view, the same type of analogy can be made for religion as a whole. Maybe a bit controversial...
After hours of deliberation, I booked leave and flights for Christmas... 23rd to 31st... because of work starting on 2nd Jan, the only option is to come back before NYE. I get unbelievably tense while I'm booking these things, trying to tie in with trains and accommodation, imagining someone else is just about to steal my booking. But this time they didn't.
Another weekend of clearing out the upstairs room... journeys to the tip... frayed tempers... completely lost my cool at one point- shouting and a bit of pushing, which has not happened for years. I surprised myself as it only started as a petty argument, but I really hate it when someone won’t let me speak (as I’ve alluded to already, my housemate can be quite irritating). It all seems stupid now. I have to be careful that a latent anger problem doesn’t develop into something that is not latent anymore. Why do I let others’ stress rub off onto me? So much for feeling more at peace... Anyway, the wardrobe has been delivered so it’s all taking shape up there (but as always it niggles at me having to spend money).
Quiet Saturday night again- homemade thai curry, trip to the shop for film food, dark and rainy, but there is something about a sad night in that still makes me feel satisfied (?). Once I have the room arranged and decorated, the guitars set up, sky TV installed, my own space... I will be free to do more exciting things. But for now- the film August Rush- about a musical child prodigy. Nice idea, but should have been much better- pretty unrealistic how a kid can play all these instruments immediately and can write symphonies with hardly any studying. It’s insulting to paint this picture that musicians are naturally gifted and don’t need to graft to become accomplished.
It rained all night and I was woken early on Sunday by a huge thunder storm, which I loved. A neighbour’s lilo was blown out of his roof garden across the other side of the town which made it even better. Of course the holiday makers flock to the gym as there is nowhere else to go. Things noted- a man using the calf machine to do squats, and an old woman with a mushroom haircut using the stepper machine so slowly it would be more effort just to stand still.
Feeling a bit agitated preparing for Mum and Dad’s visit, along with the increasing queues of traffic every day, and also the old problem of tension in my vocal chords which is always lingering. I don't know if that is the cause of tension or the symptom. It's a strange thing and I hope I'm not stuck with it forever. Sometimes I feel people in general are being funny with me, here and back in the UK, but I don’t really think I’m doing anything wrong. Therefore, I just have to ignore it, so not to let in any stress.
Feeling a bit agitated preparing for Mum and Dad’s visit, along with the increasing queues of traffic every day, and also the old problem of tension in my vocal chords which is always lingering. I don't know if that is the cause of tension or the symptom. It's a strange thing and I hope I'm not stuck with it forever. Sometimes I feel people in general are being funny with me, here and back in the UK, but I don’t really think I’m doing anything wrong. Therefore, I just have to ignore it, so not to let in any stress.
This Britney Spears comeback is pissing me off though as her last two songs have blatantly ripped of the melody and lyrics of old 70s hits... so much cheesy pop on all the radio stations.
I am sensing secrets in the air at SmartCity... it is all over the news that there has not yet been any generation of jobs as promised and politicians are saying negative things about the project, mainly the Labour party using it as a tool to put the opposition in a bad light. From my point of view, it's all bullshit as there is an extremely busy time ahead- two consultancies will be leaving and handing over all of their work to me by the end of the year. That’s 5 different workloads I have to take on which seems a bit odd, but I’m not going to worry about it. Meanwhile, trying to find a better route home through Fgura, to by-pass Marsa- apparently it’s impossible but I always find a way.
Parents arrived on Thursday 20th... it was weird to see them here and to think they are now lost in a foreign country. I miss that feeling myself. They have a great sea view from the 7th floor of The Strand and I will be taking them to see pretty much the whole of the island in the next 10 days. I won’t write about all the places I take them, as I’ve already done that and I’m getting a bit bored of this blog, so I’ll just include interesting/new areas visited. The first thing to note is that they brought me back my iPhone- unlocked, restored and synced at last- along with other home comforts e.g. the electric guitar.
I drove them up the NE coast, Mum asleep all the way, Dad taking photos through the windscreen every 20 seconds. The fact that I don’t like Bugibba was reinforced yet again- while showing people round you become more conscious of the run-down areas and I get frustrated, wanting to show them the best places. Had a meal in Irrera at Ta’ Xbiex in the evening and found out about Gadaffi being killed. Not sure what my view on that is... it would be better to have captured him alive but how would you expect any Libyan soldier to show such restraint?
Friday- very hard to get M&D up and out of the hotel. Water taxi to Valletta at about 11:00am. Initially frustrated with myself over not being a good guide RE: routes and timings, but it turned out a successful day. I loved watching the Malta Experience cinema show as it gave me much more respect for the country’s people and its history, so I will definitely do some further reading (to add to the 4 books I’ve already read in my life). Shopping after- they thought it would be a new and exciting experience but I think they were disappointed to see it’s just like England but with less choice and 25% higher prices.
Saturday- Mdina in the rain: Knights of Malta history tour (good, but not feeling as inspired today), cathedral and museum (a bit boring), meal at Fontanella, and finally St Paul’s catacombs which is an excellent site to visit and probably better than its rival across the road (St Agatha’s).
Sunday- Mellieha: the main event being Popeye Village which is €10 and although I’m glad I’ve seen it, I won’t be going there again. It is all very nice and also nostalgic for M&D but once I’d been there for half an hour I started to feel uncomfortable- a 31 year old on a kiddies’ day out with his parents. It is a strange place, still living off a film that was made 30 years ago, desperately clinging on to the past despite not really having anything to offer anymore. The toy theme displays in the houses are a bit strange, with some of them having no lights on so you have to walk through rooms in total darkness. The staff were a bit odd too, dressed as Popeye, Olive Oil and Bluto, trying to be jovial but deep down probably feeling like they have sold their soul. The boat ride around Anchor Bay was the best bit, along with beating Dad at mini golf (on holes, though he thinks he won on shots). I still enjoyed it overall I suppose, and so did they, which is the main aim, but I would recommend to anyone else just to look at it from the road above and leave it at that. Afterwards, drove round the town- local chapels and churches... I’m leaving them on their own for the next 4 days to explore using bus tours and harbour cruises.
Tuesday- I took them for an evening meal at Fortizza in Sliema. Good to try new local restaurants but I always have this thing niggling at me- why spend 3 times as much on food rather than cooking at home? They said the sightseeing bus tours are not good- the commentary is full of adverts and the last bus doesn’t turn up leaving you stranded. But overall they are impressed with the country & climate. I realised I am taking the weather for granted now, along with being here in general. But after 6 months obviously the holiday feeling wears off and is superseded by work, but not in a bad way. I am still feeling lucky to get the job, especially as it allows me to ride above the financial woe that is documented every day in the world’s media. In the end it turned out to be a very smart move coming here. But getting back to negative things- the gym doesn’t seem to be working at all. Is it due to stopping the creatine, wrong diet, genetics, or am I still not training properly/enough? Another fruitless thing is me trying to practise the Maltese I’ve learned- it’s very hard not to sound like a dick. The problem is everybody is fluent in English so I never get any practise because there isn’t any need. Oh yes and I got a letter in the post saying I’m being fined €20 as last month I was seen not wearing a seatbelt... wtf?
Friday- off work and back to being a tour guide... Out at 11am- dropped them off at Tarxien Temples and had a walk around by myself. It’s a bit shit here. Some friends once tried to get me to support Tarxien Rainbows FC but I don’t feel any affinity with the place. On to Vittoriosa (also called Birgu)- heavy rain so we took shelter in the museums. The war museum was excellent- stories of how people overcame the relentless air raids by the Germans and Italians in WW2, and exploration of the underground shelters which were mined out of the rock. The whole population basically lived underground for years while their country was reduced to rubble, but they did not surrender and later received the George Cross for their resilience. The museum allows you to get fully immersed in the history so once again I’m inspired to learn more. We moved on to see Smart City, Kalkara... they liked it but for me it was not the best going in to work on a day off. I tried to show them the whole of the South in one afternoon (Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Birzebugga) and managed it apart from the Ghar Dalam archaeological site. We saw the place I could have been working at a shipping container port and I think I would be thoroughly pissed off by now if I’d taken that job... meal at Tre Angeli in Gzira after... the bars are ok round here, I don't know why I haven't started frequenting them yet.
Saturday- up early to get them to the Hypogeum at Paola, did a roast dinner, showed them San Anton gardens and some new wildlife garden behind it which is worth seeing, then on to Hamrun chocolate festival in the evening- not a bad event- lots of interesting stalls, sculptures and music. There was a re-enactment of the Grand Procession from the days of the Knights of Malta reign, but I find these things a bit weird and unnecessary- just get a band on instead.
Sunday- pumpkin festival in Manikata- shit food but I like the church and enjoyed the acoustic guitar duo who were playing... that is until I started to get jealous and depressed because I am not involved in this anymore- I have very itchy feet. But I also have a problem with enthusiasm- feeling lethargic and out of touch with the main things I want to do with my life. Must get my music back on track once M&D have gone. But I’m also desperate to save money so maybe I am better off just laying low for a while and learning new guitar stuff on my own. I really don’t know what I want. Anyway, I took them to Valletta Waterfront to round off their holiday. The only place with any customers was Bistro 516 so we went there (bad marketing from the other empty restaurants). They have been very inquisitive and probably now know more than me about this country which at least shows they’ve enjoyed themselves. I’ve been ill for the whole of their holiday, and was very tired later (which made me go into a silly mood) as I saw them off, but content that my work is done. I worked out Dad had taken about 3000 photos in 10 days, which amounts to one every three minutes of being awake.
It’s hard to slot back into normal mode and too much coffee made me feel weird at work on the Monday- e.g. irrationally annoyed at the constant over-politeness in emails. Still trying new routes home, now in the dark due to the clocks going back, and other drivers make it very difficult- if you dwindle for just a second you get beeped at. I’m not sure if there is any route home that won’t piss me off due to congestion. I’m feeling lazy in general- regressing, watching YouTube videos of old computer games again... also stuff about the universe and light speed... I came across a new thought that the universe exists outside our field of vision, a field which is constrained by light speed (space expands faster than light travels). So this means the universe could actually be infinite, or at least immeasurable, and we have no way to find out. Nobody cares about that though I suppose.
No comments:
Post a Comment