Pamplomna – July 8th, 2009

I wake up at about 5am, to the same noise as yesterday. This time I don’t have to worry about stumbling around getting ready. I somehow managed to get to sleep in my clothes and only need to chuck my shoes on.

The bus ride in, I catch up on some much needed sleep before being chased by a pack of bulls, literally. Once off the bus, I go and have one last nervous piss, before going to find everyone. I don’t find anyone, but run into John and Dean, who are also running, so head in with them. We pit stop and grab a gatorade to hydrate before going to the cattle pen.

This is where every man and his dog waits to run with the bulls. We hang out and see some photos from the paper. Luckily there wasn’t anything too bad in the paper. It gets a bit nervery towards the end of the wait. About 15 minutes before the run, the place is jam packed full of people, and its very tight. They eventually let us out onto the streets and I lose John and Dean. And start walking down the narrow streets. I get to about 50m past Dead Mans Corner. And begin Jumping up and down, the excitement is just getting to me.

I keep jumping up and down. The anticipation is burning up inside of myself. Everyone around is either like myself or jittery and on edge thinking ‘what the hell have I got myself into?’. Then all of a sudden the first rocket goes off and my heart starts pumping a hundred beats faster, and people start screaming and yelling.

I start jogging and walking a bit. Just to get my body moving. Then all of a sudden a heap of people run on by, I take this as the cue that the bulls are not far behind. And I’m not wrong, I see one massive bull(the steer) and go “Fuck” and start running as hard as I can. About 200m up the road on the final stretch before the turn into the stadium 3 fighting bulls run past about a metre away from where I am, still trying to dodge slow runners and not get in the road of the angry beasts.

At some point in time, running down around the corner some fool trips over, so I try to jump him, only instead of clearing him, his thrusts an elbow up at the last minute and connects with my foot, sending me on a tumble just before the entrance. Then as I look to my right, just over my should I see 2 massive bulls running past litterly half a metre fromwhere I’ve tumbled.

I get up as quickly as possible and run as fast as I can into the arena, still with all that adrenalin pumping through my veins. As you run through the corridor into the arena you get a sense of safeness, til you realise how small it is. Then as you come out into the circular arena, you get smashed in the face by a huge roar that still to this day sends tingles down my spine. Its an amazing experience to just make it into the arena and be met by that huge crowd cheering everyone coming in.

I quickly make my way to the left side of the arena (not trying to make the mistake of the stupid guy yesterday that went left, then right and got cleaned up by a bull). I gather my breath for a second, still puffing I let out a massive yell and raise my arms in the air. A lot of people are doing it. I catch my breath for a second and then spot John and he snaps a quick photo of myself in the Arena.

In the Arena after the bullrun!

We try to get a good position in the ring for the second round of entertainment. Yep, after the main event, they let out smaller and younger bulls into the arena to litterly ‘go nuts’ on the idiots who get in their way. Its rather hilarious seeing still drunken men literally getting into the way of bulls to show how ‘manly’ they are. I just think its rather stupid. But at least the bulls don’t have horns, they put rubber on the ends so that they don’t gore anyone.

Some carnage in the arena.

They let about 6 bulls out into this rather large arena (bigger than I expected) and let them run around for a few minutes each. I remember standing on the fence, on the edge of the circle of where the people where surrounding the bull, and the bull just looking dead at me. A tad scary.

A few girls (Ena, Alica, Tessa, and Angela from the campsite) spot myself in the arena and yell out to me and snap a few photos before yelling at me and pointing behind me, only to see the crowd running in the opposite direction and a bull chasing them. Another tad scary moment.

That guy is gonna feel it tomorrow.

After the last bull, a big raucious applause goes up throughout the arena and everyone makes their way out. We walk past a shop and grab a bite to eat before going to the bus stop. A lot of the tour group is going to San Sebastian today, so the few that are remaining at the site are either going home or have been their already.

After some breakky and a shower, I chill out with those that are remaining. We just chill by the pool, and do nothing. Its a fairly quiet afternoon compared to yesterdays. But Dean and I make our way into town on the 4pm bus to get into the mood.

I have to go make a police report and he has to go get a train ticket. So we plan to meet up afterwards. I thought my police report would take ages, but it was done in 5 minutes, so I go to get to the station but don’t find it. So instead I go and get some more sangria, fill up my slouch and go and drink with the locals.

I mingle around til about 8-9 and go back to the bus stop and find them there chowing on KFC. A bus shortly arrives and Ena, Alica and Tess get off and recruit myself to go see a bullfight, but as we get down there we see people coming out, flooding out to be precise, so we go and find a place to eat and drink. Before walking around the streets before heading back to camp and crashing.

Okay so after Guadix and the cork forest it was on to Ronda followed by Gilbralter.  Our visit to Ronda was cut short due to the lack of parking anywhere down town, and there were large numbers of tourists.  Normally Ronda is too hot during the summer months to visit, so Sept thru April are usually good months to visit.  Here are our shots. There is lots to see there other than the gorge, like the Bull Ring..it either is the oldest in Spain or one of the oldest.. either way, it’s old..sorry no pics time was limited by the crowds.

Giving up and pulling over on the left to take photos..No parking here

Travelers and their dogs on the Gorge Bridge

Running to get that photo

Bottom of the Gorge

part of the gorge in Ronda

Great iron works between the posts on the bridge. No jumpers here

da gorge at Ronda

gorgeous shot

The Ronda Parador overlooks the gorge

The Parador

a view from the bridge

A farm house still in use today.

A very Henry Moore like bronze statue down town Ronda

www.artfest.org.uk – Intitulado o maior festival de arte GRATUITO do Reino Unido!

Putz!  Nem precisa mencionar que esta gratuidade foi determinante para meu total deleite deste festival, certo?  À parte toda esta fanfarra gratuita, é preciso ressaltar como o céu sobre a cidade é lindo!  Um azul tão “Rio de Janeiro” que, momentaneamente, de olhos fechados e estirado no chão das praças, foi possível sentir toda a energia que nossa incomparável Cidade Maravilhosa emana… – momento saudosista!

Victoria Square - Birmingham/UK (quase em transe...sentindo o Rio de Janeiro...)

De olhos abertos, comecei a observar a arquitetura da cidade.  Estonteante!  Aliás, o prédio em que fiquei, pos is só, já é algo impressionante (vejam fotos no Orkut…).  Chama-se Holloway Circus.  Um dos mais altos da cidade, de onde é possível observar, panoramicamente, os incontáveis prédios que adornam a cidade, exibindo um “mar de cubos” impressionante!

Seguindo a tradição das cidades urbanamente planejadas, em Birmingham é possível encontrar de tudo em áreas específicas (não sei se isto é 100% bom, mas, funciona).  Há o setor dos hotéis, das indústrias, das lojas e, naturalmente, o bairro boêmio (sic! – encontrei-me).  A night life é demais!  Infelizmente, não é permitido entrar em night clubs com câmeras e afins, pois, “o que acontece em Birmingham, fica em Birmingham” – risos!  Se é que me faço entender.

Tenho a certeza de que todos vc´s, nossos amigos, sabem que estou me preparando para “tomar as rédeas de meu destino”, não importando o tamanho do “touro” que me aguarda (sic!).   Vejam no exemplo abaixo!  Definitivamente, recomendo a cidade!

The Bull - Birmingham/UK (coragem, galera! Montem e domem o touro de suas vidas...)

Grande beijo para todos!

Hamilton Henrique

Went up town today (Birmingham) to do some shopping for something suitable to wear at a 60’s Birthday Party tomorrow. Yes, I know we’ve left it a bit late but we were confident in getting fitted out. A trip round the rag market was a must but not before popping in to the North Face shop in the Bull Ring to see if there were any bargain T-Shirts left! No good, all sold out. I hadn’t been to the rag market for years, it’s fun place and Bernie got kitted out quickly.

A stroll down Digbeth to the Custard Factory ensured I came away with a tie-die T-Shirt and Bernie a new dress!! Was that in the deal?

Lunch in the Warehouse Café http://www.thewarehousecafe.com/whc/ proved scrumptious.

I soon got kitted out with a ‘hippy’ wig and CND medallion and the effect was finished…. photographs to follow.

Looking forward to the party, which has a Beatles tribute band all the way from Liverpool, cool….. hope I can get up in time for the Nuneaton 10 on Sunday? See MMAC News.

Overheard this on the Radio on Monday morning and wanted to bring it to peoples attention. I do intend on being at the Dublin Vigil to mark the day. Approximately 600 people die by suicide annually in Ireland. It is a tragedy that devastates families and touches every community. Everybody knows somebody and so many loved somebody.

For more information click here:

The 3Ts holds Candlelight Vigils annually in Dublin, Galway and Wexford to mark World Suicide Prevention Week.

3Ts World Suicide Prevention Week Candlelight Vigils are for all who have lost family, colleagues and friends through suicide, to gather, to light a candle and remember lost loved ones. The vigils also serve to highlight the support of the wider community with special guest speakers, music and a minute’s silence.

Dates and Details for 2009 Vigils are as follows:

Dublin:
Date:	Thursday, 10 September 2009
Venue:	Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2 (Forecourt)
Time:	8pm to 9pm
Galway:
Date:	Friday, 11th September 2009
Venue:	St Nicholas Collegiate Church, College Street, Galway City
Time:	8pm to 9.15pm
Wexford
Date:	15th September 2009
Venue:	The Bull Ring, Wexford Town
Time:	8pm to 9pm

Admission is always free and all are welcome. Candles are supplied.

Your presence and your support can help make a difference.

The Matador and the Bull- graphic art by Donald Harbour

A Matador stands in the arena,
the prose of living and dying.
His suit of light the sun’s prism,
catching Heaven’s rays and fears.
Fastened in it he is crippled by his art.
There is another beating heart there,
glistening black streaked with red.
It is the object of contradiction
for the bull has only numbed knowledge,
primal, base, alive with instinct,
feeling the moments pain and confusion.
They dance on an earthen charnel,
choreography balanced on life’s pinpoint.
Man and bull bound together
in a tragic El Greco mural.
The mortality of Seneca offers the cup.
Which will drink of it first
to taste the bitter dregs of eternal sleep?
Poison from the blood bound point of horn
or thrust of impersonal steel?
The bull follows the cloth with thunder.
El pase de pecho, in poetry of ballet
the Matador strains to fulfill his culture of death.
Slaughter in an amusement of sacrificial salvation.
A flurry of the Matador cape for Saint Veronica.
The washing of the Spanish soul in the Sangria de Cristo.
The bull is not stupid, it learns.
One more pase natural, one more charge.
If toro gets lucky, very lucky, and God loves him,
the Matador will be in hell before he is.
But not today!

Copyright: 2009, Donald Harbour

There’s a new cycle up and running.
My life is again complete. Ever since last year I have been summat like hooked on this reality show.
Sure it is incredibly stupid at times, all those tears over their hair, fears and whatnot.

I’ve seen all 11 seasons twice, yeah I am that sad, but it is very good entertainment when you’re bored and don’t wanna do uniwork. I have a few fave girls throughout the seasons, like Shandi was cool, and the twins, CariDee was just crazily funny, I also thought Analeigh was the best last season, even tho McKey was a worthy winner.

This season is no different, I already have a few people I think come across as immensly wicked.
Like London, sure she might be a streetpreacher, but I think she’s fierce.. I also love Allison’s look, she might look like a lost puppy outside the set, but she looks brilliant on camera, she knows how to take a good picture. Celia is pretty good too, a bit edgy.. but yeh I’d like to see Allison and London as the final two. Fo’s alright too, she stands out a bit.

I just hate the waiting for the next episode, i guess i will be looking forward to every Friday for a new episode. like I do with Ghost Whisperer and Supernatural on the days I know those episodes will be up on surf the channel.

New episode of Supernatural should be up tomorrow as far as I’ve heard.. Fingers crossed it will be up by the time I return from Birmingham. I have a gift card at H&M to use..

Top left is Allison, middle 2nd from the right is London and Celia is the middle top row, Fo can be found on Celia’s right.

btw, i decided to try and register my blog at Bloggurat, because I want more hits hehe

This month we take a handy look at Brum’s best places to grab the some great Christmas bargains for your mates and family!

The Bull Ring

Bargain crazy shoppers

Does one of Birmingham’s landmark structures offer all it promises to? How about over 160 shops, 25 restaurants and one of the only four Selfridges in the country? It certainly sounds promising! This shopping centre may be the answer to all your Christmas present worries.
The Bull Ring is one of the most exciting places in Birmingham to be. At the very heart of the city, this glamorous building provides a variety of shops all under one roof. Try visiting Game for that perfect present for your brother. Search through Marks and Spencer to find a nice dressing gown for Mum. New Look will have some great accessories for your younger sister and something from the new Disney Store will surely shut your little niece up!
If you get tired from lugging those bags around, grab a coffee at Costa, Starbucks or Café Nero. Grab something to eat at Pizza Hut, Burger King or EAT.
The best thing about The Bull Ring is that you might catch one of one of the thrilling events being hosted there such as book signings from major authors, phone demonstrations from mobile giants or even gaming tours!
Last but not least, pop into Debenhams when you’re there and find out if you have been good this year by saying hello to Santa!

The Pallasades

The Pallasades is perhaps the forgotten shopping centre after the opening of the Bull Ring, but there is still a lot to be said for this place in terms of Christmas shopping.
You can feel the complete festive atmosphere as shoppers buzz in and out of the Pallasades to get through to Birmingham New Street Station. If you use the station to get to the heart of Birmingham, shopping in the Pallasades will mean that you don’t need to brave the harsh winter weather!
The Pallasades is most handy for its shops that offer a great bargain, a student must! HMV has loads of affordable DVDs, whereas Shoe Zone offers great shoes for next to nothing.
If you want the ultimate bargain, head for Poundland. Everything in store is only, you guessed it, one pound!

The Mailbox
If top quality is what you are looking for then your first port of call for Christmas shopping should be the Mailbox. Designer brands combined with waterside restaurants make for one posh shopping experience but don’t worry – there are cheaper eating altrnatives!
This shopping arcade opened just before Christmas 2000. It is one of the newest prestige buildings to be added to Birmingham’s growing collection and it is advertised as Britain’s largest mixed use building. It is known as a landmark building in Birmingham city centre’s ongoing renaissance.
The Mailbox is home to names such as Harvey Nichols and Oliver Stretti. For us students however, perhaps this shopping experience is left for browsing and dreaming!

One Stop
One Stop is home to a variety of stores that means you can get your Christmas presents in, as the name says, one stop. This centre is handy for Birmingham City University students on the Perry Barr campus but is worth a look for everyone else for all of its handy shops.
The large Asda has everything a student could possibly need – their clothing range George is especially ideal for picking out your Christmas outfit! Need a New Years Eve outfit? Head to Dorothy Perkins and New Look, where students get 10% discount. Check out the Boots for great 3 for 2 deals on Christmas ideas.
An indoor market with independent stores has some great finds, and you’re supporting local shopkeepers at the same time.
Just remember: please do not walk on the travelator!

For more helpful articles like this be sure to check out NuLife’s December issue!

Natalie

going downhill literally as well as metaphorically

Exterior of the old Churchill Club on Warwick Road.

I went over to Acocks Green this morning where ‘The Something Foundation’ - a collective of local artists – are exhibiting works in a disused (and rather run-down) 19th century building that used to be ‘The Churchill Club’, and was a community centre from 1942 until it closed in 2001.

A fine setting for an art event.

It’s a superb setting for exhibiting art, as the building itself is full of character, with stained glass windows, dated wallpaper, creaking floorboards and vines creeping up the outside walls.

Art everywhere - even on the landing!

My favourite exhibits were by Mark Skirving, Dean Melbourne and Juliet May, but all the exhibits were stimulating and a pleasure to discover. A hog roast and band are the main attractions in the garden this evening, completing what is undoubtedly a unique and worthy event. Thank you to Karen Vaughan and all the artists for a truly memorable morning!

Mark Skirving's upstairs room.

After lunch at the Rep in town, I then visited the Birmingham Art Fair in the Gas Hall, which is the first art fair of its kind in the city. 30 different fine art galleries are exhibiting works by leading artists, all of which are for sale.

The highlights for me were works by Yvonne Coomber, this wonderful piece by Russell West, Laurence Broderick’s Birmingham Bull bronze (available in two sizes, both much smaller than the huge version that guards the Bull Ring!), several works by LS Lowry, and several pieces from The Sculpture Park.

Most items were beyond my financial reach (especially the Lowrys!) but I did pick up a limited edition (of 36) bronze plaque by West Midlands sculptor Robert Bowers depicting iconic Birmingham landmarks.

Both the above events continue on Sunday 21st.

Happy Father’s Day all you daddies out there!   We had a rather nice – but not relaxing day (surprise, surprise).  Ty & I got up early so Jason could sleep (after staying up late to watch golf..poo) and made his fave – bacon & french toast.  Then we all headed into Birmingham for some suit and work-shoe shopping for him.  I don’t think I have ever been to the Bull Ring and NOT bought something.  But it was all about Jason so I tried to restrain myself.  He really needed a new ‘lucky’ interview suit and some new shirts and shoes to go with.  It’s really hard for him shopping over here though because the styles are sooo different.  The suits are really cute tight through the thigh and leg (good for me!) but very trendy – not very professional.  And the shoes!  Most of the mens dress shoes are completed pointed toe!  weird…   But all in all we had a nice day, Ty acted a bit crazy especially in the evening – but I guess he is still sick or something.

I think I forgot to add this last week too..  Ty was weighed a week ago and weighs almost 20 lbs.  His weight has really hit a plateau – he has only gained like 1 lb in 2 months!  Better for my back though.  And his wardrobe.  I was having trouble keeping him clothed.  And he had his 6 month shots last week – he was a champ!  The nurse said she had never seen a baby not even flich – let alone cry!  I think it’s because his thighs are so enormously fat – he could even feel the needles. (wonder where he gets that from *sigh*)

And I have been meaning to post about this for awhile now… Many of you may already know about the studies coming out finding dangerous substances in most brands of plastic baby bottles.  But I recently found out that Babies R’ Us is (kindly?) doing an unadvertised voluntary recall of all bottles and giving store credit for all bottles returned.  How crazy!  These bottles muct really be trouble for them to be doing this.  Apparently these bottles will all be recalled in December of this year in the USA.  Great – I have atleast $100+ worth of Dr. Brown’s bottles that I recently purchased.  I talked to the Babies R’ Us peeps over here and they wouldn’t give me credit for them. Poo.  So I had to order Born Free bottles from Canada – don’t we all wished we owned stock in that company!  Four bottles cost me $75.  OMG.  Better safe than sorry.  If you know people using plastic bottles – make sure they have this info, okay?  They may be able to return all their bottles (no receipts, no boxes) for store credit at Babies R’ Us – I have friends who have done it.

PICS FROM THE WEEKEND

I love this one!  Man, does he love bathtime… I wonder how many hours a day I can keep him in there – it’s one of the only times he really happy.  And you can see his teeth in this pic

in Birmingham on Sunday

and enjoying his first (disgustingly messy) teething biscuit

Well, have a good week peeps.   Ours in not starting out very well (FUSSY baby this am..grrr) and is going to be pretty busy.  Jason is  traveling for work on Wednesday, Thurs & Friday and I may die handling Ty by myself those 3 days.  Wish us luck!  xoxo

# 1

This is Brummie.  He is the mascot in the center of the new Bull Ring shopping center here in Birmingham.  The area has been a marketplace in some form or another since 1154.

# 2

This is a tiny clay Brummie — the artist’s model for big Brummie.

# 3

This is candy Brummie.  He is a full-size Brummie located in the Selfridges and covered in jelly beans.  Jelly beans!  He is for sale for 20,000 quid.

# 4

The fourth kind of bull is that women don’t age well.  This picture is evidence that I am even more adorable at 33 years and 1 day than I was in the picture above when I was merely 32 and barely even glowing with cuteness.  Of course, the new birthday boots could be helping.

Thank you everyone who sent me birthday wishes and e-cards and presents!

UPDATE:  Even more bull here – Coke Brummie!

A new gallery at Shutterglass: Bullring.