Sunday, August 26, 2012

I´ll Cross That Bridge When I Come To It

What if our residency cards paperwork is lost? What if I don't get my travel paperwork in time for my trip? What if my computer needs to be replaced? What if I have a middle seat on my flight to New York? Well, I guess I'll just have to cross those bridges when I come to them.

(FRONT) LAS DELICIAS BRIDGE, A LIFT BRIDGE (1990); AND 5TH-CENTENNIAL BRIDGE (1991).
SOUTHERN-MOST BRIDGES IN SEVILLA. I HAVEN'T NEEDED TO CROSS THEM.

"Don't sweat the small stuff... It's all small stuff" is great advice. And when I'm in a calm and rational state of mind, it makes perfect sense and I agree whole-heartedly. However, when I'm in the midst of sweating the small stuff, I have a few choice words (that I don't express) for anyone who uses those little pearls of wisdom on me. Lately, I've been sweating the small stuff.

FRIDAY. LOOKING BACK AT THE BRIDGE I HAD JUST CROSSED. GLAD I DIDN'T BURN IT.
THE LOS REMEDIOS BRIDGE (1968).

What have I been sweating? Our residency card renewals. And of course my "re-admission to Europe" document for use in lieu of my renewed residency card. And then there's the fact that I'm having serious computer problems. And we don't have a car (because we usually like it that way), which means I'm taxiing all over town because it's too hot to walk to my appointments. And I'm cheap (when it comes to myself). Sometimes. Well, when it comes to taxis! Truth is, I just like to walk. Oh, our year-old iron wasn't working properly and had to be replaced (it was... easily... at no charge, for an even better one). And then, four light bulbs burned out and I had to go buy new ones. And the ceiling lights require me to pull out the 7-foot ladder. I think installing the new bulbs took an entire 6 minutes.

LOOKING SOUTH AFTER PASSING THE SAN TELMO BRIDGE (1931) TO TRIANA.

Monday afternoon, as you may remember, I will head back over to the Foreigners Office at Plaza de España with the expectation that a document will be waiting for me that will enable me to visit The Dowager Duchess and The Kid Brother and then return to Europe less than three months later. I will also ask for a status report on our missing-in-action renewed residency cards. I was in the GoldenMac store near our house for a new battery Friday morning. That didn't completely resolve my problems. San Geraldo has done everything he knows to do to resolve the issues. It looks like I need a new mother board (which I have been referring to as a "mother ___ board"... you can fill in the blank). However, needing a new mother board is much better than needing a new computer.

KNOWN AS ISABEL II OR TRIANA BRIDGE (1852).

The straw that broke the camel's back Friday? It was after siesta, so I was about to go out and catch a cab to Los Remedios to take my laptop into GoldenMac's service center (the store near us is sales only) when I realized I didn't have my wallet. It wasn't in my computer case or the front pocket of my shorts — the two usual places. I checked every room in the house. Shuffled through all the crap on my dresser and desk, and bitched at myself for not cleaning up my mess. I walked into the bathroom and yelled a really bad word (a variation on the one I've been using between "mother" and "board"). And then I calmed down.

AND FURTHER NORTH, ANOTHER BRIDGE TO TRIANA.
FORMALLY KNOWN AS BRIDGE OF THE HOLY CHRIST OF THE EXPIRATION (1991).
ALSO KNOWN AS CACHORRO BRIDGE, I JUST CALL IT THE BRIDGE WITH THE CANOPIES.

I was about to walk back over to the GoldenMac store I had visited earlier, hoping I had left my wallet there. But I had the sudden urge to feel my left butt cheek. And, when I did, I discovered that someone had put my wallet in my back pocket! I never put my wallet in my back pocket. Not since I realized (in my 20s) that doing so ruins the line of one's butt. I finally laughed, stuck my wallet in my computer bag, and I caught that cab. I'm sure San Geraldo breathed a huge sigh of relief when the door closed behind my smooth butt.

PASSARELA DE LA CARTUJA (GATEWAY TO LA CARTUJA).
A MOSTLY PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND.

A great guy at GoldenMac gave me (yes, gave me free of charge) a small part that he hoped would resolve any remaining problems — since of course we could not get the problem to recur in the store. He said if it happened again, I should bring the laptop back in Monday for service. My laptop has only spontaneously shut down twice since then. But it shouldn't spontaneously shut down at all. So, it's back to Service I go before I head back into the Foreigners Office and the clutches of La Rubia (although I hope she has the day off). Ironically, I have been sitting here for 2 hours without one technical glitch.

BARQUETA BRIDGE (1992).
I TOOK A WALK TODAY TO VISIT THIS ONE NORTH OF HOME.

To clear my head Friday evening, I walked home from Los Remedios and decided to take pictures of Sevilla's bridges across the Guadalquivir River, the bridges I've crossed, the ones I've yet to cross, the ones I'll cross again, and the ones I will not burn. San Geraldo and I went out for dinner Friday night and I had one very large gin and tonic. I expect I'll need another one Monday.

PHOTO FROM LAST YEAR (THE BRIDGE STILL LOOKS THE SAME).
ALAMILLO BRIDGE (1992)

38 comments:

  1. Better check Monday when "La Rubia's" day is really off, and keep that for future reference.
    Hope of course that all is well, so you can visit The Dowager Duchess and Littl' Bro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter:
      Good idea (about La Rubia). I'm heading back shortly. If you don't hear from me in the next 24 hours, send reinforcements.

      Delete
  2. Now, pay attention, you have a right to sweat the small stuff...but...use your logic bud. There is no frickin' way you can burn a concrete bridge. lol

    saludos,
    raulito

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    Replies
    1. Raulito:
      LOL! I thought you were about to give me a pep talk and then I read on. (You'd be surprised the bridges I've burned!)

      Delete
  3. Just out of curiosity, what do they call the water that runs under all of those swell bridges? I enjoyed reading "A day in the life of Mitchell". I know that awful feeling of losing something that is not where you always keep it. Anyway, I'm glad you found it.

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    Replies
    1. Ms. Sparrow:
      That's the Guadalquivir River (Gua-dahl-key-VEER), the only great navigable river in Spain.

      Delete
  4. You know you can leave your computer there for a month and it won't act up until you bring it home. But hey, don't sweat it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stew:
      You are so right. Haven't had a problem with the computer since Friday night. So, I'm not going back to Goldenmac today. Fingers crossed!

      Delete
  5. LOL! I am laughing at your comment about wallets in back pockets!! When I realized I was doing this, I KNEW I was gay!! I would NEVER put anything in back pockets.....you just can't! lol Someone was trying to mess you up by putting it there, of all places!
    Great shots of the bridges Mitch.
    Good lick tomorrow. fingers crossed here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      Thanks! I'm leaving the house in about a half hour and I know where my wallet is. The other reason to not keep your lumpy wallet in your back pocket: It's bad for your posture and also throws you out of alignment when you're sitting. I'm sure that's why I don't do it; it couldn't possibly be vanity.

      Delete
    2. That would be 'luck'! Geesh!

      Delete
    3. Jim:
      I understood... But really liked lick!!!

      Delete
  6. I had no idea Seville had so many bridges. That one from the 1850s looks rather modern. We have a steel bridge here in Portland from the 1880s and it looks much more archaic. I hope your computer problem gets fixed without causing you more stress, and I think you'll feel calmer when all this travel-related paperwork is settled. Take care.

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    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      Triana Bridge is the most photographed as exemplifying Sevilla. I think I'll feel calmer when I'm off the plane!

      Delete
  7. I really like the Isabel II bridge, although I'm not sure why. Good luck tomorrow! Computers ha! Mine just wouldn't do anything this afternoon, it froze. I removed the battery and gave it a bit of a talking-to. Fingers crossed. xx

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    Replies
    1. Elaine:
      Isabel II (Triana) Bridge is very popular here, as well. And it's charming to walk across. Triana's public market is immediately to the right when you cross.

      I tried talking to my battery, but I don't think it liked what I had to say.

      Delete
    2. Neither did mine, but it has been working well, all day! ;)

      Delete
    3. Elaine:
      After I finished all these responses this morning, my computer went "Ha ha!" and shut down. In for service tomorrow! Maybe I should have had you talk to it!

      Delete
  8. I don't usually sweat stuff, but, oy, the MIDDLE seat on a long flight!

    Oh, honey, no.

    PS The mother _____ board is a riot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob:
      I'm trying not to think about those flights! I booked using Orbitz. I selected seats. All was fine. Then I received my confirmation. My seats were no longer confirmed. Now Orbitz says I can't get my seats until check-in. I'm going to try directly with the airline, but I'm not expecting much. This will probably be my last time to use Orbitz. Argh!

      Delete
  9. it wont surprise you when I say I got all excited over the geese!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. John:
      I thought of you when I took that picture. Jerry got all excited over the geese, too.

      Delete
  10. Wow! Sorry to hear about all the small stuff building up! My second year in Madrid was full of small things building up and the residency card business (not for this year, but for next year) was the biggest pain in the ass of them all. I think my card is in trámite for this year and I'm supposed to receive a letter telling me when appt #2 is. I haven't heard a word from the people since May... ha... I hope things work out with your computer! I like your bridge theme! nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittany:
      Yep, we're supposed to receive a letter, as well... in a month "mas or menos." We were told THAT June 6. So, I guess it's "mas." My computer was fine all weekend, which concerns me since it wasn't fine Friday night. But I'm holding off on taking it back in. If it dies in NY, I can always use my mother's until I get home!

      Delete
    2. Ha...definitely "más" on my end... I'm really hoping they don't try and say they sent a letter or an email when I go in September to check on things. I'm glad the computer was fine all weekend! How long will you be in NY? Have a great time! :)

      Delete
    3. Brittany:
      Computer did finally act up again (just posted partially about that... the rest on Oficina de Extranjeros), so in it goes tomorrow. NY only for a week, but it will be a pleasure.

      Delete
  11. When it rains, it pours. (Sorry, I just had to add that)

    Hope things resolve themselves favorably, and I hope you don't get the middle seat on the plane.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo:
      LOL. I was getting a bit carried aways with the adages. But I wouldn't mind it raining or pouring. We haven't seen any precipitation in months! If I DO get the middle seat, hopefully I'll be between two warm and friendly people!

      Delete
  12. what a frustration
    We use the expression "When I come to that bridge I will jump off it" rather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spo:
      I love your version. I've heard said (probably a Jerryism, but I can't remember for sure): "I'll burn that bridge when I come to it."

      Delete
  13. No wonder my husband's butt looks big and unsmooth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenners:
      You see how easy it is to resolve these problems?!? Just stick with me and Mr. Jenners WILL look like that guy on the cruise ship!

      Delete
  14. Breathe! In. And. Then. Breathe. Out. Repeat and repeat. It really helps. Just concentrate on that. It's so calming. And it can become a habit. Don't hate me if I sound preachy. But I do this all the time because I have a degree of anxiety disorder and it really really helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      I once bought Jerry a pad of pre-printed stickies. "TO DO: 1) Breathe in; 2) Breathe out

      It didn't help.

      But, it is definitely an important thing to do and, amazingly, sometimes all it takes to calm down.

      Delete
  15. Remember, it's all blue bottoms and who gets to sit on the highest rock. Do you really want to sit on a rock?

    If you don't get your paperwork on time then why not just dress down a bit, walk to the seediest part of town at dusk one day, nip into a bar and buy a new identity? You might have to travel via north Africa and then get into the States via Mexico, but what's a few extra days travelling compared to the fun you'd have in a poncho?

    It took me years and years to realise that a poncho wasn't an all-in-one outfit and that some form of trousers was expected as well as the boots and Sombre-aero.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Owl Wood:
      Thanks for the reminder. I head over in 20 minutes. Bright pink and blue bottoms are all I envision! (Well, if that doesn't work, I'm going to picture you in your poncho, boots, and "sombre-aero.")

      Delete
  16. I'm so glad you had a sudden urge to feel your left butt. Who knew it could have such fabulous consequences! :))

    Here's hoping that all goes smoothly with everything else.

    Judy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judeet:
      Oh, feeling my left butt always has fabulous consequences!

      Thanks!

      Delete

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