Monday, March 30, 2015

True Colors

Summer has returned to the Costa del Sol. Just in time for Easter. I won't be surprised if winter rears its ugly head one more time. But, at its worst, winter here is really only mildly unattractive. Winter in New York? Now that was ugly.

OUR TRUE COLORS.
(CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE.)

I'm feeling great again (well, except for the hernia).

Our American passports expire soon, so after a brief phone conversation last week with the American Consular office, we went this morning to have new photos done and to submit the paperwork (and pay).

Everything went smoothly, although not necessarily pleasantly. I will say that, like bureaucrats everywhere, American bureaucrats are alive and well (and officious).

There was a large sparsely furnished waiting room separated from the work area by a high counter topped by an impenetrable glass partition. The first thing I noticed through the glass was a laser-printed sign standing atop a file cabinet in the background. It's a quote I've seen often over the years. However, it's a quote I would never expect to see in any consular office.

"Just when you think you've made it idiot-proof,
someone comes along and makes a better idiot."

I was tempted to comment on the inappropriateness — and offensiveness — of the sign, but didn't want to risk creating any kind of snag in our processing. At any rate, I didn't know if San Geraldo had also noticed the sign. And, since, he was already having a difficult time distinguishing between his inner voice and his outer voice, I decided to let it pass. San Geraldo reigned it in. We smiled (insincerely) and said, "Thank you."

STILL LOOKING FOR BLUE SEA GLASS.  TODAY'S BITS.

So, we're both feeling well, our passport renewals are in the works, I spent this afternoon at the beach, and it's Holy Week, which means we're going to enjoy a procession or two in Málaga. Some things at least do get better.


In the words of Cindi Lauper...

31 comments:

  1. Wowser, I agree-- that sign is really, REALLY inappropriate!
    You were definitely smart to choose the side of caution... anyone who would put up a sign like that would happily "lose" your paperwork in a heartbeat if you challenged him... or her... or it. :)
    Nice colors in your laundry-- good colors always make me happier. I'm glad you're feeling better, too (except for the hernia) [I wonder how many times we'll all write, except for the hernia this week? *LOL*]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy:
      I love the "except for the hernia." Maybe it should be a hashtag #exceptforthehernia. What do you think? It IS getting worse, but still not bad. So looking forward to getting the surgery (and recovery) over and done with!

      I would so love to write to the American embassy in Madrid about, at minimum, that offensive sign. Maybe once we have our passport renewals in hand!

      Delete
  2. I agree that such a sign should never be in a public area of any business, and probably not in the back of the business either, but I haven't heard the quote before and I rather like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:
      I agree with you that the quote is good. I've always liked it, but never publicly displayed. And for it to be displayed in an American Consular office? I'm still stunned.

      Delete
  3. Just now have a nice stay in Europe and enjoy summer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosia:
      We have no plans to leave the country in the next month, so we'll wait patiently for our new passports.

      Delete
  4. Interesting... we do our passport renewals completely by mail. We take the photos ourselves. Ken just did his a few months ago and mine is coming up for renewal again in three years. Do you know if you have that option in Spain?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt The Fourth:
      By mail would be nice, but we don't appear to have that option here. I guess they don't want us to miss the opportunity to be charmed by the consular office. However, we did pay for special handling so they'll be mailed more quickly to our home address.

      Delete
  5. Oh beauty! The video brought tears to my eyes. Des Colores!

    Totally inappropriate signage, especially in a 'professional' office... you should have substituted the top photo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacqueline:
      I love that video! I was tempted to take a picture of the sign, but didn't want to offend the offender! A professional office is bad enough, a diplomatic office is absurd.

      Delete
  6. Glad everything paperwork wise went well with the passport renewal! And yeah! It's insanely warm out!! I think the temps are going down a bit in Sevilla next week, though. Enjoy Semana Santa!! Maybe you'll see Antonio Banderas...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittany:
      I did see Antonio Banderas sort of... A photo of him processing was in the local paper yesterday... And I saw the paper! These last three days have been a mix of sun and clouds/overcast, and much cooler. Still beautiful! I have some family in Sevilla right now enjoying Semana Santa (and everything else). Looking forward to seeing them here in Malaga in a couple of days.

      Delete
    2. Awesome! I saw him in Malaga on TV! I'm still so sad about his split with Melanie. My Antonio calls me "Melaniki" because I'm all the time telling him how much I love him. haha!

      I'm happy you're going to get to see some of your family soon! Hope you guys have a wonderful time together!

      Delete
  7. Don't rub it in about winter .... we (in Connecticut) had snow this past Sunday and flurries yesterday...and it is still COLD!
    Maybe the idiot sign was to warn clients about the clerical (idiots) workers behind the glass.
    I must have missed the fact that you have a hernia...bummer, I know, not pleasant.
    Enjoy the festivities...I no longer do Catholic, except maybe for the chocolate Easter bunnies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Frank:
      Oh, but you have daffodils ... and forsythia... (and, no, I know that's not enough)!

      My sister used to buy me (and herself) a chocolate Easter bunny every year. One of the reasons I miss her! (Chocolate Santas, too.) That's as Catholic as I've ever gotten.

      Delete
  8. Love the song. Cyndi's a longtime favorite singer, ally and hero to me.

    That sign? As Carlos would say, as he is apt to say ad nauseum lately, 'Wow.'

    And I've heard it said you can always tell a gay man by his underwear, both in variety and color and cut.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob:
      I have always loved Cyndi Lauper. As for underwear, I used to wear white low-rise briefs (2Xist, Calvin Klein). These flashy one are a new style for me. Sadly, this is the only time any one will ever see them ... except for San Geraldo.

      Delete
  9. I resisted the temptation to enlarge the image of your undies. However, if it was one of what is usually IN them that would be a different matter

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cyndi Lauper can do no wrong! Truly love what she does!
    Great 'true colors' shot of your 'equipo'!! lol
    Someone is bitter in that passport office.
    Did you know that cobalt blue sea glass is difficult to find? About one in every 5000 'they' say. Orange and red are even more difficult....1 in every 10,000. Good luck...they are out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      Just to be clear, in Spanish "equipo" means "team," and not "equipment." So, those briefs are for the entire time and not just for my personal equipment. I didn't know the statistics on blue, orange, and red sea glass. It's obvious they're rare but I had no idea. So, I guess I've got another 4,900 or so to sift through before I find a cobalt blue piece... unless of course there are none in my first batch of 5,000, which means I can expect to find two in the second batch.

      Delete
  11. Unbelievable. I think government workers everywhere need a tuning in. Glad you both are feeling better. I always collect sea glass when I find it. Blue and red are the rarest to find.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheapchick:
      I would love to find blue, red, and orange sea glass. But it doesn't seem likely. I was appalled and ashamed by that sign in a consular office. Unbelievable.

      Delete
  12. Glad you're feeling better, and that your passport ordeal is over. Time to relax.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Glad that you are feeling better. If you think that's difficult, you should try giving up your US citizenship at a US consulate (it was Bordeaux fir me). Truly, it was easier getting it in the first place! Socks, undies and ties are us guys best way of adding colour to our wardrobe, but only two usually get to be seen in public...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Craig:
      I used to love making a splash with a tie. But, I've only worn a tie three times in the past 5 years. Maybe that's why I've changed my underwear style.

      Delete
  14. Love the song, of course. And I am glad to be back from space so I can catch up on the blogs I have missed. I hope you enjoy the processions. I never saw a Holy Week one, but my summers in Mexico always included a huge one in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in July.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael:
      The procession for Our Lady of Mount Carmel is wonderful. In Sevilla, there seemed to always be a procession for something. The first one we ever saw, we happened to stumble on one warm evening in August.

      Delete
  15. Cobalt Blue ~~ Jim found a piece one day perfectly tumbled flat on one side curved on the other ~ was he happy? Oh yes! I know you will find a piece someday soon. Have you asked around to the locals if they know of a good sea glass beach? That may be your answer.

    Great video thanks !
    Ron

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ron:
      Tell Jim to toss that cobalt blue piece back in the water (and direct it here)! I never thought of asking if there's actually a beach known for good sea glass. I'll check that out. Thanks!

      Delete

Please visit www.movingwithmitchell.com if you would like to comment or stay up to date. I stopped posting here and reproduced all previous posts, as well, 25 September 2018. Thanks!!!