Promised pictures of Norway

Ridderspranget, with its impossible shapes of ice, November 2003

Aqui están dos reproducciones de las fotos que tengo en diapositivas de mi estancia en Noruega. La primera es en Ridderspranget, un lugar atravesado por un río y con una montaña(en realidad no recuerdo si era el nombre de la montaña). Hay numerosos desniveles y cañones y unos saltos de agua espectaculares. Imprescindible una visita si estás cerca. En verano, hasta se baña la gente. En invierno, como podeis comprobar aqui, ya en noviembre parte de río está congelado y las paredes del cañón son vestidas por extrañas, pero preciosas formas imposiblesde hielo.
Allí donde criaturas de leyenda como los trolls, y animales tan reales como el alce habitan, sin embargo, igualmente difíciles de avistar que los primeros. Un lugar mágico. La segunda es de una mini-excursión que hicimos a las puertas del parque nacional Jotunheimen, este es un lago inmenso que delimitaba el parque. Al fondo se pueden ver las grandes cumbres del parque, entre las que se encuentra el más alto de Noruega.
Las fotos no están muy bien escaneadas, pero, de todas formas dan una visión de lo descrito.
En el post "Three years ago"cogué otra foto tomada en Noruega. Disfrutad!

The pictures are not so well scanned, but, however, they give a view of what is described.

These are two reproductions of the pictures I have as slides, taken during my stay in Norway. The first one is Ridderspranget, a place crossed by a river and with a near mountain (in fact I am not sure if the name corresponds to the mountain). There are many drops and canyons and some spectacular water falls. Indispensable to visit if you are nearby. In summer people even have a bath there. In winter, as you can notice, here, even in november, part of the river is frozen and the canyon's walls are dressed with strange, but beautiful and impossible ice shapes.
There, where creatures of legend like trolls and animals as real as moose live, however, equally difficult to see. A magic place. The secong picture was taken in a mini expedition to the doors of the national Park Jotunheimen, that was an inmense lake that borders the Park. In the background of the image can be seen the high peaks of the Park, among them is the highest mountain in Norway, Galghøpiggen.

In the post "Three years ago" you can find another picture I took there as well. Enjoy!

New Posts

I have been quite busy in the last month, due to that I have not written anything. Now I have 2 new posts and some new pictures at Only pictures. I hope that all you visitors will enjoy them!
Thank you!!

He estado bastante ocupado durante el último mes y no he podido escribir nada. Ahora tengo 2 nuevos posts y algunas fotos nuevas en Only Pictures. Espero que toso vosotros, visitantes de esta página las disfruteis.
¡Muchas gracias!

Three years ago

Three years ago I was in Lusæter gård, Heidal community, in the middle of Norway, yes, and also in the middle of nowhere, for 6 months. The farm is quite near the Galdhøpiggen, the highest peak in the country, you can check the map above.
It was the perfect spiritual retreat that I needed in that moment. It changed my life forever, and I am very proud that it did change it. I learned many things, I saw many things, impossible to see anywhere else, I made forever new friends. I saw the Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, moreorless 3 years ago exactly. I met nature and I saw its cruelty and its love towards all things that are inside it.
And one of the most important things I have ever done or met: Freedom. I met Freedom and I will never forget it, and I will be forever thankful to whom showed it to me. A thing that every single human being should meet in his/her life, and should look for it at least once in his/her life.

Near Lusæter gård, ascending to the little mountain Gråhø, with a magnific view

I learned the correct value of things like milk in a great and warm breakfast, milk that you had previously milk from the cows. Heat in a really cold winter. Listening to music or watching a film was the best things we could do, and I was very pleased that for once in my life I had real peacefulness and silence. And that I could see the stars every cloudless night, taking pictures of them just walking away a few metres from the room I lived in. Marvellous.
I took there very good pictures with my old-fashioned (I don't mind) film camera. It was still a good one to learn. Hopefully, let's see if I can digitalize some of the slides I took.
Norway, Norway, Norway, I have you in my thoughts every day. Maybe we will meet again for a long or a short time soon.

Madness

Yes, I think it is the name of a band, but this will not be referred to it, this will be referred to how mad and insane some persons are. I just do not understand why some people act as they do, and why this kind of things happen. Mankind is absolutely insane.

Si, es el nombre de un grupo de música, pero no me voy a referir a él, esto va referido a lo loco y lo poco cuerdas que algunas personas son. No entiendo por qué alguna gente actua como lo hacen, y por qué este tipo de cosas pasan. La humanidad está absolutamente loca.

Read about what happened:
Source: click here:


Protests over new golf course in Avila, Spain

Ecologists appeal to Regional Government to prevent the destruction of a pine forest in Avila, Spain.The Spanish trade union CCOO and Centaurea, an association of ecologists, are trying to force the regional government of Castilla y Leon to respect a sentence passed by the Supreme Tribunal Court and to stop all building activity in the Golf course Ciudad del Golf in Las Navas del Marqués. The regional government supports the construction of this new golf course and leisure complex in Avila, even though it involves the destruction of an extensive natural area of pine forests which are home to some of Spain's rarest bird breeds, including the black stork, imperial eagle and the black vulture.CCOO and Centaura have published a press release accusing the regional government of deliberately ignoring the sentence which was passed at the end of last week. According to the two associations, and contrary to the orders of the Supreme Tribunal Courts, this weekend the construction company has continued to cut down hundreds of trees and and other vegetation. The land belongs to a private company set up in 2000 by the regional administration of which 70 percent belongs to the local council, 20 percent to the Castilla y Leon Regional Government and 10 percent to the Provincial Government. All authorities are governed by the Popular Party. The ecologists and trade union representatives say that the decision of the company to carry on with its plans represents an act of "scorn towards social and legal order" and "revenge for the decision of the Courts, two days after sentence was passed protecting in the public's interest the very area damaged this weekend, because of its natural, environmental, landscape and ecological worth".Protests over new golf course in Avila, Spain
Ecologists appeal to Regional Government to prevent the destruction of a pine forest in Avila, Spain.The Spanish trade union CCOO and Centaurea, an association of ecologists, are trying to force the regional government of Castilla y Leon to respect a sentence passed by the Supreme Tribunal Court and to stop all building activity in the Golf course Ciudad del Golf in Las Navas del Marqués. The regional government supports the construction of this new golf course and leisure complex in Avila, even though it involves the destruction of an extensive natural area of pine forests which are home to some of Spain's rarest bird breeds, including the black stork, imperial eagle and the black vulture.CCOO and Centaura have published a press release accusing the regional government of deliberately ignoring the sentence which was passed at the end of last week. According to the two associations, and contrary to the orders of the Supreme Tribunal Courts, this weekend the construction company has continued to cut down hundreds of trees and and other vegetation. The land belongs to a private company set up in 2000 by the regional administration of which 70 percent belongs to the local council, 20 percent to the Castilla y Leon Regional Government and 10 percent to the Provincial Government. All authorities are governed by the Popular Party. The ecologists and trade union representatives say that the decision of the company to carry on with its plans represents an act of "scorn towards social and legal order" and "revenge for the decision of the Courts, two days after sentence was passed protecting in the public's interest the very area damaged this weekend, because of its natural, environmental, landscape and ecological worth".


En resumidas cuentas, ahora ya en mi lengua materna, y dando mi opinión personal: se cargaron una zona de alto valor ecológico (y quieren seguir cargándosela) para construir un maldito campo de golf para que los que les gusta este deporte (afición que yo, personalmente, detesto, pero perfectamente respetable) y unos cuantos chalets seguro que ni siquiera para vivir durante todo el año, sólo como segunda o tercera casa.... ¿En que se está convirtiendo este mundo?

Una puta locura.

Helsinki sessions

Una de las cosas que me traje de mi última visita a Helsinki es un cd con 5 temas grabados en el estudio de la Kirjasto 10, biblioteca espectacular donde las haya, que, entre otras cosas e instalaciones, tiene un "estudio" donde grabar lo que te dé la gana con la sola condición de que poseas el carnet que te acredite vivir en la ciudad. Maravilloso. Una vez confirmado el hecho, y, tras la reserva pertinente, me dirigí el pasado día 4 de septiembre a dicha biblioteca, y me quedé anonadado. Una mujer perteneciente al personal de la misma me condujo a la habitación, llamemósla del pánico, y la vista era impresionante: una mesa de sonido en vertical con, lo menos, 150 botones, ésta conectada a un 8 pistas, y este conectado a un ordenador con 2 monitores TFT. Además, altavoces, micrófonos, dvd y tele, plato, una caja de ritmos (intuyo que era eso), y algo mas que no recuerdo. Y le rogué a la mujer que me explicara lo básico para poder grabar, como es costumbre, yo solo, sin agobios para tal íntimo momento. Y llamo a otra persona y en resumidas cuentas llegaron a estar 3 empleados en la sala conmigo hablando en finés y yo esperando a ver si se aclaraba cómo se utilizaba eso, y después de 1 hora y media, nada, me comunican que me tengo que ir, que reserve para otro día y que esperan que el problema se solucione.
Reservé entonces para el miércoles 6, justo un día antes de que abandonara el país. Era poco margen, pero no había otra forma. Las canciones creo que las llevaba bien preparadas, estaba bastante seguro de que la grabación iba a ser decente, no tenía ninguna presión. Había una canción que había acabado en el bus media hora antes de entrar aquel lunes, pero no importaba. La letra donde la he escrito esta escaneada aquí, la verdad es que mola el caos de escritura que hice, pocas veces he sido tan caótico escribiendo una canción, pero es que cambié y añadí cosas por doquier. Me gusta mucho esa canción, es muy buena.
El miércoles más de lo mismo, pero afortunadamente, entre que yo me habia leído un poco un manual del Pro-tools (el programa grabador) y que el chaval que vino sabia un poco más y que tuvimos un poco de suerte (todo hay que decirlo), conseguimos que aquello funcionara. Y después, tocando yo un poco más me hice con lo básico. Añadir nueva pista. Lo malo es que me quedaba una hora y media solo. Grabé 1 ó 2 en directo, sólo 1 pista y otras 2 con guitarra y voz separadamente. Quedó decente, estoy bastante contento de cómo se oye para lo malo que era el micrófono y estar yo sólo grabando sin un técnico. Y dieron las 15:00 y me tuve que ir porque otra persona había reservado de nuevo el estudio...y tenía que volver a grabar el cd!!! El día siguiente, afortunadamente tenían espacio de las 12:00 a las 14:00, o sea que echando de nuevo un vistazo a un manual del programa conseguí grabar en un cd. Además, como tenía tiempo grabé una versión acústica de "Ballenas". Querría haber grabado una nueva que tenía hace tiempo que es un hit, pero no recordaba la letra demasiado bien.
Y así abandoné Helsinki, oyendo la "más que demo" en mis cascos y mirando por última vez, quién sabe hasta cuando, las calles y suburbios de la capital finlandesa. Se oye muy bajo, pero está bien. Las "Helsinki Sessions".


One of the things I have brought from my last visit to Helsinki was a cd with 5 songs recorded at the studio that belongs to the Kirjasto 10, amazing library, that has, between other things and facilities, a "studio" where you can record whatever you want, with the only condition of having a library card that proves that you live in the city. Marvellous. Once confirmed the fact, and after the compulsory reservation, I went towards the "Bibliotek" the past september 4th and I was just astonished. A woman who belongs to the personnel led me to the room, let's call it the "panic room", and the view was impressive: a vertical soundboard with at least 150 buttons, connected to an 8-track, and this connected to a PC with 2 TFT screens. Besides, speakers, microphones, a dvd with its tv, rhythm box (I guess it was that) and something more I do not remember. I requested the woman to teach me the basics to record, as the habit is there, alone, without any stress for that intimate moment. And she called another person and, to sum up, 3 employees were in a moment at the same time with me in the room, speaking in finnish and,trying to solve the problem. In my case, just waiting to see if they clarify how to use the machine. And after one hour and a half they just said that I had to leave, that I should reserve for another day and that they expect that the problem will be fixed.
Then I reserved for the 6th , just a day before I had to leave the country. It was no so much leeway, but there was not another way. The songs I was sure that I prepared them quite good and I was quite sure too that the recording will be decent, I had no pressure. There was a song that I finished in the bus just half an hour before getting in the library, but I was not worried. The sheet where I have written it is scanned here, it is cool how chaotic the writing is, not so many times I have been that chaotic while writing a song, but this time I changed and added a lot of new sentences meanwhile. I really like this song, it is very good one, in my opinion.
On wednesday there were more problems, but, fortunately, I had read some about Pro-tools, the software I used, the kid who came knew more about it, and, with a little bit of luck, we managed to make it work properly. Then, tring other things by myself, I managed to get the basics. The worst part is that there was only one and a half hour left. I recorded 1 or 2 live, singing and playing at the same time and the rest in 2 tracks, voice and guitar separately. I am quite haoppy about the results, because the micro was a bad one and I did not have a technician.
And the clock struck 15:00 and another person came to record, and I had to come back to record a cd!! The following day fortunately they had space between 12 and 14 and I got to record on a cd. Furthermore, I had time, so, I recorded an acoustic version of "Ballenas"; I wanted to record an old song I consider a hit, but I did not remember the lyrics.
And I left Helsinki listening to the "more than a demo" in my headphones at the bus and looking through the window for the last time, until who knows when, the streets and suburbs of the finnish capital. It is not so loud, but it is ok. The "Helsinki sessions".

The sound of Silence...and rain

The sky does not have a proper colour...!!



Scroll down to read the english version!!!!!

Hoy he estado en el Parque Nacional Nuuxio, en Espoo, cerca de Helsinki, una vez mas. Que belleza!! Paisajes preciosos y el verdadero sonido de el Silencio. Acogedor y a la vez impresionante. EL sonido de la naturaleza en su estado puro, solo perturbada por los molestos aviones aproximandose a Vantaa lentoasema.
No tengo sufiecientes palabras para describir lo que se siente. Pequeñez, tal vez, sí, seguro, pero es una sentimiento mas profundo que eso, te hace re-encontrarte con lo que un día fuiste en otra vida: parte de esa naturaleza, perteneciendo a ella con todas sus consecuencias, las buenas y las malas. Y que Paz... Uno se siente pequeno y afortunado de que aun existan sitios asi y que se puedan visitar.
Y despues: Lluvia. El sonido de millones de gotas cayendo a la vez. Que manera de llover! Y esto no es muy grato si estas en medio del bosque, como he dicho antes, sin refugio alguno, formando parte del medio al 100%, calado hasta los huesos como animal libre que vive en el parque.
Y al menos, me dio tiempo a dar la vuelta, completamente calado llegue al refugio donde habia comido mi bocadillo tan solo unos momentos antes. He echado de menos unas cerillas o un mechero para encender un fuego en el sitio adecuado y secar mi ropa y mi cuerpo. Al menos no era invierno, y la temperatura era agradable. Y estaba sacudiendo mi ropa sin camiseta.... pero no se seco. Y corri como nunca habia corrido hacia el autobus, a unos 3 km de distancia, parte cuesta arriba, y con solo 20 minutos de margen para cogerlo. Y lo hice, casi sin aliento, medio mareado y sudando a todo mas sudar. Ayer hice mi comienzo de pre temporada para el Rakiss. Casi me muero.
Y en casa, una ducha reparadora, una cerveza, buena musica y algo de picar. Despues un paseo disfrutando de la noche en VIikki, y vuelta a casa. Un dia para recordar.

"Marvellous landscapes"

I have been today in Nuuxio National Park, in Espoo, nearby Helsinki, another time. What a beauty!!! Marvellous landscapes and the true sound of Silence. Warm and at the same time impressive. The sound of nature in its pure state, only perturbed by the annoying sounds of the planes arriving to Vantaa airport.
I do not have enough words to describe what can be felt there. Small, you feel small, maybe, yes, sure, but it is a deeper feeling than that, it makes you find again what you were one day in another life, part of that nature and belonging to it with all its consecuences, good and bad ones. And what a Peace.... One feels small and fortunate that still places like this exist and that we can visit them.
And then: Rain. The sound of millions of drops falling at the same time. What a way of raining! And this is not very pleasant if you are in the middle of the forest, like I have said before, being part of the nature at a 100%, with no shelter to cover at, and soaked to death, like free animal that lives in the park.
And at least I had time to go back and I walked back the way I had already walked, until the shelter where I had had my lunch just few moments before. I have missed some matches or a lighter to light a bonfire, there was a place designated to do it, in order to dry myself and my clothes. At least it was not winter, and the temperature was pleasant. I was shaking off my t-shirt...but it did not dry.... And then I had to take the bus, and I ran like I had never run before, something like 3 km uphill and with only 20 minutes left to do it. And I did it, out of breath, half dizzy, and sweating to death. Yesterday I did my pre season for Rakiss, I almost die.
And at home, a shower to get my strength back, a beer, good music and something to eat. Then, a walk enjoying the night in Viikki and back home. A day to remember.

Self portraits

What are you thinking about Vik?

Like painters in their days did and still do nowadays, I am some kind of maniac of self portraits, i like them, not the way I am "reproduced" in the pictures, because most of the times I don´t like them, but I do like the feeling of creation, the feeling of leaving behind a part of me that will hopefully last for a long time ...anyway... Enjoy this one, or hate it.... It is a funny one, in my opinion.