An anodyne year (for me).

There’s not been so much interesting this year for me. So much work and no holidays, more spare time but less motivation to do other activities, more tranquillity but less social contact (call it solitude). Now I should establish new targets but I think probably that’s useless because you can’t control destiny so it could be better be flexible and take new challenges and opportunities.

Now I don’t know if I will be able to take some days-off in order to do some tourism because I must do job-hunting. I can’t stay at home doing nothing. So it’s the same story as last September.

2008 can be a new opportunity for improving my situation in all orders and it’ll be changes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Elgaine de Balliers.

Christmas 2007.

For many people, Christmas starts after the Constitution’s holidays but I think tomorrow’s the real beginning with the big lottery day. Between these two weeks there’s only marketing, unsubstantial purchases and no much more. Besides, tomorrow’s the beginning of holidays for students so you’ll be able to see them in many places with red Christmas hats, funny wigs, masks, foam sprays, strong firecrackers (and other fireworks) and overall alcohol in all forms. However, this year’s ambient seems to be more frugal (probably because of the current downturn of our domestic economies).

Although you were believer or not in this Christian celebration, I think everybody should enjoy this part of the year. I know there is a lot of nostalgia of people or of other “better times”, or other people hate the huge consumerism we practice during this special period but this is useless. “Carpe diem”, enjoy it with your family and friends, don't eat and drink so much and see ahead: there’s a promising although uncertain future, new challenges and targets, new people and jobs. Life’s not easy but can be better.

And a final message: my best wishes for everybody and don’t give your dreams up (our illusion is our motivation).

Merry Christmas.

Uncertain future.

Like World, my future is in the air. I have an interview with my HR technician for I don’t know exactly what (probably a mere evaluation). I don’t have any faith in getting something useful from it but in any case I must do it overall if I want to do another job substitution. I don’t like this situation but it could be useful for me to take some experience on banking and stay in a unique company for almost a year.

I have also thought in to search job abroad but it’s a more difficult and risky task but more enriching. And things are getting worse in the whole World because the crisis so probably the best it’s to wait for a sign.

For these cold days, a surprising and delicious soup made of veggies (from Mark Bittman, the minimalist cook of the New York Times).

Anyway, I’ll write my last movements.

See you guys,

Elgaine de Balliers.

Saturday at the stadium.

Last Saturday we went to the match against the Swedish National Team for classification for the European Championships. Good game and great ambient although I was a little afraid of the consequences of neo-Nazi and radical-left demonstrations outside. After match, we went to have some drinks and fun at the nearby pubs too much jolly so we arrived at home very late (at 9h AM).

Three beautiful goals

Referring to other things, last week was hard at work. I don’t know so much about future considering I finish my contract in a month, so I will have to look for another job or pray to stay here. Somehow or other I wouldn’t mind if I could do another substitution in order to grab some experience in banking because in the long run I have realized it’s quite more interesting than I had been able to think on. Anyway, now I feel easy with my mates and learning many interesting things but who know where my future is.

On the whole: pursuing progression in the sector.

Elgaine de Balliers

A briefing of the last thirty days.

There’s nothing extraordinary. The job’s the same and my life’s the same. I did a job-interview at Loco’s company although both of us knew my profile didn’t suit his needs. Anyway, it was an opportunity for have a look on Loco’s problem. This consists of he is exhausted putting things in order and trust me: it’s a big thing although I absolutely think he can do it step by step. This was what I said to him the last day we met.

And that day I seized to visit Petra’s. My friend Juan told me about this international 2^nd hand bookshop but I couldn’t visit it until the last Wednesday and I took advantage because I bought five books. At Petra’s you can find a big variety of books classified by subject and language so if you’re interested on books in different languages with a very good price, this is your place. There’s another interesting library in Lavapiés (La Librería de Lavapiés at Argumosa, 39) but I haven’t been there yet. I will write something when I visit it.

About new TV-series and films recommendations, I must write about the British historic TV-serie “The Tudors”. It’s about Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys-Meyer), his humiliated wife Katherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle Kennedy), his lovers like Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer), his counsellor Thomas More (Jeremy Northam) and other important historic characters interpreted by very good actors like Sam Neill or Gabriel Anwar and tells the history of that time in a modern and entertaining way. In some way it follows a similar scheme to Rome but less bloody but equally sexual (if you liked the 1^st season, don’t miss the 2^nd one). In any case, see the trailer beneath.

Enjoy weekend!

Neither changes, nor nothing.

I can’t write anything interesting here. Well, perhaps the most important thing I can write it’s I am going to be uncle. It must be wonderful but I haven’t thought so much in that. Let’s wait before

In other ways, I can’t say so much. I didn’t travel nor go restaurants or other places of interested. If perhaps when I went to have dinner with my friend Precioso at an Oriental restaurant in which you can eat a mix of Asian plates. Not too bad but it wasn’t really the original food but it can be worthy if you like these delicatessens and overall, different. Then we had some drinks while we spoke about a lot of things.

At work, I feel comfortable with my mates and the tasks although we often have to suffer customers’ anger or even insults because they don’t or don’t want to understand our rules. I don’t mind so much but sometimes we should be more flexible.

Anyway, I have written more than I have thought.

Cheerio fellas!

Elgaine de Balliers.

It’s like to travel to another World.

Working at Lavapiés is different. We live now in Spain with a lot of people from almost everywhere but when you go to this place, you’re the foreigner. I think around 80% of our customers is from abroad (mostly Chinese, Bangladeshis and Moroccans) and much of them don’t speak Spanish (little or nothing). I remember when an old Chinese spoke to me in his language and I couldn’t understand a word and he saluted me with his fist next to his head (and you don’t know what to say him). It’s quite interesting how this “human zoo” behaves and for now, although the neighbourhood is a bit marginal it’s also peaceful.

These weeks has passed quickly. We have worked so much a lot of days mainly because sub-manager was on holidays. Tomorrow he’s back but only for one day because he’s going to be moved to another sub-branch, so we’re going to have a new one. The relationship with my partners is quite good although sometimes there’s so much stress during the busy moments of the morning. I am learning and remembering a lot of things, many of them practical (loans, checks, cards, payments, ATM's…) but the work is 90% the same. It’s ok for now and I don’t want to think anything about my future.

Elgaine de Balliers.

Back to work, back to the bank!

That's the synthesis. I can't say so much for today but it seems less boring than the other workplace. I am working in a branch office as cashier and well, my new workmates seem much nicer. I wasn't looking for a job like this but it could be another step to be part of the stable bank's staff but who knows.

Anyway, I will be here until the beginning of the next year. I hope to take advantage this period doing something useful in order to improve my CV.

So, I hope to see you soon guys.

Elgaine de Balliers.

Life’s easy with no bosses ahead (and their stinky breath).

Following the previous post, I can’t say anything about a car. I have checked all sites up and I have visited seen car-dealers and individuals, but nothing really was worthy. On no account I am going to buy it compulsively and I don’t need it for now so, it’ll wait until I find the proper one.

So long I have been developing this “second-hand market survey”, I have done a couple of job interviews although they weren’t so much attractive. I will take care from now on with the features of the job-offer because I don’t want to spend time with crappy-jobs but the paradox is I can’t reach the good ones. I have desisted from get one job in logistics or foreign trade, because my lack of experience and knowledge of more languages, but I don’t know to do too many things. Perhaps I should attend a course of Accountancy or whatever (another language?). It could be a time to think about future career but anyway, all I have done in life has been no useful (university degree, master, English, courses…). Sometimes I feel so frustrated but I have some aspects against me (age, number of years studying, social origin, residence…) and I must fight against them every time I have a job-interview or a conversation at work. Past is past and it always travels with you wherever you go. This wouldn’t want to be a bitter commentary although it’s overview of my current situation. Everybody have problems and I am lucky to have these ones and not others and besides, I am optimistic and I am sure I will overpass them soon (when I will get a quality job).

Finally, I would like to recommend a film about future but it is really a picture about humanity, because it’s a kind of “what if”. Probably a lot of you have seen it but I would like to express my some opinions about Children of Men. In this futurist fable we can see how can things change suddenly and how can we behave like beasts against people like us with no rights (as today policemen with illegal emigrants). But the main message (for me) is there’s always hope in sadness.

Well, enjoy these last summer days.

Elgaine de Balliers.

Looking for a used car (but not a lemon).

As some of you know, I am looking for a car. I think it was time to motorize myself so I am using web and visiting car-dealers, but there are a lot of picaresque in this sector. For example, when you see cars with a good relation price-quality, I don’t know if it’s casual or not but they were sold few days ago and the dealers began to talk about other cars, all of them more expensive. But all I need for now it’s a cheap car for a start because I have lost expertise driving.

In so far as other things, I am resting and doing really nothing. I would like to travel to everywhere but it’s going to be difficult.

Finally and in the long run, I only must say to enjoy the summer as better as you can.

Unpredictable period as unemployed.

Last Friday was my last day working. Now, it begins a new but uncertain period without job although I need some days to rest and think about future. I don’t know what to think exactly about this “labour experience” because it’s necessary time to see things with perspective but you can read my opinions in former posts. Anyway, I am happy to end it and I have illusion to get another better.

Respecting to holidays, it’s probably I remain few days resting and planning some kind of fast-travel but it’ll depend on job-hunting and so. Life as jobless man doesn’t permit luxuries like one or two weeks of holidays because your job now is to find the better job you can find. Anyway, I hope not to end like this guy.

Well, enjoy these summer days.

(Almost) Empty department.

While we are four in the department, we’re enjoying our solitude. No bosses, no witches neither so many phone calls. We work relaxed and we have time and desire for little chats: I was informed about a lot of gossips from the department people but I don’t really mind because I will go soon although that confirms me they’re authentically a pack of hypocrite bastards. Besides, I have a very good relation with the new guy and hours pass fastest than ever chatting about funny subjects and database’s problems.

Referring to job-hunting, it seems to be early yet for interviews. I check jobs in internet and other ways but there’s nothing interesting: poor jobs with poor salaries. And in the bank, they offer me more substitutions but I don’t know what to do in this respect because I am not interested in short-term jobs without job career. So, I don’t know what to do but soon I will write.

Finally, I only have to wish a good season to all you. Enjoy the summer before the economic crisis begins!!!

Elgaine de Balliers.

The last four weeks.

This is the second time I have to work alone. My boss and workmate are on holidays and I don’t know if we will meet again because I finish before they arrive. I think they have been jerking me around because they have spoken a lot of times without me, taking decisions and so. I don’t know if I can remain in the saving bank but I don’t have confidence in that possibility. On the other hand, now I have a good relation with a new workmate who works for risks part in our division. He is mathematician, quite shy but well-intentioned (unlike the posh witches). This is a real relief because, at least, I have someone to speak about general things (not only about the cursed department’s people, kids, maids or clearance sales). Believe me: I have developed my abilities of patience and cynicism as a wall against these intolerable upper-class stupid attitudes.

Referring to holidays, nothing has been prepared. I don’t know what I am going to do but I think it’s time (suggestions admitted!!). We are thinking about Portugal, London or simply coast (mainly south). Anyway, I can’t take so many days because I will have to do job-hunting again and that’s quite transcendental for the following months.

Well, enjoy the summer and be good…

Elgaine de Balliers.

Nothing really happens.

It’s being a so quiet summer (until now). I do the same every day and there’s nothing new. I haven’t been answered from that company and I don’t what to think about it (they don’t say anything about and I think the process has been stopped until summer’s end). It’s no time for new jobs and I have to stay at my current one until the end of the contract’s date. I have been getting used to it during this time and well, it permits me enjoying all evening although I must wear suit (that’s the price).

Chained to the monotony.

I don’t have anything more to say. Life’s now a bit boring again but this situation is going to last little time (six weeks?).

Enjoy the summer.

Elgaine de Balliers.

I am still trying to change… but things are the same.

In this part of the year, when people are enjoying or planning their holidays, I can’t do anything of that. I don’t have days of holidays neither I don’t think of it (but this is not a relief). It is going to be another summer without holidays but I hope to seize weekends doing little escapes.

On the other hand, the ambient in my current job is still deteriorating, a little beyond from the last written situation (away from improving relationships). And I am still boring doing really nothing.

Well, finally I would to suggest a good film: “The Last King of Scotland”. It's a historical picture and biopic about Idi Amin (president of Uganda in the 70’s) based on his personal physician’s testimony. Close beside another interesting films about the African drama like “Hotel Rwanda”, “Blood Diamond” or “The Constant Gardener”, this story tells much about Western Countries’ responsibility in the current African problems, the black and white mentality’s confrontation, the horrible management and corruption in the African governments or even the lack of real solutions (so it can be understood better why there are more and more inmigrants from there year by year). Referring to film’s actors, Forest Whitaker is distinctly above the rest, with a wonderful interpretation (I recommend to watch it in its original version, appreciating his marked African accent). You can see a small video below these letters.

Well, enjoy the summer and take care.

Elgaine de Balliers.

Looking for a change.

During these weeks I have been doing several job interviews. Nothing relevant but some of them could be promising. After this recent fiasco with my current job, it seems that there are some possibilities of change.

As I wrote in last post, the ambient in the department stinks and I don’t feel so comfortable in that posh jungle (with those disgusting hyenas). Anyway, workplace is never an idyllic environment but it could always be better.

And writing about other things, I have begun to do some jogging (progressively) in order to lose weight and feel better (I would like to keep this custom if job let me). And, in the other hand, summer appears restless but full of possibilities, a transition phase to another (and I hope better and stable) temporal stadium.

Well, I think I will write anything good soon.

Be happy and enjoy the summer's good things.

Elgaine de Balliers.

Ideal life?

Now my life is very different (during weekdays). I have a good timetable, a lot of breaks during the day, few tasks and responsibilities… But is this situation ideal? No indeed, because I have the sensation of wasting my time here because I am learning almost nothing. And I am still thinking about my role as outsider in the department. Sometimes it’s very baffling not to know what to say or how to act. And besides, there are bad vibrations among the secretaries because one of them (there are three) must be ceased but the boss hasn’t said anything about who’s going to be so it has made hates and suspicions. And other aspect for the common mood is the business evolution: as you can know, real state sector has slowing its growth more than they expected and the number of delinquent account has increased notably. That means no commissions this year and neither special holidays nor new car.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Housing Bubble.

But out of my job, I can’t complain so much about the rest. Summer seems that it is going to be boring because I am not going to enjoy holidays. Good perspectives!! (In fact, I hope Summer passes rapidly and to be able to get another job). I will try to enjoy Summer as much as I can and to find another job calmly (I have every afternoon to do it).

Well, I would like to write better things although thus my life is.

Anyway, enjoy the weekend,

Elgaine de Balliers.

Posh manners (2): meeting the parents.

In this video, you can find a good example how to act in this kind of embarrassing situations.



What can you say me? What would you do in this circumstance? Surprisingly amazing, doesn't it? (Thanks to Little Britain).


Bye chaps and be posh.


Elgaine de Balliers

Posh manners (1): how to have tea.

Here you have a video that ilustrates what it's posh. I though it could be necessary to express what is posh so taking advantage of technology, I will try to show you in a educational way. And who else better than an original British sketch to show us how to be posh.


Well, in this one, you can discover how to regurgitate elegantly. And, what can you say me about her total control? I thought I was a expert (in the old times, like our friend) at that but I didn't ever have that mastery.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed it. Thanks and be posh.

Elgaine de Balliers

Feeling like an alien in the planet Posh.

As you can know, I started to work in a bank recently. I work in a department related to mortgages, consumer loans and all kind of financial and insurance products and the life here is quite calmed. Apart of my excellent timetable, we have a lot of breaks for coffees probably because normally we don’t have so much tasks now and besides because I don’t have computer user and access to data, I can’t work and I spend (probably waste) time reading surveys, briefings and power point presentations. Indeed, it’s quite boring but not only for these reasons. The main reason is I feel like a being from another world (well, that’s true if you consider where I live) when everybody seem to be upper-class people. What can a penniless buddy like me speak with them? The point is I feel much hesitant and strange probably because it has been a drastic change from my former company’s work environment and I don’t know them so well and besides we have so much time to chat.

He wasn't so much posh in the old times

I am not going to stay so much time there but I would like to obtain a good experience from this job but I don’t know if I am going to fit in it. Anyway, I will try to do my best while I am having a look at this book.

Take care and bye for now.

Elgaine de Balliers.

PS: Anastasia was quite angry because she can’t stand reading my post using the language of Shakespeare. For me, as you know (or you should know), writing in English is only an exercise because it’s a funny way to practice it but considering this complaint, I will try to write a precise translation into the language of Cervantes. It will take a bit more time but probably it could help some people to understand better what I try to express and that can correct my mistakes (as you can read, I commit a lot of them in each post). But it'll start on the next post.

A(nother) new job…

Finally, I had to take this decision because my recent problems with my boss and the quite tense labour ambient (as you can know if you read and update your knowledge about Elgaine de Balliers). It wasn’t an easy choice because my new is in a bank, covering a maternity leave. But, there weren’t so much better options:

a) Go to unemployment list while I am waiting for a decent job.

b) Get a junk job.

c) Suffering that kind of mobbing in my former company.

d) Work in a bank for several months.

It’s a temporal job with the same salary but it’s got better timetable (from 8h to 15h). It could be boring doing surveys about mortgages or consume credits but it’s got better quality, during the summer. And they said me it is likely to do more substitutions after this one but that doesn’t like me so much because I would like stability and labour development.

Anyway, September can be better to get a new one with better perspectives but for now, I can be happy considering my situation.

Greetings and be good…

Elgaine de Balliers.

Good start, bad end.

Last Friday, we three could have a meeting. Loco, Rick and me, spent the evening speaking about us, up-dating our lives. We were first in “El Café Comercial”, in Bilbao. We have some drinks there and then we emigrated to “Centro Asturiano”. That place seemed like a retirement’s bar or something similar. Here we started to drink seriously, thing that it hadn’t had happen ever because Loco and me are not habitually drinkers.

Then, we went to fashion-chic-alternative pub in Alonso Martinez. It was very surprised to me to see it had beds!! I don’t remember the name and probably I won’t return as though its mojitos were delicious. The more I go out in Madrid, the more I realize how different is (more modern and sophisticated, more expensive and exclusive). In this place, Rick offered us to have a supper in his house because he was alone and had a good ham and chorizo. Well, Loco and I accepted and in the way we entered in an Irish Pub, we drank a half pint of stout and a shot of whiskey. That was the worst act in all evening.

Laurita was waiting us near Rick’s apartment. We had enjoyed her to come. Anyway, during this time, I didn’t feel so well, and when we arrived at the flat, I didn’t want to eat anything. In deed, I started to vomit. I felt so sick so I considered returning to house because I didn’t like to have a charge for anyone. Finally, I arrived home soon without problems although I had liked to have finished this meeting in another way: earlier and soberly.

Well, I think this experience must be written because these meetings are being more and more scarce. Our lives are different and even more and more distant but ...

Elgaine de Balliers

I can't say "no way".

That’s a simple title for an insipid post. I don’t have so much to say you but probably the most important thing is my work situation. As you have been able to read in the last post, I was alone doing the job but not now but thank to God, she has come in a very good moment because I was almost exhausted although that has harmed my position in the job negotiation. Last Friday was my last contract day and they have offered me renewing two months more with the employment agency because they don’t believe on me (they had doubts). I can admit mistakes because the situation but this is totally unfair because I did my best and I was in the limit. So in this forced situation, I had to accept it but I’m going to start to look for another job in this two months. I am so angry and disillusioned because I wanted work stability. It seemed hard luck appeared again in my life but well, we must take the bull’s horns and face the future as good as possible. I think this is the right mentality in this moment.

Fuck them off!!

One thing is clear: everything can change in a moment. Before my workmate had gone I felt myself appreciated and now I feel like some kind of work marginal.

Non-stop working.

It’s been a bad week because mistakes at work. I had to develop the work of two people and in certain extreme moments, mistakes and tensions appeared. I think it’s normal because I’m overburdened working double. And the worst it’s that nobody thanked my effort. So I know, this situation is not new and other people have given the job up but I don’t want to do that (almost for now) because I like the job though I have to find out a lot of things so I work slowly sometimes. The good side is my workmates are doing their best helping me as much as they can, so this gives me a lot support (mainly moral).

But, I don’t want to appear sad and life is not only the work, so I think it’s time to start to send mails in order to establish a date and a place for the next meeting-dinner, so I arraign you to say anything about it.

Well, I’ll wait your suggestions. See you soon people,

Elgaine de Balliers

A nice rendezvous.

It was time to meet old friends and last Friday was one of these special days. I haven’t seen Loco since more than a year and I had only met with Glo and Marconato (about my university colleagues). We spoke about a bit of this and that: people, politics, cinema, girlfriends, food … We spent all the evening chatting and it was a pity Rick couldn’t come. Next time!!! We went to Ñeru (typical Spanish) and the Starbucks Café (the famous and expensive American chain) in Gran Via Street.

During that evening I realized changes in the city centre. There are more and more foreign people in Madrid and this “cosmopolitation” process is being accelerated year by year. Globalization is causing you can find people from a lot of places and I think it can be positive and according to one of the most important feature of Madrid: an opening city to people. While poor people are looking for a job, rich people are looking for fun.

Time passed fast and Loco had to meet with his girlfriend, so he invited me to meet her. She seemed shy but sweet girl. Loco offered me to go with them to the cinema and I accepted enchanted. We took the tickets for “Manuale de Amore 2” (so funny) and we went to the Burger until the film started. We spoke about our crazy and disordered university life. About this, Loco told me he regretted to erase his weblog because now he can’t read anything about that time. Anyway, he can read mine or Rick’s. One thing it’s true: life’s so different now and we must leave this nostalgic feeling about this period (life goes on and we can find new good things). Stagnation is a bad symptom and life’s so hard and exigent.

Inside the cinema I found Nuria (with his boyfriend), a chick who works in the Vet Department. We spoke about work and the film. We liked it so much and I didn’t know anything about the first part, probably cos’ I was in Ireland.

Next step is a big party with all our friends. And it must be soon because we said to do it in February and it’s just finishing. So, it’s time to send mails asking for dates, places and people. And attending to circumstances, we’ve 15 days so I propose Friday 9^th, 9 PM but other restaurant (though Casa Adolfo is fantastic in the quality/price relation). I would like to change for this time.

See you soon,

Elgaine de Balliers

Working hard.

As you know, I started to work in the last part of December. The first days were ok, soft and sweet, as in any other job, and little by little I was assuming new roles and duties, but yesterday things have just changed suddenly. My “mentor” has taken the medical leave for an uncertain period. Probably it was the “best” moment because of the payments of today. Finally, everything was successful.

From now, I must assume all the responsibilities but I’m not quite ready for that so I have to do my best. The best part is that Department Chief is supporting me totally so that’s give security and tranquillity. I like the job because it has got interesting tasks and quite professional recognition (you’re basic for the company because you manage its money).

Respecting to things out of work, life goes on. I would like to meet people, because I’ve quite forgot them. And I’m planning to return to Ireland by summer, mainly to visit friends. But summer it’s far enough for now.

Finally, I would like to say too how boring my life is now, so I’m thinking about to go to gym (although I always think it was for gays and snobs) or other physical activity (more interesting if it could be). But I’m still thinking. I don’t want to go to more courses (I’m fed up of them) because I need action (and lose some weight).

So, I’ll write as soon as possible.

Cheerio guys,

Elgaine de Balliers

Finishing Christmas.

Firstly, happy new year for everybody!!! I hope the best for the entire World in 2007 but there are increasing problems here in Spain and abroad. 2006 has been quite good for me (better than 2005).

I’m happy because Christmas has finished. This Christmas has been quite boring for me although it’s got some good things. The most important one is my new job. As almost all of you know, I’m working in the Accounting Department in an American company. It’s not related with my master skills but it’s a quite good job: the labour environment seems cordial, the wage is ok for a start, I think I’m gonna learn a lot about accountancy and finance (that could be interesting for another jobs), I’m gonna practice my English (but so much for now) and I expect training and knowledge’s up-dates. I hope all these things can be materialized soon. But there are a dark side: I think I’ll never work in something related to Foreign Trade. I had not so much options when I arrived and I was trying to get a job, but probably it wasn’t the best period for that. I was almost hired by Cortefiel but past passed invoice and probably it was a mistake not to design a special CV for this occasion and not to call Iker (the worst error). Last train? No more opportunities? I don’t know but anyway, who knows destiny? Now, I’ve got a job and this could be a better position to get another one but no rush.

I don’t have new formal targets for 2007. I accomplished the most important goal but there were another out of my reach. I’ll take this period like a quiet time. There will be no more rush for now.

Bye for now and take care.

Elgaine de Balliers.