Since my first blog post –the first post on this site– was really Anne just using one of my e-mails responses to her as a test for this blog, maybe I can have another shot. If you don’t post this Anne, I’ll do it myself, unless you’ve changed the password.
I can’t make it back and do feel sorry about it. I am actually ready to handle most of you after so many years, but will not be able to prove it. It’s nice to feel reasonably well adjusted after so decades.
After high school I finished a history degree at McGill, got bogged down in graduate studies at UBC, and by the mid 80 was looking for a way out. I came to Barcelona 20 years ago last month. The first years here, learning Spanish in a rather exciting time in the city, were probably some of the most easy-going and carefree of my life. I have almost always taught English while here though it has always been the way for me to subsidize a career I somehow pulled out of a hat sometime around 1989: I’m an art critic and exhibitions curator. I don’t know how it happened, but I have had some success, though it is financially unstable. Still, I have published rather extensively (first name now Jeffrey), including writing directly in Spanish and Catalan, and organize shows (more at www.barcelonaculture.com). I now teach art theory at the EINA design school, have taught visiting foreign students as well, and do other things like translating in the culture sector. It is the rather varied and sometimes chaotic life of a free-lancer. The most important thing on the professional level, I think, is that I think I make my small contribution to the cultural life in the city, which I very much feel part of.
I’ve been with my wife Lola (really Maria Dolors) since 1991, and we got married in 1996. She’s from a tiny stone village near the Pyrenees, pretty beautiful place, but is committed to being a Barcelonan as I am (so much so that she works for the Deputy Mayor). Our son Elies is 8, and already tells me what a drag I am –I resignedly agree– and does other things more appropriate for a pre-adolescent. Today he said he wanted to be a squatter and was going to occupy Bill Gates’ house. Armed. I assure you that all I did, a few months back, was describe Bill’s residence to him. The forced entry part is totally his.
Will be thinking about all of you on the thirteenth, and hope to be back in Van next summer.
2 comments:
Hey Jeff
Our paths really could have crossed, but sounds like that won't be until the 40th reunion... I now live in Montreal, (been 20 odd years. My mate was at McGill, I prefered to do my studies at UdeM. Previously though, I spent a good part of a year in Spain learning Spanish. I was in the south however, in the Flamenco part, in a fishing village near Malaga. My schooling got me into my current job as visual researcher for documentaries at Radio-Canada, since I studied Art History. Would love to hear about what you write. hasta la proxima
Mia (no tuya)
Hi Jeff
I'm sorry you couldn't make it to the stomp. I had a great time reconnecting with many old friends and wished it could happen again soon. Be sure to look me up when you're back in town. (I'm living on Duchess Ave in WV)
Keith.
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