Archive for October, 2006

Hiya

The Rutles

Gosh, I thought I was never going to write my first words for the Mieres blog, but see!! with a little patience I am actually doing it. I can not believe my eyes. It is great to say hello to everybody who takes their time to investigate what all this is about. Hopefully it will not be the last time we are sharing ideas and thoughts. Isn’t it superbe to learn from each other?? Well at least I think it is!!!

Well just a quick word (time flies) to say that this weekend I saw this DVD ‘The Ruttles’ which I borrowed from the school’s library. It is a film which takes a look at the pre-fab super-mega FOUR most famous Liverpoolians. A sort of documentary following their career from the sweet early days in Liverpool to their amazing worldwide success. I had a laugh as it is a parody of docs and the perfect antidote to all the Beatlemania seriousness. The sensibility is enormous and songs are surprinsingly Beatle. Really funny!! If you’ve heard of these guys or you are a Monty Python fan or if you just love comedy, you will get a real kick out of this. Certain. Anyway I’ll be signing off. See ya, xx

Lost

Lost

An international airline plane crashes in the Pacific Ocean, so a group of people have to survive on a tropical island.

The passengers deal with the situation in a variety of ways, while Jack and Kate, the main characters, try to bring the group together, others choose to sit and wait for the rescue team that may never come. There is a Chinese couple who don´t speak English and they move away from the group. Another character is a rock star, he tries his best to help but his drug addiction will be a problem for him. He falls for a pregnant woman who worries about the fact that her child may not be able to survive this situation.

We’ll discover their lives, characters and fears since the accident happens. Thre are flashbacks about their past lives.

While they are there, the situation  brings out the best and worst from everyone. But this island hides many secrets, mysterious creatures in the jungle, and different kinds of plants. If they want to stay alive, they must work together, the weather and the weird animals will be a constant problem for them.

Nowadays, “Lost” is very popular, I think it´s a thrilling series like other produced by the ABC. If you liked “Alias” or “Crossing Jordan”, you´ll like this series, they are directed by the same director.

Yoga

yoga

Yoga is one of the healthiest sports and also a very complete training system that can be used by everybody even people with back injuries, elderly people or pregnant women only by making some modifications in certain exercises.

The aim of yoga is to get your body balanced by strengthening the weaker muscles and lengthening the ones which are shortened as a consequence of the movements that we don’t do correctly.Obviusly this involves an increase of flexibility and strength but always respecting your back and articulations.

In short if you want to see all the benefits you can get from yoga you’ll have to try but don´t forget that if you only try once all you will probably obtain is painfull stiffness.

A corner to enjoy: Villaviciosa estuary

Villaviciosa

The estuary of Villaviciosa is one of the most interesting natural spots in Asturias because of its diversity and singularity.

The estuary was included in the Regional Net of Natural Protected Spaces as a Natural Reserve in 1994. The Natural Reserve is on the east coast of Asturias, between Gijón and Ribadesella. The Reserve comprises near 10 km2 and it extends for 8 km. The nearest village is Villaviciosa, a well-known place because it is there where Gaitero cider is produced.

The saltmarsh vegetation that you can find in the estuary is very well preserved, which scientists consider a lucky fact. There are a lot of different plants, some of them only grow in Villaviciosa and can’t be found in other Cantabric estuaries.

During the migratory period, vegetation shelters different aquatic birds which spend the winter in the estuary.

But , you can enjoy the estuary even if you don´t like nature; you can do sports such as canoeing or swimming on the beach that there is at the mouth of the estuary.

There is so much to see in this unique place, why don´t you come and visit it? You can relax and forget about your problems while having a nice time.

Paul Auster in Asturias

Auster

Next week we’ll have the chance to meet Paul Auster in the flesh. The American writer, who has been awarded the Prince of Asturias prize for Literature will take part in several events in our region. On Wednesday the 18th, Auster and Almodovar will participate together in a talk that will take place in the Jovellanos Theatre in Gijón at 20.30. If you are thinking about going you can get more information at the FPA’s site. The following day, on Thursday the 19th, Auster will meet students at the Library of Campus del Milan in Oviedo.

If they had asked me about Auster last month, I wouldn’t have been too enthusiastic. Several years ago I read Leviathan, and I wasn’t impressed. Well written, yes but the story utterly failed to catch my interest. I recently gave him a second chance with Brooklyn Follies and I am really glad I did. It radically changed my mind. It is a deligtful novel, inhabited by the sort of characters that stay with you for a long, long time after you’ve finished the book. I thoroughly recommend it.

Once Upon a Time

students

This title so reminiscent of a fairytale is because I didn’t know what to put there and I didn’t want to repeat any of the titles either.

I am supposed to write “something” in this blog, and the only idea that comes to my mind is to introduce myself and talk a little bit about myself. I’ll try;

First of all, my name is Iris and I’m 18. I live in Pola de Lena, with my mother Julia who is a teacher. My brother David, who started working this summer, is currently living with my father, Enrique who is a lawyer.

I’m studying Spanish Philology in the University of Oviedo, but I am not sure why. When I had to choose what I was going to study I had lots of doubts and I am still not sure. The reasons why I am not studying English are mainly two: my poor pronunciation and the fact that I think that teaching Spanish (in a highschool) is much more entertaining that English, because in English you only do grammar and so on. Anyway, I much prefer English literature to Spanish literature. So I don’t know. I think I would like to translate books from English to Spanish, or I might teach. I have no idea of what my job will be when I grow up.

Talking about hobbies I like reading, listening to music, going to the cinema, going out and chatting with my friends. I am quite shy and serious, or so I seem, but I can be very talkative when I feel confident.

Well, I think that this is more than enough to get to know me.
See you

Review: Creep

Creep

“Creep” is the worst film that I have seen recently. The action takes place mostly on a subway station where a girl, played by Franka Potente, falls asleep when she is waiting for the last train. As she wakes up, she realizes that she is alone and that cannot escape because all the exits are closed. Unfortunately, she will discover soon that she is not completely alone; something or someone is killing people on the underground.

In my opinion, it is pretentious because it tries to be a cool and modern thriller but, in the end, it is just another typical horror film. Moreover, the plot is quite predictable; it never surprises you. Although it tries to be frightening, it does not achieve its goal. It can be said that it is a bloody, gory film, but not terrifying.

The cast consists mainly of unknown actors which does not help to improve the film. The only famous one is Franka Potente who has starred in successful films such as “The Bourne Identity” and “Run, Lola, Run”, but I must say that this is not her best performance.

Summing up, this film is badly acted and appallingly directed. In a nutshell, it is absurd and disgraceful.

The secrets of Mieres

bosque

Although it used to be the heart of the mining industry in Asturias, Mieres has important natural resources. Thanks to rural towns which preserve traditional methods, good for biodiversity, there are ancient forests around Mieres where you can find endangered species. In the 70’s you could even see capercaillies here.

More than ten amphibian species have been seen in Mieres. Depending on the season you can watch more than a hundred bird species, and some of them endemic to the Cantabric Mountains.

Travelling

Ireland

Since I was a child, I’ve always liked travelling. That’s the reason why I tend to go from one place to another when I’m on holiday. In my opinion it’s a very interesting hobby, as you can get to know different cultures as well as discover new lifestyles which may surprise you.

Apart from that, travelling involves being able to speak other languages so that you can communicate with foreign people. But it’s also true that you don´t really need to speak a language properly, as people often understand you sooner or later.

I went to Ireland last summer. Before going, I already knew it’s a country really similar to my region, Asturias, as it has a wonderful, green landscape everywhere you go. But if I have to tell you the truth, I didn’t expect it to be so green. Besides, the people are really welcoming and friendly with visitors. They even talk to you in the street despite not knowing you!

From this page I encourage everybody to visit Ireland and discover the wonderful things it hides…

CSI

CSI

I don’t like CSI, I have never watched a full episode. I think that they always know the truth, it is like that: if you have a problem, phone CSI and they will solve everything, they are the new Mcgyvers, but they use suits and very expensive tools instead of a piece of chewing gum and a knife, and of course they are worse.

For me, all these American series are always the same, they are always trying to show that the American society is the best.

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