May ’25

Posted on by

May is a month full of routine. We started the month with a very nice route over/through the water. I make a video about the route, but I still need to shorten/edit it. A week later, I had to get moving—a 10 km run with a few of my colleagues. The 10 km went surprisingly well; I had a very solid time of 0:49:19, averaging 4:55 per kilometer, just under five minutes which for me personally is a very good result.

Alan!Alan has an official celebration! A football friend is celebrating his communion and has invited him. Alan was very happy to go together with his best friend, without his parents. He went pincel perfect, with styled hair, perfume, soft creamed skin, and a classy outfit perfect for the occasion.

A few days later, I went to Don Chuleton with some friends. We’ve been there a couple of times before. It’s a men-only event, no women, no children, where we basically just catch up, eat meat, and drink wine.

About 76 coffee beans

Posted on by

Coffee!I got another chance! My first coffee plant provided me with a few beans, but not even close enough for making a cup of coffee. My second plant was even worse with only a single bean. Both plants died soon after the first harvest. After these two plants I kept trying, buying a few small plants every few years, and trying to keep them happy. Usually the plants would not last more than a couple of months.

Now, almost 15 years later things seem to have changed. Maybe it is the small drop in temprature, maybe it is the minor increase in precipitation (a bit more rain). Maybe it is something I dont even realise that I stumbled apon by pure luck. I dont know for sure, but what I do know is that my current coffee plant is thriving. It is still without flowers, but I feel confident enough to already start the research. I need 76 coffee beans for a single cup of coffee.

  1. Harvesting – Pick ripe coffee cherries when they turn red.
  2. Pulping – Remove the outer fruit to extract the beans.
  3. Fermenting – Soak the beans in water for 2-3 days to remove the mucilage layer. I will use my shrimp farm for some extra clean beans
  4. Drying – Let the beans dry in the sun until they harden.
  5. Hulling – Remove the parchment layer to reveal the green coffee beans.
  6. Roasting – Roast the beans in a pan until they reach your desired level.
  7. Grinding – Grind the roasted beans to your preferred consistency.
  8. Brewing – Use your favorite brewing method to make coffee

ARC

Posted on by

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), is a sailing event that begins in Las Palmas and crosses the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean, typically ending in Saint Lucia. It has been held annually since 1986 and attracts sailors from all over the world. The event is not just a race but also a social and adventurous experience, with over 200 boats and 1200 participants joining each year. Participants range from families and cruising couples to competitive racers, all sharing the excitement of crossing the Atlantic.

Subject: Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC)
Port: Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, El Muelle Deportivo
Coordinates: 28.126773, -15.427434
Date: End of November

The ARC Ships set sail in Las Palmas and cross the Atlantic ocean on their way to the Caribbean and it all starts right at our doorstep. A big event which comprises lots of small and personal events. I was immediately intrigued by the messages left by sailors on the verge of altering their mind, and embracing a drastic change for their futures. Small pieces of art left on the rocks of the harbor of Las Palmas, which directly invite you to wonder. Some came prepared and left their mark with precision and an eye for detail. Some left their rushed markings in the spur of the moment.

Even when we cannot possibly know what became of all those adventurers, we can be sure that minds were opened. People grew, and valuable lessons were learned.

I enjoy taking photos, but unfortunately, I don’t have much time for it. Still, I managed to capture quite a few shots in the nearby marina. It has become a tradition for the boats participating in the ARC to leave a message behind. These messages are painted on the rocks of the marina. Some disappear quickly due to a combination of salt, wind, and water. It’s a real shame because they are not just simple drawings or names. They mark a moment in someone’s personal history, someone on the verge of a life-changing adventure. A journey of weeks that may coincide with a significant shift in lifestyle. I can only admire that.

April ’25

Posted on by

Alan finished his first official football competition. His team reached the forth place, out of eight. Very good for his first time. We are all very proud.

This month we also celebrated ‘Semana Santa’, a two day holiday everywhere in Spain. Miguel visited us! Alex’ godfather and Alans pan-godfather. The entire family always enjoys the visits from Miguel and during each visit we try and do something new. I think Alan had the most enjoyment this time. Miguel took the kids to an Argentinian restaurant with a Michelin mention. Alan was extatic for days about the food he ate, and I was told in detail all the plates they ate, and all the things that happened during dinner. A lasting impression for sure. Alex was also very satisfied, but it was not his first culinary adventure, so for him it was less impressive.

Doubler

Posted on by

For my last post about vitamin C I did some research just to be sure I wasn’t giving any incorrect or unhealthy advice. However, I realized that I was taking a relatively low dose! I was taking a dose much higher than the recommended dosage but it was still much less than the safe maximum. This month I started with a new double dose. 2 Grams a day. As of now I notice very little effect. I had a cold this month, so it did not help in avoiding this. I do notice that sometimes I see things clearer. More clarify then I look around, but also more clarity in my thoughts. All this is hard to prove, and I suspect a lot of this is simply my imagination. I’m going to keep up with my new dosage, to see if something happens.

March ’25

Posted on by

Pelucita!We have a new housemate! A hamster named ‘Pelucita.’ It’s a Russian hamster, but fortunately not imported. Our hamster was born on Spanish soil. We built her cage ourselves—a nice spacious cage with plenty of toys, a hamster house, a running wheel, and her food and water. I think our hamster is very content; during the day she’s calm and plays cheerfully with the kids, and in the evening she goes completely wild and seems to be running a 10 kilometer marathon in her wheel.

Carnival! A celebration on the island. A few family members from Madrid came to visit, which resulted in two weeks of fun outings, but unfortunately also some extra pounds gained. Luckily, with some extra running sessions, I managed to lose those extra pounds again.

Into the toilet

Posted on by

Vitamin C!I take a large dose of vitamin C every day. Out of habit because I’ve been taking my pills for over 30 years, every morning. But also because I believe in the benefits. I know that vitamin C dissolves in water, and that whatever your body doesn’t need gets flushed out. The advantage of this is that it’s highly unlikely to take too much vitamin C and face negative consequences. The downside is that many people think the extra vitamin is essentially a waste of money since you just pee it out. I’ve heard that argument several times, but I feel differently.

Water is also something your body can easily get rid of. You simply urinate it out. If you drink a lot of water, you need to go to the bathroom more often, but that’s not the whole story. Drinking lots of water means you might urinate more frequently, but your body can efficiently carry out all functions requiring water. Water is used almost everywhere in your body. All your bodily processes benefit from good water availability.

If you drink only a little bit, water becomes a resource your body must handle more cautiously. Your body is incredibly good at using the resources it has efficiently, but why make it harder on yourself? I like to drink an extra glass of water because I believe in its advantages.

It’s the same with vitamin C. If it’s available, it can be utilized. If there’s an excess, well, then you urinate it out. What the optimal availability is, that’s the question, and the answer varies for everyone. I believe that much more of the vitamin I take is used compared to relying only on eating oranges. I believe my body adopted to a high availability of vitamin C by slowly removing self imposed restrictions it had for its use.

Salt and shame

Posted on by

Salt and shame!Today I heard a funny story by a colleague. While on the beach an unknown dog approached and started to lick him. A funny story, and for me an inspiration for a new song. I asked an AI for a song text based on the following premise (my colleagues story, a unknown dog licked him, made a bit more interesting):

  • Lying on the beach, daydreaming. I notice someone approaching. A tender touch. I can hear her breath. Not sure if I’m dreaming, or my fantasy just became reality.
  • Lying on the beach, daydreaming. I feel her touch. She’s not afraid, takes initiative. Wet and warm, a subtle lick. Sunscreen being rubbed all over my back.
  • Lying on the beach, I keep my composure. My eyes closed, relaxed, enjoying the moment. My stranger took it to the next level. Cream all over my body, she licks me with passion.
  • Lying on the beach, I start to get doubts, could it just be a dream, the girl is simply to wild. Were on a public beach, she is doing things to me that are probably not legal outside the bedroom.
  • Lying on the beach, I open my eyes a little. I see my lover, but she is so close. I only see shades of black and brown as she licks me with passion, still rubbing cream everywhere.
  • Lying on the beach, I suddenly wake up. It’s a dog. Literally a dog, my dreams are shattered as reality slams into my mind. My daydream was really a unknown dog assaulting me. I feel terrible, dirty.
  • Lying on the beach, it gets even worse. The beach was packed. I look around, and see thousands of eyes, all looking at me. People laugh. People are disgusted. The dog is still here, on top of me. What now?

The result I got were some very nice lyrics, and together with a style indication: dream-pop, pop, rap, dark ambient. I used my suno account and got a very nice song.

Salt and Shame Lyrics

(Verse 1)
Sun-bleached sand beneath my skin
Lying here, letting daydreams begin
Lost in thought, a gentle haze
Then a shadow fell across my days
Someone near, a breath so light
A tender touch, bathed in sunlight.
Is this real? Or just a plea?
Fantasy unfolding over me.

(Verse 2)
Warmth spreads slow, a subtle grace
Fingers tracing time and space
Sunscreen scent, a summer kiss
A boldness I couldn’t resist.
Wet and warm, a playful tease
Rubbed all over, finding ease.
She takes the lead, no hesitant plea
This stranger’s touch awakening me.

(Chorus)
Eyes closed tight, surrender slow
Letting go of all I know
A rising tide, a burning heat
Is this a dream? Or bittersweet?
Something wild, something free
Lost in the moment, just her and me.

(Verse 3)
Doubt creeps in, a whispered fear
This feels too much to be held near
Public sand, a reckless game
Things she’s doing, whispering my name.
A line is crossed, a boundary blurred
Passion flares, unspoken word.
Licking slow, with fervent grace
Lost in shadows of her face.

(Verse 4)
I crack an eye, a blurry view
Shades of brown and black shine through
So close now, I can almost see
The intensity consuming me.
Creamy touch, a fevered plea
This isn’t right, it can’t be she.

(Verse 5)
I wake with a start, the spell is broke
Not a lover’s kiss, but a canine stroke!
A dog? Oh God, it’s truly true.
My daydream shattered, soaked in dew.
Dirty and raw, a shameful sting
This fantasy, a ridiculous thing.

(Verse 6)
But the worst is yet to unfold
A sea of faces, stories told.
Thousands watching, judging eyes
Laughter rings beneath the skies.
The dog remains, oblivious still
While humiliation takes its fill.
Stuck in place, what can I do?
Underneath a horrified view.

(Outro)
Salt and shame, on this crowded shore
A broken daydream, forevermore.

Inter Colonia – Atletico Isleta

Posted on by

Inter Colonia!Atetico Isleta!This match has brought quite a few extra spectators for Alan. There is family visiting, and of course, no one wants to miss this top match. In the previous match we secured a victory. Can we achieve this again?

We are back! A massive victory where Alan scored a goal! In the end our team scored 7 times!

15 mar Inter Colonia B 7 – 0 Atletico Isleta B
Complete list of results
8 mar Muelle Grande 8 – 3 Inter Colonia B
1 mar Las Coloradas 10 – 3 Inter Colonia B
22 feb Inter Colonia B 4 – 5 Guiniguada B
15 feb Inter Colonia B 5 – 4 Pedro Hidalgo B
8 feb Victoria C 6 – 8 Inter Colonia B
1 feb Inter Colonia B 2 – 1 Alcotan Can.
25 jan Atletico Isleta B 4 – 7 Inter Colonia B
18 jan Inter Colonia B 2 – 4 Muelle Grande

Soccer card issues

Posted on by

It seems impossible to avoid these kinds of issues… Something basic has failed once again. I understand that logistics are challenging, but in this case, it seems the logistical base should have been in order. Hundreds of photos of hundreds of children, along with a record of name, number in the album, team, coach, group photo, team logo, landscape or portrait. This must have been thought through.

The problem: The football cards of Alan’s team are unfortunately not all perfect. A mistake slipped in. One of Alan’s teammates does have their own card, but with the wrong photo of another boy. Such a shame, especially for the boy himself and his parents.

An (empty) album costs 7 euros, and for every 6 cards, you pay 1.50 euros. The album holds nearly 200 cards, so with plenty of trading, you can manage with exactly 34 packs. That will cost (34 x 1.50) + 7 = 58 euros. It’s an expensive album, especially if your child is pictured incorrectly in it, for his team mates it is a shame that a friend’s card isn’t accurate.

A quick fix would be to print a few new corrected cards. That seems like the cheapest solution to me. Perhaps they’ll do nothing; ‘better luck next time’ is even cheaper. We’ll see how this unfolds.