Overcast

Surprise!

A cloudy and overcast day in marvelous, sunny Spain.

The Camera Never Lies

Slips in photos like typos in writing are springboards to magical impressions.

So it was with this photo.

Before my very eyes, the human seemed to slowly emerge out of the wall, unto the sidewalk, as if in a dream ...

Was it?

The camera never lies!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Cesc broke a bone in match against Barcelona, could be out of World Cup

Fabregas had just scored against Barcelona in their last game for the Champions League. Suddenly, he grabbed his right leg, and the pain in his face left us with no doubts. "I think I will miss the rest of this season" he said after the game. Arsenal doctors comfirmed that Cesc has a small fibula fracture, which could keep him out for about six weeks.

Arsene Wenger was aware of the situation at the end of the game with Barcelona. "I think it's the end of the season for him. It's sad because he is our top scorer and the captain too, but I think he will be present at the World Cup."

If everything goes ok for him, he will be recovered in May, days after the end of the Premier League. Only if his team reach the final of the Champions League, he would have a chance to play for Arsenal again this season.

Spain is concerned about him as well. Even though the World Cup begins in June 11, Cesc is way too important to even think about playing it without him. We all hope he can be back on time.

Cesc will play against Barcelona

After many rumours that assured that the Arsenal Captain was out of the match due to an injury, Cesc Fabregas talked to friends and family and wiped out all doubts: he will play.

Fabregas suffered a tough foul against Birmingham. Many friends and relatives called him, shocked by the crude images on TV. Even Arsen Wenger was concerned about it.

But both Cesc and Arsenal doctors have said that the talented midfielder is 100% ready to play this important Champions League clash.

A Real Winner

She struggled to climb, fell several times and eventually reached the top.

She might be the girl in the middle but she was tops in my book.

Arsenal vs. Barcelona: Cesc says they can eliminate Messi from the Champions League

Arsenal's destiny in 2010 Champions League includes facing the powerful Barcelona, current kings of Europe. But Cesc Fabregas is confident in their chances of winning this duel.

"Many people think we have no chances of winning it. Many people thought we could not reach the fourth spot of the Premier League. But I say that if I don't believe I can achieve something, I wouldn't play football" Fabregas said.

He also mention that they are not scared by the tremendous level of Lionel Messi, who have scored three hat-tricks in one month.

Golden Point

How does one siesta in Barcelona?

Well, you bring your lawn chair, your pooch, relax

And , oh yes!

Be sure to wear a suit and tie.

Like my mom always said: "You never know who will be watching"!

FYI: How could I not resist taking his picture. Could you?

I wondered if I would ever see him again.

A few years passed by and we were bumping into each other here and there and everywhere.

He was ever so gracious to let me click away each time we met.

He was indeed as nice as he looked sleeping.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A How-to On Overcoming Dental Phobia

Just before a stressful visit to anywhere, at the door do a little 2 step.

I guarantee that your qwurky behavior will make you feel great and those unseen will feel good too!

And just by sheer luck someone with a dental appointment and a camera might just capture your quirky moon-dance and blog it.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

The Heart of Barcelona

Plaça Catalunya is in the center of downtown Barcelona.

The park is surrounded by restaurants galore, shopping stores up the kazoo, street artists extraordinaire and birds ... lots of birds!

I love this area and I love the statue that you see.

So ... to my delight these 2 pretty ladies were sitting where they were.

And,

It was hard to know who was admiring whom!

Oh, yeah! And the suspenders added a certain touch, too.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Tapa i àpat

Folks! If you're looking for tapa meals and you happen to be in the barrio of gràcia walking on carrer Gran de Gràcia passing building #44 then YOU have to stop at the Tapa i àpat restaurant.

Let me tell you why!

Locals frequently dine there.

They know how to fry foods which can be a bit tricky.

The service is above par.

Menus are in different languages for the Catalan challenged.

You are special, even if you are a pesky tourist.

So ... all you have to do is order, smell the delicious aromas, eat and pay for the food.

I remember this cafe fondly.

But I warn you. I haven't been there in over a year and this is what I knew, for we were frequent customers. After all, I did shoot this photo to remember the place.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Attention to Detail

Is a quality every good waiter should strive for giving good servicing.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Personality Counts

I first saw him walking on the street a few blocks from where this photo was taken.

I saw only his back but he had a strut that would've put John Travolta to shame and I was interested.

So ... to my surprise and a smile on my face I found him, "singing" into a tin cup and oh, how I wished he would walk that walk.

You would have liked him. He had an exuberant and electrifying personality that would make any street performer proud.

I love the street artists and got to know some of them pretty well in Barcelona.

A street-performers life is very hard and a little kindness (like a coin or two) in their direction wouldn't be a bad idea for either you or them.

I invite you to view my flickr photo gallery of the these special people who made my life a little bit richer.

View barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

Double Take

Oh ... so, it's another booth in a Barcelona market.

But, wait! Can you guess what makes these booths unique?

The lady on the left is the same lady on the right and they aren't even twins!

The image on the right is a silk screen shade.

Imagine that!

As Good As I'll Ever Get

Truly, I like everything about this photo.

The way her body fits snugly on the bench curved like the letter 'y'.

As Good As I'll Ever Get

Her big greenish bag and clunky but terribly comfortable shoes.

The shadows and light drape her body like a comforting hug.

She reminds most of all of Helen Hunt's scene when Greg Kinnear began drawing again.

Ah, you know ... one of Jack Nicholson's famous movie!

Can you guess?

But, I am curious.

What do you think, overall?

Pour Favor

Who knew that taking his picture would make his eyes wag.

Pour Favor

Beware of San Miguel!

The Truth Be Told

Have you ever wondered what he did in the confessional booth?

The Truth Be Told

Now you know!

And, REMEMBER, you saw it here first.

PS ... Taken by me like a speeding bullet, and that's the gospel truth!

Barcelona: "I want Cesc"

Official voices within the Camp Nou have admitted that Barcelona will make a move to sign up Cesc Fabregas. With Guardiola's team set to be without midfielders Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita when the African Cup of Nations begin in January, the institution is ready to take action and enhance their squad.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain says that Cesc "is a player who fits the Barca profile. He was born suckling on football here and one day he will end up playing at the Camp Nou. I am sure."

Even when Arsenal FC board have not made any official statement about this transfer, it's very likely that next season we will see the first chapter of a new soap opera called "I want Cesc".

PD: Cesc doesn't care about this kind of statementes and just focuses on his game. That's why he scored in Spain's victory over Armenia.

The Wheel Deal

The ferris wheel, a symbol of rides, entertainment , faster than fast food restaurants, and of course, the PEOPLE.

San Mateo County Fair, 2009

The last few days I've been shooting photos of this fun event.

The county fair is my substitute for an annual event called la festa de Gràcia in Barcelona held right now as I write this.

Sigh....

Oh, in case you didn't notice, I am NOT in this photo.

My Take of an Architectural Masterpiece

Imagine yourself sitting on a rooftop, in your very own piso, (apartment) with a clear view of Antoni Gaudi's architectural masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia.

My Take of an Architectural Masterpiece

The young couple on the right are those lucky people who can view it any time of the day or night.

So, I guess I did take a more original photo than I thought, a topic I wrote in the post Sometimes the Face Doesn't Matter.

Oh, and the happy couple?

They're still happy.

Note: Every subject here deliberately posed!

View barcalunacy's Architecture FLCKR photoset.

Would You? Could You?

The photo is not exceptional in "street photography" terms but she caught my attention because she first reminded me of Bridget Bardot (remember her) and she had those voluminous lips.

Would You? Could You?

I remember thinking, if she was born with them, G-d bless her. If she had them treated, give me the name of her doctor.

But! I will never (I shouldn't ever say never, right?) get my labios treated.

More often than not, I've seen such horrific results from collagen therapy.

Geez! Just, look at some of the movie stars with their lips flapping in the wind.

And they can afford the best!

Anyway, her posture, look and dress stood out and I liked it.

Do YOU?

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.