Jà que o piaçá é uma vassoura que não estudou...vamos todos dizer "piaçaba"! :-D
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Sunday, 28 October 2007
HOT CHOCOLATE...
INGREDIENTS:
2 ounces of chocolate powder (+ 2 squares of Toblerone if wanted)
1/3 cup sugar (if the chocolate powder is not already sweetened)
4 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Whipped cream (for those who want a richer taste and texture)
Marshmallows (for those who like it)
PREPARATION:
Place chocolate, sugar and milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Heat, stirring, until chocolate melts (include the 2 squares of Toblerone at this stage) and mixture is well blended.
Add vanilla and the whipped cream; pour hot chocolate into cups. Put marshmallow on top.
This hot chocolate recipe serves 4.
Saturday, 27 October 2007
A lingua portuguesa tem cá destas coisas!!!!
Ah le amour...always ze amour...believe vous?
"...chi sa perché noi maschieti doppo avere tanto lottato per conquistare una femina, non vediamo l'ora di scapare?"
Friday, 26 October 2007
Duro svegliarsi la mattina...
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Les Hommes Peuvent Attendre...
Le livre n'est en aucun cas un plaidoyer pour la vie en solitaire. Sur dix personnes qui vivent seules, cinq ne peuvent tout simplement pas faire autrement, et sur les cinq restantes, au moins trois s'avèrent d'un egoïsme exaspérant. Que l'on considère sa vie en solo comme une malédiction ou une aventure, il faut une stratègie si l'on tient à tirer le meilleur parti de cette situation.
Tel est le constat que fait Marjorie Hillis en 1936, et qui est toujours d'actualité en 2007. Dans ce petit bijou datant d'une époque raffinée, elle décrit avec finesse et humour ce que peut être la vie des femmes célibataires. "Les Hommes Peuvent Attendre - L'Art de Vivre Seule" fut un Best-Seller des années 1930 mais il est toujours d'actualité et est le parfait antidote à la morosité préconisée par Bridget Jones!
Les filles, à vos pyjamas en soie et choux à la crème...ce livre est absolument à recommender!!!
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Pythea's Blog...has new layout!
Pobreza não pára de aumentar em Portugal
20% dos portugueses vive abaixo da linha de pobreza!!! Os únicos com maiores índices de risco de pobreza são a Espanha, Grécia e Irlanda e embora esteja lado a lado com a Itàlia é o país da União Europeia com o maior desquilíbrio a nível de distribuição de rendimentos.
Mais uma vez a os aumentos e a redução de investimento em todos os serviços básicos, afectam somente a população mais necessitada criando um desequilíbrio ainda maior!
My own two cents on Madeleine...Part IV
She writes how at one stage her family suspected that the McCanns were responsible for missing Madeleine's death, and tells how she disliked the McCanns "earlier than most people" - particularly Gerry.
Enright, who has two children, aged four and seven, also talks about the "narcissism" of Kate McCann and compares remarks they have made to exchanges between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
In the article Enright wrote: "In August, the sudden conviction that the McCanns 'did it' swept over our own family holiday in a peculiar hallelujah. Of course they had. It made a lot more sense to me than their leaving the children to sleep alone."
Describing disliking the McCanns as "an international sport" she wrote: "I disliked the McCanns earlier than most people (I'm not proud of it). I thought I was angry with them for leaving their children alone. "In fact, I was angry at their failure to accept that their daughter was probably dead. I wanted them to grieve, which is to go away. In this, I am as bad as people who complain that 'she does not cry'."
While most of the animosity against the McCanns was centred on "Madeleine's beautiful mother", she said she reacted worse to Gerry and the way he speaks. "I find Gerry McCann's need to ' influence the investigation' more provoking than her flat sadness, or the very occasional glimpse of a wounded narcissism that flecks her public appearances.
"I have never objected to good-looking women. My personal jury is out on the issue of narcissism in general; her daughter's strong relationship with the camera lens causes us a number of emotions, but the last of them is always sorrow and pain."
She added: "The sad fact is that this man cannot speak properly about what is happening to himself and his wife, and about what he wants. The language he uses is more appropriate to a corporate executive than to a desperate father. This may be just the way he is made. This may be all he has of himself to give the world, just now. "But we are all used to the idea of corporations lying to us, one way or another - it's part of our mass paranoia, as indeed are the couple we see on the screen. No wonder, I think, they will not speak about that night. Then I go to bed and wake up the next day, human again, liking the McCanns."
Family is the subject of Enright's novel which took the £50,000 prize at the Guildhall ceremony last night.
Now, my own cents...Is looks and public behaviour really important in this story? The British press seems to be asking this question to itself as well as all those that are following the “world campaign” organized by the McCann to find Madeleine.
“If I looked more like the typical middle-aged mum, people would look at me with more sympathy” recently declared Kate McCann. Who is right, who is wrong? The mother who does not shed a single tear or the author (that dares expressing out loud what most of us are thinking) that does not forgive the tough stance showed by Kate McCann?
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
To all those who are major fans like me!
"A Little Less Conversation" (A Little More Action Please) - Charles Chaplin accompanied by Elvis Presley
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Passando a palavra...em Português!
A minha primeira reação foi saber como poderia contribuir para o programa ter mais "visibilidade" jà que esta é uma inciativa que merece toda a nossa atenção.
Spreading the word... in Portuguese
ePORTUGUESe will establish and maintain a link between health-related institutions to promote the development of information in Portuguese and facilitate the spread of local knowledge.
The ePORTUGUESe website can be viewed here.
Saturday, 13 October 2007
PASTAFARIANS...!!!
The school authorities had decided that the “intelligent design” which is suppose to explain the creation of the world by a superior being, should be taught as an alternative to Darwin’s theory of evolution which is traditionally in every school programme.
Bobby Henderson, a scientist, decided to counter-attack by “absurdity” and sent a letter to the authorities to explain that “pastafarism” should also be taught in science classes (read the letter here). According to this theory, the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster and the followers of the Church of the Flying Monster are called “pastafarians”!
This info had been circulating on the web site BoingBoing and had gained a lot of momentum from then on. A creationist had offered a lot of money in reward to anyone who would be able to provide an “absolute proof of the theory of evolution”. The site had reacted offering even more money to anyone who could provide an “absolute proof that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster”! Proof is still awaited…
The first time I read about this, the only reaction I had was to shake my head, the second was to laugh. I thought “why once again do we have to battle over such things? Why is it that religion has to be the centre of discussions which are from the beginning condemned to end nowhere”? Religion is and should always be a personal thing. Should we impose our beliefs on others? I think if you look at the past, on what was and is being done in HIS name, you will get an approximate answer.
I was born a catholic, even went to Sunday school for a while, but religion was never a very important part in my life, not in a way that makes me go to Church every Sunday. I did use to wonder when I returned to Portugal, why religion (catholic) was taught at school? So, being an adolescent who had, as other adolescents, other important things to worry about; I thought that religion did not belong in school and said so. That earned me a very fiery discussion with the priest who used to teach the religion classes!
I am a Roman Catholic, and as such I believe in one of the most precious gifts God has left us “free will”. I choose to believe that there must be a superior being watching over us, and I choose to believe that when I talk to Him, He listens, where ever I am.
But then, I also have a scientific upbringing. Having studied archaeology, I often stop at details and ask as Saint Thomas did, i.e. “see to believe”. Therefore, the religion part in me makes me talk to Jesus when I need comfort and then the scientist in me makes me think that he was a man of flesh and blood who had very interesting ideas and a good philosophy of life.
Now, this “sterile” debate between the theory of evolution and creationism is devoted to get no where! Because no one can be a hundred percent sure. I am sure my fellow “scientists” will agree with me, that we can never be sure of anything, that no matter how far we get in getting scientific explanations and proofs out, that there is always a small percentage of doubt. That is the most important part in science (in my humble opinion) “doubt to be able to go further”. When you reach a certainty, you are stuck and will not be able to see further in future unless you remain with a small part of doubt and challenge that certainty to be sure.
Therefore, who can guarantee what God looks like? Could it be a Flying Spaghetti Monster? It could also be anything else we like if we start thinking this way!
Friday, 12 October 2007
My own two cents on Madeleine...Part III
The data which has been provided to the Portuguese police seem to lead to the conclusion that the evidence material collected in the car and in the apartment of the McCann, belonged Madeleine McCann. The Portuguese authorities are supposed to be having the full report by the end of the week, but all points to a confirmation of the information released by the press i.e. that the McCann may have been "active" participants in Madeleine's disappearance.
However, several details still need to be confirmed. Namely, if the hair found in the car and in the apartment is Madeleine's and if it was ante or post-mortem. Also still to be confirmed, is if the analyses will show traces of sedatives, as implied by the police.
The police is also awaiting for other confirmations such as the analysis of the evidence material found in the Renault Scenic, rented one month after Maddie disappeared. The current available reports lead to a confirmation of the theory that Maddie was carried in the car and that it was not just a mere transfer of DNA through a piece of cloth as the McCann have declared. The other answer provided by the McCann, namely that the DNA found in the car could belong to any of Maddie's twin sister or brother was dismissed as not possible by the British laboratory in charge of examining the DNA material.
According to the Portuguese newspaper "Correio da Manhã", the arrival of these new reports, gives new momentum to the investigation. All this will be communicated to the British police as any further questioning of the McCann from the Portuguese will have to be done through their British counterparts (British law does not allow extradition of its citizens) - will they be going back to Portugal, if the Portuguese authorities request it, as they always said they would???? In case they will be formally charged of having a participation in Madeleine's disappearance/death, they will have to be judged in England (unless they decide to go back to Portugal).
Now guess what? To counter the laboratory results (may I remind that it is a BRITISH lab), the law firm Kingsley Napley, hired their own team for new testing - this after the Birmingham lab itself suggested that the Portuguese police may be right! Also, may I remind everyone that the choice of the Birmingham laboratory was a well-thought decision? After all, that is where the best and most modern technology for this kind of tests can be found. Aren't the British shooting their own foot?
What???? Are they thinking their results will be any different? Gosh, the results presented so far were presented by the Forensic Science Service. How far are the British willing to go just to keep on their smear campaign against the Portuguese police and their work?
Monday, 8 October 2007
Immigration...contre tests ADN? Exception française?
L’Allemagne n’a pas légiféré sur les tests ADN
Certes, les tests ADN se pratiquent dans certains pays européens, mais ils ne font pas pour autant partie d’un dispositif légal.
My own two cents on Madeleine...Part II
Daniel Krugel declared to the “Sunday Mirror”: “I am convinced that Madeleine’s body is in Praia da Luz”. He added that “the chances that she is alive are very slim”.According to the Portuguese newspapers, a source close to the investigation says that the place is the area where Maddie’s father used to jog.
According to the newspaper “Correio da Manhã”, the Portuguese authorities believe that the body may have been buried on the beach a few hours after her death. Daniel Kruger confirmed that he arrived in Portugal with his team on 17 July and during 4 days he used a machine of his own invention which can detect people based on their DNA. The targeted areas were the Ocean Club apartment as well as the surroundings and main exits from Praia da Luz.
Krugel told the “Sunday Mirror” that he is about to return to Portugal at the McCann request. In a report he surrendered to the Portuguese police, Krugel mentions a 500 square metre area as the probable place where Maddie was buried. However, the authorities did not proceed to any dig on the area.
Krugel says that his work started with one of Maddie’s hair which had been provided by Gerry McCann. “The aim was to have a chart of the DNA”. He then used the machine of his own invention (called matter orientation system) which, based on quantum physics and GPS, can reveal the location of a body.
Of his work done in Algarve he states that: “I did an extensive search in Praia da Luz with the help of the machine and of some friends. We were there 16 hours a day. No place was forgotten”. Mr Krugel is forbidden to reveal the location he mentioned in his report to the police as per Portuguese law.
He stated to the “News of the World” that he is not mentioning it to “avoid people going there out of curiosity and therefore destroying evidence”. He however stressed that “everyday the trail was clearer”. “The machine was always providing the same bearings which made me always come back to the same location. This made me believe that Madeleine is there”.
Daniel Krugel a former colonel of the South African police is known as “The Locator” name given after his discovery of several bodies. He guarantees a success of 90% in all the cases he investigated.
It was following Daniel Krugel’s work that the request for the British dogs (which can smell dead bodies) was made. This lead to the collection of evidence which in its turn lead to the belief that the McCann were guilty.
My opinion???? What to believe? So many incredible stories about Madeleine’s disappearance have been around that one does not know what to believe anymore…besides this one seems to be a little bit “tirée par les cheveux” as we would say in French!!!
Quantum physics and GPS to locate DNA? I’ll let the scientists answer…
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Casa Pia...Part II ???
Did we not learn anything, did we not take any lessons from that high profile lawsuit of some years ago which revealed the ugliest sides of human nature if such acts continue to exist among this venerable institution?
In her interview, and still according to the Correio da Manhã, the former headmaster has assured that an official inquiry has been undertaken since she has already been heard, adding that, “I don’t know what happened in the meantime. However, I expect that as the prosecutor says that our Criminal Code must be modified, that he will also put the same energy into this inquiry and not leave it buried in a drawer”.
According to a source from the office of Pinto Monteiro, the PGR (Procuradoria Geral da Républica = Attorney General Office of the Portuguese Republic) received the formal complaint from the ex-headmaster and has proceeded to an official inquiry. A situation that is confirmed by the Attorney General himself, who in a statement to RTP (Portuguese State Television), said he was not aware if the sexual abuses in the institution were still going on, but that he had received and registered the complaint from Catalina Pestana and that he had forwarded it to the competent office which is now investigating the case.
Peter Namora, ex-pupil of the Casa Pia and now lawyer said he does not have any formal proof but he corroborates the declarations of Catalina Pestana guaranteeing that the pupils are seen “out” again and that they are seen “having supper and been driven around by persons that the pupils do not know” which might indicate that the sexual abuses are still going on.
How ridiculous can this be? Had she not done it, could we guarantee the total “integrity” of the institution and appropriately fight what seems to still be happening? Do we have to forget because of some old-fashioned ideas, that the most important are the children and not the reputation of an institution? Children well-being should be the first concern on this matter. Our first worry should be to verify if the statements are correct and if such is the case, we must make sure that such does not happen again. Children should look at the future with optimism and trust.
I make mine the words of Catalina Pestana: “I hope that the Attorney General will not leave this inquiry in the bottom of his drawer”!
Casa Pia...episódio II???
Mas afinal para que serviu aquele processo altamente mediático que revelou os lados mais sordidos da natureza humana se tais actos continuam a existirem no seio desta venerável instituição ?
Numa entrevista, e ainda segundo o Correio da Manhã, a antiga responsável garantiu saber da abertura de um inquérito porque já foi ouvida, acrescentando que, “não sei o que aconteceu entretanto, mas espero que, com a mesma frontalidade com que o senhor Procurador diz que o Código de Processo Penal tem de ser alterado, também não deixe ficar esse inquérito no fundo da gaveta”.
Faço minhas as palavras de Catalina Pestana “Espero que não deixe (Procuradoria Geral da Républica) ficar este inquérito no fundo da gaveta”!
A aposta na formação foi um dos princípios base que orientou o trabalho da comissão. A comissão científica projectou uma reforma profunda da Casa Pia que visava a formação de crianças sem família e ensino profissional, em detrimento do ensino para alunos externos.
Roberto Carneiro, desconhece se, três anos depois de concluído o seu trabalho, esta reforma foi concretizada. “A comissão não tinha responsabilidades executivas para uma posterior avaliação”, disse.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Je t'aime encore - Marcia featuring II Wayz
Marcia is a young Zouk artist from Cabo Verde. Needless to say she has an amazing voice!
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
On Travel...on travels!
I am not saying that that adventure was the only responsible factor. All the other steps taken after that contributed to the person I am and led me to the career I am currently building. In those steps I include all the mistakes done along the way, all the successes (proud to say they were many) and all the travels and experiences coming from them and which enriched my life.
There was also that incredible trip to Brazil, to Salvador in the state of Bahia. Estar em Salvador foi como estar em casa...sensação incrível! The "Pelourinho" in Salvador is the reminiscence of the portuguese culture with that zest of life which is so proper to Brazil and its mix of cultures.
I couldn't conclude this post without talking about Italy and Uganda. Both these countries are important to me for many different reasons. Uganda, brings bitter-sweet memories, so you will forgive me if I don't talk much about it.