Ditto #224

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.

--Dr. Seuss

Num país a fingir # 50

O Código sobre o Imposto de Rendimentos de pessoas Singulares reza assim no Artigo 1.º

"1 - O imposto sobre o rendimento das pessoas singulares (IRS) incide sobre o valor anual dos rendimentos das categorias seguintes, mesmo quando provenientes de actos ilícitos, depois de efectuadas as correspondentes deduções e abatimentos."

Espantos #342

Na sequência das notícias pós-furacão Sandy, inevitavelmente associadas aos avultados estragos e à dificuldade do re-estabelecimento da vida normal, surgiu uma notícia algo contra a maré. O lento regresso da electricidade fez as pessoas retroceder ao tempo em que a confirmação das notícias não era instantânea, o que não é necessariamente mau. 

A internet e os acessórios que a ela nos dão accesso a qualquer momento, permitem que vivamos no tempo das decisões e informações imediatas. Esquecemos facilmente como era a vida antes disso. Vejo nos meus amigos com filhos a preocupação constante de manter as crianças entretidas. Não se trata de altruismo para com as crianças... a sociedade em geral tem como objectivo estar constantemente "entretida," a qualquer hora. Quando o apagão geral tornou esse objectivo impossível (ainda por cima em Nova Iorque!!), emergiram formas mais primitivas de trocar informação que fizeram a sociedade mais sociável.

Não penso que o artigo preze o atraso dos bons velhos tempos, mas realça tanto as virtudes da tecnologia como a dependência tecnológica. Dá que pensar.
__________

In the aftermath of post-hurricane Sandy news, inevitably associated with large damages and the difficulties of life getting back to normal, came a news piece somewhat against the trend. The slow return of power to the affected areas, made people go back to a time when news were not instantly confirmed, which is not necessarily bad.

The internet and the accessories enabling it at all times, allow us to live in real time with immediate decisions and information. We forget how life was before this. My friends with children constantly worry about keeping the kids entertained. This is by no means an altruistic preoccupation with children... society in general has the objective of being constantly entertained. When the general blackout made the pursuit of this objective impossible (in New York, of all places!!), more primitive forms of exchanging information came about and made society more sociable.

I don't think the article praises the good old days, but it highlights the virtues of technology and also technological dependency. Food for thought.

Numa sala perto de mim #203

Skyfall (2012) marca os 50 anos da série 007 James Bond. E marca bem. Bond regressa às origens e como sempre surpreende. Adele canta. Macau está presente.

... leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near...

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December's bareness every where!
And yet this time removed was summer's time,
The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime,
Like widow'd wombs after their lords' decease:
Yet this abundant issue seem'd to me
But hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit;
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,
And, thou away, the very birds are mute;
Or, if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer
That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.

William Shakespeare, Sonnet XCVII

Numa sala perto de mim #202

The Way (2010)... por el camino de Santiago. The motivation behind every journey is secondary. The experience is unique, personal, very emotional, and, at times, funny.

Coisas que não mudam #201

Fa-la-la-la-la season has officially kicked off at Starbucks

Retirado do contexto #144

People who know me, know that I am not prone to crying. I hardly ever cry when I am sad, and most rarely do it out of happiness. Two years ago today was one of those most rare events... overwhelming happiness.

Parece que estou a ouvir #145

We entered the restaurant when the band started playing the first song, and the tune sounded familiar. As the girl's powerful soul voice filled the room with ... It's now or never... I recognized the most famous ultimatum song of all time. My immediate reaction was: sure, but what ultimatum game are we playing?

_______________

It's Now or Never
Elvis Presley

It's now or never, 
come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling, 
be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late, 
it's now or never
My love won't wait.

When I first saw you 
with your smile so tender
My heart was captured, 
my soul surrendered
I'd spend a lifetime 
waiting for the right time
Now that your near 
the time is here at last.

It's now or never, 
come hold me tight
Kiss me my darling, 
be mine tonight
Tomorrow will be too late, 
it's now or never
My love won't wait.

Just like a willow, 
We would cry an ocean 
If we lost true love 
And sweet devotion 
Your lips excite me, 
Let your arms invite me 
For who knows when 
Well meet again this way 

It's now or never, 
Come hold me tight 
Kiss me my darling, 
Be mine tonight 
Tomorrow will be too late, 
It's now or never 
My love wont wait.

Parece que estou a ouvir #144

On the campaign trail recently:

Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Stevie Wonder

Like a fool I went and stayed too long

Now I'm wondering if your love's still strong

Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!

Then that time I went and said goodbye

Now I'm back and not ashamed to cry

Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!

Here I am baby

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours

(You got my future in your hands)

Here I am baby

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours

(You got my future in your hands)

I've done a lot of foolish things

That I really didn't mean, didn't I?

Seen a lot of things in this old world

When I touch them, they mean nothing, girl

Oo, baby, here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours!

Oowee baby, you set my soul on fire

That's why I know you're my heart's only desire

Here I am baby

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours

(You got my future in your hands)

Here I am baby

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm yours

(You got my future in your hands)

Numa sala perto de mim #201

Argo (2012) the story of the 1980 undercover mission to rescue six americans out of Tehran in the middle of the hostage crisis that brought Iran and the US to the brink of war. The thriller keeps you at the edge of your seat till the end. Though the original story is tweaked at times, it left the general facts unchanged and impressed at least one of the original refugees.

Outstanding performance by Ben Affleck, also the movie director.
_________

Argo (2012), a história da missão secreta do salvamento de seis americanos em Teerão durante a crise de reféns que levou o Irão e os EUA à beira da guerra em 1980. O thriller mantém o espectador a morder as unhas até final. Embora a história original tenha sido alterada em vários momentos, os factos originais manteem-se e causaram boa impressão em pelo menos um dos seis refugiados salvos.

Actuação marcante de Ben Affleck, que também realiza o filme.

CANCELLED at last!

Foi hoje cancelada, e muito bem, a maratona de Nova Iorque que teria lugar este domingo. A precipitação levou Bloomberg a dizer na quarta feira, um dia depois do furacão Sandy ter passado pela cidade, que a maratona se iria realizar. Isto apesar de milhões de pessoas não terem electricidade (ou água quente, ou aquecimento), de vários milhares de pessoas evacuadas não poderem regressar a suas casas, da  monumental inundação do sistema subterrâneo de comboios e metro, e de várias zonas junto à costa (incluindo a ponta sul de Manhattan) terem estragos elevadíssimos. 

É por demais Nova-Iorquino levantar a cabeça depois de qualquer dificuldade e seguir em frente com determinação e coragem, mas há que ter noção das prioridades. Numa altura em que tantas pessoas na vasta zona metropolitana estão com imensas dificuldades para regressar à normalidade, todos os recursos devem ser canalizados para o alivio das precárias condições em que estas se encontram. Levar a maratona por diante (ou gastar noutro qualquer fim superfluo, por exemplo, fogo de artifício), seria tão ofensivo como contraproducente.
_____________

This Sunday's New York City marathon was cancelled today, and rightly so. On Wednesday, one day after hurricane Sandy swept through the city, Mayor Bloomberg spoke too soon and said the marathon was taking place as scheduled. This in spite of the millions without power (or hot water, or heating), the thousands of evacuees who could not return to their homes, the gigantic flooding of the city's underground transportation system, and several coastal areas (including the southernmost tip of Manhattan) with extreme damage.

The New-Yorker attitude of rapidly picking up the pieces after any distress and moving on with resolve and courage is laudable, but it's important to get the priorities straight. At a time when so many in the metropolitan area struggle to get back to normal, all resources should be channeled to alleviate the precarious conditions of those in need. Going ahead with the marathon (or spending money in any other superfluous event, e.g. fireworks), would not only be offensive, but also counterproductive.

Parece que estou a ouvir #143

After the monster storm, the monster holiday.

_______________________

Monster Mash
Bobby "Boris" Pickett

I was working in the lab late one night 
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight 
For my monster from his slab began to rise 
And suddenly to my surprise 

He did the mash 
He did the monster mash 
The monster mash 
It was a graveyard smash 
He did the mash 
It caught on in a flash 
He did the mash 
He did the monster mash 

From my laboratory in the castle east 
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast 
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes 
To get a jolt from my electrodes 

They did the mash 
They did the monster mash 
The monster mash 
It was a graveyard smash 
They did the mash 
It caught on in a flash 
They did the mash 
They did the monster mash 

The zombies were having fun 
The party had just begun 
The guests included Wolf Man 
Dracula and his son 

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds 
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds 
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive 
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five" 

They played the mash 
They played the monster mash 
The monster mash 
It was a graveyard smash 
They played the mash 
It caught on in a flash 
They played the mash 
They played the monster mash 

Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring 
Seems he was troubled by just one thing 
He opened the lid and shook his fist 
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist?" 

It's now the mash 
It's now the monster mash 
The monster mash 
And it's a graveyard smash 
It's now the mash 
It's caught on in a flash 
It's now the mash 
It's now the monster mash 

Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band 
And my monster mash is the hit of the land 
For you, the living, this mash was meant too 
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you 

Then you can mash 
Then you can monster mash 
The monster mash 
And do my graveyard smash 
Then you can mash 
You'll catch on in a flash 
Then you can mash 
Then you can monster mash

Ditto #223

Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.

-- Mark Twain

Espantos #341

The East coast is bracing for yet another monster storm...

Sandy is putting everyone on the lookout, just like Irene did.

Caprichos #219

Panera's chocolate pecan babka!

Caprichos #218

Shopping clothes for kids

Foi neste dia #189 (1912)

Bondinho do Pão de Açúcar (não o de Santa Teresa)... há 100 anos a rumar nos céus do Rio de Janeiro.

Ditto #222

Caprichos #217

The fine ladies of Pi Phi sorority apparently give a “pie of the week” to a different dept. each week.  This is Econ week. So there is a Whole Foods chocolate silk pie in the copy room. Have at it!

Oh, I'm having it!