Don KeyShot

A stroll in Lisbon on the 1st of January

2008-01-20T03:18:00.001+01:00

SAUDADE

2008-01-20T02:51:00.001+01:00

I miss you!

I miss you!

I miss you!

And I miss you too!

So much I haven't even been able to post anything here for months...
Did I say I miss you?
Love,
Meself

Away

2007-11-06T00:15:00.001+01:00

Been away for a while. Not as in out of the country or away from home. Quite the opposite. I have been home, secluded. Maybe secluded is not the word, but anyway... I haven´t posted anything here, for instance.

First, I had family coming over. My mom and two cousins were here and I took the chance to go out and explore the new surroundings a bit - and show them some places they had to see before leaving.

Shopping in the Haarlemerdijk, Amsterdam

You can´t see it, but that´s the Erasmus bridge in the background

Then, I had another visit that means the world to me.

We had´t seen each other in 8 years. We are now working for that never to happen again. And trying to get together as often as possible, as soon as possible.

I might have to correct something I posted back in July, but I´ll leave that for some other day.

Listening to

2007-08-28T00:25:00.005+02:00

Blond Redhead

(discovering some of the music I hadn't listened to yet)

No (better) words to describe...

2007-08-28T00:07:00.000+02:00

The power of feelings is watered down by taking it from the bar-bar to prolific polysyllabic prose. It is tempting to think that evolved diction adds shades and reflections to make the rough stone of one's soul reflect brightly with many facets; but poly-syllabo-syntactico-nuancical elocution distracts us from this triviality which is life." -- Sumus Cacoonus on verbs in DiLingo.Another quote stolen from unstable.nl

By the canal

2007-08-25T01:16:00.000+02:00

Swans can be intimidating. This dude over here started hissing after being given some bread... Mean MF...

no comment

2007-08-25T01:09:00.000+02:00

In the Prisengracht

Big Brother?

2007-08-25T01:04:00.001+02:00

Missing

2007-08-25T00:49:00.000+02:00

Bumped into this the other day.
took out the detais for privacy reasons, but I will contact owner if anyone can provide info on Don Quichotte's whereabouts

Play their game?

2007-08-23T22:32:00.000+02:00

Listening to Asian Dub Foundation, I noticed the lyrics:

" We gotta ba as hungry as they are
Get hungry get angry and take back the power
Put your fist in the air rebels here and everywhere
Do we rise do we fall are we playing truth or dare ."

And at the same time, I recalled the activists who destroyed a couple of acres of geneticaly modified corn next to Silves, where I attended high school. There is a big fuss about the way they did it - specially because the owner of the crops was left with nothing and showed up on TV almost in tears. The entire purpose of this action has been forgotten and no matter what is said in order to explain it, all people see on TV is the destroyed crops and a farmer left with nothing because of these youths... Specially if we are talking about a country like Portugal, where the majority of people who are directly involved in the production of goods (agriculture, in this case) cannot afford to follow environmental advice and have, in some cases, been affected by some of the laws that are supposed to protect the environment.

Fires rise high again in Portugal - after years of thousands of acres burned to the gound every Summer. During Winter, floods are more and more common. This last is related (not exclusively, but also) to the fact farmers are now prohibited of making preventive fires and cutting down bushes and cleaning up their own land - because part of their land might have become part of a protected reservation or simply because they have been warned by their authorities not to do so. This, they blame on the little green men - and I am not talking about aliens here.

So when they see a bunch of youths destroying crops, they are not thinking about whether they are geneticaly modified or not. Most of them would probably not know what that is, or what that implies.

Applying this to everyday life, I also feel like there is too much focus on the activists as trouble-makers. Those who simpathyse with them usually already share the same point of view. Those who are against it will only see it as another reason not to like them.

Personally, I like to make an attempt to reason with people who have a different point of view. Even if they end up not agreeing, I am (kind of) satisfied if they respect my point of view. If they reject evidence and refuse to accept what is obvious - fighting back with agression or simply being stubborn/pretending not to listen, then I prefer to change subject. Things tend to get complicated when that happens.

------

A bit off topic: Bush said today that the US won't leave Iraq while he is in the White House... And he mentioned the lesson learnt in Vietnam as one of the reasons for that...
I guess he forgot that before the US invaded, right?
Oh! Another ADF song just came to my head: "We want some oil!!!"

Revival of the early 90's

2007-08-23T11:44:00.000+02:00

"(...)new life in place of old life
Unscarred by trials

a new level of confidence and power(...)"

Pantera

- and still, it is your past that makes you who you are.
or is it the present?...

Scheveningen

2007-08-20T22:12:00.000+02:00

These are 2 weeks old, but only now I got to download them to my laptop...
I haven't been to many beaches in the Netherlands, but I guess this is the top/one of the best around. I must say... I miss Portugal the most when I see the best beaches here are so... different... from the ones in other countries down south. And the food... The weather...
I better stop now.

I actually enjoyed the fact that although crowded, it was not as crowded as it would be if it was a Mediterranean beach - and the facilities, restaurants, shops and so forth are enough so as to not having crowds of people, making it impossible to bare, as in Southern countries.

Pantera

2007-08-20T21:23:00.000+02:00

When I was a kid - by that i mean 9-11 years old, or so - my favourite animal was the black panther. I remember that because it was the subject of a school assignment at the time.

This weekend, some colleagues stayed over and we were talking about music for a while. About the fact we are no longer up to date with all the music out there - and pretty much always go back to the old music we listened to when we were teenagers. Pantera came to mind and we all agreed to it being one of the bands with the best riffs... I even dug out a live album (101% proof) and played a bit, for old time's sake.
Can't say I listen to it regularly and will never be able to attend a live concert after the lead singer got shot dead during a gig at a bar... Which in a way makes the band an even more important icon of the genre (even if the news of your death are not true, you immediately go a few steps up in the stairway of fame...). What I feel is that it will always be a mark in the history of metal.

And I might not refer the black panther as my favourite animal, but I still think it is one of the most beautiful animals - or at least mamals - in the world.

Music: Nefret - Herif Maniak /Sahi

Congratulations, "Tripeiro"

2007-08-20T21:01:00.000+02:00

Ready

Set

Go!

Dutch fences

2007-08-19T23:34:00.000+02:00

Some Dutch people have a very peculiar way of decorating their fences...

The Legendary Tigerman...

2007-08-05T22:05:00.000+02:00

Hey, Dawn: I found the Legendary Tigerman - and even took a pic.
(ends up, he sits next to me at work...)

To post or not to post

2007-08-01T00:06:00.000+02:00

This morning, walking to work, I was brainstorming and had a bunch of thoughts I was mentally blogging in my head... On the one hand, it shows how bad my memory is and how much more creative I am when I am not about to fall asleep. On the other hand - well, I guess I am becoming a bit addicted to posting.
I think I will make more use of the mobile posting from now on...

Music: quarantined - At the drive in
Mood: bah

Pic from Barcelona

2007-07-26T23:26:00.000+02:00

Paintings for sale in las Ramblas
In the center: Don Quijote

No photo, long comments

2007-07-25T00:04:00.001+02:00

Haven't posted many photos latelly.
Because of the limitations I have imposed on myself, it might take a while untill I get a new camera. This whole house business is new to me and I need to first make sure the bills get paid.
After I lost my camera, some colleagues gathered and collected some cash to help getting a new one. I have left it aside and I am waiting for the right moment.
Thank you all, by the way! You guys rock. If it wasn't for the great atmosphere at work - except for smell coming from the smoking area and the fact I bump into some proper terds every now and then - let's just say I wouldn't be doing it for the money.

Untill then, my faithful pocket camera will have to do the job.

Analyse

2007-07-24T23:39:00.000+02:00

"Don't analyse
Don't analyse
Don't go that way
Don't lead that way
That would paralyse your evolution"

This is part of the song "analyse", by the Cranberries.
Now, I can relate to the rest of it, and as in when you analyse too much you end up being stuck or finding more than you wished for. But does that really paralyse your evolution?

It's late and if I start babling about his, I guess I won't make much sense. I listenned to the song the other day and noticed the lyrics, which I believe I never really did before...
This has been happening to me latelly - I have been analysing songs/lyrics I never paid much attention to. Does that mean I am paralysing my evolution?
I mean, I have been needing some intelectual stimulation - not that I don't have to use my brain at work, but I need some food for thought. I got a bit worried some years ago when I took the tests for air traffic controller two years in a row. An entire week undergoing all kind of tests - I passed them all the first year, but was not selected in the end. Next year, I did not finish them. I have considered the possibility I am getting dumber by the day... But then again, I might just be analysing too much.

Music: Tangled up in pain, QOTSA - Lullabies to paralyze

Terms of service

2007-07-24T21:19:00.000+02:00

BY ACCEPTING THIS BRICK THROUGH YOUR WINDOW, YOU ACCEPT IT AS IS AND AGREE TO MY DISCLAIMER OF ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS WELL AS DISCLAIMERS OF ALL LIABILITY, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL, THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE INSTALLATION OF THIS BRICK INTO YOUR BUILDING. (seen around and taken from www.unstable.nl) Music: the empire strikes first - Bad Religion mood: restless

turning green

2007-07-23T17:11:00.001+02:00

I wonder if...
Hulk ever considered anger treatment.

Testing myself...

2007-07-22T15:55:00.000+02:00

1 -

I am 69% Addicted to Coffee

Mingle²

2-

from Mingle²

Can't say I am surprised.
I've noticed I get a headache when I don't drink coffee - and at work I have brought my own brewer, because the free one they have there is disgusting.
(minor edit) The third one said I am not a geek - although the score went down a lot because I know nothing about Star-Trek trivia, Hobbits or computer games... But there was something wrong with the code and as i am not feeling like a geek, I didn't bother and just deleted it...
And regarding Internet, It seems like I need to keep on trying - I get by, but the results show I am not the most knowledgeable person in that area...

Edit: I took the coffee test at first (stole it from Aquela Bruxa) and then took the others from that same site - only to find out later it is a dating site - apparently created in less than 2 weeks by a 24 yearl old American geek...

Zapping

2007-07-22T00:58:00.000+02:00

Today I have been zapping through blogs - not specifically looking for anything, but by means of referral - from friends blogs.

http://ana-de-amsterdam.blogspot.com
Sharp, to the point and has a fine sense of humour. Note to self: bookmark it.

http://melcomcicuta.blogspot.com/
Interesting thoughts. Some not self-explanatory, but make you think. I liked the design and the feeling of it in general.

http://meiadeleite.com/
Not only extremely well acomplished aestheticaly and functionally, it links to many interesting sites, such as:
http://ipinfo.info/netrenderer/index.php - browser simulator
http://www.pechakucha.nl/ - check it yourself... hard to describe
http://www.3men.com/what_spices_to_use.htm - I finally know what spices to use with what
http://www.photogs.com/bwworld/xtol1.html - workshop with Garry Winogrand

http://espressoconspiracy.blogspot.com/ - has a list of Portuguese bloggers in the Netherlands

PS: although English is used in some, these are all Portuguese blogs...

Violent Acres - Searching for Tapeworms

2007-07-21T22:02:00.000+02:00

I could not control myself as I read the article and bursted laughing...
One can't help but admiring someone who publicly makes fun of herself like this, admitting how paranoid she can get. Then again, nothing from her would surprise me, I guess.
It's a long one, but I am sure you will find it as amusing as I did.

PS: I might be a bit paranoid myself with this worm business... I think my ass is itching.

Violent Acres - searching for tapeworms

Tag game

2007-07-21T21:28:00.000+02:00

Green Shinobi aka Info-Ninja tagged me with this...

The rules of engagement:

Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged need to write their own post about their eight things and post these rules.
At the end of your post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

1 - When sleepy, I scratch my head. When I was a kid, I used to scratch my feet... Why is this my fisrt comment? I just woke up after a quick nap...
2 - I am stubborn.
3 - I can be extremely stubborn, but give me a good, reasonable explanation and i will accept it.
4 - I am extremely patient. I will not warn you the third time, though...
5 - I have a tendency to be too optimistic with scheduling things - they usually take at least 2x as long then what I originaly predicted - that makes me arrive late most of the time. I blame it on my Southern-European origins...
6 - I have double-jointed thumbs.
7 - I am extremely hard on myself. This can be sometimes seen as if I do not like who I am, or not happy about myself, but that is not correct. I accept and forgive my own mistakes - as well as those of others. I believe in highs and lows, good and evil, Ying and Yang, but I also believe in self-respect and self-improvement. Sometimes, even selfishness...
8 - I just bought a house and have no idea when it will be finished the way I want it.

I tag:
Microworld - although this blog was stopped some time ago...
Sami
Abelha Maia
Aquela Bruxa
Dawn
Liberatutement
Bimimonster
Localshop

Common States of Mind?

2007-07-21T01:40:00.000+02:00

- How many different states if mind are there anyway? Different languages have different ways of describing emotions. Some have lots of expressions to express the same - somethimes with with different degrees of intensity. So does that mean that people that have more expressions have more/different feelings?
- Is something that has not been invented, discovered of or mentioned not real because it has not been implemented in our vocabulary?
- Because a quiz only has yes or no for an answer - does that mean I like something the same if I answer yes to both "Do you like grapefruit?" and "Do you like strawberry?" - No... (or maybe yes, in some cases, but in general, no). So If you are only allowed to express your feelings in Yes/No, 0/1, Positive/Negative, does that mean you really feel that way?
- When you have to vote and there is prick A and prick B - and you have to choose one... Does that really mean he is the man for the job? ( I am getting a bit off the point, I know)

So... My question is:
How many different moods/states of mind are there?
And can you think of one that exists only in another language or cannot be translated into English?
(feel free to enumerate or point to links)

Mood: puzzled
Example word for translation: Saudade (Pt)
Interesting exhibition: http://www.saudadeexhibition.co.uk/about.html

Family coming to town...

2007-07-21T00:44:00.000+02:00

(God, I miss *Assepusje...... Every single kid I see brings memories to my mind.)

My cousin just sent me the last pics of her son:

In the meantime, I am booking flights for my mother and 2 other cousins that are coming over soon. I hope the house is presentable by then...

Apple pi

2007-07-21T00:27:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had a brilliant idea of making a t-shirt with the Apple logo and the pi sign - I felt, however, I would not have been the first to have thought of it. Indeed, by running a search on the internet, I found gazillions of people that already had the same amazing idea...

Difficult to have an original idea these days...

Music: It's bigger than (hip hop) - Dead Prez/Static X

Parkarma

2007-07-20T23:25:00.000+02:00

According to http://sriharimandir.tripod.com/parikarma.doc , Parkarma means something in the lines of "orbiting a venerated nucleus/object" - J and F, correct me if I am wrong...

What I wanted to say, in any case, is: your Parkarma seems to be about to take an entire new dimension. You two are an example of strength, love and dedication. I really admire you for the teamwork and patience you demonstrate in your everyday life and as a couple - and always managing to show your work and creativity in a very sober way.

Again, congratulations!

www.parkarma.org
http://www.myspace.com/parkarma

extradicted expatriate

2007-07-20T22:20:00.000+02:00

Another friend of mine was deported.
Although living and working in the Netherlands, paying taxes and struggling for a better life, along with his girlfriend, one day he was simply deported. If you are not a resident and not originary from one of the EU countries, if the police catch you breaking the law or the peace, risk is that you are deported. Even if you have been working and you have a clean record. In this case, he was involved in a domestic fight - not even physical violence, but because neighbours called the police, he was immediately taken away.
I find it more and more like we are in a police state. Cameras everywhere - you are not even stopped for speeding - now you find you were spotted speeding when you get the letter at home telling you how many Km/h you were driving at what time on what street.
There is even word of the tax office start checking citizens bank accounts. Needless to say that those that should really be checked (big companies that know all about creative accountancy and use it for their benefit) would always find a way to bypass this control, whereas regular citizens would always end up paying for the rest.
And that is what happened in this case - a normal citizen got deported because of a stupid fight, when there are so many other far worse "crimes" that are left unpunished.

I hope he finds the strenght to take the bull by the horns and not get knocked down. He has a strong personality and I am sure he will overcome this turbulence. I feel it in his positive words.

Another of Nietzsche's great quotes: "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger".

Music: You got to fight for your right... to party - Beastie Boys
Mood: thoughtful

Quotes from Nietzsche

2007-07-17T00:30:00.000+02:00

Probably not the most famous, but nevertheless:

Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Digressions, objections, delight in mockery, carefree mistrust are signs of health; everything unconditional belongs in pathology.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil

The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Ecce Homo, Foreword

I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Plato was a bore.
Friedrich Nietzsche

What can everyone do? Praise and blame. This is human virtue, this is human madness.
Friedrich Nietzsche

When one has finished building one's house, one suddenly realizes that in the process one has learned something that one really needed to know in the worst way - before one began.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Jazz in de Gracht

2007-07-15T13:51:00.000+02:00

Some photos from Saturday afternoon.

Chuck Deely

2007-07-14T23:14:00.000+02:00

Painting by: Iris Divina Frederix (1981)

Charles Edward Deely III is a street musician by choice. He can be found mostly at Den Hague Central Station close to AH.
Today, I had the opportunity to listen to him at the "Jazz in de Gracht" festival. Just him and his guitar. It was awesome. Because the boats never stayed long at each peer - they were in permanent rotation - people had the opportunity to see all different bands without leaving their seats. When I started listening to him, however, I started following him as he moved to the next peer.

You can read more about him and even buy CDs (I got 2...) from:
http://home.wanadoo.nl/connecter/004a.htm
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Deely

A new beginning

2007-07-13T01:53:00.000+02:00

And here it is: my palace...

After moving more than a dozen times in about 3 years time, I have my own place. Today, Friday 13th, I will sign for it and start a new life. Gladly, I was born on a Friday 13th as well, so I could not be superstitious.

For me, this coincidence is more of another sign for me to start from scratch.

I have been on holidays for almost a week now. I did not go away, as I had planned just a few months ago - because my life took a new turn and I ended up buying a house. Despite all the things I had to do, I allowed myself to take some rest. Today I even had a little nap in the afternoon...

The house is empty and I am not sure when I will be finished with the changes, but it sure feels good knowing you have your own spot. I have always wanted to have my space, but for one reason or the other, never did. For a couple of times, I completely left the idea aside and gave myself to other "projects" that never worked out. "You can't start building a house from the top", you might say - and you are right. To build something, you first need strong foundations.

I can't say I am an expert in house building - mine apparently was built ages ago... All I can say is that I have learnt from the 3 little piglets and I got myself a house made of brick. So you can puff and puff until you drop, Mr. Big Bad Wolf. These walls ain't going down...
Figuratively speaking, I have been blown to the ground before because of different factors, but like a colleague of mine would say: "Maybe it was just the wind...".

My mother seems to be happier than myself about my "accomplishment". I cannot say I am not. It's just that there are so many other things in my mind, that I haven't actually came to my senses about owning my own house...

I have bought reading material "The tipping point" and "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance - an inquiry into values". I have bought all kind of tools, drills, plates, cutlery, vacuum cleaner and made a wise decision not to buy a TV (yet).

I have learnt that my first real girlfriend (not that previous were unreal or imaginary...) will get married next year and I am really happy for her.

Mood: sleepy

Music: Força (Uma página de história) - Da Weasel
followed by: Casa - Da Weasel

Saturday

2007-07-01T00:56:00.001+02:00

This morning I woke up late for the Moto GP. I even had a ticket a friend gave me, but after close to no sleep Thursday to Friday and Chemical Brothers last night, I just couldn't make it.
I would still have made it on time for the final race, if it wasn't for the fact the train ticket cost 50 Euro... Of course I only realized that when I got to the station, so I took the chance to go to the biological market and the Portuguese shop.
Spoke to "old" ex* about her daughter, as her father just passed away. I actually woke her and her boyfriend up and we went out for a coffee.
While sitting there, I noticed this scooter and a vespa next to one another - and all the activity in the background. I particularly like the 2 old ladies passing by and the Laser graf that reads: "tolerance is not an ingredient of their cake".
I want to make a post with all the Laser sayings I photographed to date, but first I have to find them all...

* not as in old, but as in not recent - although she did use to call me a kid and that pissed me off. Just because she was 9 years older...

...made for walking...

2007-06-27T22:24:00.000+02:00

... and that is what they did. After the rain stopped...

Ying Yang

2007-06-24T21:05:00.000+02:00

The ying yang smiley

I was once "diagnosed" a very high Yang. A tongue reader said so... She said my body has a high temperature and I easily overheat.
She was right.

Brussels Part II

2007-06-24T20:33:00.001+02:00

(mobile pics)

Belgium

2007-06-24T19:14:00.000+02:00

iBeer

2007-06-24T19:04:00.000+02:00

Midsummernight

2007-06-24T18:51:00.001+02:00

It started pouring, so we all took cover under the bridge in Vondelpark...

Headache

2007-06-20T22:39:00.000+02:00

Got a f... headache.
Is it possible I am going to sleep at a decent time tonight?...

Mood: grrrrrrr... head hurts
music: Danko Jones - "Sticky situation"

Who ever said men dont take indications?

2007-06-17T18:31:00.001+02:00

Tourner a gauche sur rue des halles et marcher jusqua rue du marcher
aux poulets, cest 2 rues plus loin.
Tourner a droite et marcher jusqua rue des poissonniers, cest la prochaine rue.
Tourner a gauche et marcher juasqua 13 rue du pont de la carpe. Cest
apres la prochaine rue.

If I could only understand it...

'Values'

2007-06-17T18:07:00.001+02:00

It's no news the society today is totally different from the one of a
couple decades ago. The one thing that strikes me the most though is
how institutionalized the fact people use and are used temporarily not
only by employers, but by partners and sometimes family.
Imagine Bob as an ordinary man with an ordinary life. He works for a
company that hired him to work on a temporary basis for a client and
he has no guaranties on whether he will have a job in 6 months time.
He has never had a long relationship except for Mary, who dumped him
after he cheated on her with her twin sister - unknowingly... He is
now about to marry the love of his life, but only after they have
agreed to the contract that determines he will not get the house she
inherited in case they decide to file for divorce. He would have his
own company and house if his father hadn't sold it for half a nickle
to his half brother, son of his stepmother, so he would have no legal
right to inherit it.
Probably not the best example, but enough to demonstrate the lack of
guaranties we have nowadays. People behave on such a calculated
manner. Every action that is taken is previously thought of because
they know nothing can be taken for granted. Not even love. So love
becomes a more efemeral thing. One night stands and the excitement of
meeting new partners replaces the lifelong relationships.

Mind you: I am not saying that in the old days there weren't both kind
of mentalities, as there (still) are today.
It is the values of today that the media institutionalizes that I am
referring to.

Father's day

2007-06-17T15:48:00.000+02:00

I was never friends with my dad. When I was back in my hometown, people that knew him and found I was his son would come to me and say: "You look like a nice kid. Don't grow up to be like your dad". I guess that says a lot about how he was seen by others.
I would still be encouraged by my mother to meet up with him when we were around - because after all, he was my father. I think I only did it for my mother, because each time I met him, I would get the brainwash of the year. The things he said about my mother's family and "friends" of his would leave any 5 or 10 year old speechless...
I cannot say I ever saw him as a father figure, but he somehow loved me - or so it seemed for a couple of occasions. He even tried to get my custody... But in my opinion, it was mostly to piss off my mom. Not that he didn't like me, but he had no (physical and psychological) conditions to raise and support a child. Living in a dump and having a lifestyle that could make most whores blush, the court cases inevitably ruled that he was not getting my custody.
He was the kind of guy who had a pistol under his pillow (I saw it) and when I was born said he would take me to a brothel as soon as I was 10 - he did take me to more than one, but we just had a drink. And he introduced me as his nephew...
Last years I was in Portugal, I wasn't even speaking to him and when he passed away, only one of his brothers attended the funeral, as far as I understood.
Now... I am not complaining about my childhood or trying to use that experience to blame my father for my own problems. One thing that I try to do with my life experiences is to use them as reference to myself not to make the same mistake. Not always that works as expected - and I end up making the same mistake more than once.
I wonder whether he could have been some kind of father if he hadn't fucked it up with alcohol and whores. I actually don't know how it all started. He was in the army for a couple of years (at war) and that could have triggered something, but that I guess I will never know. He did talk about people he had beaten up/killed - but not while at war.

Some people complain about their parents being strict with them, but they sometimes forget they are doing their job - by caring and not letting them do whatever they want.
So I guess I have my stepfather to thank for doing that when I was a kid. And, of course, my mother for always being there for me.

And happy father's day to all father's and stepfather's for caring and kicking their kids buts when they screw up.

A berry...

2007-06-17T13:50:00.000+02:00

Qotsa

2007-06-13T00:45:00.001+02:00

Oh, yeah... Queens of the Stone Age had cancelled their concert, but all of a sudden, they're rescheduled... And guess what? I'm going!
My good friend V. called me when I was in Brussels and told me he could still get a ticket, as he works in Paradiso.
Era Vulgaris is the name of the new album. Check it out.
Also read an article about Tom Morello, Ex-RATM - he's got a solo project going on, much more relaxed. Haven't had the opportunity to listen to it yet.

I should be llooking at kitchens and preparing a budget. What the hell am I doing here? I should be asleep. Night...

liberatetutement

2007-06-13T00:44:00.000+02:00

http://www.liberatetutement.blogspot.com/

Don quixote in Brussels

2007-06-13T00:10:00.000+02:00

Mat sent me a picture of it last week, but instead of publishing his, I went there and took my own...

It was great to be away, even if for only two days. Met friends I hadn't seen in 7 years, since I first met them in Germany, during the Erasmus program... Bumped into a colleague from work... And chilled for a while.

Now, I just hope it doesn't take nother 7 years to see them again.

Happy Birthday, Mom

2007-06-07T23:59:00.000+02:00

Today I took a train to Leiden and forgot to call my mother on her birthday... I think I am a bit tired. I actually did not forget it - I somehow got mixed up with the date and though it was a month from now...
Again, I think this proves i need some rest... So I am off to Brussels for the weekend.

Happy birthday mom!!!!

Haunted

2007-06-05T18:53:00.000+02:00

"Dias enteros caminando en silencio. Apuro mis pasos para dejar todo atras; Busco en la soledad el espacio para olvidar esa voz que me atormenta." -- Stream of Passion - Haunted in www.unstable.nl quoter: Andreas

update

2007-06-03T23:05:00.001+02:00

I am in the process of updating this blog. So you might experience some unsusual behaviour when viewing on different browsers.
One of the updates has to do with a new domain: You should now be able to open this page directly from http://don.keyshot.net

Just finished whatching Hurlyburly, starring Kevin Spacey and Sean Penn. Another movie I had never seen before and positively surprised me. Then again, I know that any movie Kevin Spacey is in will surprise me...

Lots of new music out there... QOTSA have new album - I am not too familiar with the songs, but I know some will stick.
The White Stripes have a new song that sounds like Mamonas Assassinas (translates: "Killer Boobs" - Brazilian band that died in a plane crash several years ago).

Also new movies I want to whatch, namely Inland Empire. Busy times...

Should have seen sleeping for a while now, but today I felt the need to go out and run, then got stuck whatching the movie and wanted to know more about it before going to bed, so I looked it up and found that Darlene (Sean Penn's girlfriend in the movie) is actually his wife in real life - and she dated Charlie Sheen when she was 15.

Monkey drummer - Aphex Twin

2007-06-03T15:03:00.000+02:00

Danko Jones - Interview

2007-06-03T14:12:00.000+02:00

Rock and Roll...

Danko Jones - Gorillaz

2007-06-03T14:10:00.000+02:00

Burger King Tripple X

2007-05-31T01:08:00.000+02:00

If you happen to enter BK one of these days, you will probably see a curious announcement on that paper they put on the tray. There are 3 drawings with bovine figures: the first one is a lonely cow; the second, is a bull and a cow in bed; the third one is a bovine threesome (bull in the middle).
I can handle the humongous outdoor commercials to lingerie you find on the streets; I can handle the MTV videos, the ads in the magazines, or even the Red Light District for what it stands...

But why on earth would Burger King promote threesomes just because they have a triple burger?... Then I get home and there is this new TV series about a polygamous guy and his problems in the different relationships. That completely blows me... I can't even handle one relationship at a time, or so it seems - I wonder why the guy has problems with 3 wives...?

It seems that polygamy is beginning to slowly but steadily make it's way into our western civilization. I guess people have had enough of cheating or getting cheated on and just want to cut the crap.
Me? I think I am getting old for this shit... Don't get me wrong - any straight guy's dream is to have 2 women next to him (or apart, for that matter...). And I am sure there are many people that can manage it (psychologically, that is), otherwise there wouldn't be so many Swingers, but I would still feel like a cuckold.

Picture of one of the many lingerie outdoors around town...

I feel tired...

2007-05-31T00:37:00.000+02:00

I really feel tired...
I think the only real vacation I had in the last 3 years was about a year ago, for a week only - the kind of vacation you actually don't run around visiting family and friends, that is...
I am on for at least another year, if all goes well - I know, that sounds stupid... But if I do get this house I am about to sign for... Then I will take time to work on it... And that means: no holidays...

Isn't life great?... However, if I do get it, I will definitively get my payback next year. You just wait and see.

-----------------

About a year ago, I had a "minor back injury", as it was diagnosed back then, that turned out to be a freakin' discal hernia...
One thing I really hate is to repeat myself when I know I am right - and be ignored, or worse, told I am not right...
When it happened, both my arms went numb and after i got the feeling back, my thumbs were hyper-sensitive for 2 months. To be honest, they never felt exactly the same as before...
I usually don't go to the doctor unless I broke something, but at that time I knew something was not right, so I had to pressure my doctor to do more tests. Eventually, after x-rays showed nothing, the MRI definitively concluded that it was a f.... discal hernia.
What to do about it? Live with it.
There is an option for surgery, but surgeons don't advise it unless you have nothing to lose... There is always the risk you get worse...
So I live with it.

Some other things you can choose to remove from your life, but it is never clear whether you are then healed or handicapped.

Did I mention I am tired?

Gimme Hope, Joanna

2007-05-30T21:42:00.000+02:00

Today I had an urge to listen to this song - because of the rhythm - and only today I really paid attention to the lyrics...

I recall it from when I was a kid, as well as other Eddy Grant's songs - but it now sounds even better...
This is the real revolution song!

Gimme Hope, Joanna

by Eddy Grant

Well Jo'anna she runs a country
She runs in Durban and the Transvaal
She makes a few of her people happy, oh
She don't care about the rest at all
She's got a system they call apartheid
It keeps a brother in a subjection
But maybe pressure will make Jo'anna see
How everybody could a live as one

(Chorus:)
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

I hear she makes all the golden money
To buy new weapons, any shape of guns
While every mother in black Soweto fears
The killing of another son
Sneakin' across all the neighbours' borders
Now and again having little fun
She doesn't care if the fun and games she play
Is dang'rous to ev'ryone

(Chorus:)
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

She got supporters in high up places
Who turn their heads to the city sun
Jo'anna give them the fancy money
Oh to tempt anyone who'd come
She even knows how to swing opinion
In every magazine and the journals
For every bad move that this Jo'anna makes
They got a good explanation

(Chorus:)
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

Even the preacher who works for Jesus
The Archbishop who's a peaceful man
Together say that the freedom fighters
Will overcome the very strong
I wanna know if you're blind Jo'anna
If you wanna hear the sound of drum
Can't you see that the tide is turning
Oh don't make me wait till the morning come

(Chorus:)
Do give hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

Bloody bats...

2007-05-20T01:07:00.001+02:00

"Suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of what
looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car..."
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

I have Just finished watching "Were the buffalow rows" - a movie I didn't even know existed untill
a colleague from work mentioned it and lent it to me. After watching it, my
soon-no-longer-flatmate-cause-he's-got-a-new-place-who-checks-everything-on-Wikipedia found
that Hunter S. Thompson was real and just recently passed away.

Another line I found: "They want me to go to Las Vegas at once and make contact
with a Portuguese photographer named Lacerda. He'll have the details.

Polaroid

2007-05-01T20:40:00.000+02:00

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.”

From my very good friends at Parkarma, quoting Diane Arbus.

Stolen from Dawn...

2007-04-29T22:53:00.000+02:00

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." Anonimous

The ninja archives

2007-04-29T22:30:00.000+02:00

Another blog that has been added to the list.
Jimmy, the Jamaican, as I like to call him...

Violent Acres

2007-04-29T20:12:00.000+02:00

Sami alerted me to this blog sometime ago - I read a post or two and thought it was interesting, but never really got back to it until recently. He published a new post where he again made reference to Violent Acres and I came back to read some more.
I cannot say I would always have the same attitude or kind of thoughts the writer describes, but I understand most of her points of view.
The stories are raw and well written. The subjects are polemic and inevitably raise discussions.
However, the author manages to cut through the crap and give her own, well explained version of the story, which leaves very little space to others to criticize. Still, some a...holes think they know better and speak though their ass with nonsense attacks.

Check it for yourselves...

Queen's day is comming...

2007-04-29T17:53:00.000+02:00

...but instead, I took a photo of a princess. Happy birthday, Cinderella.

False friends

2007-04-29T17:49:00.000+02:00

Noun phrase

Singular
false friend

Plural
false friends

false friend (plural false friends)

(idiomatic) A word in a foreign language bearing a deceptive resemblance to a word in one's own language. Mistranslating such words carelessly can cause serious problems.

[edit] Usage notes

For example:

The French nous demandons means "we ask", but sounds like "we demand", which can turn negotiation into confrontation.
The Spanish word embarazada means "pregnant", not "embarrassed" — "Estoy embarazada" means "I am pregnant," not "I am embarrassed".
The German word will (want) is not a future tense marker — "Ich will gehen" means "I want to go," not "I will go".
The Italian word triviale (vulgar) is written almost like trivial but the two words share only a common Latin root (trivium in Latin is a crossroad) no longer any meaning; "Questo e' triviale" means "This is in bad taste" not "This is obvious".

[edit] Translations

French: faux-amis m, pl
German: falscher Freund m.

Russian: ложный друг m.
Swedish: falska vänner
Spanish: falsos amigos m, pl

[edit] See also

Lost it...

2007-04-29T14:39:00.000+02:00

The Lord gives, the Lord takes....
Translated means: you work your ass off for something and it is gone with the wind in no time if you look awayfor a second.
This time it was my camera.
After the party, feeling a more than just a bit tipsy, and in bad mental shape because of some personal issues, some friends tried to cheer me up and took me downtown. I was going home, but they convinced me to have one drink before that, as at that time i had no transportation anyway...
To sum it up, I was carrying my camera and I kind of forgot it in a bar... Minutes later, it was gone.

I felt bad about going downtown, but I felt even worse when my friends were feeling responsible for taking me. In another way, it showed me how much they care - also the fact they tried all night for me to do something about my last relationship, because they understand me, but still think I am too proud - and on the otherside, they envy my proudness for not putting up with some situations.
Maybe I am too proud sometimes - I don't really think I am.
If I was, I would do things I would later regret.
And I don't.
I wish I didn't go downtown - but I didn't do it knowing that I would lose it. If I had known, or if someone would have told me something like that would happen, knowing they wanted the best for me, I wouldn't have done it.
But I did.
And I lost it.
I don't need a camera or a picture to know what happens around me. It is the people that matter.
In my head I have al the pictures I created based on what I experienced. Despite all the effort I have put into something - for example the camera - and then it is gone, I have to acccept it and I learn from it. Because what really matters is knowing your friends - and knowing they are there for you.
As for the new camera owner... I hope at least that it is someone who will take good care of it - but I guess if they were honest enough, they would realize they are taking something that does not belong to them and give it back...
As for my ex-girlfiend, it is a sligthly different issue - I did not just lose her. Decisions were made from both sides and things reached the point of no return. An argument that started about (false) friend(s)...

Bleaching kit

2007-04-17T23:21:00.000+02:00

My colleague Mat (also known as Mat Dammon - with the Team America entonation) has been nagging everybody about this f.... bleach kit he saw in some TV show.
The other day I couldn't take it anymore and I got him one. With card and everything... See picture.

van Ostadestraat

2007-04-17T23:12:00.000+02:00

On one side of the street...

...and on the other.
(Dear all, I am looking for a place for myself...)

Time stop

2007-04-17T00:28:00.000+02:00

April 14th 2007

Sunny day in Amsterdam. Temperature more resembles a hot summer day.
The kids run around the picnic table in the park and everybody is soaking up the sun and enjoying the food.
Some "long time don't see!!!" friends show up and people talk about hair, zombies, Spartans and second chances.
There is vegan cake and the kids continue running around.
Everybody was happy and the birthday was a success. We then go home, listen to sad music and go through the pictures of the party.
Hours later, I look at my wristwatch and it is still 9:30.

In my dreams, I read a bed-time story and the clock ticked.

Time stop related topics:

http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q2451.html

http://www.investorwords.com/5825/time_stop.html

http://www.grasshopper.com/mind-games/why-did-time-stop/

http://x-patria.blogspot.com/2005/09/time.html

PS: the wristwatch did stop on the 14th.

Colors

2007-03-25T21:17:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I went downtown ( I now live in the "suburbs") and I found a copy of "COLORS"!!!!!
I hadn't seen one in a while. Actually, I think there was only one newstand I could find it on, and since my cousin stopped working for Benetton...
http://www.colorsmagazine.com/issues/images/1_60_flash/archive_a.php - here you have access to old articles

To find out more about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colors_(magazine)

From that article I also found:

http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/catalogue/books/design/all/facts/01881.htm

Can't be bothered to create a link, so copy and paste there in your browser.... If not - you're missing great photos....

Alcoa Fujikura

2007-03-18T11:57:00.000+01:00

From one of my aunt's balcony, one can read "Alcoa Fujikura Portugal" - of one of the last companies to have been shut down that used to employ several hundred people in the area.

Everytime I go to Portugal, the news don't vary much. Companies are closed down/relocated every week. Smaller ones declare banckrupcy and open somewhere else under a different name. Bigger ones like Alcoa Fujikura (previously "Indelma") move to other (cheaper) countries.

a Blob

2007-02-22T23:01:00.000+01:00

And last but not least in the list of new appearances in the web:
http://cyber-pokute.blogspot.com/

Parkarma

2007-02-22T22:47:00.000+01:00

From the makers of Pin Mania:

Parkarma is finally up and running.

Have a look!!!

(edit: Pin Mania and Parlarma are not related...)

Cooltrain Crew

2007-02-22T22:36:00.000+01:00

http://cooltraincast.blogspot.com

Check out Alx and the Cooltrain Crew

Google Maps

2007-02-19T23:37:00.000+01:00

I know this is a bit too geeky for most of those who visit this blog (not that many because I haven't posted in ages), but here it goes:

Google Maps kicks ass... It's like Google Earth on your mobile! Who needs Tom Tom?

not all of Google Earth's features are there, but still, it's quite good.

One othere comment, but now about Blogger: too bad the mobile blogging is not yet totally mobile... I can log to the page but not publish... the button just won't work - as it doesn't for other pages like airline companies. Presumably because these buttons contain javascript that cannot be used in mobile devices... (?)

I-Loupe

2007-02-18T00:30:00.000+01:00

cool little gadget... but i cannot afford it...

Waiting....

2007-02-18T00:27:00.000+01:00

Waiting for my new camera to arrive.......

Don Quixote goes to space before Sami does...

2007-01-28T00:13:00.000+01:00

New links

2007-01-27T23:27:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I have updated them, so now I have added most of the ones I was missing.
Check them out.
New links such as Dawn's new blog, Moon Agenda, PinMania...

Key shot

2007-01-27T23:14:00.000+01:00

Key shot

A shot or ball that allows a player to obtain shape on another ball hard to play position to.
A shot or ball that is the "key" to running out.
The 14^th object ball in a rack of straight pool that, when proper position is achieved on, allows easy position play, in turn, on the last (15^th) object ball for an intergame break shot.

from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_pool,_billiards_and_snooker_terms

Outside Isolatorweg's station there are cars...

2007-01-27T22:25:00.000+01:00

...Classic...

"You are all mad"

2007-01-27T22:09:00.001+01:00

Found next to the Technical Support printer...

Broken Terço

2007-01-08T22:17:00.000+01:00

Photo taken by Nina

cool 2007

2007-01-08T21:47:00.000+01:00

Better late than never...
Happy new year iederen!!!

One month absence

2007-01-08T21:28:00.000+01:00

I haven't updated the blog for exactly a month now...
"Say that you were busy pleasing your chic" she said...
And that is true, but I think she is happy...

drafts from Portugal

2006-12-07T00:51:00.000+01:00

It's been a couple of days since I arrived and again all I see is more of the same consemptual discomtempt. But that's fine, because it's all within our country, so it seems to be OK... Example: factories are closing because manpower is cheaper in eastern Europe or Asia, the companies that make the most money pay the least taxes and a big percentage of people nowadays cannot even get a a temporary or permanent contract, which means they have to go for a different kind of work relation that “stimulates economy” by allowing companies to pay a lot less taxes – payed by the workers themselves who, as “self-employed” (yet working for others), sometimes have no written document from the employer prior to and until the end of the agreement. What happens in many cases is that employees wait for months until they see a single Eurocent...

While this happens every day and just gets worse, the Media and the government talk about it as inevitable or as if there's nothing anyone can do about it, thus making corruption or failure to law-abiding principles a normal thing in this corner of Europe. Everything changes if we talk about, say: Holland. In the last couple of days, there've been several news about a bunch of Portuguese people that went to work for a company in Holland and haven't received their salaries since they got there, 4 weeks ago. Now, I am not saying that is not a serious issue, but there are a couple of things I do not get:

worse things happen in our own country and everybody seems to be numb and think only of Euromillions, waiting for the big break to come down from heavens. In the meantime, it's just a matter of dog eat dog and try not to get left behind in the corruption game.
The matter in Holland seems to have been solved in a few days and the focus should be on the company, not the country, I believe. There was also mention of Tempo-Team, because they are the intermediary, but ultimately it seems to have to do with the employer.
In Portugal, I rarely hear of similar cases that are solved in a couple of days – if ever... As an example, I have worked in an english institute that went bankrupt for the sole purpose of money laundry. Staff was not paid the last 2 monts plus vacation and students were scammed into getting loans for paying the entire course – they never got the money back because by then, they owed the bank and not the institute... Moral of the story: case filed and no resolution so far. Every week you hear of new companies that declare bankrupcy in a similar way, only to open again with another name in another village/city/country.*

The other day there was an academic teacher/lecturer on TV just before a major Globalization Seminar promoted by Portugal's President, Cavaco Silva. He spoke about the need of Portugal to adjust and companies to make use of some of the newly graduated linguistics and antropology experts, for instance, to improve the way workers interact and companies interact among themselves. Couldn't agree more with that.

There is something, however, that I cannot completely agree with: when asked about the people that are jeft unemployed after 10, 15, 20 years working in the same company that just went “bankrupt”, he claimed that he could not imagine how it is possible that people have the same job and same tasks for so long. I would agree if I was to speak for myself. Other people think different – that's what makes us human. And there are people that feel good doing what they know how to do. They feel secure and they need it to support their families. If you think about it, only in the last century or so things have changed to the model he is supporting.

Some might now think that I am a conservative and the guy is right because the new economy demands it – people need to adjust and evolve.

I am a fairly diplomatic person and I personaly try not to get left behind – adjust and evolve – but some people do not feel that need – much the opposite. Either they simply do not like the fact they are imcumbed with this burden because their debts and family are enough responsibility, or because they honestly like what they are doing and society does need workers.

In some cases, I can even understand sacrifices have to be made and some people might not be thrilled about the new situation. However, this is not the case in the vast majority of the cases. Simply because the companies are acting as corporations. The difference here is that the term of company, described by the lecturer himself, comprehends not only profit for the company, but also a service to the community – mostly the last one. I strongly advise watching “the corporation” (see link) to understand the values of corporations today and in days to come. To make a long story short, corporations have the legal rights of a person, but cannot be judged in a court of law as such. Knowing their main goal is profit, one can easily get a grasp of how mentaly ill a corporation can be. This documentary can make it clearer than water that if corporations were real people, they would all be psychopaths...

* - it was found later that the hiring company was actually Portuguese....

After the floods

2006-11-17T13:23:00.000+01:00

Cleaning up appliances, chain-saws and other farming material

Flooded car

Flooded electric sockets

Cleaning up kitchen utensils

Sabóia-Gare

2006-11-17T13:11:00.000+01:00

View from the top of the Prazeres hill, next to "Está bem"

Black Gold

2006-11-09T15:03:00.000+01:00

As i mentioned, i started writing at the airport, but i am now in Faro, Portugal - on my way home. At the airport, i started reading a local newspaper written in English and found about this new movie/documentary i haven't seen yet: Black Gold.
It discusses the fact most of the coffee farmers currently live below the level of poverty and coffee consumers should be made aware of the coffee producers who are the main responsibles for this. I haven't seen it yet, but from the review i read, i can only recommend it.
I might as well add that non-Portuguese news in Portugal are far more objective and give you a much better view of the state of the country than “home-made” news. It also has a much more racional and ecological point of view that can be seen across several articles and free advertiving for movies such as the above-mentioned.

Liquid diet

2006-11-09T07:01:00.000+01:00

I am waiting for boarding at Schiphol airport. I have just tried logging in to blogspot, but same as with other sites that require javascript to login, I cannot access my account. I would email a post, but it seems i need to enable that first - from within my account...
My sudden urge to blog has to do with the new rules for liquids in passenger's hand luggage.
I had already expressed my outrage in Sami's blog, but i was even mor surprised by what I came across at the airport:
You are allowed to carry up to a liter of liquids, as long as they are in separate containers that hold no more than 100 mililiters each. However, if you are carrying something like a plain bottle of water, you will not be allowed on board.
Trying to see how far they are going with this, i deliberately kept a 1/2 liter bottle of water in one of the sidepockets of my backpack. At passport control, i was warned and when passing security check, i was asked whether the bottle of water was mine (in the same tone one would ask 'is this your gun?'). Of course i replied 'yes' and was informed i could not proceed with that dangerous item. I asked whether i could at least drink it and was allowed to do that. But when i asked if i could carry an empty bottle after drinking it, i was told i also could not carry it...
However, if that bottle was purchased inside the airport's 'duty free' area, i would be able to carry it with me all the way.
Maybe it's just me, but these “security measures” sound a lot more like another lame excuse to force passengers spend more money in vital goods - and the most profitable ones.

Que genio louco sou eu?

2006-11-08T21:36:00.000+01:00

Faça você também Que
gênio-louco é você? Uma criação de O Mundo Insano da Abyssinia

Floods in Portugal

2006-11-06T22:41:00.000+01:00

(a minha alegre casinha, Dezembro de 2005)

Floods...
About 10 years ago there were humongous floods in Portugal.
My mother and stepfather had been working on their little house in Alentejo eversince - walls and ceiling had collapsed and everything inside was ruined or gone.
Last night, they were startled from their sleep when they started hearing the water entering the house.
Luckily they came out of it without a scratch, but the house was again ruined. all the time, effort and money they put into it is gone with the water.
Furniture was weeks old and the car was bought a month ago. Some things might might be salvaged, but most of it is hopeless.

My mother is a wreck and I cannot say I can blame her... This is the house she was raised in and the house she has been fighting to put back together after many years of being away, so she could one day come back for good. Every weekend they had free from work they would go there and work on it.

Because it is not their primary house, social security will help with little more than nothing - same as last time....

The railroad is also in need of major repair - Lisbon-Algarve connection is broken right behing our house... Santa-Clara- a-Velha is on the news again. Last time I recal it ever being on the news was either the previous floods or the fact it is the region in the whole of Europe with the highest suicide rate...

Goddamn - can't the goverment help this little village in the middle of nowhere?
Only football clubs get their million euro debts forgiven, stadiums built, but "the people" need to keep on struggling for a place of their own - so they one day see it being flushed away and get nothing in return - except more taxes???

Music: Murder the government - NoFX
Mood: blown away

South view in the morning

2006-11-03T01:20:00.000+01:00

Woke up today with a huge f.... crane rising outside my window...

Northern view in the afternoon

2006-11-02T23:44:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday!!!!

2006-10-31T20:46:00.001+01:00

Parabéns!
Pela tua força!
Pela tua dedicação!
Pelo teu aniversário!

E que passes muitos e bons com os que mais gostas!

Mood: tired... would kill for massage...
music: bossy, kelis

Send Sami to Space - Part III

2006-10-19T01:28:00.000+02:00

Sami @ work Sami wants to go to outer space!!! Sami has created his own blog!!! You can now chek it out at: http://frogthroat.blogspot.com

Send Sami to Space - Part II

2006-10-17T23:15:00.000+02:00

Just to remind all of you who are always willing to contribute for a good cause:
Sami has reassured he is willing to go to space. These pictures (published at request) clearly show how excited he is about the trip.

More details coming soon!...

sunset

2006-10-16T00:00:00.000+02:00

Thanks, Mom

2006-10-13T00:00:00.000+02:00

(This is one of the most updated pics of my mom I could find...)

(I couldn't find any older picture of myself...)

Thanks Mom! 28 years ago you started the hard task of putting up with me and now you sometimes wish i was around more often - not that youdidn't want me around before, but now i am a bit too far away...

I just felt like saying thanks for all!

A minha mae eh a MAIOR!