(better than fine)

Maybe you shouldn't.....

2007-10-06T12:25:00.000-03:00

Yeah, exactly.
Do you know when you KNOW you shouldn't do something, because there is no way the result will be any good? Do you know when you are told, not only be people around you, but also by one of the most reasonable voices inside your head (oh, come on, we all hear voices, at some point or another. you soul, or conscience, i don't know what) that this cannot and will not end well? And despite of all this common sense around you and in you, you go and do it anyway? Yeah, exactly.
What for? For the butterflies, for the chance, for pure self inflicted torture? Oh well, doesn't really matter what for. Because the truth is, we all jump off cliffs at some given point. And sometimes you hit the ground and break every bone. And sometimes, it's just... not that bad after all.

Germany

2007-09-13T02:53:00.000-03:00

Let's just use the insomnia - or the burden of our minds, are some say =) - in our advantage, and upload some pictures of the last looovely trip: Cologne - Koblenz. It was waaay too short and way too busy, but it was all worth it. Worked too much for my taste, but met people I loved to meet, spent some little time with people who I love to spend time with, and who have been absent and missed for a while.

(I promise I will visit next time, or at least we will arrange to meet somewhere halfway. It is ridiculous being this close to some of you and not seeing you at all! hopefully the next trip will be soon, and a bit longer for tourism-time).
beijos, queridos
(quick photo tour: cologne's cathedral, koblenz and the German corner, leo being spontaneous and quick view of düsseldorf)

Hope and Shame

2007-09-13T02:23:00.001-03:00

If you are in Brazil, you know what this is about. In case you are not and still care enough to read: this lovely man on the left is the president of the Senate, who was being accused, among other things, of using money from a lobbyist to pay for the child support of his illegitimate child (and the mother of that child made this public, and broke all hell loose in the political world. And then, what did she do? Pose for Playboy magazine, of course).
There is evidence corroborating this arrangement between them, and also evidence of 3 or 4 other wrongdoings of his. He refused to resign from his position, overseeing the entire process being built against him, and still in command of the Senators who judged him today. He cried and said he was being mistreated, and made up the most absurd stories to show that he had the money to pay her (he was suddenly a cow breeder, selling meat to inexistent people at an exorbitant price, with checks and receipts that had been made up in the wrong date - "I just got the date wrong while filling it in! It doesn't mean it is a fraud!!"). And well, there is a lot more, but let's just say it doesn't really get better.

Today he was judged by his peers - his subordinates, in fact - on whether he would lose his mandate or remain as president of the Senate. And, against my tiny string of hope, he was absolved. He is still the president of the Senate, of the institution that represents the people of this country (although the vote was secret, so we can't really know if the Senator who represents us voted for or against him, in another lovely detail of the case).

And it is moments like these that make me ashamed of living in this country. Not just that the people who make our laws are hitting themselves in the hallway of the Senate. But nothing works, no one cares, no one bothers to even appear to be honest or to be doing the right thing. They don't even pretend anymore. The "Brazilian way" of getting things done will drown us all.
Sorry for the long, "complainy" and political post. but I'm just... "so sick, so sick of it all". Maybe I should just let go of that tiny string of hope that always follows me around.....
Para os que podem, leiam o artigo do Hélio Schwartsman na Folha online, muito mais eloqüente do que eu:
http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/pensata/helioschwartsman/ult510u327912.shtml

Pure, simple gossip

2007-09-13T01:57:00.000-03:00

And well... after a few months of not posting, a lot has happened in my favourite part of the world: Amy said no, no no, but still got pushed into rehab (after this lovely scene with her husband, which also involved knives, heroin and a hooker, according to her), Lindsay Lohan is again in rehab, Brangelina hasn't yet adopted another child (and Jennifer Aniston is still single), Nicole Richie is pregnant and Paris Hilton has started her new post-prison life debuting a haircut (but not a grip, as we all knew). And then there is the talk of the day in the gossip world: Britney. I will forget the past headlines (child abuse, drunk & naked in the pool - with photographers around, always -, weird, weeeird clothes, more pets and children and so much more) because I can't really keep up anymore. However, you can't escape her last stunt: the VMA's.
You know, I will just forget that the song is appalling and that she is a bit fat (I would probably still prefer her body over mine, but then again, i would never be on a stage wearing that with that body - or whatever body, but anyway), and that the wig was, well, bad. Too blond and wig-like. Let's just focus on the performance: what the hell was that? Is she stoned, is she in a bad mood? What was she doing??? Not singing, not dancing, not moving until the dancers tell her to, not lip-synching, not looking at the cameras... and a lovely job from the cameramen as well, trying to distract us from her performance and showing the artists in the audience absolutely mesmerized by Brit's comeback- in the worst possible way. So, she is back. Let's just wait and see what she does next.

Quem é vivo....

2007-09-13T01:51:00.000-03:00

Hey, I'm back. So, shall we start with the comments??

The First Time

2007-06-24T18:14:00.000-03:00

Can you imagine what it must be like to see or hear for the first time? How absurd, and clean, and pure it must seem? Going all your life without knowing it, without even knowing how it is, and suddenly, it's just there for you. And you can be just like everybody else - in that sense - although it will probably always be different for you anyway. The colors, the different tones in music. Seeing for the first time, whatever it is that you see, must be beautiful. The first movie, the first dog on the street, the first time looking in the mirror. And hearing a song, hearing someone's voice, after you've spent 10 years hearing silence or interference. It must be like 10 thousand epiphanies at once. I had never imagined it, until I saw it. And it was amazing.

A Hora da Estrela

2007-06-17T21:14:00.000-03:00

Sometime this week, I wrote something about how bad things are here in Brazil - politically speaking - and how I just wished I could leave, or that all the politicians would. Because of internet problems, I couldn't post it. And although all that is still true, I think you don't have to hear me complaining about national politics here. So, this post will be happier - ok, no, not happier, but at least more useful. It will be about Clarice Lispector.

There is an exihbit about her life and work at a museum in Sao Paulo (and if you live here, you should go). The whole exihbit is based on shadows and light, and on things that are not so visible, not obvious to the eye. In one room, you have 4 walls covered with drawers, 2 thousand in total. Some of them open, and give you little insights on her life, on her work. But that is all you get from Clarice Lispector, true to who she was in life. Clarice was, to everyone that knew her, a mistery. She was unhappy, or so she seemed to be. She carried the weight of the world in her back, and that is visible in her books. "The sadness in the book is so real, so clear, that I can only say that I am sorry that you have to feel this much. What we feel while reading your book, the uncontrolable sadness it provokes, must be five times more intense for you. And for that, I am sorry that you have to suffer this much".

"Escrever é tantas vezes lembrar-se do que nunca existiu" ("to write is to remember over and over again something that never existed") says one of her quotes in the first room. Another quote of hers, one of the most famous, says "I am such a mistery I don't even inderstand". And that is what I get from Clarice Lispector. A person I just can't grasp, a loneliness I don't want to imagine, and a truth that we see only through veils and shadows. But what I see is beautiful anyway. However painful or inexplicable.

Tiny little fractures

2007-06-10T20:49:00.001-03:00

At this point in life, I can say that I am very, very confused. In love and life, in work and in everything else. One of those existential moments, you know? Who am I, what I am doing, what-is-wrong-with-the-world sort of thing? There is nothing specifically wrong, but it's just tiny little fractures. I don't think there is one thing I know for sure (for sure sure, I mean) right this second.

As I normally do in these situations, I ask for advice. From several people, several times. And I get normally the same answers, and one prevails "i don't know honey"; however, I heard something else this time: "just wait and see" - since half of these decisions don't depend on me, that seems clever enough, no? Yeah, right.

The thing is, I just can't seem to let that happen at times (by "at times" I mean always). I just can't wait, almost like a kid waiting for birthday gifts or something of the sort. I wanna see, I wanna do more, I just want to fast-forward and see what happened. Yes, life is not like that, and you just have to see how things flow, I know. I know they are right, but patience is definetely not one of my qualities. So, any helpful words of wisdom? (sorry for the very confessional post, but well, that's what the blog is here for every now and then)

Aaaand... she is back!

2007-06-10T20:06:00.000-03:00

Just to update, she is back in prision. From what I read, kicking and screaming and crying. And no, I have nothing else to do, I know. And I apologize for the picture, I couldn't help myself.
ps: I just thought about something today. This is a girl that made a life for herself by posing for photographers and basically being obnoxious. The media made her who she is. So it's pretty ironic that that very same media is one of the actors in her imprisonment. The scrutiny when she was released, the photographers, the bloggers.... their strong reaction sent her back to jail. Life is funny that way, no?
ok, that's it on Paris. For now, anyway...

beijos

Out and about

2007-06-07T20:33:00.000-03:00

Now, I know this is petty as hell, but Paris Hilton was in jail, and I was sort of happy about that. I know, it's horrble and mean, and it does show that I am superficial and wory about other people's lives maybe more than I should. But the thing is, she was in jail for something wrong she did. I don't know if her punishment was better or worse because she is famous - for nothing, we might add - but she was being punished. Justice worked, even if just a little bit.

And now, as I open the internet, the first news that jump to my eyes is that she was released. Why? Why on earth???? After 2 or 3 days being alone in a cell, and getting almost as much tv time as she did when her sex video came out. Honestly, I don't understand. And the world seems more a bit more ridiculous than it did before.

just an image

2007-05-24T23:54:00.000-03:00

How?

2007-05-24T22:11:00.001-03:00

Can someone please enlighten me on this: how on earth is this girl considered pretty? And I admire make up artists more and more, and plastic surgeons less and less... look at that girls lips! She is 20 years old, she is not supposed to look like that...

so superficial, I know, I know.

No, no, no

2007-05-20T17:21:00.000-03:00

"They tried to make me go to rehab, and I said no, no, no"

No, it´s not Britney. And it is a bit absurd that someone who admitedly has a drug problem can make such success (but yeah, look at Pete Doherty and Kate Moss. Anything before that is still ok). But this girl is just too good. She wants a drink, she doesn´t wanna go to rehab. She would rather stay at home with her boyfriend. So, let her be. Because even though she may sound so so drunk in her CD, it is one of the best things I´ve heard in the last few months.

She sounds drunks, talks about drinking in maybe half of the songs, and cheating - actually cheating and being cheated on - more than you would consider ok for a girl that just got married. But the beats are fantastic, and her drunken voice reels you in. Maybe the first time you hear it it won´t be so clear, but after 2 or 3 runs of the CD, there is no letting go of Amy Winehouse. "Some unholy war", "He can only hold her", "You know I´m no good" and "Back to Black". And rehab, of course.

The fight against mediocrity

2007-05-13T18:49:00.000-03:00

So, this is a bit old news, but it I read Sarkozy's "last words", which he sent to a "Le Figaro" the day before the election, on their request. And it is very, very good. Very conservative and right winged, but so clear, so honest - so absurdly eloquent and explicit on his ideas. I don't know much about Sarkozy, but I think his words are worth posting. Even if you may not agree with them.

This is the end of a cycle which started with May 68, when it was proclaimed that there were no more rules, no more standards, no more morals, no more courtesy, that all was worth, that there was no more hierarchy of the values, no more difference between what is good and what is bad, between what is big and what is mediocre, that all was right, that nothing is deserved.

I want to build France which will have broken with this heritage. The idea of France for which I fight, it is France where the values of respect, authority, merit are with the honor. This campaign is about a true ideological choice. A choice which goes well beyond the usual choice between the right and the left. In finishing with the heritage of May 68, it is perhaps the only true choice of company which we have to make so much the values, the principles of 68 impregnated the company, the manners of thinking, the behaviors. In fact the choice conditions all the others. Or we will have laxism, or we will have a morals based on our universal values. Or we will have the assistantship, the 35 hours, the devalorization of work, or we will have the reward of the merit, the incentive with the effort, the respect of work and the entrepreneurship. Or we will have the multiplication of the rights, or we will offer to all those which are ready to want something for themselves the means of carrying out their dreams, their ambitions, their projects. Or we will continue to work less and we will be locked up in a company of shortage, or we will work more and we will have more richnesses to divide us, more means to devote to our social protection, with our retirements. It is the moment or never to break with political practices and practices of thought. France cannot wait any more, it is necessary for us to decide to choose between two social models, between two systems of values, two cultures. If you want it, all can become possible, as for the men of the Renaissance, as those of the Lumières or the Thirty Glorious ones. It is enough for us to want it. It is enough for us to include/understand the nature of the choice well and to take our responsabilities vis-a-vis so that we want for ourselves, for our children, for our country. But this rupture with the system of thought, education, the policy that the ideology of 68 generated, it will not be done all alone. I will not do it all alone. It is with you to make it possible. So that this change is achieved, I need you.

Aaahhh....

2007-05-07T21:06:00.000-03:00

No point in this post at all. Just... how can you not post something this cute????

Notes from the Underground

2007-05-07T20:40:00.000-03:00

Why do we build sand castles just to destroy them later? Why would you build yourself up for something and shoot it down yourself? Why suffer like that?

"Mas é exatamente neste frígido e repugnante semidesepero, nesta semicrença, neste consciente enterrar-se vivo, por aflição, no subsolo, por 40 anos; nesta situação intransponível criada com esforço e, apesar de tudo, um tanto duvidosa, em toda esta peçonha dos desejos insatisfeitos que penetraram no interior do ser; em toda esta febre das vacilacoes, das decisoes tomadas para sempre e dos arrependimentos que tornam a surgir um instante depois, em tudo isto e que consiste o sumo daquele estranho prazer de que falei.".

I cannot translate this if my life depended on it. He talks of how the suffering is all caused by you and you alone, and this pain you create for yourself provokes a pleasure that is indescribible. He speaks, later on, of imagination, self pity, loathe and how this pain is only to annoy himself and others, since they know he is not in so much pain, and still complains. There is no good in it, and still he lingers in it. He and all of us, at some time. Why suffer? Because the alternative is boredom, and that is too dull.

No, I am fine. And yes, perhaps I should read a lighter book. But this is, without a doubt, the best thing I ever read in my life. In the back cover, one author describes it as "the voice of blood - how to call it any other name?"

Book is Dostoievski, Notes from the Underground. If you are not depressed, read it. Otherwise... maybe read it anyway. It is too good to miss.

beijos

Spidey

2007-05-07T19:59:00.000-03:00

So much stuff going on, and yet the first post will be totally useless. Yes, Spider man 3.

The movie is, 2 and a half hours long, and it has 3 villains and one hero in crisis. His crisis side is quite ridiculous, with hair thrown to the side of his face, eye makeup and weird, weeird dance moves that gave me bad, baaad memories. And still, somehow, all the critics said it was fantastic. Well, not so much.

I liked the 2 previous movies, I really did. Aside from the fact that it is a super hero movie, and if you try and overlook Tobey Maguire's lack of, ahn, acting skills, the 3 movie is still bad. Too long, too much things happening, and you just wanna hit the "to-be-or-not-to-be" out of him, along with the eye make-up.

Topher Grace is lovely, and the black suit is almost worth the movie, if paired with the action sequences - which are amazing, I have to say. But the movie..... too much of not enough.

Hmm... chocolate

2007-04-08T18:26:00.000-03:00

Hello shiny happy people, faithful readers or whataver you might be. I am just writing to let you know that yes, I am alive still. Barely, but alive.

And happy easter, one of the greatest holidays ever invented!!! Whoever said this was a time for chocolate? But that doesn't matter, all the chocolate in the world for you!

Beijo

2 movies

2007-03-26T20:24:00.000-03:00

ok, now i remembered something!!! I saw 2 movies that deserve a comment. Dreamgirls and Notes on a Scandal.

So, first things first: Dreamgirls is one of the worse movies I have seen in a long long time, and I mean that. It´s just... awful. Embarassing. They just break into song, and you just wanna crawl under the chair. Beyonce is not so bad, but now I am officially against Jennifer Hudson winning all the awards. Little miss sunshine deserved it sooo much more.

And now, Notes on a Scandal. I didn´t think that movie would be all that interesting, to be perfectly honest; and then, 2 minutes into the movie, Judi Dench (who is a history teacher) says: "teaching the future plumbers of the nation". Come on, after a line like that, you have to pay attention to the movie. And it is worth it. Judi Dench is mean, dissimulated, her eyes seeing every opportunity to attack and take advantage of the situation. Amazing. And Cate Blanchett in all her innocence, all her complete lack of sense; she is so silly and naive you wanna hit her in the face and say "stop!!! what the hell are you doing!!??". The movie is filled with dark thoughts and raw emotion, and the performances are great. And you can expect many many lines like " the future plumbers of our nation", the movie is filled with them.

Summary: Notes on a Scandal is this very british, very smart and intelligent movie, with great lines and great artists. And Dreamgirls is a huge american production, filled with empty songs and superficial performances, and a lot of screaming.Need I say anything more?

beeeeeeeeijos

the quietness

2007-03-26T20:19:00.000-03:00

I know, I know, it´s shameful the way I neglected this blog, I know. I have more stuff to do than time allows, and I just can´t type anymore after 10 hours doing that. I just can´t.

Now that I have justified myself, how is everything? Suddenly, I can´t think of anything important that happened in this world the past month. I forgot the birthday of one of my best friends, and he still hasn´t really forgiven me much for that. I haven´t watched any movies that are really worth mentioning, at least none I can think of right now. Nobody else died, Britney is still in rehab... ah, the quietness can be just lovely sometimes, no?

And best movie goes to/ thanks for watching

2007-02-26T02:13:00.000-03:00

The last post tonight!!!! Thank you so much for your attention (and is Diane Keaton drunk???), although this was a clear sign of my OCD and of my lack of things to do (not true, i have a lot of stuff to do. But Oscar night is Oscar night), I loved doing it!! Thanks for reading, seriously. Even if it was just one person.

And yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Departed won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so glad they agreed with me that this movie, although it is ridiculously violent, is excellent. So, why haven't you watched it yet?

And did Babel go home empty handed?? Not one award? Come on.. that's pushing it.

So, thanks again, and sweet dreams!!

Scorcese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-26T02:07:00.000-03:00

Oh, thank god!!!!!!! His face before they announced it was just sad!!!! But yeeeey, Scorcese!! You finally won!!!! And that's kind of what his face said when they called his name. His first (!!!!) Oscar. Justice in the world.

ps: he is sooooooo short!!!! And being hugged by a bald Jack Nicholson must be the most frightening thing in the world.

The last king

2007-02-26T02:01:00.000-03:00

Ok, now the posts will be on super rapid speed. Reese Witherspoon really benefited from divorce. But why (!!!) didn't Ryan Gosling/ Leonardo DiCaprio win best aaaactor!!!???? They both deserved it. But ok, when I see The Last King of Scotland maybe I'll change my mind. But for now, bu-hu.

Poor Leo. Stood up to clap and everything.

And let's see the director.

the biggest gold star EVER!

2007-02-26T00:41:00.000-03:00

Am I dreaming or did "Little Miss Sunshine" win Original Screenplay? Beating Babel? That's amazing!!! It's not just because it is a happy movie that it can't be as meaningful as a drama.
And now, after ten thousand categories that are, hmm, not thaaaat interesting, here we go. Helen Mirren, magnificent in "The Queen". And she lost her earring!!! And when she reffers to the Oscar as a "gold star". I love the british. And she thanked the queen!!! For her hair style. That is just so... british humor?

best actress in a supporting category

2007-02-26T00:34:00.000-03:00

George Clooney. Dot.

Jennifer Hudson for best supporting actress. Now, this would be fair anyway. I haven't actually seen the movie, but she has won everything else, so i am supposing she is excellent in it. Otherwise, Little Miss Sunshine or both actresses from Babel deserved it. But woman, what the hell!!! Don't you turn your back on George Clooney!!!!

Strike one

2007-02-26T00:03:00.000-03:00

ooooh, come on!!!! The Devil Wears Prada didn't win costume??? Give me a break. Nothing beats those clothes, and aaaaall those shoooes!!!! And please mind that the presenters were both in the movie. And they looked so disappointed.

And did I hear correctly or did the winner (Marie Antonniete, which still isn't out in Brazil) inspire herself by french desserts?

OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! TOM!!!!! where is katie????

(and ok, the title should be strike 2, since Alan Arkin was a surprise as well)

"Valium does work"

2007-02-25T23:53:00.000-03:00

Congratulations to The Departed, best adapted screenplay. Yes, it's violent. but it's gooooood. AND it has Jack Nicholson, and Leo, and a bunch of other heavyweights. And I love the writer just for saying that line (title) as an Oscar thank you.

update, due to request

2007-02-25T23:20:00.000-03:00

hahaha!!! ok, ok...

Pan's Labyrinth won makeup and art direction, so far. And Alan Arkin woooon!!! Yeeeeey!!!! he deserves it, for playing the porn and heroin addict in Little Miss Sunshine. Could anything complete that family better?

Thanks for watching, honey!

worst dressed

2007-02-25T23:05:00.000-03:00

and why on earth is Jack Nichilson bald? Sympathy for Britney?

oscars!!!!!

2007-02-25T22:47:00.000-03:00

helloooooo people!!!! Oscar!!!!yeeeey!!!

ok, first things first. What is Penelope Cruz thinking in that dress?? And Kirsten Dunst... oh god, just wrong, wrong, wrong. A lot of wrong dresses (Beyonce and whatever the hell is hanging on her dress, Nicole's Kidman parrot). Kate Winslet and Maggie Gyllenhall (impressivly enough - but minus the fur, please) are my winners so far.

And Pan's Labirynth winning the first award!! Great!! 2 now!!!!! After that horrible awkard music number.. why don't they just cut out the first part of the Oscars? It's just so embarrassing....

gooo australia!!!

2007-02-24T22:35:00.001-02:00

and just when you think the world makes no sense at all, you hear that people in Australia threw trash on Paris Hilton. The sanest people in the world.

And no, I don't know why she has those marks on her chest, or why her makeup is that badly put on. And well, it doesn't really matter.

the dog

2007-02-24T22:23:00.000-02:00

On my way home from work, I use a very big avenue in São Paulo. It's the sort of place where you can't really stop, unless your car breaks down or the traffic is stalled (which happens quite often). About 2 or 3 weeks a go, I saw something on the side of the road. I thought it was an old bag or box. But I took a closer look and it was a dog. It was probably trying to cross the road and got run overby someone who just left him there.

I pass that place everyday, and everyday the dog was there, rotting, alone. Everyday I looked at him, but I couldn't stop in the middle of the road, otherwise, besides the ticket I was gonna get, I was the one who would be run over.

When I came back from carnival, I couldn't see the dog anymore. I though somebody took it, cleaned it, I don't know, at least someone had taken it from there. And then, the next day, when I slowed down the car, I saw it. It was still there, but it had practically decomposed.

And that's the saddest I have been in a long time. Yes, I know, there are people dying in the same conditions every day, and this and that. But my heart just broke for the dog on the side of the road, that died and decomposed on the road, everything in him dying for sure, since there is no earth to absorb anything. The surest, most complete death. Just gone.

glossed over absurdity

2007-02-24T22:19:00.000-02:00

Could these two look any more unconfortable in the picture? With their prada bags and Armani clothes, standing next to a refugee from Africa. They look like they are thinking: "I am going to kill my manager for making me come here."
Poor refugee. Has to go trough hell on earth, and still has to face this.

ooops?

2007-02-24T22:04:00.000-02:00

ok, this will be as superficial as possible. But what the hell is going on with Britney Spears? My mother told me: "oh, she shaved her head, did you see?". My answer was "mom, come on. that is not true". Little did I know.

3 tries at rehab (maybe she should talk to Amy Winehouse about this), a shaved head that now has her looking like a white supremacist, and her ex-husband suying for full custody of the kids. That is a bad, bad sign. I think it preecedes the apocalipse. And that's just baad. Baaaad, baaad, bad.

When a guy like that (google it if you don't know, because I am putting to many pictures in the post already, all very necessary) has grounds to sue you for custody of your children, something is wrong.

And then, when you think that's all, that the story is as bad as it can get, there she goes again. Attacking a photographer with an umbrella. I would post the video, but you can't see anything in it. But I mean, Jeeesus Christ!!!!!!!! What is doing?????? I always thought she was a bit crazy, but this is just too much. She is giving Anna Nicole Smith a run for her money. And that's saying a lot.

Grey's Anatomy

2007-02-12T01:21:00.000-02:00

Have you ever seen Grey's Anatomy? If you are in Brazil, the third season started last monday, and I really think it is a series worth watching. More than McDreamy and McSteamy, the series is something worth a closer look.
The writing is just fantastic. I mean, I have to give my most honest congratulations to Chandra Wilson - who has one of the best writing deals in Hollywood today. Whoever can come up with the sentence "She has my McDreamy, and my McDog. She is living my McLife" should be given an award just for that collaboration. And she manage to put a bomb inside a patient, and blow up half of the hospital, in order to gain male audience. She is, as I had said, fantastic.

Then there is the casting, absolutely imppecable. Miranda Bailey (aka "the nazy") is unbelievable in the part. When she won the SAG award a few weeks a go, she said "thank you for giving me this award even though I look like this." And Dr. Bailey is this woman in the picture on the left, so you know she was not being really modest and asking for compliments on how she looks. In fact, there is one gorgeous girl on the show, and she is not the main actress (Meredith Grey is, well, different. pretty, but not common). Meredith, by the way, is all but the heroin. She drinks tequila shots and sleeps with (a lot of) wrong men. "I am always sorry in the morning" and "I am dark and twisty, so what? Does that make me the president of the depressed?" are 2 of my favourite lines from this show, apart from the heartbreaking "pick me, choose me"scene. It is just sad. She says she knows she is not supposed to do that, she is supposed to be cool, tell McDreamy it is his deciosion and she will be okay anyway, and that is what she does for the entire episode. Until that scene. And then she does what she really means in her heart. And when she tels him that he has to stop staring at her, because she ust can't breathe when he does that. The words are just so honest, so possible that someone would say them. She is average, problematic, and so much more convincing than Joey Potter.

And now, for the women - McDreamy and McSteamy. I am sorry, but there is no way I could write about this show without mentioning them. they are just absurdly hot. And although that is not the main reason to watch the show, it doesn't hurt either. And oh, last thing: the soundtrack. Good, veeery good. Drama, drama, drama. ER with better music, more concentrated drama and hotter man.

A British Emotion

2007-02-12T00:57:00.000-02:00

So, on the countdown to the Oscars - which, by the way, will be live blogged here, or that's my initial plan - I saw "The Queen" today. It's an impressivly vivid impression on the british, and especially on that old lady that I see every now and then next to her gooorgeous grandchildren.

I was about 11 years old when princess Diana died. Now, at that age, I can't honestly say that i understood how serious it was, or if it was serious at all. I mean, I had no relation to this woman, I had never seen her, and I didn't quite understand what was her importance in the world. For those of you who live in brazil, I heard the news of her death in the middle of the night, in one of those "special alerts" by globo. To this day, I am absolutely terrified of the sound of that. But anyway, I was shocked and sad. Why the hell? I was 11 years old!!!

Getting back to the point, the movie. Helen Mirren is spectacular. She portrays a woman nobody knows nothing about, and she does it in such a way we understand why she reacted the way she did to Diana's death. It wasn't because she didn't like her (although clearly she didn't), but it was just because she didn't know any different. People, british people, crying like children on the streets? As she says it a thousand times in the movie: "we are british. we are known for being discreet and moderate people. What is this?". She just didn't understand the people's reaction, and she acted on her best intention. She foghts for what she believes in, she fights for her traditions and for all that she knows.

Now, what is wonderful about the movie is how they can all portray their emotion in a way that is the opposite of the crying and screaming we see, or actors crying with tears and tears running down their faces. You believe them, and you can feel their sorrow (even if not for Diana, but for the clear demonstration that they did not understand or represent the british anymore). And they do not shed a tear. it is in that restraint that you see how Helen Mirren is a magnificent actress. She can make you cry without doing it herself, just by the change in her facial expression, body posture and the look in her eyes. It is beautiful. The perfect british emotion.

we were cynical in highschool

2007-02-08T23:28:00.000-02:00

-Were we so nice and friendly when we were younger?

-No, we were cynical in highschool.

Be safe, travel a lot, write us, both of you - Giu has a better excuse, since i don't really know how a medieval city and internet connect, but ok. Enjoy...
I'll see you in november, hopefully. And we will "rock berlin" - and no, i couldn't be any tackier, but I just can't thnk of another expression that won't sound absurdly malicious or have a weird and uneeded double meaning. Love you to the bone. And f**king wait for me in Europe!!!

what the hell????

2007-02-08T23:05:00.000-02:00

I have been thinking of this post for a while now. I had a question: what is the oddesting thing to you - this bizarre and freaky shark, found in japan; an SUV that has scorpion tires and that consumes more gasoline than 10 small cars together and branding a greenpeace sticker on the back window? But honestly, life beat me to the punch. There is no more sense in asking this question, since today when I turned on my computer to post, I saw it. The weirdest thing EVER.

I mean no disrespect, but what the hell? Anna Nicole Smith just died? What? How? What the hell is it with this woman??? Just as it was absurd that her 20 year old son simply died 2 days after her daughter was born - and please, when I say he simply died, I mean exactly that. He just fainted and died - she goes and does something similar? Poor baby girl, but at least she has 2 people fighting over her can be her father. I am sorry, and my condolences, but this is honestly, the freakiest thing. Ever.

hear the latest.. only here, on betterthanfine

2007-02-08T22:56:00.000-02:00

Yes, I know, long time no see. but I am really tired and doing this just for you (all the lots and lots of people who read this blog, i am sure). So, sit back and enjoy.

First off, I have to share this with you. Just buy it, download it, whatever. Just find a way to hear it. Here is the list:

Killers - read my mind
Phoenix - one time too many
Gnarls Barkley - crazy
Jarvis Cocker - don't let him waste your time
Scissor Sisters - i can't decide
Amy Winehouse - rehab
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - dudley
Long Blonds - once and never again
Gossip - standing in the way of control
Muse - supermassive black hole
Hot Chip - over and over
M. Ward - to go home
Justin Timberlake - sexyback

just listen to it. I swear it will be worth it. I was going to put the best ones in bold, but it's just not worth it, since it basically would be all of them.

shut uuuuuuuup!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-23T18:28:00.000-02:00

Do you know that saying (well, maybe not a saying, but I know they say it Bambi, so that's good enough) that goes: : "if you have nothing smart or nice to say, just don't say anything at all". My question is, why don't people take that more seriously? or at least think about what they are saying? why? why? whyyyy???

when the world is falling down.....

2007-01-12T19:44:00.000-02:00

Can you believe this picture is real????? these are not toy trucks, incredibly enough. They are expanding ou subway in Sao Paulo, and it collapsed. Just like that. And this is what happened. So far, they haven't found any victims, let's hope it stays that way. Apart from the city's traffic being hell on earth, just look at the neighbourhood. I studied there. And now it's almost being swallowed by the earth. Kind of like Sunnydale.

Blood, tears and diamonds

2007-01-12T19:10:00.000-02:00

Five minutes into the movie, a couple walked out of the room. Now, I ask of you: what do you expect when you walk into a movie called "The Blood Diamond"? Do you want it to be sweet and pure?

As expected, the movie is a punch in the stomach. Children brainwashed into being assassins, people fighting for their lives, people just waiting for the problem to get to them, people that only see their side of the issue and just choose to take advantage of it - why even bother to help? the problem is just too big, too many people... so what do you do?

Leonardo DiCaprio gives an excellent, fantastic, oh-my-god performance, followed by Djimon Houston, who is always perfect in his parts, no exceptions. It's sad, long, violent - but worth it. even if just to see the actors and how does it work when all you do is use each other. Can you build something of it, learn? Or can you just hope to survive? Can a system so corrupt work any other way? Can hope and life survive all the blood, war and greediness? Can a movie about Africa surpass the cliches and the numbness we all have when going to the movies and actually mean something to a cause? I have no idea, but I have never felt guilty about a diamond before.

bla bla bla

2007-01-12T19:07:00.000-02:00

hey people

Sorry for the lack of updates, but i have just been too lazy to do so. I'm sure you have survived. But now that I am looking on the internet, so much has happened!!! Justind and Cameron broke up, Paris Hilton displayed her stupidity once more, Britney... well, I'm sure she did something. But what really happened in the world? i am absolutely sure something did - like me managing to burn my hands, only god knows how - but right now... let's just talk movies.

next year, baby....

2007-01-01T18:13:00.000-02:00

Next year, things are gonna change
Gonna drink less beer, and start all over again
Gonna read more books, gonna keep up with the news
Gonna learn how to cook, spend less money on shoes
I’ll pay my bills on time,and file my mail away, everyday
Only drink the finest wine,and call my Gran every Sunday
Resolutions, baby they come and go
Will I do any of these things?
The answer's probably no
Next Year
Next Year

Next year.... everything will always be next year, no? A new diet, a new look, a new love, a new life. It’s like that one night will change everything, whether the things you want depend on you or on the good will of the universe. We always believe… that everything will start, end, improve, or just drastically change, beginning January 1st. So, I wish all of you a happy new year, and a brand new life for those who always dream of it.

Ramblings on a perfect weekend

2006-12-18T19:44:00.000-02:00

There is nothing like a weekend at the beach with your best friends since third grade to make it all okay.... a weekend at the beach and a 12 hour sleep. Nothing like home cooked strogonoff, brigadeiros and cheap cider. Oh, and enough Coca-Cola to flood a small country. Nothing like ice-creams that you used to eat as a child on the beach still tasting exactly like they did when you were 7 years old and begging any responsible adult to go with you to get one. Nothing like cold salt water on a recently shaved leg for you to feel stupid and bond with those who do the same (sorry, too much information here, perhaps). Nothing like card games until 4:30, no towels to take a shower, and Corinne Bailey, The Beatles and Art Brut in the stereo, not necessarily in that order. Nothing like watching the Olsen twins when they were 9 months old in "Full House" with people you know used watched it when you were all young, and then just falling asleep in the living room couch. Nothing like making a good, good friend smile with something as simple as a Christmas tree. Nothing like old friends you still know and love.

the pictures are old and not from that weekend, since nobody remembered the camera - and that weekend was like 2 weeks a go - but still worth posting about. Girls, sorry about the no-warning before posting the pictures. I was gonna post them anyway..... hehe... beeeeeijos

The Labyrinth

2006-12-18T19:22:00.000-02:00

This week, one lovely day after work, I went out with my lovely friends. And we decided to go see Pan's Labyrinth, from Guillermo del Toro. I have actually been to the movies again to watch that, because the movie is just amazing.

It is a very tense, very beautiful and very sad movie. The type of sad that you cry if you are watching it alone. It tells the story of a 9 year old girl (or so on, I am terrible at guessing ages), and she believes in fairies and in magic. She lives in the end of the spanish civil war, and her mother married a man - a general - who is as far from nice as you can get. And they move to the countryside. And then...

Then comes the labyrinth. A magical creature comes to tell her that she is a princess, from a kingdom where there is no death, no pain, no suffering. And from then on it is just the very blunt contrast that comes from that fantasy world she aims to be in against the harshness of the real world, where there is a lot of pain and death and fear, all around her.

Ofelia has to deal with both worlds, and with all the good things and bad things that come from both. She struggles between the magic that awaits her and the violence that surrounds her. It is beautiful the way he tells the story, the way the girl acts it, and the way a Pan (or a Fauno, if you are in Brazil), a magical creature so ancient, so much left in mitology, can teach us so much. Between the little girl and the creature, you will come out of the movie with a lot to think about. Maybe that's more of a labyrinth than the one allegedly in the movie.

A hard day's night.... and coffee!!!!!

2006-12-18T19:11:00.000-02:00

heeeey!!!

oh, people, I am sorry I haven't updated in forever. I know, I know. But lately, by the time I get home, I can't even think anymore. My fake-blond little brain just refuses to work, so turning on the computer, log in in and actually spelling things is almost impossible.

I am now working about 9 hours a day, plus 1 hour something it takes me to come and go there. And the panic attack I had the day before I started work still hasn't passed - I still think I will be fired any second. On the first day I didn't spill anything on my boss's tie - although today I did spill water in my second boss's desk. Great. fantastic. Yes, you can laugh, since my life really is as absurd as it gets, apparently.

By the way, a friend reminded me of a fantastic episode of friends where Rachel is trying to get a job, and then she thinks the guy is trying to seduce her, and then she forgets his name, and then she... well, you should watch it. It is hilarious - but if I had watched it before I went on an interview I would freak out.

I had a lot of things to say, but now, siting here in front of the screen, I can't actually remember most of them. Oh, Starbucks is finally here!!!! yeeeeeeey!!!! oh, the joy. It's great! And yes, I am this happy just because of one Starbucks.

And now let's just post about more random things in the last few weeks.....

kisses

Blue Monday

2006-12-05T22:16:00.000-02:00

Do I need to say any more, or can you already guess how long it took me to get home yesterday?

Sporty weekend

2006-12-03T17:21:00.000-02:00

To celebrate my very sporty weekend, two great results this sunday: Brazil's volleyball team won!!! yeeeeey!!! they are so good, and play almost perfectly if they are concentrated. My only problem watching the games is that I am always afraid the coach will have a heart attack in the middle of the game - he is always absurdly nervous, yeeling, jumping up and down, cursing.... it's quite funny if you don't have to deal with him, i guess.

And to put a good end on a bad bad year for him, Marat Safin won his game today and that result gave Russia the Davis Cup. Safin played a shitty game on friday with Nalbadian, but he completely redeemed himself yesterday in the doubles game, killing Nalbadian (who was reeeally bad, I have no idea why) and won his game today against Acasuso. Beeeautiful guy, beeeautiful tennis. And seeing Maradona (why the hell was Maradona there? I have no idea either)and the unbelievably annoying argentinian cheer-squad shut up and bow to the Russians in Moscou was also not bad at all. And one last treat was hearing that the temperature in Russia was 5 degrees, while I was walking around the house with a t-shirt on, in very comfortable 25 degrees. Russia, a bit more than a year a go, was one of the coldest moments in my life. Literally.

So, as you can see, my weekend was very sporty in the sense of laying down in my bed with a can of coke and watching others playing sports, as it usually goes with me. And whyyyy am I writing this post about sports? And please note the effort I made here not to start just rambling about Marat Safin and how pretty he is. Well, I am avoiding doing things I actually have to do. And postponing my fast-approaching panic attack number two, related to the fact that I start working tomorrow morning at 7 A.M. Hmm.
beijos, and wish me luck somehow, so I don't get fired on my first day. Or spill something in my boss's tie. Oh my god, what if I spill something?

FIGHT AIDS

2006-12-01T12:42:00.000-02:00

One out of two websites I visitd today talked about the International "Fight AIDS" day (which is today, if by any chance you didn't know that yet. A lot of new, useful information on thi blog, see??). There is somewhat of a misconception today that no one dies of AIDS in developed countries anymore, and that the medicine they give you gives you almost a normal life. Sometimes we leave AIDS just to Africa, and forget that, although patients may have a better life now than they would have in the 80's, AIDS is still everywhere, and the contamination rate is still high. The treatment in Brasil is one of the best in the world, since the medicine is give to everyone because we (we=government) broke the patent laws, so the medicine is free or very cheap.

Just as an idea, a very dramatic idea, watch Philadelphia. It's quite an old movie, with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. It is a sad, sad movie, the kind that breaks your heart - it's one of the only movies, or perhaps the only movie I always cry in; this one and Schildler's List. It tells the story of a lawyer - Hanks - that is fired by his big law firm because he has AIDS. It is a really absurdly sad film, especially because of Tom Hank's performance. If you are not in Africa helping dying AIDS children, or involved in any NGO that deals with that, I think this may be a good alternative way to remember AIDS day. You aren't helping anyone, true. but maybe this way you will at least think about the subject for a while... and then maybe someday you can help someone.

beijos

Dr. 90210

2006-11-30T17:56:00.000-02:00

One of the top concerns for women today is how to lose weight. The subject almost haunts you everywhere you go. Everybody wants to be perfect - and perfect today means, mostly eating 3 almonds a day. I, as most of you know, am no exception to this rule. But I found a very good way to lose weight. Just watch Dr. 90210, which airs on E! entretainment television (surprise, surprise).

The show is so absurdly gross it's unbelievable. Last night, they operated on a very, very fat girl. She was young and had a beautiful face, but she was fat - and she wanted to be thin. Now, I understand that. I think she should have lost more weight before going into surgery, but fine, none of my business. But they show you every damn inch of the operation. It's quite disgusting. The doctor takes her nipple out to put the breast implants on, and then he is just punching the implant and the fat tissue into her breasts again. Can you get an idea here? And then what does he do? He goes on and starts liposuction on her belly, and he takes away to strips of skin that are bigger than most small dogs, one from each side of her back. Her love handles, if you prefer that expression. But seriously, the amount of skin he takes off of her is just absurd. It's comparable to a blanket.

Again, I am not the skinniest person on earth - or skinny at all, for that matter - but this is just too much. I promise you, if you see that surgery without closing your eyes, looking at aaall the little details, all the skin, all the fat tissue that remained in her, you won't want to eat anymore. Not even the 3 almonds a day.

And just to add up to the fun, that girl's sister was presented by their mother with breast implants that same week. As a present for her 17th birthday (please insert any comment on that here, because I just don't know what to say about it).

Either everyone is mad or I am.

beeeijos

"Daaaad, Tom Cruise won't come out of the cloooset"

2006-11-23T16:49:00.000-02:00

I know he just got married, and I hope they are annoyingly happy for the rest of their lives. I still can't get over the fact that her married Joey from Dawson's Creek, and that she now has a baby, and is, well, Tom Cruise's wife.

But really, have you ever watched the South Park episode about Scientology? I don't mean to be disrespectful, because I don't know much about the religion, or what they do, or anything at all. But South Park is known for not respecting things - everybody and all religions, and all subjects in general, so I don't understand why people made such a fuss about it. Getting back to the episode, it is centered on Scientology, Stan being the reincarnation of their prophet. And when Tom Cruise appears in the town to meet the prophet, and Stan tells him that Leonardo DiCaprio is a better actor, he locks himself in the closet. And the rest of the episode is "Tom Cruise won't come out of the closet". John Travolta and Nicole Kidman try, telling him it's all ok, that no one is mad and everybody understands, and begging him to just come out of the closet.

Just type it on You Tube I suppose it's there, just as everything else is now on it. It is really ridiculously funny. With "all due respect", like they say in The Sopranos.

Great Expectations

2006-11-16T23:43:00.000-02:00

Did you ever have one of those days when you think "hmm, I don't think I should get out of bed today"? Not for laziness - which would be a good excuse as well - but just because you think something makes that day not your day? Well, this was one of those days.

Basically, I hit my car. And before you start thinking that I can't drive, and that women make traffic chaos, and bla bla bla, it wasn't my fault. I was stopped, and a lovely guy hit me with his car, which made me hit the car in front of me. So, this was the first accident - not counting various scratches - in 3 years of driving. And, like most first times, it was bad, to say the least.

And why the hell am I writing this? Simply because that destroyed my day - and some of my week. Destroyed is a bit of a strong word, but fine. I was scared, it gave me a headache, and my mood wasn't really pleasant anymore - not that I am very pleasant normally, but I was really in a bad mood after that. It was the first time I ever hit my car (yes, it was, don't discuss it), and it was just so upsetting and annoying, not just the hit itself - and the fact that my neck is now killing me because I hit my head on the carseat - but everything that follows it. Contacting the guy, the security company, filing a police report, and looking at my poor car everyday, and at the damn blinking light in the panel that tells me the hood is open. And of course, having to be without my car for 1 or 2 weeks when it's being fixed, I'll hopefully find that out tomorrow.

And aaaall of this was just to say that things really do blindside you. Always. It's always when you don't expect it that things happen, good or bad. And that one simple wrong move by someone you have never even met can change your whole life - or at least your whole day. So how do you prepare if all you know is that you can't expect anything? Or, better yet, that you can expect everything - and what will probably come is something you have never even dreamed of? How do you prepare?

Beijos

painting: "Unexpected", by Eugenie Torgerson

"Honesty isn't a synonym for truth"

2006-11-13T16:10:00.000-02:00

Drugs, violence, mafia. The sopranos minus all the sex. Or, better yet, another look at the mafia, and this one has no soft side.

I didn't like Martin Scorcese's last movie. I though it was so ridiculously violent, but had no meaning. In the end, I though I missed something, because he is such a good director, so it must have been me that didn't get it right. But this one... as I watched it, my jaw just dropped.

The Departed is also ridiculously violent. But it has more basis to be, it all doesn't seem to be in vain. And when I say ridiculously violent, I mean just that. Very explicit deaths, a lot of guns and blood. I don't know if that much violence was actually necessary, maybe it was, maybe the point is that you leave the movie shocked by that.

And then, there is Jack Nicholson. Oh God. How can a person look that insane? How can he be sooo good? I would honestly run away from him if I saw him on the street, just on pure simple fear. He is such a good actor, he makes the movie half of what it is. He is just... Jack Nicholson. If you have seen "The Shining", expect a performance just that good. The other half of the movie can be credited to Scorcese and the rest of the cast, since they are all very good. And Leo, oh Leo, maybe this time they will forget he was a teenage girl's dream and give him an award, an award he certainly deserves for this movie. He is so angry, so afraid... vulnerable although he won't give in.

If you can get past all the violence, all the blood, enjoy all the lies and deceipt, all the tension and all the drama, and the great plot and fantastic actors in this Scorcese movie. Another good one, at last.

The end of denial

2006-11-08T08:20:00.000-02:00

The following information will be totally and completely useless - as you might be able to tell from the picture. Do not say I didn't warn you before.

So, the lovely marriage seen above is now over, after 2 years. Britney Spears has filed for divorce from Kevin Federline. Although I can't imagine why, since he is such a promising guy. The pants in the middle of his ass really tells enough about his personality I think. So now after 2 children, a tv show, and producing a CD for him that cost her a lot of money that will never ever come back, I suppose. She is now a 24, divorced, single mother of 2 (no prejudice meant, just a statement).
I could use this post to discuss the shift of values in modern society, using this case as an example of how bad things are going, and just how plain absurd this all is, and so on and on. But I won't. I just wanted to share this lovely and very useless bit of information. And share a fear: does this mean she will start singing again?

Hello Sunshine

2006-11-05T03:04:00.000-02:00

Hey!

In the trailer, you think "oh, this will be a cute movie". But really, you have no idea how good it is until it starts. "Little Miss Sunshine" starts being funny even before they get into what could be loosely described as an old van. And with "old" I mean old as in almost giving up sort of car.

The family of Olive, that lovely little girl in the picture is well, unusual, as is the little girl, in a very very cute way. I really don't wanna say much about the movie, because I wish I hadn't known all about the family before I saw it. The absurd that sets in 5 minutes into the movie is so embarassing you just laugh, but since I was already expecting most of those dialogues, it wasn't sooo funny. Still great, but no surprise. Well, just to give you the basics, they are going to take her to a beauty contest - that very, veeery weird thing that I have only seen in the US, and that, honestly, creeps me out. Little girls dressed and acting like grown up women - and generally, slutty women. Why, whyyyy would you do that to a child? YOUR child?

Anyway, it's just horrible in that sense. But, like I said, the family is unusual, so everything on the way to the pageant follows along those lines.

And the whole movie goes on like that. There were times I was so, so embarassed for them I just didn't want to look anymore. And it is much sadder than I thought - all the reviews I saw about it were all about happiness and sunshine and on and on- so the sad moments caught me by surprise. But indeed, what prevails in the movie is the general feeling of happiness. You kind of leave the cinema with a warm heart, you know what I mean? It is just... sweet. And sad, and different, and simple. And indeed, very cute. And it is one of the best movies I have seen this year.

beijos

(by the way, the name of the little girl, in real life, is Abigail. Isn't it just perfect for her??)

Pointless Nostalgic

2006-11-04T21:24:00.000-03:00

Last time I went to the beach, there was a little girl - maybe 5 or 6 years old - talking to her mother, probably discussing their next trip, probably one that will occur in the christmas-new year's eve period:

"- But mommy, where are we going to go this year?"

- To the beach sweetie, where you can play and swim with the dolphins!

- But I don't want to swim with the dolphins, who cares about that? I wanna see snow!"

Now, I have to say, after living in Finland with at least 3 or 4 months of snow, I couldn't really understand the little girl, and I discreetly (as aaalways) laughed at her argument. I was just so happy to be on the beach, the sun/ tanning lotion combination making me fell like I was some sort of piece of chicken on a frying pan (I am too white to be a piece of regular meat, and too fat to be considered a piece of fish, so, chicken), and the hot sand.... ok, saying it like that doesn't sound that appealing, but after being buried in snow and ice for so long, it was really great.

But after 5 months of being back home, just waiting for summer to start, and with no prediction whatsoever as to when I will be again buried in snow, and when will be the next period in my life that I have to calculate 5 extra minutes to get in and out of the house because of all the coats, and watch my every step so I don't fall on the ice, and soak my hands in warm 9sometimes too warm) water when I get home because I am too lazy to wear gloves, I bump into this picture online.

And suddenly, I begin to see the little girl's point of view.

Beijos

ps: sorry, Giu, for stealing your msn name for this post

Halfway

2006-10-26T17:24:00.000-03:00

So, continuing with the film festival. Usually, you get a looot of bad, weird movies, and a few very good ones. One of these very good ones is "Half Nelson" - and I have nooo idea why the movie is called Helf Nelson, so if anyone can enlighten me, I would appreciate it.
The movie tells the story of a teacher in a public school. He is also the coach of the girl's basketball team. He is also on cocaine and crack. He is a very nice guy - a good teacher, worried with his students - but he is an addict.

It is really great. Simple, but not simple at all, and I just love that. It is a small story, but it is a very good one. It doesn't impose you with morals, it doesn't say that he is a bad guy, it doesn't set him as a bad example. It shows his struggle between his job, his students, his life - and his love of drugs. Because at one point, things start to get mixed up. It is impossible to keep different aspects of his life away from each other, locked in little safe boxes that only open at his will. He spends half of the movie trying to explain to the students how opposing forces run the universe and form history, and in the end, he has to face the opposing forces that act on him and make a decision, something that will decide his future, or at least resolve his present.
The movie has no opening date in Brazil, so maybe it won't even be out in the cinemas after the festival. If you can, go see it. It won't change your life - and it never promises so. And that lack of pretension is one of the best things about it. And Ryan Goslin, of course!
beijos

Sao Paulo International Film Festival

2006-10-26T17:07:00.000-03:00

Hey
This is just a warning post, that a looot of my posts in the next week or so will be about movies. We are now in the middle of the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, and I haven't seen a third of the movies I would like to have seen - seems everything is conspiring against me this week. But anyway, this will just meant as a kind of warning and to comment 2 short films I saw yesterday: "Happiness" and "I want to be a Pilot".
"Happiness" is about an old lady that sees a box of happiness for sale. I should also mention that there are white shiny and pointy shoes in the movie (if you know me, yoú'll get the reference. If not, nevermind, it's not that important). And "I want to be a Pilot" is a sad, sad poem read by an african boy, while he walks around in the destroyed place he lives in. It was sad, but somehow it didn't touch people the way it supposed to do. I don't if it was because the approach to the subject was as it usually is, or simply because the subject doesn't matter to us anymore. Not that it doesn't matter, it's still a sad and tragic thing, but maybe after seeing it too much we are just immune to it. And that was also what made the movie sadder for me - the fact that I used to be more affected by things like that.
That's all for the shorts. Now, be ready for the rest...
beijos

The one who stands alone

2006-10-23T00:24:00.000-03:00

Hey!

So, tonight, I went to yet another play. I had read a review of this one and it was very good, so I thought I'd give it a try, even though it was far, faaar away.

The play is called "An enemy of the people", and was written by Henrik Ibsen, a norwegian writer, in 1882. It is the story of a doctor- amazingly enough, for those who lived in Finland, the doctor's name is Stockmann!! But ok, not the point. The doctor finds that the thermal baths, for which the city is widely known for and a that play a big part of the its economical survival, are infected and have to be closed down for repairs. At first, he has the press on his side (represented by 2 journalists and the financer of the newspaper that claims to be the voice of the people). Having the press, to him, means having the power.

But, as the journalist in the play says, "we, journalists, aren't worth anything". And the press changes sides when they find out how much that information will cost to the city and its people. Their obligation to the truth - which they fiercily claim in the beginning of the play - is soon forgotten, when they decide that their obligation to themselves and their own benefit is worth more than simply the truth. And like this, he goes from being the savior of the people to being the enemy of the people, and his voice is completely shut out by the government and the press.

I have been going to a lot of plays, and I have been writing about all of them, so I had thought not to write about this one (and I won't write anything about the actors or anything like that, although they were indeed very good). But I just can't not write. The play is so honest, and so true, and even though it was written in 1882, the depiction of politics is still valid today, in Norway, in Brazil, wherever. Sometimes, you would just hear people laughing out loud in the audience, because they identified the lines just spoken with the speaches we hear everyday. "We are the voice of the people", they all claim.

In the end (yes, I am telling the end of the play, if you don't wanna know, go away), the doctor is almost expelled from the city, his very few supporters lose their jobs, for defending the truth. For defending that every majority is stupid, and the situation we are in is because of this stupid majority rule. Majorities don't think, he says, they don't know, they don't see. They just follow, and think of their own interests, usually in the short term. And after all this, he still believes. He doesn't bend, he doesn't give in to the stupidity of the majority or the betrail of the press. His last words in the play are "I have to say this in a very low voice, because most people still must discover this for themselves. The strongest man is the one who stands alone". If this sentence alone doesn't justify the existence of this post, I can't.

that's it, loves. beijos

painting by Pedro Charters, "multidão 2".

Literary Journalism

2006-10-17T16:45:00.000-03:00

Hey

Continuing my cultural ramblings on this lovely blog... now, a book. Hiroshima, by John Hersey. The book was originally an article for the New Yorker - like many of the writings of the "new journalism" period. In fact, this particular article was published not in chapters, as it usually was the case, but it was published entirely in one edition of the magazine - which meant that none of the normal sections was published in that edition, just Hersey's text. And it was not only a historical edition, but one of the fastest selling numbers of the New Yorker.

Obviously, it tells the story of Hiroshima, and the atomic bomb that destroyed it. Most importantly, it tells the story of 6 people who survived the bomb, and how they - and the rest of the city - returned to their lives, having to rebuild them from scratch. He made the story of the bomb and it's effects human, giving the reader faces to go with the story, which is one of the things that made it so special.

The book is interesting not only because of the story of those particular 6 people, but because they reflect the japanese society and it´s values. How accepting they were, how they moved on and, well, lived. Theydidn't complain, moan, or drown in self pity. They just got up and went on.

I am quite fond of literary journalism, so I am maybe a bit biased on this post. Still, with all my knowledge and wisdom, I will recommend this one, concluding with a quote from the author himself, that obviously knows better than me: "Journalism allows its readers to witness history; fiction gives its readers an opportunity to live it".

beijos

My Kingdom for a Horse.....

2006-10-16T16:33:00.000-03:00

Hey

So, after this lovely 4 day holiday in Brazil, I think I can say I am a person with more culture. Or, at least, a person who is trying to be more cultured, and enjoy the possibilities the city offers.

I went with my cousin to see 2 plays, 2 different productions of Shakespeare's Richard III. A rich version, performed in a noble part of the city, with actors from Globo (the big, mean TV network that practically controlls the country) and a director that is our version of David Letterman, plus 100 kgs; and a poor version, performed in a small place near the decadent city center, and with not so known actors or director.

And, for one of the first times, money did not buy happiness. The poor play was amazing. the actors were scary good (especially Richard the III) and the limitations caused by lack of money were overcome with creative effective solutions. The rich version of the play was so much worse!!! The lead actor was very good, a bit exxagerated at times, but very good. The rest of the actors were bad, but what killed the play was the text. The text, Shakespeare's text, was so simple, so stripped of it's virtues! The person who adapted it for the play tried to make it so much more simple that it lost all it's qualities. I think he tried to make it that simple so that it would be more popular, so that the audience would understand it more easily. Like a Shakespeare fro dummies book.

In my most honest opinion, there is no point in that. Richard the III is so interesting because of all the mean things he says and does, and because of how complex his plots are. It is so amusing to see how he makes his way to power, fooling - and killing - everyone that stands in his way. It's a bit mean of me, and a bit prejudiced, but I believe in it: Shakespeare is not for everyone, it's complicated, complex, and its beauty lies just in that complexity. I don't think by simpliflying the text to reach the masses you actually do a good service. You mask the fact that they are not getting it, you kill the text's meaning when you kill it's subtle ironies, twists. To sum it up, I think it's meaningless, and basically a lie. But that's just me.

beijos

Anna Politkovskaya

2006-10-13T22:50:00.000-03:00

Hey

So, these are old news, but I just saw it now and I think it's too important not to be mentioned.

I only have the fondest memories of Russia. My experience there was great; beautiful, helped and disturbed by the snow - my first snow - that insisted on falling over us, wetting my shoes, my socks, my skin and my thoughts. The museums, the history there just seems to surround you everywhere you are. My experience with the Russians wasn't great, I must admit, and the misery of the most of the people - poor to the bone, sad enough to make you just want to sit and admire their pain. But I am digressing.

Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian journalist, known for her criticism of the situation in Chechnya, was murdered last week. She was shot in front of her apartment last Saturday (or in her elevator, depending on the report you read). Her editors have called her murder an attempt on press freedom, which it certainly is. But it's not the only point to be made here. She was about to publish another article about the abuses against human rights in Chechnya, the ever troublesome region for Russia. She had already been a fierce critic of Putin's policies for years. The same Putin kept quiet for 3 long days after her death, angering the rest of the press.

The article was published after all - even unfinished - but it doesn't change the fact that she was killed for facing a system that didn't wasn't to be questioned. It still does not change the fact that her courage, even thought it might have helped the world, ended up being her doom. Society was helped - but she is still dead. And I feel sorry not just because she was a journalist - but because it's hard to be hit in face with the fact that our world is still so bad, so uncheangeable and so old that it punishes people for their bravery.

(untitled)

2006-10-09T01:45:00.000-03:00

Round one

2006-10-09T00:49:00.000-03:00

Finally, a good fight!
Our beloved president decided that, after the tragedy - in his view, of course - of last Sunday, he would attend the debates before the second round of the elections. It was established that one of the causes he didn't win the election in the first round as he predicted was because the people saw his absence on the debates as a lack of respect and cowardice. So, he lost some of the votes and he is now trying to make up for it, and has announced that he'll attend all the debates. Tonight was the first one.
Well, first off, I have to mention how much his attitude has changed this past week. He now takes back half of what he had said before, trying to explain some of the things he said, trying to make nice with not only the people, but also with the press he claimed was persecuting him.
Now, to the debate itself. Niiiiice! They came very close to having a fight, and were, of course, helped by the journalists in the audience, thriving for blood. In my biased view of the discussion, the opponent won. Because at one point, the president was just short of answers. And the metaphors, oh good Gooood, the metaphors kill me! In explaining how he didn't know about the corruption, and the buying of the document (look a few posts down, please), he said 'well, when you are home in the kitchen, do you know what your son is doing in the living room?' Oh well, now, that is a good explanation! And it went on and on like that, until he had no more answers and just started teasing the other guy 'calm doooown, you don't have to get all nervous about it.... it doesn't suit you'. Doesn't suit what, the guy's complexion?

Anyway, to be fair, the president had his moments. but my declared vote did not change, and was a bit reinforced by what I saw in the debate. there are still 2 more to come. Let's wait and see... maybe next time, there's blood and tears.

ps: sorry about all the comments on the elections, doesn't really concern some of you, but it's kind of important, you know? I'll try to restrain myself...

beijos

We must get out (a cold heart)

2006-10-04T00:14:00.000-03:00

I was in my car the other day, and I was waiting for the traffic to move. It wasn't a street particulary full, but it always gives you a bit of trouble in the end. It's close to Paulista, it's always full of cars, and it's not in a bad area of the city.

After a few seconds of halt, a guy came up to my car. he was young, maybe 16, 17, and he was quite tall. I, of course, half panicked. I am always a little jumpy in the car, especially when alone, or at night, when the car stops... well, you get the picture. I am jumpy in the car. So, naturally, when the guy approached, and I saw the he wanted to clean my windshield (we have a looot of people trying to do that, only they don't really ask you if you want to have it cleaned, and they in fact just make it dirtier most of the time) I said "no, no, no, no", and I moved the car a bit to the side, as much as I could. But he still touched my car with the filthy cloth wrapped around a thing to clean the windshield.

Eventually, the guy went away, and I was left with my paranoid thoughts ranging from "am I too prejudiced?" to "what if the mark he left on the windshield is a sign for the robber in the next light?" - yes, we have that to! they tape something to your car, and the next guy robs you.

And then, I actually looked at the winsdshield. I don't know if it was the way I moved the car, if it was a mere accident or if it was the guy's intention to do it like that. And you know what I saw? Undeniably, perfectly drawn right there, in front of my eyes, on a traffic jam on a random street, on an idle tuesday afternoon?

A heart.

image:"Psychodrama" ... Edward Hopper

Around the corner

2006-10-02T01:19:00.000-03:00

I was waiting for a more final result, but it seems that 99,84% of the votes is all they are gonna analyze tonight. Thank you God, thank you whoever did this, thank you for who leaked the pictures (I'll get to that in a minute), thank you a thousand times. The little joys we have in life.

I said (and HE said) he was gonna win in the first round? WROOONG!!!! Sometimes I hate being wrong. This was definitely not one of those times. Plain and simple: 48,60% of the votes is not enough to win an election in the first round.

A lot of corrupt people got elected in spite of being corrupt, including our former president that was taken out of office because he was stealing money. Ridiculous no? A lot of people who shouldn't even be allowed to represent the people, but anyway, I won't even go there now.

Now, explanation for the money: this money that you see here was found with two people that are connected to the president's party and/or the president himself, while trying to buy a document (a fake one, kind of made on demand) that would incriminate one of the main candidates of the other big party, the one that poses most opposition on him. He tried to incriminate the guy that now is the governor of São Paulo, in an attempt to destabilize the whole party. But it back fired. The people were arrested, more of his close friends had to be "pushed aside" from his party and his campaign.. a mess, to sum it up. And the pictures of the money were being held until the end of the elections by the wrong people, so they wouldn't be a bad spot on the president's "clean slate" (very, very ironic. more than I can express in simple writing). And then, like magic, 2 days before the elections, they sort of appeared. The power of the press in a bitch, no?

I don't know what will happen now. But do you know how children get hopeful with a little treat? That's me right now. Just around the corner, hidden behind the piles of money... maybe there's some hope?

What would you do?

2006-09-29T18:45:00.000-03:00

A lot of posts this week! But this one, like the free hugs campaign (if you haven't seen it yet, I strongly suggest you'd stop reading this crap and go see it. It will add more to your day), deserves to be posted.

European cinema is usually very good. Sometimes too dark, sometimes too boring, sometimes too deep for my few brain cells to process. But again, usually, very good. And this movie was a fantastic example of what an american movie can almost never accomplish. It was very European - in the sense of being a movie with not much action, but based on people and dialogue - and, let me say, it was fantastic.

The movie is called "El Metodo", and it was translated as "What would you do?" in portuguese. It's a spanish movie, and it is the story of 7 people that are competing for a job in a big company. When they arrive in the company, they are told to go into a room to fill in a form. And then, the test begins.

It's a really intelligent and interesting movie. Also very unsual, since they pretty much stay in the room. But really, very very good. It's when you see a movie done like that that you realize sometimes you don't need the bombs, the fireworks, all the big production. All you need is good actors, a good script and a director that doesn't depend on loads of money from the studio to make something great.

hug me!

2006-09-28T18:13:00.000-03:00

Hey

I saw a video on youtube today, and it was, honestly, one of the nicest, most touching things I've ever seen. Fine, sometimes I get touched by a lot of idiotic things. Like "Friends'". But this is really great. I don't really know the story behind it, and I'm sure the editing counts in tricking me into loving this. But it was still beautiful.

Basically, it is a Free Hugs campaign. A guy, not particulary pretty, or short, or tall, or not particulary anything, stands with a sig that says "Free Hugs". At first, no one hugs him, and then gradually they all join in. It's simple, no? When I googled it, there was a lot of websites about it, including www.free-hugs.com. Turns out this is a worldwide campaign, that even includes Brazil.

I once read that you can measure happiness by how many hugs you give (and receive) in a day. And that in the US (was it in the US?) people go to group therapy just to hug each other. So, for these reasons and for many more, I think this campaign is, at the very least, a good start. It's not any guy that will stand in the middle of the street with a "Free Hugs" sign, not getting paid for it and not having second intentions about it. But it should be more people that go and hug him. After all, it's just a hug. And at the same time, it can be so much more. It can be all you need.

So, watch it. Free Hugs. A tiny bit of joy on what is sometimes a boring, lonely and grey little day.

Kisses and, of course, hugs!!!!

Steady going nowhere

2006-09-25T20:29:00.000-03:00

This is just a desperate attempt, a cry for help. This is just my last chance to beg for a better future. Or maybe not better. But one that is more unknown, and, exactly for that, is less bad. Because getting worse than this would be hard - especially concerning ethics. This is not a journalistic approach, it's just desperation.

On Sunday we have the elections. President, Governors (is this right in english?), and federal and state representatives will be voted on Sunday, October first. And how does it look? Bad, very bad.

Our president is an idiot, if you don't mind my judgment here. And not only is he an idiot, but he is corrupt, very very much so. Fine, some people have said in Brazil, there is always corruption, there is always dishonesty in politics. It may be true. But the level we have reached is just absurd. It's just too much. The scandals are so frequent, and so public, that after a certain point, people don't care anymore. Even because the people involved usually get away with everything. "Oh, another one". And that's all.

The president swears to God he didn't know, no matter how many people close to him (many many assistants, the coordinator of his campaign, a lot of ministers) he has had to fire because they were involved in one scandal or another. He knows nothing, and he leans on the poor, miserable people, who he feeds a bag of rice and a bag of beans a month, and they give him their vote, their hope, their future. They trust him, him who cries and swears he is innocent, he who refers to his country's situation as the "filet mignon". Well, if this is the fillet mignon, we have a big problem. And it becomes even bigger when he says something like "politics has to be corrupt". Not exactly quoting with the correct words, but something of this sort. you have to get your hands dirty to be able to work, or something of that sort.

And do you wanna know what's so bad? What's so bad is that he is going to win, in the first round. He will get more than 50% of the votes. The guy that always says wrong things, the guy that praises Fidel, Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales while they all ignore him. The guy that either has no control over his own Government or the biggest, most ambitious and most uncareful thief we have ever known in our political history. How? How the hell can this work?

The federal and state representatives are another joke. Big Brothers, failed celebrities, we got them all. Even politicians who were arrested, investigated for real, serious crimes, they are all running for congress. And you know what? They will all be elected. Every single one of them.

So, this is the situation now. And this is the reason I plead with the Gods, with whoever is listening, to please, please, change something in this country. Change something because this cannot go on for another four years. They steal from everywhere they can, even ambulances. Some of the highest ranked people in the government are involved in unsolved murder cases. They are taking over the government steadily, they are present in every structure.

our country is always a promise, since the 60's. We are always the country that will happen, the country that is emerging. Only from where I am looking, we seem to be sinking. Steady and slowly, sinking in the web of lies and deceit we are fed daily by our chosen governants.

By the way, here is a link on the NY times (for those who are english only) explaining the last scandal, as well as one from the Financial Times.

Fraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanz!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-19T17:16:00.000-03:00

I have a lot of concerts on my top 5 list. Almost all of them, I think. But this one is very very close to being number one. It was just... fantastic. Or, as the newspapers have called it, "historical".

I saw Franz Ferdinand in France last year, but I can honestly say it does not compare to it. In fact, I don't think I can compare it at all. It was almost like it was a different band. The energy they transmitted in this concert now, and the energy the crowd gave back was inconcievable - and what a crowd. I have never felt so sick in a concert in my life. So hot, so many people, and the sweat... eww. I have never been so sick after a concert either (fever and all, just pathetic), but it was completely worth it. Being there for that concert is worth 2 sick days - 3, actually.

Getting back to the concert itself, the band was amazing. I just wish I could do something that makes me that happy doing it, that makes me so excited about my job. The "energy flow" - that sounds so stupidly hippie, but well, how else can I say it, the vibe? - was incredible. Every song they played, we screamed harder. "Do you want to" was chaos, "walk away" was a clear sign that we indeed love the band, "michael" and "take me out" almost brought the stage down; "outsiders", with something around 20 people onstage playing drums and "this fire", the last song, was truly something epic. Us, them, everybody was so ecstatic.

There wasn't a dull moment. From the first note they played, til they walked off stage, we were all so fantastically smitten. The sound was bad, indeed, but really, after they started, it didn't really matter. They were there, and playing, and so well! The excitment brought by the near cancellation of the show - because of a dispute between the people who organized it and São Paulo's city hall, I won't even comment on how ridiculous it was - just made it so much better. Because we almost lost it, we recognized it much more. And maybe they did too. Their smiles, their faces while they played, and just how they acted the entire concert - you could see that the crowd wasn't alone in being so happy.

So, after giving away the keyboard, their shoes, throwing wine at each other, Alex Kapranos taking his shirt off - and he is not the sort of atlethic guy that does that - and making us go completely crazy for one hour and a half, Franz Ferdinand scored an almost perfect ten. As always, a few songs missing. But all in all, it was worth all the wait, and all the concern that it wasn't gonna happen. The "night of our lives".

beijos

ps: the pictures do it no justice. at all.

To read or not to read

2006-09-14T15:08:00.000-03:00

So, I am reading this book, which features a collection of texts by one author (german, of course), obviously translated into portuguese - since reading in german is not very close to the top on my "i'm almost there" list. But anyway, I am only through maybe half of the book, but it's too intriguing not to say anything about it.

In the introduction, you get the feeling that the book will not be normal, or will not be easy. The author has discussed, so far, the stupidity that reading is. This is a really absurd theory to me, but it does make some sense. When you read, you are just using other people's thoughts. True, in a way. As he continues, he says that most of what is written is useless, as it is just recycling classic ideas to put your name in it. And that the time people use to read compusively they should use to think instead. Hmm.

First, who is worth reading? Who decides that? He, of course, names himself as worth reading. And the thought of not reading a lot to me makes no sense. But it was a new idea, one that I had never considered before (hence the post here). Should we read less and think more? Of course, that doesn't mean not reading at all - since other people's ideas are always helpful, and there are many, many, maaaany people smarter than you in the world; and their ideas will help you develop your own. But still.... the book is annoying me a bit, I don't know. He argues well, but I guess I am too stubborn to stop reading - may it be gossip magazines or Dostoievski. But I recognize his point - should we really be reading all this? Or do we just wanna show off? Do we in fact read too much or too little? So, what do you think? Who is right? Me, or a great and widely known philosopher?

Beijos

Paris and the US

2006-09-12T14:01:00.000-03:00

hey! Today, just 2 cartoons from the media soup. Both of them quite obvious, but excellent anyway. Why? Simply because 1)there are things worth commenting in the world, and 2)there are some opinions that shared by more people in the world, so let's just help the cartunist spread the word . First, Paris Hilton in her latest appearence - being arrested for a DUI - but then again, isn't she always drunk? But anyway, thank you Miss Hilton, as always, entretaining. And, one of the best cartoons made to mark the fifth anniversary of September 11. Number one from the NY post, and number 2 by Bob Englehart, from The Hartford Courant (I have nooo idea what that is, but the cartoon is great. Simple and clear). I hope you like them. Beijos.

Short and Sweet

2006-09-11T17:48:00.000-03:00

"Dontcha wish your boyfriend was short like me?"And with that sentence, the guy won the crowd. Or at least the ones young enough to see that he was in fact making a short cover of the pussycat dolls. On the piano. And that was the Jamie Cullum concert.

I never expected the concert to go as it did. I thought nobody would know the songs, I thought he was going to be quietly seated in his piano. Big, big mistake of mine. People knew the songs, they sang along as he told them to - more than most concerts I´ve been to - they got up from their seats and danced. It was truly a great pop concert, with a little bit of jazz in it. But the best thing of the concert was Jamie Cullum: you can see how passionate he is about the stuff just by the way he sings, and does everything else.

Jamie Cullum started the concert jumping around, knocking down his seat, taking half of his clothes off. Then he calmed down, sat down, played some more romantic tunes. And then he started all over again, trying to play some brazilian music for his brazilian girlfriend - if he can find beauty in the london skyes for her (fiiinally, I understand the point of that song!!!), I guess he can do anything for her.

To sum up, great, great concert. I suppose the security people were very unhappy with him, since he went into the crowd (for a Bowie cover), and well, basically, he disappeared. And I suppose it is quite hard to protect someone you can´t actually see, since he is indeed very, very short (1,63 m) - shorter than my mother, which says enough. But the more unpleased the security people were, the happier we were - may not have been totally spontaneous or real, but, at the time, it all felt real and great. From the ballads to the cover, passing by his great cute pop songs - and leaving out my favourites that he did not play - the concert makes my top 5. Sweet guy, passionate, beautiful music, and a cooperative audience - all you really need, no?

A-R-T

2006-08-29T12:51:00.000-03:00

hey!

I have mentioned here, in more than one occasion, the beauty there is in pain. And I very strongly believe in that. But this week, I was exposed to something different; In a very unusual saturday night, I went to see Cirque de Soleil. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't very excited about going at all. People always said it was great, and so beautiful, and so fantastic... and always watching the dvd... and I just thought "well, it's okay. But I mean, it's a circus, no?". But then... it started. And it was 2 and a half hours of pure, plain and simple art and beauty.

Jesus!!! They are just soooo good!!! You feel so involved by their presentation that it doesn't matter that it is that long, because every moment captivates you and draws your attention. The scenery, the music, the performers (poor performers, how much they must practice!). But, to sum it up, every single act was perfect. Even the clowns were good! Original and funny - although I was veeery glad I was seating in the middle of the row, so I couldn't really be chosen for an act with them). But anyway, every performance was great, nothing short of exceptional. For now, I'll just let the pictures explain better. So, kisses to u all!

(Better Than Fine)

2006-08-25T00:18:00.000-03:00

I love music. I just love it. And although I have a pretty big collection of cds, I usually end up listening to the same thing for months. I have been listening to strokes, franz ferdinand (fraaaanz!!! I can't wait for 16/9!!), for about a year. The strokes are a chapter a part, they will deserve a full post someday (also a great great song, by the way), as will franz ferdinand. But there is another cd I have been listening to for over a year, a cd that the people that travelled with me in January probably dread (I stopped at every store to try and find it). So, without further delay, Fiona Apple.

Fionna Apple has a very sad life story, filled with abuse and sorrow, both things she experienced from a very young age. And maybe that's what makes her such a great artist - which is a bit strange, but not uncommon. It seems to me sometimes that to be a great writer or performer, you have to suffer. you have to feel the pain so deep in you before you can transmit anything else to others. And the pain in her voice when she sings is visible. Or, as she says, "the pain is evident in my existence". Her songs, apart from being absurdly sad, are also extremely poetic, and the music itself is, sometimes, magic. There are some sounds in the record that sound like tinkerbell stepped in. And that makes it so much more special, because it is so unique. It sounds like a fairy tale, until you pay attention to the lyrics. And then you see how pain can indeed be beautiful.

I recommend all her 3 cds, they are all great. The last one is the most different one, the one that feels more like a fairy tale gone wrong. Get him back (best song in a long time), Not about love, Oh well, Better version of me, Window, Tymps. Well, everything, basically. But she has also very good songs on her first cd (Shadowboxer, never is a Promise, Sleep to Dream), and in the fantastic When the Pawn... (aaaall the songs). Also, not in cds: use me and after you've gone, 2 of her best recordings I think. So much expression in her performance.. I've seen both of them on live performances (internet, I am sad to say), and they convinced me this is a concert I would love to see, no matter that her songs aren't very agitated. Just sit down and appreciate the beauty.

Fiona had a breakdown in the middle of a concert in NY a few years a go, and then she disappeared from the music industry for a while. Now she came back with this masterpiece called "Extraordinary Machine", that almost didn't get released because it wasn't commercial enough. Her fans protested (there are some very cute videos of the fans in her website, saying why she is so important to them), and it was released after almost a year of delay, and a lot of changes in the songs. In the end, it was a hit. So, let's hope she doesn't leave like that again, and that she can still channel all her pain into making us all feel.

oficial website: http://www.fiona-apple.com/

Express Yourself

2006-08-21T23:23:00.000-03:00

Sometimes it's on a random saturday night that you realize that that girl you always kind of secretly wished you were can be not such a good idea. That that girl can be worse than you are in real life. Sometimes, it's when you see what you could be and what you are not, that you can realize that who you actually are is not so bad, and it beats the hell out of the un-original, plain and not interesting version you had created of yourself. And sometimes, even if it is only for a few minutes, you can enjoy who you are, and the people that love you just for that. And it's then you see being true instead of being a shade was worth it all along.

ps: and now being back to who i am - sorry for the "deep"post. I will go back to writing about random movies and all cultural (and at the same time, mostly not very useful) things on the next post, I promise.

beeeeeijos

Meanwhile, in a Parallel Universe

2006-08-18T15:47:00.000-03:00

There is so much good stuff on the internet these last few days! I chose just one to mention today, and it's just one thing I found in a great great website by Marcelo Bernardes, called "Media Soup". Unofrtunately, the site is in portuguese, so i can't recommend it for everybody, but it is a great gathering of cultural material from the media, from movies to politics, always with great great cartoons - cartoons are posted daily, and always in English, so you can all go see that, and it will be worth it, I promise.

But anyway, he commented about the latest issue of the New York Magazine - also a great read - that discusses with experts of different areas, what if 9/11 had never happened? It's a great story, and the articles are very interesting. I haven't had a chance to read them all, but the ones I managed to so far have been very good. "Reports from a parallel world". From the ones I got to read, the parallel world may not have been perfect - no world would be, I guess - but it sure seemed better than this one. Cartoon from the Media Soup, originally by Mike Smith in the Las Vegas Sun.

The articles of New York magazine here: http://newyorkmetro.com/news/features/19147/

Beautiful Boy

2006-08-18T00:07:00.000-03:00

Hey!
And so you guessed, another movie. Just one today, although I have more to talk about, but this one deserves a full post. I had been waiting a long time to watch this, and it was completely worth it. So, ladies and gentleman, "Breakfast on Pluto".
I almost never watch a movie that makes me happy. Sometimes they make me sad, sometimes they make me feel like I have learned something, and sometimes they make me feel nothing at all. But this one made me happy. Which is a bit absurd, since it is a very sad story, if you maybe just read it, or if somebody told you what happens to the people during the movie. But it isn't a sad movie, not at all. I haven't left a movie feeling that happy in a long time.
The story talks about the life of Patrick "Kitten" Braden, a real life person, who I would love to meet. He/she just seems to be one of those people that are so interesting. His character is what makes the movie so cheerful: he is just happy. He is always complaining how serious everybody is, and how the situations always seem to be, and he almost doesn't care. It's not that he doesn't understand, it's just that he choses to deal with it differently. And that's one of the things that make the movie so unique. The other thing is Cillian Murphy. His acting is so exciting, so believable, so sensible. He is, in fact, a girl. He does something similar to felicity Huffman in Transamerica, but somewhat more subtle. And he has more help from hair, make up and clothing as well. But he is just brilliant.

I think some credit should be given to the director as well, since he is the one that imposes the tone of the movie, and the tone he chose and was able to impose here, the lightness and happyness it transmits, should be something to be praised. Also, soundtrack. Buy it, download it, I don't know. The soundtrack is fantastic.

So, there you are. Movie of the week, maybe of the month. It is so rare to find a movie that adds something to you and can still make you feel happy, and this one manages to do both. In the middle of the fight between the Irish and the British, the poetry and cheerfulness of Patrick/Patricia Kitten is what comes alive.

beijos

"History Will Absolve Me"

2006-08-13T12:26:00.000-03:00

And, contradicting everyone, Fidel is alive and kicking. Maybe not in kicking per say, since his 80 years old and has parkinson's disease (according to an ex-cia guy), but there he is. Still saying that the country is well, and it ill remain that way, and that they demonstrate that a better world is possible. Poor Fidel. Will history still absolve him?
Just so we are clear: I am not in favor of Fidel Castro or of his regime in Cuba - and I am veery against all of his followers, like Evo Morales and Hugo Chávez. I just thought this was important news, so I posted it.

Time and Tears

2006-08-11T21:02:00.000-03:00

You know how sometimes you like watching a movie so much, you just watch it over and over again? Well, I have a lot of those movies (and series, and a lot of other things I love to watch 25 times), and I was just seeing one of them today: "The Notebook".
Now, if you have not seen that movie, please, please do so. It is absolutely impeccable, in every way. It is romantic without being too mellow, it is sad without it being tragic. I don't normally like love stories that much, but this one is an exception. From the minute I saw it, I couldn't forget it, and so it became special to me. I remember leaving the movie and seeing everyone around me crying, especially the girl next to me. Poor thing, she was really crying her eyes out, couldn't even get out of her seat. Apart from that, I also remember every frame of the movie, every scene, and it's always a good memory, always something that makes me a little bit happier. Appreciating beauty is something so rare... and this movie is someting beautiful, no questions asked.
Like the director said, it is a simple story beautifully told. A young couple meets, falls in love, breaks up, and they meet again 7 years later and then... Well, then you go watch the movie. And I am not doing it justice anyway, it's not so simple. The scenery is gorgeous, the actors are really amazing - the lovely Rachel McAdams and Ryan Goslin, who are now together in real life, in a very cute twist (yes, I know, not important for the movie, just sharing). They even make lines that are usually so tacky - like "All I ever wanted was you. Just you." - seem ok, if not beautiful, because they say it with such passion and belief. It is so rare that I believe in stuff like these; but this movie really does it for me. So, who knows... maybe it does it for you too? Give the romantic-girlie-tear jerker movie a chance. It will be well spent time and tears.
beijos

What the hell is going on?

2006-08-08T11:24:00.000-03:00

Hey,

I got two emails today, and both of them were quite disturbing. First, there is the email about this cute picture of a mother nursing a baby. Look at it, isn't it so cute? I don't even like babies all that much, but look at it! So so sweet. This picture provoked angry reactions in the US (where else?), people saying it was a disgusting picture, even calling it offensive. Now, please note that the complaints were coming from mothers of young babies mostly - as you can see, the magazine's name is "Baby Talk". So, I really don't get it. It is a mother, nursing a baby. Can anyone actually point out to me what's wrong here? Oh my God, there is a breast in it!!! Oh deeeaaar Lord!! Because no one has ever seen one of those. If you get pregnant, you have to assume that you will nurse your baby (or that you at least should), and if you find that act offensive or disgusting, why would you have a babyin the first place?? I don't get it, really. The picture is so sweet, the baby is so cute, and people complain about the breast in the cover of a magazine. Who caaaares? It's just a breast. People, please, grow up.

The second email was an mtv ad that didn't air - or only a few times, I don't know for sure. It is great! The text under the first image goes: "2863 people died"/ "40 million infected with HIV worldwide"/ "The world united against terrorism. Why can't it unite against AIDS". The other images repeat the idea: "2863 people died"/ "824 million people dying of hunger worldwide"/ "The world united against terrorism, why can't it unite against hunger"; "2863 people died"/"630 million homeless worldwide"/ "The world united against terrorism, why can't it unite against poverty?".

The ad is just brilliant, and the images are beautiful. In the email I got, it said that the ad was banned from mtv, although I can't really be sure of that. I just thought I would post it, since it is such a good ad. And because, if it is true, it is the second show of the ridiculous wave of conservadorism that dominates the US, led by our lovely George W. Bush.

beijos

Dance With me Tonight

2006-08-04T09:58:00.000-03:00

"Wear Sunscreen": "Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room."

Friendly tip: check if your idiotic brother or relative is not filming you while you dance away like there is no tomorrow.
Watch the video at:

http://www.break.com/index/gnarlskid.html

pic: http://members.authorsguild.net/susankuklin/imagelib/Dance.jpg

beijos

Run for the hills!! (Or from them)

2006-08-04T09:03:00.000-03:00

Aaahrrrg!!!

You know, I adore horror movies, no matter how scary they are and how nervous they make me. They are like roller coasters. There is just something about the fear, or maybe the after felling, that I love. I put my feet up, I close my eyes, very randomly I yell. The girl from "The ring" gave me nightmares for months - yes, that is indeed ridiculous, I know. I tremble at every sight of Jack Nicholson after "The Shining"- although that might be because he looks a lot like my stepfather. But anyway, horror movies - may they be explicit (like the film I am about to discuss) or purely scary (The Shining), still, I watch them all.This last one, no nightmares, but I kept my feet up a lot. So, here we go, The Hills Have Eyes, which has a hoooorrible translation to portuguese ("A Viagem Maldita", or "The Trip from Hell").

So, this is veeery bloody. Veeery much. And the story is not the best, but you can't stop biting your nails in the movie. And some movies are good just for that. Fine, it's not art, it's not Godard. But it is entretaining. And I am a pro-entretainment person. Don't get me wrong, I am pro art movies, museums and cultural things. But sometimes... I just want to watch a movie, for all it is, but without any reflecting after it. Just sit down with a good friend and some popcorn.

But anyway, getting back to the movie. The tale of an american family, mutant people and the desert. Like I said, a loooot of blood, and some american conservadorism: the big bad monster gets killed with an american flag. Just lovely.

So, if you are easily scared, skip this one. It's too bloody, to graphic, and too direct. They don't talk, explain the plan to the victims - they simply kill them. Which is a nice change. "The Hills Have Eyes". Message from the veeery cultural movie of the week: Run away from the damn hills, no shortcuts, dogs are men's best friend, atomic testing is baaaad. And, for the sake of us all, apart from the american flag, America's triumph in the end of the movie is not all that clear.....

pics:http://www.cinebel.be/pics/b157563.jpg
http://www.kinogid.ru/domkino/images/hills_have_eyes_7.jpg
http://www.filmguru.net/images/stills/060315.jpg

Brrrrrr

2006-08-01T00:32:00.000-03:00

Jeeesus Chirst!!! It's cooold!!! Until last weekend we were having an average of 30, 31 degrees during the day, and around 27 at night. Which would all be great, except we are in the middle of winter. And now... winter has come. Not winter Finland-style, of course, but it's cooold now!! And thank God, it rained! - we hadn't had any rain in a few weeks, and the pollution was just terrible - as you can see in the first picture. And, now, it all came down: it's wet and cold. The temperature dropped to 10 to 15 degrees, and that is as cold as it gets in São Paulo. And of course, just because of that, my classes started and I had to get out of my nice comfortable and warm bed. Murphy rules.

Icy kisses to you all

pics: Claudio Teixeira/AE, http://veja.abril.com.br/020806/p_078.html

Nilton Fukuda/Folha Imagem, http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/galeria/galeria-20060731-frio.shtml

The Science of Sleep

2006-07-27T19:14:00.000-03:00

Hey!

I saw this reeeally amazing trailer today, and I just thought I´d share. It´s the new movie of the director of the great "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", Michael Gondry. I don´t know who to give more credit to in that movie, the director, the actors (I don´t like Jim Carrey at all, but the acting in that movie is flawless), or the writers - the director and Charlie Kaufman, who is an absolute genious. But anyway, this new movie is "Science of Sleep", and it stars the always lovely Gael Garcia Bernal. It´s completely nonsense - like Eternal Sunshine - but it seems to be just as surprising and beautiful.

Some people dislike the nonsense things (all the people I know that didn´t like Eternal Sunshine, which were about 2, told me just that), but, now I have begun to realize, more and more, that there is nothing more absurd than life and people, not even Jim Carrey appearing in a bed in the middle of a beach or in a crumpling house. So, let´s just give the movies a chance to show us, in fact, how absurd everything around you really is, and maybe that will help us find some more beauty in that.

Trailer at: http://www.apple.com/trailers/warner_independent_pictures/thescienceofsleep/

pic from: http://www.cinemovies.fr/images/data/films/Pfilm24211439358746.jpg

beijos

Girls, Girls, Girls

2006-07-24T01:13:00.000-03:00

Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead
But you're still kinda cute
"Promiscuous Girl"

They treat me really nicely,
They buy me all these ices.
Dolce & Gabbana,Fendi and NaDonnaKaran, they be sharin'
All their money got me wearin' fly
Brother I ain't askin,
They say they love my ass ‘n,
Seven Jeans, True Religion's,
I say no, but they keep givin'
So I keep on takin' and no I ain't taken
We can keep on datin'
I keep on demonstrating.
"My Humps"

I know you like me, I know you do
Thats why whenever I come around shes all over you
And I know you want it, It's easy to see
And in the back of your mind I know you should be home with me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me
Dont cha, dont cha Dont cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me
Dont cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me
Dont cha, dont cha
Fight the feeling, Leave it alone
Cause if it aint love
It just aint enough to leave a happy home
Let's keep it friendly, You have to play fair
See, I dont care But I know she aint gon' wanna share
"Don't Cha"

Good God!!! Such shitty music!!!!!!!! I know, they are nice to dance to, I'll admit to that. But the lyrics!!! Ahhh!!!! And feminists everywhere must cry hearing the destruction of their idea of the smart, equal woman. So, there you are, some of the most sucessful songs of the year, Nelly Furtado (didn't she used to sing "I'm like a bird"??), Black Eyed Peas and the Pussycat Dolls (whay a name for a band, but ok, fine). Why the post? I have no idea. I liked Nelly Furtado's lyrics and tried to find something similar to fill the post with. Stereotypes? You bet.

beijos

pics: http://radar.smh.com.au/archives/blackeyed.jpg

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000B5JSC0.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

The most comical thing in the world

2006-07-22T04:59:00.000-03:00

"The farther he goes the more good it does me. I don’t want philosophies, tracts, dogmas, creeds, ways out, truths, answers, nothing from the bargain basement. He is the most courageous, remorseless writer going and the more he grinds my nose in the shit the more I am grateful to him. He’s not f---ing me about, he’s not leading me up any garden path, he’s not slipping me a wink, he’s not flogging me a remedy or a path or a revelation or a basinful of breadcrumbs, he’s not selling me anything I don’t want to buy — he doesn’t give a bollock whether I buy or not — he hasn’t got his hand over his heart. Well, I’ll buy his goods, hook, line and sinker, because he leaves no stone unturned and no maggot lonely. He brings forth a body of beauty. His work is beautiful."

And there you were, thinking maybe I had in fact written that beautiful paragraph, but unfortunately, no such luck. It's something Harold Pinter wrote about Samuel Beckett, and it's just the best I can come up with - I don't wanna write a crappy review of his work, what the hell do I know about it, so let's just let somebody who knows best describe it. It is hard to describe a genious and his work - and sometimes it is even harder to watch the result. "Endgame" is a play of Samuel Beckett's I read in high school, and it stayed with me and some of my friends until now, when we got the chance to see the play. Apart from some changes that didn't please any of us, it was great seeing how they take the text and work with it, in very different ways than I would have imagined it. Some things looked better on paper (middle monologue the "I can't leave you" repetitions, for example). But the ending made me feel so much sadder than the book had. Much more dramatic and lonely than I thought while reading it. Maybe the lighting, maybe the actor, maybe all of it together. All I know is that it was, without any doubt, deeply sad.

It is not an easy play to watch - but, like the quote says, that is not Beckett's point. As he says, in the preface of the book: "My subject is failure". So you can't really expect something happy, colors and bunnies everywhere. But who says there can only be beauty in that? The text is full of repetitions - there are no more blankets, sedatives, caramels, people, hope, future or past - there is nothing left. Clov is always leaving Hamm, and yet he always returns. They are always "making progress", although nothing ever changes. They just exist, alone, in the dark, in the grey, tormenting each other until... until maybe they can cease to exist.

"Nothing is funnier than unhappiness, I grant you that.... Yes, yes, it's the most comical thing in the world", they say in the play. Well, it may not be so funny (Although the play has very comical moments, even with all their unhappiness) - but it is, indeed, a beautiful thing.

pics:http://www.samuel-beckett.net/Beckett_3.JPG - (+ the Harold Pinter quote)

http://www.teatroestoria.it/illustrazioni/SAMUEL%20BECKETT.jpg

Pessoa

2006-07-18T01:54:00.000-03:00

"Fiz de mim o que não soube
E o que podia fazer de mim não o fiz.
O dominó que vesti era errado.
Conheceram-me logo por quem não era e não desmenti, e perdi-me.
Quando quis tirar a máscara,
Estava pegada à cara.
Quando a tirei e me vi ao espelho,
Já tinha envelhecido.
Estava bêbado, já não sabia vestir o dominó que não tinha tirado. Deitei fora a máscara e dormi no vestiário
Como um cão tolerado pela gerência
Por ser inofensivo
E vou escrever esta história para provar que sou sublime.
Essência musical dos meus versos inúteis,
Quem me dera encontrar-te como coisa que eu fizesse,
E não ficasse sempre defronte da Tabacaria de defronte,
Calcando aos pés a consciência de estar existindo,
Como um tapete em que um bêbado tropeça
Ou um capacho que os ciganos roubaram e não valia nada"

"I made of myself what I did not know how,
And what I could have made of myself I failed to do.
The domino costume that I wore was all wrong
And I was immediately recognized as someone I was not and I did not deny it, and I was lost. When I tried to take off the mask,
It was stuck to my face.
When I took it off and looked myself in the mirror,
I had already grown old.
I was drunk, and I no longer knew how to put on the costume that I had not taken off.
I threw the mask away and slept in the dressing room
Like a dog tolerated by the management
Because it is harmless.
And I am going to write this story to prove that I am sublime
Musical essence of my useless verses,
If only I could face you as something I had made
Instead of always facing the Tobacco Shop across the street,
Treading at my feet the consciousness of existing,
Like a rug a drunkard stumbles on
Or a doormat stolen by gypsies and not worth a thing.".

To balance off the football, a bit of literature. Tabacaria - or The Tobacco Shop. One of the best poems of one of the best poets, Fernando Pessoa. It's just a small piece of a poem that is almost six pages long - if you have the chance to read it full, do so. And if one person goes looking for it after seeing it here, I'll be as happy as I can be. It is important, and it is as beautiful as it is sad. If you can look for it, do so. And Enjoy.
beijos
pic: http://acultura.no.sapo.pt/FernandoPessoa.jpg

Dishes, lemons and life

2006-07-12T20:53:00.000-03:00

So, here we are again, back to doing what I do best: movies. Or in a better desciption, criticizing them randomly. This week, my movie of choice is The Breakup, which is kind of cute, not exactly the by the book romantic comedy. It would be completely not interesting, but.... how can you miss Jennifer Aniston in this movie?

First of all, I kept thinking about her life, on her real life break up, because it is simply impossible not to think about it, since it was all so public and so recent. And the story is so similar, you kind of feel bad for her. She's Rachel forever, I am afraid. The clothes, the hair.... the weird mini tantrums that she still throws in all her parts..... it's just Rachel. Or maybe it's just how Jennifer Aniston really is, but still, it takes some of your attention away. And Vince Vaughn tries, poor guy, he is nice and everything, but for me, I just kept thinking: "well, that's not Brad Pitt". Sorry, but I did. True, maybe he isn't the jerk kind of kind either, maybe he is the kind of guy that wouldn't leave a pretty woman like Jennifer Aniston because of Angelina Jolie, fine, true. But I just kept thinking about all that during the movie, it's all too close to reality. And he is also playing the same person he seems to be in real life, the funny, american sort of disgusting guy that doesn't grow up and annoys every woman in the audience in 5 minutes.

But now, to the second part of the movie, which I wasn't really expecting: it's sad. Jennifer Aniston has a scene in which she cries and cries (maybe still reaching to her past for inspiration) and you just feel so bad for her.... I don't see why anyone would want to go through a make-believe divorce just when you are going through a real one. But the movie has some very sad moments, some scenes when you just think that things are too hard, relationships are complicated and sometimes, things just don't work out. No matter how much work or love, it just doesn't. (And I am kind of telling the end of the movie now, so, if you don't wanna know, don't read anymore). Sometimes what is broken can't be fixed anymore.

Anyway, the movie isn't as funny as I had expected it - apart from a greeeat sentence from Rachel/Brooke, that says something like: "Sure he reads a lot. Nobody talks to him, what else is he gonna do?". Bit stupid, but it is a good sentence. But if you like Vince Vaughn, or if you would like to see the movie industry play a sick joke on Jennifer Aniston (ok, they give her some revenge in the end, but still), it's "nice" - and on an idle afternoon, with a few friends, it's just right.

beijos

Zidane. Again.

2006-07-12T20:21:00.000-03:00

hiii!!!!

so, I know, I promised no more football, but this link is reeeeally good!!!! And the pictures is just for show, of course. i'm not trying to make it sound very cute that Zidane hit the guy, but well, it was sort of funny. And now we'll never know which were the "harsh words" Materazzi used, me and my curiosity. But anyway, this is the last post, I swear. Really. Enjoy the link!

http://www.dailybits.be/item/462

pics:http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/SPORT/football/07/11/fifa.zidane/story.butt.jpg http://www.folhadesp.com.br

ps: thaaaaaaaank you Lotte for the link!!! One more Zidane post, your fault! xxx

beijos

The final, finally

2006-07-09T19:18:00.000-03:00

This is the last post about soccer, I swear to God. I am tired of them, I can only imagine you are as well. But well, let's talk about the final.

So, Italy wins! No problem with that really, it's not Argentina or Germany, and I got to see Kahn take yet another goal yesterday, which I have to say was lovely. I have a real problem with that guy. but ok, today: not much to comment on the game itself, except one thing: what the hell did Zidane do?

To those of you who don't know what I am talking about, I am veeery sorry, but I couldn't find a picture on the internet of it. If I find it later, I'll post it. But basically, one of the Italian players said something to him and he, well, he hit the guy, pretty hard, in the middle of the game. With his head. It was really amazing to see. Later they showed the 2 of them having some sort of argument before Zidane hit him, but when it happened it was just sooo strange. And seeing him walk off the field, being booed off the field, it was really sad. Not to defend him here, but being biased as I always am, maybe it was sort of justifiable. What the hell did the guy say??? I am too curious for this sort of thing, but anyway..... maybe it was something horrible, and he was already stressed and tired... it's not ok that he did it, but it is less bad. Maybe he was defending something important, and it's nice to see a guy do that sometimes. Be a real old fashioned-Neanderthal sort of man. Yes, I know, he shouldn't have hit the guy anyway, and the image was just soooo awful, but well.... it's nice that he stood up for himself. And if you are thinking that I am saying a lot of crap to try and defend him, you are right. He was wrong and rude. I am just curious to why he did that. And it's soooo hard to be against him...... but anyway, it was a pretty shitty way to say goodbye. Marching past the trophy...... marchons, marchons.....

So, congratulations Italy, and their goooooorgeous players. Jesus Christ, what the hell is that??? They are all sooooo good looking!! Example: Luca Toni, to your left on the screen. And may this be the end of my veeeery informative and interesting posts on the worldcup. (by the way, one of the pictures - i think it's pretty obvious which one - is totally useless, and not even from this game, but it's just soooo nice.... I couldn't help myself, sorry people....). Beeeeijos

pics:http://copa.esporte.uo l.com.br/copa/2006/album/060709itaxfra2_album.jhtm

Same old insomnia, now with old news

2006-07-08T04:52:00.000-03:00

Oh God, here I am in my insomnia yet again. It's... 5 in the morning now. So, I have been honestly trying to fall asleep for about 3 hours, with absolutely no success. I read, I closed my eyes and rolled around in bed, I watched tv. Maybe I should have drank more tonight. But well, too late for that now. And since nothing seems to be working, here I am again. And to comment on something that is almost old news but I just haaaaave to: Germany is out!!!!!!!

I have to say that I am kind of happy. I was so sure that Germany would win the worldcup I wasn't even paying attention at the beginning of the game. But then... it got interesting - no goals, nothing hapenned. But I still wasn't really watching the game, just sitting in a room with 15 people and the tv was on, when, at the very end of the game, when we were just talking and waiting for the penaltys, my friend just says, very quietly, "gol". My only thought, honestly, was: "what?". And then I say the Italian guy screeeaming his lungs out, and the thought just changed to "nooooo!!!". But there it was. Germany lost the worldcup, in Germany. I know, I am not in that much of a good position to mock that, but I mean, they lost!!! In Germany!!! That's just... incredible. No, now really, I felt really sorry for them, they played great, and it was just luck. And I would just give Klinsmann congratulations and a hug, because seeing him trying to keep them going after they suffered the goal (which was almost impossible, there were 2 minutes left), and trying to comfort the team after they lost was just beautiful. That's how a coach should be.

So, this was just to comment in fact, and not to mock. I never thought Germany would lose, but well, when am I right anyway? And they still lost with much more dignity than we did. But still, bye bye Germany and their polish players, goodbye Germany and the looovely Ballack, goodbye Germany and Kahn (yes I know, he didn't play, I don't care. He plays today - for the third place game - and I still don't like him).

And now, to the big question: what do I do? Zidane or the genetically blessed Azurra??? Though choices in life...... Enjoy the game, for those who watch it!

pics: http://copa.esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/album/060704alexita2_album.jhtm

bjos

All that could have been.....

2006-07-03T03:52:00.000-03:00

Hello nice people... so, there are way too many good comments on the internet and on the newspapers today for me to comment them all here, but, as you know, I have to comment something, since I am already with the computer on and everything. So I'll go with just one, my favourite: "no magic, no tactic, no breath, no stars, no team, no strength, no hexa, NO EXCUSE". Veeeery nice indeed, makes me want to be a journalist just to write something like that on the cover of a newspaper. But anyway, the pictures are pretty much the same I posted before, but I found a great one from another guy that's going home today, the Hobbit Wayne Rooney. He was another promise in the worldcup, so young and so good, but he didn't really do much, at all, like Brazil. He managed to get kicked of the game on a veeery mean play (Jesus Christ, what was that? How that guy got up after being kicked like that, I just don't understand.), and throw 2 very girlie fits as he was leaving the field. But I am honestly afraid of that guy, he is such a weird mix of a rugbi-player/ hoolingan/ hobbit. It's just scary. But nike makes it all ok... with this beautiful campaign. Such an idiot, but the photo looks perfect. So, along with another one from Brazil (I know, I can't help myself), Wayne Rooney, in the "just do it" campaign. Great publicity, lousy play. But hey, what can we do but watch, right?All that could have been, and just.... wasn't.

Beijos

pics: Michael Kappeler/France Presse in: http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/esporte/fk0207200602.htm
and http://www.elconfidencial.com/fotos/deportes/2006062287rooney_t.jpg

Marchons, Marchons......

2006-07-01T18:18:00.000-03:00

Ok... i know. I know. Shit, crap, etc. It did happen. Brazil lost to France. Again. Unbelievable. Just.... ridiculous? Pathetic? What's the word I am looking for here......

I can't really explain it that well, since the game was a joke, kind of similar to 98's final. I mean, Jesus Christ. We have the best players in the world, with the small little detail that they don't actually play. They just stared at Zidane today, basically. Barthez had to move once, in the entire 90 minutes. Once. How pathetic is that?

And as France moved, Brazil complained, stared, yelled, or not even that. They just seemed to be perplexed themselves of how bad they were playing, and not even trying to fix it. Like when you stare at a car accident but don't really try to help? You are just so seduced by your own voyerism and perplexity that that is all you can do. And Zidane. Jesus. Zidane just played.... beautifully. I don't know the names of the plays in English to mention them here, but it was just beautiful to see it. He knows what he is doing, and that's all it took today.

The other thing that bothered me, apart from the laying down and not fighting at all, was the fact that they didn't even cry. 2 or 3 did, and that's it. The rest just, left, mumbling curse words and maybe pretending this didn't actually happen. And that's all. The English cried!!! I mean, the English! They sat down on the field and cried. What did most of our stars do? Just walked away, like it was no big deal, or maybe trying to run away from that, and for knowing you are going to have to explain that veeery soon.

Some of them tried, but too few, and not enough. And what else is there to say? They didn't play, and France did. Like someone told me today: what can we do if they didn't wanna win? if they didn't wanna play? the answer is, not much. They lost, and the our sixth star and our golden team will have to wait 4 more years for another chance. If they'll decide to take it, we don't know yet. But anyway, it's 4 more years. So for now, adiós hermanos, farewell to the english knights, and bye bye Brazil. E avante Portugal! - what else can we do here, right? So, let's move on and find someone to blame for this.....

ps: thiiiiiiiis is why I don't like football, now I remember. Or competitive sports, for that matter. Or better yet, in a more general sense, this is why I don't like getting my hopes too high. Just furthers the fall. In Murphy we trust.

pics: http://copa.esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/album/060701braxfra2_album.jhtm

Brazilian names for dummies

2006-06-29T14:40:00.000-03:00

The phonetic, foreing-friendly list of the Brazilian football (yeeeees, soccer, I know, I know) players. I just thought it was perfect: totally senseless and completely useless, but perfect! The names are great, and they sound just right. So, there you are:

1 - Did Are

2 - Car Full

3 - Look See You

4 - Who One

5 - When Mear Son

6 - Who Bear To Car Loss

7 - Add Dream An No

8 - Car Car

9 - Who Now Do (Few Now Mem No )

10 - Who Now Dream You Gay You Show

11 - Zero Bear To

12 - Who Jerry Scene

13 - See Seen You

14 - Crisis

15 - Lowis On

16 - G You Bear To

17 - June In You

18 - Mean Arrow

19 - G You Bear To Silver

20 - Rich Are Dream You

21 - Fried

22 - July Seissor

23 - Who Bean You

Coach :Car Loss All Beer To Pair Here A

pics: http://port.pravda.ru/img/idb/brasil-6.jpg

http://www.elmundo.com.sv/noticias/2006/06/27/6c.jpg

(before you say so: a lot of posts about the worldcup, i noticed it too. but i can't help it!!! I have to hear about it for 16 hours a day or so, so it reflects on the blog. Sorry. I will stop soon. Promise).

Hey, handsome.....

2006-06-27T21:45:00.000-03:00

I'll forever regret this if, in a dark dark day in brazilian football history, we happen to lose to France on Saturday. Oh God, please God, I reeeally hope we don't lose, that would be so terrible, another cup lost to France, flashbacks of the horrorshow of '98, but ok, enough of that. We are in the quarterfinals now, along with France (who we will beat on Saturday, please oh please - and please let our coach have enough balls to put in the field the team that works), Ukraine and Italy (maybe another fake penalty for Italy?), England and Portugal (though choice, I'll just keep my mouth shut on this one), and Germany and Argentina (who will hopefully kill each other and get half of both teams thrown out, so they get to the finals without full power).

But anyway, the point of this post. Zidane. I know, pathetic, and if they beat Brazil I'll just kill myself for doing it, but anyway, Zidane, 34 years old, 1,85m. Looking not as mean as he usually does, but still, worth posting it. And why? Because sometimes.... it's just nice to look at such a beautiful thing.

And let's wish him a happy retirement after the game with Brazil..........

beijos

pic: http://www.expertfootball.com/players/zidane/pictures/6.jpg

No happy endings

2006-06-25T22:43:00.000-03:00

hey!! movie review again... I was going to write about 2, but the truth is, I don't really know what to say about one of them. It is beautiful, as it shows us a child being a child when he can no longer be one. It portrays what happens when a child has another child to take care of. And it makes you suffer for him and for the mother of the poor baby, who has to deal with her boyfriend being not immoral, but completely amoral, and not knowing what he is doing. It is heartbreaking (and a tiny bit annoying, since there is absolutely no soundtrack, and you are left with the guy and his absurd attitudes without anything to 'break your fall', or to distract you from him). The movie is "L'enfant", by the way. A co-production between France and Belgium (theeeeeere you go..... !!!)
So now, movie number 2, my favourite in a loong while. Now a totally french production, "5x2".
It is the story of a couple, from beginning to end. Or better yet, from end to beginning. The title refers to the 5 moments in their lives: the beginning of the relationship, the wedding, the birth of their first child, a party at their home and their divorce. There is nothing special about the story in itself, I know. But there are 2 things that change that: the acting - which is just amazing, but i'll skip that-, and the way it is told. Did you see "Memento"? Same prupose, but a lot less confusion.
So, the beginning of their story for us is their divorce. And seeing a couple fall in love and get married remembering how painful their ending was, how much sorrow there is left and how the dream of the relationship just disappeared.... it is just... well, I hate saying "heartbreaking" again, but sometimes, that is all there is. The movie gives us a shot of the future, and then starts explaining the past, showing that relationships are... well, they just are. The moments are supposed to be the most important ones in their story because they would mostly be beautiful bonding moments that show us happy moments. But in fact, the moments are also the ones that lead to their de-construction.
But the movie is just painful, for lack of a better word. The divorce scene is cruel and cold, and their beginning is spontaneous. You leave the cinema with a bittersweet sadness, because the last thing you saw was a beautiful beginning, but all you remember is their horrible ending, where not only all that they built for years is gone, but the people are just shadows of what they were. It is such a sad movie, although it has a "happy beginning", as I read in one review.
Can our history outshine our horrible ending? For me, leaving the cinema, no, it couldn't. Googling for this last picture, the only image I have in my mind of the movie is her closing the door and leaving him. So, 5x2. Sad, sweet, beautiful, complex and amazing. Or in other words: just what relationships are.
pics: http://www.edmontonfilmfest.com/films/film_images/l
http://www.splicedonline.com/05reviews/5x2.jpg
http://www.metrocinema.org/images/programme/octnov05/5x2.jpg

É uma partida de futebol

2006-06-23T00:49:00.000-03:00

and since I am already here, writing.... one more.
I am not calling victory ahead of time, but after the post I wrote yesterday about the Brazilian soccer team, and they played today, I feel like I have to comment on the game of today. Yes, me, the expert, commenting the soccer match. I know. But in the month of the Worldcup, everyone in Brazil suddenly understands soccer."He should cut Ronaldo off the team!!" - "no, he should take Adriano off the team and put Robinho!" - "no, he has to make Ronaldinho play more in the offense!!!". 180 million coaches.
The game today was beautiful. Just beautiful. The funny thing is, almost half of the team was "new". 5 players that normally stay on the bench started the match, and what gave us was just a show. I have no idea how the coach is going to explain this, that the game works better as the team was today than it has worked with the main stars playing. And we have to see if he has the guts to keep the best team on. The first goal was from Japan, which was horrible, it almost gave us all heart attacks. But the game was so beautiful (I really can't find another word, hence the very repetitive text) that we didn't care that much for it. That's exactly what I wanted!!!! What we all wanted I think. In the end, there were a lot of goals (4x1). But more than that, we enjoyed watching the match. Fine, we get angry if they are trying to do something to fancy and miss the ball, but still, the game was so much more pleasant to watch, it just felt so much more like the thing you would expect from Brazil.
So, this is just a post to say some of my wishes in the post from yesterday were granted. I still wanna see Robinho score a goal - poor kid, he's clearly so desperate to prove he is good and stay in the main group, the one that starts playing. You can see how much he wants to be good in his eyes, in how much he runs after every ball that is remotely close to him.

Brazil still has a lot of games to face. Gana is next. I just hope their will to win doesn't beat ours..... But in the end, they did today what we were all waiting for: jogaram bonito. gave us a nice show to watch and blab about until next tuesday.... and pray we can see a few more games like these in this worldcup...

pic:http://copa.esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/album/060622japxbra2_album.jhtm?abrefoto=13

Superficial? Meeee???

2006-06-23T00:18:00.000-03:00

ok, this is the most useless post I have ever written, as you have probably already guessed from the pictures. The post is mostly because of the pictures, so merely describing them is enough. First, we have Mischa Barton, a gorgeous girl with noooo acting ability and that will soon turn into her mother (who is right next to her in the pic, and scared the hell out of me). Guys should aaaalways look at the girl's mother: it's a glimpse of the future. No offense to Ms. Barton, but if that's Marissa's future... it's a good thing she is not in the OC anymore.

And second pic, Victoria Beckham. That is something I will never understand. Please notice that her purse has more fabric than her entire outfit. Nice shoes, but really, who goes out dressed like that? And why is Beckham married to that? Why? Fine, she is thin, I understand the point. But I mean, come ooon!!! Just look at the damn woman, if you can find her face behind the huge sunglasses, you'll probably get my point.

So there you go, mission accomplished. The most useless post yet.

beijos

ps: pics from the People website and The Superficial. Obviously