Oscar Wilde

"If one hears bad music, it is one's duty to drown it by one's conversation."

Por mim toca a fazê-lo no Estribo, que pelo zunzum que andei a ouvir aquilo mudou de aparência, de gerência, mas infelizmente não da péssima e detestável qualidade de som ;) Podiam fazer-nos o favor de que já que tem que passar música potencialmente extremamente prejudicial ao nosso intelectuo de passa-la bem baixinho e o pessoal poder conversar na boa sem estar ao berros é que caso a gerência não tenha reparado aquilo é um bar não uma discoteca ;)

Avante com um movimento nacional anti-Estribos que por aí populam no nosso país ;)

Até que enfim!

Gracias por inagurares (?? aí que o espanhol já começa a fazer estragos, qualquer dia escrevo portuguenhol inglesado) o meu blog pela primeira vez ;) Só espero que o meu Daddy não vá para Angola durante o Paredes de Coura, senão mais uma vez vou perder The Yeah Yeah Yeahs e é uma pena que o Sr. Jack White não venha :( Estou a ver que temos que ir a Chigago/NYC numa altura em que apanhemos The White Stripes in town ;)

Entretanto cusquei hoje o site do Beck, se ele vier (e duvido depois do desire do ano passado em que o colocaram no fim do mundo como cabeça de um cartaz no sense e ainda por cima num domingo de madrugada com putos que só curtem o que tá em fashion e não música a sério) só pode ser no Sudoeste, que Paredes de Coura anda ele por terras nórdicas e Países Baixos... Temos que fazer um baixo assinado para um concerto a solo no Coliseu dos Recreios ;)

It seems this summer will be a great summer in terms of concerts… Just a pity that money, time and work will be hard to juggle!

Let’s see, next month in about a week and a half on the 7th of June, Franz Ferdinand, Editors, dEUS, The Legendary Tiger Man and Linda Martini! Then about one month and a half afterwards, on the 17th of July, Belle and Sebastian and a week afterwards on the 22nd The Strokes and, its rumored, The Raconteurs!

Jack White is definitely a must, it’s not The White Stripes, but perhaps he likes Portugal and comes back, after all it was unthinkable that The Strokes would ever find out there was a country called Portugal that has been waiting for a concert for some years already ;) But I should stop dreaming otherwise I can get disappointed...

Anyway here are some clues for our festivals’ organizers: Wilco, The Morning Jacket, Calexico, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Devendra, and so on (otherwise the list would be too great) and thanks for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in August (if I had a band it had to be one like The Yeah Yeah Yeahs)!

Little Boys - Cripple Crow

Most people just think this is kind of a gay music with a fantastic beat, Devendra introduced this song in November as a song for men and women, I like to think that it's not only because women can also be lonely sailors but above all because of the first paragraph of the music, all those women who come and go, come and go precisely because men don't seem to ever get enough...


"Life is tough and love is rough
For the man who just can’t ever seem to get enough
The days go by and the women come and go
So many that you decide to get rid of your front door
So you don’t have to hear them all disappear

You just sit and you wait
Staring at your empty plate
And you can say I’m a lonely sailor
Rockin’ gently on my dreams
‘Cause I can have it all, but I don’t want it all
And it ain’t like I’ve never ever ever tried
I've just never been fully satisfied

But just a tie a little shoelace
And to share a sleeping bag
And I look ahead to the days
When I can look back at all the fun that I’ve had
But still, but still, but still..

I see so many little boys I wanna marry
I see plenty little kids I’ve yet to have
Even when the moon goes out
Even when the sea dried out
I still see so many little boys I wanna marry
I see plenty little kids I’ve yet to have now
Even when the sea’s all freeze
And everything’s lying underneath
Even when the sun ceases to shine
I won’t care, I’ll still have on my mind
So many little boys I wanna marry yeah yeah
I see plenty little kids I’ve yet to have

And in the shower I get my dreaming done
I hold my breath and I wait for the day to come
Oh little Billy, little Timmy, little Jimmy, you’re the one
I may not look it, but I swear my heart is young for so many..
Little boys I wanna marry
I see plenty little kids I’ve yet to have you know you know

I've got many little boys I wanna marry, yeah you know
I've got many little kids I've yet to have
Oh oh, Yeah yeah
Little boys I wanna marry, yeah you know
I've got plenty little kids I've yet to have now, yeah you know
I've got so many, so many little boys I wanna marry now, marry now
So many..."

Poema 20

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.

Escribir, por ejemplo: «La noche está estrellada,
y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos».

El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso.

En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos.
La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito.

Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería.
Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.

Oír la noche inmensa, más inmensa sin ella.
Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío.

Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla.
La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo.

Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos.
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca.
Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo.

La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos árboles.
Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero cuánto la quise.
Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído.

De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos.
Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero.
Es tan corto el amor, y es tan largo el olvido.

Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos,
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Aunque éste sea el último dolor que ella me causa,
y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.

Pablo Neruda (1904 - 1973)
in "Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada" (1924)

80% to 95% Condom Effectiveness - "there is no such thing as ‘safe sex - only ‘safer’ sex"

I was reading on the other day about the anti-contraceptive movement of “extremist” Christian organizations, when one part of the article called my attention about condom effectiveness. The other day I had seen a rate of 80% in a Brazilian health webpage but I thought it had been a mistake as in school and health brochures I had always seen a rate of 95%, which in case of AIDS is still too much of a risk. So I did a bit of research and I found some national health government webpages, reports of WHO, and so on.

It seems that they still haven’t done a condom efficacy test that has given valid and conclusive rate. But the most recent tests done on condoms’ reveal that its effectiveness may be as low as 80% (depending of the research) and even lower for other Sexual Transmitted Diseases.

It’s rather interesting to hear all AIDS organizations, health professionals, and so on, speaking of the use of condoms as the only way to prevent STD however they seem always to forget to stress that “there is no such thing as ‘safe sex - only ‘safer’ sex” as the New Zealand government states. Having sex using a condom with a one night stand, a new partner or even an unfaithful partner means that in every 100 times 5 to 20 times of those have the chance to contract AIDS (if the other is infected). “Luckily”, the % of infected people aren’t that high. However I keep on not understanding how people take chances catching a one night stand, for example, infected and that the condom fails. People don’t tend to risk doing or taking something that can mean catching a medium-term terminal disease.

Besides that fact it’s quite worrisome that there are no conclusive proofs of condoms effectiveness in preventing the transmission of STD and as some can make a person infertile (especially women as there are lots of STD in which the man only carries the disease, while the woman gets infected) if not detected or treated in time… I know that becoming infertile or HIV positive would kill my dream of being a mother, my deepest desire (AIDS also as it shortens my life span and I don’t wish to give birth to a child I’ll abandon a few years afterwards). So I suppose it's always better to know with who you are going to bed and still face the possibility that you may not be the only person going to bed with that person ;)

Anyway here are some citations of the sites I found more interesting and if you click the title you will be able to download 2 reports on condom effectiveness. And don't forget that even the highest rate, normally associate to correct usage but failure of the condom such as leaks, slip offs and rips, 95%, means you can still get pregnant and if you can get pregnant you can get infected with a STD.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs243/en/

The most frequently cited condom effectiveness rate is for typical use, which includes perfect and imperfect use (i.e. not used at every act of intercourse, or used incorrectly). The pregnancy rate during typical use can be much higher (10-14%) than for perfect use, but this is due primarily to inconsistent and incorrect use, not to condom failure. Condom failure – the device breaking or slipping off completely during intercourse – is uncommon.

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/0/CAA750BDA8432F84CC25702000720012

• Individuals should decide when they are ready to have sex and should not feel pressured to have sex when they are not ready

• There is no such thing as ‘safe sex - only ‘safer’ sex

• Using condoms consistently significantly reduces the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection

• Don’t have sex with someone who has an STI

• Many teenagers will have sex. Using a condom significantly reduces the likelihood that they will catch and transmit a sexually transmitted infection.

Cochrane Collaboration - One of the reports was done by them

'This review indicates that consistent use of condoms results in 80% reduction in HIV incidence. Consistent use is defined as using a condom for all acts of penetrative vaginal intercourse.

Because the studies used in this review did not report on the "correctness" of use, namely whether condoms were used correctly and perfectly for each and every act of intercourse, effectiveness and not efficacy is estimated.

Also, this estimate refers in general to the male condom and not specifically to the latex condom, since studies also tended not to specify the type of condom that was used. Thus, condom effectiveness is similar to, although lower than, that for contraception.'

Bulletin of the World Health Organisation

'The panel strongly cautioned the public against misinterpreting the scanty evidence.

The small number of well designed prospective studies precluded the panel from making judgments about the effectiveness of condoms in preventing other STIs; the reviews stated that the lack of data were not to be construed as evidence either supporting or denying the effectiveness of condoms.'

'Since 2000 important new evidence ...has come to light to support the effectiveness of condoms in preventing STIs in men and women. In no study has the effectiveness been 100%. Nonetheless, even partially effective interventions can have a major impact on controlling the spread of STIs in the population (36). ...Condom promotion represents an important component of comprehensive HIV-prevention and STI-prevention strategies.'

http://www.rhlibrary.com/Commentaries/htm/Dwcom.htm

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/condoms.htm

Condoms are sheathes that trap the sperm when a man climaxes ('comes'). Wearing them greatly reduces the chances of pregnancy. They also provide some protection against sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. But this protection is far from 100 per cent.

My new toy ;)

And tomorrow some studies on condoms effectiveness...

If you can read The Economist of May 6th-12th 2006 "Unstoppable? Iran's nuclear ambitions" once again they defend the same as I, the world must have a united front so that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad doens't think he can get away with it, just as Suddan Hussein thought, due to China, Russia, France and Germany interventions... Maybe it will be the only chance of not occuring a war, as impossible as it may seem with Ahmadinejad's daily verbal threats... It's time for China and Russia to realize they will loose much more if they don't pressure Iran to stop with it's plans to obtain a nuclear bomb (that's if they don't have it already)...

Greenpeace

Normally I defend Greenpeace but this time I must criticize them. As me they have always been against the use of nuclear power and nuclear weapons, Einstein meant it has a cheap way of energy so everybody could have access to energy and develop, unfortunately he didn’t foresee the consequences. I believe he didn’t wish a Chernobyl or Hiroshima…

Well, last week Greenpeace put online a petition for NATO not to nuke Iran, which would be perfect if it was a petition for no country or organization to nuke any region of the world. I don’t know how Greenpeace can live in such an ideal and rosy world, because at this moment I fear that, staying put and trying to convince a mad man who every time we see him on TV is threatening with nuclear weapons (please just hear/read what he says, clearly he has it or his very close to it)…

The problem is once again if we don’t do something one of these days we’ll see another 11^th of September, another 11^th of March, another 7^th of July, and so many others, but this time it will have been a nuclear bomb in Israel, or perhaps in Greece or even Italy, millions of innocent killed just because we think everybody is human and all human nature is kind not evil. We cannot forget the lessons of our past, the 2^nd World War, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Darfur and so many other atrocities committed by some mad men/women eager for power and money.

I have cried due to the beginning of so many wars, but although I’m a pacifist, I’ve reached the conclusion a long time ago, when I started understanding the world around me that not all are trustworthy, not all are kind and good in nature and the world needs to make a stand sometimes to defend innocent, so that less innocent die than otherwise.

I hope China, Russia (if this time France and Germany behave) will agree to sanction Iran, to make pressure, because just has I defended before Iraq’s war, if the international community sticks together and forces Iran to allow the inspections without any obstacles being lifted, a war will be avoided and many innocent lives spared.

I don’t want another war to happen, but I’ll have to be on NATO’s side if it happens and I believe that nuking Iran will be their last resort and only if they are sure that if they don’t do it Iran will nuke another country. I really hope this war won’t happen because I fear if it does we’ll assist to the begging of 3^rd World War. The world has been manipulated to hate blindly USA (they have lots of faults but there are not the worst threat to the world), so that sand is thrown in the eyes of the people who are manipulated and they do not see the biggest threats in our world and Iran with a nuclear bomb is one of the most dangerous at this time.

If we look to history we realize most events are consequences of others and that some repeat themselves in a vicious cycle. I believe there will be a 3^rd World War if USA intervenes unilaterally in Iran, because USA has already a huge deficit due to Iraq’s war and with an Iran war the situation will be far worse, even if USA intervenes within NATO, they are still the biggest contributor. If USA’s economy fails and they fall into a huge recession or even worse a depression, we will begin to see history repeat itself, because if USA goes the world economy will also go. And what happens when there are global depressions or at least depressions in the major economies of the world? People start getting unsatisfied of seeing there children hungry, no work and extremist parties start to attain more power (no matter if they are left or right, Hitler and Stalin/Lenin were some of the worst monsters we had in last century) and that will mean taking sides and world war for sure… I know lives don’t count of decision makers but I hope at least the world economy does…

The Man Who Doesn't Know How to Smile - Josh Rouse w/ Paz Suay

He used to walk in central park where

at least a dozen women broke his heart

and there he'd sit

and think about his past

she lived in brooklyn and she rode the trains

first she'd the "G" and then the "L" and that is where

they met up on that day

She wants to help him out

'cause he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesn't know how to smile

he's not happy by himself

Its not that simple just to change a man

Even if you think you can just keep up this and then

its hard

uh huh

So be cautious when you see him pass

he won't hurt you but his face is sad and eve-ry day, he's breathing through the gills

She wants to help him out

'cause he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesn't know how to smile

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesn't know how to smile

he's not happy by himself

The summertime into the fall and

they took a little trip up to the cape and that is where

they laid their bodies down

And in the morning when the sun came up

she looked at him just to say that she would never ever go astray

It's gonna work out now

'cause he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesn't know how to smile

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesnt know how

he's the man who doesn't know how to smile

he's not happy by himself

he's not happy by himself

he's not happy by himself

he's not happy by himself

Try to listen to this at around 1 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday night when you're nearly dozing off as you are listening to the Good Fellows/Bons Rapazes and you can only remind the next morning that it had a lyrics that goes "he's the man who doesn't know how to smile" and that it was such a beautiful song, as you didn't caught which was the band/musician, you have to check MQ3 track list until you find a song that has that lyric or something that reminds you of it and finally I've found it and it's from Josh Rouse's new album "Subtitulo" which unfortunately I still haven't heard...

Garden Ruin - Calexico

I still haven't heard the new album but from the lyrics and the review it seems it'll be another great album.

Deep Down

When numbers matter more than the heart
Your eyes are hollow and stiffness starts to take control
Capsize the soul, deep down you know it's evil
You've always known

Be a good example show your new tricks
And while you're out there they'll make the pitch
To rally the troops and make a huge contribution
To help push this through
Deep down you know it's evil
You've always known it's evil

The days here are numbered but your record is clean
Outstretched and waiting on banks that seem
To flow and flow, a rich reward to show
Duty carried out in the field
Deep down you know it's evil
You've always known it's evil
You've always known

Chernobyl

This is the reason I'll always oppose nuclear power and I suppose if Einstein was alive he'll would also be... The images are strong, so be prepared or don't click on the link...

Instead of investing in nuclear we should be investing in greener energy, such has hidrogen and not on a energy that has so much propensity to destroy so many lifes, not only because of human or mechanical error but foremost because it's the opening door to nuclear bombs and forgive me but dictators in North Korea and Iran with nuclear bombs is a frightenig thought!

15 e 16 de Abril - Taça do Mundo Lisboa - Masculinos - Judo

Já bastante atrasados mas parabéns pelos fantásticos resultados: 1 medalha de ouro, 1 de prata e 3 de bronze! E já agora à Telma Monteiro que subiu no ranking mundial para 1º lugar na categoria dela!

Infelizmente o meu segundo judoca favorito ;) não conseguiu brilhar como merecia, mas eu ainda tenho fé que um destes dias vou vê-lo numa das próximas edições dos olimpicos :)

Nuno Delgado deixa as competições

Mais uma vez digo que é uma pena que por falta de apoios grandes atletas tenham que abandonar os seus sonhos, sobretudo quando muitas das vezes são eles que trazem mais medalhas e fezem muitos mais sacrificios para as alcançar do que o futebol e na maioria da vezes tem que colocar dinheiro do seu bolso para enaltecer a nobre pátria...

What to expect at your first pelvic exam

I no most girls who read this blog have already done it, but here it goes I've found this in a blog (which has pop-ups, so I took the liberty to post a transcript of it) and as there must be still millions of girls you are wondering how it is. For the guys who read this you now can see what we must undergo for much more years then you!

"Not sure what to expect at your first pelvic exam? Are you afraid? Embarrassed? Well, don't be! It's all part of being a woman, and the sooner you get used to the idea of having gynecological exams, the better, because these will be part of your life forever. I hope the following information will be useful and will help you relax as you face your first visit to the gynecologist.

There are no hard and fast rules about when a girl should start seeing a gynecologist, but these are some guidelines:
- You are sexually active, or are planning to become sexually active.
- You're older than 15 or so but still haven't started menstruating.
- You're experiencing lower abdominal pain, excessive bleeding, irregular periods, or unusual discharge.
- You think you might be pregnant.
- You're concerned that you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease.
- You want to get on birth control.
- You've found a lump in your breast

When you're ready, you're going to have to choose a gynecologist. If your mother, sister, friend, etc., has a gynecologist that she trusts and likes, you might consider seeing the same doctor. If you're new in town and don't really know anyone to ask for personal recommendations, you can call local hospitals, Planned Parenthood clinics, the health center at your college, etc., and ask for recommendations.

A lot of women are very uncomfortable with the idea of having a male physician examining their genitalia; you may be more at ease with the idea of seeing a female physician. Keep in mind that the doctor's gender shouldn't make any difference, as they've had the same training and are obligated to observe the same rules when seeing patients, but if you simply can't fathom the idea of being examined so personally by a male, choose a female. You should also keep in mind that during the exam, regardless of whether you're seeing a male or female physician, you have the right to request that a female (nurse, friend, parent, etc.) be present.

Once you've chosen the doctor and made your appointment, you'll need to prepare for the visit. Basically, there are just a few things you shouldn't do: Don't have sex, or douche, or use any type of vaginal products for at least 24 hours prior to your exam. (You really should never douche, but that's a whole different topic!)

When you arrive at the doctor's office, you'll be presented with forms to fill out; these will ask for your personal and family health histories, and may ask what brings you there (i.e., are you having a specific problem?), whether you're sexually active, etc. A nurse will call you in and will take your vital signs (weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, temperature), and may ask you for a urine specimen. (Even if they don't ask for a urine specimen, be sure you empty your bladder prior to the pelvic exam. This will definitely make it more comfortable!)

S/he will probably ask you some basic questions about your health and why you're there. At this point s/he may take you to a consultation room or office, or she may leave you in the exam room. If s/he instructs you to remove your clothes and put a gown on, but you'd prefer to meet your doctor while you're fully clothed, let her/him know. (You can ask about their procedure for new patients when you call in to make your appointment. If they're unwilling to respect your choice to see the doctor for the first time while you're wearing your clothes, find another doctor.)

Finally, the doctor will join you. Be prepared for some general chit-chat and basic "getting to know each other" conversation. If you have any questions or concerns, this is a good time to bring them up. Once you're being examined it's easy to forget things you wanted to say. It's a good idea to bring a written list of things you want to ask, so that even if nerves take over you'll still recall everything you wanted to say.

Your doctor will leave the room (if you're already in an exam room) or will escort you to an exam room, and will give you a gown to put on and a sheet to cover up with. While you're waiting for her/him to return, try to relax by doing some slow, deep breathing.

Once the exam begins you should be thoroughly checked from head to toe, even though this is a gynecological visit. The doctor should check your eyes, ears, nose, and throat, then move down to feeling the glands in your neck, listening to your heart and lungs, and checking your reflexes. S/he may take your blood pressure again, as well.

The breast exam will come next. If you're not currently performing breast self-exams, let your doctor know so that s/he can teach you the correct way to do it, as well as the best time of the month.Last, but definitely not least, comes the pelvic exam. You'll be asked to slide your bottom all the way to the end of the exam table; this can feel quite disorienting if it's your first time, because you'll swear you're going to fall off. But you won't! Your feet will be placed in stirrups (some exam tables have leg holders instead of stirrups) and you can help by letting your legs fall open. Don't tense up or try to keep your legs together; just let them fall naturally apart. This is probably when you're going to feel most embarrassed and vulnerable, but just remember that the doctor has done this hundreds, if not thousands, of times and while it's new to you, it's not new to them. For them, it's just part of a day's work.

The exam will begin with the doctor visually examining your external genitalia; they're looking for abnormalities such as cysts and they're also noting the size and condition of your clitoris and your labia minora and majora. The doctor must separate the labia in order to see the vaginal introitus (opening) and the urethral opening.

Your doctor may proceed by inserting a finger into your vagina in order to determine the speculum size best suited to you, and also to check to see if your hymen is intact. Or they may proceed by inserting the speculum. Either way, it's very important that you keep your abdominal and pelvic muscles relaxed now, as tensing them up will make the exam difficult for the doctor and uncomfortable or painful for you. Once again, taking slow, deep breaths can help you relax.

If at any point during the internal exam you're experiencing pain or discomfort, let the doctor know. But keep in mind that since this is a new experience for you, it's possible that it simply feels odd and unusual, but isn't actually painful. The speculum is inserted while it's closed; only after it's correctly positioned inside your vagina will its blades be opened; this should not hurt. The doctor will direct a very bright lamp at your vagina so that s/he can see what's going on in there; this may feel warm, but don't let it startle you. They're looking for a number of things, including the size, condition, and placement of the cervix (the opening of the uterus), any lesions/sores/cysts on the vaginal walls, and any discharge or bleeding. The last step of the speculum exam is the Pap test (teste Papanicolau), in which the doctor will take scrapings from the cervix and the vagina. Again, this may feel strange, but it should not be painful. Above is a diagram of a speculum exam.

Once the speculum has been withdrawn, the doctor will move on to the manual portion of the exam, in which they'll insert gloved, lubricated fingers into your vagina. Depending on various factors the doctor may insert a single finger or two fingers. While their fingers are in the vagina, they'll use their other hand to press on your abdomen in order to feel your internal organs, including the ovaries and uterus. This may be a little uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt. Above is also a diagram of a bimanual exam.

Finally should come the rectal and/or rectovaginal exam. In the former, the doctor places one finger in the rectum, while in the latter they insert their index finger into the vagina and their middle finger into the rectum. This is a very important part of the pelvic exam as it allows the doctor to check the rectum for abnormalities such as hemorrhoids, fissures, and signs of cancer, allows them to have a better feel of certain organs, and is the best way for them to check the wall between the vagina and rectum. No pelvic exam is complete without a rectal exam, so if your doctor doesn't automatically include it be sure to request it.

You'll now have another opportunity to discuss things with the doctor before they leave the room. If you're going on birth control be sure to discuss all of the options available to you, including when you should come back for a followup visit. If there's anything you forgot to ask, you can do it now.

Most Pap smears are normal, and chances are you'll receive a lab report in the mail informing you that yours was, too. In the event that any abnormalities were found, or if the results were inconclusive, you'll hear from the doctor's office and be asked to come in to be retested. Don't let this alarm you as there are many reasons a Pap test may initially appear abnormal, yet everything turns out fine when you're retested. Of course if something abnormal really is found, you and your doctor will discuss a plan of action.

Well, that's it! You've made it through your first visit to the gynecologist and you're well on your way to taking charge of your own healthcare and well being.

(NOTE: No two doctors perform exams in exactly the same manner, so your exam may proceed differently from what I've described. However, even if things are done in a different order, all of what I've described should be done during the course of the exam. If your doctor skips anything, don't feel strange about asking them to do it. Believe me, they will not think you're weird for asking!)"

The reason I still haven' recovered my sleeping hours

Yes, cruelty isn’t bluntly shown in this movie, much of the atrocities are cut from the viewers’ sight, but we all know what happened… People crying to be shoot by the blue helmets because a bullet was less frightening then being brutally decapitated, most of the times after suffering countless humiliations and after the blue helmets leave, the militias come armed with sticks and swords…

In the end you know it had a ill begging, yes white are to blame, but what happened on that April month of 1994 was mainly due to corruption and greed for power, for all the wealth power delivers, from the government and the military who where supposed to protect the innocents and so many innocents perished, 800.000 people died because of ambition, power and manipulation of ignorance…

I think when people realize what has happened just 2 years ago in Sudan, they will have to agree with me, how is it possible that time after time, every time a genocide is committed it was allowed with the silence of the world, of our leaders, who should also be on a stand being convicted of complicity, because they knew and they didn’t care, people are numbers not human beings, nor lives and nor all potential that is lost… It’s disgusting to hear them saying “Never again!!!”, knowing again will happen once again and again…

Human beings are human beings, their lives are impossible to value, not all the petrol, diamonds, gold, power, money in the world are as precious as the life of a human being…
In the end I think this movie leaves a lot untold, but then Africa is too complex to explain and as much as we had and have much to be blamed of, we cannot close our eyes to the blames of certain people who rule it with corruption, greed, inhuman cruelty and we should never again allow a Sudan, Somalia or Rwanda… Perhaps it’s time for us to stop being manipulated to develop a blind, stupid hatred towards America (as much as we should still put it on a stand when they are guilty) and begin to see why they are trying to cover our eyes, because I have seen plenty manifestations against USA but I’ve not seen one against Sudan’s government when they began committing genocide against a part of their own people, their own “brothers”…

Dobermans para vender

Uma amiga da minha mãe tem uma Doberman que teve cãezinhos no dia 15 de Março de 2006, ela tem 4 femeas e 4 machos para venda. Eu estou mais familarizada com Rottweillers, mas como conheço já duas pessoas com femeas posso dizer que são animais muito doceis, amorosos e leais com os donos e excelentes cães de guarda pelo instinto protector que desenvolvem pelos donos. Os cãezinhos já tem a primeira vacina e estão desparatizados

O contacto da dona é o: 936 251 095 - Eola Pereira

De qualquer forma um cão é uma enorme responsabilidade por isso vejam os seguintes sites sobre Dobermans, é que nenhum animal de estimação é para se deitar fora ;)

Em brasileiro:http://www.doberman.com.br/
http://www.charade.com.br/Links.htm

Em Inglês:
http://www.dpca.org/

Bastante atrasados, mas parabéns...

Demorei algum tempo a ir ao link para fazer o post, problemas de só ter apanhado a notícia na rádio tão rápido que só deu para ouvir que temos um campeão mundial em Judo, em -81kg ;) Por isso parabéns João Neto e Tiago Lopes (1.º -81kg e 3.º -66kg). Quem sabe talvez um dia este país descubra que desporto não se resume a futebol e que há muitos outros a obter muitos melhores resultados e o Judo é um dos que mais tem o conseguido alcançar e com atletas com um imenso amor e paixão pela camisola, enquanto outros ganham milhares e é a desgraça que se vê às vezes!

P.S. - E não estou a falar do Benfica que se portou à altura e deixou os nossos hermanos à rasca até aos últimos 5 min. de jogo, que é para ver se algumas estrelas do Barça aprendem um lição de humildade (com que então eram favas contadas)...

5000 euros...

250 albums!!! Kind of a harsh fine when the reason so many people does it is that each costs 20, no matter if they were released 1, 2 , 3 or 10 years ago… My wish list is above those 250 and I would love to have 5000 to waist like that, unfortunately my eyesight operation will cost about that much and I earn just a little bit more than 2 minimum wages (and I’m one of the luck ones who earns that much in this country). The solution is not buying mp3 through the net, call me romantic but I still love the fact of unwrapping an album, watch its’ cover, its’ graphic work, as well as all the graphics on the CD cover, there is something magic about it and the magic is greater when you handle a vinyl…

In the end all this is only because the discographies and the huge disco shops are seeing their profit cut, because nobody can tell me that from every 20 euros you pay for each album, most of it goes to the bands, most of them are explored and I really hope that they get to be able to live from what they make on concerts, because the future of profits for musicians rely on the concerts they make, which isn’t such a bad thing as most of them must earn more on the road then thorough sales of their albums… All these years I’ve always preferred to save money to go to concerts than to buy albums, after all when one’s short of money, one has to make some choices and for me the experience lived in a concert is something more unique, sometimes a lifetime experience… Perhaps one of these days I can have my collection of original CD’s, but unless the CD’s prices lower and at the rate albums are released it seems I’ll always be lacking something and will continue not to ear other music than the singles that are played on the radio, and due to my tastes, that means listening to radio from 21 to 00 or 23 to 01 on Sundays, which sometimes is impossible…

By the way do you want more incentive to download TV series than the second season of Desperate Housewives at midnight every Tuesday? How can a TV station waste so much money on a TV series to show it at those hours? It seems I’ll will have to battle with my VSR and see if I can put it once again recording (I wonder if taping a TV programme in VHS is also piracy and violation of copyright?)

IV International Blues Festival - Coimbra - Saturday 18/03/2006

Starting the night with a “monster” of Blues called Kenny Brown, living history, walking, talking and singing, is already a fantastic way of begging a night, but the seeing finally Jon Spencer live (even if it is in his new project Heavy Trash, which is awesome, but it also means not having yet the opportunity to see him in Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and that will always be something to be sorry about)! And if you add a moustache, 50’s style, rockabilly, blues, a little bit of Elvis gone wild and a fantastic live performance then you end your night in heaven or hell, as you prefer, as long as it’s fun, hot and wild!

Once again I faced the same problem how can anybody perfectly sane sit all through a concert like that? Having seats doesn’t mean you have to actually sit, especially if you are not 90 years old and on a wheelchair!!! One of these days I’ll send good manners too hell and who wants to sit down all through a concert as last Saturday’s one can go and sit on the stairs…

Anyway, if you have the chance watch both Kenny Brown and Heavy Trash, it’s worth it!

Big changes...

So here I'm after so long...

My father was hospitalized and his health isn’t that great, although he has already gotten out of the hospital for sometime. Now he is doing some exams and maybe in some years he’ll have to do a liver transplant, so that means he needs a person trustworthy and with some knowledge of management to assist him and run the business when he is absent. So here I’m working with my father much sooner than I expected.

Hopefully now I can be more regular…

Paused...

Has last week has been quite complicated and I really don't know how long things will take to be OK again, I'm forced to stop for a while posting. Sorry...

How long will it take to save my first million ;)

Total saved: $1,001,852

Starting with $400 and depositing $400 monthly over 87 years and 10 months (at a rate of return 1.7500000000000002% compounded monthly), you will save $1,001,852.
Initial balance:
$400
Total deposits:
$421,600
Total interest earned:
$579,852
Total taxes paid:
$0

Then they're so suprised that people don't save ;) And this saving plan would be highly optimistic for me as it is nearlly half of my wage and when I have kids, a mortage to pay and college expenses I doubt I'll save any ;)

Coffin Like Bag ;) Isn't is so cool?

Snow...

Last Sunday it snowed in my hometown! For those of you who are saying "So what, it's Winter, normally it snows!" True but the last time it snowed in Rio Maior was about 20 years ago and it only lasted a couple of hours. With this intensity it has been more than 50 years ago and if you take into account that to see some snow Portuguese have to go to our highest mountain (called Serra da Estrela) or up north near our frontier with Spain, you can start to understand why so many Portuguese acted as little kids and went out to the streets in their PJ's and play with the first flocks or phone nearly everyone they knew (something I'm sure our telecommunications companies thanked a lot as I imagine Sunday mornings must be slow and uninteresting for the point of view of profits ;)

So here goes some photos...

Hamas

Today I was surprised at breakfast that it seemed Hamas was going to gain the elections in Palestina, which is just ore of the most frightening news I have heard lately. I still remember that when the first Gulf War started I was scared that the 3 World War could start, and this fear still lived with me for a while.

Eventually I started to think that the world had learnt it's less and would not allow that easily that a conflict of that scale would occur. Yes, there were always going to be regional conflicts, always atrocities happening with the world too coward, cynic and selfish to intervene and has much as I hate this attitude, I became less scared of a 3 World War, mainly because most wars and atrocities were being started/committed by unscrupulous, greedy people who manipulate desperate people and brainwash them so they became radicals willing to die and kill innocent people in name of a God or cause (where the hatred for USA is so useful to gain power and money)...

But now we have reached the unthinkable: terrorists reaching power, democratically elected! That was the worst thing that could happen for a free Palestine and peace in that region, because terrorist acts can never be justifiable... I shiver at the idea of were radicalism has reached and at may be expecting for us in a near future...

Don't get up!

So here I'm after a very bad day. I had a flat tire for the second time in less than 1 year, but this time I wasn't able to change it, as mechanics think women have men's physical strength ;) This creates a huge problem because most men can't resist the opportunity to make fun and show off! Except if you are drop dead gorgeous, and then they do really lame and pathetic figures in hope of gaining much more than a simple thanks! For those who know me, know that I prefer to be stuck or to pay than to have to stand hearing a man saying ''It had to be a women" or "Women can't do anything"!

In the end it was a man who helped me and changed the tire, and old friend of the family, but I had to wait for 1 hour and a quarter in my car. And just to think that what happened was the fault of a man who just couldn't wait to enter the parking lot although he could see I was doing the maneuver and I was nearly ending it!

Ipod

Talking about Ipods, it seems that Apple is investigating a new Ipod that will be able to record AM/FM stations, if they will allow to set the time to start to record and stop it then I think I'll wait a little bit longer to buy a Ipod, because being able to do podcasting that easily of my favorite radio program so I can hear them at any time of the day is fantastic!

Blind / Deaf

On Sunday while I was driving I was also remembering the conversation I just had about getting blind, I was told that blind can still hear those who they love! I said yes and as long as I could learn Braille and be able to still read, because I couldn't imagine living without ever be able to read again.

But has I was hearing The Good Fellows I remembered an editorial that I had read a few weeks before, about musicians who where deaf or becoming dead and how now Ipods posed new threats to normal people has them mean much more hours of hearing music with headphones and has they reach a volume higher than recommended, there is the danger that people can become deaf. The editorial was warning it's readers to be careful has the idea of having a new album on your hands and only be able to appreciate its design is a frightening thought...

I can't agree more, the thought that was crossing my mind as I was hearing the Guerolito's songs was that becoming deaf would be worse for me than becoming blind. I would never be able to see the world, its beauty, the people I love most, and their smiles and has much as that would hurt, I still could feel... But not being able to hear the voices of those I love most, not being able to listen to music, seems to horrible because although you can still see the physical reactions of those you love most or feel the vibrations of music it is never the same, at least music would lose most of it's feeling, like the one we feel when we hear the sound of a electric guitar or a violin or one of those voices/lyrics that reaches deeply our soul!

Guerolito

Last Sunday I was hearing my favorite radio program: "The good fellows" the only ones who have said that Guero is a good album, that Beck isn't completely lost has some critics have been writing (basically those who first said Guero was Odelay 2 without even hearing the album and then where surprised that it wasn't so and just concluded that it meant he had lost himself, perhaps because he didn't do what they're expecting a commercial album, although Odelay has never been a commercial album).

In the end what may be the truth is that they can't understand why a musician who has the opportunity to make easy money doesn't sell himself and does exactly what he likes music with passion, with soul, not caring about what others say about his music . For me albums of true musicians (that is, those who don't sell themselves) are gifts for the world to express and share their own inner worlds. Beck has always been one of these musicians and that seems to bother some people...

This all to say I had read just a week before a bad review for Guerolito and The Good Fellows passed lots of songs of this album of remixes (saying they had been hearing this album the whole week) and they seemed rather interesting not bad has the review stated.

Changes...

Life has some weird twists, I can’t say much more but for now who ever wonders why I may be more absent than usual, it’s just that from next week onwards I’ll be doing two jobs ;) As soon as I get out of my job I’ll have to give a hand to my father everyday, so I kind of think that by every Friday I’ll be kaput ;) At least for a month

On the bright side I’ll have to be more times with a computer that has access to internet instead of only intranet which means no more excuses about having to switch on my laptop and going downstairs to the office and do so ;) So maybe in the end I won’t be as absent as it may seem…

Now I have to be off for my chauffer job of every Friday and fetch one of my sisters ;)

Pride & Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice

One of the biggest love stories I've ever read, unfortunately as love and life are never quite so...

Mr. Darcy has been changed from the BBC series to an actor with blue eyes, not those amazing brown eyes which made all women fall in love with the character... And Lizzie is no longer one who has a hidden beauty, a beauty that starts slowly to reveal itself to Mr. Darcy as he begins to fall in love with her, as love should be, those we love are always beautifull not because they are physically perfect but because their inner beauty outshines all and they became more beautifull the more you love them...

But only a blind man or woman can say that this actress has a hidden beauty, it's everything but hidden and that takes a lot of the magic Jane Austen created...

Even though I intend to see the movie, so I can take my conclusions based on other than the trailer of the movie ;)

Best of 2005 - Just a few ideas

Ok, a little bit late I admit, but these last months haven’t been easy and sometimes writing is put behind and forgotten...

My list doesn’t have an order, it’s kind of unfair to say this one was better than the other when the music stiles can’t even be compared most of the times!

So here goes my favorite CD’s of the year (although there has been a lot I haven’t heard still):

Devendra Banhart – Cripple Crow, happy, beautiful, soul touching, sad, just absolutely beautiful!

Beck: Guero – A very misunderstood disc in my opinion, yes it is too long, yes it could have come in two CD’s but we are in a time when the few who actually by CD’s, as soon as they unwrap them they rip them to their computer and then straight head to their mp3 players. That is were small tiny little countries as Portugal, were most people can’t afford a computer, nevermind a mp3 player, are in disadvantage, specially when most of our population doesn’t even know who Beck is! And after all, after having his album freely available in the internet, weeks before it’s release, Beck tried to give a gift to his fans. I enjoy a lot of Guero’s songs, it allows us another perspective in his genius, a look to his roots and his influences, specially the latino ones. In the end, people just said it was Odelay 2, without even listening to it, and it’s far from Odelay 2, it’s more of all Beck’s album number 2 and much more. But who cares what critics say? They spoke so badly of Sea Change and it was an amazing album!

White Stripes: Get Behind me satan – It’s White Stripes and oh boy that guitar ;)

Animal Collective : Feels (I biggest regret of 2005 in terms of concerts)

Ryan Adams: Love is Hell – Not a 2005 but the best gift I received in 2005




Concerts of the year (those that I actually went to):

Devendra Banhart at Aula Magna, Lisbon – My best concert of the year

LCD Soundsystem at Sudoeste, Portugal

Josh Rouse at Sudoeste, Portugal

Wraygunn where ever I saw them, but the last time was really amazing, because I have never been so close to a band ;)

Clã at Rio Maior, Portugal (a pity my hometown doesn’t know good music)

Black Car, Yellow Car – Not a concert, but a DJ set and I can say sincerely it was the best I went to this year (and it wasn’t only because it was the only DJ set I remember going to this year ;)


Franz Ferdinand at Lisbon Soundz – End of tour but I had been waiting 1 year for them as I wasn’t lucky enough to see them in 2004 (being in Copenhagen made it impossible)

Gomo at Clinic – Just a pity it was so short



Best Concert of 2005 that I was not there (at least from what I heard):

Beck at Ilha do Ermal, Portugal – To the organization thanks a lot for putting him on a Sunday night after a very famous hip-hop Portuguese group who has mainly fans of 14 years old or less (no wonder if you hear their music), how don’t have enough good taste to appreciate something really meaningful and great, and on top of all about 4 to 5 hours by car from Lisbon where I had to work the following day! Thanks to Antena3, the best radio in the world, that transmitted the concert live for everybody! It must have been a hell of a great concert as one of the radio guys said he didn’t appreciate Beck and that the concert would not be a great deal (that was before the concert). But when he saw, what I only heard, Beck trying to play songs from his new album and suddenly realizing that hardly anybody from his audience knew who he was, just turned the whole concert, playing his most well known songs, to warm up the crowd, having a hell of a presence on stage, making his audience surrender to him and his music… Yet another great concert by Beck! I only hope his next visit will be to Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, so he can remember how much his Portuguese fans love him!



Best DVD of 2005:

Blues by Martin Scorcesse, specially the first episode until now – I’m actually seeing the documentaries on national TV on Thursdays nights (that’s why I look like a zombie every Friday)



Best Movies of 2005 (a disaster as I only remember seeing two films this year):

Finding Neverland (I think it was only released in Portugal in the begging of 2005)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Corpse Bride – I still haven’t seen it but I now it is the best animated movie of 2005 and after my choices above it’s easy to see Johnny Depp his my favorite actor and Tim Burton one of my favorite directors


Some have been left behind, some haven’t been heard or seen still, some because I was unable, some because dicks speak louder than passion for music, and some because cash and time are too little for so much ;)

Merry Xmas/Hannukan or other

Whatever you may call this night, whatever may be your traditions, remember it's a night of happiness, to be with those you love most and see the happiness upon children's faces, specially on those that have never received gifts and due to the fantastic work done by many ONGs are able to experience the joy of opening a gift and find a car, a doll, a book, a game for the first time.

Enjoy the night and I hope you behaved, otherwise Santa Claus...

Devendra, Sigur Rós & Wraygunn

Well, last month I managed to go to 3 concerts, one by chance... They were all so different, brought out different feelings, with a mingle of personal feelings and experiencing something I absolutely love: live concerts, even if sometimes it’s hard to only live music, live the moment, as if nothing existed besides living the concert…

The first one was Devendra Banhart, an ex-homeless with a god’s voice and a poet! Great songs, great lyrics and a person who just seems amazing, free… But his music can really touch a person, not only the uplifting ones, but also the ones that actually carry great truths within them, dreams that are a mere utopia, but make you want to dream, to think that maybe dreams can become true!

The concert was preceded by Caveira, raw instrumental music that frightened nearly half of the audience, I kind of think they couldn’t quite understand how two different musical styles could exist in the same room ;) As I love electric guitars and I love them also loud, electric, hypnotic in full raw power, I must say I enjoyed the concert… However, when Devendra and his pals got in magic began! Its was an amazing concert, better than the one in Sudoeste, mainly because at least most of the people at least knew his single, I didn’t loose the first 3 songs and the concert was much longer (I keep on not understanding why the 2nd stage in Sudoeste only allowed bands to play 45 minutes if the concerts where being done at the same time as the ones in the main stage)… Anyway the room required a more intimate environment and that was what we got, a very warm Devendra playing wonderfully, a magical night with fantastic music only ruined by the fact I had to sit during the whole concert! How can anybody sit all through a concert like that? I couldn’t believe that I was forced to sit all time just because there were people being so polite as I was so we would block the view of the little lords and princesses that could not see a concert standing… I now they paid as much as I did, that they had all the right to sit during the concert, but I had to sacrifice my right to see the concert standing and finding it rather difficult to sit not to mention I kind of offense to a band, as if their music had been so bad that people didn’t even stand to enjoy it, when it was quite the contrary! Anyway getting out of a concert singing the last music of that concert and a feeling of joy passing through your soul, makes everything worth it, and just to imagine I had considered not going…

My second concert was Sigur Rós, but unfortunately it didn’t hit me the same way it hit me 2 years ago, when I got out of the Coliseu dos Recreios absolutely enchanted, as I had experienced an absolutely magical concert, an heavenly night… I can’t pin point why, perhaps the fact that I wasn’t able to see the stage or the band, perhaps because () was more obscure, the band was living a more intense and obscure moment in their lifes, but 2 years ago they seemed so much more intense, so much more involving or perhaps 2 years ago I saw the best concert the band ever gave and now all the other will seem inferior because expectations where raised to high!

About one week ago I saw Wraygunn in Santiago Alquimista (by the way a perfect room to see The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The White Stripes, Beck,… and huge list of other, but as we don’t have all day ;) Being just inches from the band in the front row was absolutely amazing, Paulo Furtado as always a show off but in a good sense, as he isn’t arrogant, just with an extreme attitude of rockstar, that some how never gets to too exaggerated although close, but he is one of the most important elements of the band, it’s leader and icon… It was a concert by chance, but a great concert with it’s mix of blues and rock and roll, totally electrifying, making it impossible for one to not plunge into the rhythm of the guitar and the drums or the bass… It’s just a pity most people don’t appreciate what we have got here that is good, while most kids (and they are really kids, teens) are mad about Da Weasel (when Sam the Kid has much more quality), and all the commercial hip-hop crap that appears in our national market, bands like Wraygunn, D3io, The Legendary Tiger Man, among others and even Clã are looked dismissed as not so cool, when they are the soul of Portuguese music (fado, Madredeus and others belong to a different style/segment so I’m not including that type of Portuguese music, as they cannot be compared)…

ESADE Business School > MBA, Executive Education, Undergraduate and Master in Management and Law> Barcelona, Madrid, Buenos Aires > Spain, Argentina

A new dream, cause we need dreams to keep on living ;) Unfortunately I also need about 65.000 euros in about 2 years and a great deal of hard work and luck, especially if I don't find another job...

Sorry

It seems I've reached my MBs limit of downloads of pics for blogger for the day, so maybe during the week I can post more... Basically they are all the same, its just so you can have an idea.

And my Daddy didn't have the chance to take as many photos as he wished ;)

Some more pics, this time some my Daddy took