Rock the cage

Games of power

2011-04-12T11:33:00.006+01:00

After six years of bad governance, in which Mr. José Sócrates has risen Portugal's debt up to the double, finally Portugal really went down the drain. The specialists say that it was a well drawn strategy, conceived by the rating agencies, to anihilate the Portuguese economy and put it at the service of Europe's obscure interests. But the common sense makes us think otherwise. After all, Mr. Sócrates and his co-workers have lived up to the standards of the richest and spent all the public funds. When he found out that he couldn't do it any longer, because the banks wouldn't access Europe's fund to lend him money any more, then he played the victim's game and he implemented the PEC 4 without negotiating with any other parties or even without informing the President Cavaco Silva of his intentions. As no one is really fond of dictatorship strategies, the PEC 4 (Stability and Growth Program) was rejected by the majority. So, Mr. Sócrates resigned. He didn't do it with the intention of abandoning the power; he did it to get absolute majority in the next elections, so that in the next mandate he can do whatever he wants, without listening to anyone.
Now, the IMF representative, Mr. Poul Thomsen, has arrived to Portugal with a pack of hardship measures to impose to the Portuguese. Much harder measures than the ones imposed to the Greek or to the Irish. One may think that the Portuguese have been living well for the past years so they must pay the bill. Well, that's not true. The Portuguese have been always enduring hardship, so how can they pay for what they never had? The problem is that a few people spent the public funds and the majority of the population always lived in the edge of misery. And all the sacrifices are being asked to the ones who never had anything, while the rich, the ones who enriched with Europe's funds are absolutely unharmed. Wise people agree to do sacrifices, Ok, but they should be fair and square, proportional to wealth and ability. How can the unemployed pay, for example? How can the old and the children pay? And why?
So, in a totally different context, for the very same reasons, Rock The Cage is here to support the Portuguese and to expose the unfairness and the disgrace they are being subjected to. "Until the voice hurts", as Amália would say.

Rock the Cage, Homens da Luta!!!

2011-03-08T12:01:00.011Z

Oh, yes, they dared! They dared to raise their voices against the status quo that so many try to protect. Against the hunger, the insecurity, the jobs that start today and end tomorrow for no reason at all; against the absence of justice (which is a priviledge of the ones who can afford it);against the progressive anihilation of the public health service - turned into private insurance policies; against a free education that is more and more expensive every day; against those who say that whoever graduates becomes too qualified to get a job; against the cuts in Social Welfare, that leave entire families without the basic resources to survival. They raised their voices against those who are paid absurd amounts of money (more than the President of the USA; can you believe it?!)... To do what? To lead companies to bankruptcy - can you believe that?) They dared to raise their voices in behalf of the Portuguese people, who are suffering beyond belief. And they dared to do it in the public television broadcaster. That is an amazing courage, that needs to be praised. And we are here, at this exceptional time, to praise and support those simple people who, with no ostentations and no pretentions at all, will go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf, to sing the song that was chosen by the majority of the Portuguese to represent them! We love those guys!

Congratulations, my friends. This was the courage, the daring, the great love that throughout history has launched the Portuguese people, and still does, for all the great epics.

"Sometimes you realize that you are discouraged
Sometimes you realize that you are distrusting
Sometimes you realize that you are startled
Sometimes you realize that you are despairing

Night or day, the fight is joy
And the people are advancing on the street yelling

It is pointless when the belt gets tighter
It is pointless to be whining around
Of little is worth to look always sad
It is pointless the anger to help you

Night or day, the fight is joy
And the people are advancing on the street yelling

And bring the bread and bring the cheese and bring the wine
And comes the old and the young and the child
And bring the bread and bring the cheese and bring the wine
And comes the old and the young and the child
Come celebrate this situation and let's sing against reaction

There are those who tell you 'take care'
There are those who wish to send you shut up
There are those who leave you distrustful
There are those who sell you the very air

Night or day, the fight is joy
And the people are advancing on the street yelling

And bring the bread and bring the cheese and bring the wine
And comes the old and the young and the child
And bring the bread and bring the cheese and bring the wine
And comes the old and the young and the child
Come celebrate this situation and let's sing against reaction

The struggle continues when the people will hit the streets!"

With lyrics and music by Nuno e Vasco Duarte.

And 40.000 people will hit the streets in the 12 march 2011 in a spontaneous and peaceful meeting called by the youngsters through the Facebook.

Green waves

2010-10-19T20:20:00.002+01:00

We keep on dreaming of a golden sand shore,

But the journey is so long and hard...

Make a wish...

2010-08-28T10:27:00.014+01:00

My friend William da Cunha sent me those roses, and I thought of sharing them with each one of you. He is a very creative and joyful person, but unfortunately he doesn't have a Blog... I would say, yet. So, he sends his "posts" by mail. Anyway, I say, thank you so much, William. How very kind and thoughtful of you. Make a wish, everybody. It's the end of August and soon everybody will be back to work. If the wishes come true, everlasting holidays!... Just joking! Eheheh...

One Rose for Unconditional Love

One Rose For Financial Wealth

One for Everlasting Happiness

Several for Success

One for Knowledge

One for Beauty, inner and outer

Many for Family

One for Honesty

And the last one for a long and healthy life

For every friend you send these roses to, your wish will come true!

Children have the right to be...

2010-08-27T13:03:00.008+01:00

This is not a poem; this is just a statement!

Children have the right to be happy;

Children have the right to be loved;

To be loved uncondicionally -

For who they are,

Not for what people want them to be!

Children have the right to be looked after,

To have good health care, yummy healthy food...

Children have the right to play

To scream, to sing, to rejoice;

To be noisy, to be messy...

That's part of growing!

Children have the right to have toys,

Books, pens, warm or light clothes.

Children have the right to be colourful,

To be comfortable, not to be fashionable...

Children have the right to be in school,

To learn, to feel respected;

To give their contribution, to participate,

To build their own learnings.

Children have the right to be protected,

To be safe, to feel safe,

Away from all threats

And from all that can damage their personality,

Their self-estim, their self-respect.

Children have the right to dream,

To have projects, to fantasize,

Even to create imaginary worlds.

Children have the right to grow,

To become conscious and righteous adults.

The face of greatness.

2010-08-26T21:49:00.005+01:00

Image by philosofia via Flickr

If Love had a face, a name, it would be hers.

Agnese Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje, Albania, in August, 26 1910. More than anyone in the last century, she changed the world, changed mentalities, made us turn our eyes to the things that everybody refused to see. She raised awareness to poverty, to physical and psychological misery, but most of all, to the deep and outraging abyss that exists between rich and poor. She built a bridge, gave hope and redemption to those who never had anything to look up to, gave dreams to those who couldn't even believe. She managed to do the impossible and received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. Personally, I couldn't think of anyone who could deserve it more.

At twelve years old, she received a call, a strong appeal that took her to the religious life. The first steps were taken in Ireland, in the Loreto Abbey.

In 1929, she went to India, and it was in India that all her greatness was revealed. She wasn't satisfied with the protected and somehow priviledged life in Darjeeling and she chose to live among the poor, to better be aware of their difficulties and help.To know, to understand what she went through, is hard. She stood there, firm in her faith and in her compassion, with people who suffered some of the most scary and contagious diseases that the world has known - I'm talking about Hansen, for example. She endured hunger and pain and I'm sure her heart was broken a million times; each time she saw one of her elderly, one of her children go...

Once, she went to a rich man's house and knocked on the door. The man opened and, when he saw who she was, asked:

"What do you want?"

"Could you give me something for my little children, please..." she replied.

The man, as an answer, spat in her face.

She gently cleaned the mucus with her hand, and took it to her heart.

"Thank you. This is for me. Now, can you give me something for the children?"

Seeing her sweet and humble attitude, the man's heart was moved and he went inside to get some groceries.

This is a story I heard many times and which can illustrate perfectly how humble and generous she was. This little Lady with a huge courage and an enormous heart is an example to us all in what concerns making the world a better place. She never thought of the ones in need in terms of tone of skin, social backgroung, nationality, political orientation or even religion. She only though that the human being ahead of her needed help and she could give what she had... And what she had not. She expected nothing in return. That's greatness!

Maria Montessori's dream.

2010-08-25T19:57:00.005+01:00

As we go on considering the situation of children with Special Needs, it is unavoidable that we come across one of the ladies who did the most for these and other children: Maria Montessori.

This lady was born in August, 31 1870 and died in May, 6 1952. She was an Italian educator and philosopher. Her life is notable in several ways because she conceived an educational system which was totally centered on each child. In a time when Education was extremely inflexible and children weren't even supposed to be heard, she gave freedom to each child to absorb knowledge according to their needs.

The development of each child would be taken into consideration and the kinds of material and strategies had to be adapted to the needs of that specific child. The individuality, the personality of that child was important and determinant to the construction of apprenticeship. Can you imagine how important this may have been to a child with Special Needs? But Maria Montessori's system wasn't addressed to Special Needs children; on the other hand she considered every child special. According to what I studied, and to what I believe, every child has an infinite potential and will to learn, and teachers and educators must take advantage of these characteristics to the most.

Maria Montessori's principles of Education are awesome and she was considered to be way ahead of her time. In my oppinion, she conceived the most humane Education and the one from which the child can benefit the most.

The problem is: her books and materials don't have proper divulgation and are extremely hard to find. It is also difficult to find people who has the appropriate training in Montessori education and Montessori schools are so expensive that they are inaccessible. So, the children in need of this kind of education just don't have it because their parents can't afford it. Sad...

The silent danger.

2010-08-24T15:01:00.011+01:00

I was reading Nancy's article "Inducing Dementia", published in the blog Life in the Second Half, and I found there such vital information that I really couldn't let it pass by. Some things really shocked me, but the one I want to focus my attention on is the use of Ritalin in children, to deal with ADD or ADHD sindrome.

The author of this study is an American psychiatrist called Grace E. Jackson. It was posted in Lynn MacTaggart's blog (I couldn't find the link, unfortunately), who raised this issue. Now, that we put our emphasis in children with Special Needs (the name is already controversial), it is time to think about this! I wanted to give some kind of continuity to this subject, because Ritalin is so widely used in my country (as in so many others), and most of the parents are so unaware of its side effects!

The question is: how unselfish, how wise is the decision of prescribing Ritalin to children? Can the short-term effects compensate the long-term damage that this medicine causes? Would we, in the due time, have given Ritalin to Albert Einstein, Louis Pasteur, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison or to Mozart, for example?

I call your attention to this excerpt of Nancy's post.

"Not-so-subtle brain damage:
The damage caused by psychiatric medicine is only the tip of the iceberg. I began to look into this issue myself and discovered a good number of the major classes of drugs that doctors give patients as they age bring on dementia.
Heart drugs, cholesterol lowering drugs, sleeping pills, antidepressants, narcotics, stimulants, including Ritalin, the ADHD drug given to children, anti-cholinergics, anti-epileptic drugs, to name just a few, all can damage the structure of the brain.
Anti-depressants shrink the hippocampus of the brain, and statins lower crucial fats, or lipids, which compose much of brain tissue.
Beta-blockers and other drugs that aggressively lower blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, also lower blood flow to the brain, creating all the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease
Even good old painkillers – the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory class of drugs – can cause a variety of cognitive changes, from delirium to disturbances in memory and concentration.
Many of these drugs actually shrink brain volume, destroying the crucial fatty structures of brain cells, or causing abnormal accumulation of tissue in vital brain structures."

http://lifeinthesecondhalf.blogspot.com/

If you still have any doubts, please take a look at the site Drugs.com, where you'll find precious information on this subject.

You may also read disturbing conclusions at JustGetThere.us. In this article, Ritalin is linked to 500% increased risk of Sudden Death in children and teenagers. Five hundred per cent!

My special thanks to Nancy, for calling our attention, because children deserve the best... And have no choice.

Looking for her family.

2010-08-23T12:20:00.008+01:00

Attention, please:

Do you recognize this little girl?
Then, read the text below and, please, pass it on!

This little girl is at the hospital in Pukhet, Thailand.
She remembers mos of her name; nothing else. She lost her parents.

She is caucasian, probably from America. She was one of the victims of the Tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004. Nobody knows who she is. Showing her photo around the world, maybe someone can recognize her.

Please do not break this chain. Your help can solve this child's life drama.

The source of these news is José Peixe'spage, and he urges us to pass it forward.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4210840&id=530395431

Bless you all, dearest friens. Thank you.

Dream on!

2010-08-22T11:57:00.011+01:00

"They do not know, nor they dream,
That the Dream leads life,
That everytime a Man dreams
The world bounces and progresses
As a coloured ball
Between the hands of a child."

António Gedeão

This is an excerpt of an eternal poem by a genious Portuguese poet, António Gedeão (November 24, 1906 - February 19, 1997). His words remain, pure and faithful; nobody ever defined the ability to dream as he did.

Every human being has a dream. The dream is what makes us feel the need to grow and to achieve more in life. I'm talking about psychological and spiritual growth, but it works the same way in what concerns material growth. After all, would we have ever left the Cave (Plato, Republic, Book VII, 514a-517c) if we didn't dream? Would we have ever built houses, cars, planes? Would we have ever painted walls (rupestrial paintings) or canvas, written books or fantasized worlds which do not exist? Would we have ever reached the infinity with beautiful music or overwhelming poetry? Would we have diven to the depth of the ocean or travelled to the distant moon? Would we have ever captured the nature's beauty with magnificent photos? In the last instance, would we have ever survived without a dream?

To dream is, to the human being, as important as breathing. So, keep on dreaming, my friends! Every man, every woman, can make a difference. Who knows which skies will you fly through, who knows which changes you can build? Each one of you is important and special, and that's why you are... Human!

Skywatch: Boat trip

2010-05-13T15:01:00.003+01:00

SkyWatch FridayThanks to Sky Watch Team, Klaus, Sandy, Ivar,Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise.

Help Elise!

2010-05-06T23:15:00.004+01:00

Her name is Elise.
This little girl is only three and a half years old.
She was kidnapped yesterday at Tamaimo, near Tenerife, by two men and a woman.
They were travelling in a Seat Panda TF-7633-V, beige or marrom coloured.
They are supposed to be travelling through the Peninsula Iberica, but even if you are somewhere else, if you see something, please contact the authorities.
We cannot allow these tragedies to go on happening, can we?!

Holiday!

2010-04-16T20:05:00.003+01:00

Rock the Cage is going for a holiday!
I'll explain: Lately, I've had no cages to Rock, so I'll look for new flags to raise. Everything is so peaceful here, work is so happy and demands a lot of dedication. Rock the Cage was always a very special project and I really don't want it to loose its original purpose, which has been happening lately.
I'll be back everytime I find new cages to Rock. But, of course, I'll keep on visiting my friends and commenting their wonderful work.
Besides the Onde a Terra Acaba, where I write my poetry and my stories, perhaps I'll even start a new project. I'm thinking seriously about that.

P.S. Onde a Terra Acaba has a translator widget too! Lots of love to you all!

Fishermen

2010-04-14T00:28:00.009+01:00

"The fishermen are pitching pennies
In the sand beside the sea;
The sunrise hits their oilskin boots
And their painted boats and me.
They seem to know the ocean
Like a man knows a woman;
She makes him wait around for half the morning,
For the tide to turn.

Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman
Never catches more than he knows
He can sell in a day;
Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman:
Day's for work. Night's the time to go dancing.

They're drinking beer and laughing
And squinting at the sun,
Waiting for the gulls to tell them
When the fish will come.
Their faces brown and weathered
From all the nets they've run...
They've learned to wait
They always know that the tide will turn."

>

"Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman
Never catches more than he knows
He can sell in a day;
Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman:
Day's for work. Night's the time to go dancing!

Way out on the ocean,
The big ships hunt for whales -
The Japanese have caught so many
That now they hunt for snails
My fisherman's not greedy;
He seems content to live
With the sun and the sand,
And a net full of fish when the tide turns...

Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman
Never catches more than he knows
He can sell in a day;
Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman:
Day's for work. Night's the time to go dancing!

Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman
Never catches more than he knows
He can sell in a day;
Pull on the ropes, Seine haul fisherman:
Day's for work. Night's the time to go dancing."

(Judy Collins)

Selling charms.

2010-04-10T21:32:00.003+01:00

No, I'm not selling. I'm not even buying them - they are so expensive.
I was so fascinated by this beautiful display, that I thought I could share it with you.

This is a beautiful sort of craftmanship - colourful, shiny, with the shapes that only Mother Nature can create. How they get them from the bottom of the sea, is a mystery. Some are polished, some are presented just the way they come out of the blue. I really don't know what happens to the living creatures inside, but I don't imagine it to be sold legally if it didn't respect the echological balance. Not here, not in Portugal.

I could have been a diver - in fact, I prefer to fly - because I'm so amazed by the underwater beauty. Nothing can be compared to it.

The beach.

2010-04-03T22:02:00.008+01:00

"I am sailing, I am sailing,
Home again across the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

I am flying, I am flying,
Like a bird across the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
To be with you, to be free.

Can you hear me, can you hear me
Through the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

We are sailing, we are sailing,
home again across the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh Lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh Lord."

(Rod Stewart)

Oh, that glorious feeling...

Dancing on the waves,

Touching the imenseness,

Sensing the freshness,

Be carried on the arms of Mother Nature...

I can't imagine how sacred, how powerful it may be.

It is something I need to try, some day.

From that day on, I guess no-one will be able to take me out of the water...

Skywatch: Can I reach it?

2010-04-02T01:39:00.003+01:00

SkyWatch FridayThanks to Sky Watch Team, Klaus, Sandy, Ivar,Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise.

Happy Easter.

2010-03-31T22:19:00.008+01:00

"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act."

(Mohandas Gandhi)

Time for forgiveness.
Only the brave are able to forgive, so they say...
Time for Love.
Only the brave are able to show Love without restrictions.
So, my friend, love and forgive!
Make others happy, every step you take in your life, and somehow this happiness will flow back to you.
And the greatness will be the flower of your life.
A greatness that comes from the inside, no matter how humble you are!

Love to you all!

House of Justice.

2010-03-31T01:58:00.003+01:00

"Why does my heart
Feel so bad?
Why does my soul
Feel so bad?

These open doors..."

(Moby)

How many faces
Smiled through these windows?
How many words
Echoed through these walls?
How many tears
Were shed on these floors?
How much laughter
Reached the ocean?
Yet now, this house,
Filled with memories,
Full of ghosts,
Is closed
Locked with silvery chains,
Until some day,
When the brave arrives
And gives it life once more...

(Sílvia)

Window

2010-03-26T22:11:00.003Z

What lies beyond those cage bars?
What secrets do they hide?

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Skywatch: through the hole...

2010-03-25T14:14:00.004Z

SkyWatch FridayThanks to Sky Watch Team, Klaus, Sandy, Ivar,Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise.

The colour of Spring.

2010-03-21T21:44:00.007Z

"There is magic everywhere
In the air you breathe;
It's true for every living thing
Why flowers bloom and all birds sing;
It's in the voice that guides you on,
The light that leads you home;
It's in the moment your wings grow
And you'll let go."

"When you fly with me,
Let your heart believe:
Dreams can take you anywhere,
If you just set them free...
When you're true to who you are,
You will always find your star
All the wonders you will see,
When you fly with me..."

"Paint a rainbow in the sky,
Dance on every cloud;
The world below is beautiful...
Keep it like a precious jewel,
Put a smile upon the sun;
It shines for everyone!
Sing the moon a lullabye every night..."

"When you fly with me,
Let your heart believe:
Dreams can take you anywhere
If you just set them free...
When you're true to who you are
You will always find your star;
All the wonders you will see
When you fly with me..."

"You'll find your place;
Just take a leap of faith..."
.
.
(Kari Kimmel)

Happy Spring, everyone!!!

"Isn´t she lovely?"

2010-03-19T20:30:00.009Z

Irena Sendler died at the age of 98, in May 2008.
During the World War II, she managed to get a permit to work in the ghetto of Warsaw, as a plumbing specialist. Her plans, though, had something to do with the fact of knowing what the Nazis intended to do to the Jews. She was a German and she had heard something about the monstruous Final Solution.
Irena brought out children, hidden in the bottom of her toolbox, and had a bag in the back of her van, for bigger children. She also used to take a dog in the back of her van, whom she had trained to bark fiercely to the German soldiers everytime she got in and out of the ghetto. Normally, the Nazi soldiers didn't want to mess with the dog and the noise of its barking could hide any other noise done by the terrified children.

Irena saved 2500 children before she was caught by the Gestapo. The Nazis were utterly brutal with her, they broke both her arms and legs and tortured her.
This brave Lady kept a register of all the children she saved, hidden in a jar, buried in her backyard, under a tree.

Trees in bloom.

2010-03-17T12:54:00.007Z

Can you hear it? Early in the morning, the birds are chirping in the branches. A thousand voices raise in the pinkish sky, greeting the first rays of the sun! Can you feel it? There´s a soft warm breeze in the air; the heat is coming. People already go to the beach and enjoy the freshness of the ocean, when the sun is high in the sky!

Can you smell it? Oh, what a sweet aroma; the trees are blooming and the flowers start colouring the green! Little purples, seas of yellow, waves of blue. It is fascinating. Can you see it?

The edge of Heaven.

2010-03-14T19:50:00.007Z

"Fill my eyes with magic
Fill my heart with joy
Fill my soul with peace...
And there, among your trees,
I'll breathe the quietness
That flows in the breeze;
I'll taste the wonder
Brought by the singing streams.
There, I will find my young
And my old self;
I will find you.
We'll walk hand in hand
By a path of smiling light
And sit on a rock,
Touching the edge of the sky!"

Archaeology

2010-03-13T00:43:00.005Z

It is a wonderful place in the top of the Sintra ridge of mountains. An ancient church, in ruins, with graffitti from the Middle Ages. Here too, I took some photos in the dark and only after developping I could see what was really there. There are fascinating paintings on the walls, but seriously damaged. Well, whoever owns it doesn't seem to care a lot about its conditions. I took these pictures years ago, and it is still in ruins.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

A Poet or a Saint?

2010-03-12T22:14:00.006Z

"I hit my foot in the desert
And no spring appeared...

I touched a rock
And it wasn't covered with white lilies...

I kissed a tree
And the hanged man didn't ressuscitate...

I cursed the landscape
And the roots didn't dry...

Tell me please: what the hell is it worth being a Poet?
(The holymen are happier)."

José Gomes Ferreira

The new heroes of Peace.

2010-03-10T14:36:00.011Z

"Every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee sends out thousands of letters inviting qualified people to submit their nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. The names of the nominees and other information about the nominations cannot be revealed until 50 years later."

Yet, we can hear some names in the wind...

Mordechai Vanunu, a former nuclear technician who stood against Israel's nuclear programme and was jailed for leaking details to a British newspaper in 1986.
Hu Jia, Gao Zhisheng, Chen Guangcheng, Bao Tong, Chinese dissidents, who faced the "justice" of the tanks in Tiananmen Square...
Liu Xiaobo, who wrote the “Charter 08” and therefore was arrested, for claiming a democratic China.
The exiled Uighur Rebiya Kadeer, for fighting for the rights and self-determination of her people.
Svetlana Gannouchkina, and the Russian NGO Memorial, for defending the Rights and Liberties in Russia, not only of the Russian people, but also of the unprotected minorities. It's worth seeing!
The North-American Larry Roberts e Vint Cerf, and the British Tim Berners-Lee to whom the origin of the Internet is credited.

So, we have 12 of the 237 nominations. These are impressive people, true leaders and for what I read, worthy nominees, far from political or economical interests. China, though, has already objected against the nomination of those who swim against the tide... As it complained against the meeting held between the President Barack Obama and His Holiness the Dalai Lama at February 18, 2010.

Albatross hotel.

2010-03-06T19:42:00.004Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Skywatch: Cloud wave.

2010-03-05T10:18:00.004Z

SkyWatch FridayThanks to Sky Watch Team, Klaus, Sandy, Ivar,Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise.

Words of Wisdom.

2010-03-03T13:40:00.010Z

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hate, may I take love;
Where there is disagreement, may I take concorde;
Where there is doubt, may I take faith;
Where there is wrongdoing, may I take truth;
Where there is offense, may I take forgiveness;
Where there is despair, may I take hope;
Where there is sorrow, may I take joy;
Where there is darkness, may I take light;
Oh Lord, make me try better to comfort
Than to be mitigated;
Understand, than being understood;
Love, than being loved;
Because it is giving that we receive;
It is forgiving that we are forgiven;
And it is dying that we life to eternal life."

(Francesco de Assisi)

So, my friends, did you know that Araucaria araucana is the Tree of Life in Chile? I can tell you that this majestic tree was always one of my favourites.

Francesco de Assisi was born in Italy around 1181 and died in October, 4 1226. He was extraordinary, for he really lived the problems of others, by an example of generosity, humanity and altruism. All his life was dedicated to the poorest and he loved every creature like a "brother". That's why he is the patron of animals and environment.

This prayer is especially dedicated to all those who are suffering right now the devastating effects of the forces of nature and those ones who are there helping to relief this overwhelming suffering. It is not "my" prayer - it is Fátima's (our leader) prayer and the prayer of all those people, coming from all around the world, who share my nights trying to build a chain of Peace and understanding. Love to you all!

Living in the Wind.

2010-02-27T22:07:00.008Z

“To cross with you the desert of the world
To face together the terror of death
To see the truth to lose the fear
Side by side with your steps I walked.

For you I left my kingdom my secret
My quick night my silence
My round pearl and its Orient
My mirror my life my image
And I abandoned the Gardens of Eden.

Outside in the unveiled light of the rough day
Without the mirrors I realized that I was naked
And the moor was called Time

That’s why with your gestures you dressed me
And I learned to live in the fullness of the wind.”

(Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen)

This is my life now. Endless green fields, immense blue oceans and houses invaded by Nature. Winds blowing and howling. Words spread in the wind, taken to unknown distances, engraved in ancient stones. This is my life, the life of a dreamer...
So many things I lost in my journey, voices that keep screaming in my mind, whys that will never be answered. Oh, yes, before I had a stable job, a good income, medical assistance, a house of my own, my own school. Now I have... The common of the Portuguese Poets' destiny and the songs of the Wind. "Don't look back!" the Wind says. "Yes, there's still a dream to fulfill!..." I know. And four years living in the Wind.

Sintra

2010-02-26T23:46:00.002Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Skywatch: The giant Wind.

2010-02-25T16:28:00.007Z

This photo was taken in the Sintra ridge of mountains years ago.
The camera was an old Sony Mavica, which worked with floppy disks; not a very accurate one, unfortunately. The horizon was so big, though, that I thought it could be a good one. One of these days, we'll be back here with a better camera, so... (Big smile).

SkyWatch FridayThanks to Sky Watch Team, Klaus, Sandy, Ivar,Wren, Fishing Guy and Louise.

Unbreakable bond.

2010-02-23T14:10:00.008Z

"How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us.
If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?
Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every grain in the sandy shore, every dew drop in the dark woods, every hill and even the humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man.
The white man's dead forget the country of their birth when they go to walk among the stars. On the contrary, our dead never can forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man - all belong to the same family."

"The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst. The rivers carry our canoes, and feed our children. If we sell you our land, you must remember, and teach your children that the rivers are our brothers and yours, and you must henceforth give the rivers the kindness you would give any brother. .
We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his sister, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his parents' grave behind, and he does not care. He steals the earth from his children, and he does not care. His father's grave, and his children's birthright are forgotten. He treats his mother, the earth, and his brother, the sky, as things to be bought, plundered, sold like sheep or bright beads. His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert."

(Chief Seattle's speech, 1854)

This is one of the most beautiful speeches I ever knew, and it's worth to know its every word. Moving, brilliant, the Chief Seattle's words crossed time and space to get to our children's ears.

The kiss of Dawn

2010-02-22T23:18:00.007Z

Rafael is back, with a renewed and interesting blog, the Kiss of Dawn. He is fifteen now, more mature and full of new ideas. He is enthusiasmed to do new things and to use the life experience that his adventures out of Portugal granted him. His blog is a promise of new perspectives and of the fascinating stories he has to tell us. I invite all of you to visit him and give him a new welcome.

I want to live in a lighthouse...

2010-02-20T20:19:00.003Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

The poets' garden.

2010-02-17T20:23:00.009Z

Going to Sintra is like entering in a magic world.
That is why so many writers, poets and musicians found inspiration there, and composed the most marvellous works, under the shadows of those ancient trees.
The pictures here are from Monserrate garden, one of the most beautiful ones I've ever visited. This is a Romantic garden, which tried to create a natural environment, as if it was never touched by human hands. It was created by the painter William Stockdale, by the botanist William Nevill and by the master gardener James Burt. A true work of art. There, we can find countless botanic species, from different parts of the world, but the harmony they create among themselves is amazing. As it is an old garden, the trees and bushes are mature and no-one would ever tell that they didn't grow there spontaneously.

Such a feeling of quietness, peace and evasion is hard to find, especially considering that we are at a few 32 Km from the center of Lisbon. It is a totally different world, though. We can hear the birds chirping, the flowing water singing and the wind whispering among the tree leaves. We can feel the silence and let ourselves be involved by that deep calm. In certain days, crossing it is like walking through the clouds, as they are so low. We can touch them! If we pay attention, perhaps we can see some legendary creatures sneaking among the boulders and the logs. That is to the ones who have very good eyes!

If after this long walk you feel hungry, you can always have some Travesseiros at the Café Piriquita in the center of the village! Believe me, they are unique!

Carnaval

2010-02-16T12:48:00.010Z

Today, we are celebrating the Carnival.
The Carnival is a party which precedes the period of abstinence and meditation before the Easter, the Quadragesima. In the Carnival, people release themselves from the social tabus, break the rules, beat their own prejudices sometimes and are what they always wanted to be. They dress colourful and unusual outfits, sometimes they paint their bodies and they dance until they fall. Among the most unplasant traditions of Carnival there is throwing eggs and flour and springing the most careless with cold water. I haven´t seen this much, lately.

The most famous and extraordinary Carnival happens in Rio de Janeiro. There, each year the Samba schools make outstanding parades, and there is a prize for the best. It's a wonderful show, and they spend all their free times during the year preparing it. Everything is carefully thought and planned - the costumes, the choreography, the theme, the music, and even the position of each character. Each year, there is a different story to tell. Joyfully, our Brazilian brothers talk about politics, history and everything that makes the life of the nation. They also find interesting themes in other countries, and all the world seems to be present at this celebration.

There are also brilliant celebrations at S. Paulo or Salvador da Baía.

Some of the most famous Samba schools are Beija-Flor, Imperatriz Leopoldinese, Mangueira, Vai-Vai, Mocidade Alegre or Império de Casa Verde.

There is something worth mentioning here - if you watch the Brazilian Carnival, you'll notice that the characters wear lots of flowers and feathers. They do not use natural materials any more. Everything is artificial, because there is a principle of protecting the environment. The Brazilian is very proud of his country's diversity and that is beautiful - the strong bond between nature and culture is something very impressive.

Portugal has also wonderful Carnival celebrations, and it's getting better every year. In Portugal, the Carnival has different traditions and in certain areas, it has a very popular tone. As I remember, but unfortunately didn't find much information about it, there is the use of making funny giants with huge heads, which lately came to represent in a jocose way the most illustrious politicians, who disappointed the Portuguese in any way. In Portugal, the Carnival has a king and a queen, just for fun. But don't get mistaken: there are also Samba schools in Portugal - and very good ones.

The happiest Carnival celebrations in Portugal are: Madeira, Torres Vedras, Loulé, Alcobaça, Mealhada, Estarreja, Sines, Ovar or Sesimbra.

Magic Sakkarah

2010-02-13T00:04:00.025Z

"If I was a painter, I would spend all my life painting sunsets by the sea. I would do a hundred canvas, all different, with new and unforeseen paint. That's an amazing show. (...) Now it's silver, in a while it will be gold and when the sun disappears completely, still the horizon remains lightened. Vanished gold and water dust that raises from the sea. A little bit of mist, and two beams thrown in the sky - gold and green, green and gold. This afternoon, the sun sets over a peer and it appears to be desfigured among big stains of copper clouds. It sinks and emerges once more as a big fire balloon, in a turbulent ocean, until it gets into a thick cloud, with fire laces and explodes, lighting the space and the lead coloured water."

(Raul Brandão)

Thank you so much, dear Sakkarah!
This is something very special to me and I feel so moved by this token.

I'll keep in mind to give this beautiful piece of Spring to those who fill my eyes with magic, because Sakkarah is really someone who is able to do it.

Sakkarah has three wonderful Blogs, each one with a different theme, but each one a place to find Beauty, to fill the senses with wonderful words, sensations, textures and colours. Each one of them is worth visiting.

Sakkarah imagen.

Sakkarah-clave.

Sakkarah.

So, I really must say seven things about myself.

1. I painted a canvas once, but it was really horrible.

2. I find it hard to finish my books, so I have several unfinished ones.

3. I hate my own portraits. Last time I went to do the citizen card, the lady had to set the machine twice to get a better image, but even she gave up.

4. I love good food and I cannot keep a diet. I'm getting thinner, though, because I try to do lots of exercise.

5. I talk too much, my husband says.

6. My husband says that my glasses look like a yogurth bottle.

7. I absolutely hate going to the doctor - more than going to the dentist.

So, here are some wonderful Blogs I want to pass this gift to:

Dagrun.

Krystian Hasterok.

Alex.

Spiderdama.

Denise.

Javier Martin Alvarado.

The secret is loving.

2010-02-12T22:10:00.008Z

"The poet kisses everything, thank God. And he learns with things his sincerity lesson... And he says "We need to know how to look." And he can be, at any age, naive as the children, enthusiast as the teenagers and deep as the grown men... And he raises a dark rough stone to show a flower which is behind it... And he wastes time (gains time) courting an ewe... And he is moved by little nothings: a bird singing, a pretty woman who passed by, a little girl who smiled to him, a father who looked proudly at his little child, a little sunshine after a rainy day... And he thinks everything is important... And holds the arms of the sad men and goes with them for a stroll in the garden... And he noticed that the men were sad... And he wrote some verses starting this way: "The secret is loving..."

(Sebastião da Gama)

The lovely Audrinna gave me an award. She has a wonderful Blog, certainly worth visiting; one of those magical places that raise us up when we are feeling down and give us answers when we question life. It is a Blog full of angels and with prolific Beauty. Take a look!

Thank you, Audrinna, for your kindness and for your beautiful heart.

It’s time to share the love and pass this award on. Here are rules for sharing the award:

"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content."

So, I'm passing this award, with love, to some prolific bloggers I know and I think, exactly for producing such wonderful contents, they deserve it. I chose Poetry as a theme.

1. Shadow, 1 door away from Heaven. (Isn't it Heaven's door itself?)

2. Adolfo Payés, mi poeta. I get lost among so many comments and followers he has. His poetry is so intense that it is worth seeing!

3. Dulce, with her very sensitive and feminine poetry. Sweeter than honey!

4. Azpeitia, with his embam. He found Rock the Cage recently, and I read his poetry... Wow!

5. Camiñante, so calm and passionate... Like flying through a sunset.

6. África em Poesia, who really makes me travel through the wonderful landscapes and people of the PALOPs (specially Angola), and who, in a way, helped me find my way home.

7) Master Henrique Pimenta (yes, it was on purpose). His poetry is like a grapefruit, big, healthy, sweet and bitter at the same time. Always worth tasting!

1. Every winner of the prolific blogger award please (if you have time) pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers to spread some love!

2. Every prolific blogger please link back to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Each prolific blogger link this back to this post, which explains the origins and motivations for the award.

4. Every prolific blogger please visit this post and add their name in the Master Link so we can all get to know the other winners. (None of us are quite sure what the "master link" is, so just visit the post and check out some new blogs, make some new blogger buddies.)

Sounds of the soul

2010-02-11T11:41:00.007Z

Yesterday, I had the priviledge and the fantastic opportunity of getting to know Luísa Amaro's work. She is a beautiful lady, who can indeed do magic with a portuguese guitar (this is an instrument traditionally played by men). She advised me to read the following text, by Paolo Scarnecchia, and this is something I want to share with you.
.

"In the tone of the portuguese guitar embodied a strange destiny: having disappeared from the remaining Europe, it survived with proud tenacity in lusitanian grounds, until it managed to identify the most intimate strings and the most subtle vibrations. Its voice - because it is a voice - touches the heart from the first note; its resonance moves feelings that seemed to have been forgotten; through it, emotions blossom, that words cannot express. There is something ancient and noble in the timbrel of this instrument, which apparently has humble origins and which found in Fado its ideal habitat."
.

We were all fascinated by this work, by the sweet and intimate sound of the guitar which, with the piano, the guitolão, the clarinet and the percussion, elevated us to heavenly feelings. And those were shared by people from all over the world, who described it as an unique occasion. But there's more to come, I promise.

"From the gleaming shadow
Sails very close
The andalusian dream."

(Tomás de Oliveira Marques)

Power will...

2010-02-10T00:03:00.006Z

First day at school, under the lemma "Who has a will has a way." So many wonderful people, willing to learn: ukranians, romanians, russians, a greek, a dutch, an english... People just like me, who left everything behind to follow a dream; people who are willing to conquer a place in this world, to defeat the difficulties of life and be happy. They come after work, to do long hours, trying to understand every word I say, trying to do every exercise, to be there... Smiling, joking, talking about their dreams, their worries. My colleagues are passionate about their work, willing to do their best and to help in every way they can - to help each other and to help the people who go there to learn and to achieve. This is a school, everything I always thought about a school and about being a teacher. Of course it's a challenge - I'm teaching Initiation level, I have to keep the Language simple, to explain in several different ways until they understand, but I am fascinated in every way. I almost forgot that working could be so wonderful. When the class ended I said "Already?"

The colour of Freedom

2010-02-07T21:30:00.009Z

"I will not die without knowing

Which is the colour of Freedom.

I cannot help but to belong

To this land where I was born.

Though I belong to the world

And the Truth always wins,

What it means to be free here

I won't die without knowing.

They changed everything for wickedness,

It's almost a crime to live.

But, though they hide everything,

And they want me blind and mute,

I will not die without knowing

Which is the colour of Freedom."

(Jorge de Sena)

On the edge of the Blue

2010-02-06T18:51:00.007Z

This is Praia do Abano, near Guincho, the surfers' paradise.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

My Alien life

2010-02-04T09:42:00.006Z

Isn’t it amazing? For the last years, I’ve been struggling to be what I’ve always been, to do what I’ve been prepared to do all my life. For the last years, no-one would let me be a teacher, because I wore a stamp in my forehead saying “Foreigner” or, as they loved to say it better, “Alien” (I used to laugh so much, because that reminded me of David Cameron’s famous series of movies, which indeed I’m a fan of...). As an Alien, I couldn’t study – how on Earth could an Alien write an essay in English? – I couldn’t teach - who would let an Alien near their children? – and so many things I heard an Alien couldn’t do... As an Alien, I couldn’t do training or be a Manager – oh, my God, who would put an Alien in charge of a team? Who in his perfect reasoning would put money or Economy in the hands of an Alien (let me think: does an Alien even have hands?) Anyway, I wore this Alien stamp for so long that it became like a tattoo, attached to my skin, impossible to take off without a painful surgery. The stamp marked everything in my life – the way how people looked at me, the way how people talked to me, the things, like Justice, that to me were impossible to reach. If I did spend more time wearing the Alien stamp, I really would start believing in it and it would become a part of my identity – I understand it now, when I watch myself doing the day-to-day life and there are so many simple things that I need to learn how to do again. I’m not an Alien any more – now I’m a human being and I can think and act like one again. I don’t wear the stamp any more and I don’t really need to think I’m a “freak” (as so many times I’ve been called) any more. I guess these things get into the soul, like thorns.

During this time when I lived as an Alien, Anne Frank worked to me as a model, and though the situation was different in many ways, I felt so glad and so grateful for her Diary, because it helped me understand a bit of everything and it helped me to grow as a human being.

Beautiful eyes.

2010-02-03T22:10:00.006Z

Clear blue light,
Coming down, slowly,
Among the green trees;
Proudly dancing...
"I'm beautiful!"

And there,
Before fascinated eyes,
Almost silent remarks
He walks like a prince,
So majestic and high...

No! No prince dresses like him,
No fortune can pay for these feathers,
No industry can make such perfection.
There's mother nature,
Softly smiling...

How tiny, how frail,
Such expression in his dark eyes
He is a jewel, yet he doesn't know...
And people just stare, just like me,
Charmed by the colour and the brightness.

Honey... I'm home!

2010-02-02T17:38:00.006Z

“Here I am - this is me
There's nowhere else on Earth I'd rather be
Here I am - it's just me and you
And tonight we make our dreams come true

It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am

Here we are - we've just begun
And after all this time - our time has come
Here we are - still going strong
Right here in the place where we belong

It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am

Here I am - this is me
There's nowhere else on earth I'd rather be
Here I am - it's just me and you
And tonight we make our dreams come true

It's a new world - it's a new start
It's alive with the beating of young hearts
It's a new day - it's a new plan
I've been waiting for you
Here I am

Here I am - next to you
And suddenly the world is all brand new
Here I am - where I'm going to stay
Now there's nothing standing in our way
Here I am - this is me”

(Brian Adams)

Oh, yes! Here we are, and suddenly the world seems to be "all brand new". After a long, tiring and frightening journey, we arrived home. How beautiful our land appeared to our eyes, how friendly the people who came to welcome us! You cannot imagine how we cried when we saw our beloved boulders, rivers ands olive trees once more; the magnificent Serra da Estrela standing there before our eyes... Thank you to you all, my friends, whose prayers certainly protected us during this dangerous path.

This is a very special moment to all of us... We have fresh work perspectives, we have a new home, we have even a renewed look :) The children are learning to enjoy life again and to believe that strangers don't threaten them any more. We don't have much but, finally, we have Peace.

This is Cascais, one of Brian Adams's favourite places. This is our home. Here at Cascais, everybody will always find shelter and be cherished with open heart, rich or poor, foreigner or not. It is a wonderful place to live and a great place to spend some unforgettable holidays. We are waiting for you...

See you later...

2010-01-13T22:02:00.007Z

"Through these misty eyes I see lonely skies
Lonely road to Babylon.
Where's my family and my country?
Heaven knows where I belong.
Pack my bags tonight

Here's one Jacobite who must leave or surely die.
Put me on a train in the pouring rain
Say farewell but don't say good-bye.

Seagull
Carry me over land and sea
To my own folk
That's where I want to be.
Every beat of my heart tears me further apart

I'm lost and alone in the dark
I'm going home !

One more glass of wine just for auld lang syne:
And the girl I left behind.
How I miss her now in my darkest hour

And the way our arms entwine.
Seagull carry me over land and sea . . .

And we'll drink a toast to the blood of the red rose

Cheer a while the Emerald Isle.
And to the northern lights and the swirling pipes
How they make a grown man cry.

Seagull
Carry me over land and sea . . .

Every beat of my heart tears me further apart
I'm lost and I'm alone in the dark
I'm going home! I'm going home!"

(Rod Stewart)

I think that this will be my last post in Rock the Cage from England. I'm preparing my journey home, my Internet will be temporarily cancelled and probably I'll be able to get another one from February or March. I thank all of you who have been with me all along this journey and I will miss you while I'm absent. Be sure, though, that I'll be back with a new inspiration and a new "joie de vivre" - and new images and stories to share. I love you all.

Ice cold life

2010-01-10T20:49:00.006Z

“How can you see into my eyes, like open doors?
Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb
Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold,
Until you find it there and lead it back home.

Wake me up!
Wake me up inside.
I can't wake up!
Wake me up inside.
Save me!
Call my name and save me from the dark.

Wake me up!
Bid my blood to run.
I can't wake up!
Before I come undone.
Save me!
Save me from the nothing I've become.

Now that I know what I'm without,
You can't just leave me!
Breathe into me and make me real...
Bring me to life!

Wake me up!
Wake me up inside.
I can't wake up!
Wake me up inside.
Save me!
Call my name and save me from the dark.

Wake me up!
Bid my blood to run.
I can't wake up!
Before I come undone.
Save me!
Save me from the nothing I've become.

I've been living a lie...
There's nothing inside.
Bring me to life!

Frozen inside, without your touch,
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead...

All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see,
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me...
I've been sleeping a thousand years, it seems,
Got to open my eyes to everything.

Without thought, without voice, without a soul...
Don't let me die here!
There must be something more...
Bring me to life!

Wake me up!
Wake me up inside.
I can't wake up!
Wake me up inside.
Save me!
Call my name and save me from the dark.

Wake me up!
Bid my blood to run.
I can't wake up!
Before I come undone.
Save me!
Save me from the nothing I've become.

I've been living a lie...
There's nothing inside.
Bring me to life!"

(Evanescence)

"One word,
One simple word,
The ice can melt...
One word,
You can teach me
How to breathe,
How to love,
How to believe...
One word
Can turn Winter into Spring;
Can make a nightmare become a dream.
One word
Can lock people into cages
Or set them free.

Are they so important,

The words we say?...

(Sílvia)

The end of the road

2010-01-09T21:02:00.004Z

“The time is right
I'm going to pack my bags
And take that journey down the road
Because over the mountain I see the bright sun shining
And I want to live inside the glow
Yeah

I want to go to a place where I am nothing and everything
That exists between here and nowhere
I want to go to a place where time has no consequences oh yeah
The sky opens to my prayers

I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,

Please understand
That it’s not that I don't care
But right now these walls are closing in on me
I love you more than I love life itself
But I need to find a place where I can breathe
I can breathe

I want to go to a place where I can hold the intangible
And let go of the pain with all my might
I want to go to a place where I'm suspended on ecstasy
Somewhere between dark and light
Where wrong becomes right

I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I want to go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

Mmmmmmm... beautiful...”

(India Arie)

There is a secret
Blown in the wind
Whispered by the tree leaves
Carried by the birds
A beautiful secret...
A place where people sing
And hold hands,
Where black and white doesn't matter
(The song is just the same)
A beautiful place
I believe
Where we look for each other
And we recognize the brightness
In each other's eyes...
There is a place
Where Love is the law,
Where everybody can be...
Just be
Without fear,
Without shame,
Just reaching the sky,
Reaching the sun,
Holding the stars
Close to the heart,
Because only Love matters,
Only Love matters...
.
(Sílvia)

Snow Queen

2010-01-06T20:51:00.007Z

The Snow Queen has arrived,
So white, so beautiful, so splendorous,
Dressed in light, silky gowns
Made of little glowing perfect stars...

She smiled, she whispered
A word of cold mystery,
And she caressed the world
With her delicate niveous hands...

And the birds held their breath,
The trees fell asleep...
And the white cold veil
Involved everything with a silent hug.

It's cold, so cold...

Everything seems to have stopped.

All life is waiting

For a rebirth.

Hope.

"Os Lusíadas" in English!

2010-01-05T21:32:00.011Z

The oldest edition of "Os Lusíadas" in English language, dating from the 17th century, and three books of poems by Fernando Pessoa, published in English in the 20th century, are available on the Internet in a new Portal.
The project is named Portuguese Culture and aims to offer all works of the National Library (BN) in English, about Portugal, about the Portuguese in the diaspora or translations of authors who wrote in English about Portugal and its History.
"Is an ambitious project, whose first part is historical and is developing according to the financial possibilities of the National Library and of the FLAD, as it involves negotiations with authors, publishers or heirs, since it can cover works that are under the copyright law." admitted the director of the National Library, Jorge Couto.
In total, the initiative provides already a few dozen works. In addition to the 17th century Edition of "Os Lusíadas" and three books by Fernando Pessoa, others are online, for example, documents of the Portuguese presence in Kenya, China, Cochinchina or Japan.
The Portuguese Culture, has the sponsorship of the Luso-American Foundation for the Development (FLAD, and is available from:

http://purl.pt/index/porCulture/EN/index.html.

Isn't that amazing? "Os Lusíadas" in English is something certainly worth reading. Whoever did this translation is genial for sure. To maintain the rhymes (ABABABCC through the 1102 strophes), the syllables (exactly ten per verse), the accentuation (always in the sixth and tenth syllables) is already a deed. To be at the height of Camões's vocabulary, to make the reader feel the riches of the themes... I believe it must be a real Masterpiece.

Calaboose

2010-01-03T12:22:00.004Z

I've always had this curiosity about immured doors. I mean: what kind of secrets remain there that cannot be revealed?

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Learn to fly

2010-01-02T19:52:00.010Z

"Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction holding me fast, how
Can I escape this irresistible grasp?
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted Just an earth-bound misfit, I
Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone
A soul in tension that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I
Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air,
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night
There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, A state of bliss
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earth-bound misfit, I"

(Pink Floyd)

"Don't look down! Don't look down!"
He looked down, with his little heart beating excessively. At the foot of the cliff, the waves were striking furiously the dark rocks, causing a deafening noise. Occasionaly, foam clouds covered the sharp teeth, making them disappear. Little rainbows reflected the sun beams in a thousand iridescent tonalities.
Hidden in a breach, the nest seemed so welcoming, that he thought never to leave that shelter of twigs and feathers.
He leaned a little more over the edge, and closed his tiny black eyes. "No! I don't want to go! I can't do it...", whispered to himself, and a lonely tear fell from his eyelid. But suddenly, a breath of wind raised his feathers and he felt the sweet scent of the ocean. "It's so blue, so blue!"
Oh, yes! The infinity seduces!Suddenly, contemplating the blue, he could forget everything. Just that deep, strong appeal to go remained. Something that was pulling his body, his soul, his blood. It was as if he had been invaded by that blue feeling and he could no longer resist it. What could everything else matter? The sky seemed so wide, so intense, the sun's voice was calling, calling his name.
"I need to try! If I don't try, how will I ever know?"
Silence. That strange melody was growing; the song of the wind and the roaring of the waves... "Does it matter? Everybody needs to die, some day!" One can't spend a lifetime with his feet on the ground. To be alive, a bird needs to dream. Only a dream can make a bird fly. Only a dream can make an angel fly.
He screamed; screamed his little seagull scream with as much strength as he could find within his soul. And he ran, ran to the edge, opening his wings with a prayer. "Now or never! Now or never!" And jumped...

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T21:26:00.007Z

"Just like a flower when Winter begins
Just like a candle blown out in the wind
Just like a bird that can no longer fly
I'm feeling that way sometimes

But then there's a farthing way down by the lake
I picture a light at the end of the road
I'm closing my eyes I can see through the dark
A dream that is in my heart

A little loving
A little giving
To build a dream for the world we live in
A little patience and understanding
For all tomorrow
A little peace

A little sunshine
A sea of gladness
To wash away all the tears of sadness
A little hoping
A little praying
For all tomorrow
A little peace

I feel I'm a leaf in the November snow
I fell to the ground there was no-one below
So now I am helpless alone with my song
Just wishing the storm was gone

A little loving
A little giving
To build a dream for the world we live in
A little patience and understanding
For all tomorrow
A little peace

A little sunshine
A sea of gladness
To wash away all the tears of sadness
A little hoping
A little praying
For all tomorrow
A little peace

We are feathers on the breeze
Sing with me my song of peace
We are feathers on the breeze
Sing with me my song of peace"

(Nicole)

I hope the New Year brings you:

Peace
Love
Dream
Health
Fulfilment
Freedom
Prosperity

After crossing rivers, climbing mountains and descending to caves, may you arrive to a green flowery valley and have your deserved rest. May the New Year bring you soft sunshine and warmth to your hearts.

I'm sorry, I've been so tired lately - these last weeks have been so demanding in physical and psychological terms - that I haven't had the time and the inspiration to dedicate to all of you my friends. May you know, though, that you are in my heart and I do not forget. I sincerely hope things get to normal soon and I can get to be my old joyful self. Meanwhile, I'll continue doing my best to keep up. With all my love...

Freedom of choice

2009-12-29T15:01:00.011Z

"Courage is the resistance to fear,

The mastering of fear,

Not the absence of fear."

(Mark Twain)

"Come this way"-tell me some with sweet eyes
Reaching their arms to me, and sure
That it would be good if I listen
When they say: "Come this way!"
I look at them with weary eyes,
(There is, in my eyes, ironies and tiredness)
And I cross my arms,
And I will never go that way ...

This is my glory:
To create inhumanity!
Not to walk along with anybody.
-That I live with the same without goodwill
With which I tore my mother’s womb

No, I will not go that way! I’ll go only where
I take my own steps.

If what I fetch to know none of you replies.
Why do you repeat: "Come this way!"?

I prefer to slip in muddy alleys,
To spin in the winds,
As rags, to drag my bloody feet
Then to go that way ...

If I came to this world, it was
Just to deflower virgin forests,
And draw my own feet in the untouched sand!
The more that I do is worth nothing.

How, then, will you be the ones
Who will give me impulses, tools and courage
To break my obstacles? ...
Flows, in your veins, old grandparents’ blood,
And you love what is easy!
I love the Distance and the Mirage
I love the abysses, the torrents, the deserts.

Go! You have roads,
You have gardens, you have flower beds,
You have a homeland, you have roofs,
And you have rules and treaties, and thinkers, and scholars.
I have my madness!
I raise it like a torch, burning in the dark night,
And I feel foam, and blood, and songs in my lips ...

God and the Devil are the guides, nobody else.
All had a father, all had a mother;
But I, who never begins nor ends,
I was born of the love that exists between God and the Devil.

Ah, may nobody give me pious intentions!
May nobody ask me for definitions!
May nobody tell me: "Come this way"!
My life is a whirlwind that was released.
It is a wave that was raised.
Is an exceeding atom that stirred more ...
I do not know the way I am going through,
I do not know where I am going to
-I know that I am not going that way!”

(José Régio)

Where the Sun was created...

2009-12-27T19:29:00.008Z

By the Boab tree

"Sing and I will hear you
No matter where you are
A song to light the darkest night
And guide me from afar

And I will never be alone
Now I know you’re somewhere
You’re everywhere to me
You’re the colour in the sky
A reason to believe
And when the rain falls down
You tell a story
And I will hear you
Always near you
By the boab tree

Lay your arms around me
Like the falling rain
Let the feeling drown me
And life begins again

And I will never be afraid
Now I know you’re somewhere
You’re everywhere to me
The warming of the sun upon
The earth beneath my feet
And when the rain falls down
You tell a story
And I will hear you
Always near you
By the boab tree

Oh you are somewhere
You’re everywhere to me
You’re the colour in the sky
And you’re the earth beneath my feet
And when the rain falls down
You tell a story
And I will hear you
Always near you
By the boab tree"

(Ophelia of the Spirits)

Sometimes we find these little treasures in our way, unexpectedly. This song is a part of the soundtrack of the movie "Australia"(2008), directed by Baz Luhrmann. I was truly fascinated by this movie, though not by the performance of Nicole Kidman or Hugh Jackman, nor by the riches of the love story. Those reminded me a lot of another film, Out of Africa (1985), which had a brilliant performance by Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, and I really had the sensation of déjà vu, as if I could preview what was going to happen next.

There was something magical in this film, Australia, though, and that was the story of the little boy, Nullah. He represented, in my view, the best of two worlds, and the extraordinary bond between them that culturally transformed Australia in the beautiful nation it is today. Nullah carries with him the Aboriginal heritage and the look to the future attitude. He has a rich, deep personality and a strong influence. There is no chance of not falling in love with this character. And Brandon Walters's performance is exceptional.

I couldn't find, unfortunately, an image of a Boab tree. I can say that it is one on the most impressive and beautiful trees I've ever seen. I found an image of the desert when it blooms, after the rain, one of the wonders I heard that happens in Australia.

Cockerel's Mass

2009-12-25T20:25:00.005Z

"Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum!"

(Excerpt from "Adeste Fideles")

Note bene: I'm not sure if I should relate the birth of Jesus with a church; this is just a creative option. According to the Bible, Jesus was born in a stable or in a cave in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph looked all over Jerusalem for a place to spend the night and everybody rejected them. On the other hand, my friends, the birth of Jesus was a gift to all Mankind - it really doesn't matter if someone is Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or any other religion, or even if someone is an atheist. My respect to all.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Miracle

2009-12-22T14:11:00.008Z

"Many nights we pray
With no proof anyone could hear
And our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understand

Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we know we could

Oh yes, there can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill

Who knows what miracle
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away

And now I am standing here
My heart's so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fear, ohh
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way safe through the rain
Thought of a still resilient voice
Says love is very near

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will, how you will
You will when you believe

You will when you believe
Just believe
You will when you believe
Just believe
You will when you believe."

(Leon Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston)

I want to wish you, my dear friends, followers and all the ones who walked with me this path of Rocking the Cage, the best Christmas ever. I wish you a Christmas full of fulfilled dreams, a Christmas of Peace and Love, and may everybody rejoice in this marvellous Brotherhood of Man. It doesn't matter what colour is your skin, which religion you have or have not, your social status, or whatever. I love you all.

Lady Courage

2009-12-21T13:17:00.011Z

“When people sing
Is to cast away all the evil,
And they play the sound
To reveal the four truths.

The truth is that revolts me
That there is so many fakery
Wearing necktie and suit,
Who play the tambourine
To the most convenient sound,
Who seem to have no blood
Saying with a small voice
But with wide open mouth:
“What the hell does it matter to me
If this woman is dying of hunger?”

This lady who struggles
For freedom and for Human Rights
Does not wear medals
Doesn’t display a full chest,
But she has two ovaries,
And you may consider
Whether for her is easy,
Watching her all alone
Making echoes in the news
Defending her people, Saharawi.

And now they are getting so lovely,
The ones on the other side of the Strait
Threatening to cut off the signed.
And there, no-one cares,
And that fills me with courage,
Knowing that this is all a damn farce,
That the problem of the hoaxes
And the one of the soft drugs
Is nothing but a miserable blackmail.

To you, Saharawi people,
Who have been asking for mercy,
Prisoner of the indifference
And from the ones who are cowards,
I beg you not to loose
Your hope;
That nothing can be achieved
If it is not started.
And we have thirty nine days
Watching that brave woman,
Hanging on her bones,
Dying for her people
With a hunger strike.

And to you, people of Spain,
(and of the whole world, I would add)
Who cast away the evil, singing,
I ask you to stop looking
To the other side
For now is not the time to sing
Now is a time to fight,
And to say, yelling loudly,
To the Sahara, the Freedom,
For the Human Rights...
I am, too, Aminatou Haidar!”

(This poem was shared by Lys)

http://dondevalaluna.blogspot.com/

It's Christmas time. It's time for us to remember the ones who won't have any Christmas. It's time for the words to be more than words, repeated in a song that plays time after time after time and to which people don't listen any more - "Do they know it's Christmas time at all?" It's time to think of the children who are suffering violence and fear day after day, whose life is a terror every minute. In this time of spending rivers of money, can't we think that those human beings there don't even have a bowl of soup to eat? How hard it is to survive in the middle of the desert... How harder can it be if you are in a state of subjection and under the shadow of a gun? Christmas isn't a time for consumism - it's a time when generosity of the heart, when human solidarity should prevail. This is the spirit of Christmas.

160.000 Saharawis are now in refugee camps. Those bear the names of the cities they had to leave. Small memories of home for those who need to survive in the toughest conditions, in the middle of the desert - as I said before - where even the International Aid hardly can get. The calculated survival time to the refugees is around two, three years. How long have they been there now? I don't know.

The United States promised to help Spain to find a solution for Aminatou's situation, and therefore to the people who die of hunger with her (she is not alone in this suffering). But these promises happened while she was still in Lanzarote Airport. Meanwhile, she was taken to the Hospital and silence fell, like a veil, over this revolting situation. If this poor and brave woman dies, I ask, will the Saharawi people be, once more, forgotten? They are dying of hunger too! And thirst, I believe. And of atrocities that we can't even imagine...

35 years. For thirty five years the Saharawi fought against occupation, for their own right to self-determination. Thirty five years the world answered with indifference, with silence, with looking to the other side. Thirty five years we ignored children suffering and dying, hum,an beings to whom future is death. Time for a change in attitudes. It's time to give the Saharawis a Christmas.

Again, taking the risk of repeating myself - to the end of all wars. Cheers!

My heart with you, Aminatou, and all the ones who take her words farther. For Peace!

The end of all wars

2009-12-19T19:31:00.008Z

"... And men have made
A final agreement:
To put an end to war
To put an end to hunger
To live in Love."

(Duo Ouro Negro)

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

To all the ones who still believe, to the ones who lost hope, to all Mankind:

Merry Christmas!

Breathe

2009-12-18T21:01:00.010Z

“With every waking breath I breathe
I see what life has dealt to me
With every sadness I deny
I feel a chance inside me die

Give me a taste of something new
To touch to hold to pull me through
Send me a guiding light that shines
Across this darkened life of mine

Breathe some soul in me
Breathe your gift of love to me
Breathe life to lay before me
Breathe to make me breathe

For every man who built a home
A paper promise for his own
He fights against an open flow
Of lies and failures, we all know

To those who have and who have not
How can you live with what you've got?
Give me a touch of something sure
I could be happy evermore

Breathe some soul in me
Breathe your gift of love to me
Breathe life to lay before me
To see to make me breathe

Breathe your honesty
Breathe your innocence to me
Breathe your word and set me free
Breathe to make me breathe

This life prepares the strangest things
The dreams we dream of what life brings
The highest highs can turn around
To sow love's seeds on stony ground

Breathe
Breathe

Breathe some soul in me
Breathe your gift of love to me
Breathe life to lay before me
To see to make me breathe”

(Midge Ure)

This is one of the better hymns I know. A hymn to Love, a hymn to Life; a hymn to all the things that should be praised this Christmas and always. A hymn to birth and rebirth, to all the children and elderly people in all the world. That's who I offer it to. Life is sacred, and whenever, wherever it happens, it must be cherished. Love cannot be absent from anyone's life. This world is so beautiful, the human being is so special - let Love rule the world!

It seems that I'm reviewing my life in every line, in every word of this song...

Snow is falling

2009-12-17T21:14:00.011Z

"They knock light, so lighty
As if someone was calling me...
Could it be rain? Could it be people?
People isn’t, certainly,
And the rain doesn’t knock that way...
It is maybe the wind;
But a little, little while ago,
Not even a needle stirs
In the quiet melancholy
Of the pines in the path...
Who could be knocking this way, lightly,
With such a strange lightness,
That I hardly hear, I hardly feel?
It isn’t rain, it isn’t people,
And it isn’t wind, for sure.
I went out to see.
The snow was falling
From the greyish blue of the sky,
White and light, white and cold,
There was so long since I last saw it!
And how I longed for it, my God!
I look at it through the window.
It turned everything in the colour of linen
People are passing by, and as they go,
Print the footsteps and trace
In the whiteness of the road...
I stay there looking at those signs,
And I notice, among the others,
Of the poor people who walk
The miniature tracks
Of little child’s feet...
And barefoot, painful,
The snow still lets them be seen,
At first, well defined
- Afterwards, in long furrows
Because she could no longer raise them!
Whoever is already a sinner
May suffer torments... However!
But the children, oh Lord!
Why do you give them so much suffering!?...
Why do they hurt this way?
And an infinite sorrow,
A deep perturbation
Gets into me, remains stuck in me.
The snow is falling in the nature...
And is falling in my heart."

(Augusto Gil)

So strange, so sad, in Christmas time, to see the old people counting the coins to buy a little gift to their grandchildren; whether it is a package of sweets or a box of pens and a drawing pad. So strange, so sad, to hear them say "Money is not enough!" and start taking things away until it fits the meager budget. So strange, so sad, to know that they worked hard all their lives - and surely made the fortune of so many others - and live with a truly miserable retirement pay. And the mythical european Christmas Allowance, that only gets in the pockets of who has already so much. I cried today. If I had had any money, I would have gladly paid the difference - but we are not allowed to have not even a coin. Fortunately, there was an angel behind the queue, and she gently offered to pay, because her heart was shattered to see the old lady put aside so many things she couldn't pay for...

The storm

2009-12-16T21:57:00.006Z

"So much of my condition I find uncertainty
That in lively flame I’m shivering with cold;
Without a reason, at the same time I laugh and I cry,
I embrace all the world and nothing I hold.

Everything I feel is a disorder;
From my soul a fire bursts, from my sight a river;
Now I hope, now I mistrust
Now I delirate, now I harmonize.

Being on Earth, I arrive to the sky, flying;
In an hour I find a thousand years, and is right
That in a thousand years I cannot find an hour.

If anyone asks why I'm feeling this way
I answer that I don't know, though I suspect
That is only because I saw you, Milady."

Luís de Camões

"When I saw her, my cloudless sky was striken by a lightning. In the quiet sea rose an immense, devastating wave, that swept away the sand from my beach. It was as if the first drop of water fell in my dry and parched lips after a long journey through the burning desert. Her eyes turned the Winter into a new Spring.
I came closer to her, slowly, gently; I was afraid that her lovely image would disappear like a mirage. She was a brunette, with an olive tone of skin. Her dark eyes reflected the beauty of the Universe. Her voice... Her voice was like the surface of a lake, serene and deep. She was a mermaid, singing in the peaceful night. And I was a sailor, irresistibly attracted to the fierce rocks of desire."

(Robert)

Christmas wishes

2009-12-15T19:18:00.005Z

Christmas is a time for Hope, is a time for dreams.
Today, Santa is going to grant you three wishes. You just have to say what you dream of. This is easy; just follow the rules!
1. Post this stamp in your Blog.
2. Say who sent it to you.
3. Make your three Christmas wishes.
4. Indicate twelve Blogs you really, really like.

This beautiful idea was sent to me by Ely, from the Blog Bobeiras em Geral, and I must say that such tenderness filled my heart with joy. It is so nice to know that our friends are there, especially at this time of the year!

I ask for nothing material for Christmas. My three wishes are simple:
1. To spend the Christmas with my husband and children, in safety.
2. Go back to Portugal.
3. Find a nice little school and work!

Twelve Blogs I choose are (in no specific order):
1. Steve E - Another sober alcoholic;
2. Sorrow - Labyrinth Studio;
3. Audrinna - Audrinna World;
4. Lili Laranjo - Africa em Poesia;
5. Robert Weber - Stare at the Stars;
6. Caio Fernandes - Mein Welt;
7. Dulce - Sweeter Poetry;
8. Silvia - Via de Escape;
9. Mama Zen - The Zen of motherhood;
10. Shadow - 1 door away from heaven;
11. Sakkarah - Sakkarah-clave;
12. Adolfo Payes - Adolfo Payes poemas;

There are many, many other Blogs I like especially and I thank each one of you for being with me this Christmas. Your presence is so important and is never forgotten! If I was Santa - and I would like to be, just for a day, I would grant each one of you, my followers and friends, a wonderful wish. As I am not, I give you all my love and my very positive thoughts and vibrations for your happiness.

"Man is mortal for his fears

And immortal for his wishes."

(Pitagoras)

Innocence

2009-12-14T14:03:00.010Z

“Felizes os pobres em espírito, porque deles é o Reino do Céu.
Felizes os aflitos, porque serão consolados.
Felizes os mansos, porque possuirão a terra.
Felizes os que têm fome e sede de justiça, porque serão saciados.
Felizes os que são misericordiosos, porque encontrarão misericórdia.
Felizes os puros de coração, porque verão a Deus.
Felizes os que promovem a paz, porque serão chamados filhos de Deus.
Felizes os que são perseguidos por causa da justiça, porque deles é o Reino do Céu.
Felizes vocês, se forem insultados e perseguidos, e se disserem todo tipo de calúnia contra vocês, por causa de Mim.
Fiquem alegres e contentes, porque será grande para vocês a recompensa no céu. Do mesmo modo perseguiram os profetas que vieram antes de vocês.”

(Mateus 5, 3-12)

I believe in Love.
I believe in the magic of the Universe.
I believe that all hearts must bear a flame of kindness.
I believe there is a Justice
Beyond prejudice and mischief.
A universal justice
That protects the righteousness of the world.
I believe Evil cannot prevail.
I believe every life is sacred
From the moment when is conceived.
I believe the children are gifts from God;
Must be cherished and loved and protected
Every moment of their lives
- Every child, not only our own.
I believe in the Human Being
Every human is a temple
Of thoughts, feelings, ideas, creativity.
The greatness shines in his hands and in his eyes.

I believe in Truth...
Let our innocence save us!

Francesco d'Assisi

2009-12-12T20:48:00.004Z

This picture was taken in complete darkness at the Convento dos Capuchos in Sintra, when it was still in ruins. It's not centered, but I couldn't see at all what I was focusing. It has a lot of magic to me, though, because its beauty seems pure and timeless. It is just as if they were still living there.

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

1984

2009-12-11T20:42:00.013Z

"Can I take this for granted
With your eyes over me?
In this place
This wintery home
I know there's always someone in

Sexcrime
Sexcrime
Nineteen eighty four

And so I face the wall
Turn my back against it all
How I wish I'd been unborn
Wish I was unliving here

Sexcrime
Sexcrime
Nineteen eighty four

I'll pull the bricks down
One by one
Leave a big hole in the wall
Just where you are looking in."

(Eurythmics)

1984. Do you remember? It was a true masterpiece, written by George Orwell in 1948. This book presents a new and horrific kind of society, where totalitaranism is so absolute that even thoughts are controlled.
The plot happens in Oceania, in the former Britain. London is under an absolute surveillance of the Big Brother. When the Big Brother speaks, everything must stop and the silence must be absolute. Everywhere there are posters reminding that “Big Brother is watching you”, and indeed he is. There is a mind control police, which uses telescreens in every house, in every room, in every street. This telescreen invigilates every word, every movement, every expression. One single spontaneous reaction can expose someone as having dangerous thoughts. Dangerous thoughts are all the ones that are not directed exclusively to the greatness of the Big Brother. Love is a Crime Thought, because it makes people think of the beloved one in first place. There can be no love, not even among the members of a family.
And how easy is it to control dangerous thoughts? That’s the most absurd; it’s enough to make an accusation. No evidence is needed – where did I see that before? If someone doesn’t like his neighbour, makes a delation and the neighbour disappears. A son can accuse his mother, a brother can accuse his brother. Children are indocrinated to spy on their parents – this is what is written in 1984, not my view. The Thought Police comes and takes the accused away, proceeding to a re-education, a common brainwash. If this procedure doesn’t work, there is room 101. In room 101, everyone can find his worse nightmare. To a hungry man, there is a table full of delicious food, and he cannot eat. For Winston Smith, the hero, there were rats, his phobia, threatening to eat him. Most people cannot resist what happens in room 101.
Winston’s crime was falling in love. He was imprisoned, tortured, re-educated. He was forced to betray his deepest feelings. He was released when, in room 101, during the torture, he screamed "Do it to Julia! Do it to Julia!"

This genial book didn't come to me now. I read it in 1984, and a thousand times I spoke about it to my pupils, to explain the Big Brother phenomena and the dangers of falling into a "Big Brother" kind of society. Equally genial, and worth reading is the Animal Farm, by the same author.

Charter of Fundamental Rights - Freedoms I

2009-12-09T19:30:00.009Z

Here we are, back to the Lisbon Treaty. Today, more than ever, I'm convinced that this is important, after what happened to me yesterday. After all, the Charter of Fundamental Rights stops any kind of invividual state within the European Union to exert abuses over the individual citizens or collective organizations. What was done to me and my family is completely illegal in the light of the new law, here - or old laws in Portugal, for example. I've known it for years.

In practice, no-one can decide to get into your home or invade your private life in any form (Article 7). No-one can lecture you in whether you should go to his or her church or not (Article 10). No-one can write things about you, as this so-called Social Worker did, give you documents to sign and not even show you what she wrote (Article 8).

Further away, I'll demonstrate here how any kind of allegations made against you need to be proved (Article 48). The amazing thing here in my studies about the way how Social Services work is that they have an omnipotence to decide on people's and families' lives without needing evidence for their arbitrariness. This is absurd, in a civilized world.

As a citizen, I'm so happy for the Social concerns of this new Europe. This is the end of tyranny in many aspects and the safeguard to so many millions of people. I just wish everybody knew and had the possibility of making their Rights prevail.

This is how the girls saw the "monsters" yesterday.

CHAPTER II

FREEDOMS

Article 6
Right to liberty and security
Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.

Article 7
Respect for private and family life
Everyone has the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications.

Article 8
Protection of personal data
1. Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her.
2. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the
person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law. Everyone has the right of access to data which has been collected concerning him or her, and the right to have it rectified.

3. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to control by an independent authority.

Article 9
Right to marry and right to found a family
The right to marry and the right to found a family shall be guaranteed in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of these rights.

Article 10
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom
to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.

2. The right to conscientious objection is recognised, in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of this right.

... Do you read me, Essex?

These are YOUR Rights. Standing for them, you are standing for yourself and for the ones you love!

Terror in Essex

2009-12-08T17:27:00.009Z

I am a mother absolutely in distress. I have two little girls with five years old and I have received an unexpected visit from a Social Worker. We told her, as you recommend in your article, that she couldn't get in and to pay a visit she should contact us before. She replied "That's the law in this country!" and she entered without permission. Me and my husband, we were by mere chance at home - my husband works nights and I work days. She said that she had a complaint from school, saying that the headteacher was concerned about their well-being. Just to explain the situation, I started a Home Learning system with my children because they were physically and psychologically abused at school (they were called "disgusting foreigners" and beaten by a teacher in the mouth several times). I'm in touch with the Education Authority and they approved my Home Learning program. My children are healthy, loved and happy. They draw princesses and animals and they always have a big smile in their faces. After this Social Worker went away, they drew monsters.
.
She insisted in speaking with the children alone - they didn't want to speak to her, because since they went to that school they are absolutely scared of strangers, she inspected everything from the fridge to the toilet. She asked why aren't the girls dressed in dresses (because what they are wearing looks like a pyjama, she said), and she wanted to inspect the closet to see what kind of dresses do they have. But afterwards she complained that it's cold. She even complained why the curtains in the living room were half closed. She asked and wanted to see where does every member of the family sleep, the names of the food we eat (my mother in law cooks hungarian food). I told her that this was an invasion of privacy (which it was in fact) and she only replied "I'm sorry that you feel that way." She asked about our religion and why don't we go to church. We are Catholics. There is no Catholic Church in the neighbourhood. We have our altars at home and we pray here, I showed her Our Lady of Fatima and Jesus on his cross. She asked several times why did we come to England and when do we go away. She complained about the smell to moth (we have an humidity problem at home and we are dealing with it every day - it's not our fault.)
I'm scared to death that they take our children away from us. I wrote to my President, for the third time - he already answered twice and said that my situation is being solved at this moment by the Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities. and I called our lawyer here in England, but I couldn't but leave a message.
I guess we must have support from someone important, as you said. Here in England, we know no-one, we are foreigners. We are in a terrible and frightening disavantage. At this moment, we are waiting the solution of the Secretary of State, just to go home in Portugal. We came here because we were deceived with promises of a brilliant future for us and for our children. Otherwise, we wouldn't have come. England was desperately looking for teachers, officially, and I'm a teacher. Actually, I can't find a job as a teacher, because I didn't come from an English speaking country. Our lives cannot get any worse, except for this horrible threat of taking our children from us. Can they do that?

"The case returns the spotlight to claims that social services are being heavy-handed in removing children from their parents, in order to meet Government adoption targets."

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

"How social services are paid bonuses to snatch babies for adoption." By SUE REID - 31st January 2008

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

"But over the five years since I began investigating the scandal of forced adoptions, I have found a deeply secretive system which is too often biased against basically decent families.

I have been told of routine dishonesty by social workers and questionable evidence given by doctors which has wrongly condemned mothers.

Meanwhile, millions of pounds of taxpayers' money has been given to councils to encourage them to meet high Government targets on child adoptions."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

"We think they wanted her for adoption from the beginning."

No wonder she, and thousands of other parents, want a shake-up of the heart-breakingly cruel adoption system which has ripped apart so many families - and which continues to do so."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

"Figures recently released by the Department for Local Government and Community Cohesion show that two councils - Essex and Kent - were offered more than £2million "bonuses" over three years to encourage additional adoptions."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

The more I read, the more I'm convinced that this is a kidnapping under legal appearences. Am I wrong? Or, even worse, human trafficking!!!

Climate change

2009-12-07T20:02:00.004Z

The Copenhagen climate change Summit started today, with the appeal of the Danish Prime-minister Lars Rasmussen for the 192 participating countries to get to a consensus. The purpose of this Summit is the decision on concrete measures to work on the reduction of CO2 emissions, the ones responsible for the increase in temperatures across the Earth.
It is a difficult subject to discuss and the opinions vary on the concerns about Global Warming and Global Cooling. What is going to happen, after all? Facts are pointing, in a short term, to Global Warming, with the consequent melting of polar ice caps and the rising on the ocean levels. Other consequences are storms of bigger and more devastating intensity, draughts and an increase in acidity levels of the ocean waters, with the subsequent changes in sea life.
As everything in Nature has a very frail balance, a change in one factor affords changes in all, and the intensity of changes seems to be multiplied as they happen. That's the object of study of a very important science - very little spoken of - named Echology, which should be studied at all levels in school, and isn't. A full understanding of Nature is essential to a change in attitudes. This last change is the one that can effectively save the Planet.
Again, as it seems, the Summit hardly started and the concerns are already turned to the financial support to countries which must preserve their forest areas. In my opinion - but I'm not an expert - that is not the point. Forests must be preserved at all costs, and this attitude must not depend on money. It must be a cultural and educational attitude. As to money to reintroduce native flora and fauna, yes... And to keep an inforcement on protection policies. Am I contradicting myself? Perhaps not, because this should from the beginning be a concern in National State Budgets, not depend on "If they give me money, I'll do it; if they don't, I won't!" What kind of an example is this for the future generations?
Anyway, maintaining the forests, planting trees seems to be the best solution, but must be a concern of all, independently of Economy. After all, is the future of all, rich and poor, in stake. No-one escapes to the Climate Change, as no-one would escape to a Third World War. We have only one Earth, only one home. If this one gets into climate chaos, there is no other to run to.

Another point to be discussed unavoidably is the frail balance of the oceans. For decades, the oceans have been seen as a deposit to all rubbish that Mankind produces - including non-biodegradable waste, toxic and nuclear waste (I wonder where they do deposit it now...) As I know and has been proven for years, the oceans play a primordial part in the climate balance, especially in what concerns the protection of the atmosphere - as fundamental as the one played by the forests. An ill ocean cannot contribute to this balance. So the reduction of pollutants would be an issue of major importance to be discussed too.

Coronation

2009-12-05T13:31:00.004Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Eternal Love

2009-12-04T20:45:00.006Z

Fantasy

"There is a woman in all my life,
Who I cannot really precise.
A woman that I bring in me, though lost,
Without being able to kiss her.

There is a woman in my restless life.
A woman? There are two, many more,
Who are not vague dreams of a poet,
Or unreal shapes.

Women that there are, bodies, reality,
Have passed by me, humanely,
Leaving, when departing, the longing
That everybody leaves.

But something unique, that one who I didn't kiss,
Is who lures me, is who binds me and wants me.
With her I dream and I grieve ... I just don't know
Who is this woman."

Alfredo Brochado

So many mysteries in life; things that science or rationalism dare not to explain. One of them is one love, that is larger than life, that goes beyond time and space, that is so immense and eternal that nothing can destroy it. A love that is pure and perfect, that is far beyond description. That love lives with us through life and death and is indestructible. Some people call it Twin Flame, a soul that is part of our soul, but that was once separated and is always looking for the other half. It's a love that does not live of physical attraction but that finds in it the supreme expression. It's a spiritual love, the so called Platonic, but it's not a dream. It's reality.
When the Twin Flames meet, the Universe explodes in magic. It's an energy that binds them and that seems to recognize the other one, even if they never met before. There is a deep understanding, a profound knowledge, a Peace that invades the soul and it's a revelation. But so many times they cannot stay together...

This Love never ends, no matter what. Time goes by, and it remains. Pure and perfect, like a piece of eternity.

The magician

2009-12-02T22:04:00.005Z

The magician picks up his wand
And immobilizes a dream
Inside a drop of water,
In the reflexion of a tear,
In the quiet mirage of a word.
He captures a breath, a sigh,
And holds it in the endlessness of Time.
Then he turns tears into flowers,
He turns flowers into laughter,
And the children rise from the petals
And sing... Because water is Life;
We can never forget.
The magician smiles
His eyes shine...
And the dew drops turn into stars.

(Sílvia)

Robert Weber has a beautiful Blog, where he makes true miracles with his magic wand Fujifilm Finepix S9600. You'll be surprised.

A new beginning

2009-12-01T14:34:00.006Z

Image via Wikipedia

Today, December 1st, is signalized the coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty. It's a new beginning, the dawn of a new Europe and the rising of new expectations. A fairer Europe, stronger in economical terms but also more concerned about Human Rights and Social protection of the most disavantaged. Even though I had my own concerns about the way how it would be put into practice, I believe we have strong reasons to celebrate.

The ceremony will take place in Lisbon, ahead of the Torre de Belém, a symbolic monument that marked, in the past, the beginning of a new era too. A era of a new Humanity, turned out, seeking new knowledge and new achievements. It will be organized by the Portuguese Government, the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, the Municipality of Lisbon and the European Commission. In the same place, two years ago, the new Treaty was signed by the twenty seven leaders of the European Union countries.

The President of the Portuguese Republic, Dr. Cavaco Silva, the President of the European Commission, Dr. Durão Barroso, the Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, the President of the Spanish Goverment, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero - the future Presidency of the European Union - and the newly appointed President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the Representant for External Politics and Security, the Baroness Catherine Ashton, are some of the personalities who will participate in this ceremony.

It isn't simply an event. It is a step forward for Freedom, for Equality, against the disrespect for Fundamental Rights. It's the demolishing of walls and frontiers, the dismantlement of prejudice and discrimination. It's the protection against hunger, against unemployment and exploitation, the guarantee of Health and Education. It is the reinforcement of Justice. This is an ideal that bares the most importance for the common people. That's why I'm writing about it.

This is a time for lights, a time for candles, a time for hope. So, deeply within our hearts and in every way, we are celebrating and hoping for the best.

"It's only the beginning now
...a pathway yet unknown
At times the sound of other steps
...sometimes we walk alone

The best beginnings of our lives
May sometimes end in sorrow
But even on our darkest days
The sun will shine tomorrow.

So we must do our very best
Whatever life may bring
And look beyond the winter chill
To smell the breath of spring.

Into each life will always come
A time to start anew
A new beginning for each heart
As fresh as morning dew.

Although the cares of life are great
And hands are bowed so low
The storms of life will leave behind
The wonder of a rainbow.

The years will never take away
Our chance to start anew
It's only the beginning now
So dreams can still come true."

(Gertrude B. McClain)

"Brotherhood of man"

2009-11-29T21:51:00.005Z

Image via Wikipedia

"Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"

(John Lennon)

John Lennon had a beautiful vision of this world. A world with no boundaries; a world for everyone. A true notion of Equality, with no discrimination of people, based on origins, tone of skin, religion or culture. A true social justice, not based on wealth; with no advantages to the rich, no suffering to the poor. A key sentence, "sharing all the world"... No war, no reasons to "kill or die for". Is there any reason that justifies that? No. A world of peace, the "brotherhood of man". How far are we from this ideal world?
Personally, I do not believe in "no religion", but I believe that all religions are one and lead into one path of Peace. I believe in John Paul II and his attempts to find what's common among all and reunite people that have been separated by prejudice for centuries. Today I was wondering where that effort has gone, and where his legacy remained. I believe, unfortunately there was a retrocession in his achievements, caused maybe by the economical recession, that once more launched people against people, nations against nations. I had - and still have - a secret faith in someone who is continuing this ideal nowadays. Let's see what comes out of it.
So many people had this dream... So many people fought for it. I'm not talking about war; after all, the "feather is mightier than the sword". But words are lost in the wind, especially when economic interests speak louder and mean more to the powerful people who lead our destiny. I imagine if John Lennon found the answer to his quest. I wonder where it may be. I hope, I mean, really hope, there is one and it is more than just a dream.

Knights' refuge

2009-11-28T23:07:00.004Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Cage is a horrible thing!

2009-11-27T19:53:00.007Z

Photo by Robert Weber

“Iracema is a scaredycat! ...”
Everyone was in flock flying around and screaming all the time. Her little brown eyes were filled with water.
“Don’t do that.” she whispered.
Everybody rested in the branches and commented:
“Come on, Iracema, what is it? Let's go there. Everyone hangs in the electrical wiring and is a delight. We swing so much that we never end any more. Here and there ... Here and there."
“No. No. I won't. I am afraid. You should never go. You should never leave the forest.”
“Nonesense! What has it?”
“Has, yes. And if you find a trap?” Iracema questioned, feeling nervous. “And if there is a cage?”
“Cage?” I asked, astonished. “What is it? Mom never talked to us about cages.”
“That is because you are children.”
“Then, Iracema, talk. Let everybody know what is a cage.”
Iracema felt a chill and her little voice came out shaky.
“Cage is a horrible thing. Something very ugly. A forest of very thin trees, tethered by a liane called wire. It has a door. They put everyone there inside, and that’s the end. We can never leave.”
“Ah! That does not exist. You are imagining things. Let's swing in the wires.”
She twisted nervously the wing tips.
“Please excuse me, but I won't.”
Saying this, raised flight and fled to the heart of this forest, where was warm and cosy. Everyone stayed there, mocking her loudly.
”Iracema is a scaredycat! ...”
How far those voices remained: ”Iracema is a scaredycat.”

.
Now, my eyes fill with water as I see the cage around my young body. Iracema was right: the cage is something awful! I don't have a willingness to move any more. Nor I know even if I got used to jumping from one perch to another. Everything is so sad. Sad. Sad.
“Boy, what sadness is that?”asked, from the other cage, Pedro, a old Tie-blood. “This passes. At the beginning is always this way. Soon enough you’ll start singing, and singing, life is beautiful, even inside a cage.”
“No. I never will sing. I never will sing.”
And I recalled Iracema, who would never go through everything that I had. Iracema would have broods and broods of chicks, and would continue living with fear, but living free, within the forest.”

Such a long time I've looked for this story! Now I found it, still I don't know who the author is. My sincere and moved tribute to him, or her. This story tells me a lot, especially now. The amazing thing is: I learned this story when I was little, yet I forgot or didn't understand the lesson that it had to convey. I'm hoping and praying for some gentle soul to open the cage door just a little bit, just enough for the birds to fly away.

Charter of Fundamental Rights - Dignity

2009-11-26T22:27:00.009Z

Image by thorinside via Flickr

I started studying the Lisbon Treaty today, in what concerns the Charter of Fundamental Rights. It's quite interesting, and in my opinion it has a strong connection with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, though adapted to new situations that didn't happen in 1948. It answers, though, to many questions that have crossed my mind in the last year or so.
Firstly, I had made a selection of rights, but now I want to show it all. There are rights that made me feel a great sorrow in my heart. like the prohibition of Discrimination (for example, in grounds of Nationality); the right to Education of children; and mine (and of so many others) to pursue a profession to which I'm prepared and that I chose; the right to Social Protection in case of illness; the right to reconcile family and professional life; and so on, so on, so on.
Anyway, I decided to dig deeply into this document, and to give the information, which is free, to my fellow citizens and workers. Read it, question it, discuss it, think about it. It's so important to all our lives!

CHAPTER I

DIGNITY
Article 1
"Human dignity
Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected.

Article 2
Right to life
1. Everyone has the right to life.
2. No one shall be condemned to the death penalty, or executed.

Article 3
Right to the integrity of the person
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity.
2. In the fields of medicine and biology, the following must be respected in particular:
the free and informed consent of the person concerned, according to the procedures laid down by law,
the prohibition of eugenic practices, in particular those aiming at the selection of persons,
the prohibition on making the human body and its parts as such a source of financial gain,
the prohibition of the reproductive cloning of human beings.

Article 4
Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 5
Prohibition of slavery and forced labour
1. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2. No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
3. Trafficking in human beings is prohibited."

This is just the first Chapter. Little by little, we'll pick them all. You can read much more in Charter of Fundamental Rights. I was very curious and already read it all!

Domestic violence

2009-11-24T19:04:00.011Z

Image via Wikipedia

Sad woman portrait

"She dressed for a ball that there wasn’t.
She sat with her last jewels.
And looked to the side, immobile.

She is seeing the halls that were finished
She rocks in waltzes which she didn’t dance,
Slightly she smiles for a man,
The man who didn’t exist.

If someone says that she dreams,
She will raise with disdain the arched eyebrows,
Because no-one ever lived with such fullness.

But to speak about her life
She must lower the almost childish eyelashes,
And expect two endless tears to fade."

Cecilia Meireles

Domestic violence is a hard subject to write about. To have gone through that and survived is an achievement, whether it happens to men, women or children. Victims are still involved in a network of silence and shame. Victims are still seen, in some way, as guilty, and have to listen to sentences such as "You certainly did something to provoque it!". There is the fear, the repression, the trauma of the failure of what they believed would be a dream marriage. Nothing can wipe out the memories and very few things can change the way how they are seen in the society.
It takes courage and determination to come out of a situation of domestic violence. It takes money too, which is a serious issue if you think that many women victims live on the expenses of the aggressor and have no means of supporting themselves after their liberation. It takes money to pay a good lawyer who guarantees the woman's rights, especially in what concerns the custody of the children.
.
A woman who is a victim of domestic violence or who sees her children being subject to this violence can't even flee from her home and take the children with her. If she does that, in a moment of fear or despair, she automatically loses entitlement to the house or to the children's custody. As a result, she must deliver the children to the aggressor. Would any mother do that? I don't think so.
.
She may request a divorce on legal grounds. To do that, she must have proof that the violence occurs. Even if this happens, a litigious divorce can take years. And there are the utterly humiliating reconciliation sessions, from couple of months to couple of months. It's in this mean time that many disgraces happen, sometimes resulting in death of the victims. During this mean time, the victim must play the perfect wife, or legally the aggressor can act against her, hitting her in what hurts the most - the children. A friendly divorce is rare to happen in these cases. So, to many victims, domestic violence seems to be a dead end.
.
So, there is the police to recurr to in the moments of fear. True? False. In most countries, most policemen are still not trained to deal with these situations and in many countries it is seen as normal. The victim seeks help, and they answer " We don't interfere between a man and his wife!" and they add "If something happens, we'll go there!" Meaning? "Oh, don't worry! If someone dies we'll put him in jail!"
.
There's much more to it. The psychological implications are dreadful. The theft of identity, of personality, the nullification of the human being. This post is already too long; I'll talk about it in another time.
.
For now, praise the victims. Praise the victims who have the courage to scream and who have the courage to jump out of this endless nightmare. My heart is with all of them.

Friends forever

2009-11-23T20:05:00.009Z

"It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way,
you always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name -- for so long,
a beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it,
I would be nothing without you.

Fly, fly, fly away,
you let me fly so high.
Oh, fly, fly,
so high against the sky, so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you, thank God for you,
the wind beneath my wings."

Bette Midler

Simone went to Sweden; she’s living somewhere near Stockholm.
Fátima went to France; she’s living somewhere near Paris.
Fátima stayed in Portugal; she’s living somewhere near Lisbon.
Rita stayed in Portugal; she’s living somewhere near Setúbal.
Nuno stayed in Portugal; he’s living somewhere near Lisbon.
Romi went to the USA; he’s living somewhere near New York.
István came to London: he disappeared.

To my always beloved friends, brothers and sisters, my message of Love and hope. I will never forget you. Some day, we will meet again.

Up to the sky!

2009-11-22T11:30:00.004Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Heritage of birds

2009-11-21T14:18:00.010Z

Image via Wikipedia

"The Portuguese fado singer Mariza returns today to the famous Carnegie Hall in new York,"

"As spring water
My hand is transparent
In the eyes of my grandmother.
Between the Earth and the divine
My black grandmother knew
These things from the destiny.
Flows the sea I see
In rivers of that desire
Of who was born to sing.
Zambeze done Tejo
So sung that I envy
Lisbon, for living there.
I see a braided hair
And the warm singing of Fado
In a spiral shawl.
As in a fairy tale
The drums are guitars
And coconut palms, sunflowers.
My black grandmother knew
Read things of destiny
On the palm of every look.
Whether life wants or not
Said God to the sorceress
That I was born to sing."

(Mariza)

Marisa dos Reis Nunes was born in Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, on December, 16, 1973. When she was three years old, her family moved to Portugal. She grew in Alfama, one of the most characteristic wards of Lisbon.
Mariza, presented as the "ambassador of Fado in the world", started singing at five years old in her parents' tavern, then sang in marriages and pubs. Her favourite styles included gospel, soul, and jazz. She had also a strong inluence of Brazilian popular music, for having lived in that country for a while, during her young years.
In a time when no Portuguese editor wanted to take a chance on her, a Dutch editor decided to edit her first album, "Fado in me" in thirty two countries. From that moment, Mariza's name started to be known and she already acted in Central Park, at Sydney Opera, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, at Frankfurt Opera, and at Carnegie Hall in new York, where she returns today.
Marisa is a thin and beautiful girl, with a very frail structure, big expressive eyes and a voice that fills a room when she starts singing. She has an extraordinary presence and charisma; so much that the international press looks at her with respect. Even though Fado isn't definitely the most promoted of musical genres, she conquered a place of distinction among the most known of international artists.

If we take as an example the prestigious Rolling Stone Magazine, Mariza is described as the "Portuguese Fado Queen". Also, the Guardian recognizes her merit of bringing Fado to a global audience. To the CNN, she had a modernizing influence on Fado, approximating this music to the young generations. Her music is magic and is worth listening to...

"Silêncio, que se vai cantar o Fado!"

Sources: Sapo, Wikipedia.

The path

2009-11-19T22:36:00.013Z

I

"I have cruel dreams; in my hurt soul
I feel a premature and vague fear.
I walk with fear on the edge of the future,
Soaked in longing for the present ...
Longing for this pain that I search in vain
Chase away from my chest so rudely,
And, as I faint in the sunset,
Is due to cover my heart with a dark veil! ...
Because the pain, this lack of harmony,
All that dishevelled light that illuminates
The souls foolishly, the sky of nowadays
Without her, the heart is almost nothing:
A Sun where the dawn would expire
Because it’s only dawn when it mourns.

II

You met me one day in the path
What I was searching for, not even I know.
“Good day, companion”, I saluted you
That the journey is greater going alone
Is far, very far away, there are many thorns!
You stopped to rest, I rested ...
In the yard where you laid down, where I did,
Each one of us drank of the same wine.
Is in the scarped hill, so lonely.
Cuts the feet as the rock of a calvary,
And burns as sand. It was however
Where we mourned each other’s pain ...
And the wine in which you cried was common:
We had to drink of the same grief.

III

It was good for us, so good, this delay:
Toughened the tired courage.
Here are our staffs of hiking,
The sun is already breaking: Let's go.
This wine, virginity of the aurora,
So virgin we don’t have in the journey ...
Let’s fill the marrows: by the road,
From here still this nectar strengthens! ...
To each one of us, a turn. I'm alone,
I want to meet, lonely, the entire path,
I can’t resist to the great calm.
Let me cry more and drink more,
Chasing madly my ideals,
And have faith and dream of filling my soul."

Camilo Pessanha, in 'Clepsidra'

Who dared to chase an ideal? Who had the courage to leave everything behind and follow a dream? Who had enough self-confidence to believe that it would be possible, and the perseverance to fight for it? Who had the will to learn, the will to build and the heart to reach? I'm talking about Peace, I'm talking about future... Or are the dreamers really mad, as they were so often called throughout History? I don't think so. But then, I'm a dreamer...

Does it really matter?

2009-11-17T19:26:00.021Z

I'm having today one of those incredibly long days without inspiration.
While I was waiting for my husband to arrive with my mother-in-law, I was looking for a story in the Internet, which is intitled "It's good to be..." I found many "it's good to bes"; in fact, sixty pages of them, but I decided to focus on two. These have a very funny content, but incredibly representative in Sociological terms. After all, this is significant of what is still expected from a man or from a woman nowadays.

Why is it good to be a woman?
"There are advantages and gifts that men do not have:
Have the right to cry at the cinema.
We can use his piece of linen without looking ridiculous.
We fear the wrinkles, but not the baldness.
We can go to the bathroom in pairs without anyone commenting.
A short woman can use high heels to disguise her small stature.
With a little fond of teint, corrective blush and mask of eyelashes we can disguise any sign of tiredness.
The toilets of ladies are always the cleanest. Although sometimes ...
We can paint the nails of the hands and feet.
You do not need to be muscular to be sexy.
When we leave the hairdresser ... They notice it!"

http://www.forumfamilia.com/

Why is it good to be a man?
"A five-day travel requires only a backpack.
Phone conversations end up in thirty seconds or less.
No queues for the bathroom.
When touring TV channels, you don't have to stop when you see someone crying.
You can go to the bathroom without a support group.
If your work is criticised you aren't thinking everyone hates you.
If your work is praised, you aren't thinking what can be the second intentions.
You save time and money by washing the clothes every three weeks.
You can take a bath in less than five minutes.
You can dress in less than three minutes.
You can find the car keys in less than ten seconds.
You can park in waves that have less than two and a half times the length of your car.
When you drive, nobody tells you to do the laundry.
Cockroaches are only insects, not Japanese movie monsters.
Two pairs of shoes are enough: a black and a brown.
If someone forgets to invite you to something is just an oversight and not evidence that you are hated.
You don't have to shave below the neck.
None of your co-workers has the power to make you cry.
If you are thirty four years old and single, nobody minds.
Chocolate is a food like any other.
Flowers solve everything.
You don't have to worry about "hurting the feelings of others” to each call made.
Ana Maria Braga doesn’t exist in your universe.
The magazine "Caras" doesn’t exist in your universe.
You do not have the “tidy up your home” compulsion every fifteen seconds when someone rings the bell.
The mechanic tells you the truth.
You don’t care if someone sees or not you your hair cut.
If you're watching a game with a friend and he is in the most absolute silence for fourty-five minutes, it is because the game is good, and not because he is mad at you.
You do not depend on your spouse to schedule the VCR.
Hot wax and intimate parts are always at a respectable distance.
White hair and wrinkles add charm.
A broken fingernail is not the end of the world.
Nobody is looking at your chest while conversation.
Your relationship with your mother is absolutely normal.
If you say that you will call a friend you don’t, he doesn’t start moaning and the others do not form a Committee to solve the problem.
You do not fear the old age.
You don't have to remember everybody’s anniversaries of marriage and birth.
When you meet your friends, you know that you’re not going to face the phrase "Do you notice something new in me?"
Your friends do not force you to talk if you don’t have anything to speak.
The continuity of the universe does not depend on linen being changed every day.
Having a belly doesn’t prevent you from wearing t-shirt."

http://powerminas.com/

This isn't at all what I was looking for, I must say, but it gave me good reasons to think. Specially "None of your co-workers has the power to make you cry."

To respect the authoral rights, I decided to include the link to the original page.

Amazing, isn't it? I thought about the theme, myself, and I couldn't find specific reasons why it's good to be a man or a woman. Of course there's much more to it than these sometimes foolish sometimes reasonable reasons. What do you think?

Sweet spell

2009-11-16T22:44:00.006Z

“I'd like to look at you,
And tell you that you're a light,
That illuminates my night, guides me during the day and seduces me.

I'd like to be like you,
Not to have wings and though be able to fly,
Have the sky as background, go to the end of the world and return.

I don't know what happened to me.
Was it a spell,
What happened to me?
To love someone, so much
As I do love you.

I'd like you to look at me,
And feel that I am your sea,
To dive without fear, a secret look, just for me
To embrace you.

[Refrain]
I don't know what happened to me.
Was it a spell,
What happened to me?
To love someone, so much
As I do love you.

The first impulse is always the fairest, the truest.
And the first fright spins and spins in the round turn of a deep kiss.

I ...
I don't know what happened to me.
Was it a spell,
What happened to me?
To love someone, so much
As I do love you.

I ...
I don't know what happened to me.
Was it a spell,
What happened to me?
To love someone, so much
As I do love you.

As I do love you.”

André Sardet

My kingdom for a boat!

2009-11-15T11:38:00.003Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Tenderness

2009-11-14T16:41:00.006Z

My dear Julimar Murat gave me this fantastic Declaration of Fondness (Declaração de Afeto). Her Blog is very beautiful - there you can find wisdom without feeling judged in your intimate beliefs. She is a trully special Lady, and I thank her so dearly for having thought of me.

This is how it works:

You choose ten friends to declare your fondness and nominate them in a Post;

Then, you visit their blogs and communicate the nomination;

Each one of them must nominate another ten, and so on;

There are no prizes, only our sincere declaration of affection...

And here are my nominees:

Caminante

Cesc Ginesta

Helena Afonso

Life in Egypt

Loretta Adkins

Nancy

Nice Lima

Victor Manuel

Sil

I appreciate so much all of your hard work and I'm trying to keep up to date with everything. Each one of your Blogs gives me wealth - I'm talking about spiritual treasures - and different perspectives and ways of living and interpreting life. I'm so moved and so astonished, sometimes, and so grateful for the presence of each one of you 120 Cage Rockers and everybody else who doesn't want to show their lovely faces in here... You are a true inspiration!

Awesome day!

2009-11-13T12:03:00.008Z

My dear Journey & Adventure gave me this Awesome award. Her Blog is fantastic, is Awesome, has lots of funny and interesting things and I would advise anyone to visit it. I was delighted and literally fell off my chair laughing with the 118%. She has also lots of delicious workplace stories.

The rules to this award are:

1. Thank whoever gave this to you

2. Copy award

3. Post it in your blog

4. Tell us 7 things that your readers don’t know

5. Link 7 new bloggers

6. Notify winners of the award with a comment on their blog

7. Keep being awesome!

Do you really want to know my seven weirdest secrets? You can stop reading while you can!

1. I loved Metal music when I was young (still do) and I even played drums. Eheheh...

2. I would love to have a dinner and a duet with Bon Jovi.

3. My grandfather's brother invited me to go to Canada in the past and I refused (now, that's weird, isn't it?)

4. I always had this strange connection with England, ever since I was a child. I used to speak English with my few imaginary friends! Obviously my love is not returned and will never be.

5. I had an eye surgery when I was eight. The doctor's name was Carlos da Maia, the same as the hero of one of my favourite novels (Os Maias).

6. First Aid was one of the best "jobs" I ever did in a lifetime. I even thought of becoming a Nurse, but my timetable never allowed me to proceed.

7. I'm one of those rare persons who don't have a mobile phone and don't even dream of one!

Adolfo Payes

Bar do Bardo

Dulce

Mama Zen

Shadow

Silvia

Time is Running Away

I can't give an award to my Nordic photographer friends, because they have sort of an agreement, which I respect; but I would certainly do it! There you can find absolutely amazing works.

These friends have been with me every step of the way, dealing with my suns and moons, my sunny and stormy days, my joys and sorrows, my dreams and my disillusions. I have much much to thank them for!

My vows to all those who walk alongside with the Cage - Health, Love and Success (and no Cages in your lives, obviously!). Thank you. Every follower, every face, every eye, every symbol, every comment, make my day!

Sleep

2009-11-12T16:13:00.014Z

“A low , thick, grey sky
And a diffuse light in the air
Calls me to the delight of being
Reduced to the yeast
Of what in me is leavening
Is this strange torment
Of everything being up to satisfaction,
Throughout my thoughts
Be slumbering thinking.

But what is there beyond the dreaming?”

(Vergílio Ferreira)

I couldn't find my way through the Glass Tower again.
I climbed those stairs, slowly, secretly: how I wanted to be invisible. I didn't want to wake up the dragon. Around me, the profusion of lights, sounds, colours. It is a true maze, the Glass Tower. I know it very well, though. The places where I can go, and I can't - specially, the place where the dragon has his nest. The worst is: the place where my treasure is buried is behind the dragon's nest. The corridors make a wide circle. If I contour it, I can get to the treasure without crossing the dragon's way.
I'm scared to death. I know the dragon and he knows me! It seems that he can feel me. Every time I go there, no matter how silent I try to be, he wakes up. It's as if he could smell me, or as if we had some kind of telepathy and he could understand my intentions. Never, in years, I could get to the treasure. Old as it is, probably it was eaten by the bugs...

My treasure is an old box, full of letters and photos. When I buried it in the Glass Tower, there was still no dragon. The old beast came afterwards. He was attracted by the beauty of that place. Or perhaps he knew...

I defied that dragon once or twice in the past. All he needed was to roar with his powerful hollow-sounding voice and I ran away. I guess my fear is bigger than my courage.

I'm miles and miles away from the Glass Tower now. One day, I'll be back there, and I'll have the courage to face the dragon. Whether I'll recover my treasure or not, it's a mystery. Things seem so distant now... I don't even know if fear will defeat me once more, when it comes the moment to look through the glass and open Pandora's box.

And then? What is going to happen? How deeply will those old memories mess up all my life?

To my Hero friend

2009-11-11T21:40:00.008Z

Come with me, my brother

Hold my hands

Let's look at the horizon.

Stand by me,

Let's hug one more time...

I saw in your eyes

The pain of the time that's gone

Where have you been?

What have you seen?

The medals in your chest...

You're a hero, brother

Yet you stand all alone,

With no-one to talk to,

No-one to sing for you

Forgotten in a home!

No love, no tenderness,

Just the sorrow in your eyes,

The ship in the empty walls...

And they forget to give you food,

And they forget to give you love,

You, brother, who risked the life for your country.

I love you, brother

I love your white hair,

I love your standing dignity...

Come with me, brother.

We'll meet again, as you said,

Somewhere in the sky.

It's true, my friends. Rememberance Day, and yet those who should be remembered are alone in Homes and no-one even goes there to visit. I still cry for this good friend of mine.

Children of heart

2009-11-10T13:46:00.010Z

Image by *clairity* via Flickr

The Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson adopted a young boy, aged sixteen, after having known that he was sleeping in the streets of London. Tindyebwa Agaba was born in Rwanda and is a former soldier boy. After having been adopted, he started studying Politics and International Relations in the University of Exeter, and graduated. Now he studying to have is Masters in Human Rights.
.
She is a beautiful, talented and intelligent Lady. I loved her performance at Nanny McPhee, a film directed by Kirk Jones and released in October, 21 2005. She also is an activist of the Greenpeace and is a patron of the Refugee Council. She does an effort to give her contribution to a better world, which is remarkable. So many powerful people just don't care...
.
It takes a generous heart to bring a child home. Adopting children isn't easy, though I must say, it is something that me and my husband have been thinking ever since we met, even though we have three of our own. Normally, people think of adopting newborn babies or very young children who preferably haven't been through the hardships of life. Normally, people think "I want that child!"; not "That child needs me!" and adoption is more a selfish decision than one that concerns in the first place the interests and rights of the child. They adopt children whose patterns of beauty are according to the family's wishes. In consequence, older children, disabled children, sick children rarely get to know a home or the love of a mummy and a daddy - what they need most. It breaks my heart to say this, but is something that must be considered. It is hard to understand why families get into a real bankruptcy, selling away their houses and losing everything to pay for utterly expensive IVF treatments when there are so many children in this world who would give everything to have a family. "Does genetics mean that much? What does it matter whether that child was born of my whomb or not? Doesn't that child deserve the same love? Am I not able to love that child the same way?" These are questions that every couple who wants to have children should eventually think about. There's an endless ability to love in the heart of every child! I wouldn't have doubts in my mind, when adopting a child, that that child would love me as a mother. Nor certainly would my husband. And we wouldn't love him or her any less. Well, the economic resources are microscopic and for now we can only dream!
.
I know. Being a mother, going through pregnancy, is magic. Feeling the baby - or the babies - inside is beyond comparison. But having children isn't only that! It is a whole living and growing together, enjoying every moment! It is the experience of a lifetime; the best. I wouldn't change it for the world, or the moon, or anything! If I had the resources, I would buy a big house and adopt a lot of children, giving all the same love and the same opportunities. All children of my heart.

Unforgettable moment

2009-11-09T12:37:00.009Z

Image via Wikipedia

Hey You

"Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, dont help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight.

Hey you, out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you, with you ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home.

But it was only fantasy.
The wall was too high,
As you can see.
No matter how he tried,
He could not break free.
And the worms ate into his brain.

Hey you, standing in the road
always doing what you're told,
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall,
Breaking bottles in the hall,
Can you help me?
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

[Click of TV being turned on]
"Well, only got an hour of daylight left. Better get started"
"Isn't it unsafe to travel at night?"
"It'll be a lot less safe to stay here. Your father's gunna pick up our trail before long"
"Can Loca ride?"
"Yeah, I can ride... Margaret, time to go! Maigret, thank you for everything"
"Goodbye Chenga"
"Goodbye miss ..."
"I'll be back"

Pink Floyd

“The spokesman of the Politburo of the Socialist Party Unity of Germany had been speaking for approximately one hour, during an annoying press conference, when the correspondent of the Italian Ansa agency, Riccardo Ehrman, questioned about a subject: freedom of travelling to the Eastern Germans. It was in this time, when many reporters had already left the room, that Günter Schabowski has transformed the night of 9th November in recent Germanic History's most important moment. 'We decided today ... hmmm ... to implement an adjustment that allows any citizen of the German Democratic Republic ... hmmm ... to leave Eastern Germany by any one of the posts ', said the spokesman.
Reporting this historic Schabowski’s Declaration was Reuters journalist Volker Warkentin. The clock, as he recalls, marked 18:53. Having heard from the mouth of Communist responsible that the measure had immediate 'effects', he went to the Agency's Office. 'Eastern Germans authorized to leave for Western Germany with immediate effect, Schabowski said’. It was with this dispatching alert that Warkentin became the first to spread the news. Hence two minutes, the information was beginning to be broadcasted on a large scale. Shortly after, Eastern Berliners were defiling towards the control posts and the wall. It would be known, subsequently, that Günter Schabowski had rushed the news. Changes should only have been reported in the following day, with the rules to allow the exit of the territory, but only after the granting of visas.
Too late. The desired decision had been suffocated among the hesitations of the spokesman’s declaration, an announcement that happened too soon. It had been too early, in the point of view of the Politburo. Too late for those who had lived in a city divided for 28 years, with a wall. Thousands of Berliners clamoured for the right of passage that night.
The guards posts, usually with orders to shoot, but without much clear orders at that time, about what to do with the information which had blown in radios and televisions, shortly before, couldn’t contain the current. As a saturated dam, the floodgates opened. Without shots from the watchdog towers, without dogs, without electricity in the fences. The Berliners from both sides of the frontier were hugging. Most of them were perfect strangers. But it was as if they were waiting for each others’ arms all their lives. On 3 October, a longer hug would reunify Germany. “

Reporter: Hugo Beleza

Too many walls are still standing in this world. Walls dividing people who have different origins, different tones of skin, different cultures or different beliefs. Walls that prevent dialogue, understanding, even knowledge. Walls that represent prejudice and fear. Walls that stop people from growing, that so many times hide cruelty and death. Walls that stop help from getting to who needs it most. Walls that cause isolation and hunger. Walls that divide rich from poor, and through which people can't see - or won't see - the reality of this world. Walls that create ghettos. A wall between United States and Mexico; a wall between Israel and Palestine, a wall between the Greek and the Turkish sides of Ciprus and a wall in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, between what's defined as the city and the "favelas", place where the poorest do their living.

20 years after the fall of Berlin Wall, the other ones, too, need to be demolished!

Stone Star

2009-11-08T11:17:00.006Z

This Monochrome concept came from Aileni at Monochrome Weekly

Trapped by fate

2009-11-07T19:13:00.006Z

Afonso da Maia was a man of honour, raised with the best that Education could offer. He had no faults in his character. Intelligent, brave and strong, faced all the tragedies of life like a ship crossing the waves. After some time spent in London he decided to marry Maria Eduarda Runa, a young lady who had a totally different Education, based on the values of a traditionalist and repressive Church, living in the terror of eternal punishment if she ever failed with any duty towards religion.
They had a son, Pedro da Maia, a handsome but terribly frail boy, who was raised to the Romantic ways. He was extremely attached to his mother, in an obsessive way, such that he suffered a depression when Maria died. But suddenly, when he was crossing the streets of bitterness, with no will to live at all, he knew an extraordinarily beautiful woman, Maria Monforte, and he fell in love with her. They lived the most passionate story, until it came to the ears of the patriarch.
Afonso da Maia forbidded his son of dating Maria, but Pedro disobeyed and married her. Together, they went to Italy, and had two gorgeous children, a little girl and a little boy.
Maria, though, had a very unstable personality. During a hunt, Pedro accidentally hit an Italian gentleman, and took him home. He and Maria ran away, taking the little girl with them.
Desperate and once again depressed, Pedro returned home to his father, taking the little boy with him. He and Afonso hugged and made up. In the same night, Pedro shot himself in the head.
Afonso da Maia took the little boy and went to the countryside. There, he raised him with love, in an healthy and progressive way. Carlos became a splendid boy – handsome, healthy, intelligent and with a will to change the world. He studied Medicine and opened a surgery in Lisbon. He also installed a laboratory.
Life was going well. Carlos had his group of intellectual friends, some lovers, a good position in society and a reliable fortune.
One day, though, a beautiful woman arrived in Lisbon, coming from Paris. Her name was Maria Eduarda and she had a little girl whose name was Rose. All the boys were fascinated by her beauty, but Carlos fell in love with her. After a few frustrated attempts, he managed to be introduced to her by Dâmaso Salcede, a friend who intended to be her lover.
Maria Eduarda was a lady of honour and good education, she wasn’t at all lost in life – it is important to know. She was beautiful, intelligent, generous and sensible. She and Carlos lived a happy love story, between Lisbon and the romantic Sintra, until the moment when fate tied its knots.
A good friend, Ega, was given a box of secrets by a man, Guimarães, who also had lived in Paris. In this box were the remains of the past, that ended up revealing that Maria Eduarda was none the less than Carlos’s lost sister.
Knowing of this horrible incestuous relationship, Afonso, the honourable man, couldn’t stand the grief and died. Carlos and Maria Eduarda took different ways in their lives, and so the love story ended.
.
"Os Maias" is a masterpiece of the Portuguese literature, written by Eça de Queirós and published in 1888. An innovative romance, marked by the structure, the language and the mixture of styles in a thesis way. Many theories have been written about it, but discussing it at this moment is not worth it at all. The story is thrilling, addicting, fascinating. It’s worth reading it. Very, very much.

(Of course, I must say that I omitted some details that make the story much more interesting...)

In the heart of Mother Nature

2009-11-05T09:08:00.013Z

"Who plants a forest
Plants a party.

Plants the music and the nests,
Makes the bunnies jump.

Plants the vertical green,
Spills the green,
Various vegetable green.

Plants the perfume
Of saps and flowers,
Releases butterflies of all colours.

Plants bees, plants pine seeds,
And the picknicks of the

Plants the bed and the table,
Plants the heat of the lightened bonfire.
Plants the paper sheet,
The giraffe of the caroussel.

Plants sheeps to sail,
And the forest floats in the sea,
Plants wagons to roll,
Much the forest will transport.
Plants benches on the avenues,
The forest restes of so much racing.

Plants a top
In a child's hand:
The forest laughs, spins and moves on."

Luísa Ducla Soares

I wish I was in the heart of a forest;

No noise, no screams, no hate,

No crossed feelings, no crossed eyes;

No suspicion, no prejudice, no condemnation.

Nature is pure and fair

Nature is generous and good.

To Nature, all of us are children

There is no "bloody foreigner" (sic)!

Sorry for the words. It was another dreadful day!

Love your children (part II)

2009-11-04T20:44:00.008Z

"What I got to do to make you love me?
What I got to do to make you care?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
And I wake to find that you're not there?

What I got to do to make you want me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when its all over? (babe)
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's so sad so sad
Why can't we talk it over?
Oh it seems to me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

What I do to make you want me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when it's all over?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

It's sad, so sad
It's a sad sad situation
And it's gotten more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over?
Oh it seems to me
Sorry seems to be the hardest word

Yeh.....sorry
Nah.......
Sorry

What do I do to make you love me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
Yeah.....What do I got to do?
What do I got to do?
When sorry seems to be the hardest word..."

(Elton John)

Today, I read something the literally filled my heart with sorrow. As a teacher, I couldn't help feeling disappointed and feeling so sad for the ones affected by these measures. And I'm talking in behalf of the British children, once more, because this feels so absurd and outrageous not only to me, but to so many British families!

The subject is hard to write about, but I'm going to do it as who throws a stone in the pond. The universities have defined new criteria for the admission of its students. The new criterium is "Family background". This means that if you are a brilliant student, with excellent grades, but if you come from a poor family, you have no chance of getting into University studies. On the other hand, even if you don't have that good grades, if you come from a family of Lords or Sirs, then you can go to University and have your Graduate course.

Another criterium is "School background". That means that if you come from a prestigious school, you get into University; if you come from an average school, you have no chance. In a moment when when so many scams are done to get the children in the best schools, who can blame the parents? They are merely acting in the best interest of their children, because the state seems to have stopped being a guarantee of equality.

Oh, please! How many brilliant students will be lost in the mesh of this elitist law? How can a country compromise its children, I mean, its future, this way? Understand me - I'm not talking against this country, I'm talking in favour of its children.

The most outraging statement in this all shocking situation is that the universities declared not to want "social mixtures" in their grounds. "Social mixtures"? What kind of an expression is this? What kind of prejudice does it carry? So, social levelling is something allowed in Education? Since when? Education is the same to everybody!

This article deeply touched me and moved me. I looked at the children that passed by me all day and, believe me, I felt shattered. I never saw or could ever conceive that something like this could exist in a democratic society. Never.

Extinction threat

2009-11-03T11:11:00.018Z

... Because our lives, our future

Depend on them

And their lives,

The beauty of this planet

that is our Home

Depend on each one of us!

"Oh Earth, lovely mother of Nature,
Fertile in production of unlimited beings,
Creator of provident seeds
That provision all your surroundings!

Your matchless love, pearless finesse,
Your maternal wise issues
Give life to all existent beings,
Give pride, give power, dão strength.

You tear from your body the thick veins
And the crystalline springs of pure water
You have, to our thirst, always abounding.

In life and death you, with tenderness
Love your children, you amuse yourself
By giving them, in your core, the resting place."

Francisco Joaquim Bingre, in 'Sonetos'

Giant Jewel (Chlorocypha centripunctata) © Kai Schuette

The latest update to the IUCN red list of threatened species was published.
We are nearly start of the International Year for Biodiversity, and the conclusion reached by this organization is that "17,291 species out of the 47,677 assessed species are threatened with extinction."

Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) © Tim Herman

"The results reveal 21 percent of all known mammals, 30 percent of all known amphibians, 12 percent of all known birds, and 28 percent of reptiles, 37 percent of freshwater fishes, 70 percent of plants, 35 percent of invertebrates assessed so far are under threat."

Rabbs Fringe-limbed Treefrog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) © Brad Wilson

"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah"

(Sung by Louis Armstrong)

Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang) © Tim Laman

"Extinction crisis continues apace"

Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang) © Tim Laman

"IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with more than 1,000 government and NGO members and almost 11,000 volunteer experts in some 160 countries. IUCN’s work is supported by over 1,000 staff in 60 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world."

You can visit their site at IUCN