Halloween Mood (still) Self-Portrait Tuesday

Mr. Power Broker, If You Didn't
by Frank Sloar

be honest!
nobody's recording this
tell the truth
you feel that pervasive, grinding doom I talk about,
don't you?

if you didn't,
the explosion of Christian slogans on t-shirts would peter out,
the giant suburban churches would shrink into something human
if you didn't,
you wouldn't run up the national debt with such impunity

if you didn't feel the ugliest of grim reapers enveloping your vacation home; I'd sense sincerity when you tell me how good you're doing, when you bark
at me and sneer at me as I ring up and load up your bags of lawn fertilizer

I've missed Me Me's... I've missed many other things too.

A ME ME... Again??? Yeah! I am not proud of it but this is what exactly talked me into it. Well, I had to write something on this spot. Sorry for not having done it for all this long. I'd been lacking ideas. I'd been lacking time to do it mostly. So, I stole this Me Me from Lori who had got it from Rain and here I am writing all this BS for myself again. Hope I got this thing right. Hope you guys like it. I love My Blogspot and that is what matters in the end!!! Here it is:

1. Explain what ended your last relationship. You got an hour our two?
It was not a relationship per se. I hope this explains it.

2. When was the last time you shaved?
My mustache has never been shaved. My legs? They were shaved last holiday which was last Wednesday, November 15th, when we celebrated Brazilian republic.

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.?
I was getting ready for my morning ESL class. It starts at 8:30 every Saturday.

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
I was pouring me more cold two-day old wine, fresh from the fridge.

5. Are you any good at math?
If I were any good at math, I would not have to figure out my students' GPA's holding three calculators.

6. Your prom night?
What about that? I had no prom night.

7. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Famous? My grandma used to be an exorcist back in her oooooold days. I guess that made her famous in her neighborhood.

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school?
I've already needed it but I ended up working my ass off in order to skip that option.

9. Do you know the words to the song on your Myspace profile?
I haven't owned a MySpace page for months. However, when I had one, I used to change songs so often that it'd have been impossible to know the words.

10. Last thing received in the mail?
Bills, just like Lori.

11. How many different beverages have you had today?
I am having sour wine, as I had already mentioned on this post previously. I've had coffee and a banana and apple smoothie that Roberto has blended for me. Hey, now I noticed that I haven't had a drop of water yet.

12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine?
I sure do and I despise those who don't leave messages when they call.

13. Whom did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?
Don't take me wrong, but I've lost it with my former gym instructor. This is sounding funny but I'll explain: he had gotten a divorce and, maybe for this reason, he decided to invite his most regular gym goers to a Rita Lee's concert. I was just 15 and the event was going to be out of town. For all those reasons I thought mom was not gonna allow me to. And amazingly she did. She thought: "Who cares? He's just a young just-divorced who wants to impress others with young gals in his car." She was right. He was pretty kind. He drove me and the other girls to the concert pretty much neatly. Nobody had alcoholic beverages during the concert and no other illegal substances (relief!) and he dropped me off to my grandma's place - where the concert was being held - safe and sound. Mothers know best. It was a super duper night, I must say.

14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
Of course not. Every time I get to a beach, the first thing I do is spot for a seafood place and I simply veg there. I DO NOT care for either seawater or sand.

15. What was the most painful dental procedure you had?
My dental procedures are always painless. I don't wanna brag about Brazilian dentistry but I can for sure say that we've got one of the best on this planet. hehehe!!!

16. What is out your back door?
Bags of garbage. I know I am a trashy individual. There is also a barbecue grill, an old bathroom which was built for employees (Brazilian culture has invented weird stuff) and a laundry facility. There's also a set of stairs that leads me to the underground garage. It doesn't seem that way but I do live in an enormous place.

17. Any plans for Friday night?
Friday's gone. I've had plans for tonight (Saturday) but I blew it. I wish to go out to dine, if Roberto accepts my date invitation.

18. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
Hehehehe... I certainly don't.

19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorn?
What the hell is that??? Down here, in Brazil, we eat fresh-made popcorn, straight from the microwave oven... hehehehehe

20. Have you ever been to a planetarium?
Nope, unfortunately.

21. Do you re-use towels after you shower?
I use and re-use them till they're not hardened.

22. Some things you are excited about?
Lately, I've been crazy about computer games. I've been having a blast with that "Mysterious Case Profiles - Prime Suspects."

23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO?
I like the strawberry one.

24. Describe your keychain(s).
I hold more keychains than keys can be hold. One has the letter "L" shape with Mickey Mouse figure sculpted on that I got at Disney World. The other is a tiny little glass jar that stores colored sand from Fortaleza beaches (a gift from Felipe). The other reads CHRISTINA with an apple on it which I got in NYC and the last one is plastic made that a clerk gave me from a local coin laundry - it has a gooey substance in it.

25. Where do you keep your change?
I keep'em in my wallet. It's got a special place for them.

26. What kind of winter coat do you own?
I own a red vinyl one. It looks like leather made but it's not. It's pretty old and It DOES not fit me anymore. I simply freeze when it's winter down here.

27. What was the weather like on your graduation day?I had two graduation days. In Brazil, back in February 1997, the evening was pleasant just like any other Brazlian summer day. In the US (my second graduation day), it was in May 2002... and there the evening was pleasant too. I studied in Florida so I could not complain about the weather.

28. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
I sleep with my bedroom door open since I expect Tibby to jump on my bed. Sometimes, when it is pretty warm, she prefers to wander around the house.

Curiosity fact: ... And this is a note for all those who took a peek at the photo above: that is not my Tibby cat. That was another female feline that I ran into the countryside. Why isn't she on that photo??? Well, Tibby's been perfect. She's just a bit overwhelmed getting ready for the trip she'll have with Roberto and I when vacation arrives. She's filled with her own issues. We've gotta respect that.

I simply love these blog things...

You Are Lightning

Beautiful yet dangerous People will stop and watch you when you appear Even though you're capable of random violence You are best known for: your power Your dominant state: performing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!

Oops! Soon... but when?

make your own conspirancy theory... this is mine:

What They Don't Want You to Know

In order to understand that The Sims players are Gods-wannabe you need to realize that everything is controlled by a bunch of specific weird humans made up of The Sims characters with help from all kids that play The Sims.

The conspiracy first started during the technology revolution in all places on earth. They have been responsible for many events throughout history, including the advent of internet.

Today, members of the conspiracy are everywhere. They can be identified by typing staring at the keyboard or using only two finger tips.

They want to cut the remaining fingers that are NOT used for typing off of folks that are well-trained in the typing procedure and imprison resisters in school libraries using cable cars.

In order to prepare for this, we all must try self-destruction. Since the media is controlled by Carrot Top we should get our information from Bill McNeal.


Curiosity fact: Get your own theory here.

brazilian molotov

Today's TEACHER'S DAY in Brazil, deservedly I celebrate it...

www.moorecomics.com

Hooray for Oxygen

Thank God my sinusitis is completely over! It took me way long to be back on track. And because of that stupid illness, I lacked oxygen in the brain. And the lack of oxygen in my brain had caused me to run out of subject to develop interesting-to-read posts. Anyhow, I am better. I swear I wasn't planning to start this entry mentioning the latests on my health situation. However, I've procrastinated much long to type a few credible words here. Credible or not, for today, I'll write whatever comes to mind. And the first thing I have got to register on this humble blogspot is...

Excuse me... actually the second thing I have to say (coz the first thing was about my sinusitis) is that I've been teaching composition skills in Portuguese language for the very first time. These lessons have been more like a hobby than real lectures to me. Well, don't take me wrong. The comp. lectures have been pretty deep and informative. I just can't see them as being a drivel working task because I know many people do. I'm enjoyin' the lessons a whole lot and I bet my student is too. "Student? Don't you mean students?" Nope, I don't. I've decided to cut down on only a single student. I teach one at a time. That is why it feels more like tutoring than lecturing. Hey, it is tutoring period.

I've got a couple of reasons not to teach writing skills to groups:

a) Not many people are open to writing practices so, finding o-n-e student only, and especially THE ONE for those classes is already a victory;

b) I've really not advertised this writing course yet. It is too early for that. I haven't got enough time for individual teaching and besides, I definitely should gather more experience in that field;

My mind keeps telling me it'll be easier this way. I do not want to fail. I won't accept disappointing my student in case he feels no improvement through these lessons. I am working on his creativity motor and exercising style fundamentals. So far, I could not help noticing how difficult it is to write pre-determined topics and this task becomes even worse knowing that your words will be judged and analysed inch-by-inch. In order to avoid any blockage towards writing, I even recommended him to start out a blog.

Blogging is different. Writing free entries on blogs is a piece of cake, especially when the blog owner is not a demanding writer. I am not fussy at all. I write freely and I don't care about impressing others. I use this tool (blogger blogs) to motivate myself to the writing practice. Putting words together on a spot where you may not be read at all turns this process lighter. Blogging has helped me create concerns about style, supporting details, and even about cohesion. My posts are read and a few times understood by some readers and that fulfills me enough. I have a blast when I get to be clear with written words. I wish to promote on my student the same care and capacity for it.

Curiosity fact: The third and last thing I have to say is that from now on, I'll sign all my writings using my last name only.

C.S.S.

Love Brazilian accent when people try to speak some "sorta" good street English!
It's way N-I-C-E!!!

...a 16-year-old acquainted has committed suicide and that's what I've got to post.

"You call this... clarity? I don't think you have a clue what it's really like to communicate with these kids. You don't think that they can smell your bullshit from a mile away? Every day that goes by, we fail to inspire them... It's been another moment that we all lose. And we are losing them to apathy, and this is prescribed nonsense. They are slipping away through our hands." By Ms. Pomeroy in Donnie Darko

monster

Wonderful way to write without words

the World Wide Web isn't wwwhite
but the WWW does seem like KKK
it is like living in the DDR sometimes
It feels as though CIA is on our back
the WWW reveals our lives
as if they were played on MGM movies
it is the web of a poisonous arachnid
it recaps ballpoint pens and shuts people's mouth
"have you got MySpace? how come I'm not among your top-8?"
"what's your URL?"
"oh... forgimme for not asking your name"
"how dare you didn't add me on your MSN contact list?"
"heeey... you're pissing me off already...
So, do it so coz you'll see...
I'll block you, delete you, and send you viruses
that's my revenge in this Nazi Net"

...

Loved this!!!

Your Taste in Music:

Punk: High Influence 80's Alternative: Medium Influence 90's Alternative: Medium Influence 90's Rock: Medium Influence Alternative Rock: Medium Influence

How's Your Taste in Music?

it seems just like a spooky extension...

MY ROOTS, SO TO SPEAK, HAVE NEVER BEEN DEFINED FOR REAL.
WHERE DO I COME FROM?
WHAT ARE MY GENES MADE OF?
AM I GOING TO LAST LONG?
HAVE I GAINED GENETIC ILLNESSES THAT I AM ACTUALLY NOT AWARE OF?
DO I HAVE TO KILL PART OF ME SO THAT THE REST MAY LIVE IN PEACE?
JUST KNOW THAT I AM NOT AS HARD AS ROCK
I TRY TO BE GENTLE MOST OF THE TIMES
SOME SAY I AM PRETTY BUT IT'S ONLY ABOUT THE FACE
I'M NOT HANDICAPPED, TRUE
NOT A BLIND PERSON EITHER
HAVE GOT NO CROOKED TEETH AND AIN'T A DWARF AS WELL
I EVEN HAVE PROPER HEARING SKILLS
SPEAK LANGUAGES
AND I DO TRY TO MAKE MY LIVING DECENTLY
BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT I DON'T DRESS NEATLY AT ALL TIMES
I DO NOT MANICURE MY NAILS AND I DO THINK THAT BRAZILIAN BIKINI WAX IS PURE CHINESE TORTURE
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
DOES ANYONE KNOW? THEN, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL.
WHERE THE HELL AM I GOING AFTERWARDS?
DEATH: NOT SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THIS
EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE MOST ANCIENT TOPIC.
DEATH IS MONSTROUSLY OLD AND NEW EACH DAY.
IT IS FASTER THAN HURRICANES AND GREATER THAN SUPERLATIVES.
RELIGIONS EXIST IN ORDER TO AGREE WITH DEATH.
IT IS SPOOKY TO SPECULATE ABOUT ITS EMPTINESS.
EVENTUALLY, IT IS A DISCOVERY.
DO I FEAR DEATH?
DEATH OF OTHERS, THAT'S FOR SURE.
I FEAR THE FACT THAT ALL THOSE WHOM I LOVE WON'T LIVE LONG.
MY OWN DEATH?
I HATE IT THOUGH.
I LOATHE THE FACT THAT I WON'T BE WRITING ANYMORE.
I DESPISE TO KNOW THAT I WON'T BE SEEING AND SEEN ANY LONGER
I EXECRATE THE IDEA THAT I WILL LOVE AND BE LOVED NO MORE
NO MORE DRUNKENNESS
FORGET WILD PARTIES
VAPORIZE ORGASMS
AND UNLEARN BUTTERFLIES IN THE STOMACH
WHAT IS THAT ALL FOR?
AND I WONDER WHY.

by Laila Chris

After a month of fighting Sinusitis... RELIEF

Have you ever had a cold or allergy attack that wouldn't go away? If so, there's a good chance you actually had sinusitis, like I've had. According to this site, experts estimate that millions of people are afflicted with sinusitis every year. That number may be pretty higher, since the symptoms of bacterial sinusitis frequently mimic those of colds or allergies, and many sufferers never seek a doctor (again, like me) for proper diagnosis and treatment with an antibiotic. I must confess that I did not see a physician for I was so sure that all I was having was a mere allergy or a light cold but it became worse and worse. Then, I got way worried. I figured my real condition through internet research and talking to lots of people who were going through the same stuff. As a result, I did self-medicate with antibiotics which I called "treatment" and that is really helping me get over this disease. However, I do agree that seeing a doctor is the best choice since only x-rays can show whether physical obstructions have taken place into the facial bones. As I had never had that kind of condition before, I could not tell at first the difference from having a terrible flu or if that was actually sinusitis until I started having acute headaches and a slimmy green nasal discharge (uhm... I can't wait to have pistachio ice cream.) The other symptoms were fatigue and irritability. I did not feel like working but I had to. I did not feel like talking but I had to. I did not feel like leaving my bed but I had no other choice. The worst was a non-stop coughing reaction. I sounded like an old seaman who smoked for 50 years and had rum for breakfast since his childhood. And don't get me started on the facial pain every time I had to cough or even breathe. That explains why I had been away from blogging too. Luckily, all these things are over thanks to antibiotics. The strongest symptoms are fading and soon I'll publish my "shoes meme" that Lori had tagged me and more. Lastly, I very much want that pistachio ice cream so bad - No Joke.

...

God Bless you, me and US

Watch this

Roberto was krafty with this snap!

...and the week could not start better!!!

Kids + Snow = What a fantastic combination!!!