Crazy day!

You know it's going to be an amazing day (and night), when you decide to go watch the cricket match on big screen, with Indian flag painted on your face, along with your crazy friends, where drinks are free,amazing music going on, and there is huge dance floor, you are doing shots for every four's and six's hit and wicket taken,you are in the same place for hours that even bouncers recognise you, and you talk to all the people sitting around you,and they give you whistle to blow whenever you want!!!
In short,Cricket + crazy people + music + booze = one hell of a unforgetable day!!!
And the best part WE WON!!! :)

I was approved!

A woman from the Brazilian consulate in Miami called me this afternoon, to my surprise, to notify me that my permanent visa has been approved and is back from Brasilia, ready for pick up. I know that I had just made a comment about how it'd only been a month since I applied and I was prepared to wait, but my visa is here - and it only took 37 days from when I dropped it off until it was ready for pick up. Record time, I'd say.

Even after all that mess I had to go through to even apply for the permanent visa, it all worked out quickly in the end. I can't say painlessly, but it was fast. It almost seems pointless that they would send my paperwork from Miami to Brasilia for it to come back so quickly. Why not just do it here? Had we been married for a year longer, it would have been approved here anyway.

Not only do I now feel a sense of relief (vs. having to worry that my visa won't be here before it's time to leave), I think that the school can now purchase our plane tickets. That's exciting! I was sure to send them an e-mail immediately so we can take the next step towards us moving to Brasilia.

All of this is perfect timing because E just passed his citizenship test and will have his naturalization oath ceremony tomorrow. Two of the obstacles in our ways to move to Brazil without a "legal headache" have been surpassed. Obviously E didn't need U.S. citizenship to move home, but it makes me feel better knowing that my husband has the same citizenship as me. I'm sure it's a relief to my mother, too, who expresssed concern years ago that she didn't want my husband to not be able to enter into the U.S. She has heard too many horror stories, so I knew that with U.S. citizenship, her mind should be at ease, as is ours. Plus, now we don't have to worry about him having to travel back and forth to the U.S. repeatedly just to maintain his residency AND citizenship is less expensive in the long run. 

We can now move to Brasilia knowing that I already have permission to live and work there while E will be able to easily travel back and forth between countries without a hassle. I guess he's got one up on me because I do not have Brazilian citizenship.

I know that my transition into Brazilian society will be smoother because I will enter the country as a resident (vs. a tourist). It should be easier for me to settle down, update/renew my CPF, open a bank account, and do anything else that any resident in any country will need to do. One of the best parts about having a permanent visa is that I won't need any more tourist visas. That'll save me money (especially since the school paid for my residency).

I also think, though maybe only on a superficial kind of way, that I will feel more like a Brazilian (-American) much like E must have once he obtained his residency in the U.S. It feels good to be "legal".

I just have to go to Miami (with my passport) to pick up my visa; but as I was told, there's no real rush. With that being said, E is able to get my visa for me (since he makes more trips to Miami than me) as long as he has my passport and the receipt. Just a tip for anyone going through the same process.

Upcoming ceremony...

My husband received notification in the mail today that his Naturalization Oath Ceremony will be in a couple of days. I was almost shocked to read that we were given less than a 48-hour notice, but at the same time pleasantly surprised because my husband will be a U.S. citizen shortly!!

It's also very convenient that neither E nor myself have to work on Friday so it's actually perfect timing. Now I just have to decide what to wear.

Musical March Madness - Adele

For my last session of Musical March Madness I wanted to post music from my favorite singer/performer, the one and only, ADELE. She is from England and is only 22 years old. Her albums are extraordinary and her performances are stunning.

My favorite song from her latest album "21" is called Someone like you. Adele may sing better live than she does in video and for this reason I'm posting one her live performances.

Disclaimer: You may experience goosebumps regardless of how many times you listen to the song.




Each song is unique and outstanding in its own way. That of course makes it difficult to choose my favorite songs, so I'll just showcase the songs that I listen to the most. The first is probably the most well known song by Adele; it's called Rolling in the deep. The album was written about one man, with whom Adele had a relationship that went bad. This song is about that man, but it gives completely different feelings about the relationship than does Someone like you. The final video is called Set fire to the rain and is another of my absolute favorites. The best version of this song is from the album; I couldn't find a video of high quality.

All I want to do is see a dentist

Visiting the dentist has always brought back memories from my childhood, and not because of the actual dentist, but of the actual visit itself. See, I have one of those, what do you call it...? Oh yeah, deadbeat dads. You know, those that "fall behind" on child support, that can't seem to make it work amicably with their children's mother, even after hurting her for so many years. Well, I have one of those. So what was his job after the divorce? To put us on his dental insurance and pay for our visits. Easy, right? Well, since he is a deadbeat, then by definition, he is not a responsible man and did not do his job (nor did he pay for child support, but that is a whole different ball game).

As a result of his irresponsibility, it was always a struggle for my already overworked, yet FABULOUS, mother. It was like every time I needed to visit the dentist (or orthodontist), I was reminded that he did not fulfill his duty and my mother was going to have to pay for our visits. She NEVER complained or bad talked him (I don't know why), but I understood, even as a kid, that this was beyond what she should have done for me and my sisters. I also could tell that he had not done his job and that she would have to pay for our dental care on a payment plan. Thinking about this, after all of these years, almost brings tears to my eyes.

As time has gone on and I've grown up, it's not something that I think about very often, unless the dentist appointment does not go well.

Today, for instance, I had to do the run around with my insurance company while searching for a new dentist since I had to switch dental insurance companies with my job switch and my dentist does not accept my new plan. It's just a pain in the butt. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to have dental insurance that not only covers me, but my spouse as well, but it's still annoying. It's not only that I can't visit my old dentist, but apparently I can't choose the dentist that I want to because my insurance has already done that work, and to switch dentists takes over a month. Really? Is that necessary? Apparently the dental insurance company assigns you to a dentist and although you can switch, I was told today that that switch would take place on May 1st. How convenient. So, I finally settled with a dentist chosen by my insurance and was relieved to hear that tomorrow's appointment would be covered by them.

I told E the other day that I was going to have my teeth cleaned and asked him if he wanted me to make an appointment for him, too. His reply was, guess what... "No, I'll do it in Brazil".  If I didn't have dental insurance and/or if it weren't cheap or could wait a few months, I'd do the same thing. I've found that medical care in Brazil is much better than the U.S. It's A LOT less expensive, and you know that because of the competition to get into medical school that your dentist is probably going to be one of the best, if not at least was the best student.

I lived in Manaus for a year and was sure to visit every doctor there that I could. I had just graduated from college and had my first job. I probably should make the doctors' visits that I had neglected during my fabulous college years.

I had insurance through UNIMED and paid about R$77/month (that must have been roughly $35 with the exchange rate at that time). I got new glasses and even had minor, non intrusive surgery. I was taken very well care of. The doctors sat down and talked to me, were polite, courteous, and of course I don't remember ever being left with a large medical bill because let's face it, I wasn't. I even got really sick once, with the flu I think, and spent more time waiting for the bus to get to the hospital than in the hospital's waiting room. Granted it was a private hospital, but the service was quick and easy and I soon returned to my healthy self after being taken care of.

I may have bad memories of visiting dentists when I was child, but I have "fond" memories of visiting doctors in Brazil. My husband is looking forward to the inexpensive, good care in Brazil, as am I. He wants braces and we both just want to be well taken care of.

I hope the doctors in Brasilia are ready for us because we're arriving.... after living in a country where medical care is not at the top of the list of what's important for the government to provide for its citizens.

The Marxist roots of Prof Andrew Jakubowicz Promotion of MultiCulturalism and the denigration of white/anglo Identity in Australia

Professor Andew Jakubowicz is  an  Academic working at the UTS Sydney in the field of Sociology and is an almost 'rabid' promoter of "Multiculturalism" and appears to be an opponent of any sense of traditional Australian identity.

The fact that he is "Jewish" is pertinent to this discussion, because MultiCulturalism has the effect of  "soft, slow motion genocide" of the identity of the founding ethno/cultural characteristics of Australia, and seems to be in line with the writings of another Jewish Academic Noel Ignatiev(see below). There seems to be  a degree of correlation between academic attempts to dilute the sense of identity which shaped the foundation of this country, and either/or Marxism and Jewish identity.

Jackubowicz has a particularly offensive and destructive method of describing the founding of modern Australia, using inflammatory and extremist  terminology which is grossly repulsive to white Australians of British/English ancestry.

 Great Britain and Australia have long historic links, sharing many cultural orientations, the one of course the founder through invasion of the other. says Jacobowicz


Professor Jakubowicz has now been notified of impending legal action under RDA 18C (below) unless he alters the terminology to less offensive words.

Irrespective of the degree of truth in this statement, it is still a matter of perspective, and to quote a lawyer for the Islamic Council of Victoria from the 'Catch the Fire Ministries' case


Ms Mortimer replied: “The tribunal has found there is something wrong with saying it. Truth is not a defence, it’s irrelevant to contravention of the act.”
Well.. for my part, if progressives believe that TRUTH is no defense.. let's run with that right back at them.

If this is the case (had it been accepted by the court) then Professor Jakubowicz might suddenly find himself on the wrong side of a court room under the Race Discrimination Act. He still may because the CTF case was prosecuted under the RRT2001 not the RDA.

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975 - SECT 18C

Offensive behaviour because of race, colour or national or ethnic origin

             (1)  It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if:

                     (a)  the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people; and

                     (b)  the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or of some or all of the people in the group.

I suggest that given Professor Jakubowicz attack on white Australians as 'invaders'constituted by his article(2), is, under the law, VERY offensive, and is made on the grounds of the national origin and skin color of white Australians.

So, any would be lawyers out there, why not consider bringing an action against him ? The damages you can seek should be commensurate with the degree of offense and insult you experience..

Do you feel 'powerless' ?  Do you think "aah.. I can't make a difference"?  YOU CAN..and here's how.
a) If you can make a case for racial vilification, just goto the VHREOC website and click on 'online complaints'
b) Fill in the blanks and click "lodge".. that simple.

They take real complaints seriously, and will investigate them all. If they decline to conciliate, you can still within 60 days request the case be taken to VCAT. If that happens, the other side HAS to prepare a defense, which means costly lawyers.. and even if you don't turn up.... and the complaint is struck out.... it still cost them a lot! Now..if 20 people made separate complaints about the same thing ?  aaah.. go figure the cost to the other side.
 
But I must not digress, back to the core point of this post- Reference to Prof Jakubowicz being Jewish  is not for a moment to suggest that being Jewish automatically means that an individual is going  be Marxist or to deliberately  undermine traditional Australian identity, it is simply to observe a degree of correlation in Academia and political activism of this phenomenon.  It is an 'opinion' and observation. If any reader sees in this an attempt to denigrate Jewish people as a whole, they would be drawing inferences which are by no means intended.

The correlation between Jewish ethnicity and Marxism is especially noticable in the Frankfurt school of social theorists where most of them were both Jewish and Marxist. though, in their political thinking, they tried to divorce themselves from their Jewishness. The impact of such academics is still being felt today in such things as:
-Political Correctness,
-MultiCulturalism,  (Jakubowicz)
-Sexual 'liberation', (too many to name)
-Feminism, (can you count them?)
-Animal Rights, (Laurie Levy)
-Environmentalism etc. (Bob Brown/Green extremists)

One needs to examine the theories of the likes of  Herbert Marcuse and his essay "Repressive Tolerance" to catch a glimpse of this. From the Frankfurt school, Jurgen Habermas seems to be the exception in that he was from a protestant background rather than Jewish.

The direction of this group of social theorists was shaped by:

 the failure of the working-class revolution in Western Europe (precisely where Marx had predicted that a communist revolution would take place) and by the rise of Nazism in such an economically and technologically advanced nation as Germany. This led many of them to take up the task of choosing what parts of Marx's thought might serve to clarify contemporary social conditions which Marx himself had never seen.(1)


 So it is no bad reflection on the Jewish people as a whole to make such an observation.
Jakubowicz' perpetual 'mantra' is that we must celebrate diversity and embrace 'multi-culturalism'.
The reader will notice a definite trend in the graph in Jacobowicz article showing the reduction of adherence to traditional religions of Australians and a growth of non religion or increases in 'other' religions. See for example "Islam" from 1996 to 2001 where there is an increase of over 40% and Buddhism of 79%

	1996		%		2001		%		Change %
Christianity			70.9				68.0		-1.1
Anglican	3,903.3		22.0		3,881.2		20.7		-0.6
Baptist	295.2		1.7		309.2		1.6		4.8
Catholic	4,799.0		27.0		5,001.6		26.6		4.2
Churches of Christ	75.0		0.4		61.3		0.3		-18.2
Jehovah’s Witness	83.4		0.5		81.1		0.4		-2.8
Lutheran	250.0		1.4		250.4		1.3		0.2
Orthodox	497.0		2.8		529.4		2.8		6.5
Pentecostal	174.7		1.0		194.6		1.0		11.4
Presbyterian and      Reformed	675.5		3.8		637.5		3.4		-5.6
Salvation Army	74.1		0.4		71.4		0.4		-3.7
Uniting Church	1,334.9		7.5		1,248.7		6.7		-6.5
Other Christian	420.6		2.4		497.9		2.7		18.4
Buddhism	199.8		1.1		357.8		1.9		79.1
Hinduism	67.3		0.4		95.5		0.5		41.9
Islam	200.9		1.1		281.6		1.5		40.2
Judaism	79.8		0.4		84.0		0.4		5.2
Other religions	68.6		0.4		92.4		0.5		34.6
No religion	2,948.9		16.6		2,906.0		15.5		-1.5
Not stated/inadequately described	1,604.7		9.0		2,187.7		11.7		36.3
Total	17,752.8		100.0		18,769.2		100.0		5.7

The most critical question we must face is... "Are these changes simply 'happening' or, are they driven by deliberate actions of people with a strong sense of political/social agenda?"

In short, Anglo's don't have any more presense or position or history in Australia than the most recently arrived Sri Lankan Tamil or afghan country shopper. History is not quite like that. Australia was founded by the British, and created as a nation by a British act of Parliament.
Royal Assent was given by Queen Victoria on 9 July 1900, upon which date the Constitution became law. It came into force on 1 January 1901.

He may as well just come out with his true agenda. (2)

Could his true agenda be as radical as that of his ethno religious/political fellow academic Noel Ignatiev, former Harvard history professor who said it outright ABOLISH THE WHITE RACE ? (3)

...but let's use the full title of Ignatiev's radical racist essay, as it's remeniscent of the pre holocaust chatter in Germany "Abolish the White Race... BY ANY MEANS neccessary"... I kid you not.  That sounds eerily like *final solution*. Just read the link below to see it in black and white.  It's amazing that just yesterday, at the Federal court trial of Andew Bolt for alledged  'insulting' language in his articles, the Lawyer for the complainants,  former federal court Judge (Ron Merkel QC-also Jewish)  made reference to 'nipping in the bud' language which was like that which led up to the holocaust. Yet here we find Jakubowicz and Ignatiev, both Jewish, producing 'chatter' which could easily be seen as of a similar tone to that of pre holocaust Germany, but this time it's against 'whites' simply because of their skin color. Talk about Irony. Note, the fact of these activists and legal people being "Jewish" is pertinent to this discussion. It should NOT be understood as an attack on 'all' Jewish people in any way. It relates to individuals.

To understand Jakubowicz, one needs, in my opinion,  to look at the Frankfurt school of Social thinkers, to Herbert Marcuse, to the Columbia based "Institute for Social Research" (founded by the Frankfurt school theorists after they fled Germany with the rise of the Nazi's), and how all that relates to and connects with the 'progressive' socio/political agenda. (Just google any of those terms)

That Agenda appears to include:
-Dilute any sense of racial component in national identity to the point where a previously majority group, by which the fundamental social fabric of a nation has been woven, to the point of the population being just a 'diverse' mixture of 'groups' which are then easier to apply 'divide and rule' methods to.
-Emphasize and promote "Diversity" as part of the above.
-Promote 'international obligations' and the UN as the supreme source of Global Governance.
-Undermine the moral fabric of the nations conservative values with notions of 'liberation' like the 60s with the Hippie,Yippie,Students for a Democratic society (marxist) and various other 'progressive' elements.
-Use such things as pornography and permissiveness to acheive 'sexual liberation and equality' so called.
For a specific example of this, please see the following academic article:
http://www.jewishquarterly.org/issuearchive/articled325.html?articleid=38
Note specially the content under heading 'sexual revolutionaries'.(4)

Even now, there is an "Institute for Social Research" in Victoria at Swinburne University. The name seems to us to be 'docile' and 'innocent'.. somewhat like a wolf in sheeps clothing... such as is the coat of arms of the Fabian socialists.
It's worth knowing too, that the following are members of the Australian Fabian society.
Gough Whitlam
Paul keating
Bob Hawke
Julia Gillard
Knowing this, you can better understand the meaning of the political postures they adopt.



1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_School
2. http://andrewjakubowicz.com/publications/anglo-multiculturalism-contradictions-in-the-politics-of-cultural-diversity-as-risk/
3. http://racetraitor.org/abolish.html
4. http://www.jewishquarterly.org/issuearchive/articled325.html?articleid=38

A Critique of Larrissa Behrendt's views on Aboriginal history.

Larissa has written a book 'home' where she explores the experience of a 'stolen generation child' who goes 'home' to Wallgett. The evil character in the book, but no coincidence of course is named "Mr Howard"....
She reflects on how aboriginal people have a different view of history to their white fellow Australians.

Behrendt pursued substantial study at Harvard Law school and after this moved into
working on Gender Equality for First nation women in Canada.

This is  the point where an important question should be raised. "How" is she approaching the idea of gender equality among Inuit and other first nation women ?  Is she framing this in terms of the national life of Canada.. ie the secular western social framework and seeking equality for FN women in 'that' society ? or.. is she seeking to impose a socialist/western concept of 'gender equality' onto first nation women and possibly extinguish their real culture? The arrogance of such an approach would be the height of cultural imperialism and intrusion, the very thing she whines about in her novel 'Home'.

Not only does the approach neglect the diversity of cultures among FN groups, by seeking to impose some kind of socialist 'Gender' regime on them, it is overtly presumptive in the extreme and deifies socialist ideas of gender equality and applies them to cultures which have their own traditions and values regarding the roles of males and females.

Notice what FN people said at a 'RoundTable' for Aboriginal women run by the Canadian government.

Throughout the meeting, the women picked up on inappropriate language. For one, they did not like the over-emphasis on gender equality, because it omits Aboriginal peoples’ own traditions
and values (1)

Well blow me down and strike me lucky!  The aboriginal women actually pick up on the socialist framework that the likes of Behrendt are trying to impose on them in the name of 'equality'.



The bottom line in all of this, is that in my humble opinion, those involved in the 'white' Aboriginal industry are more likely to have a marxist ideology than a truly indigenous cultural outlook. How can a Harvard Law school graduate identify with the hunter gatherer and associated spirituality of the ancestral Aborigine? Well such a person might 'identify' in one abstract, sentimental sense, but in the real world ?  It's ludicrous.

Which of course leads to their true political agenda. I'll leave the reader to figure that one out.. work calls.



1. http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/SW21-147-2000E.pdf

Meet Me at the Fat Ho.

I agree that the world does need a better sense of humor..but what in the blue hell does the tragedy in Japan have to do with your Supa Fly Ho combo meal?

 

Andrew Bolt Racial Vilification Trial

Larissa Berhrendt

Andrew Bolt if being sued in Federal court by a a number of "Aboriginal" people who claim aboriginal identity, while the racial component is very minor compared to the other racial elements in their biological makeup. Larrissa Berhrendt is one of them. She looks very caucasian to the eye. But then there's Pat Eatock.  She is described in the Australian Womens  register as follows:
She began to publicly identify as an Aboriginal in 1957 when she attended a meeting of the Union of Australian Women at which Faith Bandler spoke, but her political activities were limited by her family commitments until 1972, when she attended a FCAATSI land rights conference in Alice Springs with her sixth child. 


Eatock clearly is the type about which Bolt refers. She is reported to have first publically  identified as Aboriginal when she was 19. (Womens register) What does this mean ? "Identified"....Publically.  According to Mr Merkel her attorney, she was surrounded by Aboriginal culture from a young age.. so why did she need to 'publically' identify so, if it was her natural heritage?  

Pat Eatock

Because the identity of Aboriginality involves what are reported to be signficant economic and political opportunities, Bolt is, I think, quite within the bounds of reason to at least raise the question that this might be a reason for the apparent alleged late blooming of this aboriginal identity who looks white.(to paraphrase Bolts article) At least on the balance of probabilities.

Justice Bromberg went to considerable lengths to point out that the genuineness of these Aboriginals is not on trial. This might be so in the Federal Court of Australia, but in the court of public opinion? aah..that might be another story.



One can't help but wonder though, why Ron Merkel QC sank to such depths as to relate this to the "Holocaust" implying and inferring that we are only a few more Bolt articles away from a full scale anti Aboriginal holocaust and genocide. His motive in using this tactic might possibly be explained by his  known background of Justice Bromberg who happens to be Jewish. Well..that's my opinion anyway.
Justice Bromberg appears to be one of the nicest, fairest people you could ever meet, and I doubt his judgements could be swayed by any 'cheap trick' by any lawyer.  Mention of the Holocaust and Nazi Eugenics by Ron Merkel QC certainly tested the patience of Andrew Bolt. (and I suspect, Justice Bromberg)


It seemed to me,  that Merkel QC had some hidden agenda to extract large compensation out of Bolt as he tried to 'guide' the Judge into 'not ruling- at this stage' on the issue of individual compensation. Bolts lawyers pounced on this as not being in any way part of the original complaint.


The case continues.....

What to take?

I have started making lists of what we are going to take with us to Brasilia. It has to be more than one list because we have to decide first what we're taking that we already own, and then we need to make a separate list of what we're going to take that we still need to buy before leaving. (That's the fun part, and the reason why I'm wearing the clothes I own now and not going shopping until later). Gives me something to look forward to, besides the end of the school year and my imminent departure.

This list making really is not complicated, even though I first found it overwhelming.

I have recently been doing my research. I've read expats' blogs (those that live in Brazil), searched on-line, did my own inventory in my house, did my own mental search of what is available/expensive in Brazil, and of course, spoke with my husband. Together we are compiling lists (since I like to be organized and am worried of forgetting anything) of what's important.

Most of the lists is made up of electronics - from laptops to our awesome coffee maker to our wireless router. But other valuable items include my Kindle, Eliton's DJ equipment, our stylish lamp from IKEA, and our scale. Then of course clothes, vitamins, shoes, books, school supplies, etc.

As I sort out my household items and belongings, it strikes me as interesting how I can look over my apartment and decide what is most important in my life and what I can and can't live without. Is is possible to put 20 something years into so many boxes?

I remember distinctly how before E arrived in the U.S. (because I had left Manaus before him to get us settled down on this end) I travelled to Rio for 10 days to meet him. I had a (very) large suitcase full of everything that I'd need for a (pre-marriage) honeymoon in Rio de Janeiro with me. When I met E at the hotel I noticed that he had maybe two (small) suitcases. He had packed his 23 years of life into two small suitcases and that was alright with him.

Well, if you don't own a home, then how much do you really have? Are those belongings important? Do you really need them? I am not by all means religious, but when you die, doesn't everything stay behind?

With that said, I am going to throw away tangible memories that I don't need to carry across the globe with me. My mom told me recently that she'd read about people taking pictures of themselves with their valuables before they throw it away, because don't we know that a picture is a lot less to carry around then that "item".  Not a bad idea. And again, I'm going to embark on a new journey and start a new life, so won't I just accumulate more "stuff" below the equator?

If anything, it gives you something to think about.

Musical March Madness - Seu Jorge

I could never imagine discussing or demonstrating my interest in Brazilian music without "presenting" the one and only Seu Jorge.

Even though I can't recall my first taste of Seu Jorge's music, I do believe it was before I had ever visited Brazil. I want to say that I heard him somewhere in Latin America and that's where I got hooked. My affection for him as a musician is now matched with my love of his music and his lyrics.

Seu Jorge does not just sing to sing, or to entertain his listeners; he sings of social problems, poverty, and love - true love.

One of my favorite songs of his is called "São Gonça". It's not just the song that I enjoy listening to, but his lyrics as well. As a result, I've decided to include them here:

Pretinha
Faço tudo pelo nosso amor
Faço tudo pelo bem de nosso bem (meu bem)
A saudade é minha dor
Que anda arrasando com meu coração
Não Duvide que um dia
Eu te darei o céu
Meu amor junto com um anel
Pra gente se casar
No cartório ou na igreja
Se você quiser
Se não quiser, tudo bem (meu bem)
Mas tente compreender
Morando em São Gonçalo você sabe como é
Hoje a tarde a ponte engarrafou
E eu fiquei a pé
Tentei ligar pra você
O orelhão da minha rua
Estava escangalhado
Meu cartão tava zerado
Mas você crê se quiser...

For reasons that I don't think I can adequately explain, this song reminds me a lot of E from back when we were in Brazil. As he grew up very poor in Manaus he used to call me quite often from an orelhão (a public telephone) and that was also the time that we decided to get married. We wanted so badly to be together and went through so much to make it work. And it did! Our story is a very beautiful one that I will one day write about (as if I could describe it in words).

Anyway, I'm digressing. Here is a live version of Seu Jorge's song...also known as "Pretinha":



Along with the song posted above, one of my favorites is called "Tive Razão". This is the first song that I ever remember hearing from Seu Jorge, and maybe for that reason it is still one of my favorites, despite the number of other songs that I've grown to love.

I wasn't able to find a way to post the music video of this song so I am going to post the live version and include the link to the video I originally wanted to post:



And finally, since I like to post three videos for everyone's viewing pleasure, and since I like duets, I had to choose the song "Eu não sei parar de te olhar" which is a song performed with Ana Carolina. Her deep voice creates the perfect marriage with Seu Jorge's vocals. (Oh, and I really like the English version by Damien Rice).

...eu não sei parar de te olhar
eu não sei parar de te olhar
não vou parar de te olhar
eu não min canso de te olhar
não sei parar de te olhar...

Port Phillip Council-Alma Road Community House Muslim Prayers

 Another example of pitiful pandering to political correctness gone insane!  The city of Port Phillip, in it's grotesque PC gyrations has demonstrated that remakable of all behaviors, ie.. being completely irrational while claiming to be rational.

This must be some kind of 'dissociative' disorder which seems to be increasingly contageous. They say there is a genetic difference between conservatives and liberals/progressives
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101027161452.htm
and I'm beginning to see firm evidence of this in the rationality challenged, denial of truth, absurd hiding-from-truth and fact attitude embraced by some members of our community, particularly on progressive councils. (who do mean well, but they are abysmally uninformed and clearly misguided by standard Islamic propoganda)

Let's look at the evidence.

The Alma Road community house in St Kilda Melbourne, has just been given a revised planning permit to allow for greater than 10 people at gatherings, and in particular this facilitates a group of Muslims to gather for prayers.

This may seem innocent enough at first glance, but let's look more closely at fact rather than shallow sentimentality or misguided self destructive 'tolerance and inclusion'. I should say for the record that if they were Buddhists, we would not have the slightest problem with them meeting there. (Buddhists don't happen to celebrate the type of dangerous and insidious ideas that the Quran requires of strict Muslims)

THE PLANNING PROCESS.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/editorial/fear-intolerance-and-a-muslim-prayer-group-20110305-1biww.html
According to the Age: Sandy Joffe says:

Members of the prayer group applied through the regular channels and were duly approved. The assessment criteria asked: Is the activity meeting a local need? Is the group legal, non-discriminatory and are their activities in keeping with the Victorian Human Rights Charter? Is the group's meeting going to affect amenity of the area? ''We have every reason to believe that this group satisfies all requirements,'' Ms Joffe says.

 "Ms Joffe" is Sandy Joffe the Port Phillip group Executive.(on right)

Another key player is Rachel Powning the Mayor of Port Phillip.

Now.. we also hear from the Age:

Encouragingly, this racist campaign has led some members of the Jewish community to support the prayer group (the Alma Road house is in the heart of a Jewish precinct).

Is the Age serious ? 'Racist' campaign?   That is utterly absurd and ridiculous. The *Campaign* as such, is ANTI racist...it is opposed to a group of Muslims who will celebrate overtly racist ideas. (if they believe the Quran)


Let's take the approval criteria  one by one:

1/ Is the group meeting a local need........ YES
2/ Is the group 'legal'? .............................YES (for the time being at least)
3/ Is the group discriminatory?.................YES it very much is!  *problem 1*
4/ Are the groups activities in keeping with the Victorian Human Rights Charter?..NO if the true facts are taken into account. (*problem 2*)
5/ Is the groups activity going to effect the amenity of the area?....YES! because people will be aware of the diabolical values being celebrated inside. (*Problem 3*)


Now that is where this sorry saga becomes totally bizzare and completely surreal.
Facts.
1/ Muslims follow Muhammad
2/ Muhammad said: (and let's be very clear that Muhammad....said this!)

Muslim Book 041, Number 6985:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.

Errr Sandy.. *COOOOEEEEE*.. Rachel... *OI*.. umm.. do you have eyes to see with, and a brain which comprehends simple plain english ?  Do we need to spell this out to you and those  Jews who seem to be unaware of what Islam and it's prophet actually say about them? or at best in denial.  Informed Jews actually realize what Islam is about, these one's obviously have missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSvyv0urTE  see it for yourselves.


So, given  these simple facts, it is clearly in the public interest to inform the denialist Jews about this, and to rebuke the council, Sandy Joffe and Rachel Powning for being so dangerously gullible and in fact NOT complying with the Charter of Human Rights.

HUMAN RIGHTS CHARTER
Section 38

(1) Subject to this section, it is unlawful for a public authority to act in a
way that is incompatible with a human right or, in making a decision, to fail
to give proper consideration to a relevant human right.

 I suggest that to facilitate the celebration of a man ( in an area of strong Jewish population) who has declared that his followers must KILL "Jews"   to bring in the last hour, is a negation of responsibility of the most serious kind. It is certainly NOT allowing Jews to feel comfortable and free in their daily activities especially on a friday when these Muslims meet. So Port Phillip council is in severe breach of it's responsibilities and is an abject failure in protecting the most basic human right of 'freedom from attack or the possibility of attack' by people who celebrate a man who has instructed his followers to DO just that.

THE COUNCIL PROCESS.
There can be no doubt by now, that Port Phillip Council has not in any way followed the guidelines about assessing this planning application, nor has it demonstrated the slightest understanding of the spirit of the Charter of Human Rights, because the group concerned follows a man who tells his followers to KILL Jews by race/religion and who also 'curses' them in Allah's name along with Christians.

Quran 9:30
The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!

Can anyone seriously claim that values such as those expressed in the above verse uphold, support, contribute to and facilitate 'Human Rights' for Jews and Christians?  Obviously not!

The appropriate response to such things, it not hatred, (except of the ideas/dogma) but  compassion and a reaching out to Muslims to help them to see the darkness of such ideas, and liberate them through persuasion ....in the public interest. All it takes is a 'trigger event' such as some conflict in the Middle East or Australia's involvement in a conflict in a Muslim country and 'some' Muslims will be attracted to the idea of needing to fight Australia for the sake of Islam.

Quran 9:29

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.

If any bright light feels this has been taken out of context, ignores the historical situation of the time, is misguided, quoted out of prejudice,bias or whatever, or that I'm just a plain idiot... by all means email for further information  adl777@y7mail.com for some deeeeeeper insights.(echo sound)

Strange...I'm not seeing much tolerance or inclusion in such verses.

Speaking about 'tolerance' and 'inclusion'... here is something displayed in Swanston st Melbourne a year or so ago. 2 separate police reports were made about this (that I know about) and absolutely *nothing* was done.
I wonder if the 'tolerant' Jews of St Kilda ever saw this?
Beyond doubt, the public interest is not served by denial or denouncing of those who expose such blatant public attacks on human rights and on particular named races and religions.

New World Order ?

Yep...I absolutely know that when someone uses the term "NWO" they are pretty well consigned to the conspiracy theory nutcase category...  well.. too bad.  I'm raising an issue here which is of very significant importance about something George Soros is doing in actually beginning the mechanics of that New World Order.
Most of you  probably think in terms of the following when it comes to the term NWO....

1/-Communism
2/-Jewish Plan to takeover(you know..Rothschilds/Bilderburgers etc)
3/-NeoCons Council of Foreign Relations etc.. (often linked to or combined with number 2 above)
4/-Progressive Politics and Social Agenda(linked in reality to 1,2 and 3 but by how much and in what way remains a bit cloudy)

But there is another force at work which seems to be making more headway than any of the others.
That force is George Soros "OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE"

That group/movement is a) Led by Soros (a Jew) b) Progressive in ideology.
His choice of name appears to be one of those Bernaysian subliminal deceptions, where 'open' actually means closed in an Orwellian sense. It's more like describing the German concentration camps as "WorkOpportunities for Ambitious Jews"

Soros' Jewish background does not seem to be linked to what he's doing from where I stand, but I'm quite open to being proven wrong by a decent dose of verifiable facts. Soros is more a "progressive".  But it seems to me that if his 'Open Society' is successful, HE will be the kingpin. (or his delegated representative).
He just provided $100,000,000 to Human Rights Watch which seems to be more a left wing proxy than a genuine protector of real human rights.

Make up your own mind on this, I'll give a link now which you can peruse and consider.

http://a12iggymom.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/unreported-soros-event-aims-to-remake-entire-global-economy/

I report... you decide.

Status of your Brazilian visa

Today I discovered that you can check the status of your Brazilian visa on-line. I was pleased to read this. I did post the other day that it's been over 4 weeks since I applied for my permanent visa and that I'm not expecting it to be approved quite yet, but eventually it will be, and I'll have a heads up now.

If you have applied for a Brazilian visa and want to check the status of your process, just visit Sistema de Controle e Emissão de Documentos de Viagem and under the VISA section, click CHECK VISA. You'll then be directed to a page VISA SEARCH AND UPDATED - LOCATE VISA; the best part is that you don't even need your application number. You can enter your complete full name and birthdate and your status will appear (just remember to scroll down).

I was thrilled to see my name and be ensured that my case is processing.

HAPPY 46TH BIRTHDAY, SJP!!

"Always put your best foot forward, and never look a gift horse in the mouth." - Sarah Jessica Parker

There Goes My Hero! (Reader Submitted)

     No matter where you go, you'll never escape that song. God bless the Foo Fighters. They are the most overplayed band on the planet and every time I hear them I am so glad they aren't Creed or Nickelback that I don't even mind listening to the same 4 songs over and over on every station...Was this a Foo Fighters post? We've been cranking out the jams in such rapid succession here at TroxTalk that I almost forgot where I was headed..AHHH YES! HOMEWORK!

      For this TTHA (Trox Talk Homework Assignment is the new official title) I asked you, the reader who your favorite athlete was to ever grace a field, court, pitch, rink, or alley. If anyone had actually picked a bowler, I would have given you a plaque. Everyone has that one sports figure who had a hand in shaping the person they are today. Take mine for example. 

Frank Thomas AKA The Big Hurt

         Just look at that monster. Frank was 6'5" and weighed about 270. Over 18 seasons he had a career batting average of .301, he hit 521 homers, he had about 2500 hits, and just over 1700 RBIs. In short, during the mid 90s he was an absolute freaking beast! Not to mention he had about the coolest nickname a professional athlete could have. You may as well have told me his nickname was He-Man. I was completely sold. The Big Hurt was a 5 time All-Star (incidentally those All Star games were during the same 5 seasons I played little league if I'm not mistaken. We were soulmates.) He had 4 Silver Slugger Awards, 2 AL MVPs, and he won the Home Run Derby in 1995. Frank wore the number 35 like me. He was an outfielder like me. He was a little chubby like me. And he was better at mashing the ball than he was at running the bases...like me. His arms were gigantic and his head was the size of a melon, so he was probably roided out like the rest of the goons from his era, but I didn't care. Little kids don't give a shit about juicin'. I even had the video game featuring Frank Thomas!

You can't photoshop a game this bad.

        Since Franky T was mine, I was pretty anxious to see who you would guys would come up with...Let's get to it. Please pass your papers to the front...

Submitted by Polar J. Bear. "Barry Sanders because he played for a shitty team and he made it happen anyway. He never showed off and retired on top. I mean Emmit Smith had more rushing yards, but he also had 6 coked-up Clydesdales blocking for him."

Submitted by Jesse. "Pelé is the Michael Jordan of soccer. When you're a kid and you grow up playing Soccer, he's what you aspire to be. He was quick, and he broke people's ankles left and right." If soccer was a sport, this would be a perfect submission. Sorry, I had to.

Submitted by Syphax. "It was Chris Sabo, because I wore glasses as a kid and the whole rec-specs thing, anyway it was the early 90's, I was a young fool. I met him last year as all the Red's were back in town celebrating the 20th anniversary of their World Series season...he was a dick. It was like meeting ALF only to find out he was an alcoholic who likes little boys, TOTAL let down. I had just met Eric Davis that night, HE suggested we get a picture, I was just starstruck, a 45 second encounter and I let him go on with his night, I didn't want to be THAT guy. I saw Sabo, and had to talk to him to tell him he was my childhood idol and all I got was, "I'm trying to have a good time, in private." And he walked away."

Submitted by Dustin, Trox's trusted attorney..Who apparently Trox will be needing soon if he continues to badger Rihanna.. "Craig Biggio – yeah, he isn’t too fancy and was never a flashy player, but he has the record for most hit by pitches. I got to see him as a kid at the Astrodome (yeah, with the original astro turf that was like playing on concrete) and he was always a solid player."

Submitted by D-Bag and Steve M. 2sports+2votes. Bo Knows math. These posters respectively said..."I'd have to say Bo Jackson. 2 Sports. Awesome at both of  'em." and "Bo Jackson. He was a phenom!" Bo probably would have been my close second to Frank Thomas..Do you remember catching him on Techmo Bowl? Neither does anyone else! Also, Did you catch Chris...errrr...Jim Everett in that old 'Bo Knows' spot? TV used to be better.

Submitted by Dave from The Best Podcast. "Bill Russell. 11 titles in 13 years." 'Nuff said.

Submitted by Schuster.

"To me, Barry is the modern epitome of cincinnati reds baseball. A classy player with a brilliant skill set. Entertaining to watch, and  a great leader. Plus his number was 11, which is my birthday day. That didn't hurt. Down the road, the guy even took a massive pay cut so he could stay in our city and play ball here. A great role model as a citizen and a ball player

Ironically, I became a pitcher,

but that's a different story."
 

Submitted by Phinny from The Best Podcast. "It's almost as difficult to make an argument against Steve Yzerman being the greatest hockey player of all-time as it is to pronounce his last name. Drafted by Detroit at the ripe age of 18, he was the primary catalyst in transforming the "Dead Wings" of the 80s into the perennial powerhouse that the Red Wings are today. Along the way, he managed to win 3 Stanley Cups, appear in 10 All-Star games, win an Olympic Gold medal, and have his #19 jersey honored forever in the rafters of Hockeytown. He wrote the book on hockey while everyone else was trying to bitTorrent the Cliff Notes on a 56K. As the longest-serving team captain in NHL history, Steve Yzerman is the definition of a leader and my favorite athlete of all-time."

Submitted by Chaske. "I like Kobe because he's a ruthless competitor, is a cold-blooded finisher at the end of games, has won multiple titles, and is one of the few professional athletes nowadays that actually puts the team before himself/fame/accolades and wants only to win championships. He hasn't labeled himself an 'entertainer and icon', doesn't run his mouth in the media, he's a winner." (EDITORS NOTE: When you are lethal enough to earn the moniker "The Black Mamba" and your skills make people forget about monogamy altogether, it means you're doing something right.)
 

Submitted by Cody. "I'll go with Cal Ripken Jr. His nickname was the Iron Man. He so loved the game of baseball that he didn't miss a single game for over 16 seasons." Is it safe to say that CRJ has been to more Orioles games than all the fans in Baltimore combined? I kid.

 

Submitted by Tommy.

"Deion Sanders. i loved him growing upcause he was a show offand would talk shit..and prove it" Me too Tommy, I like the showboats, and Prime Time was the king.

Submitted by Derrick. MJ was the man. I've been a huge North Carolina fan all my life because I grew up there. Everyone known his is the best basketball player who ever lived." ANOTHER EDITORS NOTE:  Michael Jordan is the face of pro basketball. Also Nike, Coca Cola, Chevrolet, Gatorade, McDonalds, Ball Park Franks, Ray O Vac, Hanes, Wheaties, MCI, harbored grudges, and Space Jam... Even girls grew up wanting to be his Air-ness. I'm not sure if anyone will ever be as great at anything as his was at basketball.

           Well, that wraps up this week's TTHA! This might be the best one to date. Thanks to everyone who made the grade. Your submissions keep the TroxTalk engine from stalling. I might try to get into a little college hoops if I get time over the weekend. I'm just one man. If not, I'll check you Monday. "Yo, homes! Smell ya lata!"

                                                                     Warmest Regards,

                                                                       Trox

I Haven't Been This Amped for a Video Game in a While...

       After playing the demo that came out this week, I was having some trouble deciding whether I should get the new Mortal Kombat for Xbox360 or PS3 when it finally comes next month. Looks like Warner Brothers Games and Nether Realm Studios made the decision for me. TroxTalk will dig a deeper into the world of MK soon enough, but this has me fired up for the time being.

Bye bye smart phones, we don't need you

We have done it. The impossible? The inconceivable? We have switched from our iPhones to "real" cell phones. No more data plans. No more Internet, Facebook, GPS, picture SMS. Oh what will we ever do? The answer: nothing. We'll use our new phones to make calls. Imagine that. Oh yeah, and of course text, though neither E nor I wants to do as much texting with the keyboards our phones have. It's not as easy now.

E made the first step about a month ago. He had been complaining about his smart phone for weeks until he finally got fed up and took my old Motorola Razor phone to our cell phone provider and changed his plan, removing his chip from his iPhone. He could still use his iPhone to play music in the car and at home, as well as use the Internet on it, but everything else is gone. Does he miss it? No. Not at all.

So instead of missing his phone, E has only made comments about how much better the "old" phone is in comparison to his smart phone. He's really happy with his decision and encouraged me to do the same if I wanted to.

Today I took the plunge. I had been thinking about making the change for the past few weeks, and today I did it. I bought an old school Nokia cell phone. No camera. No frills. No nothing. I actually wonder if I went to the extreme, though the phone is of great quality. Anyway, we have less than 3 months before our cell phone contract is up and we were going to discontinue the use of iPhones at that time, so what's 80 days? I have a camera if I want to take pictures. I have a computer if I want to check my e-mail and/or go on-line. Who needs a GPS on a phone if there's one in the car? And actually having a phone whose battery doesn't die after 2 hours of wonderful.

I am going to keep my iPhone and take it with me to Brazil since I use it as an iPod, but I'm unsure if I'll use it as a phone there. I guess we'll see how safe I feel carrying around an expensive phone in my pocket.

E has decided to sell his iPhone now since it has a cracked screen and it has been sitting on the counter since he began using the Motorola. I do think, however, that he will buy another smart phone again in the future.

When we get to Brazil we'll make the decision as to the best phones and cell phone plan for us. At least in the meantime I'll spend a lot less time on my phone. I'm almost looking forward to not being so dependent on it.