And I'm back! Enjoy your Summer!

David Blaine's Magic for Indians

I was amazed watching the Indians' reaction at David Blaine's magic in the middle of the Forest. Body Language and visual estimulation were the key components for the most surreal perfomance recorded live. They were people who have never seen a deck of cards before and are now experiencing David Blaine's game with the elements of Mother Nature to prove himself as an incredible magician making water out of a green leaf in front of their eyes. The reaction was a mix of shock and fear of the unkown, some of the kids ran away, afraid... afraid of this beautiful talent acquired by David Blaine.

"Life is the most beautiful magic trick!"

Stack Fast!

Sports Stacking is for all

Give it a shot and you'll be impressed

Learn slow and practice for speed

Jun for fun or to compete

Stack Fast!

Cocoroni Island

I could never had laughed so hard in my life before watching this video!! OMG! For real, my brother found this masterpiece!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6WIoJSQLs

It's a Japanese song with Portuguese "made up" story subtitles just rhyming with the Japanese pronunciation. Just awesome!

Next summer vacation: Cocoroni Island!

NBA: Nothing But Amazing!!!

Some of my friends think it's weird to go out by myself but I don't seem to find a problem with that... For example, pick one out of the two:

You want to go out and have fun, what do you do next:

1) Get up and go!
2) Wait for somebody else to decide to the same and come with you.

I get up and go! Watch sports at a bar, attend to a game, go to the movies, go horseback riding, go jogging at the park, take my cat to the park, play Sudoku at Central Park, ride my bicycle...

Now imagine if I decide to wait for that someone... by the time our schedules find a open window for some type of social activity it maybe 2 WEEKS FROM TODAY!!!!

So, imagine how much fun you are missing out there while waiting for someone to get it going...

So I did: went to Boston, had a BLAST at the Celtics Game, wasted 3 HOURS at "The Watchmen", walked down the Pier, went out dancing and drove back listening to my favorite music while enjoying the ride!!!

We'll see what's up for tonight: either a LED Zeppelin Cover Band or just Wii at home... maybe that as I am on the roster for tomorrow's ALL DAY Volleyball Tournament!

11:23am

Who says “big surprises comes in small package”?

9:14am: What a "big surprise" and it did NOT come in a small package!!! ;-)

Wow... it's 11:23am.... I better get going!

Celtics vs. Cavaliers tonight, AT BOSTON!!! See you at A5!!!

Maybe I’m Amazed - Late-20's Soundtrack

1st April:

THE FACES. UK TV (BBC2) ‘Sounds For Saturday

- The Music Of The Faces’, London.

- Three Button Hand Me Down (Rod Stewart/Ian McLagan)

- Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney)

- Too Much Woman-Street Fighting Man-Too Much Woman (Ike Turner-Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-Ike Turner)

- Miss Judy’s Farm (Ron Wood/Rod Stewart)

- Love In Vain (Robert Johnson)

- Stay With Me (Ron Wood/Rod Stewart)

- I’m Losing You (Norman Whitfield/Eddie Holland/Cornelius Grant)

Line-up: RW (gtr, bvoc)/Rod Stewart (voc)/Ronnie Lane (bass, voc)/Ian McLagan (keyb, bvoc)/Kenny Jones (dr)

Note: Telerecorded earlier.

Maybe I’m Amazed (Paul McCartney)

Baby Im amazed at the way you love me all the time

Maybe Im afraid of the way I love you

Baby Im amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time

Hung me on a line

Maybe Im amazed at the way I really need you

Baby Im a man and maybe Im a lonely man

Whos in the middle of something

That he doesnt really understand

Babe Im a man and maybe youre the only woman

Who could ever help me

Baby wont you help to me understand

(lead solo)

Baby Im a man and maybe Im a lonely man

Whos in the middle of something

That he dosent really understand

Babe Im a man and maybe youre the only woman

Who could ever help me

Baby wont you help me understand

Baby Im amazed at the way youre with me all the time

Maybe Im afraid of the way I leave you

Baby Im amazed at the way you help me sing my song

You right me when Im wrong

Maybe Im amazed at the way I really need you

Sang by The Who, in April 1st (coincidence: April Fools' Day) of 1972.

Billboard No.1 Hits of the '70s

Way to get started on a cloudy Sunday morning! Not just for the songs, big time classics of all disco and pop rock, but for the videoclips. Just amazing to see how creative people were without all today's technology back in the 70s.

Their make up, hairstyles and apparel were just a great and impeccable way to express their soul and passion for the music! Turn your time machine back to the seventies and:

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

Tons of video playlists at http://www.vh1classic.com/

Scuba Diving!!!

Scuba diving in Florida, that's it!

Aim higher than you can see... achieve beyond your goals!

Babies & diapers

Yeap, just realized it today... I am now being invited for Baby Showers, Baby birthdays, and all that good stuff...

Planning on what to buy for my friend's newborn, my other friend and I agreed on buying diapers and something else smaller, more personal, like a toy or so.

Over the phone my friend says: "Okay, so how many bags should we get her? Maybe 4?

I said: "What about 2 each?"

I wasn't sure if she knew the price for it or just wanted to spend a little more than we thought at first because afterall, the new Mom is our GREAT friend!

So, mid-afternoon I went to the supermakert and found out that each diaper bag was $20!!! First thing I thought to myself was: "Man, she [the Mom] must be spending a fortune on diapers! She would love getting it as a gift!" Got 2 bags.

Called my friend back and said: "Did you get the diapers yet?" She said:"Not yet. I was busy all day. I'll get it tomorrow morning before heading to your place."

I told her: "I got two at $20 apiece." She screammed over the phone: "How much??? That's crazy! I think I will just get her something else, I don't know. That's a lot for diapers!"

We started laughing and she said: "Remember when we were babies? There were no disposable diapers. That was too fancy. My Mom used cotton diapers on us. Remember them?" I was cracking up and of course I remember them. My Mom used them on me too!! The diapers were made out of cotton fabric and WASHED after every use! And as we both started laughing we realized one thing: OMG! Where were we weeing on???? Just fabric?! No absorbent layers of crystals that turn into gel for a dryer sensation...??!?!?!?!?

Wow! Now we know... and we laughed so hard!!

Parents are Angels chosen by God at the moment we are ready for life!

Love you, Mom & Dad; Grandma too. Happy Valentines Day!

+++Invitation types on our life timeline:

As Kids: invited for playdates

Teenagers: invited to the movies

Early-Twenties: invited for all parties

Late-Twenties: invited for marriages

Early-Thirties: invited for baby showers

and that's all I can say for now. We will find out soon on later. Getting invited for Horse Races, Bingo and Ballroom Dancing are still on my wish list.

Food Channels... I love them!

What most people don't know is that I cook really well! ;-) Some compliments to myself...

Italian rooted family gave me some cooking instincts which I mean by that: not necessary have to follow a detailed recipe to get it done. Watching Discovery Channel the other day I saw this pizza made with wheat bread. It looked delicious and I gave it a shot last night, of course with a little improvisation as I couldn't find some of the ingredients at the supermarket.

This is the original recipe:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/emeril-wheat-ciabatta-pizza.html

Looking at all those precise measurements, you will probably give up the recipe but I did it like this:

(Serves 2 people)

Ingredients:

Half Chicken breast (in chunks)

Mushrooms (as much a you like -- sliced)

Large onion (sliced)

Olive oil

Butter

Seasonings

Bread (French Bread baguette)

Mozzarella

Tomato sauce (you can make your own or just get a can at the supermarket)

The interesting thing is: I didn't really measure anything. You can blame my Mom for that. When I was a kid and she had her nails done, she always asked me to get hands on the dough and make fresh cheese rolls for our afternoon snack. Everytime I asked: "Mom, how much salt on the cheese rolls?" And the answer always was: "A little bit, not much."

Now: please define that in ounces. ;-)

Okay, so let's get rolling:

In a pan, pour some olive oil and a little bit of butter. Toss the onions and let it fry for a little bit. Add the chicken and let it fry. After the chicken changed its color from raw to pre-cooked, add just a little water to get some sauce. Let it cook for a little bit and reserve.

In a pan, pour some olive oil and a little bit of butter. Toss the mushrooms and let them cook. Reserve.

Pre-heat the oven: 350-380 degrees

Slice de bread in half. I used a baguette so I cut it in half, and then sliced it in the middle.

Take out some of the bread in the middle leaving just the crust. Start with the layering:

1st Layer: BREAD

2nd Layer: Tomato Sauce

3rd Layer: Chicken

4th Layer: Mushrooms

5th Layer: Mozzarella Cheese

Sprinkle oregano and parmesan cheese on top.

Leave it in the oven until cheese is melted and the crust looks crunchy.

DELICIOUS! That's what fast food is about! Fast but healthy!

Enjoy!

is it for real!?

Just please send me a smoke sign to get me out of this!!!!
thanks... and BTW I'm for real!!!!!!

C U Z III D A! YEAH!

What is under the Americans' bed?

Have you realized that 8 out of 10 things sold on shopping channels have something in common?

I guess you are wondering what that is... There is one feature that they all have and which may be their selling point...




THEY FIT RIGHT UNDER THE BED!




At this time I am not 100% positive if that is a good thing or just a way to get us to buy it, use it once and store it nicely under the bed just to feel like being on a commercial. Next thing you see we are storing shoe organizers on top of situps equipment aside with a foldable scooter... and after all: good nite ;-)

YES We Can!

I am glad to be part of History tonight not just for the United States but for the whole world!
Yes, the fact making history on today's event is racial related. He is the first Afro American to hold the Presidency of the United States of America.

To me the history goes beyond that fact. People are trusting him to conduct one of the biggest empires in the world. Now, do you really think that being black was what differentiated him from the others!?

I'm sorry but I don't agree with that.

Nobody askes for a color to be. It's all part of the miracle of life and it is our responsability to accept what was given to us, be grateful for that and utilize our "gift" to achieve beyond our goals in life.

Barack Obama did it! And so WE can!

Okay is the new way!

Yes, I'm OKAY!

But it's now official: metacarpal fracture... at least this time it's on my left hand!!! There's always a positive way to look at it!

Five people will also tell you the story but one thing I have to say: I had a blast playing handicaped Volleyball!!!! Thanks to my teammates!! Great commitment and the will to win made the day!

One thing I didn't quite understand was my Hand Doctor when he saw me this morning: "It's great to see you again!" I started laughing at him and said: "Well, good thing I have 10 fingers!!

Four weeks off the court will give me enough time to blog, of course with reduced word count and some typos here and there but I'm glad I learned "One Finger Typing Advanced Techniques" with my older sister. She is great at it! ;-) Love you, Patty! ;-)

Lazy Sunday... ;-)

I am starring at this bear trying to understand what he is laughing about??
His smile cracks me up!

Brain frozen today... so starr at him and SMILE!

;-)

Call Technical Support

info: Welcome to ACME Customer Service. An online chat agent will be with you shortly. You are number 6 in the queue. Your wait time will be 18min(s) 36sec(s) Thank you for waiting.
info: All agents are currently assisting other guests. Your current wait time is 15min(s) 30sec(s) Thank you for waiting.
info: All agents are currently assisting other guests. Your current wait time is 10min(s) 7sec(s) Thank you for waiting.
info: All agents are currently assisting other guests. Your current wait time is 10min(s) 7sec(s) Thank you for waiting.

info: You are now chatting with 'Techinal Support Rep'

Techinal Support Rep: Thank you for contacting Customer Service. How may I help you today?

(at this point I already waited 10min and the chat window I am using does NOT have a place for the to type my question... minute or two later...)

Techinal Support Rep: We have not heard from you. Do you wish to continue the chat? )

(I couldn't wait another 10min to get somebody else on that help window. Of course I want to continue the chat... I just need to find a way to type my questions without a TEXT INPUT BOX!!!)

Client: dflikjldf;jadslkfjpwol3ruopwru034tu0[o
Client: fjslkdjfklsjflksa
Client: I cant see what im' typeing
Client: there is no place to type my question
Client: any idea?????

(I gave up then trying to explaing what was going on as I figured that whatever I typed over that scroll down button and hit enter would pop up into the chat window)

Client: anywyas, I will try without looking at it
Client: sorry for any typos

(still nice about it but...)

Client: are you still there
Client: ????
Client: are you teher
Client: are you there
Client: are you there
Client: are yout ther
Client: are you there
Client: I cant' see what I'm witing
Client: any clue how to fix this
Client: I paid for renewal last year
Client: and reinstall the software on one of our computeres today
Client: it says it will expire in 15 days withc is not true
Client: SOMEBODY COULDCAN SOMEBODY LET ME KNOW IF I'M TALKING TO A REAL REP

(seriously, this was about 3 minutes waiting on the chat window with no answer from the rep...)

Techinal Support Rep: I understand that you need to enter your license key.

(GENIUS!!!!!)

Techinal Support Rep: You can install it by clicking the Z by the clock or if your ZoneAlarm is not open, please go to Start>>> ZoneAlarm>>> ZoneAlarm Security. You can then click on Overview -> Product Info -> Change
Techinal Support Rep: Lic. button.
Techinal Support Rep: Be sure to COPY the entire license key, and then PASTE into just the Techinal Support Rep: First field - it will auTechinal Support Repatically expand to fill all fields. Click
Techinal Support Rep: At the end of the letters of the first field, and then backspace
Techinal Support Rep: Until all the letters are gone, and then PASTE. Click on
Techinal Support Rep: The Apply button, and you should get a dialog indicating the key Techinal Support Rep: Was updated successfully.
Techinal Support Rep: Notes
Techinal Support Rep: If you are unsure on how to copy and paste information in Windows, Techinal Support Rep: Try the following. Click on the START button > Help > copy
Techinal Support Rep: Paste (no quotes) > search. Look for window short cut keys, and Techinal Support Rep: Follow the instructions.

Client: I ALREADY ENTERED THAT
Client: DO I REENTER THE LICENCE KEY FROM THE RENEWAL ON 2008

Techinal Support Rep: what is the license key ?

(at this point if you are familiar with computers you know that a license key is AT LEAST 16 digits long mixing numbers, letters, symbols, capitals and lower case! As I didn't have a text input box to type it in and make sure it was correct because that was pretty much the beggining of finding a solution for my problem, guess what...)

Client: THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE
Client: BUT I'LL TRY

Techinal Support Rep: did you enter it today ?
(AKA: "lost a chance to be quiet" kind of question)

Client: I CANT SEE WHAT I'M TYIPING BECUASE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHAT WINDOW
Client: I'M TYPING RANDOMLY WITHOUT LOOKING AT
Client: LET'S TRY

Techinal Support Rep: did you enter the key after you installed ?
(Strike 2!!!)

Client: YES
Client: hold on
Client: I'm finding it at a different office

Client: anyqays we could fix theis chat window so I can see what i'm typing
Client: ???
Techinal Support Rep: I don't know how to fix your chat window but it sounds like a technical problem

(minutes later... no response from Techinal Support Rep...)


Client: 7QJWA-TN99F-53BRX-88GX60-H225Q0
Client: I GOT IT... FIGURED IT OUT MYSELF!
Client: THANKS FOR YOUR NO HELP
Client: ;-)


(By the way, should I have asked them if they were hiring??!) ;-)

(FYI: This is a true story!)

... better opportunities?

Fact is:

It's not about where I am.

It's about who I am.

Quote: "You are what you believe in. "

I believe I can NOW give myself a chance to succeed. Sometimes it feels like time is flying by as I see all four seasons through my office window. Where is the action, the eye contact, the people, the pets? Get out there, get connect, give it a shot! Experience the belief!

Quote" "To be imortal share your knowlegde. "

Knowlegde, to me, is a combination of logic understanding and capacity of structuring an answer to an obstacle. I can leave a purse behind with all my belongings, but my knowlegde I will always take with me, no matter where I am "heading" to.

So who is the one to talk about better opportunities? To me, you can always be the BEST no matter where you are. It's about belief combined with knowledge and supportted by a hard working spirit! I believe to be capable enough to take on this journey to prove myself I was right the whole time!

"UdareU to achieve beyond your goals." (V.Lang)

Now it's for sure!!! ;-)

Decision made: Operational Director of SwapMeetMarket.com is my new career!

First step to becoming an icon to the Queens Community!

Samba de Amigo!

Volare... Suction cups would definately make the difference to this environment...

Ride home, Wii had fun!

Athletes... The Beauty of the Sport!

Watching the BCS National Championship today, after Tim Tebow's speech promissing the fans to give his best, his 100% perfomance... promissing that the whole team would do it, I realized the Power of the Will! And so I watched it happening tonight...

That made me think of how life would have been like if I had decided to play professional Volleyball when I was 16 years old, back in Brazil. At the peak of my perfomance, accepted at one of the best Volleyball Clubs in Brasil, Minas Tennis Club, I made a responsible choice at the time to finish school and have a job... But one thing I regret the most is to have lost the opportunity of feeling how a gold medal shines in your neck.

The most amazing thing about the College Sports in the United States is the fact that all those kids playing at their best on the field are also working hard on their college degrees, practicing every day to get better and make their teammates better players too... What a wonderful experience!

The Bookathon! AKA The Book Chain

After thinking about it for a while, it's finally on!

Last time I played something like this I was a 1st grader, back in Brazil. We used to call it The Book Chain because it would link friends through giving and receiving books.

The main goal of The Bookathon is to celebrate friendship!

After explaining it to a friend, I was asked:

Who wins it? What's the prize?

The winners are the "runners" of the first book to reach 100,000 miles across the country.

The prize? There is no material prize. Well, I guess we could say: at least one book to read!

;-)

The experience of a true smile followed by a mix of desire and responsability to keep it moving forward once you receive an unexpected book from a friend... The prize is instantaneous! And priceless... Experience the joy of taking an action without expecting a pay back.

To get it started, today I sent one copy of "Standing Tall", written by C. Vivian Stringer to three very special friends. Now, it's up to them to keep it moving forward!

To track the race: http://www.thebookathon.org/

Go Longhorns!

Tostitos Bowl Champions!!!!

Great year for the Longhorns! Runner up Heisman Trophy, 44 points per game average, combined with the will to show why they are the best in the country! The Power of the Will!

Who wants it more! They did it!

Now if you are wondering where does all of my passion for The Longhorns comes from.....

Well, easy answer: not sure... it's just pure passion for the Texas Spirit, Texas Size, Texas Culture, Texas Beauty, Texas...

WOW, what a game!!! Tight finish, but just perfect!

Texas Longhorns: Successful! Proud! Happy! Emocional!

P.S.: The Bookathon started today! 01/05/2009 with "Standing Tall" by C. Vivian Stringer

I'll keep you posted or just follow the race online: www.thebookathon.org

Meet Moses!

Great experience with "Moses" brought me back to good childhood memories... The relaxation, communication, peace and joy made a great impact on my day...

Moses is a great horse, very big... a little intimidating at first, but very friendly, focused and well structured to work. Poor girl riding in my group... her horse, "Magic", was very young and gave her a hard time, maybe for being scared with all that... The saddle came off from “Magic” and the girl almost gave up on her. Her other two friends were a little anxious too... "Moses" and I, stood calm and relaxed by the end of the line, passing forward all the good vibrations we accumulated since the beginning of that trail ride. One after the other, the two horses in front of us had their pace reestablished in a peaceful walk through the park. People and dogs passed by us with respect for us riders and our horses, specially Moses, in his gigantic frame.

At the top of the hill, when we met the German Shepard, "Moses" put his head down and started scratching his nose, and in a sudden: he sneezed shaking his whole body! You know, like horses do... ;-) I thought I was going to fall and laughing, we kept moving forward.

On our way back to the stable, I felt like he was tired from the walking around the park. I was told that he is about 20 years old and always have been that big and calm.

We crossed the street with the whole group this time and back to the stable, when I dismounted "Moses" I was sure that I'll be back there to see him more often.

Grateful for a whole New Year!!!!

2009, brand new year!
Thanks for the opportunity to leave the "old" year behind and be given the opportunity to "start it all over", from January 1st, again...

I am taking this opportunity and setting myself to suceed avoiding old mistakes , making some new ones. Life is a learning experience.

Let's have some fun!

"Don't try, just do it."

BTW, Thanks 2F for my purse! Way to get it started!

2009, tnx!