R.I.P.

Dominguinhos waited all St John's parties pass to finally rest in peace.

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Still on the sky...

This year some little stars will bright there, on top.

Chimbica

Chico

Pixel

Meg 

Bye feline friends ♥

hey...

Today, is the 241st anniversary of Porto Alegre, my birthplace.

I miss it a lot - because of my family and friends, and also by virtue of its singular charm. I'm very proud to be originally from there, to can say I'm 'Gaúcha' even before considering me a Brazilian (deep roots we never lose, despite the fact of moving far away).

What is more, I would like to show all you guys from where nice people like me come... that's why I chose this encyclopedic pic besides writing a long introduction in English, which is more universal.

Well, here it is: my homage! Poa, I love you ♥

 

mi adorable demonio

Bom, para começar, sinto-me um pouco como 'um peixe fora d'água' aqui na América do Norte, onde a (má) influência de um filtro estadunidense sobre a mídia em geral faz ecoar uma fama diabólica de Hugo Chávez.

Muitos comemoram por aqui. Estavam só aguardando o pior... Para outros tantos americanos/latinos (muitos mais, de fato), porém, esse foi um triste episódio para a luta - que continua, companheiros.

Estou triste com sua morte SIM. Afinal, ele foi para Venezuela fundamental na tomada do poder pela massa. Um pouco como o que Lula fez no Brasil. Chávez, embora militar, foi um dos nossos.

Sendo assim, quanto a essa imagem demoníaca que ele possui, faço a pergunta: ele é ruim para quem mesmo? Porque, na moral, de bicho-papão só tem medo criancinha ingênua e desinformada (algo, inclusive, cada vez mais raro num momento tão informatizado).

Claro que ele não foi um presidente perfeito. Aliás, existe algum? Difícil agradar a todos... Tudo dependende quando visto pelos intere$$es. Na realidade, os reais monstros da sociedade capitalista são bem outros...

Ficam agora justamente as dúvidas quanto à sua sucessão, ao futuro da oposição ao império ainda liderado pelos yankees.

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Deixo aqui a minha homenagem ao homem que mudou o mundo, melhorando-o, como pode...

um governante solitário

socialista

entrou para a História

cagando para os Estados Unidos

every cloud has a silver lining

Even the fire ones... I expect.

As a consequency of the tragedy which happened last evening in Santa Maria - Rio Grande do Sul, I just hope that, from now, responsables for nightclubs start to be more it: responsable. Literally. In fact, not just businessmen, but also government. Everybody in country (and even abroad) is waiting for more rigid politics concerning security in closed places, besides justice in this case, of course.

On the other hand, it's important to say that people should be more awake and conscious about their own welfare, chosing thoroughly where going in a better way. I know, nobody is used to that, but we must watch out for it, be more cautious.

By hook or crook, that being so, I'm pretty sure that many bands around the world will think twice before doing any pyrotechnic show without care about safe conditions. At least all that heard about this mournful incident in the south of Brazil.

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bonita homenagem 

 

the pornographic angel

Under this nickname, the most renowned Brazilian playwright of the 20th century would turn 100 years-old on the last 23th August. However, Nelson Rodrigues doesn't age, or even is dead.

He's immortal, once he survives through all his popular chronicles, unmatched plays and shocking romance novels. Particularly, I appreciate in special way his dark side, the erotic appeal of his work (so what else is new!).

"A vida como ela é” (Life as it is), "Toda Nudez Será Castigada" (All Nudity Shall Be Punished), "Perdoa-me por me traíres" (Forgive me for Cuckolding me), "O Beijo no Asfalto" (The Asphalt Kiss), among many others, revolutionized, marking an epoch. Most part of his texts have a sinning content - for the Brazilian 40s, 50s and 60s society, and even today is a little bit heavy for some.

Famous quotes of him as "Nem todas mulheres gostam de apanhar, só as normais" (Not all women like a beating, just the normal one), scandalized. Below, other I like (always 'immoral'):

"Sem alma não se chupa nem um chicabon” (Without soul, we can not suck nor a popsicle) 

"Se todos conhecessem a intimidade sexual uns dos outros, ninguém cumprimentaria ninguém" (If everyone knew the sexual intimacy of each other, no one would greet anyone)

"A prostituta só enlouquece excepcionalmente. A mulher honesta, sim, é que, devorada pelos próprios escrúpulos, está sempre no limite, na implacável fronteira" (The prostitute get crazy only  exceptionally. The honest woman, yes, devoured by scruples, she is always on the edge, in the unforgiving border)

"Hoje é muito difícil não ser canalha. Todas as pressões trabalham para o nosso aviltamento pessoal e coletivo” (Nowadays, it is very difficult not to be bastard. All pressures work to our collective and personal vilification)

"O dinheiro compra até o amor verdadeiro" (Money buys even true love)

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My ultimate homage to him, gotten into his mood (as other I cited, it's something I believe in...):

"Ou a mulher é fria ou morde. Sem dentada não há amor possível" (Or woman is cold, or she bites. Without bite, there is no possible love).

Happy wives know that good sex is without decency. 
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Here, a special publication, taking occasion of the date. There, it's possible get to know his whole talent, even bigger than just this little sexual part I showed, intentionally.

Dia do Rock

 É nozes!

Sergio Mendes, mas que nada... salve Jorge!

Excuse me, but I have to confess that each time I heard somebody glorofies Sergio Mendes by his Jorge Ben(Jor)’s hits, I became a little upset. It hurts me the fact that abroad EVERYBODY knows him, while the other, the true musical composition and playing of “Mas que nada”, is completelly forgotten and ignored outside Brazil. Unfortunately...

Damn it! Jorge Ben is a classic, a knighthood. Besides this song, there are many others wich can enshrine him. A simple exemple, in 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine in Brazil built a list of their 100 most important Artists of Music, take a look here to see who is top 5. I’m not jocking: Jorge Ben(Jor) is there.

Actually I do NOT have anything against Sergio Mendes. On the contrary, I’m very glad about his partnership with Black Eyed Peas (that I could check live and totally free on Ipanema sandy at reveillon 2007). He is a good artist and they did a nice job together, which has promoted a lot our music... It's awesome! I just hate to feel people leave behind another (black) marvel artist of Brazilian Music, and, sincerely, I don’t understand why (and how) this (could) happend!

There is no party in Brazil where at least one song of Jorge Bem(Jor) plays and EVERYBODY dance. It’s great. I have already been in a place where with only one CD of him, we dance all night long (poor Jorge Ben, who became rough at that moment!). Furthermore, he is kind... In 2001, when I worked at Planeta Atlântida, I knew him personally and he was so gentle (my mother won a photo of us, inclusively!).

I think he is blessed by Saint George (and His dragon), as in Brazil we are used to do this link... "Salve Jorge"! By the way, today is a special occasion for this post: Jorge Ben(Jor) is turning 70 years old. To celebrate? I'll listen his music, of course...  Here, some of my playlist (all old and original versions, which I prefer):

Ponta de lança africano (Umbabarauma);
Zumbi;
Balança Pema;
Menina mulher da pele preta;
O telefone;
Minha teisomia, uma arma pra te conquistar;
Que pena; 
Ela é minha menina;
Os Alquimistas estão chegando;
Santa Clara clareaou;
Por causa de você, menina;
Bebete Vambora;
Cadê Teresa, among other tunes...

This is my tribute (my particular way to do people get to know him and more about our music... after all, who doesn't know Jorge Ben, doesn't know Brasilian music at all!). Read the complete Rolling Stone article about this 70-years old artist online.

heavyweight choose(s)

“A música venceu” - It‘s true!

With this samba-enredo, João Carlos Martins’ life was sang by Vai Vai Samba School and they won the São Paulo’s parade carnival this year. One of the most noted contemporary musicians of erudite, he was honoured by a big fancy show at this carnival time.

This pianoman and maestro, well-known by his acclaimed (Johann Sebastian) Bach performances, had his life presented on the avenue cadenced by Bateria’s beats played by hundreds of rhythmers on Friday, 04th. For those who don’t know, This man is a live example of overcoming.

He have had great difficulties during his career. Firstly, since he had lost his right-hand movements due to an accident during a soccer match, he became a maestro. Just as he had rehabilitated his capacity to play again, he developed a illness that made him give up of music.

However, his passion was stronger and he passed to play only with the left hand, creating an unique style. After a concert in Sofia, Bulgaria, he was robbed and took a licking, losing the movements again. So, after a dream, he decided to learn to conduct and, finally, became a maestro. Nowadays, he is world-widely recognized.

Interesting, because life’s journey can be as a symphony with its acts: allegro, andante, adagio and largo. Life has its ups and downs. It is important keep going on, though.

once a king, always a king

Another triumph of music was the Beija-Flor's parade, in Rio de Janeiro, on Monday 7th (better: on the early morning of Tuesday).  Presenting Roberto Carlos's life, they won this year the dispute.

As João Carlos, Roberto is another example of overcoming. Many people don't know, but he lost one of his legs when he was a child. It was an accident, a locomotive runned over him. Nevertheless, he continued his life quite fine and reached the peak of acclaim and has been decorated as a ’king’ (of MPB, and also youth in 60’s, and since 2010, of Latin Music).

His groupies (at any age - from childhood through the old age - nevertheless, the majority aren't little girls anymore...) are always shouting, frenetic. His fan legion was awaiting anxiously for that moment of glory. Now, they are satisfied - many have held fast with them the red rose given (a tacky cliché that still works with this audience).

This year, Vai Vai and Beija Flor were succeded while choosing two men of renown (and also blessed) -as the noble motif (or theme) for their carnival parade. Both São Paulo e Rio have homaged our music, which won anyway, indeed!

Bravo.

a união faz a força

Tudo o que eles queriam era não apanhar mais. Parece simples, mas assim eram castigados os homens que trabalhavam na nossa Marinha durante os primeiros anos do século passado - mesmo sendo inconstitucionais tais punições. Má conduta resultava em enforcamento, açoitadas... Dois anos de planejamento, e um dia eles se amotinaram.

Negros e mulatos, mal instruídos, trabalhando sem a capacitação adequada (pois se investia muito em navios quase e nada no humano), nossos homens, liderados por João Candido Felisberto, inspiraram-se nos colegas russos do Encouraçado Poutekim, armando uma rebelião. Há exato um século, viraram para o Rio de Janeiro, 80 canhões, ameaçando bombardear a então capital da República, caso seu pedido não fossem atendido.

Venceram a chamada Revolta da Chibata, grandiosamente, mas se poderem comemorar. Alguns dias depois, porém, numa atitude revanchista do Governo os heróis revoltosos foram presos. De 18, depois de um envenenamento na cadeia, somente dois deles sobreviveram - entre eles o Almirante Negro, como João Cândido foi chamado pela imprensa da época.

Anos mais tarde, morreu pobre e como um indigente, esquecido, tendo sido classificado como louco. Esse foi o destino de um de nossos heróis de verdade. Infelizmente, muitos de nós, ainda hoje, praticamente desconhecemos sua existência e a colaboração que esses personagens tiveram na nossa história. Lamentável, mas ficou a grande lição, registrada por Chico Science e a Nação Zumbi:

"Que eu me organizando posso desorganizar
Que eu desorganizando posso me organizar"

Com determinação é possível mudar. A união faz a força (pro bem e pro mal... infelizmente). E essa é minha pequena contribuição para um mundo melhor, minha homenagem a eles.

Somente em 2008, através da publicação da Lei Federal n. 11.756/2008 no Diário Oficial da União, foi concedida anistia post mortem a João Cândido e aos demais participantes do movimento. Viva!

pela vida

Hoje é o Dia da Amizade. Minha homenagem é para aquelas pessoas essenciais e inesquecíveis - que me preenchem, mas deixam saudades; que embora longe, estão sempre junto. 

"Há duas espécies de chatos: os chatos propriamente ditos e os amigos, que são os nossos chatos prediletos". E termino com as palavras de Mário Quintana, que definem tão bem essa relação verdadeira. 

Amo vocês.