peace

It is time to find my peace of mind again. Passion has caused me enough trouble.

Below, free translation of one of my favorite poems, "O Rio", by Manuel Bandeira.

The River

To be like the river that flows
Silent into the night.
Not to fear the darkness of the night.
If there are stars in the sky, reflect them
And if the skies are covered by clouds
As the river the clouds are water,
Reflect them too without sorrow
In the tranquil profoundnesses.

And then he decided to let it go, and so to fade away.

So he kept on laughing and hid the tears in his eyes.

Because this time he was told to hide his love away.

And he wished he was a sailor with someone who waited for him.

endings

And then he woke up in a cold morning to realize the summer was over and two people had left his life.

recent readings

The Great Gatsby - Short story, totally worth the few hours you'll spend on it. Fitzgerald reminds me strongly of Hemingway, which can't be a bad thing.

The Left Hand of Darkness - Interesting story by Ursula K. Le Guin, whom (I came to know recently) is regarded as one of the best modern science ficton and fantasy authors. She talks about a world where all humans are androgynes and explores the consequences of such environment.

As Intermitências da Morte - Não faz sentido escrever em inglês sobre esse, já que ainda nem ganhou tradução. É o último livro do Saramago, gostei bastante. No melhor estilo Kafkiano, ele começa: "No dia seguinte ninguém morreu". E segue assim, rápido e contagiante, contando sua história sobre as peripécias da morte. Muito bom.

define:fool

1.1 a person who lacks good judgment

1.2 a person who behaves in a silly way without thinking

Classic

Whenever I smell asphalt, I think of Maureen. That's the last sensation I had before I blacked out; that thick smell of asphalt. She said she'd fix my bike. Free. No strings attached. I shoulda've known then that things were never that simple. Yeah, when I think of Maureen, I think of two things: Asphalt, and trouble.

unfinished

Ah, the irony of it all. This post was waiting for words I didn't have to describe her. It has been waiting here for two months.

"She makes life interesting."

Still true, lacking only the correct tense:

"She made life interesting."

Past tense. I said goodbye and touched the lips which kissed me for the last time.
Last time. I couldn't do more.
No more...

Paris - 2

5) The public transportation system is very good, the best I've ever seen. There are metro stations and bus stops everywhere. No fear of getting lost.
6) The city architecture is awesome. The old buildings are still here, people actually live in them. I'm about to say it beats Praha, and that's something.
7) In general, the French are polite. Apparently what gives the city the bad fame are the exceptions. Today my friend (who speaks French) asked an omelette for me, no drinks. Then the lady refused to sell the food, saying (or yelling, I should say) it was an expensive plate and I had to drink something. I ended up buying a sandwich while she complained I didn't speak French.
8) At the reasonably priced restaurants (under 20$ per meal), the food is ok. I still have to go to a fancy one to see what they have to offer.

Paris - 1

First thoughts:

1) We think they are slow, they think we are impatient. Makes sense. But they are slow. Really.
2) The city is truly romantic - there's romance in the air. Makes you want to walk hand in hand.
3) They often know English, but always rather speak French. They will always try to speak in French to you, even if you are a Japanese carrying a camera.
4) The streets are less clean than you would expect.

Paris - 0

Everything is ready, tomorrow I'll be in the so called "City of Light". Pictures and first impressions in a few days. :)

Lucky Number Slevin

Involving plot, great art direction. Don't miss it.

"Can you squeeze my bottom again? It helps me to think."

V for Vendetta

I still like the comics better, but the movie was pretty good. Go watch it.

Remember, remember the fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Surrender

under the storm
she waits, he runs
a battle is lost
ah, the sweetest defeat
Love.

Draw a pig

Desenhe um porco você também e de preferência mande o link pra cá. :) Acho que seria mais engraçado se fosse um pato, mas um porco já está de bom tamanho. Eis o meu, pra quem quiser ver, mas é melhor deixar pra ver depois de ter desenhado.

A análise psicológica associada pode ser bobagem, mas quem se importa?

Glimpse

Four glasses of champagne
and blues
and lights
Half a dream to let go
Two drops of my blood on her knife
And a loose verse:

Watching the fire as we grow

Head On

And there's something going on inside
Makes you wanna feel
Makes you wanna try
Makes you wanna blow the stars from the sky
And I can't stand up
I can't cool down
I can't get my head off the ground

Yeah!

-- Pixies