Os livros como libertação / Books as release

 

Bernardo P. Carvalho

 

"She thought, instead, with longing of more books—of buying books—of slipping into a narrative of other people’s lives. That was release".

Peter Straub

20 sinais de que encontraste o trabalho que te apaixona / 20 Signs You’ve Found Your Passion

It’s often not until someone prompts us to think about the work that we do that we recognise how we truly feel about it. Sometimes, all it takes is the right question to make us look at our job in a whole new light. Today, I ask you this: How would you feel if you were to stay in your line of work forever?

If, upon reading that last sentence, you were filled with warm fuzzy feelings – congratulations, you might just have found your passion. Here are 20 signs that let you know that you’ve found the passion that makes your heart sing!

1. You consistently wake up before your alarm clock, excited to start work.
2. The idea of building your career fills you with anticipation, not dread.
3. You’re a little freaked out by the magnitude of everything that you have to do – not because you don’t want to do it, but because you want so badly to succeed.
4. You “productively procrastinate” – whenever you get bogged down in one task, you take a break and distract yourself with something that benefits your passion, too.
5. You get a little twinkle in your eye and a grin on your face whenever you’re asked what you do.
6. You’d rather stay up working than watching TV.
7. You sometimes dedicate your weekends to work, and don’t even mind doing so.
8. You’ve got an insatiable appetite for books, blog articles and anything else that you can get your hands on related to your field.
9. When you think of a life without your passion, you feel empty.
10. You make room in your life for your passion, scheduling personal appointments and everything else around building your dream.
11. You find it difficult to relate to people who have no desire to pursue their own dreams.
12. You’ve found yourself cutting out negative thinkers from your life. You won’t let small minds talk you out of big ideas!
13. You’d rather have a “dream lunch date” with your business idols than your favourite celebrities.
14. You wake up thinking about it. You go to sleep thinking about it. Actually, there aren’t many moments where you’re not thinking about it.
15. Your head is constantly spinning with ideas. You have brainwaves in the car, in the shower and any other inconvenient locations.
16. You hear others complaining about their jobs and careers and, although you feel sad for them, you’re thrilled that you can’t relate.
17. You’re constantly thinking of ways to improve your business and make it even better. You know you dream big, but you also work hard and back yourself with the confidence to try and make it happen.
18. You start realizing that friends, family and even total strangers start coming to you for advice related to your field or entrepreneurialism. 
19. Following your passion has taught you that you need to be working with something that you can throw your all into – whether its this passion or another one. You are no longer willing to settle for just a job that pays the bills but crushes your soul.
20. You found yourself nodding throughout this list, reaffirming that you’ve found your place. And knowing that you’re bold enough to pursue your passion? Well, gives you a completely indescribable feeling in the most wonderful way. 

Anastasia Amour

March 16, 2015

Fonte

Como vêem os estrangeiros Portugal e os portugueses? / Top 10 Tips for Traveling in Portugal: Ditch the High Heels!

Este texto é longo mas é muito divertido. Somos nós e o nosso país pelos olhos dos outros, dos estrangeiros que tanto gostam de Portugal.

Paulo Ossião

"I adore a stunning pair of high heels. I’m not talking about the mammoth spikes that can alternatively be used as an assault weapon, or block heels that make you walk like un-oiled stick figure; I’m referring to the elegant sensible heels that sculpt your legs into sumptuous, sleek delectables. That said, Portugal is not for the heel obsessed. Frankly, Portugal hates pumps, because no matter where you travel, you’ll inevitably hit slick cobblestone. These intricately designed death traps are stunning to look at but torturous to traverse. Either the heel will get caught in the spaces between the cobblestone, twisting your ankle into oblivion, or you’ll perpetually find yourself on your ass. Either way, your vacation will end short of fabulous, with you in a cast and your 600 euro laser cut Jimmy Choo’s abandoned in some roadside bin. My suggestion, let the natives climb medieval castles in 8 inch heels, while you lace up your hiking boots. 

Now, let’s tackle a few other handy, a bit of tongue and cheek, tips for your next trip!

TOILET SEAT

Half the population will be unperturbed by a bare bowl, but for those of you who enjoy a “sit down” experience, note this key travel tip when visiting Portugal – bring a seat! From hospitals to dive bars, get prepared for cold porcelain, because this is going to be your new reality! To date, I’m still unclear if toilet seats are considered an unnecessary extravagance here, or whether they’re swiped and resold on an the black market, but I can tell you that they’ve become my “Big Foot” of Portugal.

Suggestion: You can either tote an inflatable seat around, or use your visit to strengthen those quads as you hover precariously over the throne.

SOUP

Allow me to set the record straight, you’ve never tasted soup until you’ve visited Portugal!Portuguese soup is not just a convenient starter, it’s the cornerstone of Portuguese cuisine. From rich and chunky Sopa Alentejana made with garlic, cilantro, eggs and bread to the ubiquitous Caldo Verde containing pureed potato with shredded kale and chunks of chouriço (chorizo) sausage, there’s a soup for everyone. Soup is so ingrained in Portuguese gastronomy that when I told friends that my toddler never encountered a bowl of soup in the USA over the holidays, their response was consistently, “Wait, what!? Then what did he possibly eat?”

Suggestion: Don’t let a meal pass in Portugal without ordering soup! Every region boasts of their own creation, so get out there and start tasting!

THE DARK

I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the Portuguese must have strong ties to the bat family, because I’ve yet to enter a building that’s fully lit. No, even that’s generous. There’s simply no light! It’s not like they don’t have electricity, because they do. And it’s not as if they don’t appreciate a warm, cozy environment. They love a good fireplace! But after several decades of poverty and recession, light has been deemed an unnecessary expense reserved only for special occasions; hence, on a cloudy, overcast day, you’re screwed. It’s so bad that after having my son in the local hospital, I had to call for help after getting stuck inside the bathroom because I couldn’t locate the handle for the door. (photo by christian.parreira)

Suggestion: Channel your inner bat. Turn off the lights in your house, don a pair sunglasses, and practice maneuvering the space without killing yourself. For the practical among you, simply download a flashlight app to your phone and attach a small torch to your keychain. When in bind, these will save your life.

LANGUAGE

To me, European Portuguese sounds like a drunk Russian hooked up with a Spaniard! The easiest way to understand the sound is to place a large dollop of peanut butter in your mouth and say “shhh” intermittently, and voila, you’re a native speaker! When we first moved to Porto a few years ago, I naively believed that my Spanish would carry me through without a hitch. I was clearly ignorant and smoking crack because it’s not only one of the most difficult latin languages to master, but one of least sensual for me. The one redeeming characteristic is the people themselves. Because of who they are, the language transforms into a sound that ebbs and flows with the ocean. Not my favorite of all languages, but it has its redeeming aspects. Not only that, the majority of the country speaks several languages (including English), so you’re in good hands.

Suggestion: Just about every language tool in existence is geared toward Brazilian Portuguese, which is by no means the same language!! Consequently, I suggest you find a sexy Portuguese lover who can’t speak a lick of English. I’m not promising that the rest of your life will be drama free, but I guarantee that your Portuguese will go from zero to a novel’s worth of vocabulary in no time! Either that or check out this website for several language tools. 

CROSSWALK

Unlike Spain, where the zebra crossing is taken with the utmost seriousness, you might as well sign your will prior to leaving your home country, because the Portuguese have zero idea what a crosswalk is! Why we haven’t substituted the Italians for Portuguese as the most insane and ill equipped to be behind the wheel is beyond me, but I do know that there are ways to survive your trip unscathed. First, never cross the street until the car has come to a full stop. If you go all New York bravado on them, you’ll wind up in a full body cast. Don’t do it unless your 8 feet tall and built like a rugby player. Second, always be on the defensive. Assume that you’re completely invisible, because you are! Whether you’re in a car, or simply walking down the street, this is a mindset that will save your life. 

Suggestion: Either wrap yourself in blinking Christmas lights during your visit or simply remain attentive and alert when near traffic.

CHILDREN WELCOME!

How many times have you gone to a restaurant and either experienced, or watched, a server glance sideways at a child in a judgmental, critical manner? Unless your child is demon’s spawn, prone to fits of passionate fury, tantrums, theft or assault, you’ll never ever find that here. Portugal absolutely adores children of all ages. To give an example of how insanely obsessed they are with tiny humans, I’ve had my son welcomed in michelin starred restaurants, adopted by every grandmother in the country, entertained by medical staff during my routine check-ups, given priority in government offices and totally showered in hugs and kisses at school. When I say that Portugal is filled with some of the nicest people on Earth, I mean it, but this applies 1,000 fold to children. (photo by pedrosimoes7)

Suggestion: If your kid is needing some serious tender loving care, get your family to Portugal!

THE ATLANTIC

Despite Portugal’s snuggly relationship alongside Spain, and its ridiculously hot summers, do not expect a Mediterranean climate throughout the country! The famed warmth can be found on the interior of Portugal, far from the touristy areas, or south near the Straits of Gibraltar. If you’re north of Lisbon, along the 8,000 sq. plus miles of sandy beaches where Mother Nature is both schizophrenic and manic depressive, get prepared. Within a 24 hour period, you may experience gail force winds, gorgeous blue skies, torrential rain and freezing cold temperatures. On a good day, you’ll get two out of four…not bad!

Suggestion: Follow the lead of a Portuguese grandmother and always dress in layers…lots and lots of layers. Zip off pants, t-shirt, wool sweater, rain jacket, hat, etc, you get the idea. Prepare for the worst and expect the best!

COFFEE

Much like Spain, coffee is an integral part of the Portuguese culture. But if you’re envisioning a gargantuan bucket of half skim mocha layered in pixie dust, think again. The Portuguese are straight-shooters and want nothing more than a shot of espresso…period. At their most complicated, it’s an espresso with milk and sugar. Anything beyond this is not only considered blasphemous, but worthy of having your visa revoked. Seriously, don’t do it! Learn to love espresso, because you’ll be injecting it several times a day, alongside a stupidly delicious pastry! 

Suggestion: Keep your coffee simple. Here are a few tips. Otherwise, order fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s absolutely heavenly and won’t instigate caffeine induced seizures. 

STARTERS

“Hello juicy orbs of love! How nice that you’ve graced my table alongside a heap of freshly baked bread and a small terrine of pate. Did they know I adore enormous black olives marinated in rosemary olive oil? Did they have a premonition that I adore grilled chouriço? Does Portugal love me this much that they’re willing to give this away for free?!” Take a breath my friend, because that’s a big, fat NO! Granted, they’re cheap, but not free. Tasting those mouthwatering nibbles is equivalent to a stunning woman wearing Gucci; to ignore her is impossible, but to engage will surely cost you!

Suggestion: First ask yourself, am I really so hungry that I want to sacrifice my appetite for fillers? If the answer is yes, be sure to choose wisely because you should only pay for what you eat; and if that consists of freshly grilled chouriço or juicy canned sardines, rest assured you made a wise choice!

UNADULTERATED KINDNESS

Looking for a country emanating in goodwill and kindness? Welcome to Portugal, a place where even the downtrodden go out of their way to shower you in kindness. Over the course of two years, I’ve been hugged by the homeless, given chocolate cakes by neighbours, blessed by addicts, offered free rides by taxi drivers, had my wallet returned to me intact…twice and have consistently been received with a smiley hello! I’ve even had a dapper man in his 70′s tip his beret, gently wink and say, “Lovely day Miss. I trust it will remain as beautiful as you.” It’s the one country where I’ve adopted the entire elderly population as my own grandparents. It’s that ridiculously loving!! But after decades of building a strong, thick wall of defense, I’ve had to let go of suspicion, ease my way into openness and generally take on a “shower me in love!” approach to life where strangers are simply friends I haven’t met.

Suggestion: Lap it up while you have it, because there aren’t many countries that will treat you so well!

So there you have it! From my short two years living in Portugal, and a decade of visits, this list is a compilation of the nitty gritty as I see it. However, life is subjective, and I am always open to feedback, suggestions, comments as you’ve experienced it. So please, share your story of traveling Portugal!!! And if you want to visit with people who know how to see the real Portugal, give us a ring!

Cheers",

Gabriella Opaz, March 4, 2015

Fonte: Catavino

De onde vem um poema? / Where does a poem come from?

 

 Joseph Severn (1793-1872)

 

"A poem can come out of something seen, something overheard, listening to music, an article in a newspaper, a book, a combination of all these…There’s a kind of emotional release that I then find in the act of writing the poem. It’s not, ‘I’m now going to sit down and write a poem about this.’"

Adrienne Rich

O meu amor e o mar / My love and the sea

Michael Mullan

In the summer
I stretch out on the shore
And think of you. Had I told the sea
What I felt for you,
It would have left its shores,
Its shells,
Its fish,
And followed me. 

Nizar Qabbani

Qual é a palavra em português que os ingleses invejam?

O site Buzzfeed elegeu 28 palavras que a língua inglesa deveria roubar a outras línguas. A Portugal eles querem vir buscar uma palavra que dificilmente poderia ser mais portuguesa: "desenrascanço".

 

O site Buzefeed elegeu “28 belas palavras que a língua inglesa deveria roubar”, por lamentavelmente não existirem sinónimos no idioma do senhor Shakespeare. 

Há palavras em japonês (“tsundoku” — comprar e acumular livros que nunca lemos), indonésio (“jayus” — uma piada tão mal contada que não resistimos a rir dela), norueguês (“utepils” — beber uma cerveja ao ar livre num dia de sol) ou georgiano (“shemomedjamo” — continuar a comer apesar de estarmos cheios, por estar a saber tão bem). E no meio de uma vintena de línguas, há também uma palavra em português: “desenrascanço”.

Não foi “fado”, não foi “saudade”, foi mesmo “desenrascanço”, que é assim traduzida: “the last minute improvisation of a hasty but perfectly sound solution”. Ou seja: “improvisação de última hora de uma solução apressada mas perfeitamente eficaz”. É mesmo isso!

Fonte

"Diamantes de Sangue – Corrupção e Tortura em Angola" gratuíto em PDF - Oferta da Editora Tinta da China

"Na província angolana da Lunda­‑Norte, onde se concentram as principais áreas de exploração aluvial diamantífera, grande parte dos habitantes vive em regime de quase escravatura. São impedidos de manter actividades de auto­‑subsistência, roubados, torturados, assassinados. As forças armadas e as empresas privadas de segurança protagonizam os crimes com total impunidade. As autoridades e o governo ignoram esses crimes.
Jornalista de investigação, Rafael Marques é um dos principais responsáveis por denunciar e divulgar os esquemas de corrupção que envolvem as mais altas esferas do poder em Angola, bem como as empresas e entidades estrangeiras que com ele negoceiam.
«Diamantes de Sangue» é uma investigação sobre personalidades, instituições e empresas envolvidas no negócio dos diamantes e inclui o testemunho de centenas de vítimas.
«Jornalista independente até à medula, investigador num país onde fazer perguntas provoca muitas dores de cabeça, Rafael Marques editou agora uma denúncia em livro sobre a exploração, a violência e a morte que grassam nesse grande "campo de concentração" em que foram transformadas as zonas de garimpo de diamantes em Angola.» - Jornal «I» 

"Em 2011, publiquei o livro “Diamantes de Sangue – Corrupção e Tortura em Angola”, uma investigação do jornalista Rafael Marques, que considerei um dos mais importantes trabalhos para denunciar flagrantes crimes de violação dos direitos humanos nos nossos dias. Para mim, a questão não era se se passava em Angola, na China ou em Portugal. Acredito que o papel de um editor é também este: dar voz a quem ousa dizer a verdade em circunstâncias absolutamente adversas, com base em centenas de relatos de vítimas e familiares, todos  - vítimas, testemunhas e jornalista - correndo risco de vida.

Na altura pensei, ingenuamente, que este livro serviria pelo menos para atenuar a violência quotidiana nas zonas de exploração diamantífera em Angola. Enganei-me. O livro serviu, ao invés, para desencadear uma perseguição ao seu autor. Passados dois anos, soube que eu própria era arguida num processo criminal. Fui submetida à medida de coacção de termo de identidade e residência, justamente por ter publicado “Diamantes de Sangue”. Rafael Marques e eu fomos processados em Portugal por nove generais e duas empresas visadas na investigação. O processo foi arquivado pelo Ministério Público Português no mesmo ano.

Amanhã começa o julgamento de Rafael Marques em Angola. Estou naturalmente apreensiva quanto ao seu desfecho.

Enquanto responsável pela editora, a melhor forma que encontro para apoiar Rafael Marques na sua luta é disponibilizar, a partir de hoje, o livro em formato digital, para que todos possam lê-lo e perceber o que está na base de um processo que pode vir a colocar o autor atrás das grades".

Editora Tinta da China

Para obter o seu exemplar digital e gratuito do livro basta clicar na ligação seguinte: http://www.makaangola.org/images/files/Diamantes%20de%20Sangue_Rafael%20Marques.pdf

Embaraço leitor / When you get a little embarassed while reading

"Os livros" por Manuel António Pina / "La Madeleine lisant"

 

"La Madeleine lisant", Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot

Os livros

É então isto um livro,

este, como dizer?, murmúrio,

este rosto virado para dentro de

alguma coisa escura que ainda não existe

que, se uma mão subitamente

inocente a toca, 

se abre desamparadamente

como uma boca

falando com a nossa voz?

É isto um livro,

esta espécie de coração (o nosso coração)

dizendo "eu" entre nós e nós?

Manuel António Pina, in Como Se Desenha Uma Casa, Assírio & Alvim, 2011

Não é o Red Bull que te dá asas... é o livro! / Books give you wings!

 

il. de Elena Ospina

A ouvir "It's nine o'clock on a Saturday..."!

Billy Joel - Piano Man

As 7 leitora de Daniela Zekina / 7 women reading by Daniela Zekina

 

Daniela Zekina

Citação e ilustração de Primavera / Spring is coming in quotes and illustrations

"Spring is the time of plans and projects".

Leo Tolstoy

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