THE CANARIOCA CHRONICLE

BULLYING IN TODAY'S WORLD

2011-11-23T12:21:00.002-07:00

Bullying. Bully. Those words conjure up images of the tough kid at school shaking down the ‘nerd’ for his lunch money or stuffing him into a locker, to the delight of his ‘accomplices’.

This type of behavior still exists, but with the advent of the internet and the media, the type of bullying has become increasingly cruel and apparently more widespread.
Social media allows bullies to hide behind their computer screen and spread their vicious venom to hundreds if not thousands of people. Teasing someone because they are skinny, fat, gay, disabled, talented, smart etc. is a form of bullying that has unfortunately become more acceptable.
ITS NOT
Bullying is not just about inflicting physical abuse onto someone. There is more and more emotional and psychological bullying, and this type of bullying is what is causing young teenagers with brilliant futures, to take their lives.
Spreading lies and rumors about someone falls under the heading of psychological bullying. Teasing someone for a particular characteristic is emotional bullying.
I honestly believe that many eating disorders among girls are sparked by some form of emotional bullying. “Oh, So and So? She’s not cool and I don’t want to hang around her because she is fat!”. “ So and So” could be 5’5” and weigh 90 pounds soaking wet!!! But the media portrays perfection as someone who is flawless and skinny. We are judged on out outer appearance. If one doesn’t fall under the umbrella of perfection that is dictated to us by the magazines and television, that person is shunned and ridiculed by his or her peers.
This generation is being brought up and raised with the ‘moral’ code of what is on the television. Pick any night on TV and there is a show that has kids disrespecting adults and authority at some level.
How are teenagers supposed to respect themselves or their peers? Where is the moral compass that teaches people to respect themselves and others around them?
There is a wonderful group called Dare to Care, that goes out in the schools to give kids the tools to deal with bullying.
I despise bullying and do not accept that type of behavior from anyone.
TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED!

It's Been A While...Again

2011-11-06T14:44:00.003-07:00

I have been very busy lately and my blog has suffered. When I do have time to sit and write, I suffer from the proverbial writer's block. Obviously no the best thing to happen to someone who blogs.

What to write about? Forget about the financial crisis in Greece, or the Occupy movement. Yesterday's news. And to be honest do I really need to rehash what has been rehashed and warmed over by other journalists? What insight could i possibly give that could show another angle or side of the story. Shit shows are pretty one dimensional.

There is,however, one story I feel compelled to write about even though it has been all over the gossip sites since Halloween. In case you have been living under a rock, the 'scandale du jour' is the slap in the face of the institution of marriage. I refer to the 72 day joke called the marriage of Kim Kardashian.

Here is a woman who shot to fame because of a sex video that somehow got leaked to the press about 5 years ago. Unknown to the majority of mankind, Miss Kardashian has parlayed this 'scandal' into a TV show, handbags, a shop in Manhattan and paid appearances at many parties across the world. Together with her momzilla manager, Kris Jenner, they are planning on taking over the world.

Seriously? What has Kim Kardashian done to help the world to be a better place? Well, in her quest for fame and fortune and profitting off of absolutely everything in her path, she has 'helped' one thing.

Her joke of a marriage will hopefully wake up some congressmen and law makers to finally legalize marriage between same sex partners. Opponents of same sex marriage cry, "Same sex marriage is a travesty!". Uh, no it isn't. Doing what Kardashian did is much more of a travesty against the institution of marriage than any gay marriage could do. People who really want to get married can't, while this fame hungry two bit whore can, and then ridiculize it by filing for divorce 72 days later.

As Rex Murphy said' Occupy Kim Kardashian'....

Infidelity...

2011-06-20T12:01:00.005-06:00

2011-06-17T23:49:00.001-06:00

To write is such a joy.

Jean Paul Gaultier in Montreal

2011-06-02T09:25:00.004-06:00

Just in, straight from a very reliable source in Paris, Jean Paul Gaultier will be in Montreal very soon for the vernissage of his fashion restrospective. This exhibition will run from June 17th to October 2 2011 at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
So for any fashionistas and simple admirers of amasing creativity who are in Montreal, keep your eyes open for this man!!!

Brilliant Brazilian Designers

2011-05-25T14:37:00.005-06:00

When fashion is discussed, the major cities that come to mind are New York, Paris, Milan and London. This is where the big designers and haute couture houses are located. Twice a year, the fashion gang descends upon these cities on a whirlwind tour to show the ready to wear collections.
Over the years though, other countries are creating their own fashion weeks. One of the best fashion weeks outside of the Fab Four cities happens in the bustling metropolis of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Home to almost 11 million people, it is the New York of South America. So it is only fitting that a city of that magnitude should have its own fashion week, Sao Paulo Fashion Week, SPFW.
SPFW showcases some of the most amazing designers and new talents in the fashion business. Fashion didn't come to mind when talking about Brazil, but that is changing. With the invasion of the Brazilian glamazons (Gisele, Ana Beatriz Barros, Adriana LIma, Alessandra Ambrosio, Cintia Decker et al)to the international catwalks mixed together with what I call *"The Brasilian Saudade Syndrome", designers in Brazil were able to get top international Brazilian models to walk their runway. This brought international press and the likes of Micheal Roberts and Robert Forrest to Brazil.
Some of the great talents coming out of Brazil are:
Alexandre Herscovitch
Amir Slama for Rosa Cha
Carlos Miele (M. Officer)
Tufi Duek for Forum
Cris Barros LOVE!!!!!
Carmen Steffens
Both Rosa Cha and Carlos Miele are available at Holt Renfrew.

* Brazilians that live overseas always find ways of going home for a visit because they suffer from saudade- yearning and missing the homeland.

Uniforms at School. Why They Are A Good Idea

2011-05-13T15:54:00.001-06:00

I think that children in the public and Catholic school systems in Calgary should wear uniforms.

I am a mother of two boys. Luckily in the fashion department, they haven’t succumbed to the
‘Label’ madness of their peers. Apparently the cool labels these days are Hollister, H&M, American Eagle and Lacoste. The teenagers these days look eerily like we did back in the 80’s. You are either ‘preppy’, or “Goth’(which includes the sub group known as Emos). It was preps and punks at my high school. Don’t get me started on the low riding jeans and the short baby t shirts that kids wear these days.

I digress. The point of this post is to promote the idea of school uniforms. This would offset the costs of school fees. My kids went to private school when we lived in Brazil and the cost of their uniforms for the whole year cost me less than $250…for the two of them! Granted, things are a bit cheaper in Brazil, but their uniforms consisted of a shirt, shorts, hoodie and trousers. Made my life so much easier! No fashion dramas in the morning, laundry was MUCH less and in the end of the day, their clothing budget was slashed by almost 60%. One set was being worn, one set washed, one set ready to go! How about that for a green initiative? And the clothes can be passed on to a younger sibling!

When I bring up this topic to other parents, their first reaction is, “It will be so expensive!!”. Actually it’s a lot cheaper than buying clothes that kids want (labels and designers). I also get the reaction of “ It will quash their individuality and creativity.”. If anyone has seen how private school uniforms are somehow transformed by the kids wearing them, creativity is NOT being quashed. Do we not have a dress code at work? Are there not some jobs that require uniforms? Well then, we are just preparing our kids for the future.

Wearing a uniform evens the playing field. The kids whose parents can’t afford designer clothes will be able to afford the uniforms and the ostracizing on the playground because Madison’s parents can’t afford to buy Lululemon will cease!

It’s a win win situation for everyone. Anyone else on board with this idea?

Calgary Needs Wayne Scot Lukas

2011-05-06T09:46:00.003-06:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been working in the downtown core of Calgary. It has been a lot of fun and I have been able to get my dose of people watching. Lunchtime is the best and now that the weather is getting better, it is even more interesting to see what people are dragging out of their closets.
These are my top picks and peeve's for the fashionable set in Calgary.

1. Flip flops. Great when on a holiday, at the beach or at the gym while taking a shower. Not great when you are working at an office downtown. I don't care how awesome your $40 pedicure looks, flip flops at work are a major flop.

2. Men's pants that are too short. The chances of a flood happening in Calgary are quite slim, so gentlemen, please get your pants properly hemmed! Mens pants should be hemmed so that the front of the pant 'breaks' on the instep of the foot. The back of the trouser should not fall below the line of the shoe where the sole begins.

3. Bad hair. Calgary is a dry city, so trying to get your hair curly without resorting to a perm is next to impossible. Embrace the elements and blow out your hair. No bumps a la Snooki, though. A smidge of back combing at the roots to give a slight lift is ok, but please, no bumps!

4. Super white French manicures. Women here love to get their nails done, but they tend to look really fake because A. they go to cheap nails salons that use cheap products and therefore the nails look cheap. B. They use ultra white on the tips of their nails and they cover half of the nail bed. Tack tacky tacky.

5. Poorly fitted clothing. Blame the vanity sizing. If you were an 8 in the 80's, if you are the same weight now (highly unlikely if you have had kids)you would be a 2 or a 4 now. I hate this vanity sizing. bring back the old school sizing. Wear clothes that fit and don't look like tents. If you are hiding your figure, you are not doing yourself any favours.We all come in different shapes and sizes. The guru of styling for everyone is Wayne Scot Lukas. Check out what he does here.

Why I Don't Put my Handbag on the Floor

2011-04-27T14:21:00.006-06:00

You will never see a Brazilian woman put her handbag on the floor. They say its bad luck and your money will disappear. I never put my handbag on the floor for that reason and more so for the following reasons:

Have you ever noticed girls who set their handbags on public toilet floors, then go directly to their dining tables and set it on the table?
Happens a lot! It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes stomach distress. Sometimes 'what you don't know will hurt you'!

Read on.............
I always get upset when guests came in the door and plopped their handbags down on the counter where I am cooking or setting up food. I have always said that handbags are really dirty, because of where they have been.

It's something just about every woman carries with them. While we may know what's inside our handbags, do you have any idea what's on the outside? Women carry handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the floor of the car. Most women won't be caught without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think about where your handbag goes during the day.

'I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the floor of the bus a lot,' says one woman. 'On the floor of my car, and in toilets.'
'I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts and on the floor of the toilet,' says another woman 'and of course in my home which should be clean.'

Most women have told me that they didn't stop to think about what was on the bottom of their handbag. Most said at home they usually set their handbags on top of kitchen tables and counters where food is prepared.
Most of the ladies I talked to told me they wouldn't be surprised if their handbags were at least a little bit dirty..

It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even a microbiologist who has tested them was shocked.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria. Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make people very sick.

In one sampling, four out of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it. 'There is faecal contamination on the handbags' says Amy. Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role. People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than those without, with one exception.

The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the worst contaminations of all. 'Some type of faeces, or possibly vomit' says Amy.

So the moral of this story is that your handbag won't kill you, but it does have the potential to make you very sick if you keep it on places where you eat. Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets, and don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table, or on your kitchen countertop.

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of shoes. 'If you think about putting a pair of shoes on your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing when you put your handbag on the countertops.'

Your handbag has gone where individuals before you have walked, sat, sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied bowels, etc! Do you really want to bring that home with you?

The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help. Wash cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the bottom of leather handbags.

Or do what I do, use a purse hook.

Food and Aggression..Is there a link?

2011-04-27T11:48:00.001-06:00

I saw a video on Youtube the other day of two girls beating up a transgender male at a McDonald’s in Baltimore. I was shocked by what I saw. Young girls are becoming increasingly violent and aggressive. What shocked me the most is how nobody got involved to break up the attack. It was only after they beat the pulp out of this poor person that an elderly lady stepped in to stop it. remember, this was being filmed and the cinematographer was more interested in getting the best shot rather than helping the person who was in distress.
Bullying is rampant at schools and at the workplace. There is no distinction between being assertive and being aggressive. Bullying behavior is learned. My two sons have been bullied in the past and my one son even had a boy pick a fight with him and tried to turn it around to make it look like my son was the bully. This kid was simply jealous of my son’s popularity at school and tried to make himself out to be the victim. Total set up on his part.
Where is the moral compass in all of this? What gives people the right to attack others? Is their self esteem so low that they have to resort to being bullies themselves? Why did these two girls attack the person in the McDonalds? Why are people going ballistic in fast food restaurants? I think that maybe, just maybe, it is what is in our food. Preservatives and hormones in our food could be one of the causes of this aggression that has become so rampant lately. It is definitely causing obesity. Could that be the link?

Does The Shoe Fit?

2011-04-18T08:23:00.002-06:00

Like any red blooded woman who has a pulse, I am a shoe fanatic. I love my shoes and am always on the look out for neat shoes. I am not a Carrie Bradshaw as I would never be able to afford the Choo's, Laboutin's or Manolo's that lined her closet.

I love shoes from Brazil. I really believe that Brazil is the final frontier of handcrafted shoes. Italy and France are two other countries that are known for their great shoes but even that is being slowly phased out as the 'artisans' are retiring and there is no younger generation being groomed to fill their shoes.(I know, bad pun)

Then of course, there is the biggest threat to the shoe industry, the counterfeit shoes coming out of China.$800 shoes being sold for $100 on Canal Street in NYC.

Instead of chasing down the bad guys, Laboutin is attacking YSL and Carmen Steffans, because they happened to put red on the sole of the shoe! PLEASE!! Here is an article that shows how ridiculous this is. Are they going to patent tan leather too?

This is such a beautiful video..Made me cry..Live to the fullest!!

2011-04-07T08:34:00.001-06:00

Fashionata...You've Come A Long Way Baby...

2011-03-20T12:27:00.004-06:00

Boy has Calgary come along way! I went to the Fashionata Fashion Show at Holt Renfrew the other evening. It was a charity fashion show benefitting the Safe Haven Foundation.
What a beautiful event! Instead of a runway, they used the escalators that are in the center atrium of the new Holt Renfrew in the CORE. The clothes were beautiful and being the fashionista that I am, I want the Blumarine dress that opened the show.The production was comparable to any show of the international Fashion Weeks.Years ago, this would never have happened.....

When I left Calgary to be a model back in the 80's, I was literally on my own and escaping a fashion wasteland also known as Calgary in the early 80's after the National Energy program destroyed the economy and mortgage rates were 18% +!! There was no modelling agency behind me to help me navigate the crazy world of foreign models while I was fending off my sleazy French agent. I can truly say that I made my own career and that yes, I am Calgary's Original Supermodel and the first Calgarian to ever grace the cover of Vogue. Too bad I have never received the recognition here in my hometown. I was scoffed at by kids at school when I was discovered at the age of 15 by no other that John Casablancas, owner of Elite. I was never part of the 'pretty and popular' girls. I played sports and was a swimmer and diver. I never did the Miss Calgary or pageant scene.

Now Calgary has become a model scout mecca for finding the next 'It' girl. With all of our cultural diversity, Canada is rich in potential models. In my day it was Linda and Shalom, now its Daria Werbowy and Coco Rocha...

Calgary has also become a very strong fashion centre. The oil patch has recovered and money abounds here. This was very evident at Fashionata with women dressed in head to toe designer outfits. Some looked amazing, others need the help of my stylist friend Wayne Scot Lukas.

I have semi retired from the model world, but will be back with a vengeance very soon. I am bringing together all of my experiences together to make Calgary even bigger and better in the fashion world. We are starting to see more and more designers setting up shop here. The Brazilian shoe designer Carmen Steffens has a great shop downtown that sells beautiful shoe designs that are just as amazing as any Laboutin or Blahnik.

Women here are in need of celebrating their beauty. That is my goal this year. To bring beauty and glamour back to women in Calgary. Stay tuned!

Another Fashion/Sports Parallel

2011-03-13T14:32:00.003-06:00

In my last post, I spoke about the escalating violence in the NHL, and how it is only getting worse, not better. The Pacciorety incident was the straw that broke the camel's back (and by a miracle, didn't break Pacciorety's back). It has outraged many sports fans and has brought the issue of safety for the players to the forefront. Lets hope that this unfortunate incident will bring changes that will ensure a safer game for the players.

In the world of fashion, the debate about the health and weight of models has been raging ever since the early 90's. That was when the grunge look took over the magazines and models such as Kate Moss were replacing the Glamazons of the era: Elle McPherson, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer. It is no longer in fashion to be curvy and healthy looking. The more you look like a 14 year old boy, the more success you will have as a model.

Over the past two decades, the look of models has become increasingly skinnier and skinnier. This type of look has been enabled by the fashion elite (they know who they are) Once in a while there will be a huge outcry and the fashion establishment will promise that they will only hire girls with BMI of over 18 for the fashion shows. The promise lasts as long as a shoe at a 90% off sale at Jimmy Choos. How far will models go to fit into the image of perfection foisted upon them by a small group of 'fashionistas' and model agents? A few years ago, two models actually died from complications arising from suffering from anorexia nervosa. The straw that broke the camel's back in the fashion world was quickly hush hushed and the debate was yet again put into hibernation. This season during London Fashion Week, one of the models looked like she escaped from a concentration camp. See for yourself!

My point? The NHL and the fashion business are both sending the wrong messages to young kids.
" If you hit someone hard enough to cause major damage, don't worry, you will get away with it and not get suspended!!! It's part of being tough hockey player!!"
" If you get really skinny, you too will be the next Kate Moss and you will be loved and admired by thousands! that's what being a model is all about!!"

So wrong on so many levels..It's just wrong.

An Open Letter to the NHL

2011-03-10T09:18:00.005-07:00

Gentlemen,

I use that salutation hesitantly. The game of hockey is no longer a gentlemen's game. It was a game played on frozen ponds in sub freezing temperatures by young boys dreaming of being the next Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr or Wayne Gretzky. The love and passion for the game has been replaced by a band of thugs and criminals validated enabled and enticed by the likes of Gary Bettman and Don Cherry.

The violence of the game has gotten out of control. What should be a show of speed and skill, hockey has become the modern version of Roman Gladiators. The players have become bigger and stronger and the dirty hits are now causing severe concussions and possible paralysis. The c NHL should be held responsible for allowing this sort of behaviour to happen, and not ensuring a safe work environment for the employees of the NHL (the players).

The cheap hit that was given to Max Pacciorety literally made me sick to my stomach. I was watching the game with my boyfriend, who is a lifelong Habs fan. It was against the Boston Bruins. Before the game, the Bruins players were already trash talking in the press about how they were going to destroy the players from the Canadiens. The last time the Bruins played the Habs, the Bruins were on the warpath to maim PK Subban. Their actions were premeditated.

Max Pacciorety is in a Montreal hospital with a severe concussion, a fractured C4 vertebrae and there are people out there continuing to trash talk him and the Canadiens. The player who clocked him onto the pole didn't even get a game suspension or a fine. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Luckily, the Montreal police is opening up an inquiry into the incident and charges may be laid.

Just because they are playing in a rink, this doesn't exonerate them from personal responsibility.

The NHL needs to stop the madness. This is Canada's game and as a Canadian I am disgusted by what hockey has become. It has morphed into a blood bath to appease American audiences.

I am not a lawyer but any intelligent person will agree with me on the following:
1. The NHL should be fined for breaking labour laws by not ensuring a safe workplace.
2. Players involved in cheap shots and hits should serve the time equivalent to the time the injured player is out of action. In the case of Pacciorety, the hitter, Chara, should be suspended until Pacciorety is able to play again.
3. Commentators must stop enticing and promoting violence in the NHL.

Clean up the game once and for all!!!! Bring back the game of speed and skill that is hockey!

It's Been A While...

2011-03-09T08:26:00.003-07:00

Blogging is a funny thing. We become so inundated with information from the news outlets that to sift through everything becomes a task into itself. I envy bloggers that seem to write with such ease and grace I love to write, but do we really need another story on the Charlie Sheen public meltdown?

My boyfriend joked that we are now in Megalomaniac March. By looking at the newspapers and the television over the past week, i have to agree.

Besides the aforementioned Charlie Sheen meltdown, the month of March has seen Gadafi in Libya telling reporters that his people love him and that these riots are all being caused by Al Quaeda, then promptly bombs the $%^&* out of the country, killing the people that he professes that love him. This is a man who was proven to be behind the Lockerbie bombing, yet has been forgiven by the West. The country that he has dictated over for the past 41 years is a big oil producer. Canadian companies have drilling interests there. Since the riots began, the price of crude oil has risen to over $105 a barrel. But the West still continues to put up with him, because he has oil. Canada has much more oil, but because its in the oilsands, it is costlier and does pollute more than drilling in the Middle East. Murderous dictator vs. Global warming....

My solution? tell Gadafi to stuff it, and start exploring more of the oilsands in Canada,and clean up the tailing ponds. Oh wait! The Chinese have been buying up many interests in the Canadian oilsands! And we allow it!? Have we all gone mad? It is a natural resource from Canada. The Chinese have also been questioning Canada's sovereignity in the Arctic. Uhhh NO!

Then there is the drama behind the demise of John Galliano. Brilliant designer who unfortunately was coddled and allowed to run wild for years. One evening he tore into a woman and her companion at a bar in Paris ranting anti Semetic remarks. First off, the fashion business is full of Jewish people so Galliano was shooting himself in the foot. In this day and age, those types of comments don't fly. As any public person should know, whatever you do, you are at risk of being shown on Facebook or YouTube. You are no longer a private person and your life is there for all to see, good or bad. Apparently Riccardo Tisci from Givenchy will be taking over from Galliano at Christan Dior.

My take on this? They are all kakaputzy and should have gone to therapy long ago. Or even better, a good swift kick in the butt. Until someone puts their foot down and says 'STOP', these megalomaniacal characters will continue to flourish. We have seen it for years with Naomi Campbell and her temper, Kate Moss and her drug habit, countless other 'artistes' that just have no clue to what real life is...

Is Rio de Janeiro Safe?

2011-02-05T14:14:00.002-07:00

The number one question I receive about Brazil is " How safe is Rio de Janeiro?". My answer is simple." It depends on who you want to believe."
According to statistic reports, the murder rate is the lowest rate it has been in 20 years. Only 4500 people were murdered in Rio de Janeiro last year. I am not sure if this number is for the city of Rio de Janeiro or the state of Rio de Janeiro. Either way, 4500 people is a lot of people!!! The murder rate in Canada is 1.9 per 100,000 people. in 2006 the murder rate in Rio de Janeiro city was 38.7 per 100,000.
These numbers need to be investigated further. In the Zona Sul of Rio de Janeiro, the standard of living rivals those of European countries. Drive 20 minutes from the Zona Sul and you can find areas poorer than parts of Africa.
Violent crimes are more prevalent in the shantytowns due to the drug wars between rival gangs. This has diminished lately due to the pacification process implemented by the state government.
The chances of being murdered in Ipanema are low.
That said, there are events known as 'arrastaos' which are when a large group of thieves go to a crowded beach and literally sweep the beach of anything and everything. They were 'in fashion' a few years back, but lately haven't happened.
Crime comes in waves in Rio. Sometimes it seems like a civil war is happening, other times its peaceful.
How to protect yourself?
1. Be discreet. Try to look like a local, start by buying a pair of Havaianas. Avoid speaking English loudly in crowded places as that will attract 'curiousity'.
2. Look like you know where you are going. If you are lost, pop into a store, restaurant or a bank to ask directions. Avoid approaching strangers.
3. Leave your valuables at home. If going to the beach, take some money and a sarong to sit on, that's all you need.
4. Take taxis at night.
5. Don't be curious to know what the shantytowns look like. I know there are 'favela' tours that are considered safe, but I don't agree with the 'zoological' aspect of these tours. Would you like people snooping around your neighbourhood in the name of tourism? I think it's exploitive.
6. Let people know where you are going and when you are expected back.

i have friends that are ex pats and some of the security measures they take are a bit paranoid in my opinion. But its the companies that set the rules...

Back Home

2011-01-27T10:16:00.002-07:00

I have been back to Canada for a week now and I have just now gotten over my trip. The Rio-Calgary flight in itself is quite a good flight and the layover in Houston is painless. I did have to go through one of those TSA machines that everyone was up in arms about. I have nothing to hide so bring it on!
As per usual, the press has moved on and stories of the terrible floods in Brazil are no longer front page worthy, here in Canada or in Brazil. The devastation will take years o clean up and cost millions of dollars. Donations can still me made through the Red Cross. One of the areas affected manufactures machinery for car parts for Brazil and is also a big centre for textiles. Even more reason to buy things from Brazil. Lives were lost, lets not let the livelihood of the people be lost....
The weather here has been warm as we are in the midst of a major Chinook (my poor boyfriend suffers from migraines when the Chinook roars through here) and of course the weather in Rio has gotten hotter and sunnier since we came home. 40+C is not fun and nobody can enjoy that heat, so they are i side their air conditioned homes. Here people are stuck inside when it is -30C, so really what is the difference?
I am glad to be back in Canada. Dont get me wrong, I love Brasil, but to live day to day and work, Canada is much better. Brazil is a great place to visit, but to live and work there, it is an exercise in patience and bureaucracy.
I would love to work for a company that is based in Calgary, yet has offices in Rio that I would need to go to once in a while to work. I am job hunting right now!

Floods in Brazil....

2011-01-15T06:32:00.005-07:00

With a heavy heart I write this post. Heavy rains have caused major destruction in the mountains outside of Rio de Janeiro. I was just in this area a few weeks ago(see Tropical Alps post)and that same highway has been washed away.

The rain caused the headwaters of the rivers to swell to capacity and mixed with the urban sprawl, caused whole mountainsides to come crashing down. The worst towns affected are Nova Friburgo and Teresopolis.

For those of you in Brazil, the Pao de Acucar supermarket is accepting donations of clothes and bed linens. Also there is an urgent call for blood donations.

For my foreign readers, I ask that you contact your local Red Cross to find out how you can help with donations.

Here is a report from CNN

Bossa Nova, Ipanema Dream

2011-01-12T05:40:00.004-07:00

My Love/Hate Relationship with Brazil

2011-01-09T08:29:00.005-07:00

Before I begin, I want to be clear that I am not anti-Brazil, I just want to share the good and the bad in an honest way.
What I love about Brazil:
The weather. Its warm and warmer(at least in Rio de Janeiro)

The fresh fruit and juice. There is nothing more glorious than a truly ripe mango or papaya. The juice bars scattered around the city serving up such delicious juices such as acai, fruta de conde, pineapple juice with mint leaves...the list goes on!!

The warmth of the people. Brazilians are known to be very friendly and hospitable. I will even go as far as to say extremely generous, especially the people who are not rolling in dough. They are also very baby friendly as I witnessed on my outing with Mrs DRL and the Canadoca the other day

The nature. Rio is home to more than 400 climbing routes and Jeep tours drive tourists through the Tijuca National Forest, the largest urban national park in the world. Hangliding from the mountains in San Conrado is a must and should be part of any itinerary in Rio. The beaches are wonderful(if you avoid the weekend crowds). You can sit on your beach chair and have beer and caipirinhas brought right to you, can't do that in Canada!!

The music. I just found out that the best music store in Rio, Modern Sound, has closed its doors, but there are great musicians from Brazil such as Seu Jorge, Rita Ribeiro and Zeca Baleiro who play all over the country.

What I hate about Brazil.
Corruption. I know corruption exists everywhere, but in Brazil it is so in your face. It starts with the police officer trying to shake you down for a 'çase of beer', to the rich kids that literally get away with murder because daddy is buddies with a judge. I hate to see the crooked politicians talking about what they are going to do to change the lifestyle for the people and in the end they have their hands in the pockets of the developers and do nothing for the people. Also the fact that people with a criminal record can run for office!!!. With the World Cup and the Olympics coming soon, I believe that there will be a lot of pocket lining. But when I talk to my Brazilian friends, they are so complacent about this reality. "What can we do?", they say. Uhhh!! Hello!!??? This is a democracy and your taxes are paying their exorbitant salaries, so its your right to see the books!! Seriously!

Food prices. Bananas are more expensive in Rio than they are in Calgary. Explain that one to me please!! Yogurt, cheese, milk..All more expensive than in Canada. Last time I checked, they raise dairy cows here! Restaurants have become insanely expensive!!!

Litter on the streets. This makes me crazy when I am driving and people throw trash out the windows of the bus and their Mercedes Benz! Every summer when it rains, the gutters get clogged with plastic bottles, which cause the streets to flood. There are garbage cans on every corner! The beaches look like a war zone on Sunday evenings after everyone has left and left their garbage on the beach! Oh yes one more thing. If you have a dog, pick up after it and don't take it to the beach. But Carioca's still take their pit bulls and Labradors to the busy beaches, knowing that it is illegal..

The music. Love samba! Hate the funk coming out of the favelas. The lyrics(if you want to call it that) are absolutely degrading to women, calling them dogs etc. and the music is not music, its cause for Motrin Extra strength!! It glorifies violence and gangs and is just an ear sore!!And yes I call a slum a favela, even though it is considered politically incorrect nowadays. It is supposed to be called a ' çommunity in need'.

I hate that my electric bill is through the roof to 'subsidize'the electricity that the 'çommunities in need' use to power their air conditioners 24/7. Also known as 'gatos', electricity is stolen from the electric company.

I hate that there is such a disparity between the haves and the have nots.
Brazilian Soap operas. They helped me learn the language in the beginning when I first moved here, but the messages they send to the general population are wrong. Maids and thieves always seem to be portrayed by black or mullatto actors. They don't show healthy relationships between people. Way too much drama.

Tom Jobim said it best, "New York is great, but it is shitty. Rio de Janeiro is shitty, but its great."

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-02T11:05:00.004-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted. Being without an internet connection does make things a bit difficult. Blogging on an iPhone is no fun either..

Well its Day 2 of 2011! Have you made any resolutions for the New Year?

New Year's Eve was wonderful and Saint Peter kept the rain away. It always seems to threaten to rain on New Year's Eve in Rio, but miraculously it didn't.
I went to the beach in Barra and saw the beautiful fireworks that were being shot from the roof of the Windsor Hotel. The show outlasted all of the other fireworks spectacles on that beach. It also helped that we had a space set out for us on the beach with food and champagne. People were in white, which is a tradition in Brazil for New Year's as it symbolizes peace and purity. Lately, people have added silver, gold(to represent money), red(passion) and so on and so on. My maxi dress had all of the above colours so hopefully I will receive lots of money and passion this year.
I would love to have posted some photos but I don't have the USB cable that is specific for my camera...(Grrrrr!!!!)

I was to spend New Year's in Buzios but the weather wasn't cooperating and the town was getting insanely crowded by mid week. If I was staying at Casas Brancas, then yes, the weather would not have been an issue.
Note to all of my followers, AVOID Buzios during Brazilian holidays and long weekends. Two hour traffic jams to get to the centre from Geriba beach, beaches so crowded that you can barely move. Sorry, but this princess is out!!

Rio de Janeiro is actually pleasant for New Year's as everyone has left town. Traffic jams are inexistent. Maybe next year I will do NYE on Copacabana Beach, but this princess needs her infrastructure!!

HAPPY 2011 FOR ALL!!

Can you say INFLATiON???

2010-12-20T16:23:00.004-07:00

I went to the supermarket with my best friend in RIo today and was curious to see the price of filet mignon. I have always said that meat in Brazil is the cheapest in the world. When I was here last Christmas, the price of filet mignon was around R$15/kilo, which converts into about CDN $8.50/kilo. Not any more! The same supermarket, one year later, is charging R$39/kilo..Can you say inflation???

Plane Travel in 2010!!

2010-12-18T07:36:00.003-07:00

After a long flight from Canada back to Brazil, I arrived here to find that the TSA went through my bag. I hate when that happens. What kind of guarantee do I have that that they haven't taken something out of my bag? I understand that it is a security measure, but it still makes me nervous.
There was an article in the Calgary Herald that said that with all of the stuff that people are carrying on board, it is making security checks longer.
If there is one thing I hate is when people stuff their bags in the overhead bin that isn't even over their seat. If I arrive and see that the bin is full and the seats around me are empty,and nobody claims it belongs to them I simply remove the bag and call the flight attendant.
Between having your luggage pilfered through by the TSA and the extra baggage charge, it is beoming more common for people to schlep their stuff onboard.
I suggest that the airlines re-evaluate their baggage limits. It will smooth out travelling in a big way!!

Tropical Alps!!

2010-12-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just a relaxing drive in the mountains outside of Rio

I Will Only Cheer for the Calgary Flames Again When They Fire the Sutter Clan

2010-11-28T09:14:00.002-07:00

I have slowly become a Montreal Canadiens fan. It could be in part because my boyfriend is a huge Habs fan and has ignited the fan fire that I have only seen with soccer fans in Brazil.(Also the fact I hear Ole Ole Ole Ole at the Montreal Bell Arena on RDS- the French TSN, makes it even more enticing. Most of all, they PLAY GOOD HOCKEY!!!!)
Montreal is to hockey what Flamengo is to soccer in Brazil, Barcelona in Spain, Manchester United in the UK or Milan in Italy. The classic team who has won many championships over the years and has fans around the world.
Calgary had a great run at the cup but were totally robbed in the sixth game against Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup final.
Calgary needs to get rid of the Sutter clan/family/famiglia... Enough of them. They couldn't keep Camalerri and they bring on Olli Jokiinen. PLEASE!!! I love Jerome Iginla but he cannot be the whole team all the time!! Don't even get me going on the young Sutter that got into trouble in Arizona. At least his uncles had the smarts to trade him away!!!
Calgary has lsot more games this season than I care to remember. IF this was in soccer, the coach and manager would have been fired long ago!!!!
The Flames need new blood at the helm, and until that happens and until they get rid of the Sutters I will not cheer any more for my hometown team.
ALLEZ LES HABITANTES!!!!!

Winter Has Shown Her Face

2010-11-22T19:46:00.004-07:00

It has been a week since Calgary got its first major snow dump of the year. Carskating has become a new sport! Unfortunately for the commuters, the roads were sheer ice on the Tuesday morning. A 45 minute commute on a busy day suddenly became a 2 and a half hour terror infused ride. Stopping became optional as cars were spinning their tires and I was praying to not be rear ended by some moron in a half ton.
Today the mercury dipped to -21C but it felt more like -30 with the wind chill factor. It was colder in Calgary than it was in Iqualuit, Nunavut.
Only a month until the official beginning of winter and seven months until our three days of summer returns!!!!
Keep warm everyone!!!

Fashion and Sports..the connection

2010-11-12T20:24:00.005-07:00

I have said this many times over, there is definitely a link between professional sports and the fashion business. Yes, we all know that ubermodel Gisele Bundchen is married to the All American greatest football quarterback ever, Tom Brady, but this theory goes beyond just the model/athlete liaison.
Last night I was watching the Montreal Canadiens play the Boston Bruins. The 'Habs' won wholeheartedly 3-1. Here is a little background. Both teams are part of what is known as the 'Original Six', the original six teams that made up the NHL. The other four teams were the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, the Detroit Red Wings,and the Chicago Blackhawks. In 1967, the orignal six became 12. By 1997, there were 30 teams in the NHL.
In the fashion business, there were only a small handful of magazines that were the 'Holy Grail' of the fashion biz. They included French Vogue, French ELLE, British Vogue and American Vogue and French Marie Claire. To get the cover of one of these magazines was akin to being a young hockey player being signed to the Montreal Canadiens or any of the 'Original Six' teams.
What has happened? By 1997, there were 30 teams in the NHL. In 1997, there were numerous national editions of Vogue, ELLE and Marie Claire. ELLE is available in 39 international editions now. Vogue now has 18 international editions.Marie Claire can be found in 24 languages.
A hockey team fields about 22 players. 6 X 22=132. There were 132 NHL hockey players up until 1967. Now with 32 teams in the NHL and a season that goes until basically July, there are at least 700 NHL hockey players on the playing roster.
More NHL teams for players, more magazine covers for models. I think that fashion has become dull and boring and it lacks the pinnache of the days of the exclusivity of the coveted magazine covers. The girls all look the same. Cookie cutter looks with little to no personality. Hockey players are the same thing. Wayne Gretsky was the last of the 'Great ones' that skated with personality.They all look like a bunch of lugs that are just there for the paycheck, not the love of the game.
In the end, too many players and too many models, and little to no excitement.

It's Time for Canadians to Visit Brazil

2010-11-02T08:29:00.003-06:00

Every year around this time, the ads for going to Mexico start to appear with more frequency. For less than $1000 one can go to Mexico for a week including airfare. Sounds like a great deal doesn't it? The big question is, "Will you survive?".

Just this past week, a Canadian businessman's burned body was found in the trunk of the car he rented in Acapulco. His family is appealing to the Canadian government to embargo travel to Mexico. I agree. It's extremely dangerous in Mexico right now. The drug wars have killed over 25000 people in the past few years along the USA-Mexican border.

Rio de Janeiro, with all of its problems, is still safer than Mexico. I urge all of my readers to go to Brazil and enjoy one of the most beautiful countries in the world (even though I am not a big fan of the new president, hopefully she will continue to move Brazil forward and not into a Chavezian state).

The best way to get to Brazil from Canada(at least from the West) is on Continental. One can get fares to Rio from Calgary for around $1100 plus tax. It's actually cheaper than going to Europe.

There is a great site for out of the way hotels and bed and breakfasts called Hidden Pousadas. Tell them that the Canarioca sent you.

If you want to see Rio in style, go to Soland Eco Tours.

Travel tips, insider information, I am the go to girl. Leave me a comment!

Beijos da Canarioca

The Day of the Witch

2010-10-31T19:43:00.002-06:00

I am prepared to receive some hate mail for what i am about to write, so here I go.

Today is Halloween, also known as 'Dia das Bruxas' in Brazil. Well they have elected a witch in Brazil and her name is Dilma Roussef.

There, I said it.

My Challenge

2010-10-01T08:31:00.004-06:00

I have less than three months before I return to Brazil. As you know, Brazilians have amazing bodies and it is a big beach culture there. No muffin tops on those beaches!!
Between work, studying at university and running around as a taxi service for my boys, my exercise regime has gone by the way of the dodo bird. It was only when I got a glimpse of my backside in the mirror the other day that I realized "Oh crap! What have I done to myself??" Time for Operaçao Verao (Operation Summer).
I have started a food journal and I have started to do an exercise regime that I came across on YouTube. It's short and very intense. I did a 12 minute workout yesterday and was sweating like a pig. The girl that hosts the workout is in AMAZING shape and if I feel like I am going to fall off the wagon, I just think of how great shape she is in.
I took a photo of my backside and I have it pasted on my fridge to remind me of how I look if I am not careful of what I eat.
On December 14th, I will post my before and after pictures of my journey.
Here is the link to Zuzana's blog

My Secret Wish...

2010-09-29T06:59:00.006-06:00

As you may know by now, I lived in Brazil for close to 15 years. I hope one day to return there to live again.
I was reading an article about how the luxurious life of the ex pat is going the way of the dodo bird. I have a girlfriend who's boyfriend works for a multinational oil company in Rio. Besides whatever salary he is paid there, the company pays for the rent on his beachside apartment (Ipanema). Makes me want to buy real estate in Brazil when I hear that the flat he lives in is about 950 square feet, and the rent is close to 10K USD per month!!!!
In the past, companies would send their people overseas to over see operations in foreign countries. To compensate for the hardships of moving house and home (and sometimes wife and kids), huge compensation packages were offered to these ex pats. This was to cover moving expenses, buying of household goods in the new country, trips home, private schools for the children, maids,cooks and drivers.
Sweet life!
Well, according to human resources at many companies, that will be a thing of the past soon.
I always secretly wished that I could have had the life of an ex-pat wife in Rio de Janeiro. I guess it's because I met so many there that were so unhappy..UNHAPPY???? I would be at the beach with my girlfriends, the gym, shopping, volunteering,studying online...There is NO reason that these women should be unhappy!!!
Now that the perks are being eliminated, they will wish for the old life of an ex pat wife.....
Oh well, I never had any of those perks and I was VERY happy in Rio with my simple life in the mountains of the Alto da Boa Vista. That is something that will never be taken away...

Exciting Times, Random Thoughts

2010-09-28T08:48:00.005-06:00

Things are looking up! Soon I will be off to Brazil to fill my trove of goodies! If you are not aware, I import a line of beautiful lingerie from Brazil and am preparing myself to bring in a bathing suit line as well as a fitness line. All made in Brazil!

I wish I could bring in a shoe line from Brazil, because there are so many beautiful, well made shoes there. One can find Carmen Stefans here in Calgary and oddly enough, the prices are lower than in Brazil. I love my shoes made in Brazil, the quality is that of shoes made in Italy or France(a rarity these days). I actually had a pair of loafers that I bought at a store in Rio, (Natura) and it was an exact copy of a pair of Prada's. I found out later that Prada does a lot of manufacturing in Brazil, but does enough of the finishing back in Italy to be considered "Made in Italy".

The Brazilian real (the currency) has gone up considerably over the past 4 years. I remember when it was close to $3 reais to the USD, now it is hovering at around 1.70 to the USD. This causes a problem for companies that export overseas, making their products more expensive for foreign buyers. With the national elections looming and the big stock sale of Petrobras, the currency will probably stay strong for awhile. Apparently, Lula's successor will be Dilma Roussef. Not sure if that is a good thing or not... To be honest, Brazilian politics is so confusing and shady, that I am actually glad that I don't have to vote (voting is mandatory in Brazil...maybe they should do the same here in Canada).

When I go to Brazil, I plan on checking out some of the accommodations mentioned on the site

Tonight I have a networking event with people from the oil industry who want to do business in Brazil. My cultural knowledge and languages will come in very handy for them and my goal is to work on a consultant basis for Canadian energy companies working in Brazil...and then I sell my beautiful lingerie,bathing suits and fitness wear to the oil-ty wives.

How Are We Going to Compete?

2010-09-17T08:15:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I went to show the luxury lingerie line that I bring in from Brazil to a potential client south of Calgary. She has a store that sells lingerie to the women in the small towns south of Calgary.
I showed her what I have to offer, and was bluntly told that my price point was too high. This is a store that sells bras for $125 and up. My bras are wholesaling for around $35 delivered to her shop. So in essence, she could easily sell these bras for $70 plus, and still make a decent profit.
The lingerie line I bring in is hand made and uses high quality fabrics and material. I have visited the atelier in Brazil where it is made and I can truly say that the working conditions are amazing. Natural light, windows overlooking the hillside and around 15 women working, laughing and truly enjoying themselves talking about the latest plot of the primetime novela as they stitch away at their craft. I am very aware of worker's rights in Brazil and I know these women are receiving fair pay for their work and all of their benefits(vacation pay, 13th salary, pension etc). Is their salary lower than their counterparts in Canada? I am sure it is, but it is far higher of those from the sweat shops of Asia.
The shop owner showed me what she considered the equivalent of what I showed her in terms of quality. I was offended. Not for me, but for the hard working women in Brazil that I have seen putting their hearts into their work. They are trained seamstresses who are unfortunately a dying breed in Europe and soon to be in Brazil.
Looking at the shoddy quality of what the shop owner was showing me, it was evident that it was made overseas. My hunch was right. Made in China. Wholesaling for $2-$6(shop owner admitted what she pays wholesale for her stuff)...Sold in the shop for $35 -$85.
What's wrong with this picture???

Eat, Pay, Leave

2010-08-31T07:28:00.005-06:00

The new movie 'Eat Pray Love' starring Julia Roberts is making its way through the cinemas. I read the book by Elizabeth Gilbert about two years ago. It was cute, but I really found her to be self indulgent and suffering from intense naval gazing.
Out of a bad divorce, she picks up and goes on a quest to 'find' herself. Welcome to the real world darling. I, too, had a sad divorce, but you didn't see me pick up and take off to Italy, India and Indonesia. I had two toddlers that needed to be cared for and a battle with their father for him to step up, man up and be responsible financially in the raising of said toddlers. Running away was and is not an option for a lot of divorced women.

The best part of the book was when she was in Italy. If any woman is suffering from self doubt and low self esteem, Italy is the cure all place to go. Just walking down the streets in Rome will boost your ego instantly. Cries of "Que bella donna' and 'Bellissima' will put a swagger in your step faster than a new pair of Jimmy Choo's and will not cost you a dime. I love Italians. They have such a great attitude towards life. Eating is a pleasure and is not be rushed. (Have you ever seen an obese Italian?) Italians are the pros when it comes to slowing down and enjoying the moment. And they have cute soccer players to boot....

I have never been to India, but from what I have heard, it is beyond anything one could imagine. Going off to a yoga retreat in India not only sounds exotic and wonderful, I can't help but imagine the poverty that surrounds these nirvanic compounds made to cater to the EPL pilgrims. Dysentery also is an issue. I will take a retreat with Bryan Kest in Maui, thank you very much!

She ends the book in Bali. She meets up with a guru/shaman little man and also gets involved with a real estate transaction and a Brazilian man. There is a certain element that happens to 35 plus women where they feel they have to find the answers to the meaning of life and more importantly their existence. One can do therapy, one can travel, one can meditate, one can get involved with other people and help out the world in small philanthropic ways. She tried to help out a local woman but in my opinion got shammed by this woman. Unfortunately, Americans are seen in the third world as endless money sources. Maybe ten years ago, but the way their economy is going down the tubes these days, that generalization will become misconception.
She meets a Brazilian man in Bali. (That in itself is fodder for a whole other blog post...)There are hundreds of Brazilians in Bali. They go for the surf and to export Balinese wares back to Brazil to sell at exorbitant prices. I know a few Brazilians that have moved permanently to Bali. They tell me that the cute little restaurants mentioned in the book have become tourist traps for these legions of self discovering thirty something divorcees. The charm has gone and one place has actually made up Tshirts saying "Eat Pay Leave".....

I ask, what has Elisabeth Gilbert given back? She is now a gazillionaire author, telling her story on Oprah and having Julia Roberts play her in a movie. She may have discovered how to make a lot of money by writing, but her stories are involving others. How have they fared? Or does she continue to be self serving? Here is a link to a blog post that sums it up quite well . Thank you to Jezebel for the photo.

Why You Should Travel to Brazil

2010-08-04T08:38:00.004-06:00

I was just looking at the CNN Latin America website to see what news was happening below the Rio Grande and I was taken aback by all of the violence in Mexico.

I have been to Mexico a few times in my travels and there are a lot of parallels to Brazil. Colonization(in Mexico's case was the Spaniards), the gap between the have and the have nots, weather, tourism, beaches, the carefree attitude of the people.

When I mention Brazil to my friends here, the first thing that they ask me is if Brazil is as violent as it is depicted in the news. Brazil has its social problems, and the consequences of these problems is an increase in corruption, theft and violence. Lately, Brazil is experiencing a huge economic boom. The economic plan drafted in 1994 is coming to fruition and the standard of living has increased(along with the prices of things....) Employment is up, wages have increased. Brazil is hosting the next World Cup and Rio de Janeiro will have the Olympics in 2016. Petroleum reserves off the coast of Brazil are immense. It's Brazil's moment..NOW!

Between spending a week at an all-inclusive in Mexico and a trip to the beaches of Brazil, I take Brazil any day!! I think that it is a lot safer!!!!!!!

Loving You Is Easy....

2010-07-13T13:46:00.000-06:00

The newest song by Sarah Maclachlan. I was privileged to hear the rough cut live last year at Brett Wilson's Garden Party. I knew then that it was going to be a hit!!!

They Should Have Worn Yellow......

2010-07-02T20:27:00.002-06:00

When I discovered that Brazil would be playing Holland in the World Cup quarter finals, I was imagining a game of yellow and orange shirts chasing a white ball on a green pitch. Colorful...Citric! Bright!

I tuned into the game just as the two captains were exchanging pre game handshakes and much to my dismay, the 'Selecao' were in blue.....bleu....azzurri... Don't get me wrong, I love the colour blue: just not on the backs of the "Canarios".

The Brazil soccer team jersey is yellow. Not blue, not green. Yellow.

The Dutch soccer team jersey is orange. Not white, not black. Orange.

Would yellow and orange be too confusing for the eyes?

I think the game would have been more beautiful to watch with Brazil wearing their yellow jerseys.

It is sad to see your team be defeated. I cheer for Brazil, and have for many years. Long before I lived in Brazil..

They just should have worn yellow.....

The Rant of a Modern Woman....

2010-06-16T10:38:00.008-06:00

I read this chronicle in Portuguese a few years back and decided to translate it into English. Let me know your thoughts...

"It's 6am ...

The alarm clock shocks me out of my slumber, and I have no strength to throw it against the wall ...
I'm so tired ... I do not want to work today ...
I want to stay at home, cooking, listening to music, singing ...
If I had children, spend the morning playing with them, if I had a dog, walking him around the neighborhood ...
Aquarium? Watch the fish swim ...
If I had time ... I would like to stretch ...
Make sweets...

Anything but get out of bed and having to engage first gear and put my brain to function.
I wonder who was the fool, the unhappy mother of feminists who had the stupid idea of claiming rights of women ... I wonder
WHY she did this to us who were born after her ...
Everything was so good at the time of our grandparents ... they did embroidery, exchanged recipes with friends, taught each other secrets of sauces and seasonings, home remedies, read good books from the libraries
of their husbands, decorated the house, pruned trees, planted flowers, picked vegetables from the gardens, raised children, attended soirees, FINALLY, life was a great course of crafts, alternative medicine and cooking.

Then came the army of Erica's and Susan's who did not like their bra nor corset, and infected a number of other inconsequential rebels with fancy ideas about " conquering our space"!
What space, my dear lady??
You had the whole house, the neighborhood, and the world at your feet.
Had complete dominion over men, they depended on you to eat, to get dressed, for everything! What kind of rights did you claim?
As a consequence of their bra burning activities and such, all men are confused, they do not know what roles to play in society, avoiding us like the devil flees from the cross ...
This game of yours has just increased the number of our daily errands and duties, that is. And has thrown us into the dungeon of acute singleness. Previously, marriages lasted forever...

WHY WHY ???.. The female sex had it all and better, they just needed to be fragile and delicate, to be ladies. What possessed them to compete with the male sex ? Look at the size of their biceps, and look at the size of ours. On that observation alone, it was obvious that it would not work!

I can not stand being forced to make daily ritual of brushing my hair, makeup, moisturizers , choosing what clothes to wear, what shoes match, what accessories to use ...
So tired of having to hide my mood, to leave my sanctuary of my home,
always running, to be put at risk of being robbed, run over to die, spend the day siting in front of the computer with the phone to my ear, solving problems that are not mine!

And as if that were not enough, be monitored and criticized (even by myself) to be always in shape without stretch marks or cellulite, shaved,waxed(ouch) smiling, smelling nice, with nails done, not to mention the impeccable resume, filled with masters degrees, doctorates, and specialties (ufffffffffffffffffff !!!!!!!). ..

We have become these superwomen robots that still continue to earn less than men ...
Wasn't it much better just knitting in a rocking chair?

ENOUGH ALREADY !!!... I want someone to pay my bills, open the door,
pull the chair for me to sit down, send me flowers, cards
full of poetry, serenade me at my window ... oh, my God, it's already 6:30, I have to get up !...,
There's more, I want someone who comes home from a hard day of work, sits on the couch, put his feet up and says
"Baby, bring me some coffee please?"
I discovered that I was born to serve.
You think I'm joking about this? I'm serious! I am resigning from my position of "modern woman" ....I'm DONE!

I will switch with Suzy Homemaker. Anyone else interested?

Love..

2010-06-15T08:06:00.002-06:00

Quick question...Is there such a thing called love at first sight?

Pass the Ball

2010-06-12T21:54:00.001-06:00

This is a great video that CNN asked the public to send in their footie skills....

Car Tunes...

2010-06-05T21:19:00.004-06:00

I love this song!!! If you see some crazy person in a car singing this with their windows open, it's probably me...

Makes me want to go to Safeway....

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get

I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love
(I just haven't met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love
I just haven't met you yet

COUNTDOWN TO THE CUP!!!!

2010-05-21T18:56:00.001-06:00

Apparently the video I posted is no longer available. Two weeks until my month long obsession of soccer begins!!! I have already sussed out the local bars that will open at 5 am and that accept kids. Breakfast, footie and then school. How perfect is that???
Hopefully one day, Canada will be in the World Cup. They got thrashed by Argentina 5-0 this weekend...Not good!

Brazil and Canada....Opportunities Abound!

2010-05-07T10:50:00.004-06:00

This past Wednesday, I went to a seminar on doing business in Brazil. It was hosted by the Global Centre, an initiative of Calgary Economic Development. The speakers included the Brazilian consul of International Trade from the consulate in Toronto, David Mears of Blackwatch Energy, Fabricio Lima of the Alberta Government and Joey St. Pierre of Export Development of Canada.

Bottom line: BRAZIL NEEDS INFRASTRUCTURE!!!!!! If your company has something unique that is needed in the energy sector, the opportunity is there!

Rio de Janeiro Antigo

2010-04-28T18:00:00.000-06:00

Spring Has Finally Arrived

2010-04-18T14:29:00.002-06:00

In Canada, the change of seasons are quite distinct. After living for over a decade in South America, where there are two seasons, hot and hotter, it is refreshing to be able to feel the change of the seasons here in Canada. For starters, the sunlight changes. Days get longer, the sun gets higher in the sky and there is a warmth in the air. The first signs of my tulips are starting to appear.

This past weekend was all about getting my yard ready for summer. Dethatching the front lawn, trimming down the dried plants form last year. I am done! I don't have a high maintenance yard. I am not high maintenance, so why should my yard be? I will never understand the Calgary gardener who spends hundreds of dollars every year at Sunnyside Garden Centre buying anuuals that are not even grown for our climate, and then spend the whole summer worried about their garden. Not a very good return on investment in my opinion.... I have potintella(spell check please), raspberries and low juniper bushes. Lawn maintenance is once every two weeks and I have underground sprinklers..

I want to spend my summer enjoying my yard, not toiling over it obsessively!

Have a great day!!

A Little Bit of France ...in Calgary

2010-04-17T18:21:00.002-06:00

I had the wonderful opportunity of having dinner at a great little French bistro here in Calgary called 'Fleur de Sel'. It is located in the old Tivoli cinema building on 4th Street SW. Quaint, yet bustling with the nervous energy that only the French can pull off with pure grace, this little place is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Low light and candles on every table, I felt like I was transported back to the days when I lived in Paris. The maitre d'hote was French and I was able to practice my rusty French. A velvety smooth bottle of Saint Emilion accompanied my Steak au Poivre avec des Frites. C'etait magnifique!!!

Backwards Baseball Caps Cause Baldness

2010-04-07T09:07:00.002-06:00

I have come up with a theory that I think will make all baseball cap wearing men to STOP wearing them. Baseball caps should only be worn one way (with the brim in the front) and in the following situation:

1. While playing baseball

I will never understand the purpose of wearing a baseball cap backwards (unless you are a catcher on a baseball team). It looks stupid.

My theory It causes the blood flow to stop going to the head and subsequently causes baldness....

Inspiration

2010-03-30T23:34:00.003-06:00

I am not sure what is going on with me, but lately I have been very uninspired to write anything in my blog. I don't feel like rehashing current events. I don't particularly feel like sharing anything regarding my personal life for fear of it coming back and biting me in the behind( and also to protect the innocent...)

Luckily, my children(correction: my teenagers) work and school are filling up my time, but I feel like something is askew. I am lucky in many ways but there is that inkling that something is missing. I know that I am in trouble when i start to gravitate towards the self help section at the library. That is not a good sign. Books screaming from the shelves,enticing me with titles such as, "Bitches, and the Men That Love Them', " Rich Dad, Poor Dad'(how about No Dad), The Girlfriends Guide To Dating in Your 40's"...for the love of Pete, who writes this crap??

Oprah has made millions on the psychosis of inadequacy. Self help books contradict each other. Whether it be for raising good kids, investing money wisely or finding the man of your dreams,there is always an expert.

I don;t need a self help book. I know what is wrong. I am in a rut. Simple as that.

What to do?

ROADTRIP!!!!!!!

Panorama

2010-03-29T23:09:00.001-06:00

This is a panoramic photo taken from half way up the Pedra Aguda in RIo de Janeiro State, Brazil. Granite rock. Name of the route..Quati.

Why Gay Marriage is Good for the US Economy...

2010-03-21T12:07:00.006-06:00

I have alot of gay friends. Male and female. Some of them are bisexual too.

I love them all to death. At one point or another, each and every one of them has either made me laugh, let me cry on their shoulders over a man(they are guys too, remember?) or have given me killer fashion/decorating ideas.They too have their 'Martha moments'.
In the USA, there has been alot of hoopla over same sex marriage. I really don't know what the big deal is? If two people love each other and decide to get married, why should it matter if they are hetero or homosexual?
Hell, my chances of getting married again are probably the same as getting killed in a terrorist attack. Trust me, the day I get married, it will be announced on CNN and Reuters! or maybe even Ripleys Believe It or Not.....

I love a good wedding. We need more weddings. They stimulate the economy. Photographers, event venues, dressmakers,hairdressers, makeup artists, caterers, hotels and resorts, jewelers etc all depend on people getting married....

Conclusion: LEGALIZE once and for all same sex marriages. The economy will thank you.

PS. I want to stimulate the economy and not be a statistic..

Embracing Life...

2010-03-13T10:01:00.002-07:00

John Lennon said it best,: Life happens when you are making plans...

Two and a half months into 2010, our resolutions that we drunkenly make on December 31 have all gone to hell in a handbasket. Why wait until New Year's to make a resolution? Why set yourself up for failure? The majority of New Years resolutions never make it to fruition anyways...

I think its better to start when you want to, not when the Gregorian calendar says so. Less pressure, better chance for success.

In the end I truly believe that we should all just embrace life. Whatever your life is, or where you are in your life, just stop for five minutes and sit back and think of all of the positive things there are in your life. ..... Ok I can hear the detractors....Think...Everyone has something positive in their life!

For starters, you are reading this blog( and I thank you). That means that you can read! Do you know how many people are functionally illiterate in both Brazil and Canada? It would blow your mind! Could you imagine not being able to read street signs? a recipe? a book? Imagine being thrown into downtown Beijing with everything written in Chinese. Can you read Chinese symbols? Thats how some people live everyday.

This blog is on a computer, so that means that you have access to the internet. How many people in this world don't?

You can write a commentary and voice you opinions and or objections. How many people have been tortured in the past because they voiced their opinions against totalitarian regimes? Freedom of speech is taken for granted and is in danger of being picked away by our governments in the name of 'national security'. Don't let this happen...

We all want something that sometimes is unattainable. That's ok. Just be happy for the simple things in life that have no monetary value, yet are worth more that anything that money can't even buy it.

A baby's smile
A rainbow after a thunderstorm
a heartfelt thank you
doing something for someone else.

Have a great weekend

The Canarioca

Olympics Hangover

2010-03-09T07:43:00.002-07:00

The Olympics in Vancouver are over and the flame is out. It was a fun ride. Unless you have been living under a rock, Canada had its best showing at the games ever and won more gold medals than any other country in Winter Olympic history.
After 17 days of pure Canadian patriot love, Canada has gone back to talking about the weather and kvetching about politics. There were highlights and lowlights of these games. When Alexandre Bilodeau won his gold medal, I cried and cheered. His brother (who suffers from cerebral palsy) was his inspiration and he said that the medal was just as much his. There had seemed to be a drought of medals from the Canadian team and the British press started to question the organizing committee and the Games in general. By the end of week two, Canada shut them up. Most of the events where Canada was expected to win gold were in the last week anyway. They came through with flying colours! Ice dancing! The first time in my lifetime that the Russians didn't win. Short track skating. It was like roller derby! Snowboard cross, ski cross! The X Games became the Olympics!
The gold medal hockey game. I felt like I was watching a World Cup final. Canada vs. the USA. When the USA scored to tie the game with 30 seconds left, there was a lull that went from Victoria to Saint John's. It had to go into overtime. Golden goal. Who scored first would win the gold! Overtime started. Puck passed back and forth. Gladiators hitting the glass with a thud that could raise the dead. Then, at 7 minutes, the puck went to Crosby, who passed it to Iginla, who passed it back to Crosby as he was brought down by the USA defense. One flick of the wrist and boom...GGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! The Kid got the winning goal. The whole country went NUTS!!! Flashes of the reactions of Canadians were on tv sets around the world. WE WON HOCKEY GOLD!!!! Sidney Crosby, 22 years old, became a national hero. He has been touted as the next Gretsky. For me, he is the original Crosby. Reebok is offering a reward to the idiot who stole Crosby's gloves post game. They are definitely worth a fortune.
Lowlights of the games?
The unfortunate death of the Georgian luger on the first day.
Having to suffer through 17 days of Brian Williams on CTV with his annoying commentary. In Brazil there is Galvao Bueno, Briam Williams is Canada's version....
The closing ceremony. Shame on you Will Ferguson, you are a better writer than that!!! Mounties and moose and beavers??? Then it became a showcase of second rate Canadian talent. It got so bad that the athletes were leaving before it was over. The last showpiece was just plain lame.
The Olympics are over, spring is coming. How do we know spring is coming in Canada? Because Canada's national coffeehouse, Tim Hortons, has started its annual 'Roll Up the Rim to Win' promotion....
Have a good day eh?

Arlene Dickinson's Hair, Brett Wilson's Girlfriend and What to Wear in Rio

2010-03-06T11:37:00.003-07:00

These are the three biggest searches that arrive on my blog. With the success of Dragon's Den, people want to know more about the Dragons themselves. I wish I could be of more help to these queries.
I think Arlene looks better now that she has lost weight and straightened her hair. I must admit,looking back on older seasons of the Den, she did look a smidge frumpy. The white streak in her hair could be natural, or she could be all white and dyes the rest red and just leaves the front white. I think it looks cool.
As for Brett, I am no expert on his love life. He used to date my friend Norma, but they broke up last summer. He was apparently dating Sarah Maclachlan(the singer), but who knows what is going on there. Brett's hair was a mess this past season. They tried to tone down the grey a bit and ended up giving him the Grecian formula look. I think he looks much better with shorter hair and the salt and pepper look. You can see the difference between this season and last years Den. I'm just sayin'.....
As for the What to Wear in Rio? department, I looked back at the original blog and it still holds true. This summer was abnormally hot and now the rains of March have arrived in Rio.

Acai

2010-02-27T11:30:00.003-07:00

The new super food that everyone raves about is actually a berry from the acai palm in the Amazon. This is the way it should be consumed. It has the consistency of melting sorbet and is eaten with a spoon. It is super high in antioxidants and it became popular in Rio de Janeiro in the early 90's with the surfing and jiu jitsu crowd. Now you can buy acai at Costco, but it is mixed with other juices. Not the same thing...at all. IF you want to find acai in its purest form, go to the store Brasil with S just off of Macleod Trail and 57th avenue in Calgary.

Couldn't Have Said It Better

2010-02-26T01:35:00.002-07:00

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevers.
Love never fails.

Sacha Guitry

2010-02-03T01:04:00.004-07:00

This is one of my favorite quotes by a French writer, Sacha Guitry:

LES FEMMES SE PLEIGNENT QUE LES HOMMES SONT TOUS PAREILLES, C'EST PARCE QU'ELLES SE COMPORTENT DE LA MEME FACON AVEC TOUT LES HOMMES

Translation:

WOMEN THAT COMPLAIN THAT ALL MEN ARE THE SAME IT IS BECAUSE THEY BEHAVE THE SAME WAY WITH ALL MEN.

It's a Jungle Out There!

2010-01-30T13:24:00.005-07:00

I had a very interesting evening a few Fridays ago. At 8 pm, I was at Market Mall with my kids and by 9 pm I was at the 'Met' in downtown Calgary, giving moral support to my girlfriend 'J', who had just had the dating experience from hell.
She had been set up on a blind date through a dating service that charges an arm and a leg for people to meet. Her dating 'coach' (now everyone seems to be a coach,life coach, sports coach,intimacy coach now dating coach...but I digress) told her that the 'prospect' was a successful person in his field and apparently a 'hottie'.
So imagining that she was going to meet the local George Clooney, she called me for fashion advice and got her hair and makeup done in anticipation for her date. Needless to say, the guy was a total waste of makeup (yes, that great stuff by Bobbie Brown at Sephora ain't cheap) BALD and FAT..Not even attractive..I know, but I will explain why I know this later on in this post.
We were sitting at the bar with two other girlfriends having a few drinks and looking around at the scenery. It was quite fun to look at people and see how they interact with each other. There was the cliched 'cougar' on the prowl and the never ending parade of the 'bump', that horrific Amy Winehouse inspired mass of hair on the crown of your head. In the corner, at the end of the bar was the typical group of guys with no woman around, making crude comments as each woman passed them by (and they wonder why they aren't 'gettin' any). As I passed by to go to the washroom, I had to endure a crude and inappropriate comment by one of them. I glared at him and told him to go 'fly a kite' in Portuguese.
Where do guys get off speaking to women in such a way? Did I miss something? Have chivalry and basic respect gone the way of the dodo bird? I have two boys and they would get one big asswhooping from me if I ever got wind that they spoke to a girl that way. And they can be 30 years old and I would still do it.
After a while we decided to change venues and went to Vintage. Definitely an older crowd and a live jazz band was playing. The Met had just gotten too, how can I say this....gangster. We didn't stay long and as we were leaving, the un George Clooney walked up to 'J' and said " How are the kids?" Unfortunately she had used the " I have to get home to the kids" excuse to get out of her date and she was subsequently busted by Un George himself. Put a bummer on her already bummer evening. We couldnt get out of there fast enough. Was he stalking her? Who knows, but he was SOOOO not hot.
We ended up having a late dinner at Joe's on 17th and I went home at 2 am.
The next day I watched the show on Slice called 'Millionaire Matchmaker'. I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a guy who was an agist. He was 39, never married and refused to date girls over the age of 25. The matchmaker tried to set him up with a beautiful young hearted 35 year old that fit into his profile, but after one date, they never saw each other again.
As a pre-cougar,single in Calgary, the possibilities in this town are limited. I have high standards and it is hard to compete against the 'bump' crowd of 25 year olds ready to 'give it up' at a drop of a hat. That's not me.
One thing for sure, its a jungle out there.

Another Quote

2010-01-27T21:25:00.001-07:00

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. but people will never for get how you made them feel

Random Quotes

2010-01-27T21:20:00.001-07:00

Be polite to all, but intimate with few. -Thomas Jefferson

Brazil Update

2010-01-13T06:14:00.002-07:00

I have been very behind on my blog updates over the past few weeks as I was in Brazil itself and needed material to blog about...
Since my last visit, there have been many chnages in Brazil. Here is a small list of what is happening:

1. Justice has been served. David Goldman has finally taken his son home where he belongs. Exciting as it is, the Brazilian family is planning on appealing the court decision. What could have been a peaceful 'handover' of Sean to his father David at the American embassy on December 24th, it became a media circus as the Brazilian family refused to heed to the Embassy's offer of allowing Sean to arrive through the garage, and chose to parade him down the street in front of the melee of journalists and onlookers. Really a caring attitude to protect the young boy.....NOT!

2.The prices of restaurants! I was in shock to see how much a 'queijo quente'(grilled cheese sandwich) has gone up. It used to cost around $4,50, and I have seen 'lanchonetes' serving them for $9!!! What happenend? If anything, the prices should go down. the dollar is down against the real, so blaming the dollar doesnt gel anymore. $10-$15 reais for a caipirinha!!! $4,50 for draft beer!!!

3. Obesity. Go to the local food court and it makes you want to cry. So much wonderful fruit at the market and I see people wolfing down fast food like there is no tomorrow. I just came back form Rio, ate fruit and fresh food until I was blue in the face and I LOST 4kg!!! This has been a trend worldwide and has hit the shores of Brazil since some time, but this last trip I noticed that it has gotten worse..

4. Obeying rules. I went to McD to get a 'cafe americano'(basically black watered down coffee) and I asked the girl for some milk. Nope. Couldn't do it. If I wanted milk I had to order a cafe com leite(coffee with milk). Asked why, her answer was because she was being filmed and couldn't give me any milk. So much for 'jeitinho'. More like '1984' by George Orwell.

5.Traffic. The traffic before Christmas was INSANE. Hours to get around. Reason? It is easier now more than ever to get car financing, so every Tom Dick and Harry( or rather Joao, Marcello e Carlos) is buying one. Result? Traffic jams that were never there before.

Brazil's economy has been stable for awhile now and the recession that hit everywhere else barely touched Brazil. For now...

Christmas Has Come For David Goldman

2009-12-24T06:17:00.002-07:00

In a decision last night, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil has ruled has that Sean Goldman is to be returned to his biological father David Goldman on Friday December 24th at 9 a.m. at the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro.
After five years of jumping through the hoops of the Brazilian justice(?) system, David Goldman will finally be able to pass Christmas with his son, and bring him back home to the United States.
This case has mobilized Brazilian public opinion(in favor of David Goldman) and has brought to light the plight of children everywhere who have been illegally abducted by one of the parents.
International pressure has mounted in the past week against the Brazilian family who has illegally held Sean in Brazil since 2004.Possible economic sanctions from the USA against Brazil were in the works.
Once the ´wheels have lifted´(a term used by Mr Goldman referring to the wheels on the airplane leaving Brazil with his son in tow), I hope that the district attorney and the local Bar association will further investigate the Brazilian family. The stepfather and maternal grandmother are accomplices in international kidnapping. The Lins e Silva family used their influence with high level judges to quash and appeal every decision made in favor of David Goldman.
I can only imagine the joy that David Goldman must be feeling right now to know that he will finally be able to have his son back. I was praying for this moment since I saw the clip on the NBC Today show last September.Those prayers have been answered.
MERRY CHRISTMAS DAVID!!!!

Update on David Goldman

2009-12-18T10:11:00.002-07:00

In an earlier post, I wrote about an American father by the name of David Goldman and the never ending struggle to get his son back.
This week it looked like it was going to happen as a high court in Brazil ruled that David´s son Sean was to be returned to the USA within 48 hours. This was on Monday. By Thursday,David Goldman had touched down in Rio de Janeiro ready to take his son home. Once again his hopes were dashed by a motion of habeus corpus done by the maternal grandmother that once again is delaying the rightful return of Sean to his biological father in the United States.
This Brazilian family has gone above and beyond to make David Goldman look like a bad father, that he was a leech off of his ex wife and to make matters worse, told the boy Sean that his father never came to Brazil to visit him in the 5 years he has been in Brazil.ALL LIES!!! They are simply causing the justice system to be even slower than it already is until Sean will be older and the full psychological separation will be complete. Apparently he wrote a poster saying that he wants to stay in Brazil forever. Well if his Brazilian family has been lying to him about his father´s love, of course he is going to want to stay in Brazil.
Mr. Goldman, if you ever read my blog, please know that I support your efforts whole heartedly and I am ashamed of the Brazilian justice system!!!

Newsworthy???

2009-12-07T10:26:00.003-07:00

I have been quite uninspired to write in my blog lately. I don't want to be writing about sad stories, but it seems like lately there is more bad news in the world than good news.
Which of course brings me to my beef about the 'news'. What is considered newsorthy these days? Do we feel better knowing that Tiger Woods is not the golden boy, and that he too has his own problems? Whatever is going on between the four walls of his bedroom is really none of our business. But when you are a celebrity, your private life becomes public. It used to be that only the British Royal Family had to deal with the media and the paparrazzi. Sports figures were only photographed doing their sport. Over the years, the public has become more and more interested in the private lives of the rich and famous. "This is Robin Leach......."
One trip to the grocery store checkout and you are able to get InTouch with all of your celebrity gossip. Its OK, celebs are People too,they're just like US. These days everyone wants to be a Star!and InStyle!
Brangelina, Jon and Kate, now Tiger Woods!
You ask anyone and they know who Brad PItt is. Do they know who their member of parliament is? (I do,its Rob Anders and I didnt vote for him...)Do they know what is happening in the Arctic passage? (The Polar cap is shrinking so there are descrepencies about borders between Canada and Russia..)
The line between reality and fiction is becoming more and more blurry.The hunger for fame has gone beyond !!! My kids listen to a song by Hedley that really says it best

Grappling with Tragedy

2009-11-30T09:12:00.003-07:00

I read the news from around the world everyday. Calgary Herald, Le Monde, New York Times, O Globo are all on my favorites.
I read about the war in Afghanistan, kidnappers in Somalia, human rights issues and so on. Human triumphs and tragedies. I am distanced from these stories because they 'happen to other people'.
That all changed over the weekend. I received the horrible news that one of my son's soccer teammates was a victim of a murder on Friday night. Today is Monday and I am still coming to terms with what happened. The boy's father was charged with second degree murder.
Just last Thursday, the young boy was playing what was to be his last soccer game. Who would have imagined that the man who was standing next to me when the boys came out of the dressing room at the end of the game would be the one who put an end to his son's life only 24 hours later? Why didn't I see a sign of something wrong? Everything looked so completely normal between father and son.
The soccer team is devastated and a grief counsellor is on call for the boys and the families to help us through this grieving time.
Tragedy can and will strike close to home. You just always believe that bad things only happen to other people....It doesn't.

Dragons Den...Update

2009-11-21T13:38:00.003-07:00

In a post I wrote about a year ago, I talked about the Dragons Den on CBC. I did a rundown on each one of the Dragons, based solely on the persona they portray on the Den. I am proud to say that I think I got them all right.
My two favorite Dragons are Arlene Dickinson and Brett Wilson. Since my first post about the Den, I had the pleasure of meeting Brett Wilson, and he really is the same guy on television as he is in real life. He invests in people, not just products and ideas. If he doesnt do a deal, and says he is out, at least he has good reasons for his decisions and he doesnt belittle the contestants or humiliate them like Kevin OLeary does. Brett is tough ,yet fair.
Arlene is also tough yet fair and I like that she does give constructive criticism to the contestants. She sees the pitches with aa marketing eye, and I think she really knows her stuff.She also sticks up for single moms!!! I have had alot of people asking me about her white streak of hair. I wish I knew what to tell them, but it is either a natural streak or she paints it...only her hairdresser knows.

News From Brazil

2009-11-18T22:05:00.003-07:00

O Rio de Janeiro, my adopted hometown, so many great things will be happening to Rio in the next few years, my hope is that is will finally come back to the glamourous city that it once was.
Decades of military rule followed by incompetent government both on the municipal and state level has left Rio an empty shell of what it once was. Crime, intertwined with corruption, hasnt helped either.
With the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, Rio will be at the forefront of international attention. Hopefully the news will be positive.
Here is a list of some of the news from Brazil over the past few weeks.

1. Madonna just spent a week in Rio de Janeiro and secured a 7 million USD donation from local billionaire Eike Batista for her foundation in Malawi. Madoona is the patron saint of cougars....

2. The popular sports of frescoball and soccer have been banned on the beaches in Rio between 8 am and 5 pm until March. Overcrowding and stray balls add up to injuries during the summer. Its unfortunate because they are both popular sports and are part of the beach culture. Some of my friends consider it a human rights issue!

3.Want to spend a week in Rio de Janeiro in style during Carnaval? If you can muster up the money, this penthouse on Copacabana Beach is fit for a king.

4.Petrobras (the national oil company) is showing its strength and is now the 4th largest oil company in the world. Their off shore blocks are proving to be very rich in reserves. Their stock has now rebounded to pre crisis levels.

Playing with Fire- Theoren Fleury

2009-10-25T12:02:00.003-06:00

I just finished reading the memoirs of Theoren Fleury. For those of you who have never heard of him, he was probably one of the greatest hockey players to play in the NHL.
The book is written in a very raw and in your face kind of way. He is no James Joyce, but the way it is written draws you in regardless. It's almost like he is sitting down with you over a cup of coffee and telling you his story.
Believe me, what a story!
Originally from Russell, Manitoba, Fleury worked his way through the ranks of minor hockey to be part of the 1989 Flames team that won the Stanley Cup. His experiences as a young player were tarnished by the sick pedophilic advances of his coach when he was 14 years old. The damage left behind on Fleury's psyche from the sexual abuse continually haunted him and caused him to spiral down and literally blow away millions of dollars on drugs, gambling and strippers. He recounts how he would party all night, come back at 6 a.m, and score a hat trick that night on the ice.
I remember when the fashion shows were happening in Milan, the professional soccer players were always backstage hanging around. They wanted to see and be seen with the gorgeous women wearing the fabulous clothes. I met a few, both in Italy and in Brazil and there was always one vein that was common to them all. They were just normal guys with the same insecurities that people have, thrown into the spotlight and having to perform for huge crowds weekly. They were passionate about the game, its all they really knew. Unfortunately, there were always the 'dark' elements waiting for them to bring them down, the hangers-on, the 'entourage', the money hungry gold diggers. I saw this so many times I have lost count.
There is a parralel between pro athletes and fashion models and the fact that they end up going out with each other is because they 'get it'. They both have to deal with the same 'dark' elements. How many young girls in Paris starting out as models were abused by their agents? More than anyone will ever know. I know of a few and I had to fend off my agent when I was 17. Reading Fleury's book brought that memory back to me. The same fear factor that Fleury's coach used on him was used on me and other girls in Paris. Luckily I was able to get out the situation before it became severely damaging to my psyche and moved on with my life. I didn't go down the same path as Fleury, but I know a lot of girls that did.
Young, far from family and familiarity. A recipe for disaster and perfect for the soul stealers and vampires to pounce.
Fleury has beem clean and sober for four years. He tried a comeback with the Flames, but was cut from the team. He retired a Flame.
He wrote that the reason he wrote this memoir was to bring to light the abuse that happens on a daily basis in the sports world. He is to be commended for comng forward and exposing parts of his life to total strangers.
I always loved how he was a tough cookie on the ice and was fearless against the 'goon squads' of the NHL. His tenacity is his greatest strength.
Thank you Mr. Fleury for sharing you life story. If your book stops even one child from being abused in the future, you have scored the best goal of your life.

Rio's new Olympic rings are expensive - Winnipeg Free Press

2009-10-18T00:13:00.003-06:00

I am happy that Rio de Janeiro has been given the chance to host the 2016 Olympics. They really have ther work cut out for them though. Huge infrastructure projects and better transportation will need to be implemented immediately.
I hope that this will give Rio a chance to get out of its current state of affairs and put it back on the map as a destination for travellers.

EVERY GIRL AND WOMAN SHOULD WATCH THIS!!!!!!

2009-10-17T18:08:00.003-06:00

Having been a fashion model in my former life(before kids), I feel it is my obligation to young girls everywhere to show what really happens these days with retouching and Photoshop.

Determination.....

2009-10-09T08:19:00.001-06:00

Irving Penn...the Last Great Photographer

2009-10-08T08:19:00.004-06:00

Being a fashion model in the late 80's and 90's, I had the opportunity to work with some of the best photographers out there. There are not many people who can say that they have worked with Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Albert Watson, Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel and Mario Testino. But there was one photographer who I considered the best over and above all the others. Irving Penn. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to work with him. He passed away yesterday at the age of 92.
He was known for being a perfectionist and it shows in his photos. The lighting, the aesthetic, the poses, were all just so amazing. I remember seeing his still lifes in Vogue and was always in awe at the simplicity of the image, but with the knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes to get the shot(remember, this was before Photoshop and onsite editing). Everyone has seen at least one of his adverts for Clinique.
There will never be another Irving Penn. The New York Times did a wonderful story on his life and his work.
He will continue to set the standard for photographers and art directors for years to come.But there will never be another Penn.

Seasons

2009-10-06T09:15:00.002-06:00

Rio de Janeiro Olympic Host City 2016

2009-10-04T14:59:00.003-06:00

FINALLY!!!
After two unsuccessful bids to host the Summer Olympics, Rio de Janeiro came out on top of Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid to win.

Chicago and Tokyo were eliminated in earlier voting and even after a last ditch effort by Juan Samaranch to woo the votes for Madrid, Rio was declared the winner with a 3-1 margin in the total tally of votes.

This is a very exciting venture for the people of Rio de Janeiro and for the rest of Brazil.
It is the first time that the Olympic Games will be held in South America. They picked a great city.

Needless to say they have their work cut out for them. There will have to be major overhaul throughout the whole city to be able to accomodate the traffic and the sheer amount of spectators expected to attend.
Brazil has the money to fund the Olympics, just from the oil royalties off of the coast of Rio. They have the skilled labour to build the stadiums, the roads and the venues. My only suggestion would be to increase the amount of machinery to build the roads faster. They tend to do everything manually, which is alot more time consuming.

This is the chance for Rio to clean up its act and hopefully there will not be insane amounts of palm greasing. The only things that could destroy the Olympic dream for Rio are corruption and greed from politicians.

It's up to the people of Rio and Brazil to not let this happen.

PARABENS RIO DE JANEIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Day of Atonement

2009-09-28T09:52:00.003-06:00

Today is Yom Kippur. It is considered the holiest day within the Jewish faith. It falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah (aka Jewish New Year). I am not Jewish, but as I have many friends that are, I became aware of this day while I lived in New York City.
A day of reflection and forgiveness. It is a solemn day where Jews become closer to God through prayer and fasting. It is also a day of reconciliation. In the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews are encouraged to seek out those who have been offended over the past year and genuinely ask for forgiveness. Only on Yom Kippur can one seek forgiveness from God. That is why it is important to 'make it right' in the ten days prior to Yom Kippur.
This holiday always falls in September, which is also the month of the harvest. In my interfaith mixture of beliefs, it makes sense that Yom Kippur falls at this time. Not only are we reaping the benefits of the harvest, it should be a time that we reflect on the past year that has brought us to this day. The saying "You reap what you sow" is very fitting right now.
I may be wrong, but I see it also as a time of renewal to start the New Year with a clean slate. Time to think about what transgressions we have put upon others and to honestly look within ourselves to become better human beings.
Forgiveness is a very important element to be able to move forward.It is also fundamental to achieve peace in this world that is so strife with conflict.

My Rio de Janeiro

2009-09-24T18:00:00.001-06:00

Ah que saudades, minha cidade maravilhosa!!!
Oh how I miss you, my marvelous city!!!

One Day...

2009-09-17T20:15:00.000-06:00

the toilet paper roll will run out.....

Where Are We Now, 40 Years After the Bras Were Burned

2009-09-16T13:11:00.005-06:00

I believe that the TV series " Sex and the City" actually has caused more harm than good for relationships. I admit that I am a fan and have probably seen every episode including the movie. I did relate to some of the story lines and did find myself in the same predicaments as the characters portrayed.
What I find in retrospect is that the characters basically found men to be disposable. They would meet them and basically sleep with them on the first date. Samantha was the worst for this, but she was never shy or hypocritical of what she wanted from men. They were her prey and she was the predator. Miranda would get involved with men but her underlying bitterness and cynicism would get in the way, which in turn caused her to be even more bitter and cynical. Carrie was portrayed as a free spirit but I found that she was shallow and selfish and just used men to get her to where she wanted. Charlotte was dillusional (for this day and age), because she believed in the myth of Prince Charming coming to rescue her. Of the four, I found myself most like Charlotte because of her high standards she held for the men she wanted to be involved with. She had her heart broken more often than the other three. She wanted to fall in love and live happily ever after.
So if the characters of SATC were role models for young single women, where does this leave the men of this world? Unfortunately it has left them even more confused of the female psyche. Men have always played the field because society expects this of them. They are the 'hunters'. Now that women have become 'hunters' in both the workplace and in relationships, it has caused men to become more vain (metrosexuals, increase in cosmetic surgery procedures, grooming product lines expanding etc.). The worst result, I believe, is that men have lost their respect for women. Men do not want 'hunters', they want women to be their supporters and allies in this cruel world.
When the battle of the sexes has finally fnished, could someone let me know?

Beautiful....

2009-09-11T21:04:00.000-06:00

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." --- Washington Irving

Quote of the Day

2009-09-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

Saturday's Quote

2009-09-05T18:32:00.000-06:00

If truth is beauty, how come no one has their hair done in the library?
Lily Tomlin

Signs

2009-09-05T10:43:00.002-06:00

This award winning short film is so heartwarming. I am a hopeless romantic at heart.Enjoy...................

Quote of the Day

2009-09-03T14:07:00.003-06:00

"Even broken candy tastes sweet"

Communication Breakdown

2009-09-01T11:03:00.002-06:00

A hilarious story of what can happen when people in a relationship have a disconnect...

Infidelity

2009-08-31T18:01:00.009-06:00

After my last relationship with a control freak boyfriend, I decided that I needed a break from men and needed to be by myself to figure out and re discover myself. My essence had been quashed by his constant psychosis; he even imagined that I had been having an affair with my son's soccer coach.

I never cheated on my ex husband nor on my boyfriends. Never did, never will. I have seen too many people around me involved in that vicious circle of cheating and all I can say is that its just a bad gig all around.It hurts, and can scar people for life. I have, however been the one cheated on. I honestly believe in karma.

If you are in a relationship and are considering cheating or you are in a situation that could lead to cheating, do ALL of the world a favor: break up with your significant other first. Can't do it? DON"T CHEAT!!! Infidelity is the WORST thing one can do to their partner,regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

People do things to their significant other that they would never do to their friends.Would you 'cheat' on your friends? Would you disrespect your friends?

When you are in a relationship with a person, shouldn't you be friends above all?

I wouldn't date my worst enemy.
Would you?

The Lazy Days of Summer

2009-08-09T14:40:00.005-06:00

Summer has shown itself briefly up here in the great white North. Its hot and sunny outside while I am here plugging away at my computer. Who knew that it could actually be hotter here than in Rio de Janeiro?? Even if it is only by one or two degrees.
After living in Rio de Janeiro for the past decade and a bit, I really took the warm weather for granted. There are two seasons on Rio, hot and hotter. In Calgary there are also two seasons, winter and road constrution. Ther are four distinct seasons here in Calgary and that is something that is amiss in Brazil.

The 'Peace' Bridge in Calgary

2009-08-06T11:24:00.002-06:00

The new footbridge over the Bow River was unvieled last week amidst controversy and 'scandal'. It looks like a cross between a Twizzler and a bungie cord.Over 20 million dollars of taxpayers money will be used to build this eyesore.

Does Calgary really need another bridge over the Bow River? Definitely not a pedestrian bridge. People here drive cars(and big ones at that!!!!)

In the time of recession, the Mayor and the City has to show constraint on fiscal spending. It was bad enough when taxpayers found out that they were footing their dry cleaning bills and golf lessons...Did I just wake up in Rio? That sort of thing is typical of the politicians in Brazil..

Twenty million dollars could build alot of housing, a new wing in a hospital or care facility. This frivolous spending is irresponsible..

Winds of Change

2009-07-14T12:21:00.006-06:00

OR....................

Alberta has long been known for its oil and ranching. Natural resources are what keeps Alberta's engine running. Unfortunately, the oil and gas business depends on non renewable resources, and bitumen extraction in the Athabasca tarsands has the reputation of being one of the major polluters in northern Alberta.With the price of oil hovering around $50-$60 a barrel, it is becoming less and less profitable to extract oil from the oilsands of Northern Alberta.

An even more serious culprit in regards to polluting the air is the burning of coal to fuel our electric plants. According to the Clean Air Alliance in Ontario, coal-fired power plants are the single largest industrial contributors to this crisis. Coal-fired power plants are major producers of:

-Nitrogen oxides, which combine with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone, one of the most noxious parts of the smog brew.
-Sulphur dioxide, which contributes to the yellow haze that hangs over Southern Ontario and is a major factor in causing acid-rain damage to our lakes, rivers and forests.
-Mercury, which can in even tiny amounts have a devastating impact on the human nervous system, especially for children and the unborn. Exposure to mercury can cause brain and kidney damage and even death. Mercury exposure has also been linked to impairment of children's reasoning skills.
-Lead, which is also particularly harmful to children and can cause brain damage, impair growth, damage kidneys and cause learning and behavioral problems.
-Heavy metals, including cadmium and chromium, which are known cancer-causing toxins.
The Nanticoke coal-fired electricity generating station on Lake Erie is Canada's single largest source of air pollution. This gigantic coal-fired power plant -- the largest in North America -- produces a toxic brew of pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, lead, cancerous heavy metals and arsenic. (Nanticoke is owned by Ontario Power Generation -- formerly Ontario Hydro -- which, in turn, is 100% owned by the Government of Ontario.)

The pollution coming out of Nanticoke's giant smokestacks is the equivalent of the pollution produced by 3.3 million cars. Its emissions contribute not only to the choking smog that lies over Southern Ontario every summer, but also to the potentially devastating impacts of global climate change and to the well-known problems caused by acid rain.

Coal Energy is Dirty Energy.

Its time to seek out greener and renewable energy resources. The most obvious is Wind Power.

Southern Alberta is home to the Chinook wind. The warm Pacific air is drawn up from the coast and travels at high altitudes until it blows down the Eastern slopes of the Rockies. The temperature can change from sub zero to double digit positive numbers in an hour. The First Nations call the Chinook the 'snow eater' as snow literally disappears from the ground.

The Chinook wind blows at about 60 km/hour and in some places in southern Alberta it can reach gusts of 100 km /hour.These prime conditions make Alberta a player in wind energy. In my opinion, it is a no-brainer. Wind blows constantly in some places and the trees are actually dwarfed due to the high speed and consistency of the wind.

Near the town of Halkirk, Alberta, the wind doesn't stop. I had the opportunity to visit the area with Dan Tocher, VP of Stakeholder Relations at Greengate Power Corporation. Greengate is a wind energy developer from Calgary, currently developing over 1550 MW of wind power on approxiamately 200,000 acres of land in Alberta. These projects are close to existing transmission lines. This allows Greengate to exploit some of Alberta's wind rich areas with little or no upgrades needed to the existing transmission lines.

Wind power is clean energy and is beneficial in many ways. It is non-polluting, it doesn't endanger the natural habitat where the turbines are located,and it will create jobs for the area around the projects.

In the end, windpower could compensate for the bad image of the oilsands and give us more green credibility in the eyes of the world.It will also neutralize the deep carbon footprint left by coal-fired power plants that are scattered across Canada.

There is a proverb from Africa that states:

"The earth is not ours; it is a treasure we hold in trust for future generations."

DONE!!!!

2009-07-14T11:33:00.002-06:00

7 Ultramarathons
7 Continents
7 Months

Norma Bastidas has done it. She is the first woman to run 7 ultramarathons in 7 continents in 7 months. Her last race was in Jura, Switzerland which she finished over the weekend.
You would think that a super athlete like Norma (yes Norma, you are a super athlete, super mom and a super friend)would be the epitome of some Amazonian beheamoth to be able to do what she did. But in reality, Norma is very petit and if the wind was strong enough, it would blow her away.
I am blown away. How many single moms do you know would take up a task to do what Norma did?
She has literally gone to the ends of the Earth to raise funds and awareness for preventable blindness.
I can't wait to meet up with Norma on her return for a long awaited coffee talk!!
In the meantime, go to www.normabastidas.com to donate for this worthy cause.

One More Race...

2009-06-26T10:37:00.003-06:00

On Wednesday night, I went to the annual Garden Party thrown by Brett Wilson here in Calgary. It was a wonderful warm Alberta summer evening and the philanthropic crowd of Calgary was out in full force. This years charity was my friend Norma's 777 Run for Sight. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Norma is running 7 ultra marathons in 7 months on 7 continents to raise awareness and funds for people with visual disabilities. She has completed 6 of them and has one more to go in Switzerland.
I am not sure, but I believe that the Garden Party raised over 100k in donations for the charity. In this recession, its good to see that the pockets of the philanthropists in Calgary still runs deep.
One more race Norma, you are almost there!!!!!

Father's Day

2009-06-19T10:12:00.003-06:00

This Sunday will be the first time I will not wish my dad a Happy Father's Day. He passed away the day after Saint Patrick's this year. I am Dad-less. It is a very odd feeling to say that, but it's true.
Which brings me to another thought. How many people out there who have Dad's that are alive, but dad may as well be dead when it comes to being there for their children.
Thirty years ago or more, being a single mother was a rarity. Maybe one or two kids I went to school with were raised by a single mother. Nowadays with a divorce rate of around 50%, there are definitely alot more children raised in single mother households. Single dads fall into a list of categories. I have listed them below. This list is not definite, nor is it the absolute rule...just more of my observations.

1. The Dead beat Dad. Unfortunately they do exist. Fleeing from financial and emotional responsibility of their kids. Won't pay child support, and if ordered to do so, will claim poverty and work under the table so as not to be on the fiscal revenue radar that is used in the Canadian court system to calculate what he should be paying to his KIDS. Makes zero effort to see his kids, even though there may be a signed custody agreement.Major loser.

2. The Outsider Dad. Sees his kids once every two weeks for the weekend. That's it. Pays child support, but has a tendency to contradict the running of the household where his kids live citing that he has a say in the daily running of the household because he pays, yet does not reap the stress that comes with his autonomous decision making.. Example: Mom says no, dad says yes, mom is the villain, dad is the hero because he said yes. Outsider dad is often seen at shopping malls buying presents and more presents for his kids.

3. The Overindulger Dad. Similiar to the Outsider dad, but doesn't get involved in the day to day stuff. usually is a workaholic and travels alot, so time spent with children is minimal, so he overindulges his kids when he sees them with expensive toys, designer clothes and video games. Does pay child support willingly.

4. 'Mr Mom' Dad. Splits custody at least 50/50 with the mom. If he had his druthers, he would have the kids all of the time. Does the role of the mother and the father (drives kids to activities, involved in the PTA, cooks and cleans) I love Mr Mom's.They may have divorced their wives, but they didn't divorce their kids.

5. My ex husband. Useless.

Misconceptions and Facts About Brazil

2009-06-10T14:44:00.000-06:00

I am presently in Canada and when I tell people that I have been living in Brazil for the past 10 + years the flurry of questions and misconceptions arise. Let me clarify a few things that most people may not know about Brazil.

1. Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish. French was taught as a second language up until the 70's at Brazilian schools. Now the number one second language taught is English, followed by Spanish.

2. Carnaval is once a year for 5 days. No, people do not dance and party in the street the other 360 days of the year.

3. Brazil is the only country who has won the World Cup five times.

4. Brazil was a military dictatorship from the late 60's until the mid 80's.

5. Brazil has HUGE amounts of natural resources ranging from oil, fresh water and bauxite to gold and precious colored stones. It has a strong agricultural infrastructure. Coffee, orange juice,cotton and soyabeans are among some of the commodities from there. It also has the largest number of cattle in the world. The northern state of Ceara has the perfect location and conditions for wind power.

6. The Amazon forest is in the north, not near Rio de Janeiro.

7. The Brazilian Ministry of Health was instumental in breaking the patents on AIDS drugs. This reduced the price of the 'cocktails' from over $10 000/year per patient to less than $1000. This is covered by the national health system and the idea has been 'exported' to countries such as South Africa.

8. Brazilian doctors are amongst the best in the world. Not just the plastic surgeons, but orthopedic and oncologists too.

9. Brazil is very diverse. Originally discovered by the Portuguese, it has influences and immigrants from Holland, France, Germany, Italy, Africa, Japan, Poland and Syria and Lebanon. The aboriginal people of Brazil have been there for centuries, some tribes in the Amazon are yet to be discovered.

10. Not everyone lives in a 'favela' or slum. Unfortunately, favelas have grown fast and furious over the past few decades. What started out as small communities of migrant workers from the poorer Northeast part of Brazil, they have become 'no man's land' in some cases because of rampant crime caused by the drug trade and the 'milicia'. Not all people who live in the 'favela' are criminals. Most are hard working ,honest people who would give their shirt off of their back. Unfortunately, a few ruin it for all.

Coffee/Men..Whats your Brew?

2009-05-29T11:57:00.004-06:00

"Lets meet for coffee." It used to be "Lets meet for drinks", but with the stigma attached to alcohol lately,now when one meets someone for the first time , the venue of choice is the coffee shop.

I believe the type of coffee a man drinks is a good indication of the type of guy he is. There are hundreds of types of men, and hundreds of types of coffee, but I will narrow it down to the coffee drinking establishments found in Calgary.

1. Tim Horton Man (Homo Timmus Hortonus). Loves his hockey and usually drives a pickup truck. Will use the drive through. Also tends to be a good man to have around to fix things and help with heavy lifting.Exclusively Canadian.

2. Starbucks Man (Homo starbuckius). Usually has a Blackberry genetically attached to ear and has overdeveloped thumbs from texting. Barks out his order to the clueless barista for a skinny mochaccino between phone calls. Useful for organizing your finances or computer hard drive. Found on almost every corner all over the world.

3. Caffe Artigiano Man( Homo Artigianus). Originally from Vancouver but now has spread to Calgary. Perfectionist. Eye for detail. Demands and expects the best. Dresses in Italian suits and loafers, and has a tendency to engage in body hair removal(and expects you to do the same)Elusive yet romantic.

4. Caffe Beano Man (Homo Caffe Beanus) Artistic, creative. Uses Beano as his office and social apex, usually after his workout. Also known to write poetry and short stories while watching others around him. Found only in Calgary.

5. Second Cup Man (Homo Secondus Cuppus)Direct competition to the Homo Starbuckius. More down to earth yet still enjoys diversity in coffee without the haughty attitude. Found only in Canada.

The Underwear Affair

2009-05-18T11:42:00.004-06:00

On June 6th, there will be a 5km walk and 10k fun run in Calgary to raise awareness and funds for cancers below the waist.These include prostate cancer,colon cancer,ovarian cancer,and bladder cancer.
Its called the Underwear Affair. Participants are encouraged to drop their trousers and run or walk in their underwear/lingerie. After the run,there is a big party with DJ's and drinks. It sounds like a blast!
Considering that they don't have Carnaval here in Calgary, this could be the opportunity to get semi naked and dance down the street!!!!
Now the big question...
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR???????????

Oh Canada!!!

2009-05-02T00:05:00.005-06:00

I just received an Email today that blew me away. Apparently, the Canadian National Anthem will be sung in Hindi at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I know I have been away in Brazil for the past decade, but since when has Hindi become an official language in Canada? Did I miss something?
Hindi is not the third official language of Canada and the National Anthem should not be sung in this language at an international event. Only in English or French, period.
Living in Brazil, I have never expected Brazilians to speak English. I could never imagine the Brazilian national anthem to be sung in English. It's a no brainer. How about the 'Marseillaise' sung in Farsi? The Italian national anthem sung in Mandarin?
Canada relies on immigrants and it is the labor of immigrants over the past century that make Canada into the great country that it is today. I respect traditions from other countries, but I draw the line when these traditions of other cultures trumps the 'Canadian' way.
I have lived in three foreign countries, and have always respected the language and culture of each and have gone as far as learning the National anthem of each country and standing up and singing it in their respective languages.
Oh, and one last note, when the National anthem is being sung, stand up and REMOVE your hat. I was at a hockey game last week and I was appalled at the number of people wearing their baseball caps whilst the anthem was being sung, even after the announcer requested that people remove their hats for the singing of the National anthem. If anything, it should be out of respect for the men and women who fought for Canada in the past and in the present.

Raising Boys

2009-04-28T09:48:00.003-06:00

Last week I had to go out to a meeting for my son's soccer team. I have been a hard core supporter of soccer(or as I prefer to call it, football)ever since I saw the World Cup in 1982. The semi final that year between France and Germany is still vivid in my head...but I digress.
Before I left the house, I told my boys that I wanted the kitchen tidied up before I got back. Half expecting to arrive with the dishes still in the sink, I was blown away by what I saw. They had not only cleaned the kitchen, but they vacuumed the front hallway, organized the shoes and boots and had a glass of red wine and candles out and the fireplace on.
I was flabbergasted. They went above and beyond the call of duty. I was so proud of them that I boasted incessantly to anyone who would listen. It made me realize that I have two wonderful boys and they are on their way to becoming wonderful husbands in the future.
But of course, as with anything I do or say, there has to be a snarky remark from my older sister. She quickly commented on my Facebook page that my kids were probably up to no good and that I should check their phone calls, Emails and measure the wine bottles, and that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
It's true, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and that is why my kids are so wonderful and have free spirits that haven't been quashed by some pseudo-conservative household regime. My mom even says that I act more like a big sister rather than a mother. I am the 'cool' mom to my kids friends. We listen to rap and AC/DC and love to dance together in the living room. The way I look at it is if you are close to your kids, they are more likely to open up to you about what is going on around them. If you are the super authoritative figure who is unapproachable, they will internalize their inner angst and do something stupid(drugs, fighting etc)
When you become a mom, there is no right or wrong way to raise a child. There is no Owners Manual to follow. Being a single mom is even more complicated.
In the end, I wouldn't trade my kids for anything in this world. I am just raising them to be good husbands in the future.

Obesity Has Hit Everywhere

2009-04-25T00:20:00.000-06:00

The epidemic of obesity has hit the shores of Brazil. Gone are the days of perfect bodies. They still do exist but are farthur and fewer between. It is very sad. The typical Brazilian diet of rice ,beans, meat and vegetables has given away to fast food and processed food. My mom figures that ever since McDonalds opened up in Brazil, the number of obese people has increased.

TV Globo..Also Known as the Contraceptive Network

2009-04-07T08:41:00.003-06:00

Six nights a week, all over Brazil, people from all walks of life tune into the 'novela das 8'. The most popular are shown on the TV Globo network. Contrary to American soap operas which are shown during the day, Brazilian soap operas are shown during prime time and have story lines that run for 6-9 months (as opposed to 30 plus years in the USA).
I always joke to my Brazilian friends that they live their life like a 'novela'. Full of drama,full time.Apparently my observation has merit. A study has shown that in small villages that receive the Globo signal, the birth rate has decreased and the divorce rate has increased.
More proof that we are influenced by that black screen in our living room.......

The Petroleum Pipeline Express

2009-03-30T11:16:00.003-06:00

I am so excited to learn that Continental Airlines has received tentative approval to fly from Houston to Rio de Janeiro nonstop.
This will cut down the travel time between Calgary and Rio de Janeiro to about 16 hours door to door and no stop in Sao Paulo. Ah the luxury of it!!! I have been travelling to and from Brazil for over 15 years and FINALLY there is a decent connection. I gave up on Air Canada when Varig went belly up and having to endure 9 hour layovers in Sao Paulo with two children and 6 suitcases.
If this route is approved, one can leave Calgary at around lunchtime and arrive in Rio de Janeiro the next morning. I am crossing my fingers. Hopefully this will facilitate the petroleum industry as there are companies in Calgary, Houston and Rio de Janeiro with offices in all three cities. I have yet to fly on the 'Petroleum Pipeline Express' and not sit next to someone involved in the petroleum industry.

Brazilian Banned in New Jersey

2009-03-29T23:32:00.004-06:00

Apparently there is a big possiblitity that New Jersey will have a lot more underbrush this summer. The Division of Consumer affairs(which oversees cosmetic procedures) is considering banning the "Brazilian" after two women got infections and were hospitalized from having the procedure.
Cautionary tale? Absolutely. Summer is upon us(in some parts of the world,except Canada) and the bikini wax is in high demand. No matter where you get your Brazilian done, there are a few things you must keep in mind. First and foremost, the wax must be individualized. The hot pot of wax sitting on the counter should be for you and only you. Do you want the same wax as the last client? The spatula was dipped in there before you got there and even though your waxer is using a new spatula for you, the wax was used on someone elses privates ...(Pause for visualization and subsequent "Ewww!!!) Ask your waxer to use a new pot and wax for you. I have my own wax and heating pot and I have never had a problem.
Be sure that the salon or spa does not recycle the wax. Ask to see the wax.
Another alternative is to use sugar wax. This wax cannot be recycled and it can be rinsed off. This is the same wax used by the J Sisters in NYC.
The most important thing is the cleanliness of the establishment and the staff. If in doubt, LEAVE! If the place is very unhygienic, report it to the local health board.