Winds of Change

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!!!!

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...

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

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

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?

"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

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!!!

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

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

 

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

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

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

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.

Life and Love In A Recession: A Survival Guide

The talk on the street is all about Bernie who 'made-off' with millions of other people's money , the bailouts and executive salary caps. The price of oil is hovering around 50 dollars a barrel, down from a high of almost $150 less than a year ago. (This affects my hometown of Calgary more than you know) Everyone knows at least one person who has been affected the recession.
But there is something that nobody is talking about. How does the recession affect us in the life and love department? What are people's reaction? Is there a downturn in the bedroom too?
How can we keep things up when the market is down?

1. Going out for dinner will be even more of a luxury. Snag yourself a guy who can cook. If you are already in a relationship, up the ante in the kitchen. Preparing food together can be the best aphrodisiac out there. Not a natural Martha Stewart? Find a cooking class. Go and LEARN, this is not Home Ec circa 1980. The way to your beloved's heart is through their stomach. This is valid for both sexes... I personally think that a guy who can cook is sexier than David Beckham in his skivvies,and boy is Becks sexy.

2. I have no clue how much a movie is these days, but with all of the top movies going from the screen to DVD in a flash, have a movie night with popcorn and the whole nine yards. Apparently there are alot of the Oscar nominated films on DVD as I write. Home theaters are taking the place of the cinematic experience.

3. I can't emphasize this enough ladies.. GO OUT AND BUY A DECENT SET OF BRA AND PANTIES!!!!!!!!!! If you are willing to follow anyones financial advice, at least follow mine, the dividends will be worth the investment. Don't skimp, go lacy and sexy. Gentlemen.. I have three words for you. Jockey Y Fronts. Skimpy banana slings just don't cut it....

4. Once the weather gets better, go for a nice long walk in the mountains with your significant other. There is something about the altitude and the fresh air that does wonders. Best of all? ITS FREE!!!

5. Beauty upkeep should NOT suffer because of the recession. Buy the tools and do your nails yourself. Sally Hansen has a great line of polish and base coats. Blow and straighten your own hair. Can't afford to do Botox every six months? Cut your bangs and stretch it out to 8-10 months between tweeks. Waxing? Learn to do it yourself. I have the recipe for the same wax they use at J Sisters in NYC. Oil of Olay has a great moisturizer that is just as good as the $350 creams, yet costs one tenth of the price. Preserve your perfume by storing it in a dark place, not in the hot humid bathroom on the counter. Drink water(its free) and wear sunscreen.

6. Give your man a break. Men are overwhelmed with what is going on and being the hunters that they are, they are worried about their jobs and their financial situation. This stress can cause anything from impotence to full on depression. Tone down your princess attitude, and be a little more compassionate to your man/hunter. I agree that a happy wife equals a happy life, but right now it is time to nurture the man in your life. Tune into how they are feeling. They won't tell you straight out( unless they are Oprah addicts) but be aware of their moods. If you want them to put up with you when you are PMS-ing, its the least you can do. Be gentle, be a good listener and run your fingers up and down their neck. Think of it as a "long term investment". When things look better, your investment will pay off.

7. Don't talk shop after business hours. Say 'How was your day?', not 'How was work?'. If possible, set one day aside for a 'Technology Free' day. No computers, iPhones or Blackberrys for 24 hours. Use the phone to catch up with friends, not for business on this day. If you are in a relationship, stay in bed all day and have fun!!! Block out the outside world and just be the two of you between four walls (my favorite math equation)

8. You are not alone. this recession has hit the whole world.

Keep your head up. This too shall pass.

Super Mom in the Great White North

In an earlier post, I talked about Norma Bastidas AKA Supermom. She is presently in the Arctic Circle racing a 130 km Ultramarathon. She is beyond inspirational. Her courage and determination together with her inner beauty and sense of humour are a rarity. I am humbled by her strength and love for her children and the cause she represents.
I wish there were more Norma's in this world.

Unbelievable............

A scandal involving the Catholic Church and the medical profession has reared its ugly head in Brazil.
A nine year old girl (yes,nine years old...) had been sexually abused repeatedly by her stepfather and as a result became pregnant with twins. Due to her young age and the circumstances of her pregnancy, an abortion was performed by a team of doctors. In the eyes of Brazilian law the procedure was legal. In the eyes of the Catholic church it was not. I am not here to debate the legality of abortion, I believe it is something that is private and should not have to involve the law or government.
The local diocese condemned the procedure and threatened to ex communicate the medical team. The local bishop declared that the abortion was worse than the rape..UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Commentaries

After receiving an anonymous commentary that was very cruel and offensive, I have changed my settings to only allow registered users to leave comments on my blog. Obviously my entry about 'Beware of the Girl from Ipanema' has ruffled a few feathers(from Brazilian women), but I stick by my opinion that there are alot of women in Brazil looking for a way out...even Paulo Coelho wrote about it in '11 Minutes'. There are wonderful people in Brazil, yet a small minority ruin the reputation of many more by their 'me first' attitude. If I tick people off, too bad, I have the right to my opinion...

I Met Supermom Today

Today I met up with one of the most inspiring and interesting people living in Calgary. Her name is Norma Bastidas and she is a woman on a mission. We both have a friend in common and also share the trials and tribulations of being single moms of boys. A quick coffee turned into three hours of sharing and chatting about our lives, the cultural infusions of living in other countries, and as mothers with a child who has a disability. Instead of wallowing in a pity party, Norma has embarked on a mission to run 7 Ultra marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Months to raise awareness for people who live with visual disabilities. She writes about her races on her site and she is truly an inspiration for all moms who have children with disabilities.
Norma Bastidas...remember that name.

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

In celebration of the first night of the big Carnaal parade in Rio de Janeiro, here is a great tune by Marcelo D2, hip hop and samba...brilliant



Quer dançar? quer dançar? então prepara
A maldição bateu sambou nunca mais pára
E tá na cara a raiz tá cravada no chão
Do tronco ao fruto com a nave mãe fazendo a conexão
E sangue bom eu disse sangue bom
Tem coisas que invadem o coração já disse o joão não
Ninguém faz samba porque prefere
Sobre o poder da criação força nenhuma no mundo interfere
E fabricado em série é o coringa do baralho
Resitência cultural casa do caralho
E passo a passo foi tomando conta de mim
É coisa fina dj com tamborim

Fortaleceu meus braços abriu minha cabeça
Um ser humano digno aconteça o que aconteça
Hip hop rio um punhado de bamba
E sabe o que que é isso a maldição do samba

O gringo subiu o morro e bebeu cachaça
Fumou maconha e obteve a graça
Depois do samba sua vida nunca mais foi a mesma

Show time a batida arregaça o melhor som da praça
O grave racha o muro e o agudo quebra a vidraça
Na vida tudo passa não a nada que se faça
Mas rima após rima não é de graça
Show time agora sabe como é que é samba no pé
Samba samba no pé
A percussão é eletrônica a favela na internet
O coco é enlatado e a banana é com chiclete

A maldição do samba

O flow é na batida e o relógio tic-tac
É papel e caneta o coração deu piripaque
Globalizado ou não eu mantenho os meus laços
Do hip hop ao samba é compasso por compasso
Nem feliz nem aflito nem no lugar mais bonito
Nada mais interfere no quadro que eu pinto
A benção velha guarda o samba de terreiro
A maldição te pega no rio de janeiro.

A maldição do samba

Beware of the Girl from Ipanema

Over the past few months, I have been following the David Goldman custody case ad nauseum, because of the fact that whatever the decision the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court makes on his case, could inadvertantly affect me and my two boys born to a Brazilian father.What David's ex wife did to him is beyond any form of decency. She was deceitful and manipulating, you can see it in her eyes in the home videos.
There is an article in the Financial Post about a Canadian businessman who is going through a custody battle with his estranged Brazilian wife. At the end Francois Larivee says the biggest mistake was to marry a Brazilian. I tend to agree with him.
I have lived in Brazil for the last 13 years and I can tell you with all certainty, the Girl from Ipanema is a myth. Men from Europe and America land on the beaches of Brazil and think they have found their dreamgirl. A dream that quickly becomes a nightmare. Tall and tanned and young and lovely??? Only in the song...Reality is that they are short and fat and looking for a sugar daddy to get them out of Brazil..I have sat on airplanes coming out of Brazil next to men absolutely smitten with a girl they met on the beach, whose mother needs money for surgery...Wake up guys!!!!! You are just a bank account for them.And for all of you men going down to Brazil for Carnaval and a good time? Do yourself a favor and wear a condom that YOU provide, because if you get a woman pregnant down there, be prepared to pay at least 30% of your salary in child support, regardless of where you live in the world......
I have a few female Brazilian friends whom I adore, but a number of women from Rio are worthless and unscrupulous. I was part owner of a beauty salon in Barra. My business partner basically made me do everything while she had to pick her kids up from school, go to the beach etc. When I finally decided to get out of the partnership,and have her buy me out, she stopped payment on the cheques she wrote to pay for my portion of the partnership. It has been wallowing in small claims court for over 4 years. She has lied to the subpoena officer by telling her minions to tell the officer that she no longer lives at the said address, yet her children attended school with my son. The money she owes me is not going to make or break me, but its the principle.
There is an article in Macleans about a Montreal businessman who met a 17 year old Brazilian girl and is now fighting a court battle with her in regards to his millions.
The thing I have found in Rio is people are attracted to my internationalism, like it is some sort of status symbol to have me as a friend. Its all great in the beginning, but the same thing that attracts people to me becomes a reason for their contempt further down the road. They think I am pretentious. What a laugh!! ME? Hardly. I had the opportunity to travel the world at a young age and be surrounded by the glamourous life. I learned other languages and delved into the cultures of the places where I lived. I don't rub it into people's faces, and I love to share tidbits about other cultures to people around me.
I want to be clear that I have nothing against Brazilian people, but unfortunately there are enough women(and men) in Brazil who ruin the reputation of the ones who are decent. .

FINALLY GOT MY VISA!!

After 6 weeks, one missed flight and three newly formed wrinkles, my visa FINALLY arrived for me to go Brazil!!! what a nightmare!! In the end, I had to call in favours from my friends who have friends in high up places (ie. Brazilian Federal Police).Thats par for the course when navigating through the bureaucracy of Brazil. Now I will be spending the next three days shuttling back and forth between my house and Best Buy to get 'presents' for the friends of my friends in Brazil.

My Favorite Tune Right Now

Well my heart has fallen down
Thought I'd talked myself around
But to be myself completely I've just got to let you down

Well I knew I'd say goodbye
Though it's not my time to cry
And forever and for no one I will let it all go by
And to be myself completely I've just got to say goodbye
Z-list star in a hundred grand garrett
The ladies say 'Hey baby, you've earned it!'
I'm not so sure, I toured the land
You could call it work if you count the band
Still your voice calls out to me
Escort me to the harmony
I'm not sure what I will be
Find me in a bitter sweet hello

Well my heart has fallen down
Thought I'd talked myself around
Though we say goodbye and wonder
What's to know and who's to blame
But to be myself completly i will love you just the same

Countdown to Rio

Today was the day that I was supposed to get on a plane to Rio de Janeiro. A simple roundtrip to Rio to make sure that all is under control, has turned out to be an exercise in patience that in the end should result in a PhD in international bureaucracy and a minor in Pavlovian hoop jumping.
In earlier posts, I have explained some Brazilian sayings, such as 'A pig's nose is not an electrical outlet'. Well this situation that I am going through is a whole hog operation.
I have the Brazilian version of a Green card. Every 9 years I have to renew my card. I went through the hoops of filling out the proper forms, paying the tax at the Banco do Brasil, getting a photograph, and going all the way to the international airport in Rio de Janeiro to 'dar entrada' which means 'hand it in' to the Brazilian Federal Police to be processed. They gave me a 'protocolo' to prove that I am a resident for ID purposes valid for six months. In the meantime, I came to Canada to help my mom, as my father is dying, and the six month limit ran out.
I rang the Brazilian embassy in Vancouver explaining my situation and I was advised to get a tourist visa to gain entry into Brazil to be able to pick up my new card. Fair enough. I filled out all of the paperwork necessary(see above the list), booked my ticket to Rio and sent it all off to Vancouver way back in the first week of January..As of yesterday, no visa for Brazil. As it turns out, my name comes up on the Federal Police in Brazil because I overstayed my tourist visa in 1997!! yes, I know I overstayed my visa but you know why? BECAUSE MY SON WAS BORN IN BRAZIL AND I COULDN'T LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITHOUT GETTING HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PASSPORT DONE! So back in 1997 after I got his two passports(Brazil and Canada), I paid the due fine and flew out of Brazil two days later. In the meantime, I got my 'Green card' for Brazil and lived , worked, paid taxes and contributed to society for the past 12 years.My record should have been expunged years ago,but for some unknown reason, it showed up when they did a background check on me...How is it that I could get a resident permit if I had this 'record' in the first place???
I will miss Carnaval(thats good thing),but I have so many pineapples to peel when I get there. My neighbour has 'adopted' my parking spot, and put my car exposed to the elements in his parking spot. I have this visa/protocol to deal with. Bills to pay, custody orders to sign and notarize(thus my obsessive interest in the David Goldman case).And maybe if I am lucky, I will be able to take my 6'9' lover(my surfboard) for a ride on the waves at Prainha...

David Goldman Sees Son After 4 And A Half Years

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The Importance of a Father....

Awhile back I wrote about an American father, David Goldman, and the nightmare he has been going through when his wife took their 4 year old son to Brazil for a two week holiday, and never came back.
David's story was picked up by NBC's Dateline and was watched by millions of Americans(and subsequently Canadians with cable)
It broke my heart to see the home videos of David playing with Sean. He was a loving and doting father to his son, the kind of father that any woman would dream to have as a husband. You could just tell the pure adoration between Sean and his 'dada'.
Being a father is different than being a mother , but the love that a father has for his child is real, even though there are fathers that have a hard time showing it.

What is wrong with women that cause fathers to suffer like David Goldman is suffering? Using the children as a pawn or an emotional carrot stick? Who are they trying to hurt? What do they get out of behaving like that? I don't get it....
I am arriving at the conclusion that there are some women out there that simply should not be mothers....

5 Ways to Surprise Your Man

Yes, I know, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Hearts are everywhere. Roses, wine and romance are the all part of the 'special day'. I think it is admirable that people celebrate this day, yet I think everyday should be Valentine's Day when it comes to being in a relationship. If you are single, no problem, nothing wrong with celebrating Valentine's Day alone. To love another, one must love themself first. Love is something to manifest everyday.
That said, let me give you a small list.

1. Show up at the door when he comes home from work one day, wearing his workshirt and a pair of his boxers/briefs/YFronts( clean of course...;-)And a smile....

2. Come up behind and give him a relaxing massage. Just follow your instincts and let your fingers literally do the walking. Concentrate on the energy being passed between you both. What happens next is up to you.......

3. Cut back on the face makeup. Nothing wrong with a bit of concealer and light blush but you can ask any man, nothing worse than the taste of foundation. If your skin is bad, there are dermatalogical procedures that can erase acne, age spots, dryness, splotchy skin. Usually a glycolic peel, nothing invasive like a face lift. thirty years ago, this type of treatment didn't exist. Now it does. Don't hide behind a mask.look after your skin..

4. Go through your lingerie drawer and get rid of all your greying tidy whiteys. If there is one item that should not go by the wayside in the recession, that is a nice new pair of undies. Splurge yourself once a month. Always showing up with a new fun pair of knickers to your partner will keep the fire aflame. Play around with the variety of what's out there. It can range from La Senza to Walmart to Agent Provocateur(my personal consumer dream). I lived in France, trust me on this one.

5. If you have any DIY capabilities, fix a thing around the house that you both know needs to be fixed.Or, put up a photo that has been sitting on the floor for the last 3 months. Stud finder, picture hanger nails, and hammer and you are good to go! If you don't have a photo, get one blown up and framed. Use your creativity.

Wise Words to Live By...

1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did the previous year.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
28. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
29. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
30. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
31. The best is yet to come.
32. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
33. Do the right thing!
34. Call your family often.
35. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.
36. Each day give something good to others.
37. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
38. Share this with someone you care about

Being Single in Rio de Janeiro...Not My 'Beach'.

This is a video from Liz Tucillo(writer of Sex and the City) showing how men and women in Rio de Janeiro think about each other when it comes to relationships.

While I agree with some aspects of this video, I do think Ms. Tucillo was trying a bit too hard to be funny(Carrie she is not). I do,however, think that the blonde woman with the raspy smoker's voice(Lenny Niemeyer,a famous swimsuit designer in Rio) sums it up best, "Brazilian men are great lovers,terrible husbands".

There is one question that keeps coming to mind.."Why do these women put up with such crap from the men??"

Frankenstein Fashion Fotos

I read an article about Photoshop and retouching that got me thinking. Where does photograpghy start and where does Photoshop come in? I have noticed that when giving the credits for a cover photo, more and more magazines are crediting the 'image manipulator'.
In the 'old' days, back in the era of Kodachrome, a photographer took rolls of photos to get the picture right. He had to send test rolls of film to the lab to make sure that everything was okay, and to avoid reshoots. Nowadays, with digital, the photo is instantaneous ,(no wonder Polaroid has gone belly up)and the photographer and client can crop and retouch on the spot. Photoshop has become part of the photographic process.

How much is too much though? With old black and white film, you could play with the contrast and exposure in the dark room, burn certain areas of the picture. There was a certain bit of photo manipulation, but nothing to what is done today.
Heads of one model on the body of another. Retouched to an inch of their lives. Fifty is the new twenty, between Botox and retouching anyone can look young again.
I have heard rumors that they put Linda Evangelista's head on another model's body for the Fall 2008 Prada campaign and that Sienna Millers September 2007 Vogue cover was Frankensteined to be able to get her best face on her best body position..

In the end, what kind of message are magazines and advertisers sending to the masses? We can't be photoshopped in real life!

National Film Board of Canada

I am so excited to spread the news!!! The National Film Board of Canada is making its archives available to the public via internet!!! The NFB set the standard for documentaries. www.nfb.ca

What's In Store for 2009

The year 2009 is well under way and now we can honestly say that the year has begun. History was made on January 20th with the inauguration of the 44th Presidnet of the USA, Barack Hussein Obama. I was so moved my this moment, even though I am not American. If someone had said 4 years ago that there would be an African American president, I would have said that would be an impossibility.

Less than 24 hours in Office, he has altready started to make good on his election promises. Guantanimo is to be closed within a year, and torture techniques have been abolished. He has sworn in his cabinet and has really gotten things moving, especially on foreign policy. For the past 8 years, the Bush(league) administration did major damage to the American foreign policy and reputation abroad. If the USA is to get itself out its economic debacle, it is important that it starts to make some friends on the international playground.

Up here in the freezer commonly known as Canada, Stephen Harper's government will be presenting the budget on January 26th. For those who don't know, if this budget is rejected in th House of Commons, it could cause another federal election(which would cause more sleep inducing boredom than a bottle of Valium)or a coalition between the three opposition parties, the Liberals, the NDP's and the Bloc Quebecois (only in Canada exists a federal political party whose goal is to separate from the rest of Canada...)Should make some interesting debates on the CBC National with Peter Mansbridge..

I saw a great piece on 60 Minutes that explained the whole oil pricing madness of last summer. Very insightful and informative. Makes you want to hate Wall Streeters even more.

Recession seems to be the mot-de-jour. Guess what folks! We all overextended ourselves with easy credit. If you can't pay in cash, don't buy it! Lower interest rates are a two edged sword. Our money is worth less due to inflation, easy credit with low interest rates entices us...(Dont pay til 2010!..)yes if you have a mortgage and can pay it monthly(biweekly is better)the rates are at an all time low.My advice is to keep an eye on interest rates and if they start to creep up, lock in your mortgage rate!

I am curious to see how the advertising world is going to spin all of this. Companies need to sell to make money, so this is not the time to scrimp on advertising budgets. Hopefully this will mark the end of the celebritism that has invaded magazine adverts. Pick up any magazine and its hard to tell the difference between a Vogue and a People magazine. Consumers have been bombarded by images of celebrities, shot by paparrazzi, wearing designer dresses. That is not fashion! What ever happened to beautiful fashion layouts that used models in fabulous locations??? People need to see the photograph and imagine themselves in that situation and not a picture of Nicole Kidman in a frock. Fashion needs to return back to its roots of pure illusion and artistic photography. We all need to dream a little dream.


2009 will be a year of transition and change. It has begun, and all of us must do our part to make those changes. It all starts at home. Be human and help those less fortunate than you. Be nice, be polite and open a door for another person once in awhile. Small acts of kindness mean alot. Pass it forward...

Winter in Calgary

It is only mid-January, but I am already so over winter. Here in Calgary, we had a major snowfall on December 12 2008, followed by a cold snap that finally broke the day before yesterday. The 'Alberta Clipper' is now bearing down towards Eastern Canada and the eastern seaboard of the USA.I much prefer the cold here, its drier and it can be -30C, but hey, its sunny outside. Its humid and colder down East.
Luckily we are experiencing a Chinook, which is a mixed blessing. It reached 15 C(on the plus side) today, and the snow is melting. That brings wet roads and use of lots of wiper fluid. Because our city mayor is an IDIOT who prefers to spend our tax money on a useless pedestrian bridge, the snow removal here in Calgary is basically non existent. The side streets are slushy and I have a friend of mine who couldn't get her car out from in front of her house....for two days. My car is AWD, and I found myself bogging down in the muck and slush.Needless to say, everyone is upset. An ambulance with newborn inside was stuck for 30 minutes yesterday! Hello Bronconnier!! Get with the program!
Hopefully the sidewalks will dry a bit and not be to icey. I am dying to go for a run. Enough of the bike trainer, if i want to do a triathlon this summer, I need to get my running up to speed.More about my triathlon experience in the near future.

Sex, Love and Fashion

I just finished reading the book by a fellow model, Bruce Hulse. The book is called Sex, Love and Fashion. I was hesitant about buying and reading it, but in the end I am glad I did. I read it in one sitting cover to cover.
It was well written and grabbed my attention right away. As I too was a model, I could relate to alot of Bruce's stories about the industry. I met Bruce a few times and I always remembered him as being very professional and very spiritual. I knew he had the rep for being a womanizer, but after reading his book, I realized that there was one vein that resonated through his modelling life, the quest for being truly loved. To do that, one must be loving. In a business that is so fixated on perfection, we as models are on a constant quest for acceptance for who we ARE. The person, not the persona. Bruce illustrated his journey on getting to be truly loved and all of the adventures to get to that place where he is now. I appreciated his honesty and his openess about his life, it is not easy to write about such personal issues. That takes alot of courage. That alone made the book all the worthwhile to read.

I'm Back!!!

I have been the worlds worst blogger over the past two months, not even one entry. Shame on me.But the good news is..I'M BACK!!!
Lots of things have happened since my last post.

1. I have reconnected with tons of friends through Facebook. Its been really great and I real laugh to know how everyone is doing.

2. Still trying to figure out what on earth is going on in the financial markets. Most people's portfolios are down at least 50% and the price of oil is hovering around 47 dollars. Gold is up, commodities are down and the big news is the Bernie Madoff scandal. (People got 'bernied' when he 'madoff' with their family fortunes.)There is talk of over 50 billion dollars being lost. Palm Beach mansions, Park Avenue apartments, all gone. This is a perfect example of how greed took over from common sense. I would love to have a portfolio that was growing 10% a year, but when there is no 'downside' and all other funds are showing negative earnings,wouldn't you ask questions? But being the eternal optimist that I am, I can't help but think of the great estate sales that will happen in the near future. Sotheby's and Christie's will be very busy in the coming months. In an economic recession, one must always look for an upside.As for Bernie Madoff, I hope they have confiscated his passport and they put him where he belongs...IN JAIL!

3. Barack Obama will be inaugurated next week. I hope that he will be able to erase the chaos and mess left behind by George W. Bush. Its funny, because living in Brazil with all of the financial mess and corruption that is part of daily life, I always believed that the USA was untouchable and the strongest economy in the world. Not any more. Barry has a big fix up job in order and I hope for Americans that he will be able to get them out of this disaster.

4. On aa lighter note, I saw on Anderson Cooper (he is a hottie) that the porn industry wants a bailout too. You know that things are bad when this sort of stuff happens...In effect, it is just a mockery of how the US is nationalizing its industries.The porn industry is probably doing just fine...But the automakers? Should the US government bail out these industries? Its a difficult call to make. If the auto industry fails, that will be the end of Detroit and probably the rest of Michigan. Why doesn't the government invest in re-educating and upgrading the autoworkers so they may be competitive in a new job? Instead of giving handouts to the Big Three, why not invest in the people who may be out of a job very soon?

5. Remember the big news in 2008 about the lack of basic food(rice, corn etc)? What happened? We don't hear about it anymore. The price of corn has plummeted, as well as the price of cattle. A farmer friend of mine said that he receives less per cow these days than he did 30 years ago...whats going on?

6. I hope the price of oil goes up to around $60 a barrel. If not, the economy in Calgary will suffer bigtime. projects are being cancelled and postponed up in the oilsands because it is no longer viable to extract it. Jobs are being cut at a very frightening rate..Upside? Lots of recreation property and Lexus's will be on the market soon.

The Wonder of Facebook

I joined Facebook about a year ago and suddenly I find myself reconnecting with people that I lost contact with since I moved down to Brazil. In this day of cellphones and unlisted phone numbers,this is really the only way that I have been able to track down old friends and colleagues. Its a riot to see how people have moved along with their lives. Most of my friends on Facebook have the same work background, so we can laugh about the old days and how the fashion business changed from the small dysfunctional family that it was (when it was FUN) to the multi million dollar industry that has invited the whole world to participate(not as much fun). Some friends have become photographers, writers, actors, moms, dads, surfers teachers,web designers....
GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Seven Year Cycle

Rudolf Steiner, the forefather of Waldorf education, believed that our lives are divided into seven year cycles. 0-7 years of age,7-14,14-21 etc etc.
Taking his theory to another level, I believe that the world also has seven year cycles. The last cycle started on September 11 ,2001 with the attacks on the World Trade Center, and have come full circle,culminating in a collective conscience awareness moment that put an African-American Democrat in to the White House.Barrack Obama is the son of an African(Kenya) and an American. His father was a Muslim, but left the faith later on in his life.Seven years ago it was all about Osama, now it is all about Obama.
Thank God, and all the powers that be, that the American people have finally seen the light and got rid of their idiot leader and his GOP croonies. Amazing what can happen in seven years.
Lets hope the next seven years will be of fair prosperity for all.

Sad News From Brazil

Last week my dear neighbour in Rio de Janeiro died in his sleep. Marquinhos, as he was known, was 50 odd years old and was happily married to one of the sweetest girls I have ever known, Tirca.He was a very respected equine veterinarian at the Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro,and above all, a loving husband and father. He leaves behind a two year old daughter,Alicia.
Two days ago, another neighbour of mine in Rio was assasinated by the son of his chauffeur.Sr Artur Sendas was a very respected businessman in the community and employed thousands of people. He gave back to the people of the Alto da Boa Vista every Christmas, and his fireworks at New Years were classic.
If there is anything to learn from these two tragic lives lost, is that life is fleeting, and we must live each and every day to the maximum. It can be taken away in a snap.
My thougts and prayers go out to their families.

Dragon's Den Canada

I just watched the show the Dragon's Den. Needless to say, I am totally impressed. To heck with Canadian Idol, Dancing with the Stars and the rest of the reality show fodder. This show is AWESOME.
For those who have been hiding under a rock, this show is basically Extreme Junior Acheivement. Would be entrepreneurs and inventors present their wares to a panel of 5'Dragon's'. Each Dragon is a successful business person in their own right, and they decide if they will invest in these new ideas that are presented. The reactions from the Dragons are amazing and make great television. My breakdown of each Dragon is as follows:
1. Arlene Dickinson. The only female panelist.A marketing executive in Calgary with a very successful client portfolio. She has her trademark streak of white hair amongst her auburn mane. She reminds me of a hip English teacher from high school. She lets the boys have their testoterone ego moments and then comes in for the kill. I loved how she teases Kevin O'Leary and how she doesn't let any of them bully her around. She listens intently to the proposals and will be in or out.She is one classy lady.Wonder if she is looking for writers and/or creative people for her company?(Hint...me.)

2. Brett Wilson. New to the Den.He is a philanthropist and an investment banker here in Calgary He sits back and watches the others battle it out and actually suprised me by investing in an acrobatic troupe that I didn't think had a shot.He looks like a guy that I could hangout and go mountain biking or skiing with. He comes across as the nicest one of the bunch, but remember, we are only on the third episode...Should be interesting to watch.

3.Robert Herjvec. He comes across as being too nouveau riche for my taste. A bit pompous,but obviously a good business person, with a good eye for opportunity when he sees it.

4.Jim Treliving. Ex RCMP,now owner of Boston Pizza(the pizza can't be beat-sa...remember that jingle?)Big into sports, especially minor hockey. I loved how he told the skating harness contestant that she had it all wrong. He was firm and relentless in his observation, with good reason. He knows hockey!!! His police background helps him sniff out the fakes( in my opinion)

5.Kevin O'Leary. This guy reminds me of an obnoxious New Yorker.He tells it like it is, yet he lacks a bit of tact. He can be a bit beligerent and he comes across as arrogant. It makes good TV, but he doesnt win any brownie points in my books. Lets just say I would never have him as a rock climbing partner. He would probably let me fall first and then if he was hurt, he would probably sue me. He just semms to be that type.

The show airs Monday nights at 8 PM on CBC here in Canada

Greetings From The Great White North

Hello to all of my faithful blog readers!! Due to family health issues, I am writing my blog from Calgary Canada for the next while.
That said, I will still be commenting on things about Rio de Janeiro (my home for the past 15 years) infused with new adventures of being back in the Great White North. Reverse culture shock.
I was born and raised in Calgary, yet I was spared the 'redneck' education so imminent in this part of the country. I sometines refer to myself as a caviar socialist. I like to have my 'caviar'(low taxes and free enterprise), yet I also want free education and health care for all Canadians. Is that too much to ask?
My hometown has changed from the Hicksville of yesteryear, to the great financial oil and gas industry city it has become today. Toronto is being shaken up by the fast movers and shakers coming out this town.There are more millionaires per capita in Calgary than in any other Canadian city. The unemployment rate is the lowest in Canada. If you get bad service at restaurants and such, it is because of the LACK of workers available.
But of course, the underside of this Eldorado is the increasing crime that comes along with the boom. There is an increase in gang activity related to drugs. There have been about 30 homocides this year, the majority gang related. Then of course there was the unfortunate shooting of a Brazilian foreign exchange student who was hit by a bullet while walking downtown after a dinner with his girlfriend. It outraged this city and people rose up to this young man's plight. A trust fund has been set up and a fundraiser dinner took place. An 80 year old woman even offered to donate her eyes (don't know if that is possible). It goes to show you the pure and genuine good side of my hometown still exists and that it hasn't been destroyed by lowlifes trying to be smart and take take take.

A Sad Story About a Loving Father

I just saw this on NBC's Today Show. Heartbreaking. Its about an American father who's Brazilian wife took their son to Brazil and never came back. She remarried in Brazil to an influential lawyer. The estranged wife has since passed away in childbirth and now the new husband has taken the biological father's name off of the birth certificate.
To all of my blog readers, I ask you to write, call, Email the names on the father's site. This father belongs with his son....

Thoughts to Ponder

 

My Apologies....

I just read in the local paper here in Calgary, about a Brazilian student who was an innocent victim of a gang related shooting in the downtown area of the city.
There are no words to describe the feeling that is going through my mind and heart. I worked in a student exchange agency in Rio de Janeiro, and parents' minds were put at ease knowing that their sons and daughters would be safe while travelling abroad, especially to Canada, and particularly to Calgary.
Now those jerks known as the FOB's(Fresh Off the Boat) and the FOB Killers have shattered the peace not only for Calgarians, but for visitors to the city. If you ask me, if they are 'fresh off the boat', they can get right back on it and go back.
I am so sorry for what has happened to this anonymous Brazilian student. It breaks my heart to knnow that he will be permanently blinded by this unfortunate incident.
I am so sorry, and I would like to personally apologize on behalf of good Calgarians to this young man and his family. I am ashamed of the actions of these thugs that hurt him.
I hope that the Calgary Police Force will do their best to catch the perpetrators of this heinous crime and put them behind bars for a very long time.

Anorexia and the Fashion Industry

As an ex model(Vogue UK cover June 1986),I am following this whole skinny models/anorexia debate with a mixture of bewilderment and amusement. Not that I think any of it is funny, because it isn't.It is, in fact, beyond tragic.


Modelling is not for the faint hearted.Girls are thrown into a business of adults(And I use that term loosely) when they should be in Grade 9 or 10, discovering who they are.The hardest part of being a model is to distinguish between the professional and the personal rejection. Not something that a typical 15 year old is able to do easily..


Clients want a certain look, and sometimes a model doesn't fit into what they are looking for, whether it is the color of the models eyes, hair color, hair length etc. Self esteem and body image is constantly taking a beating.. For me, the hardest part was the constant travelling and being away from my family and friends. I was never miserable,and to this day I prefer modelling to an office job.I knew it was a short lived career from the beginning and I luckily had the smarts to manage myself.(Thanks mom and dad!!)Was it easy..no, but nobody was forcing me to be a model.

Maybe the new generation of models from emerging nations (where the minimum wage is a mere pittance)are more willing to put up and shut up, because they are obliged to support their families back home.That was one of the questions in regards to the Braziian model who died in November 2006( I was in Brazil at the time and saw the whole soap opera)

This whole debate about using skeletal models has a solution. Consumers should simply stop buying products from designers that insist on using overly skinny models and actresses. When their multi million dollar empires start feeling the pinch,then maybe they will change their tune and start using the healthy looking girls like they used to back in the 80s. I applaud the Canadian apparel company La Maison that pulled its catalogue after it was published because it showed skeletal models. Its a start...

Last but not least, I have yet to meet a real man who likes super skinny women.

Movie About Brazilian Indian Genocide is Praised by Critics at the Venice Film Festival

Whether you live in Brazil or Canada, the plight of the Native Indians/First Nations is a very sad situation.
I came across this article in the Calgary Herald
The similarities between the Brazilian Indians and the Canadian First Nations is sometimes uncanny.
The Portuguese were ruthless in their colonization of Brazil, and murdered many Indians for land and resources. They also considered them to be animals.The Brits and the French were not much better in Canada. I won't even go into the residential school debacle that happened in Canada.
Levels of obesity and diabetes within the Indian community has skyrocketed in the last generation, due to the introduction of sugar and processed foods into the native diet. This is true in Canada as well as Brazil. Alcoholism is also a problem in both countries.Tuberculosis on some Canadian reservations is almost as high as what is found in Third World countries.
Suicide is also a component in the reservations, here and there.
I am not sure which country is better in treating its First Nations people, but somehow it is better to be an Indian in Canada. At least the government made the first step by publicly apologizing for the treatment the Indians received in the past. Hopefully this is the first step towards a fairer future for all First Nations, all over the world.

Violence Hits Close to Home...in Calgary

My hometown has been marred this year by more than 25 homiides. The latest being death by toilet cover. Happened at the Cowboys bar downtown. Before that, there was a drive by gang related shooting that killed a 21 year old man.
Compared to Rio de Janeiro, Calgary is extremely safe, yet these murders are causing shockwaves through the community. There is talk of hiring 400 more police officers. OK, good idea, yet how are these people getting semi-automatic weapons to kill each other??? I need a permit to buy an airgun!!!
Most of the murders in Calgary have happened in the NE quadrant and have been gang and drug related. Most murders in Rio de Janeiro happen between warring drug gangs in the shantytowns.
Bottom line? Harder penalties for these punks no matter where they are.
I have been a victim of violence (carjacking) in Rio de Janeiro and my friend has had his motorbike stolen on two occasions at gunpoint.The perpetrators were no older than 17 years old.
Hopefully this wiil not become a reality here in Calgary.

Violence Hits Again Close to Home...

My ex boyfriend was carjacked on his motorcycle yesterday. Luckily he came out of it alive. Stuck in traffic, two little SOB's on another motorbike pulled up next to him, put a gun to his head and proceeded to steal his motorbike and his backpack,which contained cash, credit cards, cellphone and iPod.
I am not going to sugarcoat what happened. This is the second time in less than a year that he has been assaulted by thieves.
If you want to have an idea of really what the reality of Rio de Janeiro is, I suggest two movies, City of God and Tropa de Elite(about the elite police squad in Rio de Janeiro).
Its a far cry from the Girl From Ipanema.....

USA Beats Brazil in Women's Soccer....

Sadness has fallen over Brazil again as the Brazilian women's soccer team was defeated by the aggressive American team. Once again Marta and gang were relegated to another silver medal in the Olympics.
The Brazilian men's team will play Belgium in the bronze medal match, after being pummeled 3-0 by Argentina.
The women's team played their hearts out and really gave the US a run for their money. I personally think that the women's team deserves more attention and respect for their endevours. They play harder and faster than the men, yet they are scraping by on meagre salaries that pale in comparison to the men.
Marta and Cristiane are capable of playing in European men's leagues. They are my heroes of the day!!!!

Vespa Love

I absolutely love this TV advert!! Its very catchy(the music is borderline annoying...Its A Small World is a close second)
I guess I like it because I used to own a Vespa when I lived in Paris.

Back Side of Urca

This photo was taken a while back, but it is a view seen by few. One must rock climb up about 100 m behind the tram station at the Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro. I would have never gotten into rock climbing if it wasnt for the Swiss photographer Hannes Schmid who took a whole fashion group of us rock climbing near the Jungfrau in Interlaken.