The Brick Wall

Today I have made a very close acquaintance with the notorious "brick wall" of having too many things going on in my head, but being unable to write a single sentence about any of them.
After blogging for almost a couple of weeks, I got a couple of comments to my posts.
Yes! In the vastness of the blogosphere, I was am not the only one reading my writings.
People were actually interested in what I had to say.
Onwards now to my first book, or novel, the next sentence, or as the case is today... the next syllable.

Paradise City - Rio de Janeiro

Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, coupled with the pleasant and easy going personality of the local Brazilians (the Cariocas), Rio de Janeiro justly deserves its title. Indeed Rio is the Cidade Marhavilhosa (the marvelous city)!

Which other city in the world can claim to have an excess of 30 white-sand beaches, green hills, botanical gardens and the largest urban park in the world?

City Trademarks

Jesus the Redeemer, at the top of the Corcovado peak, looks down on the city, while nearby are the twin peaks of Sugarloaf. (Its cable car was the shooting location of the James Bond movie, Moonraker).

Beaches
Brazilians are conscious of their physique, they work out and keep fit, and proudly display their bodies on the beaches. Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and the Arpoador beaches are some of the best known the world afar. Laying in recliner chair on the beach, sipping on a freshly made fruit juice, coconut juice or even better a refreshing but strong Caipirinha, and it seems that the world has stopped.

Activities and Sport

There are, of course other activities to be taken on. Volleyball, jogging, walking, cycling, hang gliding, rock climbing, the guys favourite, chatting up the beautiful women.... the list is endless.

Food
There's a wide range of food available, ranging from original sandwiches, through various international cuisines, and the churascarias (the all you can eat BBQs). You should try Brazilian cuisine (when in Rome act as the Romans,as they say). It's tasty, spicy and rich in flavours.

Nightlife

When the night falls, the city becomes more energetic. The choices are abundant. From a quiet, romantic drink at Lagoa, to the samba clubs at Santa Teresa and Lapa, the nightclubs at Ipanema, the bars at Copacabana and even the impromptu gatherings around a kiosk next to the beach. You can hop from one place to the other throughout the night, until the sun comes up. (It reminds me of the Geek isles in the summer).

Sightseeing

There is a long list of sightseeing tours, including the colonial style center, the museums, the tours to close by places like Barra de Tijuca, and Ilha Grande (I highly recommend it), the Maracana stadium, and even tours to the favelas!

Where to stay

There are a number of hotels all over Rio, with the majority concentrated in the Copacabana / Ipanema area, with prices covering all budgets. You can also rent an apartment or studio for a reasonable price, or you may even decide to stay at a hostel.

Some Notes

Although much has been said about violence in Rio, it is mainly occurring in the favelas (the shantytowns). To me Rio doesn't seem any more dangerous than any other large city. The crimes that are carried out on tourist are mainly petty theft type, so you must avoid wearing jewelery, hanging cameras from your wrists, and carrying large amounts of cash (keep what you expect to spend in a day in your pocket). You can use your plastic almost everywhere!

Finally, try to keep on the main streets, avoid dark alleys in the night, and walk purposefully. giving the impression you know exactly where you are going, just as a local would.

I will not go into detail about the carnival since everything above applies hundredfold!

Indeed, Rio de Janeiro is an experience that one should live during their life. I have been blessed to have done some myself twice, and have not finished yet. To me Rio IS the Cidade Marhavilhosa of the world!

What a Day

Today for me has been one of those days movie scripts are written for. (Well, perhaps not the better ones).

A corn flakes' breakfast and a drive to work through long traffic, like any other day, was how it all started.

Checked my emails, cleared my inbox and went through the daily routine. Phone rings, and we are informed that one of the guys has been involved in a car crash! Boom! It all starts falling apart. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but his car is a write-off.

Scene two, and a complete stranger walks into the office, ranting and raving, shouting, swearing and very animated. He's in the wrong office! Go figure.

Scene three, I phone some potential recruiters to inform them that I am not interested in the job they are offering. Very polite and civilised conversation, ends with both parties disappointed. Me, because it was almost what I was looking for, and them because they are struggling to find someone to fill the vacancy.

Ten minutes after hanging up, my mobile rings. It's a recruitment agency, offering me the exact same job!

Twelve thirty comes, with an unpleasant surprise. My computer crashes, never to recover again. An army of IT guys gets involved in the project of reviving it, but alas, it has gone for good.

To cut a long story short, the rest of the day was about getting a new one and trying to recover as much data as possible from the server back up.

Returning home, I try to log on to my blog to post an entry and to have a read of some other sites and blogs. Couldn't concentrate for more than five minutes, and decided to go to the gym instead.

Boom again. The schedule has changed and I have to do circuit training with the ladies. Hmmm! Now that was a pleasant surprise! Marvelous workout.

Back at "the farm", showered, dined and after a bit of browsing on the net, posting this.

I received an email from a friend asking me to check-out through this link.

• Go to "Human Upgrades"
• Click on "The Team"
• Go to "Anesthesiologists"
• Click on the Fourth picture and read the legend!!!! LOLOL

Funny Signposts

At number six...


At number five...

(Penetrating marketing or what?)

At number four...


Number three...


Second award goes to...

(Thanks for caring kind sirs)

And the TOP award goes to....

I can just picture a line of male commuters, standing at the edge of the platform at the end of a very hectic day!!!!

All stations to Penrith!

Very Clever!

I came across this picture today

Can you guess what it is?

Well, here goes:

Doesn't look bad indoors either!

Wow! Practical , efficient, modern and, dare I say, stylish. Even though I am not a big fan of their products, I must admit that this is one of IKEA's better ideas.

A Small Tribute to New Order

Legendary bass guitarist Peter Hook has announced that he is leaving New Order.
These couple of videos are a small tribute to a band that means so much to the British and World music scene.


Blue Monday - 1984


Everything's Gone Greene


True Faith


Here To Stay

The Day A Legend Was Born

Born on the 26th May 1909, Sir Matt Busby became a legendary figure as manager of Manchester United.

Starting his footballing career with Manchester City, he moved to Liverpool in 1936, and soon became their captain.

He became Manchester United's manager in October 1946. He built a team of young players like Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg, Eddie Coleman, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan, who became known with the nickname "Busby Babes".

They won the Division 1 title in: 1952, 1956 and 1957, while being runners-up in: '47, '48, '49, '51. They also won the FA Cup in: '48 and were runners-up in: '57 and '58.

It was a team he would rebuild after the Munich air disaster, on February 6th 1958, where seven United players died, in the crash of British European Airways Flight 609 after the third take off attempt. The team were returning to Manchester following a 3-3 draw away to Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup (one of Sir Matt's fascinations).

He brought further success to the club during the 1960's bringing in players like Dennis Law and George Best.

The new team won the League in: '65 and '67, and were runners-up in: '59, '64 and '68. The FA Cup was won in: '63, but the most important moment in Busby's career came in 1968 when Manchester United became the first English team to win the European Cup demolishing Benfica 4-1 at Wembley.

He retired in 1969, but returned as manager for one season in 1970-71.

He stayed on as a club director up to 1982, when he became Manchester United's president.

He became a CBE in 1958, and was given the Knighthood in 1968.

He died of cancer in January 1994 at the age of 84, but will always remain in the hearts of all football loving fans!

Sir Matt Busby 1909 - 1994

Beware of Greeks ... Especially Taxi Drivers!

Five days have passed since a taxi driver in Athens ripped off a Liverpool supporter visiting Greece with his family for the Champions League final and a few days holidays.

Driving the man and his family from the airport to the hotel, the taxi driver asked to be paid 95 euros for a fare of 30-35 euros.

When the poor tourist confronted him about the price and requested a receipt, the cab driver punched him in the face and drove away in his car, taking with him all the luggage, money and the tickets for the final.

The Briton gave a full description of both car and driver to the police, who have been unable to locate him for the past five days! This is not entirely surprising as Greek police have proven on several occasions that they are unable to even catch ... a cold!

With tourism being the largest industry in Greece, the country cannot afford its reputation being tinted by incidents like this.

More over, it looks as if yet another brainless idiot is going to get away with it unpunished.

How reassuring to know that the Greek spirit lives on.

Vote for Tania Dervaux

The Belgian elections of the 10th of June are expected to be an exciting affair. Tania Dervaux has made a pre-election commitment to provide 40,000 of her male voters with 5minutes of pleasure.

The Belgian politician (?) explains in the party's website, that in response to extravagant announcements from other politicians to generate the incredible number of 400,000 jobs (!), has decided to announce her own...politics.

She will satisfy 40,000 men, in the whole of Belgium offering them oral sex.

According to her calculations, she will need 500 days. This averages 80 oral satisfactions a day!

Ms Dervaux said "I wanted to respond to the amazing announcements of other parties, some of which are promising incredible numbers of new jobs. We responded with a parody campaign, where I was photographed naked and promised 40,000 bjs. Our campaign gathered the attention of the international media. We got hundreds of emails requesting for 400,000 bjs. If my campaign draws more attention, I intend to give 400,000 bjs..."

Ms Dervaux has set some base rules for interested applicants.

1. Interested parties must be above 18 years old.

2. The use of condoms is compulsory.

3. The interested party cannot request any other form of physical contact.

4. If he attempts something else the service will be immediately terminated.

If Cosmo Mag Editorial Staff Were Men

Q. My husband asks me for oral sex all the time
A. Do it! Sperm will help you lose weight and will give an extra glow to your face. All men know that. His offer to allow you to perform oral sex to him is totally altruistic. It goes to show how much he loves you. The best way to thank him for it, is to perform oral sex TWICE a day. Then cook him a good meal.

Q. My husband goes out with his friends all the time
A. This is completely normal. Men are hunters and have to prove their bravery to other men. A night out, chasing free young women, is the best medicine to daily stress, and allows him to return to a cosy family environment calm, carefree and relaxed.
Remember, there's nothing better for your relationship than your husband taking a couple of days away from home (A wonderful opportunity for you to do the housework). Observe how happy and sentimental he is when he returns to the comfort of your embrace.
The best you can do when he returns is to perform oral sex. Then cook him a good meal.

Q. My husband doesn't know where my clitoris is
A. Your clitoris is irrelevant to him. If you are going to spend time on it, do so at your free time. You can ask your best friend to help you! Videotape the proceedings, and surprise your husband with the video tape on his birthday. To rid yourself of any guilt you may feel, perform oral sex to him, and cook a good meal.

Q. My husband is not interested in foreplay
A. Foreplay is very stressful and time consuming for your husband. Sex should be made available to him whenever he desires it, WITHOUT crazy demands about foreplay. Your behaviour shows you don't love your husband enough. Stop being so self centered! Perhaps you could get some redemption by performing oral sex to him and cooking a good meal.

Q. My husband orgasms, and then goes straight to sleep
A. I'm not sure I understand the problem. Perhaps you have forgotten to prepare him a nice meal...

Epimenides makes the first step

As a child I fell asleep for 57years.
This time it a was a tad longer.
Twenty eight whole centuries have passed and I have a lot of things to share with the world.
I hope I can bring an extra smile on their faces, and hopefully they'll talk to me and keep me awake.