Presentations

Here we are, back in that time of the year when, on the one hand we want to celebrate our month off college, but on the other hand, we feel anxious to know our marks.

Well, in the meantime, why not going back and remember this semester’s presentations?

First of all I’ve got to apologize for not having notes about everyone’s presentation, so feel free to add anything you want :)

DAY 1

*Andreia and Dalila came to teach us a lesson about advertisement, both on paper and on video. They brought loads of examples of both kinds, and explained them. I’ve got to tell you that, if they didn’t talk about the eleven types of advertisements, I would have never noticed how different they are from one another.

*Next up was Joana, talking about both Maya Angelou and her Names. Well, actually it would be almost impossible to talk about one without talking about the other, as Names is Maya’s autobiography, from all Joana explained. It is wonderful how she could condemn the racial segregation just by telling us the story of her name!

*Then, we were visited by the wonderful ghost-ship Mary Celeste, all thanks to Luis. The whole story is delicious, how the ship was first found with everything on it but people and suddenly all the alcohol had just vanished… Am I the only one who suddenly thinks of Roanoke? And yeah, literature also gives an amazing hand on creating myths!

*Paula came next with three cartoons about tobacco. She reminded us of the famous new Portuguese law about smoking. And gave crucial information that could be considered as a motivation to stop smoking: it only takes 24 hours without smoking to reduce the risk of having a stroke.

*I (Sandra) went next, with an extra-fast (but not quick) presentation about the writers’ strike. Why is there a strike, what do the writers want and who’s supporting them were the main topics I wanted to develop the best I could. Hope I didn’t scare you with the prediction of a 9/10 months strike!

*Raquel was the sixth person of the day, bringing us a bunch of cartoons about obesity. She gave us a definition, explained us some of the causes, told us the effects and gave some advices on what to do.

*Closing up the day we had Joana Carlos with some somewhat scary cartoons about technology. I mean, scary because they are true! Have you ever tried to read a 16-year-old-girl profile on hi5 or myspace? Or, on the other hand, have you ever been on someone’s luxurious living room and then visited the poor rest of the place?

DAY 2

I know I missed some presentations in that day, so, again, I’m sorry. Feel free to add information about those presentations that aren’t here :)

*When I arrived, Pedro was trying to load some videos about drifting (too bad he couldn’t… I really wanted to see them. What about posting the links?). He told us it history and its techniques. Oh, and wouldn’t it be great if FIA recognized drifting and we could watch on TV?

*Next up was Tiago and Maddie, who brought us some information about Egyptian Gods and Symbols. They showed us the main Egyptian Gods and explained their importance. Then they talked about the meaning of some of the most known symbols, and brought us some “living” examples, so that we could see by ourselves.

*After that we had Maria João talking about AIDS. She explained the origins, gave an overview of the problem and showed us some of the official statistics that are already terrifying, considering that they will never be complete!

*Closing up the second day of presentations, there was Rogério, who brought us a different sight over 9/11. He raised some unanswered questions that can actually make one think about what really happen that day! Vanishing plains, strange falls of the towers, suspect meetings… Well, I say: too much coincidence!

A little challenge...

Hi guys!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, I was thinking and suddenly something came to my mind. Although these vacations were somewhat short, and most of us spent them preparing the end of the semester, there must have happened something we'd love to share with each others, right? So, here's my challenge for the whole group: why don't we tell one thing about this vacations that we loved?

As I am challenging you, it'd be fair if I started, I guess.

I'd have to say Christmas' eve with my family. This year it was at my grandma's place. Last time that happened I must have been six or seven. But that was not the only reason why it was even more special than the usual, you know. People there, all about my parents, my grandma and my uncles *my aunts were working*... it seemed to be one of those dinners I haven't had for years and years. The only exception was the presence of one of my little cousins, the youngest one as a matter of fact. It was awesome: we were joking around with everything, dancing at the sound of Max (yup, that famous singer from Madeira, who's long gone), remembering past stories, trying to keep the little kid busy while Father Christmas left his presents... For the first time in a long time there was the usual "formation" of the family and this time, I was the one who saw Father Christmas leaving my cousins' presents *it's a family's tradition: the youngest member who already knows it has got to fool those who don't*. But at a moment, you can't tell who the real kids are in my family. I mean, my cousin had just won his wrestling toys that he wanted for so long, but my uncles were so much more excited about it than the kid himself. He wanted to go home and play his new video game... It remembered me of when I was younger, I would play along with them *yeah, they'd "borrow" my new toys, so it was I who played along with them, instead of them playing along with me*, no matter what it was. But I loved it, anyway!
This is it... No further details...

Now it's your turn :)

Christmas time is here...

Christmas time is here, and if it leaves Charlie Brown miserable and sad, we can bet it can leave many people feeling like Charlie did.

"English Lines" is saying 'good-bye' to 2007 with a very different tone. Forget all the carolling and the "Merry Christmas" tunes. Joni Mitchell's 'River' is a very nice melody and it goes with the mood we left FCSH; few days of rest, and tons of homework, the perfect recipe for a gloomy and blue season.

Nevertheless, EL is going for holidays with a sweet sugary treat - Christmas recipes!!
Jamie Oliver's site is a good place to start, and I leave you all with a very easy dessert ;)

Maltesers and Ice Cream

• 2 packets of Maltesers
• a tub of good vanilla ice-cream
Bash the Maltesers and sprinkle over a generous serving of vanilla ice cream.


Para todos um Santo e Feliz Natal e um Próspero Ano Novo!

Silence

“It’s going to be a stormy night”. That was the thought running through my mind while trying not to fall on the bus. It was not the only one, but probably the major thought. There was no place to sit down, but after such an awful day, the idea of turning into a piece of carton prepared to go to the recycle bin did not bother me at all, but it was not a reassuring one, either.

“These guys are pretty bad at organizing the buses, don’t you think? I mean, there’s a big one for the next schedule, but we have to travel in these conditions… You’re not listening to me, are you?” In fact, I was not. Anyway, why in the world should I pay attention to someone I had never seen before in my entire life? It is insane, what people do for a bit if attention.

Back in my world. For a second, I imagined what it would be like to be on a bus with live music. I pictured a symphonic metal band. I turned the back of the bus into a stage. There would be two guitarists, one bass player, a drummer and a female singer, probably wearing a magnificent dark-red or brown and cream renaissance-like dress. Now, she would be singing “Silence From Afar” by After Forever. What an awesome voice… Suddenly, I burst out laughing. How could I? I mean, I was reduced to some 25cm² square, where I could not even reach into my own pockets to hide my hands from the cold night. I was freezing in there, despite everything that was going on!

“Let me think of something else. Maybe this cold feeling will go away if I don’t pay attention to it!”. “Revolution Calling” by Queensrÿche started playing on my MP3 player. I followed the lyrics in my mind. “And now I see the chaos/ Everywhere I go…” Thank you very much, Geoff! I was trying to forget this entire situation. I was trying to forget that I am reduced to 25cm², that the guy in front of me needs a bath, not to say that he stinks, and that my wrist hurts from all the effort I have been trying to make just not to fall! Thank you so much, Geoff!

I guess I had never noticed how long that bus ride was! Worst of all: it was a 2N, which meant that I had to walk home for twenty minutes. “Well, at least I have my MP3 player!” Or so I thought!

“I can’t believe it! You’re getting out here? Me too! That has got to be destiny…” yeah, right… whatever you say, honey! I just want to go home… Would you please go away? Why, thank you! Now that is destiny! Gosh… I guess I had never noticed how ridiculous some people can be when seeking attention.

A bit of peace, finally! “Hopefully, it will last for the next twenty minutes or so.” But the storm just got worse. There was no rain, but the early blackened sky was turning white every now and then. “Ok, I know that the only achievement we have for sure in our lives is death, but I really want to live, say, some extra fifty years? God, twenty minutes in the middle of nowhere with no music? Well… it’s for the greater good!”

MP3 player off, well hidden inside my bag. “It can’t be that bad. I mean, I walk this path at least twice a week, what could happen today? Besides being hit by lightning? Seriously, I should consider using fewer accessories. Or at least fewer metal ones. Oh, and I should also consider choosing another way to go back home. I mean, all those pine trees, the lack of light… what the… is it… oh my god!”

It was the same guy I saw earlier on the bus. That one that I just did not pay attention to…

- Is it destiny or what?

- How is it possible that you are already here?

- I fled…

- Yeah, right…

- Don’t you believe me? Do you want to see with your own eyes?

- You know what? I believe you should watch less TV!

- Do you?

- Ok, now you’re creeping me out! Why don’t you go home?

- I’m trying…

- Your family has got to be worried about you.

- Well…

- What?

- Did you notice that you haven’t left yet?

- And…

- Your family has got to be worried about you!

- What do you mean?

- I need a family…

- Ok, now that’s official… you’re watching too much TV!

- … and I want you to be part of it…

- What are you going to say next? That your skin burns in sunlight? Well… give me a break, would you? I’m out of here

- Are you?

- Yeah, you’re insane… Have you considered a mad house?

- It isn’t me who’s dreaming about supernatural creatures, miss…

- Then, who is?

The next minute I was right in front of my place. Back home, finally!

"Cherries for my Grandma"

The 2 part interview with Geoffrey Canada (author of the excerpt we read in class), about his Harlem centre.
Oprah.

Part 1 -



Part 2 -

Second Chance

I knew all about death then because in dreams I had been there.* Nonetheless, it was scary to think about what could happen there, in that place where time does not go by. Everything seems to be timeless and lifeless at the same time.
Uncertainty brings out my inner fears. ‘What is that?’ I ask to myself after spotting a strange shape. It is coming towards me. It is so fast, fast as a panther. But I still cannot understand what that shape is.
The air is heavy and the sky is getting darker. I cannot breath.
‘Run!’ I scream but I cannot move. My feet are glued to the ground.
The dark shape is coming. Everything dies around it. It seems to be fed by life. No plant, tree or insect survives.
I must run… but I am…
‘I am late…’
The most important game of our lives was about to begin and it was imperative for me to be there.
While opening the door of my house…’Almost forgot my mask!’
I could not afford to let myself get contaminated before the game. So I start running. The street is empty as always, it reminds me now of my dream, only the shade is missing. However, I must focus on the game.
‘Password?’
‘My soul belongs to destiny.’ I answered.
‘Good luck.’ said the guard of the gates but I knew that he, like the rest of the surviving group, had already lost hope.
I am prepared, I think… The team is already there: Suli, Oaja and Sandy.
Fear dominates us but on the opposite side the other team seems confident.
Suli is first. The faces of the other team’s members are covered. I can only imagine them: transparent skin and hollow eyes… It gives me the creeps.
Anyway Suli played. His opponent was stronger so Suli was defeated by the poisonous skill of the other.
Sandy was next. She fights the second player using the power of the purple light. The other is temporarily blinded.
‘Oh no Sandy, look out!’
With a stake made of ice the other took the life of Sandy.
We ran to help her but it was too late. We only heard the last breathe of her life.
Oaja responded with a beam of blue light, which was rapidly blocked by the third member. He returned the beam to her and she fell on the ground.
Now everything looks darker than before. I am lost, my mind betrays me. Some strange sensation is growing inside me… ‘Where am I?’
I realise that I was dreaming. I remember now that we lost that battle (the game) for the survival of mankind. We destroyed our planet and we tried to win our second chance in order to continue living somewhere else. Maybe on some other planet. At least until we had destroyed it again.
Now I am being swallowed by the black shade just like the other lives were.


*Love Orange

The Photo

I’ve always thought that we were the same and only now do I realize that this smiling girl in the photo and I are no longer the same person. How can someone change so much without noticing?
I hold in my hand the black and white photo that one of my neighbours took one day when I was playing with my friends in the street near my home. Looking at this photo, I wonder… who is the real me? Is that girl with the vibrant eyes my genuine self? Perhaps... or perhaps she’s just the happy and carefree version of myself. The girl, whose mind was full of dreams, knew nothing about what was already taking place in the remote forest, in the other part of that country that was 14 times bigger than Portugal. Without even suspecting that a war had started, the girl in the photo played with her dolls and planned her future. “I want to be an airhostess”, she repeated with conviction. But, now she has grown up and her life is totally different from what she had dreamt. Few dreams could resist the war! She, or maybe I should say I, well… I am not an airhostess and, actually, I began to hate aeroplanes, since one of them transported my dying father to South Africa and returned him in a coffin. It was from the window of one of those planes that I saw my country for the last time.
I close my eyes and I can see the streets of Luanda, my friends, my neighbours and my house. All of that has ceased to exist and only the power of imagination can reunite those people and recreate the atmosphere of those times. Times so far way and yet so vividly remembered.
I open my eyes and, from this cape, the westernmost point of Europe, I see the Atlantic, the ocean that separates my homeland from this country; the ocean that unites the European, the African and the American continents; the ocean that stands in the middle of different countries and cultures, just like me and thousands of people in this world. I listen to the wise ocean and to the sound of its waves and waters in continuous movement and constant renewal.
Nothing not even the oceans stay the same!

More Cartoons

Paula Joana and I, went to the cartoon exhibition at Caixa Geral de Depositos.
The number of cartoons on display was not impressive. The atrium of the building was badly used. With a mixture of cartoons and themes without any coherent coordination. None the less, some of the cartoons were very good, and the majority had a common theme or title that aloud us to identify them.
The main subjects were:
Globalization;
Racial discrimination;
Franchising;
Weather and end of natural resources;
Socio-economic differences;
Religion;
New technologies.

Some of the artists were quite good, and we all agreed that Tommy Thomdean and Ernani Cousandier were our favourites.

For more cartoons just visit www.cartoonvirtualmuseum.org