The human species is defined by its inability to relate to each other.

Apart 2

He wrote a letter that he never sent telling things he was tired of saying.

Apart

Breaking up is a loop of fear, pain, sadness, relief and excitement.

Blockbuster is a goner (in all cases now)

Friday night I decided it would be a good idea to watch some of the Oscar nominated movies this weekend so I can really have an opinion on how good they are (and besides I was really curious about Inglourious Basterds.) So I get home from work after an extremely... intense week (let's put it this way), still very alert from recent events and, why not to say, grumpy as hell due to the same reasons. So I get home, put on my tennis shoes and go out for a walk to clean up the air a little bit. And why not use the opportunity to get some of the movies in Blockbuster, as I'll pass by it anyway. Even though I practically don't use Blockbuster since the advent of Netflix, I still go there like once every month whenever I have a sudden crave for a particular flick.

So I get there, find IB and decide to finally watch Star Trek as well, it seems the night will be a winner after all. As I get to the line, they take FIFTEEN MINUTES to help two customers (in two cashiers) and one more that just jumps in front of me because she had just returned the wrong movie (don't lines apply when you do something stupid?). After ten minutes of wait I realize I don't have my wallet, just put my Blockbuster card and ID in my pocket, but I think "nevermind, they *must* have a plan B for these cases, right?" Like checking my rental history, address, how long I'm a customer, anything that would make it possible to get me an exception.

Five minutes later, the answer: No.

The option? Go get my wallet, walk back and get in line again (or could I just jump in too? It was kind of stupid what I did after all. Forgot to ask...) "Nevermind", I said and walked back home kicking dogs and old ladies that were unhappy enough to cross my way.

Fortunately when I got home I remembered my Roku machine doesn't serve only Netflix movies and that I had seen an Amazon on Demand App somewhere. One minute to complete registration and it was all there, all movies I wanted to watch, all in HD and all *cheaper* then renting through cable and some even cheaper than Blockbuster. No lines, no people returning wrong movies, no need to return a disc, no problems at all. I really do not understand how Blockbuster expects to stay open with no reaction to the consuming habits. And I'm not talking about technology or business model now, but just improving the experience in the stores.

So in the end of the night I had watched Inglourious Basterds (which is everything everyone is saying) and The Hurt Locker. And was cozy, happy and relaxed again.

Fresh Air

Since I moved to Miami I've been enjoying an array of awesome things: the weather, the food, the beaches, and so on, but there is one thing that Miami could not deliver to me: good concerts. First of all because I'm not easy, I admit it. Most of what people listen to sound the same to me (not easy and maybe a bit old). And even though Miami has at least one great electronic music festival a year, well, that's not really the kind of e-music that I enjoy. And second, we all have to admit that Florida is not the most common tour destination in USA. It seems to me (correct me if I'm wrong, floridians) that FL is usually relegated to just a few of the big big tours and all latin estrellas.

So... used to this reality as I am, I got *really* surprised when I read here that Air is coming to Miami on March 13th. Very few artists in the world could make me feel so excited, I really can't wait for it. And besides I find really surprising that they are coming to Mia. I only wish more people will follow them (how about Ladytron, CSS or Fischerspooner?)



If you also wanna see Air in Miami, get your tickets here.

Dub Fx

Listening nonstop to Dub Fx since I heard him in WVUM a few days ago. Seeing this dude to perform live on the street with nothing but a bunch of loop pedals and a mic must be truly amazing. I don't really like beatbox by itself but he really takes it to the next level (or beyond).

'Soothe Your Pain', personal favorite

Besides being amazing, the guy is doing a great job distributing his music online as free streaming and selling the downloadable mp3s (learn from him, music industry!) Great viral distribution over twitter and facebook as well. Way to go, Dub Fx, hot singing and smart marketing choices.

You can get more Dub Fx in this website.

Portuguese Class

- Isto é um elefante?

My instant reaction was to say no, but one should never let themselves be carried away by their first impression. A quick glance thrown at the teacher was enough to realize she was very serious in her questioning, as she had that look of someone who introduces a difficult proposition. With that in mind, I searched the object in discussion more carefully.

There was no sign of a visible trunk, fact that could make a frivolous person quickly conclude that it was not such thing as an elephant. But even if we remove an elephant's trunk, it doesn't make it less of an elephant. Even if it dies after the ruthless surgery, it still is an elephant. Still is, for that a dead elephant is, in principle, as elephant as any other. Reflecting on it, I realized I should check if the thing had four legs, four thick legs, as usually elephants have. It didn't. Nor could I find the tiny tail featured by the large animal which is occasionally wagged with a childish grace, as I had noticed several times at the circus.

Having finished my observations, I turned to the teacher and said convincingly:

- Não, não é!

She gently sighed in relief and satisfaction. The delay of my answer had let her anxious. She immediately asked:

- Isto é um livro?

I laughed at the question. I've been living a fair share of my life amongst books. I know books. I deal with books. I'm capable of recognizing a book at the first sight surrounded by any sorts of objects, be they bottles, bricks or mature fruits - be they whatever they are. That thing was not a book, and even supposing that there were books wrapped in porcelain, that was not one of them. It didn't look like a book at all. My answer took - if much - two seconds:

- Não, não é!

I had the pleasure of seeing her satisfied again, but just for a few seconds. That woman was one of those insatiable spirits that are always proposing questions and that address the nature of things with a restless interest.

- Isto é uma faca de pão?

I got very disturbed with that question. To be honest, I didn't know what a faca de pão could be. Maybe it meant mortgage... Nah, not mortgage. Why would it mean mortgage? Faca de pão! That was undoubtedly an unpleasant word. Maybe it meant boss or wrist watch, and - very likely - migraine. Nevertheless, I courageously answered:

- Não, não é.

My words resounded loud and a bit violent as I felt disgusted by the idea of admiting that that or any other thing around me could be a faca de pão.

She then went back to her interrogation. This time though the question was preceded by a certain malicious look, a kind of insinuation, a distant touch of challenge. Her voice was gentler than in the other times. I'm not unaware of the psychology of women so even before she could open her mouth I already knew this would be a decisive word.

- Isto é um cinzeiro?

My heart was filled with happiness. First of all because I know what a cinzeiro is, a cinzeiro is an ashtray. Second of all because, by staring at the object she was showing me, I realized an extraordinary similarity with a cinzeiro. It was an egg-shaped porcelain object measuring approximately 13 centimeters in length.

The borders were about 1 centimeter tall and had a few round recesses - two or three of them - in the upper part. In the main depression, some sort of basin bound by these borders, there was a small piece of a smoked cigarrette (a butt) and, here and there, sparse ashes, besides a used match. I answered:

- Sim!

What happened next I could not describe with words. The fair lady had her face enlighted by a wave of happiness. Her eyes shone - Victory! Victory! And a wide smile quickly bloomed in her lips which shortly before were frown with restless and sad anxiety. She slightly leaned forward from her chair and could not help stretching her arm to pat me on my upper arm, while excitedly saying:

- Muito bem! Muito bem!

I'm a man of natural shyness, specially regarding to women. The efusiveness with which she celebrated my victory disturbed me. I felt scared, ashamed and very proud.

I left extremely satisfied with that first class and walked down the street taking firm steps. As I passed a cigar shop, I saw some english pipes through the glass and felt deeply tempted to buy one. Certainly I would have engaged a long conversartion with the Brazilian ambassador if I had met him at that moment. I would take the pipe off my mouth and say to him:

- Isto não é um cinzeiro!

And he would be highly pleased to see that I could speak portuguese, as it must always be agreeable to an ambassador to see his native language being versified by the good people of the country where he is located.

* Text translated and adapted from the work of Rubem Braga.