Monthly Archives: November 2010

Drug war in Rio de Janeiro

Posted on 30 November 2010 by

Boston.com’s Big Picture has a gripping series of photographs of the battle currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro, between the drug gangs who rule the favelas, and the police and military who are trying to clean up the city … Continue reading →

Posted in life | 4 Comments

Wallpaper Monday

Posted on 29 November 2010 by

The US state of Montana is nicknamed “Big Sky Country,” because the combination of its mountains and prairies make the sky seem larger and more majestic there than anywhere else. (Or so the natives tell you…residents of other western states … Continue reading →

Posted in wallpaper | 5 Comments

A snapshot from space

Posted on 27 November 2010 by

At first glance, this image doesn’t seem very special. Just another satellite photo, this time of an area of Houston called Reliant Park, which houses both Reliant Stadium and the Reliant Astrodome. Except it’s not just another satellite photo. It … Continue reading →

Posted in science, tech | 2 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on 25 November 2010 by

I think one of the oddest things about being an expatriate is the fact that nobody here knows or recognizes the holidays I grew up with. We have Easter and Christmas in common, but that’s about it. And of all … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Portugal, USA | 11 Comments

An iconic poster

Posted on 24 November 2010 by

I check a blog called Iconic Photos now and again, which features historically significant images and explanatory notes. Sometimes I’m clueless about the images, but today’s photo smacked me right between the eyes: There could hardly be an image more … Continue reading →

Posted in Portugal | 5 Comments

A marital moment

Posted on 23 November 2010 by

My wife J and I were in a local restaurant, stuffing our faces with fresh bread while waiting for our order. The ensuing conversation went something like this: … J: Did you know this restaurant buys their bread from our … Continue reading →

Posted in life | 10 Comments

Wallpaper Monday

Posted on 22 November 2010 by

Bet you won’t guess where this is: Would you be surprised if I said Taiwan? This is a “candle rock” formation at Yehliu Geopark, located on a little spit of land at the top edge of the island, just north … Continue reading →

Posted in wallpaper | 1 Comment

“Voting is a pleasure”

Posted on 20 November 2010 by

Disapproving Spanish eyebrows are being raised as a result of this “get out the vote” ad by the Socialist Youth of Catalonia. The ad shows a young woman making her vote count as she participates in next week’s Catalonian Parliamentary … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Europe, politics | 9 Comments

You know you’re in Portugal when…

Posted on 19 November 2010 by

…the balding old man who pulls his battered Renault in front of you, without so much as a glance your way to check for oncoming traffic, and who makes you stand on the brakes to avoid a collision… …has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Portugal | 8 Comments

Scientists are rock stars, too

Posted on 18 November 2010 by

Okay, I admit to making “squeeee!” noises when I saw this. It’s part of a fabulous fund- and awareness-raising campaign which pairs rock stars with science stars: That’s Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart on the left and right, flanking … Continue reading →

Posted in science | 1 Comment