{ imaginativa }

[ Weapons of Mass Distraction]

2012-01-25T13:21:00.002-05:00

[ NO SOPA, NO PIPA ]

2012-01-18T10:40:00.002-05:00

[ NO SOPA ]

2012-01-18T10:35:00.000-05:00

[ Ocupar vs Usar ]

2012-01-16T12:58:00.000-05:00

ocupar

tr. Llenar un espacio o tiempo:
los muebles antiguos ocupan demasiado espacio.
Tomar posesión,apoderarse de algo;
especialmente si se hace de forma violenta:
el ejército ocupó la plaza.
Obtener o desempeñar un empleo o cargo:
ocupa un puesto de responsabilidad.
Habitar:
ocuparemos la última planta del edificio.
Dar empleo o trabajo:
la recogida de la aceituna ocupa a miles de jornaleros. También prnl.
prnl. Dedicar la atención a algo o a alguien:
ocuparse de la casa.

Creo quienes lo usan como sinónimo de 'usar' lo están empleando mal.

[ Chanel Coco Mademoiselle ]

2011-10-17T17:31:00.000-04:00

[ It's A Man's Man's Man's World ]

2011-10-17T17:25:00.000-04:00

Joss Stone

[ Happy Columbus Day ]

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

[ Steve's Apple ]

2011-10-06T11:31:00.003-04:00

[Libertad]

2011-09-14T20:07:00.002-04:00

[Libertad]

2011-09-14T10:12:00.001-04:00

[Libertad]

2011-09-14T07:08:00.001-04:00

[ Marie Antoinette ]

2011-09-08T12:31:00.000-04:00

[ Voy aprender ingles...]

2011-09-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

[ Traje pollitooooo!! ]

2011-09-03T22:08:00.000-04:00

[To Be Or Being? That Is The Question!]

2011-07-06T09:16:00.000-04:00

Gerunds

Not all verbs can be gerunds (ing) these are some examples:

We are loving our teacher.

It is existing in my mind.

The children are hating my soup.

Now we are going to say something CRAZY. Hold onto your seats!

Add -ing to all verbs! That -ing can now go on almost any verb!

Did we change the rules of English grammar? No.

So what happened? Well, it is time to explain. The rules that we, as well as your teacher, taught you are still correct. Many verbs cannot have -ing. These kinds of verbs are called stative verbs. These verbs have little or no physical activity. To see a list of stative verbs, click here.

So, let's explain gerunds. Look at the following sentences? Which words are the nouns?

Alaska is fun.

English is difficult.

That is ice cream.

Which words are the nouns? Of course you know. The nouns are Alaska, English, and ice cream. You chose these words because you know that you need nouns in those places. The red lines below show you where nouns are required.

______ is fun.

______ is difficult.

That is ______.

You can put any noun on these red lines (as long as it makes logical sense). What if you want to say an action is fun or difficult? That is when you need a gerund. If you want to use an action word in a place that requires a noun, you can usually use a verb with an -ing ending. For example,

Fishing is fun.

Hiking is difficult.

That is ballet dancing.

In these sentences, fishing, hiking, and dancing look like verbs, but they are not verbs. They are nouns. When a noun looks like a verb with -ing, it is called a gerund.

Even stative verbs (those verbs that almost never have -ing) can be turned into gerunds. A native speaker of English would NEVER say I am believing you. However, a native speaker could say

Believing in God is important.

Believing, here, is a gerund. It is NOT a verb. Believing in God is a gerund phrase.

Gerunds act just like nouns. Gerunds can be followed by possessive pronouns (my, his, her, our, their, its). They can also be followed by a possessive s.

My cooking is famous in my hometown.

Jake's driving scares me.

There is also a perfect (or past) form of gerunds. The past form of gerunds is formed by using having + past participle. This kind of gerund suggests that the gerund happened before something else.

NO GERUND

I have been to South Korea.

WITH GERUND

My having been to South Korea helped me learn the language when I took classes.

*this suggests that the speaker had gone to South Korea

BEFORE he took the language classes

This rule works not only for the present perfect, but also for other past tense forms. Look at the following sentences. The first one (without the gerund) uses the simple past tense (took).

NO GERUND

I took a physics class.

WITH GERUND

Having taken a physics class helped me in calculus.

*this suggests that the speaker had taken a physics class

BEFORE she took the calculus

There is also a passive form of gerunds.

The passive form of gerunds is formed by using being + past participle.

NO GERUND

I was accepted to Harvard University.

WITH GERUND

Being accepted to Harvard University was the greatest day of my life.

The passive form of gerunds is also formed by using getting + past participle:

NO GERUND

We got scared by that movie.

WITH GERUND

Getting scared by that movie made us leave before it finished.

For a list of irregular simple tense verbs and past participles, click here.

Some verbs are only followed by gerunds, not infinitives.

INCORRECT The criminals denied to steal anything

CORRECT The criminals denied stealing anything.

For a list of verbs that are followed by gerunds, click here.

For all charts that relate to gerunds and infinitives, click here.

There are many gerunds that have the word go before it. Here are some examples. Notice the way go changes tense (go, went, gone), but the gerunds that follow do not change.

I love to go sailing on the weekends.

They went shopping for new dresses today.

Have you ever gone skiing?

Quiz time

Directions: Read the sentences. Make a gerund or gerund phrase from the first sentence. Put that gerund in the second sentence. The gerund replaces the it, this, that, these, and those in the second sentence. The first one has been done for you.

1. I watch airplanes take off. It is very relaxing.

Gerund or gerund phrase: watching airplanes take off.

Answer: Watching airplanes take off is very relaxing.

2. Jaesung got hit by the ball. That sent Jaesung to the hospital.

3. You should brush your teeth twice daily. This is what all dentists recommend.

4. Franklin was warned about drinking and driving . It forced him to be much more careful on the highway.

5. She wants to be a journalist. It is her dream.

6. You have to take the TOEFL. It is the only way to get into that college.

7. We have studied Spanish. This helped us on our trip to Barcelona.

8. Tom Lee took lots of biology classes. Those helped him in medical school.

9. The boys always get in trouble. That isn't any fun.

10. People cry. That can make your whole face red.

1. I watch airplanes take off. It is very relaxing.

Gerund or gerund phrase: watching airplanes take off.

Answer: Watching airplanes take off is very relaxing.

2. Jaesung got hit by the ball. That sent Jaesung to the hospital.

Gerund or gerund phrase: getting hit -OR- getting hit by the ball

Answer: Getting hit sent Jaesung to the hospital. -OR- Getting hit by the ball sent Jaesung to the hospital.

3. You should brush your teeth twice daily. This is what all dentists recommend.

Gerund or gerund phrase: brushing your teeth

Answer: Brushing your teeth twice daily is what all dentists recommend.

4. Franklin was warned about drinking and driving . It forced him to be much more careful on the highway.

Gerund or gerund phrase: Having been warned about drinking and driving

Answer: Having been warned about drinking and driving forced him to be more careful on the highway.

NOTE: Was warned is the past passive voice. Thus, use the passive voice form of gerunds.

5. She wants to be a journalist. It is her dream.

Gerund or gerund phrase: wanting to be a journalist

Answer: Wanting to be a journalist is her dream.

6. You have to take the TOEFL. It is the only way to get into that college.

Gerund or gerund phrase: taking the TOEFL

Answer: Taking the TOEFL is the only way to get into that college.

7. We have studied Spanish. This helped us on our trip to Barcelona.

Gerund or gerund phrase: having studied Spanish

Answer: Having studied Spanish helped us on our trip to Barcelona.

8. Tom Lee took lots of biology classes. Those helped him in medical school.

Gerund or gerund phrase: Having taken lots of biology classes

Answer: Having taken lots of biology classes helped him in medical school.

9. The boys always get in trouble. That isn't any fun.

Gerund or gerund phrase: getting in trouble

Answer: Getting in trouble isn't any fun.

10. People cry. That can make your whole face red.

Gerund or gerund phrase: crying

Answer: Crying can make your whole face red.

Rules to Remember!

1 Gerunds are nouns that look like ing-ending verbs. They can be both subjects and objects.

Gerund as a subject: Cooking is a very enjoyable activity.

Gerund as an object: My father loves cooking.

Gerunds are usually not plural. You cannot say

Playings are fun.

3 For a list of verbs that are followed by gerunds, click here.

For a list of common go + gerund combinations, click here.

For all charts that relate to gerunds and infinitives, click here.

4 In general, when a noun is required in a sentence, a gerund can be used. For example

X is easier than Y.

Working is easier than studying.

5 Although it is not necessary, we highly recommend that you look at our lesson on infinitives after doing this lesson. To see our lesson on infinitives, click here.

Do you want to send this lesson to someone? Click here!

Want to see other lessons that have been published on MyEnglishTeacher.net? Click here!

Looking for books to improve your writing? Click here!

[Phrasal Verbs List]

2011-07-06T08:18:00.000-04:00

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb + adverb or verb + preposition.
Think of them as you would any other English vocabulary.
Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning. As well as learning their meanings, you need to learn how to use phrasal verbs properly. Some phrasal verbs require a direct object (someone/something), while others do not. Some phrasal verbs can be separated by the object, while others cannot. Review the grammar lesson on phrasal verbs from time to time so that you don't forget the rules!

[Ponquecitos o Ponquesitos?]

2011-07-05T15:11:00.001-04:00

Cupcakes!

125 grs de Margarina o mantequilla
1 taza de azúcar
3 huevos grandes o 4 pequeños
1 cucharadita de esencia de vainilla
1/2 taza de leche líquida
2 y 1/4 de taza de harina leudante

En bol colocar la margarina y batir, con batidora eléctrica o a mano con batidor de alambre, hasta cremar.
Agregar el azúcar poco a poco, luego los huevos uno a uno junto con la vainilla, seguidamente agregar la harina intercalada con la leche y mezclar hasta que quede una consistencia semi espesa.
No debe quedar muy floja la mezcla, de lo contrario los ponquesitos en el horno se "derraman".
Luego colocar la mezcla en una bandeja de ponquesitos o de muffins cubierta con los capacillos, llenándolos hasta 3/4, para que no se derramen y crezcan bien, hornear a 200º de 20 a 25 min o hasta que estén doraditos por arriba.

[A Unique or An Unique?]

2011-07-05T14:52:00.008-04:00

Just another note about the challenges of the English language.
Why "a unique..." rather than "an unique..."?

When a "u" word is pronounced as though it begins with a

"y" (yoo nique), it's treated more like the consonant
sound of the y.
So, a university, an umbrella, a usual day, an unusual day.

[Non-Continous Verbs]

2011-06-21T10:40:00.000-04:00

Many verbs are used in continuous tenses. Here are some examples:

Present continuous - I'm working at the moment.

Past continuous - Jack was cooking dinner when I arrived.

Future continuous - I will be playing tennis this time tomorrow.

Present perfect continuous - She's been working her for three years.

Generally, continuous (or progressive) tenses are used to describe what is happening at a particular moment in time. The focus when using continuous tenses is always on an action in progress. However, there are some important exceptions to using continuous tenses. Most importantly, there are a number of common non-continuous verbs that are never or rarely used with continuous forms. These verbs fall into a few categories:

Mental and Emotional States

believe

dislike

doubt

imagine

know

love

hate

prefer

realize

recognize

remember

suppose

understand

want

wish

Examples

She dislikes that boy. NOT She is disliking that boy.

Jack prefers going out for dinner tonight. NOT Jack is preferring going out for dinner tonight.

I recognize you! NOT I'm recognizing you!

Sense

appear

hear

see

seem

smell

sound

taste

Examples

I saw him when the train arrived. NOT I was seeing him when the train arrived.

It tastes strange. NOT It is tasting strange.

Did you hear that? NOT Were you hearing that?

Communication

agree

astonish

deny

disagree

impress

mean

please

promise

satisfy

surprise

Examples

You astonish me! NOT You are astonishing me!

I'm afraid I disagree with you. NOT I'm afraid I am disagreeing with you.

I meant to tell him yesterday afternoon. NOT I was meaning to tell him yesterday afternoon.

Other States

belong

concern

consist

contain

cost

depend

deserve

fit

include

involve

lack

matter

need

owe

own

possess

Examples

It depends on how much it costs. NOT It is depending on how much it is costing.

She said it involved a lot of work. NOT She said it was involving a lot of work.

It doesn't matter. NOT It isn't mattering.

There are also a number of verbs that don't take the continuous forms in one meaning but DO take the continuous forms in other meanings. Here are some of the most important:

Non-Continuous Meanings

feel = 'have an opinion' - He feels he should get a second chance.

see = 'understand' - I see what you mean.

think = 'have an opinion' - I think we should leave immediately.

appear = 'look like' - That appears to be stale.

look = 'seem' - It looks impossible!

taste = 'have a taste' - That tastes yummy!

Continuous Meanings

feel = 'feel physically' - I'm feeling awful this afternoon.

see = 'visit' - She's seeing a doctor this morning.

think = 'use the brain' - He's thinking hard about the problem.

appear = 'be on stage / perform' - Jack Daniels is performing at the Paramount tonight.

look = 'stare at' - I'm looking at that strange man.

taste = 'use the mouth' - The cook is tasting the sauce!

[False Friends or False Cognates]

2011-06-14T11:53:00.001-04:00

an abstract: resumen (y no abstracto)

to achieve: lograr (y no archivar, que se dice to file)

actual: real, efectivo (y no actual, que se dice current)

actually: en realidad (y no actualmente, que se dice nowadays, at present)

to advertise: anunciar (y no advertir, que se dice to warn)

advice: consejos (y no aviso, que se dice warning, notice)

ailment: enfermedad leve, achaque (y no alimento, que se dice food)

apparel: ropa, vestimenta (y no aparato, que se dice apparatus, machine)

application form: formulario de solicitud (y no formulario de aplicación)

to apologise: pedir disculpas (y no apología, que se dice defence)

apt: propenso (y no apto, que se dice qualified, able)

argument: discusión, pelea (y no argumento de un libro/una película, que se dice plot)

arena: estadio, plaza de toros (y no arena, que se dice sand)

arm: brazo (y no arma, que se dice gun)

army: ejército (y no armada, que se dice navy)

aspersion: calumnia (y no aspersión, que se dice sprinkling)

assessment: evaluación (y no asesoría, que se dice consultancy)

assessor: evaluador, tasador (y no asesor, que se dice advisor o consultant)

to assist: ayudar (y no asistir a un lugar, que se dice to attend)

to attain: lograr, conseguir (y no atar, que se dice to tie)

attempt: intento (y no atentado, que se dice terrorist attack)

attendance: asistencia (y no atención, que se dice attention)

avocado: aguacate (y no abogado, que se dice lawyer)

balloon: globo (y no balón, que se dice ball)

bank: banco - la institución (y no banco de plaza, que se dice bench)

bark: ladrar o ladrido (y no barco, que se dice ship)

beef: carne vacuna (y no bife, que se dice steak)

billet: acuartelamiento, alojamiento militar (y no billete, que se dice ticket o note)

billion: mil millones (y no billón, que se dice trillion)

body: cuerpo (y no boda, que se dice wedding)

bomber: avión bombardero o persona que coloca bombas (y no bombero, que se dice fireman o firefighter)

brave: valiente (y no bravo, que se dice fierce)

camp: base militar o campamento (y no campo en general, que se dice field)

can: lata o el verbo poder (y no cana, que se dice white hair)

cap: gorra (y no capa, que se dice layer)

career: carrera profesional, ocupación luego del estudio (y no carrera referida al curso universitario, que se dice degree)

carpet: alfombra (y no carpeta, que se dice folder)

cartoon: dibujos animados, tira cómica (y no cartón, que se dice cardboard)

casual: fortuito, ocasional, informal, superficial (y no casual, que se dice accidental, chance)

casualty: víctima o herido (y no casualidad, que se dice coincidence)

cave: cueva (y no cavar, que se dice to dig)

cellular: celular, relativo a la célula (y no teléfono celular, que se dice mobile telephone)

chafed: rozado (y no chafado, que se dice crushed o flattened)

collar: cuello de las prendas de vestir (y no collar, que se dice necklace)

to collapse: hundirse, derrumbarse (y no colapsar, que se dice to bring to a standstill)

college: facultad, colegio universitario (y no colegio, que se dice school)

coloured: de color (y no colorado, que se dice red)

command: orden, mandato (y no comando, que se dice commando unit)

commodity: mercancía o materia prima (y no comodidad, que se dice comfort)

to complain: quejarse (y no complacer, que se dice to please)

complexion: tez, tono de la piel (y no complexión, que se dice body type)

to compromise: ceder, transigir, poner en peligro (y no compromiso, que se dice commitment, engagement o agreement)

conductor: director de orquesta o cobrador (y no conductor, que se dice driver)

confident: seguro de sí mismo (y no confidente, que se dice confidant)

(to be) constipated: sufrir de estreñimiento (y no estar constipado, que se dice to have a cold/chill)

contest: concurso (y no contestar, que se dice to answer)

to convene: convocar, reunir (y no convenir, que se dice to agree, to be advisable)

council: consejo (y no conciliar, que se dice to reconcile)

crane: grúa (y no cráneo, que se dice skull)

curse: maldición (y no curso, que se dice course)

date: fecha (y no dato, que se dice a piece of information o data)

deception: engaño (y no decepción, que se dice disappointment)

to deliver: entregar (y no deliberar, que se dice to deliberate)

deprivation: privación, pérdida (y no depravación, que se dice depravity)

derogatory: despectivo (la palabra despective no existe en inglés)

to design: diseñar (y no designar, que se dice to appoint o to designate)

desperate: desesperado (y no despertar, que se dice to wake up)

dessert: postre (y no desierto, que se dice desert)

dinner: cena (y no dinero, que se dice money)

discrete: diferenciado (y no discreto, que se dice discreet)

disgust: asco, repugnancia (y no disgusto, que se dice annoyance, quarrel, trouble o to be upset)

disparate: dispar (y no disparate, que se dice nonsense o foolish act)

diversion: desviación (y no diversión, alegría, que se dice fun)

to doze: dormitar (y no doce, que se dice twelve)

dramatic: drástico, espectacular

economics: economía (y no económicos, que se dice cheap)

embarrassed: avergonzado/a (y no embarazada, que se dice pregnant)

emergence: surgimiento, aparición (y no emergencia, que se dice emergency)

estate: propiedad, bien inmueble, patrimonio (y no estado, que se dice state)

eventual: definitivo o posible (y no eventual, que se dice casual, incidental)

eventually: finalmente, tarde o temprano (y no eventualmente que se dice by chance, possibly)

exit: salida (y no éxito, que se dice success)

fabric: tela (y no fábrica, que se dice factory)

familiar: conocido, familiar (adjetivo) (y no pariente, familiar (sustantivo), que se dice relative)

fee: tarifa, honorarios, cuota (y no fe, que se dice faith)

file: archivo, carpeta, fichero (y no fila, que se dice row)

fin: aleta (y no fin, que se dice end)

form: formulario (y no forma, que se dice shape)

fray: riña, irritarse o deshilacharse (y no fraile, que se dice friar)

fume: vapor o gas (y no fumar, que se dice smoke)

gang: pandilla (y no ganga, que se dice bargain)

Geneva: Ginebra (y no Génova, que se dice Genoa)

gentle: moderado, suave (y no gentil, que se dice gentile, kind)

to grab: agarrar, asir (y no grabar, que se dice to record)

gracious: cortés (y no gracioso, que se dice funny)

grocery: tienda de comestibles (y no grosería, que se dice rudeness o rude word/expression)

hardly: apenas, difícilmente (y no duramente, que se dice strongly)

by heart: de memoria (y no de corazón, que se dice from one's heart)

horn: cuerno (y no horno, que se dice oven)

hostel: albergue (y no hostal, que se dice guesthouse)

idiom: modismo, locución (y no idioma, que se dice language)

to improve: mejorar (y no improvisar, que se dice to improvise)

influenza: gripe (y no influencia, que se dice influence)

ingenuity: ingenio (y no ingenuidad, que se dice naivety)

inhabitant: habitante (y no inhabitado, que se dice uninhabited)

injury: herida (y no injuria, que se dice insult)

installment: cuota, plazo o entrega (y no instalación, que se dice installation)

to intend: tener la intención de (y no intentar, que se dice to try)

intoxicated: ebrio (y no intoxicado, que se dice with food poisoning)

involve: involucrar (y no envolver, que se dice wrap)

jam: mermelada (y no jamón, que se dice ham)

lame: cojo, rengo (y no lamer, que se dice to lick)

large: grande (y no largo, que se dice long)

lecture: conferencia (y no lectura, que se dice reading)

lentil: lenteja (y no lentilla, que se dice contact lens)

letter: letra del abecedario o carta (y no letra de una canción, que se dice lyrics)

library: biblioteca (y no librería, que se dice bookshop)

lobe: lóbulo (y no lobo, que se dice wolf)

luxury: lujo (y no lujuria, que se dice lust)

macaroon: galleta con almendras o coco (y no macarrón, que se dice a piece of macaroni)

man: hombre (y no mano, que se dice hand)

mascot: persona, animal u objeto que da buena suerte (y no mascota como animal doméstico, que se dice pet)

mayor: alcalde (y no mayor, que se dice bigger)

media: medios (y no media, que se dice sock)

misery: tristeza (y no miseria, que se dice poverty)

mocha: café moca (y no mocha/o, desafilada/o, que se dice blunt)

to molest: abusar sexualmente (y no molestar, que se dice to bother o to annoy)

not at all: para nada, en lo absoluto (y no "no del todo", que se dice not quite)

notice: nota, anuncio (y no noticia, que se dice a piece of news)

occurrence: aparición (y no ocurrencia, que se dice absurd idea)

office: oficina (y no oficio, que se dice trade o job)

once: una vez (y no once, que se dice eleven)

oration: discurso ceremonial (y no oración, que se dice sentence o prayer)

ordinary: común (y no ordinario, que se dice vulgar)

pan: cacerola, cazuela (y no pan, que se dice bread)

parade: desfile (y no pared, que se dice wall)

to pare: pelar o cortar las uñas (y no parar, que se dice to stop)

parents: padres (y no parientes, que se dice relatives)

pendant: colgante de un collar (y no pendiente, que se dice earring)

petrol: gasolina o nafta (y no petróleo, que se dice oil, petroleum)

petulant: irascible, malhumorado (y no petulante, que se dice smug)

pie: pastel (y no pie, que se dice foot)

place: lugar (y no plaza, que se dice square)

plate: plato o lámina (y no plata, el metal, que se dice silver)

policy: política (y no policía, que se dice police)

politic: diplomático, cortés o prudente (y no político, que se dice politician)

preservative: conservante (y no preservativo, que se dice condom)

to pretend: aparentar, fingir (y no pretender, que se dice to expect)

prize: premio (y no precio, que se dice price)

to probe: investigar (y no probar, que se dice to prove, taste o try)

prospect: posibilidad, perspectiva o posible cliente (y no prospecto, que se dice leaflet o pamphlet)

quince: membrillo (y no quince, que se dice fifteen)

to quit: abandonar, dejar (y no quitar, que se dice to remove o to put away)

quite: bastante, totalmente (y no quitar, que se dice to remove o to put away)

quote: cita o presupuesto (y no cuota, que se dice fee, installment o payment)

to rape: violar (y no rapar, que se dice to shave o to crop)

to raze: arrasar (y no raza, que se dice race)

to realize: darse cuenta (y no realizar, que se dice to make)

recipe: receta de cocina (y no recibo, que se dice receipt)

to reckon: calcular, considerar o creer (y no reconocer, que se dice to recognize)

recollection: recuerdo (y no recolección, que se dice harvest o collection)

to record: grabar (y no recordar, que se dice to remember)

red: rojo (y no red, que se dice net)

regular: de tamaño normal (y no regular, que se dice bad, not so good)

relatives: parientes (y no relativos, que se dice relative (adjective))

reluctantly: de mala gana (y no relucientemente o brillantemente, que se dice brilliantly)

to remove: quitar, eliminar (y no remover, que se dice to stir)

rendition: interpretación (y no rendición, que se dice surrender)

resort: centro turístico o recurso (y no resorte, que se dice spring)

to rest: descansar (y no restar, que se dice to subtract)

to resume: reanudar, continuar o reasumir (y no resumir, que se dice to summarize o to sum up)

rope: cuerda, soga (y no ropa, que se dice clothes)

rude: maleducado, descortés (y no rudo, que se dice rough)

salad: ensalada (y no salado, que se dice salty)

salted: salado (y no salteado, que se dice skipped)

sane: cuerdo (y no sano, que se dice healthy)

scallop: vieira (y no escalope, que se dice escalope)

sensible: sensato (y no sensible, que se dice sensitive)

sensitive: sensible (y no sensitivo, que se dice related to the senses)

signature: firma (y no asignatura, que se dice subject)

sin: pecado (y no sin, que se dice without)

soap: jabón (y no sopa, que se dice soup)

socket: enchufe o toma de corriente (y no soquete, que se dice ankle sock)

son: hijo (y no son, conjugación del verbo ser, que se dice are)

spade: pala (y no espada, que se dice sword)

stationery: artículos de papelería (y no estacionario, que se dice stationary)

to stay: quedarse (y no estar, que se dice to be)

to stir: revolver un líquido (y no estirar, que se dice to stretch)

stranger: desconocido o forastero (y no extranjero, que se dice foreigner)

to stretch: estirar, extender, ensanchar (y no estrechar, que se dice to take in, to narrow)

suburb: barrio rico periférico de la ciudad (y no suburbio de casas pobres, que se dice slum)

success: éxito (y no suceso, que se dice event)

to support: apoyar (y no soportar, que se dice to put up with)

sympathetic: comprensivo (y no simpático, que se dice nice, likeable)

sympathy: compasión, comprensión, pésame (y no simpatía, que se dice friendliness, affection)

target: objetivo (y no tarjeta, que se dice card)

tax: impuesto (y no taxi, que se dice taxi)

tea: té (y no tía, que se dice aunt)

terrific: fenomenal, genial (y no terrorífico, que se dice terrifying)

to traduce: calumniar (y no traducir, que se dice to translate)

trait: rasgo (y no trato, que se dice deal o treatment)

to translate: traducir (y no trasladarse, que se dice to move)

tramp: vagabundo (y no trampa, que se dice trap)

ultimate: final (y no último, que se dice last)

ultimately: en última instancia, a la larga (y no últimamente, que se dice lately, recently)

umpire: árbitro (y no imperio, que se dice empire)

vacuum: vacío (y no vacuna, que se dice vaccine)

zealous: entusiasta (y no celoso, que se dice jealous)

Camila

2011-06-09T10:24:00.001-04:00

Wake Up Beast is a call to action.
The inspiring thought of the day. Take a minute and take a look.

[Nexus S 4G]

2011-05-30T15:19:00.000-04:00

El super Nexus S 4G ahora podemos subir mas gatos mas rapido a internet.

[An Incomplete Movie List of Movies I love]

2011-05-23T20:07:00.007-04:00

2 Days In Paris (2007) Julie Delpy
200 Cigarettes (1999) Risa Bramon Garcia
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Stanley Kubrick
21 Grams (2003) Alejandro González Iñárritu
24 Hour Party People (2002) Michael Winterbottom
500 Days of Summer (2009)
A Clockwork Orange (1971) Stanley Kubrick
Abre los ojos (1997) Alejandro Amenábar
Adventureland (2009)
Amelie (2001) Jean-Pierre Jeunet
American Beauty (1999) Sam Mendes *
American Gangster (2007) Ridley Scott
American Splendor (2003)
Amores Perros (2000) Alejandro González Iñárritu
Anything Else (2003) Woody Allen
Away we go (2009) Sam Mendes
Before Night Falls (2000) Julian Schnabel
Black Snake Moan (2006) Craig Brewer
Blow (2001) Ted Demme
Blue Velvet (1986) David Lynch
Boogie Nights (1997)
Bottle Rocket (1996) Wes Anderson
Brick (2005) Rian Johnson
Buffalo '66 (1997) Vincent Gallo
Casino (1995) Martin Scorsese
Charlie Bartlett (2007) Jon Poll
Chasing Amy (1997) Kevin Smith
Che (2008) Steven Soderbergh
Children of Men (2006) Alfonso Cuaron
Choke (2008) Clark Gregg
City of God (2002)
Clerks II (2006) Kevin Smith
Clerks (1994) Kevin Smith
Coffee and Cigarettes (2004) Jim Jarmusch
Control (2007) Anton Corbijn
Crank (2006) Mark Neveldine
Cube (1997) Vincenzo Natali
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Dazed and Confused (1993) Richard Linklater
Death at a Funeral (2007) Frank Oz
DIG (2004) Ondi Timoner
Donnie Darko (2001) Richard Kelly
Down by Law (1986) Jim Jarmusch
Dr. Strangelove (1964) Stanley Kubrick
Drugstore Cowboy (1989) Gus Van Sant
Elizabeth - The Virgin Queen (1998) Shekhar Kapur
Entre Nos (2009) Paola Mendoza, Gloria La Morte
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Michel Gondry
Ethan Coen
Eulogy (2004) Michael Clancy
Everything is Illuminated (2005)
Factotum (2005) Bent Hamer
Fargo (1996) Joel Coen
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Terry Gilliam
Fight CLub (1999) David Fincher
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Nicholas Stoller
Garden State (2004) Zach Braff
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Jim Jarmusch
Ghost World (2001) Terry Zwigoff
Grandma's Boy (2006) Nicholaus Goossen
Green Street Hooligans (2005) Lexi Alexander
Gummo (1997) Harmony Korine
Hable con ella (2002) Pedro Almodóvar
Happiness (1998) Todd Solondz
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) John Cameron Mitchell
Igby Goes Down (2002) Burr Steers
In America (2002) Jim Sheridan
Inglourious Basterds (2009) Quentin Tarantino
Intermission (2003) John Crowley
Interview with a Vampire (1994) Neil Jordan
Into the Wild (2007) (1)
Irreversible (2002) (1)
Juno (2007) Jason Reitman (1)
Julie Julia (2009) Norah Ephron
Ken Park (2002) (1)
Kids (1995) Larry Clark (1)
Knocked Up (2007) Judd Apatow
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Craig Gillespie
Layer Cake (2004) Matthew Vaughn
Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Jonathan Dayton
Lock
Lost in Translation (2003) Sofia Coppola
Lucía y el sexo (2001) Julio Medem
Léon the Professional (1994) Luc Besson (Mathilda)
Nine Queens (2001) Fabian Bielinsky
Magnolia (1999)
Marie Antoinette - The Teenage Queen (2006) Sofia Coppola
Mat Whitecross
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) Miranda July
Memento (2000) Christopher Nolan
Mister Lonely (2007)
Million Dollar Baby (2004)*
Monster (2003) Patty Jenkins
Motorcycle Diaries (2004) Walter Salles
No Country for Old Men (2007) Joel Coen *
Nine Lives
Once (2007) John Carney (1)
Party Monster (2003) Fenton Bailey (1)
Pan's Labirynth (2006) Guillermo del Toro
Perseopolis (2007) Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Pi (1998) Darren Aronofsky (1)
Pink Flamingos (1972) John Waters (1)
Pulp Fiction (1994) Quentin Tarantino
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Raging Bull (1980) Martin Scorsese
Randy Barbato
Requiem for a Dream (2000) Darren Aronofsky
Reservoir Dogs (1992) Quentin Tarantino
Revolution Road (2008) Sam Mendes
Rocknrolla (2008) Guy Ritchie
Rudo y Cursi (2009) Carlos Cuaron
Run Lola Run (1998) Tom Tykwer
Rushmore (1998)
Secretary (2002) Steven Shainberg
Seven (1995) David Fincher
Shortbus (2006) John Cameron Mitchell
Sid and Nancy (1986)
Sideways (2004)
Sin Nombre (2009) Cary Fukunaga
slc punk (1999) James Merendino
Sling Blade (1996) Billy Bob Thorton
Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Danny Boyle *
Snatch (2000) Guy Ritchie
Spread (2009) David McKenzie
Spun (2002) Jonas Akerlund
Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) Guy Ritchie
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Swingers (1996) Doug Liman
Taxi Driver (1976) Martin Scorsese
The Art of Travel (2008) Thomas Whelan
The Big Lebowski (1998 Joel Coen
The Boondock Saints (1999) Troy Duffy
The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Wes Anderson
The Departed (2006) Martin Scorsese*
The Dreamers (2004) Bernardo Bertolucci
The Edukators (2005) Hans Weingartner
The Girlfriend Experience (2009) Steven Soderbergh
The Go-Getter (2008) Martin Hynes
The Good Girl (2002) Miguel Arteta
The Last King of Scotland (2006) Kevin MacDonald
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Wes Anderson
The Machinist (2004) Brad Anderson
The Godfather II (1974) Francis Ford Coppola *
The Others (2001) Alejandro Amenabar
The Hours (2002) Stephen Daldry
The Pianist (2002)
The Promotion (2008) Steve Conrad
The Road to Guantanamo (2006) Michael Winterbottom
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Wes Anderson
The Rules of Attraction (2002) Roger Avary
The Science of Sleep (2006) Michel Gondry
The Squid and the Whale (2005) Noah Baumbach
The Union: The Business Behind Getting High Brett Harvey
The Usual Suspects (1995) Bryan Singer
The Virgin Suicides (1999) Sofia Coppola
The Wackness (2008) Jonathan Levine
The Wrestler (2008) Darren Aronofsky
Thank you for smoking (2005) Jason Reitman
There Will Be Blood (2007) Paul Thomas Anderson
This is England (2006) Shane Meadows
Trainspotting (1996) Danny Boyle
Valerie Faris
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) Woody Allen
Volver (2006) Pedro Almodovar
Waking Life (2001) Richard Linklater
West Side Story (1962) *
Whatever Works (2009) Woody Allen
World's Greatest Dad (2009)
Wristcutters: A Love Story (2007) Goran Dukic

[Non, Je ne regrette rien]

2011-05-18T16:16:00.000-04:00

[La Vie En Rose]

2011-05-18T16:14:00.000-04:00

[Je t'aime moi non plus]

2011-05-17T21:39:00.000-04:00

Oh la lah! Let the girlie out.

Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg

- Je t’aime je t’aime
Oh oui je t’aime
- Moi non plus
- Oh mon amour
- Comme la vague irrésolue
Je vais, je vais et je viens
Entre tes reins
Je vais et je viens
Entre tes reins
Et je me retiens

- Je t’aime je t’aime
Oh oui je t’aime
- Moi non plus
- Oh mon amour
Tu es la vague, moi l’île nue
Tu vas, tu vas et tu viens
Entre mes reins
Tu vas et tu viens
Entre mes reins
Et je te rejoins

- Je t’aime je t’aime
Oh oui je t’aime
- Moi non plus
- Oh mon amour
- L’amour physique est sans issue
Je vais je vais et je viens
Entre tes reins
Je vais et je viens
Je me retiens
- Non ! maintenant viens...

In 1969 "Je t'aime moi non plus" is a delicious hymn to sexual freedom. Sung by the smokey voiced Serge Gainsbourg and the sexy Jane Birkin. Even when the single was banned by the church and most European countries, it sold more than one million copies.

["Miss Dior Cherie" ]

2011-05-17T21:24:00.002-04:00

[ Eleanor Roosevelt ]

2011-05-16T20:15:00.000-04:00

[Belle Nuit Barcarolle]

2011-04-08T14:04:00.000-04:00

Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour,
Souris à nos ivresses,
Nuit plus douce que le jour,
Ô belle nuit d'amour!

Le temps fuit et sans retour
Emporte nos tendresses,
Loin de cet heureux séjour
Le temps fuit sans retour.

Zéphyrs embrasés,
Versez-nous vos caresses,
Zéphyrs embrasés,
Versez-nous vos baisers
Versez-nous vos baisers, Ah !

Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour,
Souris à nos ivresses,
Nuit plus douce que le jour,
Ô belle nuit d'amour!
Ah! Souris à nos ivresses!
Nuit d'amour, ô nuit d'amour!
Ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah! ah!

[PUMPKIN CAKE]

2011-02-23T13:23:00.000-05:00

2 cups of pumpkin (puree)
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of veg oil

3 eggs
3 cups of flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

Combine sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl; stir into oil mixture, beating well. Stir in pumpkin puree.

Pour batter into two greased and floured 9-inch round layer cake pans. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes. Turn out onto racks to cool. Frost pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

[ Cuppie-Cakes!]

2011-02-09T11:06:00.001-05:00

[ Wabi-Sabito]

2010-09-16T16:15:00.002-04:00

Wabi-sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience. (passing with time or is the state of being brief and short-lived) The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete". It is a concept derived from the Buddhist assertion of the Three marks of existence specifically impermanence.

Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of natural processes.

[ Pupusas Vegetarian Low Fat ]

2010-08-30T16:09:00.001-04:00

This is the most popular food in El Salvador, it is a lot of work, but very well worth it. Enjoy!

1 cup of corn flour (maseca or harina pan)
1/2 water
a pinch of salt (to taste)
1 tb of butter (or margarine)

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients and knead well. Knead in more water, one tablespoonful at a time if needed, to make a moist, yet firm dough. (It should not crack at the edges when you press down on it.)
Cover and set aside to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Take a little bit of dough and roll it into a ball.
Press an indentation in each ball with your thumb. Put about 1 tablespoon of desired filling into each indentation and fold the dough over to completely enclose it. Taking care that that the filling doesn't spill out.
Line a tortilla press with plastic and press out each ball to about 5-6 inches wide and about 1/4-inch thick. If you don't have a tortilla press, place the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper and roll it out with a rolling pin. (or two cutting boards)
Heat an ungreased skillet over medium-high flame. Cook each pupusa for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and blistered. Remove to a plate and hold warm until all pupusas are done.
You can cover any unused dough and it will keep for a couple of days in the fridge.

Filling.

Pupusas de Queso: With a cheese filling. Use grated mozzarella cheese (or any type of cheese that will melt) Add some grated green pepper for taste.

Curtido. (Pickled Cabbage Salad)

You should make this ahead of time.This is just like any pickled veggie and will keep in the fridge for about a month+. I make it and keep it to eat with other foods. But then again, I love pickled foods.

Water (boiling, about 1 litre)
1 cup of vinegar
1/2 cabbage shredded
1 carrot grated
1 head of cauliflower
1 onion sliced
1 tb of salt (to taste)
1 tb of sugar
1 tb of oregano (to taste)
1 tb of black pepper (to taste)

Peel and grate the carrot, slice the onion and take apart the cauliflower, set aside. Shred the cabbage and dump into the boiling water. Leave it there for about two minutes until the cabbage is bright green but crunchy. Get rid of the water, leaving about one cup, then and add the rest of the peeled and grated vegetables, add vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano and sugar. Mix well. Package it in the fridge in glass bottles like you would jam or any pickled veggies. Let it sit for a couple hours before eating. If you like a very plain salad you can just use onions and cabbage, or you can add whatever veggie you like, colourful bell peppers, boiled beets and cucumbers are some of my fav.

[ Una mujer debe...]

2010-08-12T11:30:00.001-04:00

'MAYA ANGELOU'

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Suficiente dinero a mano para mudarse
o alquilar un lugar por sí misma aunque ella nunca

lo quiera o lo necesite.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Algo perfecto para vestir por si su jefe necesita verla,

o el hombre de sus sueños la invita a salir
en una hora.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Una juventud que esté felíz de dejar atrás.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Un pasado suficientemente bueno

como para querer contarselo a sus nietos.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Un juego de desarmadores, un taladro inalámbrico

y un brassiere de encaje negro.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Una amiga que siempre la haga reír…

y una que la deje llorar.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Un buen mueble nuevo,

que no haya sido de nadie mas.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
Ocho platos de la misma vajilla, copas de vino y una receta

para la cena que haga sentir a sus invitados honrados.

UNA MUJER DEBE TENER…
control de su destino.

UNA MUJER DEBE SABER…
como enamorarse sin perder la cabeza,

ni dejar de ser ella.

UNA MUJER DEBE SABER…
como renunciar a un trabajo,
terminar con un amante
y confrontar a un amigo sin arruinar la amistad.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
cuando esforzarse y cuando dejar de intentarlo.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
que no pueden cambiar el ancho de sus caderas
ni la naturaleza de sus padres.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
que su infancia pudo no ser perfecta,
pero ya terminó.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
lo que harían y no harían por amor.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
como vivir solas aunque no les guste.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
en quién sí y en quién no deben confiar
y por qué no tomarlo personal.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
A donde ir…
a la mesa de la cocina de su mejor amiga
a una acogedora cabaña en el bosque

cuando su alma necesita consuelo.

TODAS LAS MUJERES DEBEN SABER…
lo que pueden lograr y no lograr en un día, en un mes o en un año.

[ Every woman should...]

2010-08-12T11:21:00.000-04:00

'MAYA ANGELOU'

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough
money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear

if the employer, or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD
HAVE .
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a past

juicy enough that she's looking forward

to retelling it in her old age...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and...

a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who always makes her laugh..

and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece of furniture

not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
a feeling of control

over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD
KNOW...
how to fall in love

without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend,
without ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder...

and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...

but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do...

for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone...

even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY
WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs soothing....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month... and a year...

[ ...and i´ve seen it before...]

2010-07-26T09:20:00.000-04:00

[ Prudencia Ayala ]

2010-06-25T15:08:00.005-04:00

Prudencia Ayala (Sonzacate, 28 de abril de 1885 - San Salvador, 11 de julio de 1936), escritora y activista social salvadoreña, que luchó por el reconocimiento de los derechos de la mujer en El Salvador. Mujer de carácter humilde provenía de una familia de origen indígena, sus padres fueron Aurelia Ayala y Vicente Chief; cuando contaba con diez años de edad, se trasladó a la ciudad de Santa Ana, donde comenzó sus estudios primarios en el colegio de la profesora María Luisa de Cristofine,[1] los cuales nunca pudo concluir debido a la falta de recursos económicos en su familia,[2] por lo que desarrolló una formación autodidacta. `
A partir de 1913 comenzó a publicar artículos de opinión en el Diario de Occidente, periódico que circulaba en la región occidental de El Salvador, donde se manifestó partidaria del antiimperialismo, el feminismo y el unionismo centroamericano, además de expresar su rechazo a la invasión norteamericana de Nicaragua. También publicó poemas en varios periódicos del país.

En 1919 fue encarcelada por criticar en una de sus columnas, al alcalde de Atiquizaya y luego, en Guatemala, fue encarcelada varios meses por acusaciones de colaborar con la planificación de un golpe de Estado.En 1921 publicó el libro "Escible. Aventuras de una viaje a Guatemala" donde narraba su viaje a ese país en los últimos meses del gobierno dictatorial de Manuel Estrada Cabrera; además publicó los libros "Inmortal, amores de loca" (1925) y "Payaso literario en combate" (1928). A finales de la década de los años 1920, ella fundó y dirigió el periódico Redención femenina, donde expresó su postura en defensa de los derechos ciudadanos de las mujeres.
En 1930, consciente de sus derechos como mujer, retó al sistema social político de su tiempo al lanzarse como candidata a la Presidencia de la República convirtiéndose así en la primera mujer en El Salvador e Hispanoamérica en optar a esa investidura La legislación salvadoreña no reconocía el derecho al sufragio femenino. Su plataforma de gobierno incluía el apoyo a los sindicatos, la honradez y transparencia en la administración pública, la limitación de la distribución y consumo del aguardiente, el respecto por la libertad de cultos y el reconocimiento de los "hijos ilegítimos" (hijos fuera del matrimonio). Se inició un debate público de argumentos jurídicos y políticos a favor y en contra de su pretensión. Uno de los defensores de su candidatura fue el filósofo, maestro, escritor y diputado Alberto Masferrer, quien escribió en el periódico Patria:
Prudencia Ayala defiende una causa justa y noble, cual es el derecho de la mujer a ser elector y ocupar altos puestos. Su programa de gobierno no es inferior en claridad, sentido práctico y sencillez, al de otros candidatos que se toman en serio
Sufrió muchas humillaciones y varias veces fue encarcelada se le conocía como "Prudencia la loca" si bien es cierto en su momento no se le supo reconocer ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que aquella mujer de piel morena y ojos grandes escandalizo a la sociedad netamente machista pero de seguro con su bastón de madera abrió el camino de la historia para anunciar la igualdad de derechos"

[ Aquí animamos a todos...]

2010-06-25T12:44:00.001-04:00

Comerciales para el Mundial Sudafrica - Malta Regional Venezuela.

[ sui generis ]

2010-06-21T17:12:00.001-04:00

Si un perro fuera tu maestro, aprenderías cosas como:

Cuando tus seres queridos llegan a casa, siempre corre a saludarlos.

Nunca dejes pasar una oportunidad para ir a pasear.

Deja que la experiencia del aire fresco y del viento en tu cara sea de puro Éxtasis.

Toma siestas.

Estírate antes de levantarte.

Corre, brinca y juega a diario.

Mejora tu atención y deja que la gente te toque.

Evita morder cuando un simple gruñido sería suficiente.

En días cálidos, recuéstate sobre tu espalda en el pasto.

Cuando haga mucho calor, toma mucha agua y recuéstate bajo la sombra de un árbol.

Cuando estés feliz, baila alrededor, y mueve todo tu cuerpo.

Deléitate en la alegría simple de una larga caminata.

Sé leal.

Nunca pretendas ser algo que no eres.

Si lo que quieres está enterrado, escarba hasta que lo encuentres.

Cuando alguien tenga un mal día, quédate en silencio,

siéntate cerca y suavemente hazles sentir que estás ahí.

[ Por que me visto de negro...]

2010-06-07T11:42:00.001-04:00

[ Plus Rien Ne M'Etonne ]

2010-05-25T09:54:00.000-04:00

Ils ont partagé le monde, plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Si tu me laisses la Tchétchénie,
Moi je te laisse l’Arménie
Si tu me laisse l’afghanistan
Moi je te laisses le Pakistan
Si tu ne quittes pas Haïti,
Moi je t’embarque pour Bangui
Si tu m’aides à bombarder l’Irak
Moi je t’arrange le Kurdistan.
Ils ont partagé le monde, plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Si tu me laisses l’uranium,
Moi je te laisse l’aluminium
Si tu me laisse tes gisements,
Moi je t’aides à chasser les Talibans
Si tu me donnes beaucoup de blé,
Moi je fais la guerre à tes côtés
Si tu me laisses extraire ton or,
Moi je t’aides à mettre le général dehors.
Ils ont partagé le monde, plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Ils ont partagé Africa, sans nous consulter
Il s’étonnent que nous soyons désunis.
Une partie de l’empire Maldingue
Se trouva chez les Wollofs.
Une partie de l’empire Mossi,
Se trouva dans le Ghana.
Une partie de l’empire Soussou,
Se trouva dans l’empire Maldingue.
Une partie de l’empire Maldingue,
Se trouva chez les Mossi.
Ils ont partagé Africa, sans nous consulter !
Sans nous demander !
Sans nous aviser !
Ils ont partagé le monde, plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !
Plus rien ne m’étonne !

(Merci à sfndark pour cettes paroles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecztotibB8&feature=related

[ le pays va mal ]

2010-05-25T09:49:00.001-04:00

Le Pays Va Mal :
{Refrain} :
Le pays va mal
Mon pays va mal
Mon pays va mal
De mal en mal
Mon pays va mal

Avant on ne parlait pas de nordistes ni de sudistes
Mais aujourd'hui tout est gâté
L'armée est divisée
Les étudiants sont divisés
La société est divisée
Même nos mères au marché sont divisées

{au Refrain}

Avant on ne parlait pas de chrétiens ni de musulmans
Mais aujourd'hui ils ont tout gâté
L'armée est divisée
Les étudiants sont divisés
La société est divisée
Même nos mères au marché sont divisées

{au Refrain}

Nous manquons de remèdes
Contre l'injustice, le tribalisme, la xénophobie
Après l'ivoirité
Ils ont créé les ou les é o les é

{au Refrain}

Djamana gnagamou'na
Obafé kan'gnan djamana gnagamou he
Djamana gnagami'na lou ho
Obafé kan'gnan djamana gnagamou
Magô mi ba'fé kagnan djamana gnagamou
Allah ma'ho kili tchi'la
Djamana gnagamou'la lou ho
Djamana gnagamou'la

{au Refrain}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A19xySmFaqU&feature=related

[ Shadows of ourselves ]

2010-05-25T09:45:00.001-04:00

"Coeur Ma canique oú sont tes piles ?
Perdu dans un monde, tout etranger
Quelle est la raison pour tous ces mensonges
On a plus le droit de se renfermer

Je n'ai pas le temps de perdre la tete
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme
Je n'ai pas le temps de perdre la tete
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme

Quelle est cette ivresse qui nous entraine
D'ou vient tous ces mots qui m'attaquent
Plaisirs incomplets qui m'envoutent
On a plus le droit de fermer ses portes

Je n'ai pas le temps de perdre la tete
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme
Je n'ai pas le temps de perdre la tete
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme
Pour nous sauver de nous-meme

[ Fashion Illustration ]

2010-03-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

http://www.fashionillustrationgallery.com/

[ French Post Impressionism ]

2010-03-23T11:52:00.005-04:00

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (24 November 1864 – 9 September 1901) French Painter, Illustrator and Craftsman.

Henri Rousseau (May 21, 1844 – September 2, 1910) French Post-Impressionist.

[ Glade Carlitos ]

2010-03-22T16:06:00.001-04:00

[ Bimbo Monstruo ]

2010-03-22T16:03:00.001-04:00

[ Claudia Lars ]

2010-03-08T16:04:00.000-05:00

Claudia Lars, born in Armenia, El Salvador on December 20th, 1899 as Carmen Brannon Vega, was a Salvadoran poet. She died in San Salvador in 1974. She was the daughter of Peter Patrick Brannon and Carmen Vega Zelayandía.

Claudia produced 14 books of poetry and a memoir.

[ Francesca Miranda ]

2010-03-08T16:01:00.000-05:00

Francesca Miranda is a Salvadoran fashion designer. She is one of five children of American Gloria Gonzales de Miranda, owner of Hacienda de Los Miranda, and of spaniard/italian Ruy Cesar Miranda Lupone from a socially prestigious and iconic family. Her eldest sister, born in 1953, is divorcee Olga Miranda.^[1]

Before becoming a designer with Oscar de la Renta Miranda wanted to be a model and from 1979 she studied marketing in Florida.^[1] She specialized in Fashion Merchandising and began to design under the Xango brand in 1995. Three years later she put her own name to her leading edge menswear designs. The collection had a Caribbean style, featuring assless riding chaps with soft colors, specially designed for curvier men. Having established herself as a menswear designer, in 2000 Miranda created City People, a range of clothes for women. City People has a sexy style, with embroidery, fitted trousers and transparent blouses. Her 2001 collection was inspired by the works of the Colombian novellist Gabriel García Márquez.^[3]

After marriage to Francisco Jassir in 1983 she moved to her husband's hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia, where she opened her first boutique. This was successful enough to warrant opening a new store in Bogotá, Colombia. Her first boutique outside Colombia was opened in El Salvador. The couple have three children.

Miranda currently sells merchandise in Dubai, Russia, USA, France, United Kingdom, Colombia, Panama and El Salvador.

[ Christy Turlington ]

2010-03-08T15:49:00.000-05:00

Appeared in the nude for a PETA poster stating, "I'd rather go naked than wear fur".

Face is inspiration/model for mannequins in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Was co-owner of Fashion Cafe in New York City. [1996]

On of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People [1993]

Dated Roger Wilson [1987-1991]

Collects pottery.

Has been on the cover of nearly 1,000 magazines since 1987 including Vouge, Allure, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, and Elle.

Sisters, Erin and Kelly.

Had Roger Wilson's initials tatooed on her ankle, but got it altered to a rose.

Attended Monte Vista High School in Danville, CA.

Is an anti-smoking activist.

Announced that she has early stage emphysema from her 10-year smoking habit. She quit smoking in 1995. [2000]

Announced engagement to Edward Burns [2001]

Spokesmodel of Calvin Klein.

Spokesmodel of Maybelline.

Spokesmodel of STRENESSE.

Measurements: 35B-22-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Her father is American and her mother is from El Salvador.

Is bilingual (speaks English & Spanish).

Dress size: 6-8

Shoe size: 9

She and Edward Burns welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Grace (b. 25 October 2003)

One of the five supermodels. The others are Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista.

Went back to school in 1994 and graduated cum laude in 1999, from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study of New York University (NYU), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Comparative Religion and Eastern Philosophy.

Is a Jivamukti (ashtanga) Yoga enthusiast

Used to order Kentucky Fried Chicken Original Recipe for her lunch during modeling shoots for Cosmopolitan magazine

Has a dog named "MicSpic" in honor of her Hispanic and her husband's Irish backgrounds.

Despite being a huge yoga enthusiast and majoring in eastern philosophy, decided that she was going back to her Catholic roots and go back to eating meat.

Graduated from NYU with a degree in Comparative Religion and Eastern Philosophy (1999)

Was ranked #6 in Channel 5's "World's greatest supermodel".

Diagnosed with emphysema in December 2000. She smoked up to a pack of cigarettes a day between the ages of 13 and 26, with a two year break.

Wore a silk-and-lace cap sleeved Galliano gown in her June 2003 wedding to Edward Burns.

Son, Finn, born January 2006.

Appeared in a Mario Testino photo shoot for Vanity Fair magazine alongside supermodels Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Campbell. The pictorial covered pages 182 through 193. [September 2008]

Spokesperson for Balenciaga.

[ Consuelo de Saint Exupéry ]

2010-03-08T15:45:00.000-05:00

Consuelo de Saint Exupéry (born Armenia, El Salvador, April 10, 1901—died Grasse, France, May 28, 1979) was a Salvadoran-French writer and artist, and wife of the famous writer and aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry.

The Tale of the Rose is Consuelo’s account of their extraordinary marriage. It is a love story about a pilot and his wife, a man who yearned for the stars and the spirited woman who gave him the strength to fulfill his dreams.

[ Alicia Larde ]

2010-03-08T15:36:00.001-05:00

Otherwise known as Alicia Nash.

The story of John Nash's life -- brilliant mathematician, troubled schizophrenic, and finally winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics -- might have had a far harsher arc if not for his wife, Alicia Larde. Sylvia Nasar, the author of the book A Beautiful Mind, believes that Nash's choice of Larde revealed that his intelligence extended beyond mathematics. "It was Nash's genius," she writes, "to choose a woman who would prove so essential to his survival."

Alicia entered Nash's life as a young M.I.T. student dazzled by a star professor. Alicia remembers the first time she saw Nash. "I walked into the classroom, and I thought he was very nice looking," she said, "he was like the fair-haired boy of the math department." He, while the less eager partner, noticed her as well. "She," John admitted later in life, "was one of the few girls that attracted my attention."

Alicia was strikingly beautiful, well groomed and feminine, wearing full skirts and very high heels. She was intellectually sharp, cosmopolitan, witty, and socially savvy. According to author Sylvia Nash, Joyce Davis, a classmate of Alicia's, described the collegiate Alicia as "a Salvadorean princess with a sense of noblesse oblige."

Alicia's extended family was an aristocratic clan that hobnobbed with the intelligentsia of El Salvador rather than with the country's landed oligarchy. Alicia's family spoke French and English as well as Spanish, traveled abroad, and lived well in a beautiful villa near the center of San Salvador, El Salvador's capital.

That life vanished when Alicia's father, a doctor, left for the United States in 1944. The family followed, first settling in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then in metropolitan New York City. With a reference written by the salvadorean ambassador to the United States, Alicia gained entry to the Marymount School, an exclusive Catholic girls school on the Upper East Side. Alicia's father, excited by his daughter's childhood dream of becoming the next Marie Curie, wrote a letter to the schoolmaster, asking her to help Alicia realize her aspiration to become a nuclear scientist. Alicia did well, becoming one of only 16 women entering the M.I.T. class of 1955.

John and Alicia met in an Advanced Calculus for Engineers class, but became a couple after Nash encountered Alicia at the university's music library, where she worked. Nasar points out that the two shared far more than an attraction: they were both close to their mothers; grew up in houses where intellectual achievement and status were supreme; and were both outsiders. These attractions pulled the two together in marriage in 1957.

After John's sudden onset of schizophrenia, Alicia tried to hide what was going on from friends and faculty. "Alicia wanted to save his career and preserve his intellect," recalled a friend. "It was her interest to keep Nash intact." That was her intention when, pregnant, she had her husband involuntarily committed to McLean Hospital outside Boston, something that Nash bitterly resented.

"I tried to remain positive as much as I could," Alicia remembers. " And I really tried not to feel pity for myself."

After three years of familial turmoil, Alicia filed for divorce, something that the Hollywood version of Nash's life left out. With the help of her mother, Alicia raised their son John on her own. Later he, too, turned out to have schizophrenia. In 1970 a decade after the divorce and with her ex-husband struggling just to survive, Alicia took him into her home not as a husband but as what she called her " boarder."

"They say that a lot of people are left on the back wards of mental institutions," says Alicia, speaking of her decision to take Nash in. "And somehow their few chances to get out go by and they just end up there. So, that was one of the reasons I said, 'Well, I can put you up.' "

"If she hadn' t taken him in, he would have wound up on the streets," believes Nasar. "He had no income. He had no home. I think that Alicia saved his life." In the 1980s, John slowly emerged from schizophrenia and in 1994 he received a Nobel Prize in Economics for the game theory work he completed as a young man. In the spring of 2001, Alicia and John were remarried, 38 years after their divorce.

"We thought it would be a good idea," Alicia stated quite simply. "After all, we've been together most of our lives."

[ T G I F ! ]

2010-03-05T08:18:00.002-05:00

[ Sunday Morning Songs]

2010-02-28T10:15:00.002-05:00

For all our different sunday mornings...

haha

[ Clash of the Titans - Kraken attacks ]

2010-02-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

[ CaChiChen El fenomeno del momento...]

2010-01-28T16:30:00.001-05:00

[ Les Fruits ]

2010-01-19T14:53:00.002-05:00

albaricoque - apricot - abricot
melocoton - peach - pêche
nectarina - nectarine
lima - lime - lime, citron vert
limon - lemon - citron
manzana - apple - pomme
mango - mango - mangue
ciruela - plum - prune
ciruela pasa - prune - pruneau
coco - coconut - cocotier
fresa - strawberry - fraise
uva - grape - grain de raisin
piña - pineapple - ananas
kiwi
banana - banane
frambuesa - raspberry - framboise
arandano - cranberry - canneberge
arandano? - blueberry - bleuet
zarzamora - blackberry - mûre
cereza - cherry -cerise
sandia - watermelon - pastèque
melon
curuba - pasion fruit - fuit de la passion

[Baby Brainstorm]

2010-01-14T14:19:00.006-05:00

Bruce
Mateo
Marco
Lucas
Gabriel
Alex
Max
Sebastian
Adrian
Andre

Abigail
Raquel
Sofia
Alexa - Alexis?
Stella
Coco
Elisa
Olivia
Elise
Mia
Mila
Margoth
Helena
Ana?

[ Je n'ai pas le temps de perdre la tête...]

2010-01-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

[ Phenomenal Woman ]

2009-12-30T20:24:00.000-05:00

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

[Ca-Chi-Chien]

2009-11-10T15:44:00.001-05:00

El antiguo proverbio chino pregunta, como se dice 99 en chino? ca-chi chien...

[Cold Play Cuban Clocks ]

2009-10-23T10:31:00.000-04:00

[ Latin Music USA ]

2009-10-15T11:48:00.002-04:00

Note worthy program.

Latin Music USA

[ When you travel to Venezuela you must try: ]

2009-10-02T16:13:00.003-04:00

in no particular order:

1. cachapas
2. samba de fresa
3. cocada
4. magnun
5. empanada de pollo
6. fresh parchita juice
7. arepa de reina pepeada
8. pirulin
9. manzanita
10. pabellon
11. quesillo

[Question #35]

2009-09-03T17:22:00.001-04:00

Can you fit yourself or who you are in a box and send it away?

[El Shaddai]

2009-08-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

EL SHADDAI

(-Jah Mali-)

Praises be to the Almighty One

Jah you see where we are going

For our sakes I make this plea

For the seeds some are sowing

Destroys peace and unity,

And its showing,it is growing

Peace and love in any language

Will remain one and the same

For there ain’t no stoppage,

to the calling of your name

cos it is Worthy ,Almighty

Lets all rejoice in songs and and say

El SHADDAI ,HEAR I AND I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

In every man stand his plan

All he needs to do is follow

The spirit which is legit,

that’s how we’ll all grow

to know him,ELOHIM

some man a loafters of themselves

in this time only a few

will make love as something that they know

to be shared with me and you

what a pity,his mercy

those without vision ,got no destiny

El SHADDAI ,HEAR I AND I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

Honesty is dying ,Modesty is suffocating

We need understanding, on the way

El SHADDAI ,HEAR I AND I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

Jah you see where we are going

For our sakes I make this plea

For the seeds some are sowing

Destroys peace and unity,

And its showing,it is growing

Peace and love in any language

Will remain one and the same

For there ain’t no stoppage,

to the calling of your name

cos it is Worthy ,Almighty

Lets all rejoice in songs and and say

El SHADDAI ,hear I AN I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

El SHADDAI ,hear I AN I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

El SHADDAI ,hear I AN I

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

You for I, El SHADDAI

Like a child let thoughts sublime yeah

[Chill Friday Music]

2009-08-21T12:23:00.005-04:00

One of the things I will miss when I am gone from here is the reggae-nuts I work with.

Chilled Friday is here!

[Dancing Shoes for a Friday Afternoon]

2009-08-14T16:52:00.001-04:00

[Jack Johnson + Buena Vista Social Club]

2009-08-08T16:54:00.001-04:00

saturday morning music.

[Banco Provincial Commercial]

2009-07-28T09:47:00.003-04:00

Going to the bank to make a deposit was a nightmare until BBVA introduced automatic tellers to make them. (wow! welcome to the new century) The best part is the commercial to announce the new service.

Father is packing his bags, kid walks in and very afraid he asks:
Daddy where are you going?
Dad says:
Son, I have to go the bank.
Kid screams.

[ Vancouver Rocks! ]

2009-05-20T15:51:00.001-04:00

This is too well written to pass by...

Does Vancouver torch look like a joint?

VANCOUVER–All hail – or inhale – the 2010 Olympic Torch.

Or, as it's jokingly known around Vancouver, the Olympic Toke.

Composed of stainless steel, aluminum and sheet moulding, the torch was designed to evoke snow, ice, skiing and skating, but to many, the metre-long white torch looks suspiciously like a marijuana joint, especially when lit.

The observation has become so common in this city that it's hard to know who was the first to say, "Hey, doesn't that look like ..."

But the torch's resemblance to British Columbia's biggest cash crop was evident right away to Jodie Emery, editor of Cannabis Culture magazine.

"A lot of people come to Vancouver because it's marijuana-friendly, so I think people who already enjoy a joint themselves will feel a little more kinship to the Olympics," said Emery, who ran as a Green party candidate in the provincial election this month.

"I'm sure the organizers didn't intend for it to look like a joint, but that's what a lot of people are seeing."

The association between toking and the Olympics didn't begin with the torch, of course.

At the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan, Whistler skier Ross Rebagliati won, then lost, the gold medal in snowboarding after testing positive for marijuana. The medal was returned after Rebagliati explained he had inhaled second-hand smoke. And Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps was photographed in February smoking pot from a bong.

Industrial designer Mark Busse said he doesn't see a joint so much as a tweezer or scalpel.

"Sure, it may look a little bit like a joint, but I can tell you that what they were going for was ergonomics, sleekness, modernity," he said.

Suzanne Reeves, the Vancouver organizing committee's director of communications for the Olympic torch relay, said she has taken the torch across the country and people's faces light up when they get the chance to hold it.

At Nathan Phillips Square a couple of weeks ago, Reeves said she had the torch in a bag when a cyclist went by and did a double-take when he saw what she had.

Reeves said what she sees when she looks at the torch is the edge of snow and an unfurling flag.

"It's quite magical. Most people's reactions are emotional," she said.

The torch will be carried by 12,000 people over 45,000 kilometres as it makes its journey across Canada.

Because the torch will travel through the winter months, it had to meet some tough technical requirements, including being able to withstand high winds, cold temperatures and different altitudes.

The torch officially is meant to resemble the lines left behind by skiers and skaters on snow and ice.

Any double – or doobie – entendres, officials say, are purely unintentional.

[The education of Miss Condoleeza Rice]

2009-05-17T10:38:00.002-04:00

Meet Condoleeza the new addition to our family, a black chow chow pup. (she is not a chow chow, we actually do not know what kind of dog she is. Well, she is the cute kind.)
She is still playful and not too educated, but very smart.

Doggie black is the new black.

[ ...rhymes with thirty ]

2009-04-01T13:24:00.002-04:00

dirty
flirty
nerdy
pretty
neaty
testy
thirsty
guilty
fruity
lefty
rusty for those who haven´t done it in a while
multi for those who turn thirty over and over again
mighty

[Birthday Celebration]

2009-03-21T22:00:00.003-04:00

This year, my husband planned a surprise party for me, not only was I surprised, he was too. Everyday I understand more and more why people call Venezuela the land of possibilities.

A few weeks back we found the coolest place in town, the rock and roll bar. A small bar with a huge screen at the back of a restaurant in the entertainment district in Valencia. It had rock of all ages, cool videos, cheap beer, friendly staff, a wall covered in Rolling Stone Magazine covers and some tiki torches. At about 8 pm, our friend David called and said there was nothing where we told him to go. We thought he had gone around the block instead of inside the restaurant to the back to the bar, so we hung up the phone and took off.

Driving by the place, we didn't even slow down we just started screaming WHAAAAAAAAAAA?! then my very witty husband yelled out: SURPRISE!!!!! the restaurant and the bar have been demolished, to the ground, it is now a parking lot for the adjacent establishments. Yes, it dissapeared. And to think we were there the week before.

We were all surprised, a funny surprise... what a birthday!

As soon as I have one I will post a picture, but wow, what a night!

[175 reasons to love Toronto]

2009-03-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

1. It is the centre of the (Canadian) universe.

2. Jane Jacobs called it home.

3. Our first mayor led a rebellion.

4. We can finally buy a decent burrito.

5. We can hang up our laundry without stirring up gossip.

6. We have independent bookstores in every neighbourhood – and new ones are still opening.

7. Our sports teams wear blue and purple, and we look damn good in blue and purple.

8. We have a Little Malta.

9. And a Little Azores.

10. There are so many Chinatowns, we've lost count.

11. There's a festival for every neighbourhood and ethnic group in the city – and about a dozen crammed into every summer weekend.

12. A million people can crowd the streets during one of these festivals and nobody gets mugged.

13. Gays and lesbians can marry here.

14. There's a perfect, tiny old church in the courtyard of the Eaton Centre.

15. And a prayer labyrinth.

16. North America's most stable banks are based here.

17. The elegant footbridge at the mouth of the Humber that has inspired thousands of photographs.

18. The surreal spectacle of Church Street on Halloween.

19. Long before wi-fi, we could predict the weather by looking at the beacon atop the Canada Life building.

20. Violent crime is actually going down.

21. The downtown population is actually going up.

22. Admit it: A couple of the seemingly thousands of new condo dwellings are actually rather nice.

23. One of the city's best golf courses runs underneath its busiest highway.

24. We can watch (and cringe at) young daredevils at Cummer Skateboard Park.

25. The newspaper reading room at the Toronto Reference Library.

26. We have a restaurant devoted to poutine.

27. Those streetcar drivers who assert themselves over the automated voice system with their own personal shout-outs for various intersections and attractions along their routes.

28. Going down the giant escalator at the Paramount – er, Scotiabank Theatre.

29. Working up a sweat on the old wooden indoor running track at Hart House, followed by lunch at the Gallery Grill.

30. Dining on pho at 2 in the morning.

31. The inspirational messages on the Inglis billboard keep Gardiner Expressway commuters uplifted.

32. Touring local history (and stopping for a game of chess) at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

33. The private viewing booths at the NFB's Mediatheque.

34. That guy – you know the one – who insists on wearing shorts in the dead of winter.

35. We proudly display our favourite of Spacing magazine's iconic buttons of TTC subway stations.

36. We dutifully separate our garbage into black, blue and green.

37. Learning to love theatre classics, thanks to Soulpepper.

38. Michael Snow's Canada geese sculpture in the Eaton Centre.

39. If you're bored by what you're watching at the Winter Garden Theatre, you can admire the faux greenery.

40. The artistic Utopia of the gorgeously restored 401 Richmond and the Wychwood Art Barns.

41. We've got more cyclists per capita than Vancouver.

42. The SkyDome (okay, Rogers Centre) when the roof is in the process of being opened or closed.

43. Basking in the sun at the Canada Master tennis tournament (okay, the Rogers Cup).

44. From the Humber Bay butterfly habitat, the city looks almost beautiful.

45. The dim sum is as good as the tapas. (And the antipasti are as good as the panchan. And ...)

46. We've got a sugar museum. And a shoe museum.

47. When you look up you can see hawks circling.

48. The double-decker Go trains flashing by cars gridlocked on the Gardiner.

49. We are a hockey city, baseball city, basketball city and now a soccer city.

50. We are sometimes also a cricket city.

51. Eating your way across the globe at St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday.

52. The Dakota Tavern, the west end's roots-music rec room.

53. Watching leaves turn at the Toronto Botanical Garden in the fall.

54. Stopping in your tracks as a bigger-than-you-remembered Porter plane descends over the harbour.

55. The flume log ride at Ontario Place.

56. Without us, where would they film movies set in American cities?

57. Honest Ed's shrine to kitsch even lets Toronto fill in for Vegas from time to time.

58. We never have to stop traffic for a Stanley Cup parade.

59. A family of beavers made a home for themselves at the Music Garden.

60. Yonge-Dundas Square was supposed to be Toronto's answer to Times Square. It's really no comparison, but don't you want to give the city a big condescending hug just for trying?

61. Colin Partridge's vivid tree carvings in High Park.

62. Getting to the Toronto City Centre Airport necessitates a ride on the world's shortest ferry route.

63. Bumping into a towel-clad celeb at Stillwater Spa.

64. Marvelling at the machines that churn out sweet walnut cakes in Little Korea.

65. Chilled-out revellers and circus performers at free summertime Promise parties put Cherry Beach on the map.

66. You can pay $5 for a cup of coffee at a growing number of specialty cafes – or still get your double-double for 90 cents.

67. For 10 star-struck days in September, Toronto is justified calling itself Hollywood North.

68. The raging fandom on display – for lacrosse! – at Toronto Rock games is inspiring.

69. Spotting a big, beautiful white-tailed deer nibbling greenery at G. Ross Lord Park.

70. Watching a big ugly amphibious Hippo bus taking a swim in the harbour.

71. The legendary white squirrel.

72. We've now got a deli and bagels that make trips to Montreal almost unnecessary.

73. The smiles on everyone's faces during the first warm spell of the year.

74. A hive of indie rock, from Apostle of Hustle to Woodhands.

Hip hop too: Kardi, K-os and K'Naan call it home.

76. Scouting for migrating birds at the Leslie Street Spit – but look out for the snakes.

77. Nuit Blanche, for letting us see the city with fresh eyes.

78. The gorilla compound at the Toronto Zoo.

79. The intimate zoos at High Park, Riverdale Park and Centre Island.

80. A huge festival that treats authors like real celebrities.

81. Exploring the cottagey, car-free Ward Island neighbourhood and wondering why we don't all live there.

82. The united nations of Baldwin Street.

83. Tai chi at Christie Pits.

84. The sad, poignant sculptures at Ireland Park.

85. Being able to overhear – and see – top-shelf jazz from a comfortable perch outside the Nathan Phillips mainstage tent during the jazz festival when you can't afford a ticket.

86. Getting back to nature, almost, in a meandering ravine.

87. Housing is getting more affordable by the month.

88. The view of the city as you drive south on the DVP.

89. Riding your bike along the DVP and Gardiner during the annual Ride for Heart.

90. Lively literati – from Michael Ondaatje to Bryan Lee O'Malley – helped make this a city of the imagination.

91. Enza, supermodel.

92. The glass staircase in the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

93. The glass floor at the CN Tower.

94. The perfect blend of old and new in the Brookfield Place atrium.

95. Top-notch, small-scale comedy at Bad Dog, Comedy Bar, Second City – and a dozen other barroom stages.

96. Basking in verdant luxury in the backyards of the wealthy along the Belt Line trail.

97. Shirtless Zanta doing pushups in the cold.

98. Extensive back-alley graffiti, some of which is better than the stuff hanging in galleries.

99. Gehry, Libeskind, Alsopp: Thank you, thank you, thank you, for giving us architecture worthy of debate.

100. Spotting the almost mystical garbage train on the TTC late at night.

101. Fig and molasses, chestnut and birch syrup ... and other exotic flavours from Kensington Market Organic Ice Cream.

102. The care that goes into irrepressibly quirky allotment gardens.

103. Winter? What winter? Eating, shopping and working in the PATH.

104. Rightfully beloved Massey Hall has welcomed too many big names to count.

105. Distillery delicacies: Mayan hot chocolate at Soma, organic beer at Mill Street Brewery, exotic fromage from A Taste of Quebec and a meat pie from Brick Street Bakery, enjoyed in the city's most cinematic setting.

106. The surprisingly vibrant beach volleyball scene at Ashbridge's Bay.

107. Helping a student by riding a rickshaw.

108. Listening to live music at the restored deco classic Carlu.

109. Eating brunch three times a day, every day, in Leslieville.

110. SARS made us stronger – and the resulting benefit concert found a use for the empty expanse of Downsview Park.

111. Ron Baird's landmark kinetic steel sculpture on Dufferin St. south of Steeles Ave.

112. The smell of baked goods at Bathurst and Eglinton subway stations.

113. The giant glowing pill-shaped classroom in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at U of T.

114. There's a downtown driving range that doubles as a drive-in theatre.

115. The CN Tower withstands some 50 lightning strikes a year.

116. We saw a guy take his Christmas tree home on the subway.

117. The Dufferin Grove organic farmers market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. year round.

118. Going for mojitos at Julie's.

119. Then listening to live Cuban music at Lula Lounge.

120. Hopping from one you-call-that-art? gallery to another on Queen West for Thursday-night opening receptions.

121. Coming across a part of the city transformed for a movie shoot.

122. The impossibly ornate, painstakingly constructed Hindu temple that seems totally out of place alongside the 427.

123. Sipping from a green coconut and wishing Toronto had palm trees during Caribana.

124. Lining up for Hakka food in Scarborough.

125. Dancing to a band from a faraway land in the open air at Harbourfront.

126. Reading a book on the bizarre slab of granite on Yorkville Ave.

127. Feeling like you're the first to discover fresh pupusas on Augusta Ave.

128. Jackie Richardson, a one-woman musical treasure.

129. Dusk Dances and Shakespeare in the Park: keeping green space interesting.

130. Pillow fights, Zombie Walks, subway parties, Manhunt and Capture the Flag: keeping it weird.

131. Spectacular patios – the Madison, Quigley's and the Rectory, to name just three – filling up at the first sign of good weather.

132. The "secret" patios hiding at the back of dozens of restaurants.

133. Grazing among the cow statues in the TD Centre plaza.

134. Watching glass blowers performing their molten arts at York Quay Centre.

135. Lying on the grass for a concert at Molson Amphitheatre.

136. Determining your favourite pa'an-wallah – by sampling them all – on Gerrard Street.

137. Collecting your winnings – even if you're at a loss overall – at Woodbine Racetrack.

138. The fact that decades after Mies van der Rohe designed them, the TD towers look brand new.

139. The myriad and lovely stained glass windows on Annex-area homes.

140. Singing karaoke with the Gladstone Cowboy.

141. Doors Open proves that yes, we do give a damn about architecture.

142. And there's more to like here than just the Flatiron Building.

143. Neil Young and Glenn Gould were both born here.

144. The Rolling Stones surprise us with a secret concert once in a while.

145. Off-leash areas of parks, where dog owners sit on picnic tables and mingle while their furry charges roam free.

146. The harbour lit up with sails at sunset on a windy summer's eve.

147. Watching an extended streetcar accordion its way around a curve.

148. Winter DJ skating parties.

149. The overhead OMNIMAX screen and comfy chairs you can lay back on at the Ontario Science Centre.

150. Trying not to puke while riding the Zipper at the CNE.

151. Surviving the vomit comet.

152. The awe-inspiring R.C. Harris fortress of water filtration.

153. York University's ravine-shrouded Glendon campus.

154. The best movies you've never heard of at Cinematheque Ontario.

155. The best movies you missed the first time around – for a better price – at neighbourhood rep houses.

156. Ogling the old-money opulence of Rosedale.

157. And the nouveau opulence of the Bridle Path.

158. The sights and smells of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

159. Summertime drum circles at Trinity Bellwoods Park.

160. We have had two World Series championships when cities that have had franchises longer – that means you, Houston and San Diego – haven't had any.

161. Finding the perfectly musty tweed jacket in Kensington Market.

162. Watching a dance lesson through the expansive windows of the National Ballet School.

163. A taste of Dover at Bluffer's Park.

164. The historic outdoor pool at Sunnyside Park.

165. Helping the artisans make meals from scratch at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

166. Actual gold in the windows of the Royal Bank tower makes us almost nostalgic for days of excess.

167. Winterlicious and Summerlicious, when we can afford to dine amongst the expense-account set.

168. The city is finally realizing there's a waterfront.

169. The Mayor is your Twitter buddy.

170. Looking out from a rooftop lounge, you can see how much the city has changed in the last decade.

171. We're nicer than they say we are. We're just a little shy sometimes.

172. Big enough to be anonymous. Small enough to know your neighbours.

173. It's easy to leave.

174. It's just as easy to come back.

175. If we don't love it, who will?

[ Have another coffee...]

2009-02-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

[ Si o No ]

2009-02-16T14:37:00.004-05:00

What a sad day for Venezuela. I am just a witness here, my voice has no sound and when asked what option I would if I could vote, I jokingly answered "maybe". I just didn´t know a lot of people felt that way. According to the numbers about 30% of voters didn´t excersice their right, and there you have it, others picked the answer, now practically anyone will be able to get re-elected as many times as they can buy.

Oh what a sad day for Democracy.

"Esto fue tan solo una batalla que ha ganado la Usurpación y la Tirania,

pero vencerá la Libertad".

- Simón Bolívar.

[ For the love of black ]

2009-01-21T16:47:00.002-05:00

I refuse to be completely tropicalized. I may add a colour here and there but I still love black.

Black is the new black.

[ El platano mas bonito que he cosechado...]

2008-12-09T14:31:00.000-05:00

[ My life without me... ]

2008-12-03T13:13:00.002-05:00

2003. Canadian Film and one of the most touching movies I have ever watched.

[ Terminales ]

2008-11-21T08:01:00.003-05:00

Awhile back surfing through channels I came upon a series called Terminales. It is not very often I watch soap operas or novelas, I like something with less commitment but there was a show that caught my eye. Since I cannot be bothered to sit at home at a certain hour to watch a show I have gone the extra mile and watched faithfully each week on youtube. Ah the wonders of the internet!

[ Ford Venezuela ]

2008-10-28T13:40:00.004-04:00

In Venezuela, or at least in Valencia, you hardly ever see any type of social awareness campaigns, but there is one that caught my eye. It is called SENOS AYUDA (senos meaning breasts or do us and ayuda means help.) I applauded the iniciative and participated in donating through text messaging. But Ford´s campaign aid to Breast Cancer did let me down.

Ford presented a campaign and decided to use the naked female form and use it as a landscape with an SUV. (nipples and all) Now, John Neff in autoblog.com celebrated the Ford campaign; however I have to disagree with John. There is one thing right with the campaign, and that is that it supports breast cancer awareness but there are so many things wrong with it that I am almost insulted.I dare to say that a man designed the ads. As a woman they have no appeal to me. In fact one of my male co-workers was "you know laughing and telling the other guys about the boobies on the back of the sunday news" that made me noticed it.

In my humble opinion and without wanting to sound like a prude, the images are too sexual for the message. The model´s hand positions are too distracting for the message, and in reality more appealing to men. I´ve disscussed the usage of SUV with others, but I do believe that more than a vehicle that is a status definer in Venezuela therefore women are attracted to it. But the true message get lost along the laughing and the shock. This is a campaign that in my opinion has gone wrong and only stimulates men rather than its target, women. The ads fail to make me want to go through the bothersome mamogram, but it has created what it meant to create: awareness. Though it does not call to action. (except maybe get your a car and run it through your wive´s or gf´s body?)

Now, I just wish that there were more women in the higher decision making positions in advertising here that targeted and reached women for the right reasons.

[ Herbal Essences Rebirth ]

2008-10-25T13:02:00.003-04:00

While Herbal Essences no longer claims to give you an ecstatic experience in the shower, the new packaging doesn´t claim. It is a treat for the senses, the yummy modern design caught my attention and now I am indulging in a world of orchids and coconuts.

[ How many graphic designers does it take to change a lightbulb? ]

2008-10-23T17:09:00.003-04:00

How many graphic designers does it take to change a lightbulb?

'Does it have to be a lightbulb'

'Dunno...ask an account exec'

'Can we have the lightbulb as a 300dpi jpg or an eps (preferred)'

'What's the pantone ref for the bulb?'

'What...change it again?? I've already changed it five f***ing times already!!'

we don't actually CHANGE the light bulbs... we're too busy critiquing the package they came in!

'a light bulb? How completely cliche! EVERYBODY does light bulbs'

What do you mean you liked the first light bulb better? Fine... I'll change it back... but I'm billing you for my time for BOTH bulb changes.

'Can't you just hit a button and make that light bulb light up?!?'

Marketing- "We needa lightbulb put in as quickly as possible will this one be alright (holding up a bulb for a refrigerator) or should we get a different one?

Graphics-"Well that bulb won't do because this is a flouresent light and that is for kitchen appliances.I need the correct bulb andif you get me the correct bulb I can have it changed in a few minutes."

TWO WEEKS LATER

Marketing- "This is still a rush job that needs to be done as quickly as possible will this bulb fit (holding up a flashlight bulb) or should we get yet another one?
Graphics- "This bulb won't fit either. I need the correct bulb before I can complete this project!"

Marketing- "Can you give me a drawing so I will know exactly what you want?"

Graphics- "Here you go here is your drawing. Please get me the correct bulb this time"

THREE DAYS LATER

Marketing- "I lost the drawing can you give me another copy?"

Graphics- "Here is the %^&**!?drawing! Now get me the correct bulb!!"

TEN DAYS LATER

Marketing- "Here is the correct bulb. We promised the client they could have this right away why aren't you done yet??"

Graphics completes the job in 30 seconds.

'Why did you give me these low quality lightbulbs? don't you realize how pixelated the Room will be?'

[ Sambil Flooding Tragedy ]

2008-10-22T09:19:00.009-04:00

It was monday night and I was tired, but decided to go to the movies to something other than home-work-home. We watched Tropic Thunder and it was a good laugh but thats beside the point. As we tried to exit Sambil Mall where the movie theater is at, there was a huge storm and we started walking around. It was almost 10pm and suddenly I stared seeing water come into the mall, now we were in the first level and there is one more before the roof but it was still dripping a lot of water. Not wanting to wait until it stopped rainning, we decided to just walk in the rain to the parking lot, take our car and leave.

We left the mall only to find the very street that goes in behind of it a small river flowing with brown water. We continued on travelling south towards Via Venetto a trendy mall thinking it was impossible that such a street would be flooded but the water level just kept on rising. There were overflowing streets and non-existing sidewalks. The mini drove on and I was afraid it would just get water in the distributor, stall and die. My husband was afraid water would come in through the muffler, and well stop our small adventure. We navigated through and it was probably the first time I see small and large cars alike driving with caution. Besides the water coming into the cars, there was another concern; potholes on the streets, and obviously you cannot spot them when they are covered with water and do some serious damage to the car´s structure.

And so my husband, the mini and I navigated until we found another major street, but since it was on an incline the water was not accumulating so much. By going through side streets, we managed to make it home, wet but in one piece.

By tuesday morning I was relieved that we left early and missed the real flood. It was a disaster, the mall is closed down and there were approximately 160 cars that are total loses due to water damage. The movie goers in the late show were interrupted and asked to get their cars out of the parking lot.

This is what the parking lot looked like in the morning:

It was a tragedy, but one that could have been prevented. The rain affected around 4,800 people in Carabobo. Many people think the problems are caused by improper sewage systems in the many new neighbourhoods being built. There is also lack of respect for nature and the new buildings have taken up a lot of the mountain areas which are not apt for construction.

Let´s hope either insurance or the Sambil management take charge and replace all the damaged vehicles and although there were casualties in other parts of the state at least there was none hurt at the Sambil flooding.

[ Heidi ]

2008-10-20T09:44:00.002-04:00

Analizando demasiado las cosas y ridiculamente gracioso...

Informe especial:
Heidi fumaba porros y su abuelo era su camello, según se desprende de la sintonía de tan famosa serie infantil.

Analicemos esta bonita melodía:
'Abuelito, dime tú, qué sonidos son los que oigo yo':
Bien. Heidi es un personaje supuestamente joven, mientras que su abuelito es, consecuente y visiblemente, mayor. El hecho de que Heidi pida información a su abuelo sobre los sonidos, cuando lo lógico sería que ella oyera bastante mejor que su pariente, puede implicar, básicamente, una de las dos circunstancias siguientes:
- Que Heidi padeciera una enfermedad congénita en el oído, o bien hubiera sufrido un accidente que limitara su capacidad auditiva, que hacía que oyera peor que su abuelo, quién probablemente tenía una edad 10 veces mayor.
- Que sus sentidos, así como sus reflejos, estuvieran alterados por alguna razón.

'Abuelito, dime tú, por qué en una nube voy':
Esta segunda frase de la canción confirma una y sólo una de las posibilidades anteriores. En efecto, se confirma que el estado mental de Heidi estaba de algún modo alterado, hasta el punto que la pequeña Heidi podía tener alucinaciones, ver o sentir cosas no reales.

'Dime porqué huele el aire así':
Nuestro argumento adquiere más fuerza a medida que se avanza en la letra de esta canción. Heidi nota un extraño olor en el aire, pero, debido a su estado, no acierta a identificarlo, aún siendo evidente el origen de este hedor, como veremos más adelante.

'Dime porqué yo soy tan feliz':
El estado de euforia injustificada de nuestra protagonista es evidente. El hecho de preguntar a una persona externa sobre su felicidad (cuando lo razonable sería que ella misma supiera el origen de tal alegría), refuerza la teoría de que Heidi estaba mentalmente excitada.

'Abuelito, nunca yo de ti me alejaré':
Viendo cuan feliz estaba la niña, afirma que quiere mantenerse en ese estado y, para ello, es necesario permanecer cerca del abuelo.

CONCLUSIONES:
1. Heidi se encuentra en un estado de conciencia alterada.
2. El aire huele raro.
3. Siente una felicidad absurda.
4. Manifiesta su dependencia de otro personaje.

[ PostSecret.com ]

2008-09-29T10:38:00.003-04:00

[ PAUSE ]

2008-09-23T00:13:00.002-04:00

If one stopped for two seconds and framed the beauty of this country, one would stop and think how to expand the frame. Hence expanding the beauty we could all enjoy around us. Stop today and frame a piece of beauty that surrounds or inspires you.

[ El Fortin Solano]

2008-09-05T11:51:00.002-04:00

A few saturdays ago my husband woke me up and said I should prepare for a surprise. I was asked to dress in comfortable shoes, sun protection and to bring along some water.

Though I was curious, I was afraid it would be another auto related outing so I kept quiet and let him drive. We went towards Puerto Cabello and started looking for a small town, this threw me off since it looked like we were off to the beach. After a few tries I figured out where we were going as my husband handed me a small travel guide he had put together abot the Fortin Solano.

We climbed 500 meters up the mountain and encountered a cop on his bike. It must have been around 10-10:30 am, and we continued a few meters up to the parking lot. We parked when I noticed a man dressed in a blue t-shirt and pants waving something at the cop on the motorcycle slowly climbing up. To my surprise the man was waving a gun, I inmediately told Oscar and he started to back away from the parking spot. A bit dissappointed he called the officer on his bike and had this little convo:

- Sir, is it my imagination, or did that man have a gun?
- Oh yeah, he does. No worries he is the officer that takes care of the place.

Oscar stopped the car, turned to me and asked if we should go back. But I just spoke to the officer and asked why was he waving the gun like that. To which he replied:

- Oh yeah, no worries, he´s just drunk.

Oh yeah, I was surprised. We got out of there as fast as we could.

Ah! Only in Venezuela the land of the possible.

[ Ya no se que hacer conmigo... ]

2008-08-27T14:36:00.001-04:00

[ The TVes Olympic Coverage ]

2008-08-25T09:12:00.002-04:00

I havent been watching the olympics for a series of reasons, but found this video worth posting. Enjoy.

[ koka ]

2008-08-15T15:48:00.002-04:00

[ Nobody says it like Mafalda ]

2008-08-08T09:31:00.002-04:00

[ Thought du Jour ]

2008-08-04T09:58:00.001-04:00

[ Mama Benny ]

2008-07-15T22:30:00.002-04:00

It´s been a bit over five years since I last saw her. Her fading figure in pictures, almost a century old. I had kept my composure until I spoke to papi and since then my eyes are red and swollen. I am not sure what is more painful, her departure or his breaking voice, or the distance, or the inability to give him a hug.

Abuelitas are for spoiling kids, and mine was great at it. For that and for all the love she gave us, she will remain forever with me.

[ Google Slips...]

2008-07-02T09:20:00.003-04:00

Playing the national anthem and viewing pictures of canadian landscapes was my own little way of celebrating Canada´s birthday while I am far from home. But when I opened the google home page I noticed there was no google doodle. How silly of me I thought, not so silly Jill Mahoney from the National Post also noticed and wrote this article. So thanks Google for shattering my dreams of seeing the canadian flags, beavers, maple leafs or moose on your site.

[ Thought du Jour ]

2008-06-25T13:14:00.001-04:00

Click on image to enlarge.

[ Patacones: green fried plantains ]

2008-06-04T23:08:00.001-04:00

Yes, this is yet another post about food.
I was chatting with my brother in Canada earlier this evening and he was telling me about a panamenean way of cooking plantains. Patacones. It seems Ruben Blades showed the world how to make this treat on his show.
I learned how to make this dish from my Colombian born mother-in-law.(who taught me it's not just fried green bananas, it's a ritual, a gastronomic art form) They are very simple to make, and taste great.They taste best when they are hot out of the skillet. We eat them a lot with fish and as a great side dish.

Ingredients:
* 4 green plantain (do not use yellow, or yellowish green. It vastly changes the taste)
* vegetable oil
* salt

Directions:
1. Peel Plantain, and slice it length wise into medallions.

2. I have found that the easiest way to peel the plantain is to cut roughly 1/4" off of each end of the plantain (the very tips), and then carefully, without cutting into the plantain itself, slicing the skin down one side.

3. Once you have slit the skin on one side, you can gently remove the peel off with your fingers.

4. Heat about 1" of vegetable oil on medium heat until hot.

5. Fry plantain pieces on both sides for about 3 minutes, or until the pieces are golden.

6. When they are golden, remove from pan and place onto a plate covered with a paper towel.

7. Flatten the fried plantain. (with something heavy as if you were smashing it)

8. I do this by placing the pieces one at a time between 2 pieces of waxed paper, and flattening with my a small heavy pan.

9. Be careful not to put too much pressure, or the plantain will stick to the waxed paper.

10. Just gently flatten them till they are about 1/4" thick.

11. Place in the hot oil again and fry until both sides are golden brown.

12. Drain on paper towel covered plate (be sure to change paper towels in between the 2 fryings) and sprinkle with sea-salt.

13. Serve immediately.

And if you are interested in everything bananas this is something funny I read in Jungle Mom´s blog.

[ Travelling... ]

2008-06-03T22:50:00.003-04:00

I travelled all day today, made a 200Km trip in 6 hours had lunch, failed to do what I went to do at a government's office, travelled back the same way but this time it took 4.5 hours. Sad enough I travelled all day to end up in the same place.

[ Random Boredom ]

2008-05-29T14:41:00.009-04:00

Let's work on your debut album and see how you do.

1 - Go to Wikipedia. The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to Random quotations: Quotes. The last four words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr's "explore the last seven days" Flickr. Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover...

Send in your album cover and I will post it.