Wednesday, July 26, 2006

WORLD'S HAPPIEST COUNTRIES




LONDON (AFP) - The tiny South Pacific Ocean archipelago of Vanuatu is the happiest country on Earth, according to a study published measuring people's wellbeing and their impact on the environment.

COLOMBIA, Costa Rica, Dominica and Panama complete the top five in the Happy Planet Index, compiled by the British think-tank New Economics Foundation (NEF).

Italy came out best in 66th place, ahead of Germany (81), Japan (95), Britain (108), Canada (111), France (129), the United States (150) and Russia, in lowly 172nd place

Does this sounds familiar?
"This is not a consumer-driven society. Life here is about community and family and goodwill to other people. It's a place where you don't worry too much."

Colombia is in the top 5 I can assure it is like that!!

Selected others: 17. Philippines; 23. Indonesia; 31. China; 32. Thailand; 44. Malaysia; 62. India; 64. Iceland; 70. Netherlands; 87. Spain; 88. Hong Kong; 89. Saudi Arabia; 99. Denmark; 112. Pakistan; 115. Norway; 119. Sweden; 123. Finland; 139. Australia; 154. UAE; 156. South Africa; 159. Kuwait; 166. Qatar.


Check the whole article in Yahoo news here!!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

THE PHILOSOPHY OF TIME TRAVEL




Life in the tangent universe, what has been said about this, includes even books in mathematics, so I don’t pretend to talk about the theory, but what Hill happen in tangent universe if I disappear tomorrow, this existentialist question I am doing now takes me to think who will miss my existence, maybe not, but maybe my family and I mean my mom, my sister, my brother, dad, some days they don’t know whether I am alive or not, for a period of 24 hours is careless, maybe a week will make them wonder.
In a day I will be missed at work, either by Fijian Praneel or Philippine Julius, maybe they will call my mobile, maybe not.
Salazar the housemate will wonder also my existence, but if I don’t show up he wouldn’t say anything, I have done it already many times.
At the end for 24 hours the tangent universe opened will not affect the present one.
What to do then, during this 24 hours, it is freezing now, just landed some money in the account, I will go to buy a Ray Charles CD, go to a Colombian restaurant, spend 100 dollars in things I haven’t taste in months. Lie down in the middle of Hyde Park to listen my brand new CD and by the end of the day avoid doing something really bad, just after that, hot coffee, it is raining and I just observe.
What if the two tangent universes mix each other…first thing to do is go to myself and contemplate all the oblivious and idiot things I do.
I would like to say detail by detail what will be the consequences of thing done during the day, but stupidly my math level doesn’t let me comprehend it.
I read about petite anglaise and now I found her, just two hours after, maybe all the things that happen, they do happen I just don’t realize.

Monday, July 17, 2006

HYDRA




Thinking on the violence problem and human beings, I wonder what was the biggest cause of deaths, and even though natural disasters and natural deaths and all that stuff counts for a lot of people dying, the reality is, we just kill each other, how? Mostly with guns, so I keep wondering who provides guns? I have always heard of countries such as USA and Russia (famous AK-47) think is Russian, and then I searched and found the five largest suppliers in the period 2001-2005, in order of value, were Russia, the U.S., France, Germany and the U.K. (is this magic?)
I know people in this countries kill each other, but I also know that is not as much as in countries in Africa, Asia and South America. I keep wondering and start searching results for Colombia and found that 80% of the homicides are done using firearms. (Is not that different in other countries).

The Hydra is mythical animal and real too with this amazing thing of having its parts growing when they were cut. (regeneration, let's call it).

That animal is named after this problem in Colombia, you do something here to fix it, but something then comes up!! I mention here Colombia because is where I come from, but I am sure that chinese, africans and some asians have a lot to say about this...

http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/

Monday, July 10, 2006

DE COMO LOS COLORES EN LA OSCURIDAD CAMBIAN




Nunca antes en la vida había tomado tantas duchas, en el mañana, pasado el meridiano y a las 2 a.m., tal vez cuando el gobierno de la florida subsidiaba el agua que venia de los pantanos y llegaba a la casa a las 4 no había nadie, y tomaba una ducha larga, fue el momento mas parecido al presente.
Esta vez no es así, esta vez los ecólogos me quieren asesinar, pues puedo estar toda la noche, debajo de la lluvia.
A decir verdad mi próximo invento es una lluvia entre la casa, y un piso en el que pueda dormir.
No necesitaré de la luz, pues ya puedo ver en la oscuridad, aunque a veces un bochorno de luz me asusta, pues no se su procedencia.
Cualquiera de los dos Enio Morricone o Martin emiten en el primer piso, yo no los puedo escuchar nítidamente pues el sonido del agua es más fuerte. Pero se todo ya.
Las letras podrían extenderse hasta el tamaño de los ensayos, pero no vale la pena, pues a nadie voy a poder matar.

Monday, July 03, 2006

TWISTED LOGIC CONCERT




On the phone was Christian, he was listening to Chris Martin making jokes about how stupid he was, the truth is that Coldplay is awesome and the money paid for that ticket couldntve been spent better. I was reviewing what was likely to be listened in the Concert and "trouble" wasnt in the list, but when I heard the first two seconds and then stopped I knew I was gonna listen to...!!
The first song in the concert was "Square One", the numbers behind and 20000 mouths yelling and singing.
The last one was "In my place".


WWW.COLDPLAY06.BLOGSPOT.COM
TWISTED LOGIC CONCERT


CHECK ALL PICTURES HERE!!

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

HARBOUR BRIDGE AND OPERA HOUSE




Sydney once again, now from a different perspective.

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY




Here is Uni, still missing the lake and the shopping centre in that picture.

HOME AT THORNLEIGH




This is my place, there´s a forrest behind

WORK




Here is work, next to Epping Road.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

COLDPLAY, DAYS BEFORE...




In less than 72 hours, I will have COLDPLAY singing TROUBLE right at my face!!


WWW.COLDPLAY06.BLOGSPOT.COM
CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIEW OF WHAT WILL BE COMING ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Saturday, June 17, 2006

SPANGLISH




No doubt USA is the country where Spanglish is widespread, however, Australia is not an exception, and even when I dont want to relate to names I can say I have heard, things such: "Tú eres más HAIRY en COMPARISON TO HIM", it should be "you are more hairy compared to him" or "tú eres mas peludo en comparacion a el".

Spanish speaking people call the city "la city".

There are others like "Tell me LO TODO", it should be "Tell me everything" or "Dimelo todo". (horroroso)

In USA is more common thought, the hispanics there use the word "so" in th middle of a conversation in spanish, and call things such a carpet, "la carpeta".

I remember being there listening to things like:

"Ya me voy a get up"
"Voy a diggear el piso"

______________________________________


Una bien campeona es "te voy a llama pa tras" que viene del "call back" en ingles.
El pais que mas recuerdo ver mezclar esto, ademas de los chicanos (que no son un país) es Purto Rico.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

CAMBALACHE




Por Enrique Santos Discepolo

Que el mundo fue y sera una porqueria,
ya lo se...
En el quinientos seis
y en el dos mil también!
Que siempre ha habido chorros,
maquiavelos y estafaos,
contentos y amargaos,
valores y dublés...
Pero que el siglo veinte
es un despliegue
de maldad insolente
ya no hay quien lo niegue.
Vivimos revolcaos en un merengue
y en un mismo lodo
todos manoseaos...
Hoy resulta que es lo mismo
ser derecho que traidor..!
Ignorante, sabio, chorro,
generoso o estafador!
Todo es igual! Nada es mejor!
Lo mismo un burro
que un gran profesor!
No hay aplazaos ni escalafon,
los inmorales nos han igualao.
Si uno vive en la impostura
y otro roba en su ambicion,
da lo mismo que sea cura,
colchonero, rey de bastos,
caradura o polizon...

Que falta de respeto,
que atropello a la razon!
Cualquiera es un señor!
Cualquiera es un ladron!
Mezclao con Stavisky va Don Bosco
y "La Mignon,"
Don Chicho y Napoleon,
Carnera y San Martin...
Igual que en la vidriera irrespetuosa
de los cambalaches
se ha mezclao la vida
y herida por un sable sin remache
ves llorar la Biblia
contra un calefon.

Siglo veinte, cambalache
problematico y febril!
El que no llora, no mama,
y el que no afana es un gil.
Dale nomas! Dale que va!
Que alla en el horno
nos vamo a encontrar!
No pienses mas,
sentate a un lao.
Que a nadie importa
si naciste honrao.
Que es lo mismo el que labura
noche y dia, como un buey
que el que vive de los otros,
que el que mata o el que cura
o esta fuera de la ley.
That the world was and it will be filth,
I already know...
In the year five hundred and six
and in the year two thousand too!
There always have been thieves,
traitors and victims of fraude,
happy and bitter people,
valuables and imitations
But, that the twentieth century
is a display
of insolent malice,
nobody can deny it anymore.
We lived sunk in a fuzz
and in the same mud
all well-worn...
Today it happens it is the same
to be decent or a traitor!
To be an ignorant, a genius, a pickpocket,
a generous person or a swindler!
All is the same! Nothing is better!
They are the same, an idiot ass
and a great professor!
There are no failing grades or merit valuations,
the inmorals have caught up with us.
If one lives in a pose
and another, in his ambition, steals,
it's the same if it's a priest,
a matress maker, a king of clubs,
a cad or a tramp.

What a lack of respect,
what a way to run over reason!
Anybody is a gentleman!
Anybody is a thief!
Mixed with Stavinsky, you have Don Bosco
and La Mignon
don Chicho and Napoleon,
Carnera and San Martin.
Like in the disrespectful window
of the bazaars,
life is mixed up,
and wounded by a rivetless sword
you can see a Bible crying
against a water heater.

Twentieth century, bazaar
problematic and feverish!
If you don't cry you don't get fed
and if you don't steal you're a stupid.
Go ahead! Keep it up!
That there, in hell
we're gonna reunite.
Don't think anymore,
move out of the way.
Nobody seems to care
if you were born honest.
It's the same the one who works,
day and night like an ox,
than the one who lives from the others,
than the one that kills or heals
or than the one who lives outside the law.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW, WE ARE NOT IN THE WORLD CUP




And I mean Colombia, actually I was asked by many people if we qualified, to which I had to said, embarrased, No, we did not.
Checking back, why we are not a this world cup, I guess, it´s because we have a history of messing things big time in sports.
Let´s say! what do people remember about Colombia Soccer Team?
Yes!, of course Andres Escobar, and a drunk bodyguard shooting him, god knows how many times after USA 94 world cup elimination.
Just recently I think a few colombian soccer players were killed, not that I am proud of! But Colombia is passion, isnt it? Even when is the sort of wrong passion.
We are not this year in the world cup and if things keep going like this, maybe I won´t see my team in the near future playing in such event, I wish to see them next time.

Monday, June 05, 2006

IF I WERE A DEAD RUSSIAN COMPOSER I WOULD BE IGOR STRAVINSKY

If I were a Dead Russian Composer, I would be Igor Stravinsky.

Known as a true son of the new 20th Century, my music started out melodic and folky but slowly got more dissonant and bizzare as I aged. I am a traveler and a neat freak, and very much hated those rotten eggs thrown at me after the premiere of "The Rite of Spring."

Who would you be? Dead Russian Composer Personality Test

FERRY MANLY - SYDNEY




Every other sunday, I catch a ferry to go from Manly to Sydney, ever since the first day I have done this trip, I find this city, wonderful!! Probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I guess I still have to see other cities before making up my mind about that.
Yesterday the waves where huge, the water evern got inside the ferry a few times.
scary, but nice.
I was listening "nights in white satin".

Sunday, June 04, 2006

CONTRADICTORIO




Es como contradictorio decir:

Sabio es aquél que piensa antes de actuar
El que piensa, pierde

No dejes para mañana lo que puedes hacer hoy
Del afan no queda sino el cansancio

Mas vale tarde que nunca
Loro viejo nunca aprende

No por madrugar, amanece mas temprano
Al que madruga Dios le ayuda

Perro que ladra no muerde
Cuando el río suena, piedras lleva

A grandes males grande remedios
A veces el remedio es peor que la enfermedad

Definitivamente los dichos no sirven pa' un carajo!!!

Saturday, June 03, 2006

DO YOU WANT TO KILL SOMEBODY AND GET PAID FOR IT?




You simply need to join the US army!!!!
The number of civilians REPORTED killed by military intervention in IRAQ is at least 38000!!
This means, mums, grandmas, children.
So you know now, if you want to kill somebody, get away with it and get paid besides!! Join the US army.

Friday, June 02, 2006

NEMESIS




En la mitología griega Némesis (llamada Ramnusia, la «diosa de Ramnus» en su santuario de Ramnus) es la diosa de la venganza y la fortuna. Es una deidad antigua, por lo que no está sometida a los dictámenes de los olímpicos. Castiga sobre todo la desmesura. Sus sanciones tienen usualmente la intención de dejar claro a los hombres que, debido a su condición humana, no pueden ser excesivamente afortunados ni deben trastocar con sus actos, ya sean buenos o malos, el equilibrio universal. Un claro ejemplo lo encontramos en Creso, que al ser demasiado dichoso fue arrastrado por Némesis a una expedición contra Ciro que provocó su ruina.

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

WHAT A WEEK




International Accounting
Strategic Intelligence
Marketing Communications
This time is only three instead of four, I could say it should be easier, but is crap as usual, I guess the only difference is that I have no Kit Kats to study with. I miss Geraldine, I got up feeling homesick today. I feel dry, tired.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

CAFECITO




Que duro es sentir que el café se está quedando sin latte… no se empata mi corazón ni con la razón ni con nada…aniquilar una esperanza…Carpe Diem… Hoy se cumple el día No. 6 de este año…Preciso de café en "presente eterno"… Mi amas vin tre multe.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

ME GUSTA TODAVIA




Check More Pictures Here!!

It really doesnt it matter if I´ve been here more than a year, anytime I have the chance to cross the harbour bridge or look at the Opera House, I do it, I still like this view and I am not tired of it as some sydneysiders might feel like.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

THE PEOPLE FROM USA...HOW THEY DO NOT HAVE A GENTILIC

Gentilic is defined as name of an inhabitant or inhabitants of a country, region or city.
In my case "Colombian" because I was born in Colombia, "Australian" then to someone born in Australia.
What is the gentilic for United States of America?
American?
Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
American citizens are so selfish in their language they call themselves "Americans" when America is a continent and not just one country.
In that case Americans are also from Canadians to Argentinians, even myself, I was born in a continent called America.
So how to call the people from USA?
At least in english there is not other way, leaving them as probably one of the countries in the world without a gentilic.
Even english (people from England) have a gentilic, so it is not a matter of english language.
In spanish we can call "estadounidenses" to the people of USA, however that is a second mistake, because there are also other countries named as United States, for example (Estados Unidos do Brasil or Estados Unidos Mexicanos).
This all lead me to only way the people from USA can be named, and that is a before-pejorative (derogatory) GRINGO, which is not a gentilic for white people but for the people of USA only.
By the way, gringo is actually coming from two words in english GREEN-GO, which became famous during Vietnam War, shouted by Vietnamese people regading USA soldiers.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

LA CANDELARIA - BOGOTA




Check More Pictures Here!!

This is Bogota, and this is just an area in the city, is called "La Candelaria" and its gorgeous!!

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

HARRYS CAFE DE WHEELS




Check More Pictures Here!!

Investigando con los Australianos donde podiamos comer el mejor Aussie Pie, nos recomendaron en Woloomooloo ir a Harrys Cafe the Wheels, alli estuvimos con Nelson antes de que regresara a Colombia y esto fue lo que encontramos...un par de pies que estuvieron buenisimos!!! Hasta el capitan de KFC estuvo aca, al menos estaba en las fotos que este cuchitril australiano tenia.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

MELBOURNE




Check More Pictures Here!!

I'm back!!! I've been out due to IT mismanagement decisions and bad luck, but anyway, in the mean time I took five days off and head to Melbourne to take a look to the Grand Prix and have AJIACO, yes!!!! This city is definately more cultural and more alternative than Sydney, here with the opera house and the harbour bridge we have a city to be shown to the world, while there with trams and wine I feel more back in time...There are more universities in the city which makes it different and definately the night life is also charged with things like for example the best Latin Jazz ever heard.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD AND 12 APOSTLES




Check More Pictures Here!!

The 12 Apostles is one of the world wonders, and hell it is!! We rent a Holden Barina and went along the Great Ocean Road, up to 180 Km/h, the landscape there left me speechless.