Government shutdown

Some of you might not know what this means. In short, Government shutdown happens when the federal budget is not approved in both chambers of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives). In the last midterm elections president Obama's Democrats have lost majority in the House of Representatives (while maintaining majority in the Senate). This lead to tough negotiations between the two parties to approve the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Until last Friday night there was no settlement whatsoever. And just as Government shutdown was about to be announced (I believe the deadline was Friday, 11:59pm PST), suddenly, an agreement was reached. Just half an hour before deadline. Theatrical, some would argue. Worthy of a good Hollywood thriller! However, history tells us that this has happened in the past, lasting as long as 5 months. And federal workers do not get payed during this period! How nice would this be if enforced in Portugal? I can almost bet that politicians would find a way to solve their differences... and rather swiftly, I could add!

Deus quer, o homem sonha, a obra nasce!

Não há palavras para expressar a minha alegria. Adoro a minha terra. Família, amigos, estão todos sempre no meu coração! Mas se há momentos em que sinto a falta de estar em Portugal,
este é seguramente um deles. A festa, a alegria de alguém que trabalha cegamente durante um ano para um objectivo é algo de fabuloso!
A força da competência contra a incompetência da maioria, deve doer. Saber perder, como saber ganhar é uma virtude. Quem sou eu para dar lições de moral, mas aos meus amigos lampiões fica um conselho: menos fanfarronice e mais trabalho.
Costumo dizer, em jeito de brincadeira mas mais ou menos a sério, que têm o treinador que merecem. Um fanfarrão. Nas redes sociais, nos jornais o país vive numa realidade paralela.
Alimentar o ego de um país centrado em Lisboa só faz crescer a vontade de um povo. A fibra de uma gente que não quebra! O Norte do país é conhecido por ser uma região de gente trabalhadora. Gente que não se queixa das amarguras da vida. A cada contrariedade, em vez de se levantar para um movimento de protesto, esta gente levanta-se, e faz-se ao caminho! Nesta fase em que o meu país vive mais um período conturbado da sua vida política, quem dera que todos fôssemos portistas. Feitos da mesma cêpa. Madeira que não quebra. E se partir, então antes quebrar do que torcer! Na minha terra há uma reserva genética do povo que deu novos mundos ao mundo.
Hoje, a minha mensagem para todos os portugeses é só uma: querem voltar a fazer de Portugal um país grande e visionário, ponham os olhos em quem sabe fazer as coisas. Trabalhem mais e falem menos! Para quem não me conhece, só espero que não fiquem com uma visão retrógada da minha pessoa. Considero-me equilibrado, e trabalhador afincado para os meus objectivos. E acreditem que já tive obstáculos difíceis de ultrapassar na minha ainda curta vida...
O Porto é uma nação. Esta é uma expressão popular para os adeptos do FCP. Mas eu iria mais longe: o Porto é um planeta! De uma vez por todas, abram os olhos. Viva o Porto! Viva Portugal!

Time to a deserved retire

After two years and more than 1500km my running shoes are going into a deserved retire.

In a quick math these cost around 150 usd (with customized insoles!), therefore yielding 10 cents per km... give or take :)

I'm back!

Hello everyone! ... it's been a while, hum? I'm so sorry for the absence of posts in the past few months. Everything is fine, I've just been incredibly busy!
Since last September I have: published my first conference paper (you can find it here in case you're interested!), submitted the second one (first author on this one), my first journal paper is on my adviser's desk for review; and last, but certainly not least, I have passed my first phd exam (the departmental exam).
As you may imagine, I'm happy with how things are working out for me, but there is still so much to be done. I'm not even halfway through! Anyhow, I'll try to post more regularly from now on. Even if the posts get less and less interesting :)

For celebration, last weekend I went to Big Bear Mountain & Snow Summit ski resort. My snowboarding was a bit rusty, but it was really fun.

Happy 2011!

Gospel choir

Finally I was able to see a live performance from a gospel choir.
Special guest: the Holy Ghost!

This is far from being "the real thing" and the sound is not that great, but you get an idea of what it's like :)

some memorable dates

Two years have past since I step foot in American soil. It was Sep 9th, 2008, still very well in time to live all the economic crisis and the full epic '08 presidential campaign: Obama vs. McCain. The US Government had just placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. At this time, these two companies owned or guaranteed more than half of the US's $12 trillion mortgage market. Any event this post is not to highlight past dates, but future ones!

With no doubt, living abroad is an enriching experience. It has been so, to me! However, it is not without some drawbacks...
For instance, next Saturday a dear friend of mine is getting married, and I won't be able to attend. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you, Miguel, all the best. Certain that you're going to have a wonderful ceremony surrounded by family and lots of friends. Although I won't be present in this starting point of your "new" life, you know I will always be there in the road to come!

In this picture, from right to left: Keemosabe's birthday is today (17th), Garrett as recently celebrated his wedding's 4th anniversary (where this picture was taken); and standing is the big man, Miguel is getting married this Saturday ... uau! So many reasons to celebrate :)

thank you!

I just got word, that my funding was renewed for academic year 2010/11. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Portuguese tax payers.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you!! Will try my best, not to disappoint you.