and the blog goes to...

So here is a new post, trying to revive this little scribling corner where some of my wanderings and general impressions are conveyed. I will return to some photos as soon as I organize my folders.

Things up here got work-oriented and less time was put in updating the blog. But this year I will make some changes to its content. Originally created to let you know what I'm doing up north, I will now add some stories selected from the local or international press and make some comments. Maybe this may start a discussion where many can participate instead of a narrative of my travels. Speaking of which, I was back in beautiful Dalarna to see the snowy valleys and footprints of wild animals in the snow. Then spent a week in the UK for professional reasons but was extremely disappointed with the prepotent and arrogant Cambridge academic style, reminding me of some similar characters I encountered during my university years in Lisbon. The thing is I grew up and am not taking crap from idiots who don't even waste 30 min to discuss science properly because they were late on the first place. Unfortunately, the academic world is filled with "generalists", jumping into massive generalizations and clichés, unable to follow the turning of times and holding to their greasy seats. Repeating to themselves a knowledge themselves crystalized. I think a new category can be created for them: the populists of science.

Yes, I'm pissed-off and I hope Benfica wins against Liverpool this week, as Sporting supporter I was never this fond of Benfica...

The 78th Oscar Award Gala just finished and the film industry looks desperate to save losses to the DVD market. Lucky for us, the film choices were very alternative this year, with controversial (?) themes to discuss, according to them. Is this a reaction to the present administration? We have to go back 2-3 decades to see a crop of films like these, like when the Vietnam war was near to the end. "It's hard out there for a pimp" got the oscar for best song, starring the raw movie "Hustle and flow". Best director Ang Lee for "Brokeback Mountain" and best movie for "Crash". I guess King Kong remakes of 135 million dollars won't be showing up that often in the future, despite 2 or 3 oscars in the technical categories.

A swedish movie about vampires "Frostbiten" won the film festival in Oporto (Fantasporto) before it will actually be shown here (to premeiere during March).

Prince (The Artist who changed his name back) has a new album 3121, to be released 3/21 (of course!) and I had a sneak preview of the videos "Te amo corazón" directed by Salma Hayek and "Black sweat". The album had good critics so far, so let's hear it as soon as possible.
(all about Prince at the astonishing www.npgmusicclub.com)