Monthly Archives: January 2009

PEW Whales Commission Meeting

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I’ve just been invited to attend this meeting as an observer. I hope it steer us on the right direction to find solutions to the stalemate in which is whaling right now.

The Pew Environment Group is organizing the meeting of the Pew Commission on Whale Conservation in the 21st Century.

This is the third major initiative of the Pew Whale Conservation Project. Previous actions included the “Pew Symposium on the Conservation of Whales in the 21st Century” held in New York at the United Nations’ headquarters in April 2007, and the symposium “Changing the Climate for Whales- Is there a Common Way Forward?” held in Tokyo at United Nations University in January 2008.

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The Lisbon meeting will take place on 9-10 February at the Headquarters of the Luso-American Foundation. Click here to read the Mandate of the Pew Whales Commission.

El despertar

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Señor, la jaula se ha vuelto pájaro y se ha volado, y mi corazón está loco, porque aúlla a la muerte y sonríe detrás del viento a mis delírios.

Pero que qué haré con el miedo, si que qué haré con el miedo?
El aire me castiga el ser, y detrás del aire hay monstruos que beben de mi sangre!

Es el desastre, es la hora del vacío no vacío, es el instante de poner cerrojo a los lábios, oír a los condenados gritar, contemplar a cada uno de mis nombres, ahorcados en la nada.

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¿Cómo no me suicido frente a un espejo, y desaparezco para reaparecer en el mar, donde un gran barco me esperaria con las luces encendidas?
¿Cómo no me extraigo las venas y hago con ellas una escala para huir al otro lado de la noche?

El principio ha dado a luz el final. Todo continuará igual; las sonrisas gastadas, el interés interessado, las preguntas de piedra en piedra, las gesticulaciones que remedan amor. Todo continuará igual!

Pero las flores siguen moriendo en mis manos.
Y los demónios de mi ser han devorado mis esperanzas
Y sin embargo mis brazos insisten en abrazar al mundo…

(Adaptado de Alejandra Pizarnik, “Las aventuras perdidas” 1958)

From a jiu-jitsu training straight to the hospital

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Today Cássio was operated with the right to getting high on a full blackout due to a general anesthesia. This after last Tuesday’s training he disrupted the synovial membrane of his shoulder (membrane that connects the bones) while practising with me, I know this things happen but I cannot stop feeling somewhat guilty about it. I drove him as fast as I could to the Hospital of Torres Vedras, the place I most hate on earth. It is the same place where my father caught the infection that killed him in the end, and where I drove a friend of mine after a fight in a bar and on the outcome he lost his sight from the right eye. So many feeling rushed up and down on me while waiting.

Cássio (Blue) and Ricardo (White) - Jiu-Jitsu Fighting

Now Cássio will have to stay away from work for at least 2 to 3 months, and will not be able to surf of fight for that period, which even further exacerbates my feeling of guilt. Just got off on the phone with Aline, his wife, and she says that the chirurgical procedure went as expected and that all seems alright. Well tomorrow I’ll get there to pay him a visit …

MMIX

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Entering a new year is always strange, maybe because nothing really weird happens, it is like one minute we are still here and suddenly we are there.
2008 was quite a challenge for me almost from the beginning, at all levels I tend to drive my living: Personal, Professional and Emotional.

Personally: My house was in construction most of the time; some of the plans were from my father some mine, some from my mum. Much work was needed and I was part of every task, which was quite fulfilling. Now the second phase of construction began and I’m quite enthusiastic about it.

Professionally: I had to get back to Sao Tome and Principe (STP) a small island on West Africa and ensure they didn’t join Japan at the International Whaling Commission (IWC), the international body that regulates whaling.  I was one of the lecturers at the Forum Biodiversity and Ecotourism, with the talk; Non-lethal use of Cetaceans a multidisciplinary perspective. I eventually accomplished the mission (with much help from various people) with success since STP didn’t show up at Chile for the 60th meeting of the IWC.

At the Chilean meeting I was representing the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) with whom I hold a contract until the next IWC meeting that will take place in Madeira, Portugal.
I also got into a business I never had the chance to really be, Surf Industry. I started working with Fatum Surfboards and now I’m in charge of their website (www.fatumsurfboards.com)

Emotionally: I got involved with a fine and very special girl but unfortunately before the end of the year we broke up. My wish is that we can still relate from now on a different dimension. Whoever, the task is not easy.

2009 is a very important year because much is expected of me until and during the IWC meeting in Madeira. My only hope is that I can perform at the level I’m expected to, accomplish much and get a place at this field of work. Some other plans are also on the cooking but nothing certain yet.

Song of the Whale docked at the Marina de Oeiras, Portugal

I hope this year may bring you happiness, laughter, health and prosperity!

During 2009 we will have the conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune, Jupiter 24′ south. First of three in a triple conjunction of Jupiter and Neptune (May 25th). . A total solar eclipse (on July 22nd). The longest lasting total solar eclipse of the 21st century; and sometime during November the retail sale of incandescent light bulbs will be banned in Australia. Just to mention 3 events.