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For 2013, the New York Times has named Rio de Janeiro as their #1 destination to vist. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/10/travel/2013-places-to-go.html?ref=travel I went past the Maracana yesterday on the one-day strike for benefits by the 5000 workers was apparently over as the place was a hub of activity. The exterior has been painted and it looks like they are now onto the roof over the seats. The plazas surrounding the stadium seem to be getting the most attention at this time. Per the article, none of my friends have mentioned one thing included except for July's World Youth Day and the planned visit by Papa Bento/Pope Benedict. No with the resignation, not so sure. The MAM (Museum Of Modern Art) in the Parque de Flamengo/Flamengo Park is having a large exhibition of the Treasures of The Vatican. First time any of the items will be sent to South America. My favorite part of their slide show is when they describe Rocinha comunidade/favela as being near Gavea, a very chic neighborhood/bairro. A couple of GP's from the sauna I am acquainted always say that they live "near" Gavea. And I always respond as a joke, " oh yeah, Altos de Gavea(heights of Gavea)" and they chuckle. Because they know that I know that they live in Rocinha. Ditto for guys who live in Pavao/Pavaozinho and say that they live in Copacabana, for example. Much less complicated.

This is the view to the north of Guanabara Bay with the successive lines of mountains. With the earlier sunset, the photo's a bit dark as it was taken just about 30 minutes before sunset. It actually was a very really sunny day.

A skinny little guy goes into an elevator, looks up and sees this HUGE guy standing next to him. The big guy sees the little guy staring at him, looks down and says: 7 feet tall, 350 pounds, 20 inch private, 3 pound testicles, Turner Brown. The little guy faints and falls to the floor. The big guy kneels down and starts shaking him. The big guy says, What's wrong with you? In a weak voice the little guy says, What EXACTLY did you say to me? The big dude says, I saw your curious look and figured I'd just give you the answers to the questions everyone always asks me..... I'm 7 feet tall, I weigh 350 pounds, I have a 20 inch private, my testicles weigh 3 pounds each, and my name is Turner Brown. The small guy says, Turner Brown?! Sweet Jesus, I thought you said, 'Turn around!":)

With an agua de coco and their son, Liam. Funny, I just noticed that I have the same shoes as Han Solo, but unfortunately neither the looks, the talent nor the money.

I met a hot guy on Grindr. He said come on over, nobody's home. So I went over. No one was home...

Stunning!

Three friends -- two straight guys and a gay guy -- and their significant others were on a cruise. A tidal wave came up and swamped the ship; they all drowned, and next thing you know, they're standing before St. Peter. First came one of the straight guys and his wife. St. Peter shook his head sadly. "I can't let you in. You loved money too much. You loved it so much, you even married a woman named Penny." Then came the second straight guy. "Sorry, can't let you in, either. You loved food too much. You loved to eat so much, you even married a woman named Candy!" The gay guy turned to his boyfriend and whispered nervously, "It doesn't look good, Dick."

Nothing lasts forever. Long before that happens our Milky Way Galaxy will crash into our neighbor the Andromeda Galaxy with our little bastion uncertain as to the outcome. And before that our Sun will go Nova after expanding as a Red Giant whose surfaced will engulf the orbit of the Earth. Oh, and before that there will be the occasional asteroid or comet impact, and before that climate change will dry up the planet causing a mass extinction. All of this overlooks the unanticipated Super Nova that fries the Earth with cosmic rays or the random encounter with a meandering mini-black-hole that bumps into us in the night, sucking us into its even horizon. The bottom line is: the only thing certain is yesterday... and yesterday's gone. Happy dreams.

For myself, I can but quote Andy Capp: "Yes, Vicar, I have self-control, but I refuse to be a slave to it!"

...Vee hahf vays of making you pay!

My local sauna is a mind blowing place - with the emphasis on blowing!