ihpguy

They originated in Lisbon. They are comprised of Pedras Portguesas or Portuguese Stones. From Lisbon and Portugal, the tradition traveled to the colonies. Macau, Brasil, Angola, etc. Funny that you ask, as I was told years ago the name for the Ipanema design. The boyfriend and I were having fun on 15th of November in Ipa on Tuesday. the national holiday celebrating the Declaration of the Republic. I asked him and a woman selling the Copacabana Wave t-shirts if either of them knew it. Nope. But he told me the individual rocks used to make the mosaics are called "Pedras Portuguesas" or "Portuguese Stones," composed of limestone and basalt. The female vendor knew it was the creation of Roberto Burle Marx, but not what he had given as the title for Ipa's design. Copa's of course is Ondas or Waves.

Just in from the Ocean is the Praca de Arpoador with this kicky, illuminated Romero Britto mosaic.

You could say "Rumor has it" that it ends with a bitch slap. A real one. After the sweetness of an episode about the first time and losing one's virginity, follows the shock, fear and pain over gay outing, more bullying and rumor-mongering.

70 kg of terror

I did't hear anything special.

Tonight, we’ll get to see if Ryan Murphy can keep it up. The momentum, that is. Can he and his team successfully follow up the extraordinary quality on display in last week’s stellar episode? It was as if the sleepy storyteller roused himself and, begging our pardon, jump-started a formerly meandering, exasperating, repetitious series and decided that an Emmy or two (and fans’ everlasting love and respect) might just make his day. Surely, the artistry and poetry on display in Glee, "The First Time" owed much to the lovely melodies and lyrics generously excerpted from West Side Story. Just as certainly, the charming and thoughtful script, knowing and able performances, inspired cinematography and deft editing contributed to making the episode one that ranks with, or even above, the magical first 13 episodes of the entire series. Is it enough to declare the episode’s awesomeness by pointing out that, almost alone on TV, in movies and in popular literature, the episode put forth the proposition that losing one’s virginity as a young teen could be, under the right circumstances, a smart choice, even an affirmation of humanity over hormones? Interspersing rehearsal and performance scenes from the McKinley High School presentation of West Side Story with deeply personal vignettes of a few days in the lives of the show’s leads, Rachel and Finn, and Kurt and Blaine, the episode wove themes of love’s awakenings from the Broadway musical with the two couples' desires to take the next step into adulthood. This was no typical TV sex romp, with teasing glances, randy wrestling and crude one-liners. Instead, it was a carefully-plotted, deliberate and dramatic journey from Glee – the show with exasperating storylines and bewildering character behaviors – to Glee, the show that, for once, could handle itself with skill, daring and a professionalism that probably wasn’t possible until now. In the 39 years since a Movie of the Week called That Certain Summer showed two gay men living together, Ellen DeGeneres murmured “I’m gay” into an airport microphone, Will and Jack line danced at “The Cowpoke” and Carson Cressley dressed several dozen straight men. But there was always that one inviolate line never to be crossed: if one male character was going to profess love for another male, they’d better be football players, and one had to have cancer. Looking back, the Glee episode was the one we’ve been waiting for since Will ran after and kissed Emma in the McKinley hallway so long ago. It’s the one that we’ve waited for, slogging through all of Finn’s, or Puck’s, or even Artie’s never-ending romances. It’s the one we’ve deserved since Blaine first popped up and smiled his whiz-bang, tight pants way through “Teenage Dream.” It’s the one that can certainly win Emmys. We got what we were waiting for. It’s not just that there were two, count ‘em, two loving and long kisses between Kurt and Blaine, but that, at the end, après sex, Kurt and Blaine (and, in another location, Rachel and Finn) were portrayed in loving embrace; soft lighting, equally happy and pleased to be exactly where they were. Has this ever been seen on TV before? What’s important is not just the upside-down shot that showed Kurt and Blaine in embrace, but the equally languorous shot of Rachel and Finn. It was the juxtaposition of these two separate moments, of young people equally in love, with no judgment of either couple. Those side-by-side dissolves of young people who have made the choice to love one another – and have the right to do so – it wasn’t just a moment, it was a momentous event. So is there life after the “first time?” Tonight’s “Mash Off” episode promises the Troubletones’ Adele performance, a young Sue Sylvester, more of the student presidential race, a brutal outing, the super-skeevy relationship between Shelby and Puck, what looks to be a near-reunion of Glee Project winners, and finally, the dodgeball takedown we’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to see what kind of stamina Ryan Murphy has.

Very overcast and a bit chilly in Samba City.

Vidigal as well. Also, today's O Globo said that members of the navy are also involved in the occupation. Hey, it's not as if the Sao Paulo carries any airplanes. Except maybe a few small paper models.

There were huge demonstrations in Centro today, running from the intersection of Rio Branco and President Vargas all of the way to the Camara on the Praca Floriano. Also, of course, in front of the Palacio Tiradentes. Most everyone got the afternoon of today. Also, all of the forms of public transit from 3PM through 7PM(some until 9PM)were free. That includes the trains, metro, buses and boats. For the first time in memory, not a flag from Brasil or the colors of the country were displayed. The boyfriend speaks much more eloquently on this matter than I do. Sorry if I am goofing up the explanation. But this was a state government and local business sponsored event highlighting the theft of the already, agreed-upon division of the pre-sal oil money by Sarney, the Paulistas and the rest of the politicos in Brasilia. Tons of people were wearing blue and white t-shirts and waving blue and white state RJ flags. Lots of screaming and yelling concerning the fight for justice. The seniors are concerned about their pensions, the citizens about public services, schools. There are already lots of plans and others put into action because of these funds. I was also surprised to see a number of people with banners representing Macae today. Guanabara Bay is quite a bit different than the Zona Sul. In the last couple of years, a large number of oil and gas loading/unloading platforms have been installed, Petrobras is building a huge oil refinery north of Niteroi as well as a metro line(Linha 3) to get the workers there. Lots of pollution and health problems are sure to follow.

Just got this e-mail while I was at the demonstrations in Centro. Fun times! Last week the invasion of Mangueira by the BOPE and follow-on control by the UPP seemed to go well without too much noise. I went by the favela on Monday when I went to get my dog food. No traffic controls. No armed police. Just lots of construction on the Maracana. of course, they are behind the deadline imposed by FIFA. We can only hope it will not be more of what is happening in Complexo Do Alemao. EMERGENCY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS-PACIFICATION OPERATIONS IN ROCINHA AND VIDIGAL FAVELAS U.S. Consulate, Rio de Janeiro-November 10, 2011 According to media reports and other open sources, Brazilian police and military authorities are preparing to enter and assume control of the Rocinha and Vidigal Favelas in the Zona Sul of Rio de Janeiro. Those operations are expected to take place during the weekend of November 12-13, 2011. U.S. citizens and their dependants are strongly advised to avoid all areas in and around Rocinha and Vidigal, including but not limited to travel on the Estrada de Gavea in the vicinity of Rocinha, and Avenida Niemeyer in the vicinity of Vidigal, until further notice. Persons travelling on Estrada de Gavea and Avenida Niemeyer face the risk of delays and road closures due to the movement of police and military vehicles in and out of the affected favelas. American citizens should remain alert to possible violence occurring in reaction to the police operations. The Regional Security Officer of the Consulate in Rio continues to advise U.S. citizens not to enter any of the city's unpacified favelas. U.S Government personnel are prohibited by the policy of the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia from entering any unpacified favela without the Consent of the Regional Security Officer. U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Brazil are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program <https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/> (STEP) in order to receive the most up-to-date security information. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Consulate General in Rio is located at Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147 and can be reached at phone number 21-3823-2000, emergency after-hours phone number 21-3823-2029, American Citizen Services fax number 21-3823-2093, and e-mail acsrio@state.gov <mailto:acsrio@state.gov> . Travelers may also consult the website of the U.S. Consulate in Rio de Janeiro <http://riodejaneiro.usconsulate.gov/> for more information. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Brazil <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html> which is located on the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website <http://www.travel.state.gov/> . Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website <http://travel.state.gov/> which contains current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts. Follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/#!/travelgov> and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/travelgov> , and download our Smart Traveler iPhone App <http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-traveler/id442693988?mt=8> to have travel information at your fingertips.

Kind of strange to be south of the equator and start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas with decorations, stuffing, sweet potatoes and the gobble, gobble, gobble bird. But I've been listening pretty much non-stop to the Glee Christmas Vol. 2. Puts me in the spirit. 12 standards done Glee style.Starting with All I Want For Christmas and ending with Do They Know It's Christmas, with Little Drummer Boy, Santa Baby and Let It Snow thrown into the mix. Let It Snow? Not a chance. But, I've got an enormous eucalyptus tree growing in the middle of the street in front of my house, so it is time to get crafty, get out the chicken wire and ribbon and be a little bit of a Martha. Here's the link I used: http://hotfile.com/dl/134464293/2c25a3e/Glee.Christmas.AlbumVol.2.zip.html

Kind of a strange episode. Anyone agree? Too many of Finn's vacant looks. A great song by Naya Rivera. Practically zilch dancing by Harry Shum Jr. The Bieste weightlifting and then getting a Lima-style rose bouquet. The boys went to a gay bar with fake ID's. Along with the designated floozy from Dalton. A couple of great songs with lots and lots of hollow moments. Or am I just missing something?

300th episode of GLEE? Help me please. At 22/year, you mean this GLEEK is going to be in ecstasy enjoying the show for the next 12 years? And for Groff, it is nice to know that he'll have that long of a career.

However, he lied on the amount of Propofol administered by IV. There was no way Michael Jackson administered it to himself. The toxicology report showed a much higher dosage than Murray had said. And the good Doctor Murray was in attendance when the King Of Pop passed away. So who else might have been involved in feeding him "the milk" right in front of Conrad Murray? He was supposedly going to be receiving 150K/month to be Michael's personal pusher/physician. While the patient was in cardiac arrest, instead of calling 9-1-1 immediately, like a true junkie/pusher, he was more concerned with hiding the works.

You know what they say...October Showers bring November Flowers. Or something like that.

I'm more interested in the watch.

I visited my dyslexic friend right after Daylight Savings Time ended. He was putting black shoe polish all over his dick. I said, "You idiot! You're supposed to turn your clocks back!" Moral of the story? Don't forget tonight.............the shoe polish.

I forgot to mention the guy with the elephant trunk swinging between his legs. No exaggeration. It is enormous. Quite scary. Not is it long and thick. But it is attached to someone tall and thin, appearing even more enormous. As a former size queen, whose first lover packed 9 1/2 inches, this is not only as long or longer, I would need a tape measure to verify, but thicker. In that territory, or quite close, occupied by a find from 2004 down here, Henrique.

On the way back from a disappointing Meio Mundo visit(my fault for not double-checking on the night for their Halloween party), went by a cheap place to grab a nice snack. On the same street as Meio Mundo, about two blocks up towards Praca XV, try to check out Padaria Nova Tal. They have renovated the place and vastly improved their offerings. The have a couple of incredible focacias - both Italian and sardine pate - I can't decide which I like better - for only 1,50Reais each. Also Australian bread from them is nice as well as the eclairs. I've had the loaves of Swiss and Cenoura/Carrot breads as well. Also nice. And all really reasonable. M-F and 1/2 days Saturday.

Tuesday night at 117 was really very nice. Very packed. Lots of newbies and many older timers. One of my first in 2003, Flavio is still there with his muscle tee covering the flabby abs. So was Lindomar from 2006 via Curitiba. When I first met him, he was pretty thin. Not now. He was on his first trip to Rio, on vacation from his bank teller position. Not now. And then, who is in the dry sauna. Our "favorite Anderson" Oy. Vay. The man was lost two nights ago. Chunky, heavy, needing a mansiere. The pecs have sadly turned to gordura/fat. Not pretty. I have always wondered where sauna boys go to when they get long in the tooth. Kind of like trannies. The tough ones keep on trying to sell it. Like when I met one last year near Uruguaiana and Buenos Aires. You can take the boy out of the sauna, but you cannot take the sauna out of the boy. Or something like that. However, there were lots and lots of cuties. The place was packed. At one point, 25 programas were waiting for suites. I didn't partake. Didn't know that I was still hung up on my ex-boyfriend from Duque de Caxias who works in Flamengo. He's sleeping over Saturday and Sunday nights. Seeing how it goes. Just got back from Meio Mundo. There was supposed to be a combined party to celebrate Halloween and Wednesday's holiday for the Brasilian version of Day Of The Dead. I got second-hand information. Not good. The party is actually Saturday night. Meio Mundo's decorations are way too cool. Decoration for winter with white painted birch branches in white plants. A winter wonderland backdrop and clouds of snow overhead. The stairway has been whitewashed with painted accents in black and gold. Tres elegante for what used to be the grossest sauna. They are now retiling the entry flooring in black porcelain. Very chic with the new silver entry desk. Now, once more Acir, get some bars of soap for the clients and fix the hot water. Personally, I think it is so gross to not be able to have any warm/hot water or to bring your own soap. Ditto for the boys. One can ask the locker room help to refill the dispensers, but it can take a bit of time. And, knowing Brasilians and their feelings for this sort of thing, they never are too demanding. I think I am going to need to turn mine on and drag the boyfriend in there on Saturday night before we end up in bed. And for something completely different, outside of the Brits, I have never been anywhere else where I have ever seen anyone cue up like Brasilians, or at least Cariocas. If it means anything, the metro stations have recorded messages in English that say "Mind The Gap", just like in London. Tee Hee.

http://storage.mais.uol.com.br/embed_v2.swf?mediaId=12237100 Brasilians are not always about samba, sex and sun lubricated with Cerveja and Cachaca.

Tomorrow is their Halloween/Day of the Dead/Dia de Finados party, so it should be a lot of fun. TomCal is down here and he does a much better job on the reporting. Last night we crossed paths at 117 for their party as well. Very, very, very busy with loads and loads of cuties.

In my old hometown of Chicago, I thought Daley had obliterated everything. It seems like only yesterday that I can remember him tearing out the bushes in Lincoln Park. Kind of like the runway at Miegs. Didn't ask my opinion. I spent many an early morning sunrise in my formative years cruising all manner of flora and fauna.

Rodrigo = Janari. A true professional whore. He knows all of the buttons to push on any man. Just the best. And back at Meio Mundo, or so I've heard, after a trip to Europe. But I'm happier with the new boyfriend. I now have my sling off since yesterday, only passive stretching movements for three weeks, then 8 months of physiotherapy three times/week. Just glad that I have a health plan here that pays for everything except the anesthesia. Tonight will be the first time in 7 weeks that we won't need to have the sling joining us in the bed. And a reminder of my temporary physical limitations. But I am free to go into the swimming pool without using my arms now. and in three weeks, I can go back to riding bikes, exercising and running.

I went by the high school and elementary schools I had mentioned to you yesterday. The elementary was having a government-sponsored art exhibition. Sorry you never contacted me so that I could have shown them both to you as well as perhaps shown you other interesting things. And all close to MM as well.