Only in Brazil

And while some occupy the financial centers of the world, in Brazil, the Armed Forces are still occupying the favelas of Rocinha and Vidigal, two of the largest and oldest slums in Rio, developed into neighborhoods and with some households that make as much as US$30,000 a year.  It’s also an enormous center of distribution of drugs being ruled by heavily armed dealers in an industry that moves US$20 million a year in Brazil. Brazilians consume 1 ton of crack a day, and the problem is way larger than one slum, but this occupation is another step to reclaim Rio from the clutches of a never-ending cycle of violence brought upon by the drug wars.

Gay penguins

 Much has been said and joked about the same-sex couple of penguins at the Toronto Zoo. It’s hard no anthropomorphise the little guys and turn them into gay animal poster boys (Buddy and Pedro brutally separated by evil homophobic vets), but the reality of the penguins’ fluid sexuality (and other animals’) sheds some light into our own socially constructed norms of gay and straight, male and female, what’s ok and what’s not. Animals are not so hung up on labels.

Pet Shop Boys plans for 2012

After a pretty positive run of their first ballet, “The Most Incredible Thing” (which returns to the Sadler's Wells Theatre in London from March 25th to April 7^th) and participating in the “biggest tour in UK music history” as opening acts for Take That, the boys are back in the studio preparing a new album for next year. But early in the year, we’ll have a special treat. Neil accidently announced “Format”, a new collection of B-sides, which picks up where “Alternative” ended.  As he mentioned, some of their best songs are B-sides. “Because on a B-side you can do what you like”.

Having fun with the sun and the moon

By photographer Laurent Laveder.

Wonder Woman KitchenAid

Not sure if it's offensive to women or really cool.

Gilberto Gil speaks in Toronto

Former Brazilian minister of culture and living legend Gilberto Gil came to Toronto to speak about "The Power of the Arts" at OCAD. It was confusing, but he sang "Aquele Abraço" at the end. 

For a full account, visit my other blog.

Only in Brazil

Sales, a city in the countryside of the state of São Paulo, has been invaded by monkeys. The little guys started coming from the nearby forests to forage through the trash and they liked what they found (plus people fed them). Now they've become a kind of pest. Some are known to remove tiles from roofs of houses to get in and steal food.

Break dancing

Seems to be everywhere these days.







Mad props to people with mad skills.

My new favorite picture

'Composition Light' by Miya Kondo.

Visions of Halloween

In my building:

At Sorauren Park on All Souls' Night again.

Liza does Toronto

Despite joint replacements, encephalitis, strokes and gay divorces, Liza Minnelli is still a force to be admired as the ultimate entertainer. She may slur a little, but her voice reaches all the highs and sounds just as perfect in New York New York as it did in 1977. And she may limp a little, but she’s still dancing and she still got all those Liza moves. Her concert at Massey Hall last week was short but sweet, just like Liza.

Wonder Woman Day 2011