A British and a Brazilian approach to poultry (2 videos)

In Brazil we normally season the poultry in advance and store it for about a day in the fridge so it can absorb the ingredients like you see on the second video with Brazilian journalist Ernani Lemos from Madruga em Claro, while Pete prefers to stuff it right before cooking. Ernani used water, sea salt, black pepper and herbs to marinate the turkey for a day and a half. Aftewards he used a paste with butter, garlic, salt and fresh herbs.

Foi um Feliz Aniversário!

Meu aniversário foi do jeitinho que gosto: no aconchego de casa, comendo comidinhas deliciosas, conversando com pessoas queridas e tomando um vinhozinho na companhia de Love - é assim que o chamo.

Agradeço a todos que telefonaram, enviaram emails, deixaram mensagem no Facebook e no Twitter. Ainda tive a felicidade de ver meus irmãos e sobrinho na casa dos meus pais, via Skype, e receber parabéns de pessoas que tenho carinho, mas não conheço pessoalmente. 

Ainda ganhei um livro de uma das minhas escritoras irlandesas favoritas e experimentei o que dei o nome de empadão galês. O Pete criou um prato que ele diz não ser original e explicou que a mãe dele fazia algo parecido, mas para mim a ham pie foi a torta mais deliciosa estilo empadão goiano que eu saboreei nos últimos tempos. 

Assim, ele resgatou um pouco da minha infância e quem sabe, minha avó Georgina não passou por aqui... O astral está ainda mais agrádavel do que de costume e com a subida da temperatura de -3C para 8C não a muito mais o que desejar hoje, a não ser falar com o outro aniversariante do dia 29, que está na praia com o celular desligado, mas tudo bem, amanhã eu tento novamente. 

Disse hoje, pois vou querer os abraços pessoalmente quando eu voltar ao Brasil!

« Valido a inscrição do meu blog ao serviço de Paperblog sob o pseudónimo anaday »

Invasão Britânica toca no Velvet Pub hoje - 28/12

Invasão Britânica toca 50 anos de rock inglês no Velvet Pub, na 102 Norte, em Brasília hoje, dia 28 de dezembro, a partir das 22h. Convidados: Shit & Useless. Los Hermetos, Melotron e Senhor F. Ingressos - R$ 10,00.

Invasão Britânica se apresentará no Velvet Pub dia 18 de novembro. Convidados: Bílis Negra Soundsystem, Spot &; Speedkills e Shit & Useless. Das 21hs às 3:00. R$10 até às 23. R$ 15 após.

Amanhã vou finalmente poder ouvir ao vivo o rock do Invasão Britânica, projeto idealizado por Fernando Brasil (Guitarra e Voz), Oscar Ju (Guitarra e vocais), Tharsis (Baixo) e Txotxa (Bateria).  O grupo é uma homenagem ao movimento musical ocorrido nos anos 60, quando as bandas de rock inglesas dominaram as rádios mundo afora.

Na última quinta conferi Beto Só, que fez um eletrizante cover de Gloria, de Van Morisson, também no Velvet Pub. Após o cantor, o rock brega da banda Charme Chulo, de Curitiba, adentrou a madrugada brasiliense com irreverência e bom humor. Ambos regados à bebida mais pedida do pub, que ganhou o nome da casa e leva Absolut com água de coco. Uma delícia, assim como os mini pastéis de carne e queijo. 

A neve e suas vítimas na Irlanda

Jamie por Broadcast.ie

Seja diretamente ou indiretamente a neve sempre transforma pedestres ou passageiros em vítimas todos os anos. Como é sabido diversos aeroportos na Europa tiveram vôos atrasados adiando o reencontro com a família no Natal. E não foi diferente na Irlanda.

Os canais RTE e TV3 vem flagrando momentos cômicos dentro e fora dos aeroportos desde o começo do ano por conta da neve. No primeiro vídeo um menino frustrado com a demora do tio se empolga após a entrevista para a TV3 e sai inadvertidamente correndo de encontro com um carrinho de malas, virando destaque no YouTube no momento.

No segundo vídeo uma moradora de Limerick flagra os tombos dos estudantes da universidade local a caminho das aulas. E no terceiro vídeo o canal estatal  captura aquele que se tornou a vítima da neve mais consagrada em 2010 quando cobriam os trabalhos de colocação de sal nas ruas de Dublin no começo do ano, sendo visto mais de 1 milhão de vezes. 

Top 2 Christmas drinks

Last year the end-of-the-year festivities were mainly accompanied by wine, but this time we tried something different. Here are my top 2 favourite drinks this Christmas:

1) Harveys Bristol Cream:  It tastes like nuts and raisins and has a subtle spicy finish. I had a sip 2 years ago and never forgot it, so hubby got it for Christmas this year. It's a fine sherry and gives Frangelico a good run for their money. Even someone like me who'd fall asleep after drinking a glass of whiskey wouldn't need to dilute it in water to enjoy it. This fine sherry is imported from Spain and blended by John Harvey & Sons of Bristol. It's not too sweet, so men tend to like it as well.

2) Carolans:  Although it's been produced for 40 years I'd never had this Irish cream liqueur before. It's as tasty as Bailey's, but has a more distinct bottle. Served on the rocks is how I enjoy it best. The UK online shop DrinkShop.com says it's the second biggest selling cream liqueur. It could well be in Ireland too.

Bailey's has 17% alcohol by volume whereas Carolans has 14.5% to 17%, which makes the latter more attractive to me. The less alcohol the better for me as I can drink longer. 

I haven't had any of the Bushmills yet, so I can't judge it. Funnily enough, when I talked to my family on Skype, my brother who visited me last year had a pint of Guinness in his hands. I myself don't drink Guinness at home. I only do so at selected pubs because I like it creamy. I normally drink Bulmers Irish Cider these days. It has replaced the traditional pint of Carlsberg with lime. It seems like as most women I always go for a bit of sweetness when I drink.

Bono makes an appearance on Grafton Street, Dublin.

Source: Pictage.ie

Bono and other Irish musicians like Glen Hansard, The Coronas, Damien Rice, Damien Dempsey and Imelda May made a surprise appearance on Grafton Street, Dublin, some hours ago. Bono did same last Christmas Eve and busked alongside Glen Hansard at Ireland's top spot for musicians to break through. It seems he feels like this is a good time of the year to join locals and have a good time in his hometown. Who would disagree?

Julian Assange precursor explains who endangers US forces lives

Daniel Ellsberg

The man behind the leak of top secret Pentagon documents to the New York Times on the Vietnam War in 1971 talked to Larry King and Julian Assange about Wikileaks on CNN. 

When asked by Larry King if he agrees with the White House that Julian Assange puts the lives of US forces in danger Daniel Ellsberg explained that the people who put US forces in harm's way - a 100 thousand men and women in Afghanistan - are the last two administrations, but particularly this one, with the decision to escalate the war.

Mr Ellsberg went on to say that it takes a lot of chutzpah for people who make reckless, foolish and irresponsible decisions to escalate a war that he is sure they know internally is as hopeless as these new revelations proved it to be and yet they are preferring to send men and women into the harm's way to die and to kill civilians and others in a war that he thinks that they perceive as endless and hopeless rather than to face the accusations of generals that these politicians have lost a war that the generals claim very foolishly that is winnable. 

The former US military analyst finalised his answer by saying that he believes it is exactly the same as the boss he served in 1965 Lindon Johnson, he didn't want the general staff of the army and others to resign if he didn't give them enough of what they were asking for. And that president Obama has made the same terrible mistake. 

I totally agree with Mr Ellsberg. Julian Assange is simply taking actions to help stop innocent civilians from dying. If you like to watch the video with Daniel Ellsberg click here.

Mince pie for sweeter winter nights

Could you possibly resist a treat like this? Before I was put off by its name which led me to believe there was  minced beef in it. I tried it about 10 years ago and absolutely hated it. I ate it right from the pack because I didn't know you were supposed to heat them in the oven first!

It turns out originally mince pies did have minced beef in them. During the English Civil War people in England needed a ban from Puritan authorities not to eat them because it was associated with Catholic idolatry. I wouldn't need a ban to put me off eating a pie with meat, fruit and spices in it! 

Luckily people in the Victorian era had better taste and dropped the meat, making it sweeter. However, it says it is enjoyed by families across the United Kingdom only when in fact it is popular in Ireland too. 

It's indeed a nice Christmas season treat, specially if it's served with whipped cream to balance its strong taste. If you're in Ireland you can get it for just €2 at Super Valu. 

Ameth Male re-records Asa Branca

Ameth Male

Senegalese singer Ameth Male has re-recorded one of the most well-know Brazilian folk hits of all time.

The song Asa Branca or White Wing was written by the great accordion player Luiz Gonzaga and Humberto Teixeira and talks about the droughts in the northeast of Brazil.

The 40s hit has been covered by several other musicians including Zé Ramalho and David Byrne. The original is in the baião or choro style.

Ameth is known for singing about peace, tolerance and love . He has worked with David Murray on the album Fodeuk and Mamadou Konté on his compilation album Africa Fête. His first solo album Laanamayo was released in 2004. Source: Musiques Afrique

Como baixar o novo perfil do Facebook

Novo perfil do Facebook

O Facebook lançou um novo perfil em dezembro e como apenas um amigo nessa rede social sabia de sua existência decidi escrever este rápido post com os simples passos para baixá-lo.

1. Visite http://www.facebook.com/about/profile/

2. Clique no botão verde

3. Pronto!

Se você quiser mostrar aos seus amigos como fazê-lo basta clicar em ¨Compartilhar¨. Você pode ver quais amigos já o instalaram abaixo do botão verde.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland marks Human Rights Day 2010

The Immigrant Council of Ireland have marked Human Rights Day 2010 by arguing that Ireland have failed to meet its international human rights obligations in relation to the treatment of migrants.

The ICI’s press release submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs NGO Forum on Human Rights held today discussed Ireland’s examination by the UN Human Rights Council, providing an opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.

ICI senior solicitor Hilkka Becker said that Ireland has an established reputation as a defender of human rights – in other countries – but there are a number of areas where their treatment of migrants here in this country falls short of their international obligations.

She pointed out that the  treatment of victims of sex trafficking, who are among the most vulnerable and exploited people in Ireland, falls well short of what is required of them under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. And while their treatment of victims of trafficking is far from international best practice, even this level of protection and assistance is denied to many exploited women because of overly bureaucratic processes that delay and prevent the formal identification of women as victims of this crime.  

Source: Ruth Evans - Media and Communications Manager Immigrant Council of Ireland

Irish young woman stranded in Vietnam needs our help

Karen Hamill

Karen was on her way back to Ireland from New Zealand and fell ill with Encephalitis, causing her brain damage in Vietnam on Nov 17th. Her insurance company turned her claim down as it did not meet their requirements.

Daily hospital bills amount to €2000 putting a great burden on Karen's family, who are presented with them every 3-4 days. Her aunt resorted to a fundraising campaign at Karen Hamill Appeal where donations can be made via Paypal. However, people in Ireland can do it directly at Permanent TSB. Please visit her site to get the bank details or/and read the full story. You can also watch The Morning Show tomorrow. Sybil and Martin will be talking to her aunt and brother at 11 am on TV3. Click here to watch it.

If you wish to contact the people responsible for her campaign or obtain updates on her recovery, please visit www.facebook.com/FundraiserForKaren.

Antes de enviar presentes da Irlanda

Antes de enviar presentes da Irlanda pelo correio irlandês, An Post, vale lembrar que eles só poderão ser rastreados se forem enviados por carta registrada (registered post). Apenas itens na  modalidade parcel enviados dentro do país podem ser rastreados se forem enviados sem registro (standard post).

Em 2000, enviei um perfume por standard post para o Brasil e nunca chegou. Ano passado me enviaram um presente do Brasil sem registro e chegou. A conclusão que pode-se tirar é que varia de caso para caso, mas se você não quiser correr risco, page um pouco mais e envie por carta registrada.

Nesta página do An Post, você pode rastrear o seu presente usando o código Track & Trace que geralmente começa com as letras RL e termina com as IE. Como você pode ver na imagem abaixo o registro implica num seguro de pelo menos €25, ou seja, cerca de R$60,00. 

Recibo

Para o seu presente chegar no Brasil antes do Natal você deve enviá-lo na modalidade priority parcel ou corrier post antes do dia 16 de dezembro. Se você desejar presentear alguém no Brasil neste Natal a modalidade carta registrada só vale para quem enviou presentes até o dia 6 de dezembro. O mesmo vale para itens enviados sem registro (standard post). 

Nesta página do An Post, você pode estimar o preço do envio do seu presente. Lembre-se que você deve optar por parcel, em what are you sending, e corrier em service required, se deseja que chegue antes do Natal. Para entrar na modalidade parcel a caixa com o presente deve pesar mais de 2kg e as medidas da altura, comprimento e largura devem ser maiores que 900mm.

There is life after snow with Keywest

Keywest on Shop Street today

It was worthwhile putting my fear of sliding on melted snow aside and going into town today. Keywest were launching their live album on Shop Street. Some not only stopped to listen, but danced too, specially when they played Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna. They even came up with this original version of Bad Romance by Lady Gaga and I loved the way they performed Alicia Keys' New York. It was captivating! 

I myself didn't miss the chance and got closer to record their cover for Maroon 5's She'll Be Loved after Pete bought both their albums: KeyWest Live in Los Angeles, which was recorded in Hollywood, and It Started on Shop Street. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find out they recorded a cover of U2's Where the Streets Have No Name. They're very versatile.

Looking for a Lady Diana/Kate Middleton blue sapphire ring replica?

I volunteered to write a post for this lady under the name earlybird913 on ebay because it was a smooth and pleasant experience buying this product from her. Not only she was very courteous and speedy but she also took several trips to the post office to sort out the problem with the tracking number. Although UPSP provided a mistaken number for my delivery, which was no fault of her own, the item arrived in only 7 days. Considering Christmas is just around the corner it took no time at all for this to arrive from the US. Keep an eye on her online shop and check out other lovely products like the moonstone sterling silver rings. They're gorgeous!

Update - 20 June 2011: She has a new Diana ring size 10 available at the moment.

Brasileira acidentada em Dublin dá notícias de sua recuperação

Aline Barros, a brasileira que luta para andar desde um acidente em Dublin em 2008 fala de Minas Gerais, onde encontra-se em tratamento. 

Posts anteriores sobre Aline em Dublin.

WTIAS No. 6 - The Bailout Song

Tente pelo menos 1x sem ler para treinar bem seu Inglês. 

I don't ____ ____ about politics for I'm ____ a ____

But ____ ____ the boys in Dublin are now ____ their ____ of ____

____ with a ____ of cover-ups the've been ____ to us for ____ 

making ____ any ____ story to ____ to ____ our fears 

we have to ____ the ____ and get rid ____ the ____ 

a substantial ____ capital ____

oh yeah that's ____ we ____

and the boys from ____ ____ here ____ for their ____ 

where's all the money lads you're all ____ ____ ____ ____

the country's fecked 

we ____ no ____

the country's fecked

oh isn't it ____ 

will you ____ ____ a bailout out ____

and ____ the ____ of the ____ 

a ____ billions ____ do it

you're ____ lads

Thanks

Now the European Commission will ____ us what to do

You've ____ pass the ____ lads if you know ____ good for you 

The ____ and the ____ say we need ____  ____ passed or

they won't ____ ____ the bailout and the country will ____ ____

And Cowen'll ____ as Taoiseach til he gets ____ all ____ ____

then he'll feck ____ in his Mercedes Oh he ____ ____ _____ ____