Seeing Further http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/ Back when Pluto was a planet this blog was dedicated to peripatetic adventuring in Brasil. The peripatetic spirit continues as SeeingFurther goes on.. Find me around these parts. SeeingFurther reborn Dopplr LinkedIn Twitter FaceBook Copyright 2007 Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:16:51 +0000 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.14 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss A departure from principle Rousted from the depths of ennui... at long last S.F. returns!

Copy and editing duties aside, the frenzied activity continues behind the scenes; the past few months witnessed a hectic move from Rio to Paris, the start of two new web projects, two apartment relocations, and one new office. As such, a redesign was and is in order. Expect a whole new direction to accompany the redesign which we should have ready sooner rather than later. Some food for the mind while you wait.


Public Law 109-364, or the John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007" (H.R.5122) (2), was signed into law by President Bush on October 17th, 2006.

For anyone in the United States still awake this it huge news. For years The Insurrection Act has acted to check the executive branch and prevent the U.S. military deploying against its own citizens. With this one act signed into law during a closed door ceremony, The Insurrection Act was essentially nullified. The act allows the President to declare a "public emergency" and station troops anywhere in America and take control of state-based National Guard units without the consent of the governor or local authorities, in order to "suppress public disorder." What the fuck! Anyone who thinks this is a good idea has rocks in their head. Valuing the need for proper checks and balances is a bipartisan idea. Heck, they teach you checks and balances in the third grade. Consider that a similar law was broken when Caesar 'crossed the Rubicon' river and hence began the transformation of the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.


Equally disheartening, the same day the President signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Basically allowing detention and torture abroad. How enlightened, I am sure I'll sleep safe at night as the ideals my country were founded on crumble like salt pillars.

]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/11/a_departure_fro_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/11/a_departure_fro_1.php Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:16:51 +0000 Paraty





]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/08/paraty.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/08/paraty.php Sun, 27 Aug 2006 16:09:19 +0000 Picinguaba





]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/08/picinguaba.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/08/picinguaba.php Sun, 27 Aug 2006 14:36:18 +0000 Buenos Aires - Rabbit at rest.
Casa Rosada - Argentinian Presidential Palace

Weekend in Buenos Aires. This city is the love child of Paris and New York. Beautiful architecture, great restaurants, amazing people, first world infrastructure and tons to see and do. I highly recommend this city to anyone looking for a break from the Northern Hemisphere that's easy on the budget but not on the fun. We spotted a workers' strike in front of the presidential palace and generally stuffed ourselves the rest of the weekend. Good Times.


Street Tango!

Lost tourists

Don't worry he's just napping.


]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/buenos_aires_ra_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/buenos_aires_ra_1.php Tue, 16 May 2006 18:43:25 +0000 La Bonne Petite Souris Not to be outdone in the fame department after my scant two line article mention. Carolina scores an international TV commercial for ORAL-B. Without even trying. Just spotted on the street and BAM! Instant star.





]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/la_bonne_petite_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/la_bonne_petite_1.php Tue, 16 May 2006 17:45:40 +0000 Say What!? So this was supposed to be a johnny-on-the-spot post replete with photos of me posing with Brasilian political VIPs, witty commentary and some accompanying facts. I should have known better when I was headed to a Brasilian political function that the unexpected was expected. The occasion was a press event book signing for former Brasilan President Fernando Henrique Cardoso. When I first walked into the event, unmolested by security with not even an ID check, my hopes were high to come away with a few choice shots. Unfortunately the line to meet the President stretched out the door and he had barricaded himself in a corner. As I was otherwise engaged later in the evening, I resigned myself to score shots of some lesser know paparazzi targets. I thought I had my chance when a gaggle of people began snapping pics with the former first lady of Brasil, a Primeira-Dama as she is known here. Unfortunately for this roving fotog, I was fifth to ask Dama Ruth for a photograph and she was becoming quite steamed at all the attention, so much so that she nearly snapped my head off. It went like this... ME: "Com licença......" DAMA RUTH " Aieeee!!!!!" glasses shatter and babies start crying... "ME DEIXE EM PAZ... QUERO COMPLETAR UMA PALAVRA COM ELE!!!" I had just been bitch slapped by a first lady for asking for a photo while she was trying to get a word in with some fool handler.... at a press event mind you. Aren't they supposed to pose for endless pictures and deal with annoying fans at these things? Hey maybe this event wasn't dead after all. Cool...much better than a photo. Anyway, following my public beheading, my camera broke none too coincidentally so I hit the road short on pictures but long on some sweet memories.


**UPDATE** Thanks for all the emails from people asking about the saftely conditions here in Brasil. Fortunately the violence hasn't reached Rio de Janeiro and it seems to be quieting down considerably in São Paulo. I'll keep you all posted.

]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/say_what.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/05/say_what.php Tue, 16 May 2006 16:22:15 +0000 ISTOÉ Dinheiro - article mention

The website I started just last fall has a mention this weekend in a respected Brazilian magazine focused on the economy - ISTOÉ Dinheiro (think the ECONOMIST Brazil style). Granted the majority of the article discusses Craigslist, it is pretty favorable that the journalist writing the article thought enough of us to include our site as the local competition in the article. She called us last week for an interview and seemed fairly impressed with our site and our plans for the future.

]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/post_7.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/post_7.php Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:44:35 +0000 Belezas Do Brasil Anyone with powerpoint should take a look at this quick slideshow of beautiful Brazilian imagery. Most are shots of the Brazilian Coast in the north and north east. These are some crazy off the map locations and hidden gems. If you want to get lost, this is where you want to head.

Cool Power Point Slide Show of Brasil!

]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/belezas_do_bras.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/belezas_do_bras.php Sun, 30 Apr 2006 13:32:27 +0000 Walk Like An Egyptian
I am under your spell.


That is some old graffiti!




apartment hunting in NYC




Hangin' with Big D.


don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today



]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/walk_like_an_eg.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/walk_like_an_eg.php Sun, 23 Apr 2006 21:40:02 +0000 Everything In Its Right Place So what have I been up to for two months...

    Behind door number one. A Microdiscectomy spine surgery procedure.

      The microdiscectomy spine surgery is performed through a small (1 inch to 1 1/2 inch) incision in the midline of the low back.

      First, the back muscles (erector spinae) are lifted off the bony arch (lamina) of the spine. Since these back muscles run vertically, they can be moved out of the way rather than cut.

      The surgeon is then able to enter the spine by removing a membrane over the nerve roots (ligamentum flavum), and uses either operating glasses (loupes) or an operating microscope to visualize the nerve root.

      Often, a small portion of the inside facet joint is removed both to facilitate access to the nerve root and to relieve pressure over the nerve. The nerve root is then gently moved to the side and the disc material is removed from under the nerve root.

      And also at the same time, a lumbar laminectomy:

      Lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to alleviate pain caused by neural impingement. The laminectomy surgery is designed to remove a small portion of the bone over the nerve root and/or disc material from under the nerve root to give the nerve root more space and a better healing environment.

      ****1 to 3% of the time a cerebrospinal fluid leak may be encountered if the dural sac is breached. This does not change the outcome of the surgery, and generally a patient just needs to lie down for about 24 hours to allow the leak to seal. EXCEPT IF YOU END UP BEING EXTREMELY UNLUCKY ... LIKE ME. Where upon they send you, posthaste to the emergency operating suite to patch the breach!!!

    So I've been poked, stuck, cut, stiched, cathedered, spinal-tapped, X-rayed, MRIed, taped, prodded, wheeled, pushed, RINSE - REPEAT- Thanks to Dr. Shahid, Dr. Sanderson, Dr. Batson, Nurse Niles and the rest of the staff at Norwalk Hospital, also Dr. Mauro Monteiro of Daya Terapias Integrada and Dr. Carlos Eduardo at the Clinica Sao Vicente in Rio de Janeiro. Special thanks to the MRI operator at Multi IMAGEM in Rio de Janeiro for double freaking me out by refering to my disk hernia as the "most enormous" hernia she had ever seen. That really put me on ice for a week. Tremendous thanks to the home team in Connecticut, my mother, my sister, brother-in-law and nephew, who played nurse maids and also to Carolina for making the trip up from Brasil for moral support. Sorry for all the grill guys, but it was a nice to be home for awhile either way.


    Dr. Shahid and I reminisce about the good times..

    Seriously, Dr. S. had an extremely sharp knife pressed up against my spinal cord on two separate occasions. You could say we got cosy. Crap, I don't even want to imagine what his insurance runs.


    Under the knife for the last time.


    Grovvy close up



    ]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/everything_in_i_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/04/everything_in_i_1.php Sun, 23 Apr 2006 21:36:12 +0000 Coda.







    ]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/02/post_5.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/02/post_5.php Thu, 09 Feb 2006 18:43:39 +0000 Guessing about a thing,


    ]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/02/post_4.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/02/post_4.php Thu, 09 Feb 2006 18:40:11 +0000 Because it was grassy and wanted wear..



    We've just had a visit from Chach and ShapDawg, who hopefully take home a few good memories along with something requiring antibiotics. The sun finally came out and it certainly feels like summer down here. So as another summer rolls around, it seems our plans since last year have taken a complete 180. Looking forward to traveling around brasil in the fall.



    ]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/01/because_it_was_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2006/01/because_it_was_1.php Mon, 09 Jan 2006 19:01:01 +0000 A bluer kind of white O Rappa acoustic show. 11-19-05


    ]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2005/11/a_bluer_kind_of.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2005/11/a_bluer_kind_of.php Wed, 23 Nov 2005 20:23:46 +0000 Atrás da porta Sorry the site seems to have taken on the shine of a red headed step child. It's not permanent. I've been web-sessed with building another site. Hopefully soon I'll have something to trot out for your perusal. Take a look at the ridiculous winter/spring we've been having down here.


    someone got outta hand with something


    UH OH... Here it comes!!!


    JAYYSUZZZ This is a family channnel.


    Funny, 'cause at the time I felt like Nadia Comaneci.


    The boys, Claudio and Marcelo.


    OH GOD put that away.


    Our lovely hostess, Sandra Leig


    I've gotta believe that means something else in portuguese.]]> http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2005/11/atras_da_porta_1.php http://brasil.seeingfurther.com/archives/2005/11/atras_da_porta_1.php Wed, 23 Nov 2005 19:58:02 +0000