Cassandra in the Midlands

R.I.P., querida S. (1974-2009)

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:18:00 +0000

S.,

Contentamento e alegria sempre foram o teu lema de vida, nos bons e nos maus momentos.

Com bravura, enfrentaste tormentas com um alento que a todos deixava impávido.

A serenidade do teu semblante, o brilho do teu sorriso e o doce timbre das tuas gargalhadas ficarão para sempre impressos como uma tatuagem nas nossas vidas.

Foi um privilégio ter-te conhecido e guardamos como um tesouro os momentos que partilhámos juntos.

Até ao nosso reencontro, querida Anja.

N. e S.
21.11.2009

Back to work next Tuesday!

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Hi, just a quick update. I got a temporary job opportunity of around 4 months in the same company I worked at before, thanks to a referral from my dear former Line Manager. It's a temp position but at least it gives me more time to find something suitable without being so stressed out and have a more tranquil time for a few months.

Thanks for the support everyone has been giving me.

xxx

Cheers.

Vote for People's Prize: Portuguese architect David Mares's project CORK BLOCK SHELTER

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Please vote for Portuguese architect David Mares's project CBS - CORK BLOCK SHELTER.

You know cork is the most ecological material you can find. You'll not only be contributing for his victory in this contest, but also for the environment, should a project like this become real in the future, and last but definitely not the least, for the Portuguese Economy. Cork is one of our biggest export products.

You don't have to register nor anything. Just select his name/project and click submit vote. Thanks!

Vote for People's Prize

Officially unemployed

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

So that no one thinks I have disappeared from the face of the Earth, and at request, I am communicating that I haven't written anything in the blog as I have nothing to say apart from the fact that I am unemployed since last month. It's been a month today already.

Hope everyone is ok. Also, hopefully, when my computer stops disconnecting a dozen times per day, maybe I will also be more motivated.

I'll come back when I have anything relevant to say.

At Sonisphere Festival

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Finally, our first Festival in the UK and for free! Yepee! So goes to show that is worthwhile to try your luck every now and then. This time, hubbie was lucky and got us 2 tickets to Sonisphere Festival on a competition. Obviously, the travel is at our expense. We could also avoid paying for accomodation, as camping is included in the tickets, but I really want to have a good time, and not spend the night in panic because of bugs or in pain on the following morning for sleeping in the ground. Right... I'm really getting old... and grumpy! Who cares?! I am going to rock my skeleton off!

Off to Manchester

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:01:00 +0000

A short 2 days break in Manchester to get my Passport, for the first time, and to spend my birthday.

Let's see if the rain is scarce and I can manage at least to explore the Northern Quarter.

Quadra de manjerico

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Here's my contribution to the Portuguese "Santos Populares" folklore tradition of writing rhymes and putting them on top of a manjerico (Greek basil). This is what I came up with.

Junho é mês de bailias
A encher os arraiais
É tempo de alegrias
Desde o monte até ao cais.

Folgando pela noite fora
Celebrando a sua fé
Secam lágrimas na hora
Que amanhã logo se vê.

Cheiros bons, cheiros vadios
Da sardinha à febra assada
Muitos copos, desvarios,
Derramados pela calçada.

Tristes fados são cantados
Nestas noites de esperança
A uma só voz sublimados
Exortando à mudança.

Deolinda in London

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Unfortunately, it's too far for me to go and especially in the middle of the week. Hopefully the Portuguese community in London can drop by and have fun listening to Deolinda live at Institut of Contemporary Arts. Gig is next Thursday, the 4th of June. Tickets cost 15 £. Check details here.

Well done, HMV!

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:38:00 +0000

Deolinda's classification mistake has been corrected after only 1 e-mail I sent to HMV. They thanked and were really fast correcting the problem. I am amazed! Well done, HMV! Now... don't stop with your great promotions, please. :)

1 year

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 02 May 2009 07:51:00 +0000

1 year in the UK.

Deolinda at HMV

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Deolinda's debut album is on sale at HMV. Check it out!

The classification is wrong - they put it under the Americas menu - but at least it is being distributed. No worries... I have already sent my complaint to HMV for the mistake.

First Singles

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:17:00 +0000

Click to listen and enjoy!

"Oxalá te veja" from Oquestrada

"Gaivota" from Hoje

Wish List

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:44:00 +0000

It is not a surprise that my wish list should include music, so I'll just get started. Summer is approaching and I believe many interesting albums are about to see the light of the day.

My current wishes are:

1) Hoje - Amália Hoje (to be launched on the 27th April)

2) Oquestrada - Tasca Beat: O Sonho Português (to be launched on the 27th April)

3) Gomo - Nosy (to be launched soon)

Can't wait to have this! I am especially happy for Oquestrada whose work I've been following in the past years. I miss seeing them @ Incrível Almadense. I just hope people don't start saying they are copying Deolinda... Oquestrada have been out there for ages and after a lot of time playing live they now moved to the next stage, not that they chased it. Maybe Deolinda's success led to it, and before Deolinda we had A Naifa. I really don't think that is the point. What really matters is that is is great Portuguese music, they are all different projects with a Portuguese feeling and vibe, and we should just embrace it. It is the sort of music that makes us feel good, at home, happy and proud.

Camden Town

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:56:00 +0000

Today, I went briefly to Camden Town - my first London experience - and, on a Liberty day, I felt at home in the sense I felt comfortable among the huge amount of people circulating (yesterday it was really crowded, as there was a huge music event held in 40 venues all acroos the town), and relieved for being away from a town where nothing happens apart from random sketches of drunk people wandering around almost- every - single - day.

Another good part of my brief visit was bringing loads of Portuguese goodies from Ferreira Delicatessen [no translation available next]: marmelada, tremoços, azeite, chouriço, linguiça, cerveja Coral, leite com chocolate UCAL, sal grosso, e uns quantos bolinhos secos que não duraram muito tempo.

So, overall, I definitely ascertained that I need to live somewhere at least half as busy as Camden Town and will definitely go back there as soon as an opportunity arises. Gotta check that Dr. Martens store too...hmmm :)

Knowing - The movie

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:32:00 +0000

If you haven't seen it... just go. Highly recommended. Much better than I anticipated. I won't reveal anything about it otherwise I would unleash spoilers. Bottom end: a must-see movie.

Portuguese products in supermarkets

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Just came from LIDL and brought a bottle of the wine Torre de Ferro, 2006 (Reserva), from the Dão region!! Yippee!

In some LIDL's you may also find the white wine (Alvarinho) but we had no luck. Already gone! :(

Yesterday, more bad news: ASDA in Burton decided to stop selling Super Bock... I'm gonna die!!! Worse: they have substituted it by another brand, Sagres. I know it's still Portuguese beer, and a good brand, but we all know Super Bock is the best! The only Sagres I can't resist is Bohemia, and that one is impossible to find around here.

I couldn't leave like that and called one of the employees in charge of the beverage section and told him that I wasn't pleased. Plus, he told us the beer sold really well, so we weren't the only ones drinking it. I also took the opportunity to tell him that the label in the wines section saying Portugal & Spain Wines was no good as the only Portuguese wine sold there is Mateus Rosé (I'm not counting Port wine because it's not a table wine). He said he was going to communicate my thoughts. Let's see if he does. Phew!!

Me and the gym

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:07:00 +0000

The gym is killing me but I'm loving it! My work colleagues say I look slimmer, just after only 4 sessions, so it's not bad. I'm lucky enough to have quick results in the beginning but it's the getting to the perfect stage that is difficult. And I am pretty demanding with myself. "I am my worst enemy", Pink would say. Hopefully, I'll get there, and if Summer finally decides to make a graceful entrance in the Island it wil help the cause, as I'll start eating a lot more salads. :)

Quiet...

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:03:00 +0000

I know I have been quite quiet lately but unfortunately, after spending so many hours looking at my PC screen at work, I really don't feel like coming here because my eyes are just hurting. Also, I don't have anything relevant to share, I'll be honest. :(

After Easter I will for sure. Until then, take care.

First days at JJB...

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:08:00 +0000

... or how I like to call it, Jar Jar Binks Fitness Club.

Finally, pushed by the ever haunting numbers on the scales and the need to relax, me and my hubbie finally registered at the gym.

The location is convenient, I personally have a little discount on the monthly cost and everything seems to be slick and smooth. The fitness instructors seem nice and helpful, and made us an induction to get to know the facilities. The gym itself is nice and I felt extactic when, on the secoond day, I noticed that the rowing machines where from the make CONCEPT II! I'll explain: I am an indoor rowing fan, and used to practice and compete in national championships, in those rowers. Compared to other makes, they are defintely the best & toughest ones. In fact, they are the rowers that outdoor rowers use to practice in harsh winter times, so that you can understand how good they need to be.

Right, next, the favourite part: pool, steam room and jacuzzi. Really, I felt I was in holidays.

We may go to the gym just to hang in that area.

Monday body condition: every muscle in my body hurts. I am really out of practice. Bah!!

Welcome baby girl!

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:58:00 +0000

I thought about you all day, dear C., my beautiful and special friend. My sis!

I am so happy that everything went well and smooth with your delivery. I wish I could have been right next to you in this special and unforgettable moment, but you know I have been with you in my heart. Can't wait to see that little treasure of yours.

Congratulations to you and J. for the courage and strength! Loads of kisses and cuddles to the little angel.

Birmingham

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Birmingham - Warstone Lane & Key Hill Cemeteries

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:39:00 +0000

Alton Towers, Staffordshire - Splash Landings Hotel

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:25:00 +0000

For two days, I was in a team meeting with all my colleagues from work, and the place picked up for our stay-in was the Splash Landings Hotel in Alton Towers. I really liked the hotel, with a fun latin-american decoration. Here are some pics.

Derby

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:07:00 +0000

Lichfield again... by day

cassandra666@gmail.com ([Cassandra]) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:11:00 +0000