Thứ Sáu, 30 tháng 3, 2007

De viaje por WA, Western Australia, Wave Rock, surferos en Margaret River, 4 mujeres y un hobre solo


Margaret River, un sitio de surferos



La Wave Rock (Ola-Roca)

No se como me las he arreglado, pero en unas horas me voy en un coche ranchera de viaje con dos chicas de Taiwan y dos alemanas :P





El plan es ir a ver la Wave Rock, una competicion de surf en Margaret River y todo parque natural que se ponga por medio...





Estoy deseando ver marsupiales, no puedo mas.

Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 3, 2007

Entrevista a Juanma (Bushi-Comics) en +Q Comics

El hacha de Juanma la ha vuelto a liar.
Le han entrevistado en el blog comiquero + Q Comics.
Unas respuestas muy inteligentes y una modestia que le caracteriza.
Por cierto, me siento halagado y un poco avergonzado de como me pone al hablar de mi. No creo que me lo merezca ya que TODO el peso de Bushi-Comics lo lleva el solito.

Si quereis ver la entrevista, clic aqui.

Algunas cositas de la entrevista:



+QCómics.- ¿Qué cómics son los que recuerdas de tu infancia?

Juan Manuel Alonso.- Mortadelo y Filemón, junto al resto de personajes de Ibáñez, y a otras publicaciones de Bruguera como Superlópez o Benito Boniato, son con los que aprendí a leer. Los Super-Humor son joyas de la literatura.


+QC.- ¿Cuántas horas a la semana dedicas al blog?¿Algún modo especial de organizar los posts?

JMA.- Mi intención siempre es postear al menos una vez al día con algún motivo por el que yo crea que me merece la pena ponerme delante del teclado. El tiempo que le dedico a cada post depende de su complejidad. A veces es relativamente tan fácil como “copiar y pegar” y otras me lleva más tiempo por temas de traducción o búsqueda de imágenes o de investigar un poco más el asunto.

+QC.- Recomienda un cómic que crees no debería faltar a cualquier aficionado al cómic (cualquier época).

JMA.- Esta pregunta es complicadísima y seguro que de un día a otro mi respuesta puede cambiar. Ahora mismo te diría que todo lo que ha hecho Alan Moore para la línea ABC (Top Ten, Tom Strong, Promethea, etc.) tiene la suficiente diversidad como para ser imprescindible para aquél que quiera apreciar cómo se puede escribir de todo y bien. Y una vez leídos los cómics te puedas dedicar simplemente a admirar las páginas dibujadas por algunos de artistas de la talla de Gene Ha, Chris Sprouse, J.H. Williams III y compañía.

+QC.- La sección de parecidos razonables es muy interesante, ¿estas constantemente buscando parecidos o simplemente cuando encuentras uno de casualidad lo pones?

JMA.- Cada mes miro las “solicitations” de las grandes editoriales yanquis en busca de alguna portada que me recuerde a algo. Obviamente algunos meses tengo mas suerte que otros. Otras veces es simplemente la casualidad la que me hace toparme con algún parecido razonable.

+QC.- Nunca has puesto reseñas en tu blog, ¿Cuál es la causa?

JMA.- La principal razón se basa en mis hábitos actuales de lectura: ni son tan altos ni tan “a la última” como para poder mantener una sección de reseñas con cierto criterio. Además es algo que ya se hace en muchos blogs y mejor de lo que lo haría yo.

Chủ Nhật, 25 tháng 3, 2007

Wealth, poverty, and guilt

I think often about the disparity between rich and poor in this world. Specifically, I am more and more aware that I fall into the "rich" category, especially compared to the vast majority of people in the world. I read a lot about social justice (and injustice) and how the gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow, and I end up feeling guilty. I live very comfortably, and yet there are countless people who - through no fault of their own - cannot even feed, clothe, house, or educate their families. We do make regular donations to reputable charitable organizations, but this in itself doesn't seem like "enough."

I guess I am having "survivor" guilt. I am no more "worthy" than those who are suffering, and dying, merely because they are caught up in circumstances beyond their control. I happened to be born into relative privilege, and on top of that I've been "lucky" (or "blessed") in a lot of other ways. When I read books like The End of Poverty (by Sachs) or The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, I feel both hopeful and impatient. I'm glad there are people out there who are really making a difference; yet I wish the difference were more tangible.

Thứ Bảy, 24 tháng 3, 2007

Australia, un poco de historia







Entre 60 mil y 120 mil años atrás arribaron, según se estima, los primeros habitantes de Australia desde el sudeste asiático, si bien no es posible definir con precisión si se trataba de un grupo racial homogéneo.





Melbourne en 1914




En el siglo XII de nuestra era, cartógrafos y navegantes portugueses se debatieron sobre la existencia de una terra australis incógnita.

En el siglo XVII, navegantes holandeses avistaron la costa noroccidental y sudoriental de la actual Australia, sin interesarse por esos territorios.

Los viajes del británico James Cook, en el siglo XVIII, dieron comienzo a la colonización del continente.




James Cook



Entre 1787 a 1857, más de 160 mil reclusos (ladrones, marineros desertores y opositores irlandeses), fueron destinados a Australia.


El 80% de los aborígenes murió en guerras por el control de la tierra.

También la exposición a enfermedades llegadas con los europeos causaron muchas víctimas entre los indígenas.

Familias enteras fueron envenenadas, desplazadas de sus tierras a la fuerza y confinadas en reservas británicas.

Muchos de los sobrevivientes, completamente derrotados, fueron obligados a firmar «contratos laborales» escritos en inglés –idioma que desconocían– donde eran obligados a trabajar en régimen de esclavitud como sirvientes domésticos o peones agrícolas sometidos a una severa disciplina.

Tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial, donde murieron 30 mil australianos y 65 mil quedaron lesionados, los vínculos con Gran Bretaña se debilitaron y EE.UU. pasó a garantizar la seguridad en la región.

En 1967, un plebiscito reconoció los derechos ciudadanos para los aborígenes (incluido el derecho al voto), elevando al gobierno federal la problemática de los nativos.



Texto de guiadelmundo y fotos de janesoceania.

Thứ Sáu, 23 tháng 3, 2007

Perros callejeros

Hay muchos perros callejeros donde quiera que estoy.

Acabo de ver un par de chuchos deambulando de noche por las calles de Bangkok.
Lo unico que tienen es el uno al otro, aparte de suciedad, sarna y cicatrices. Todos tienen cara de buena gente. De haber llevado una vida durilla.
Cuando chistas a uno, no se lo creen. Nadie debe prestarles mucha atencion, y cuando alguien se fija en ellos te corresponden con agradecimiento.

Estos dos perros no tienen rumbo y seguro que estan hartos de verse a diario, si les preguntases, y supiesen hablar, se hecharian pestes el uno al otro.
Icluso de vez en cuando se pelean por alguna tonteria, por un hueso, o por un hueco donde dormir. Pero si un dia uno de los dos no apareciese, de seguro que el otro se sumiria en una profunda tristeza. Casi desesperacion.
No quieren reconocer que no podrian vivir el uno sin el otro.

Eso nos pasa a mucha gente.

Thứ Ba, 20 tháng 3, 2007

Words

I like words. My work offers a free library of audio books. Too bad they are all "educational," but hey, I can always learn something new. I have a 20 minute commute, so I decided to check out Word Power, a CD designed to "build your vocabulary."

Despite what you might think, for an "educational" CD, it's not as boring as I thought it would be. For example, when using the word "relentless" in a sentence, the narrator says:

"The rabbit's appetite was relentless. He ate and ate until he was all swelled up like a furry balloon. Then, he exploded."

Overall, the readers do a good job of entertaining you while presenting groups of related words. Problem is, after the first 15 minutes I realized I already knew most, if not all, of the words. Is my vocabulary really that exemplary? I doubt it. I also subscribe to "A Word a Day," which delivers a new word to my inbox each morning. Many of these words are new to me, like today's. "Calvous" is another word for bald. I will always remember it because my friend Tammy's son Calvin was essentially bald for his first 2 years. Unlike my kids, who both needed haircuts before their first birthday, Calvin was quite a calvous little guy. :-)

Oh well. If anyone has any good recommendations for books on CD or tape - preferably older ones, so I can get them free at the library - please feel free to suggest them!

Thứ Hai, 19 tháng 3, 2007

Musicomedy - "Rachmaninov had big hands"

I rarely frequent youtube, but recently received a link to this video by Igudesman and Joo - well worth watching! As a violinist and pianist with "small hands" myself, I found it especially appealing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifKKlhYF53w

And for a rendition of "I will survive" like you've never seen before, check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xui7x_KF7bY&NR

I've known a lot of musicians, but not many with the combined musical and comedic talents of these two.

Joo is of Korean heritage and was raised in England, according to his bio. I enjoyed hearing him count in Korean ("hana, dul, set, net").

Chủ Nhật, 18 tháng 3, 2007

?


Merlion


Merlion, originally uploaded by kalibushido.

Sang Nila Utama, el legendario principe fundador de Singapur, durante una de sus cacerias pudo ver lo que veis en la foto, un leon con cuerpo de sirena (en Ingles Mermaid).
De ahi el nombre de Merlion.

Singapur significa la ciudad leon.

Thứ Sáu, 16 tháng 3, 2007

Lady Sovereign

Hace mucho que no planto un video musical.
Esta es una cria de 18 abriles que me ha hecho gracia.
Como se puede comprobar es inglesa y bastante descarada.

A disfrutar, el que quiera...

Tarjetas y bancos tiranos, Perth y masajes tailandeses

Estoy jodido...
He perdido la tarjeta de debito.
No, no creen que sea de fiar como para darme una de credito los perros del Abbey. Despues de 5 años currando y pagando impuestos en Inglaterra, no me consideran apto para tener una, grrrrrrr
Me hicieron abrirme 2 cuentas en el mismo banco y en una de ellas me quede sin dinero por un descuido. Los hijos de una rata preñada te cobran 30 pounds (unos 45 pedazo de euros) aunque debas un pound, y cada dia te cobran algo mas.
Fui al banco dispuesto a arrancar cabezas y desollar cuerpos y me dice la malaperra en celo depilada de la directora que ellos lo que quieren es ayudarme, la pedazo de mierda. (he de decir que es la mas maja de todo el banco)
Lo fuerte es que me hicieron pagar nada mas ni nada menos que 140 pedazo de pounds por estar 20 en numeros rojos.
Asi quiebren todos los bancos.
Me estallaban las venas de la cabeza. Se me abrian las carnes. Solo queria tener una katana en mis manos y salir del banco estilo Shogun Assassin...

El caso es que he perdido una tarjeta y estoy jodido.
Tengo 4, de las cuales una esta de copas por Bangkok, otra no vale ni para abrir cartas y la que queda esta caducada. Genial, no hay nada como la buena organizacion para ir de viaje.
Por lo menos he podido llamar a los ineptos de mi banco y cancelarla. Y la cacho de carne con ojos de la telefonista me dice que debo dinero, no me lo puedo creer. Anteayer mismo mire las cuentas por internet y las dos tienen dinero, ademas mi ex compi de piso Guille me dice que me llegan cartas del banco amenazandome con que me van a cerrar la cuenta. Creo que contratan gente con deficiencias mentales. Eso esta bien...

El caso es que ha llegado a casa de mis padres una copia de la tarjeta caducada, que es la que he usado hoy mismo para pillarme un billetito a Perth, Australia. Bueno, no he usado la tarjeta en si, pero mi santa madre me ha enviado los datos.
Por lo menos buenas noticias para calmar mi rabia asesina.
Ademas me ha salido por unos 140 eurelios desde Bangkok, que bien.

Y para rematar me acabo de dar un Thai Oil Massage y tu casi seguro que no ;P

Los primeros que te das dan un poco de reparo porque te tienes que desnudar del todo, pero te vas acostumbrando y ademas las masajistas son muy pro y no te tocan donde no deben.
Me he quedado mas suave que una estera.

Pero advierto que si estas por las islas hay que tener cuidado porque las masajistas intentan que el masaje tenga un Happy Ending, jejejeje
Habra a quien le guste y no tenga que tener ningun cuidado.

Bueno, ahi te dejo que tengo que irme a dormir a cierta hora. Que sino dicen que salen monstruos. Uy, que miedo...

Trafico en Hanoi


P1000864, originally uploaded by kalibushido.

Hanoi seria una ciudad muy agradable si no fuese por el terrible trafico.
Millones de motos pasando por todos lados, en todas direcciones y sentidos y pitando casi todas a la vez.
Y yo me quejaba de Saigon y Bangkok, pobre iluso.

Thứ Tư, 14 tháng 3, 2007

Vendedor de sombreros y recipientes en Vietnam


P1000838, originally uploaded by kalibushido.

Thứ Năm, 8 tháng 3, 2007

Birthday Thoughts


Today is my birthday. Hard to believe I've been part of this ol' world for 38 years now.


For some reason, I think my 25th birthday was most traumatic for me. At that time I was working as a secretary and taking some pre-med or pre-nursing classes. I think it was bugging me that I was 25 and still didn't know what I was going to "do with my life." I could no longer pretend I was just starting out - I'd already graduated from college. Yet here I was back in undergrad courses, taking out loans for more tuition, and still not sure what the heck I was doing.


Today, I'm feeling pretty darned happy about where I've ended up. Seeing my brother hard at work studying to get through medical school reminds me of how nice it is to be finished with school once and for all! (Sorry, Buzz.) After years of working overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays, I now have a part time job with paid holidays and very rare night work. After years of researching, planning, saving, filling out forms, jumping through hoops, and praying, we are thrilled to have adopted two wonderful kids. For the first time in a long time, I don't have any big hurdles in my immediate future. Life is pretty well balanced. I'm enjoying it.

Medusas en el acuario de Singapur

Night Safari Anaconda


Night Safari Anaconda
Originally uploaded by kalibushido.
Esto es lo que pasa cuando vas al primer safari nocturno del mundo y te eligen de entre unas 500 personas para ponerte en el cuello una anaconda gigante que tienen que mover entre cuatro empleados del safari.

Un dulce.

La foto fue tomada sin flash para que no se pusiera nerviosa la culebrilla, por eso esta un poco borrosa.

Monjes Turistas en Singapur


Monks
Originally uploaded by kalibushido.
Un grupo de monjes haciendo turismo por Singapur.

Thứ Tư, 7 tháng 3, 2007

My Super Sweet Bullshit

Sorry folks, but this is going to be one angry post about nothing.

Channel surfing today, stumbled across MTV.. I never watch MTV anymore and I realized why. Anybody seen that show "My Super Sweet 16"? Well, if you haven't, its basically a 20 minute thing following a girl who's turning 16 and documenting the build up to the lavish party celebrating this oh-so-important milestone. I've ranted in private about this show before and I've made my distaste for it quite obvious to those around me, but today I decided to go public with it. Why? Well, it just happened to be an episode where the girl was that bit extra spoilt and it completely got on my nerves.

It cost her mother $180,000 to throw the party, inclusive of a brand new Audi. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the most expensive party ever portrayed on this piece of trash masquerading around as entertainment. I don't know who watches this shit, but it certainly embodies everything that is wrong with American society in particular, and the human race in general. I'm not sure if its put out there for people to ridicule, or to provide insight into the lives of those who just don't deserve what they have.. but if its being aired for people to actually enjoy and wish it were their life then that's pretty fucking disgusting.

The kids on this show come across as the most shallow and ignorant people you could ever meet. I know montage can be a powerful tool for producers to portray their subject in a negative/positive light, but I can't help but believe that the people involved have some measure of control over how their image is broadcast. The concept of taking a rich little 15 year old and giving them license to spend that kind of money on a birthday party WITH THE CONSENT AND COOPERATION of their parents is absolutely appalling. The tantrums, the lack of respect for anyone around them (including the parents), the complete disregard for the worth of money and the abhorring lavishness of the whole thing.. is this actually being encouraged? Have we reached a stage where actions such as these are laudable, even enviable? The party itself is disgraceful, with kids dressed and acting like adults twice their age, which really begs the question.. where are their parents? There're spoilt bratty kids all around the world, but it seems to be a competition for who can be the most shocking at this point.

Its an inescapable fact of life that there will always be a minority of rich people who will control things and shit on the heads of the lesser endowed majority. For us to portray the ugly face of decadence on a show that kids watch with such intrigue is completely irresponsible. I know most adults would turn their eyes away and would get that what is being shown is ludicrous. What concerns me is that there are 15 year old girls out there who now expect that this kind of behaviour is the norm, and you just HAVE to make a spectacular entrance in to your $100,000 party or else you're just going to look the fool. MTV, you should understand that you do (unfortunately) set the bar for all things cool when it comes to your teenage audience, and portraying this kind of crap in anything but a negative light is infuriatingly counterproductive in the molding of an impressionable young adult into one who is a responsible, useful part of society.

For a light-hearted take on the same show, see South Park season 10, episode 11 entitled "Hell on Earth 2006", in which Satan plays the part of one of those terrible 15 year old brats and eventually gets what he deserves.

Thứ Ba, 6 tháng 3, 2007

first choice?

I saw this link on an adoptive parents' website I visit frequently. It's about an adoptee's thoughts on being her parents' "second choice," in the sense that if they could have had biological children they most likely would not have adopted her.

http://heartmindandseoul.typepad.com/weblog/2007/03/the_runnerup_is.html

It's painful to imagine my own children might ever feel this way, but realistically it would be very natural for them. And it's a double whammy - to an adoptee, it can too easily seem that they were not "first choice" for EITHER their biological parents or their adoptive parents. Ouch.

Like many adoptive parents, we did try to conceive before starting the adoption process. Unlike some, we also always hoped to adopt someday. When we ran up against infertility, we decided to forego any treatments and proceed directly to adoption. We knew we were already interested in adopting, even if we eventually conceived, and it just seemed like adopting was the right way for us to become parents. Will knowing this help Alex or Sam? I don't know. What I DO know is that I have absolutely no regrets. I can't imagine life with any other children besides the two I have. I may not be able to keep them from internalizing the messages society sends to adoptees, but I hope we'll be able to have honest dialogue about it all someday.