SIGN AROUND TOWN

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"Beware Anti-Social Dog"

Sign on my fence about my adorable dog Flora!



Terminal Barra Funda (District named Barra Funda)


Rua (Street) Avanhandava (São Paulo)

Rua (Street) Oscar Freire (São Paulo)



São José do Rio Pardo (São Paulo State)




"No smoking" on the bus. "Good voyage"

Photos taken by my husband and myself.

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SKY WATCH FRIDAY: REFLECTION ON WATER








Photos taken by myself

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Galaxy of Cars 2008

This annual event hosted by the New Lynn Lions held at the Museum of Transport and Technology has been the clubs venue for the past few years where we have also held our February Committee Meeting.

This year however it was decided to hold our monthly meeting back at the parts shed to enable members to access our wealth of spare parts which previous February’s they could not. But knowing the event is a very good source of contact with the public for promotional purposes a token representation of members attended the function.

The weather was a little kinder on the day with less heat than the previous few days. On arrival although we had our usual spot we found that the plane hanger had been moved with the aircraft parked temporarily on the grass. This condensed space was beneficial to us as the public were obliged to pass all around our displayed cars to access the railway station and to view the aircraft. Therefore more than ever comments were heard such as "Oh I learnt to drive in one of those things" and my father owned one etc.

Lots of questions were asked us re the pros and cons of English Side Valves which made it a quite satisfying day for the club. It seemed to be more busy, or more so, than other years, with the swapmeet sites doing a brisk trade.

One popular attraction was a "White" steam car that "chuffed" around the field of parked classic cars always with a following of people. Motat seemed to lay on all its fleet of trams ferrying passengers back and forth to Motat 1 via Auckland Zoo. There were three Auckland ones dating from 1904 to 1937 a Wellington "Fiducia" type and a Melbourne tram, also an early steam tram that standing passengers shared the foot plate and coal box , whilst the driver cum fireman, and conductor shoveled coal in to the fire box, all very exciting and interesting to a big kid like me any way.

All too soon time passed and by about 3.30pm the fields of classic cars had vanished home leaving lots of empty space until next years event, this year we had three Prefects, a Prefect Ute an Anglia Tourer and a "Y" on display. Those members with cars were John and Janice with daughter Caroline, Harvey, Paul and Delia, Dennis, Bud, also seen there were many other of our members some at other display sites or just strolling about.

Why Should I Consider a Hybrid Car?

More and more people are turning to hybrid cars these days because of their promise of lesser fuel consumption and environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars, because they run on both fuel and battery-powered engines, eat up less fuel, thereby sparing the consumer the pain of falling prey to price pressures in the world oil market. In addition, it also emits significantly less smog pollutants in the air, compared to traditional fuel-operated cars. Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to owning hybrid cars. This is why even the US government is starting to show support by welcoming more models into the country and by encouraging American auto makers like General Motors and Ford to make more units.

Here are some of the advantages of hybrid cars:

1) Efficiency - Hybrid cars are electrically operated and are thus able to function well and consistently at any motor speed. This is in contrast to conventional gas-powered engines, which tend to produce less power in low revolutions per minute episodes. Hybrid cars do not need to use transmissions to make their engines run at full capacity even at reduced speeds.

2) Economy - One of the advantages of hybrid cars is that the feature called "regenerative braking". Since a hybrid car works using both electric power and fuel power, each can function by itself or conjunction, depending on which is stronger at the time of use. This means that both engines complement each other and do not simply bog one when one of them becomes weaker.

3) Convenience - Because hybrid cars are part battery powered, they do not create huge holes in the pocket, compared to users of traditional cars who feel the pain of the continuing oil price increases. Most hybrid cars, particularly the ones that are made in Japan, are also more compact and lightweight, making them easier to maneuver on the road. Other models, particularly those by American and European car makers also do not deviate from the stylish designs their regular counterparts adopt, so users don't have to feel they are being left out in the style department.

4) Sustainability - Sure, hybrid cars are fairly new, so their immediate impact on the environment cannot be foreseen in the short term. However, over the course of time, the next generations will definitely be thankful for having a clean, pollution free world, thanks in part to hybrid vehicles.

Some critics say that it is not the time to buy hybrid vehicles because they are expensive. However, when you consider the advantages, you really shouldn't think twice. While you must be discerning in choosing the right model for your needs, this doesn't mean you start hesitating. After all, when more people start buying hybrid cars, manufacturers will see the need to produce more and eventually bring its price to very affordable levels.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/why-should-i-consider-a-hybrid-car-340496.html

Contesting a Speeding Ticket

Nothing makes a day go from bad to worse or even from great to bad than getting a speeding ticket. You could be having the best day ever. Get pulled over and get a speeding ticket and your day is ruined. You could be having the worst day of your life. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, you get speeding tickets. Tickets suck. That’s the long and the short of it. Well, what do you do know with that ticket? Were you even speeding? Can you contest the ticket?

Of course, the easiest thing to do is to suck it up and pay the fine. If you follow the directions on the back of the ticket, swallow your pride by writing the check and mailing it in then you are done with it and you never have to think about it again. However, every driver who is issued a ticket has the right to contest that ticket in court if they truly believe it was issued to them wrongly.

The laws are different in every state regarding how speeding tickets are handled. In some states you do have the right to have your ticket reviewed by a judge; this is called "bench trial" and a judge determines your guilt or innocence. In these cases, your decision is dependant upon the judge and what kind of mood he is in. Some judges hate to reduce or dismiss speeding tickets because it is good revenue. In other states, you have the right to a "jury trial" which is when a jury hears the merits behind you receiving the ticket and determines whether or not you have to pay the fine. Few states have developed a traffic division, and you would go directly to that division to contest the speeding ticket.

Most people do not know that you also have the right to inquire about the equipment used in the issuance of your speeding ticket. You can ask when was the last time the radar gun used was reset. Speeding tickets have been dismissed because of the length of time since the guns last reset. It calls into question the accuracy with which the gun determined your own speed.

Regardless of whichever way you choose to contest the ticket, bench trial, jury trial or traffic court, you have the right to appeal your ticket if you believe that you didn’t deserve to receive the ticket or if you believe you should not have to pay it. You would appeal your conviction through the court of appeals. The action you choose to go with is completely up to you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/contesting-a-speeding-ticket-337443.html

OLD HOUSES - CASARÕES ANTIGOS





Photos taken by Carlos A. Mascaro at the city of Casa Branca, São Paulo State. Casa Branca City is located in the northeast of São Paulo's State. Those old houses are linked to the historical and cultural patrimony of the town. To read about Brazilian Architecture, click HERE

Click on photos to enlarge and click on green links to go to other page






BANDSTAND (CORETO in Portuguese)




Bandstand in Garden of Luz Railway Station, São Paulo City (Coreto no Jardim da Luz)



Pirassununga City, State of São Paulo


Many trees around the bandstand in Pirassununga City


São José do Rio Pardo, State of São Paulo


Church Square, Itapetininga, State of São Paulo


Take a look to old and colorful houses on the back of the bandstand in Itapetininga.


Photos by Carlos A. Mascaro


Click on photos to anlarge

Click to see São Paulo

Click to see São José do Rio Pardo

Click to see Pirassununga

Click to see Itapetininga



PALM TREE IN MY GARDEN

I see this beautiful palm tree from my bedroom window.
...................
The common name of this palm tree is Chinese fan palm and the scientific name is Livistona chinensis. This palm tree is a genus of 28 species of palms (family Arecaceae) . The Chinese fan palm is native to southern Japan, Taiwan and several islands in the South China Sea. In Portuguese it's common name is "palmeira-leque-da-china".





Photo by Sonia A. Mascaro

Top 6 Best Car Tuning Tips

car insurance tuning ford engine
You decided that you car is outdated. Well, don't worry, because that is why they invented car tuning. No, you don't need to go shopping for a new and very expensive car, you just need to embrace the idea of car tuning. Think about it this way: You, your look and style also need, from time to time, certain improvements, and so does your car. Not sure what to do, what to change and how to improve you car? Here are the best 6 tips you can use when deciding for car tuning:

3 General Tips about What to Consider and Why

1. Start from the idea that the improvements will cost you money. For sure, you don't want to modify your car to the worse. So, say "no" to cheap equipment, to cheap car accessories and to unprofessional techniques. Be prepared to opt for the best of the best. But in order to make sure that you won't harm your budget too much, evaluate the costs before you start the car tuning process. Make sure you include the services, equipment, all the accessories and necessary elements.

2. Think ahead. Make sure that the modifications you are about to bring to your car are not irreversible. Or, in case they are irreversible, make sure you will feel happy with them forever. Basically, car tuning is an actual investment, so you would better give it a lot of thought and consideration. Furthermore, decide on the type of the car tuning you are looking for: engine tuning, interior, exterior modification, body tuning or other forms.

3. Consider the purpose of your car. Who is using the car? What is the car used for? It is a family car? Are you using the car to go to work? Sure, you might want to add some bright yellow flames on the car's exterior, but is this a proper look for a family car or for the car you use to go to work with? Make sure you can still use the same way you did and that the modifications do not affect the actual functionality of the vehicle.

3 Specific Tips: Engine Tuning and Aesthetic Tuning

4. One of the simplest and most efficient methods of enhancing the aspect of a car is by adding car wallpaper. It is easy, fast, and, even more importantly, it is quite affordable. There are wide ranges of colors, styles and patterns that can customize your car the way you desire.
spoiler tuning ford auto
5. If you are looking forward to adding more power, then you should not jump to the conclusion that the fitting exhausts and induction kits are the only available solution. In fact, they are a great solution, but you need much more than that, such as new and optimized brakes, plus the suspension tuning. So, in general, make sure you consider all the additional and necessary elements before you take any decision.

6 If your goal is to reach the optimal engine power, then there are some simple and effective tricks you can apply. First of all you need to make sure that there are no air leaks. How can you do that? You can check with the help of some silicon sealants, which should be applied on the carburetor. Secondly, you should keep the engine's temperature around 150 degrees the first three times when you are running tanks of fuel and then keep the temperature of the engine around 200 degrees. Good luck!

How To Get Your Vehicle Ready For A Trip On The Road

car insurance ford auto quote
If you're going on a trip and driving your vehicle, keep in mind there are some preliminary things that should be done, especially if you're driving several hundreds of miles. This will help you to escape the problems that arise if you don't get your vehicle checked out beforehand.

Take your vehicle to your mechanic to find out what may need to be done. You should start this at least a month to two months prior to your trip. This is when any major repairs should be taken care of. Having this done a month or two before time gives you a chance to correct any additional issues related to the repair(s).

Make sure your tires are inflated properly and that they have enough pressure. Your tires can blow out while you're driving if they don't have enough pressure in them. Checking the tire treads is important. This is another way your tires can experience a blowout.

The way to check this is to put a penny between the tire's grooves. On the penny, the head of Abraham Lincoln should be pointing downward. If the space above Lincoln's head is visible or you can see the words "In God We Trust", new tires are needed. Your spare tire should be inflated and the tools should be available in the event you'll need to use it.

The vehicle's manual should be in the glove compartment. You will need that in the event the vehicle experiences trouble on the road. If you don't have one, check the manufacturer's website to see if they have one in PDF format. With technology as it is, it wouldn't be surprising if they did. At least you wouldn't have to wait weeks to get a replacement.insurance auto qoute car

Any minor maintenance such as oil changes can be done a week prior to your trip. You should also check your tires again for pressure and tread efficiency. If there are any abnormalities that weren't there before, take it to your mechanic for a look.

You should have a clean air filter in your vehicles. If it's not clean, it will affect your vehicle's mileage and suck up gas. This means you will have to stop for gas more often for your vehicle. You will definitely need to change the filter if it's been in the vehicle over 12,000 miles.

Remove any items from your vehicle that you won't need for the trip. This will give more room to the items that you will need or are planning to take. You should have a clean vehicle before you leave. Take an hour or two to clean and vacuum the inside.

Have a map or if you have a newer vehicle, consider getting a GPS (Global Positioning System). This will help you get to your destination without getting lost. It would be advantageous for you to fill up the tank before you leave. When you get on the road, nine times out of ten, you will pay more for gas outside of your area.

Make sure that you have packed everything you need for your trip. More importantly, make sure you have your toiletries and prescribed medicines. Check through your suitcases and garment bags. It's not good to overload your vehicle with a lot of stuff.

Doing all these things will help you have an enjoyable trip.

"EL PODER DE LA PALABRA"


I posted this issue on Tuesday, March 06, 2007. This is a great site and it's worth to see again and again for sure. If you have not seen it before I guess you will like it so much, even if it is written in Spanish. I hope you all enjoy this site as I do!


El Poder de la Palabra ( The Power of the Word) is a Website dedicated to poetic prose, where you will find fragments of 2785 literary texts, as well as the biographies and images of its 1866 authors. You also can see 2258 art works, images of 3330 buildings and you will enjoy to hear a huge selection of classical music and soundtracks film music.

....
My hint is to hear the "Banda sonora de la semana" (Soundtrack of the week), from the film Caro Diario, (Dear Diary), 1993, by the composer Nicola Piovani. (Another soundtracks by Nicola Piovani on You Tube HERE). This great film is made up of three semi-autobiographical episodes, in the style of a documentary which was directed by Nanni Moretti.

......

Click on green link to go to other page



FLORA AND LISA





My daughter Sofia brought to our house her dog Lisa to enjoy the last weekend. Then Flora had meet Lisa and strolled together around the garden.


Photos by Sonia A. M.

Car Modifications - Tuned for Show

car auto tuning
Fashion and art, public appearance or even the simple act of meeting new people – it is all about the show. To show how you feel and how you think – to let others see your best, to let them understand you and appreciate you for everything you are. And today in the environment of this ever-changing World your car is more than your safe ride to designated destinations.

Your car is a part of your life style. It is the first impression of you when coming to a new place. And the look of it shows to others who you are and what you like.

Maybe this is exactly the reason why so many people try to give their cars a unique look - just as unique as they are. And tuning the car is maybe the perfect approach for this.

There are many ways for car tuning. Many of them help the car to reach high performance. I will begin with a few of them because no matter how cool the car looks the performance is important.
The boost controllers are a great way to maximize the smooth power delivery of the vehicle. It is the electronic brain of your car allowing for a better and faster control of the boost. The exhaust gases should be taken out more quickly because when this happen more fresh air is forced into the engine increasing the performance of the combustion process. However sometimes too much air could allow for intermittent losses of power to appear and drive your car unstable and unreliable.
To get around this problem an electronic brain is added to the valve that controls the flow through the turbo. This gives a better control of the boost at a wide open throttle and a quicker response regarding every change of the throttle conditions.

To control the boost sometimes mechanical boost controllers are applied but in some cases they will not adjust properly for a given condition and this will add fluctuation to the boost. This is why a fully mapped electronic boost controller is the better choice.

How have you ever seen a drag race? Or maybe you actually participated in one of them. The drag race is maybe the most exiting event that the car sports could offer. It is full of speed and adrenalin – the foundation of what a racer lives for. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about it is the NOS system.

NoS actually come from the name of one of the companies which manufactures these systems. Some people make the mistake to think that this states for Nitrous Oxide N20. This is not the case but it is close to it because a gas called Dinitrous Monoxide or the a.k.a. Nitrous Oxide N20 comes into play.

This gas was used in wartime to boost the aircraft engines and today it is an easy high power modification for many cars. A non-flammable gas by itself is injected into the intake manifold and it mixes with the air and the fuel there. By taking a part of the combustion process this gas dissociate oxygen which provides more power to the combustion process. The rapid change from liquid to gas of the new mixture component gives a nice cooling side effect too which cools down the whole engine area and it is highly valued for this effect too.
If you think about adding the NoS component to your car you should know that a proper fuel delivery system will be needed too because when the NoS comes into play more oxygen is released and therefore more fuel is required. You should also know that there will be an additional cost for you – the refill of the NoS system containers and the additional fuel that is burned because of this high power system. If that is fine with you and you are ready for the speed you are going to feel this system is just what you are looking for.
Now when NoS system is intact and the proper performance adjustments have been made it is time to put some style on the outside. Car styling is about the personal choice. No one could really tell you what your car should look like because it will express your own personality. However I will provide few suggestions.

The cheapest way will be to put a sticker on your car. Let others know what your vehicle is all about. If you are a drag race enthusiastic and you already own a NOS system it could be pretty cool to use the NOS logo or to put a fire looking sticker making the impression of a car entering the Earth atmosphere.
Always apply stickers on a warm day and take your time to release the air from the bubbles in order for the sticker to stick in tightly. You should also know that bonnet/hood stickers should resist the heat from the engine. Many stickers are translucent so keep that in mind too. If you apply for example a cool green translucent sticker to red car you will most likely end up with a muddy brown colour looking not that cool. Of course a good idea could be to apply many layers of stickers in order to create the right colour and effect.

You may also want to paint your wheels in the colour of the car to provide additional effect. Keep in mind that black look stylish too so don’t over paint because you don’t want to create the impression of a circus prop. Use your imagination – maybe some sprayed art could work for you too. You may even want to contact an artist about it.
Last but not least consider some interior redesign. Car mats are the most popular start for an interior transformation. Keep in mind that the wrong car mat could damage your gearbox and even lead to an accident. Dashboard styling and some plastic painting could help too but always try to balance the colours in a good way. This is where an artist could help or maybe a good seller with a fine taste.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/car-modifications-tuned-for-show-328000.html

Car Parts: Backbone of Any Car

car parts insurance
One of the vehicles that are hugely liked world over is cars. Perfect utility machines, they contribute handsomely and eradicate quite a few troubles from one's life. Indeed, there cannot be two thoughts about the fact that cars indeed are a multi-utility phenomenon. Not only does it eradicates one's commuting troubles but also adds handsomely to one's status symbol as well. It is extremely surprising and ironical, therefore, that people don't give as much attention to car parts or car accessory that they should be giving. No wonder then that most of the people start complaining about the bad performance of their cars almost as soon as they purchase them.

A few examples would explain the whole point pretty easily. Take the case of car mats. In spite of the fact that they provide extremely important service to the cars yet they are not taken that seriously by people. Imagine a part of the car that saves it from dust and rain and provides cushion to feet thereby making the journey comfortable is not given its rightful due. Nothing can be as baffling!

Similar is the case with spare parts. Such integral car parts but again not given as much attention as is their right. There are times on several occasions when you cannot get the proper silencer or combustion pipes etc. and have to wait for days for them to arrive to get the short coming fixed. Had a careful attention been given to these essential components then situation would not have deteriorated that much.

These points should communicate the point pretty nicely that a careful observation to car accessories or car parts while purchasing cars would go a long way in helping people combat such critical times. All that you need to do is to pay slight attention to these essential components to give that edge to your car.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/car-parts-backbone-of-any-car-326130.html

Body Kits That Make your Car Look More Sleek and Fast

subaru ford ferrari car tuning
Body kits are words that most car enthusiasts have heard of. For those of you who may be in the dark about what these words mean wait just a few moments while the puzzle is solved. To put it briefly the body kits we are referring to are ways in which we can change the look of a car.

You can use expensive body kits or there are companies who have the same kits parts for a lower price. While the kit price is important there are other matters that are just as important. These matters mainly involve the type of changes that you want to implement on to your vehicle. Now you should note that the word vehicle can mean either a car or a truck.

That right! There are body kits available for the truck enthusiast to change forever the way their trucks look too. These many different kits all share the same principle idea. That is to give your vehicle a sleek and aerodynamic look and handling. When you look at your existing car you will notice that there are areas where there is a void. These void areas are mainly in the front, sides and back of your car.

As a result of these voids the wind drags at your car and slows the car down. To prevent this from occurring you will need to apply more force (read higher speeds) to make your vehicle perform well at higher speed limits. With the addition of body kits this extra pressure is no longer needed. The various parts which are placed on your car will help to create that streamlined effect you need.

For the front of your car there are cowl spoilers. This attachment will be placed on the front of your car’s windshield to divert the flow of air. It is mounted of the back of the hood but right in front of the windshield itself. In some body kits you will have a choice of two different front bumper changes that you can install to your car.

Likewise there are interesting attachments for the sides and rear of your vehicle. These attachments are in the form of side skirts. The side skirts are placed over the rocker panels just below the car doors. For the back of the car you can place a full rear lip that is made from polyurethane material.

There is a wide assortment of items which you can purchase to make your car look more sleek and fast. The only boundaries you will find are the type of car you are driving and the final price that you are willing to pay. Once you have these known the sky’s the limit with your car body kits.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/body-kits-that-make-your-car-look-more-sleek-and-fast-303505.html

Tune Up your Car Insurance as Well as your Car

car insurance tuning cars
If you’re a motoring enthusiast, a new piece of kit for your much-loved vehicle is difficult to resist – however, unless you’re careful it could invalidate your car insurance claims.

In January this year, Ford’s RS tuning firm announced it had teamed up with Mountune Performance to offer two new exciting pieces of kit for the Fiesta ST.

The Stage 1 kit (priced at £1,435 plus fitting) includes an engine tweak to produce 162bhp, a new air-induction and exhaust. Stage 2 meanwhile (priced at £1,838 plus fitting) includes the same upgrades but takes the power to 182bhp and includes new camshafts and valve springs.

The only downside is that on top of the price for the kit, these optional extras could bump up the price of your car insurance.

Your chances of gaining cheap car insurance if your car has ‘go-faster stripes’ are greatly reduced because insurers look unfavourably on vehicle modifications seeing them as a hallmark of ‘boy racers’ rather than safe and considerate drivers.

The solution is not to keep your insurer out of the loop, either. If you’ve made a modification to your car and not informed your insurer, then, should an accident occur, your claim could be invalidated.

Insurers demand honesty – your premiums are based on risk factors such as where you live, your driving record and the type of car you drive.

Altering your car alters your insurance. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sit on an inflated quote.

By shopping around for cheap car insurance using a car insurance comparison tool you can make significant savings. So if, after modifications, you’re not happy with what your insurer offers, look for a better deal. Search by manufacturer, such as Ford car insurance, and your savings could be enough to afford a new piece of kit!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/tune-up-your-car-insurance-as-well-as-your-car-304082.html

Car insurance / new cars / tuning

Hi ! and welcome on new site about:

- car insurance

- new cars

- tuning a cars



Have fun !

BOOKS ABOUT ANIMALS AND NATURAL WORLD

I ENJOYED SO MUCH READING ALL THOSE BOOKS BELOW, ABOUT ANIMALS AND NATURAL WORLD. I LOVE ANIMALS IN GENERAL AND DOGS IN PARTICULAR. SO, AS I AM A DOG PEOPLE, YOU CAN SEE I READ MUCH MORE BOOKS ABOUT DOGS. ENJOY MY LIST!
(Books are in alphabetic order by title)





A DOG'S LIFE, by PETER MAYLE

MEMÓRIAS DE UM CÃO - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: The bestsellling author of A Year in Provence and Hotel Pastis now surveys his territory from a differnt vantage point: the all-fours perspective of his dog, Boy--"a dog whose personality is made up of equal parts Boswell and Dr. Johnson, Mencken and A. A. Milne" (Chicago Sun-Times). Enhanced by 59 splendidly whimsical drawings by Edward Koren.



DOG LOVE, by MARJORIE GARBER

AMOR DE CÃO - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: Roving from real life to "dogs' lives" (canine biography and autobiography), kennel clubs to leash laws, "puppy love" to dogs as emblems of mourning and loss, Dog Love unleashes a fresh perspective on a favorite topic. What do the stories of such "celebrity hounds" as Lassie and Millie Bush have to say about the demands we place on their human counterparts in political life and popular culture? In an age when information abounds but comprehension seems to be breaking down, how do fantasies about canine communication express our longing to be understood? Why are we able to accept in our pets the very mix of emotional constancy and sexual inconstancy that dogs our human partnerships? How does our preoccupation with canine pedigree reflect social snobbery, nationalism, and other forms of cultural anxiety? What does the growing body of dog law have to say about our desires to regulate human behavior? Why is it that, from Argus onward, the dog has embodied our most elegiac feelings? In exploring these and other questions, Dog Love shows how, in a society that is less and less "humane," it is with the dog that we permit ourselves to experience and express our deepest sorrows and joys. As this profound and profoundly delightful book makes plain, it is the dog who makes us human.


FLUSH, by VIRGINIA WOOLF (Click on this link to read the book)

FLUSH - Leia um Capítulo - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: Virginia Woolf's biography of Elizabeth Barrett Brownings spaniel was what she called 'a little escapade', begun to 'ease my brain' in the wake of The Waves (1931). From London Review of Books: When Flush was published in 1933, feminist reviewers (Rebbecca West and Rose Macaulay among them) immediately drew parallels between the spaniel and Elizabeth Barrett, seeing his story as her psychological biography: she is petted and confined like him, always subject to the will of others. Flush marks the distance Woolf gave herself from Victorian femininity and from the 'poetess' whose literary excesses, as she saw them, were the result of an overwrought, hot-house life.

MAN AND THE NATURAL WORLD: CHANGING ATTITUDES IN ENGLAND, 1500-1800, by KEITH THOMAS

O HOMEM E O MUNDO NATURAL - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: Throughout the ages man has struggled with his perceived place in the natural world. The idea of humans cultivating the Earth to suit specific needs is one of the greatest points of contention in this struggle. For how would have civilization progressed, if not by the clearance of the forests, the cultivation of the soil, and the conservation of wild landscape into human settlement? Yet what of the healing powers of unexploited nature, its long-term importance in the perpetuation of human civilization, and the inherent beauty of wild scenery? At no time were these questions addressed as pointedly and with such great consequence as in England between the sixteenth and late eighteenth centuries. "Between 1500 and 1800 there occurred a whole cluster of changes in the way in which men and women, at all social levels, perceived and classified the natural world around them," explains Keith Thomas. "New sensibilities arose toward animals, plants, and landscape. The relationship of man to other species was redefined; and his right to exploit those species for his own advantage was sharply challenged." Man and the Natural World aims not just to explain present interest in preserving the environment and protecting the rights of animals, but to reconstruct an earlier mental world.



THE BEAUTY OF THE BEASTLY, by NATALIE ANGIER

A BELEZA DA FERA - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: Natalie Angier knows all that scientists know - and sometimes more - about the power of symmetry in sexual relations, about the brutal courting habits of dolphins, about the grand deceit of orchids, about the impact of female and male preferences on evolution. She knows how scientists go about their work, and she describes their ways, their visions, and their arguments. Perhaps most poignantly, she understands the complexities and the sad necessity of death. "The beauty of the natural world lies in the details, and most of those details are not the stuff of calendar art," she points out. Few writers have ever covered so many facets of biology so evocatively in one book. The Beauty of the Beastly tells us how the genius of the biological universe resides in its details and proves why, according to Timothy Ferris, author of the acclaimed Coming of Age in the Milky Way, Angier is "one of the strongest and wittiest science writers in the world today."



THE DIFFICULTY OF BEING A DOG, BY ROGER GRENIER

DA DIFICULDADE DE SER CÃO - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: It's not always easy to be a dog—to be a companion to those strange human animals, as Roger Grenier shows us on this literary dog walk. In some fifty self-contained and lovingly crafted vignettes, esteemed French author Grenier visits the great dogs of history and legend, beginning at the beginning, with Ulysses and his dog, Argos, the only creature to recognize him after years of absence. From Virginia Woolf, who became the self-appointed biographer of Flush, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's cocker spaniel, to André Gide, whose diary records his bemusement at his dog's propensity to mount his ancient cat, Grenier reveals how dogs have inspired writers. He introduces us to Freud's chow Lün, who was able to make him understand he was about to die; to Fala, FDR's scottish terrier, who now has his own statue in Washington; and to Michael and Jerry, the heroes of Jack London's novels. Along the way, Grenier tells us about a few of the dogs who have occupied his own life and heart. Though the rapport between dogs and people remains a mystery, it is also, for him, the source of the purest form of love.


THE LIVES OF ANIMALS, by J.M. COETZEE

A VIDA DOS ANIMAIS - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: The idea of human cruelty to animals so consumes novelist Elizabeth Costello in her later years that she can no longer look another person in the eye: humans, especially meat-eating ones, seem to her to be conspirators in a crime of stupefying magnitude taking place on farms and in slaughterhouses, factories, and laboratories across the world. Costello's son, a physics professor, admires her literary achievements, but dreads his mother's lecturing on animal rights at the college where he teaches. His colleagues resist her argument that human reason is overrated and that the inability to reason does not diminish the value of life; his wife denounces his mother's vegetarianism as a form of moral superiority. At the dinner that follows her first lecture, the guests confront Costello with a range of sympathetic and skeptical reactions to issues of animal rights, touching on broad philosophical, anthropological, and religious perspectives. Painfully for her son, Elizabeth Costello seems offensive and flaky, but--dare he admit it?--strangely on target. Here the internationally renowned writer J. M. Coetzee uses fiction to present a powerfully moving discussion of animal rights in all their complexity. (...) Coetzee's text is accompanied by an introduction by political philosopher Amy Gutmann and responsive essays by religion scholar Wendy Doniger, primatologist Barbara Smuts, literary theorist Marjorie Garber, and moral philosopher Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation. Together the lecture-fable and the essays explore the palpable social consequences of uncompromising moral conflict and confrontation.




TIMBUKTU, by PAUL AUSTER

TIMBUKTU, Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: "Where the map of this world ends, that's where the map of Timbuktu begins." Paul Auster, whose idiosyncratic novels range from the noirish cult classics now collected as The New York Trilogy to the breathtakingly brilliant Leviathan, returns with the poignant story of Brooklyn-born poet/saint Willy G. Christmas and his empathetic canine companion, Mr. Bones. Though unable to speak, Mr. Bones understands every nuance of human "Ingloosh" and provides a dog's-eye view of his master's alternately troubled and beatific existence. Tubercular and knowing that his days are numbered, Willy sets out with his four-legged friend on a last, quixotic adventure—to Baltimore, and the last known address of his revered high school English teacher, Bea Swanson.




WHEN ELEPHANTS WEEP, by JEFFREY MOUSSAIEFF MASSON AND SUSAN McCARTHY

QUANDO OS ELEFANTES CHORAM - Link in Portuguese

Synopsis: In his new book, erstwhile Freudian scholar and psychoanalyst Masson gathers, with the help of McCarthy, the evidence to date for the existence of emotions and, hence, something approaching human consciousness in animals. The various researchers' observations on the feelingful behaviors of dolphins, apes, bears, lions, elephants, and other well-studied creatures that Masson and McCarthy recount will not be news to those who keep even desultorily abreast of ethology--something that, given the plethora of naturalist TV programs, books, and reportage, isn't hard to do. Masson and McCarthy do a commendable job of synthesizing the material they tackle, however, making it efficiently readable. Finally, Masson succinctly and without any radical breast-beating makes, arguably as well as anyone ever has, the moral case for ceasing the exploitation and slaughter of animals.

PITANGA TREE FLOURISHING





This delicate tree is the Pitanga tree, in portuguese named Pitangueira. It's on my backyard. This tree sprouted and growed by chance, may be the seed was droped by a bird.... Also called Surinam cherry, (Eugenia uniflora) a.k.a. Pitanga and Brazilian Cherry, unlike most other members of this genus, which are native to southeastern Asia, the Surinam Cherry is indigenous to tropical Brazil.
You can see more photos and information about Pitanga tree on my post of October 31, 2005.

Photos taken by myself.

Click on photos to enlarge


Cobra MKIV CRS AC Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine


AC Cobra MKIV CRS

Cobra MKIV CRS AC
Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine.
The AC Cobra CRS will use the same five-speed gearbox as the Superblower, together with a Hydratrak limited slip differential, independent front and rear suspension, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front).
The AC Cobra MKIV CRS is closely related to the AC Superblower (the CRS shares its chassis and a naturally aspirated version of its power unit). Significant weight savings have been made possible on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS through the use of an advanced specification carbon fiber body.

Cobra MKIV CRS AC Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine


AC Cobra MKIV CRS

Cobra MKIV CRS AC
Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine.
The AC Cobra CRS will use the same five-speed gearbox as the Superblower, together with a Hydratrak limited slip differential, independent front and rear suspension, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front).
The AC Cobra MKIV CRS is closely related to the AC Superblower (the CRS shares its chassis and a naturally aspirated version of its power unit). Significant weight savings have been made possible on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS through the use of an advanced specification carbon fiber body.
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