More time in Brazil

I want to spend more time here. MUCH more time.

With a virtual office I think that might be possible. Using tools like Skype this becomes a reality. Luckily, I've been working and conversing with clients from abroad.

I've posted more pictures at: http://arsy.tumblr.com (RSS)

Tijuca, Rio De Janerio, Brazil

It's something like cool spring day in California.

I arrived in Brazil last week and took the first few days to soak it up before blogging about it. There's a way here that I can't quite explain. But's different than any other place I've been.

It's a beautiful city with a vibrant heart beat. The people are very warm of course. You'll notice that as strangers will tend to converse given any opportunity. But you won't find any of them fooled. They are always looking to make a move or prevent one.

I'm staying with my cousins. They are established in the area and very in tune to what's going on (pun intended). My "tia" is a travel guide for corporate visitors from America and my cousin is a software development manager for EDS Brazil.

Some cool things on the agenda in addition to a few sites include a visit to EDS Brazil and a bossa nova lesson from a musician who was part of the movement.

The first day I arrived, in true Portugese style, we had a feast. About 20 people showed up. After the meal the living room turned into a music studio with instruments galore. We played all kinds of crazy stuff, bossa novas, sambas, american rock? Later in the night my cousin Terza took me out for drinks.

I want to write about the Carioca (person from Rio) style of living but I don't have all the ideas formulated yet. This is it for now.

Travel Modal Style for Next Week

I leave tomorrow morning with Jahan (Modal Software's Account Rep) to visit some prospective clients.

First stop is Seattle where we're meeting three or four companies to demo Actionrev. One of the prospects is very interested in the software and wants to implement for the first of the year.

We return Tuesday night but leave Thursday the same week down to Vegas to visit our client. They've been good to us and we'd like to drop in and take them out to dinner plus show them some new features.

It's exciting to see what happens to a project once it gets out in the wild. The project grows from infant, to toddler, to small child, and so on.

I hope to report good things from our trip!

How she remembered it ...

"Sitting on the shelf of the world; I could feel the ocean pulling me in. I dipped my toe into the vast blue equanimity and shivered with the shock of the temperature battling the warmth of my blood. As I stared off at the almost hot California October, I felt the pressure of sight pressing upon the back of my neck. I turned to see him there staring at me. I turned back around almost embarrassed for having seen him looking at me when usually the opposite seems to be the truth. He sums up my form, the same form that he has learned to manipulate, love, and fuse with. At moments like these, my usual response is one of sarcasm or wit; however, I am thoroughly dumbstruck and awed by the intensity of his gaze.


I feel as if he is coming to a decision or a conclusion. I feel as if he needs me to stand still with my mouth silent. I give in to this for there must be a reason why he has not spoken yet. There must be a reason why he has not looked away. He brushes his dark curls from his eyes and smiles. “Let’s go home.” He whispers as he reluctantly peels himself off the rocks facing our ocean. I am in love.


I realize love the moment he walked away. I coveted the meaning of that gaze. I coveted the moment that I was all he was wrapped around. There were no Computer Programers, iphones, ipods, imacs…there was just i. He was neither distant nor appeasing for the sake of my sanity. He was mine and he was there with me, only me.


We climbed into his BMW. There was reluctance in that seat taking. Yet we had tasks to be accomplished at home, meaningful yet tedious tasks. We had taken this vacation with the onset of a task to get us back on track. We needed to remember that there was a mutual need for one another’s company and attention."

-- anniecalifornia

Weekend in Santa Cruz

Angelina and I spent a great weekend in Santa Cruz. We enjoyed lots of coffee and conversation amongst the diverse culture.

There is this clown that quietly shuffles up and down Pacifica avenue. He's always dressed in pink with gold wire frame glasses. His pink and white top hat clashes with the New Balance shoes but defines his funky and silent style. I've seen him the last three times I've been in Santa Cruz over the last three years.

Last night in Lisbon

I arrived in Lisbon last Friday and leave for home tomorrow morning. It's been an amazing trip.



The name of the road (rua) that my hotel is located on.



A shot of an old building in Lisbon. I have many more pictures to post. For now I need to rest and catch up with the people I miss back home.

Somewhere Over The Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waitin' for me
My lover stands on golden sand
And watches the ships that go sailin'

Bullfights Today In Fontainhas

Today we made a quick trip from Praia de Vitoria to the small town of Fontainhas for the bullfights on the street. I didn't expect to see so many people.

I posted some pictures as well as some video.



Today was a pretty mellow day. I was at the house alone relaxing. I also found a spot near the marina that offers free internet access to the sailors. This has to be the most beautiful WiFi hotspot...being only 20 feet from the water with an open bar next to it!

Views of Praia da Vitória

Praia da Vitória is the name of the town where I am staying. It's on the east side of the island of Terceira.

I swear there are 36 hours in a day here. People walk around town but drive cars to get around. The streets in town are narrow and are made of cobble stone.

I like wondering around with no agenda. It's allows me to pay attention. The scents are amazing. Every corner seems to have a distinct smell.

The town is very clean. The people here have pride in their town. Even the new buildings resemble the older ones to preserve the feel.

Today I woke up to a rain shower which cleared mid day for a sunny afternoon. By dinner time we had another quick shower leaving an overcast for the evening. They say it's a major news even to not see rain for two weeks.

The country side is divided by rock walls that seem to have been around for hundreds of years. They divide the land into parcels whom are owned by families. Today you can see dairy cattle grazing in them.

I've noticed that there are many elderly people walking around. There is respect here for the elders. Unlike most towns back home, the town's more suitable for walking with a slower pace of life. This may be where I spend my later years of life.

We start the day with bread, cheese, and "Galão". A Galão is milk with a shot of expresso in it; very similar to a latte. Here they cost about 0.85 euros or about $1.20. They are tasty.

Super Bock is the beer of choice around here...similar to Coors or Bud back home. It's still a weird feeling to pop one open while walking down the street.

The town is preparing for a 10 day long celebration starting this friday. Along the streets they are hanging lights and decorations. They say the celebration will span 2 miles down the street. It's a good time to be here.

Rapaz de Viola

(google's homepage from portugal)

Rapaz de Viola (Guitar Boy) is how they introduce me to the others on the island!

While landing on the island of Terciera last night I was unsure who I was going to see, where I was going to go, and how any of it would come together. I picked up my luggage and proceeded to walk down the arrivals ramp. That's where I saw a group of elders waving at me. Unsure if it was really for me I looked back to find I was the only one walking.

As I got closer they grabbed me and gave me the traditional Portuguese greeting, a kiss on both cheeks. They stopped me from guessing by saying in broken English, "We're your grandmother's cousins!" My grandmothers both called them to let them know I was coming and to pick me up.

When I asked them how did they know it was me they said, "Sua viola!" (your guitar!). I had it strapped on my back walking down the ramp as they were expecting it. My grandmother told them about it prior.

The island or Terceira is beautiful. Late last night I was walking around with a "Super Bock" beer in my hand. They are relaxed about things like that here.

Around town I noticed buildings with ages that probably spanned 100 or so years. Some have a date plastered on top. Most all of them are white with red tile roofs. A few are outlined in contrasting colors. Most of the streets are made of coble stones. I was soaking in the simplicity of it all...rustic and warm.

Most people around town have cell phones and computers with internet access. I'm at Chu's house. He's known around town as the computer guy who can fix things. When Mr. Meneses, who's been my host, found out I was into software he connected me with him.

I was familiar with the culture here through my family. My family migrated to California over the last fifty years. Even though I recognize the traditions I still see the difference in lifestyle. People here preserve the true simplicity in life. They live through the small things that mean the most: Warm smiles around town, honest handshakes, and handmade food.

Next post will include pictures...ate logo!

Work Week

With the Zygote beta rolling out the door to three clients, existing custom development work ramping up, and pistachio harvest knocking on an early door I found myself in the fourth quadrant of that cartoon above...

... I'm glad I booked that 3 week trip to Portugal before all this work hit...now I'm forced to go!

A stroll in times square

An adventure in the city's jungle...

New York Continues

The A team...totally in effect...

Last week I snagged a ticket to the SOLD out Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds concert at Radio City Hall. 175 bucks LAST row on the TOP level! At least I'm there....the buzz was crazy around town and everybody was looking for a ticket

So I'm there at the show trying to watch from 2 miles away (aka nose bleeds)...but doing well. Towards the end of the show I decide to go downstairs and see if I can grab a peek. The attendants were not allowing anyone in without a ticket.

As I'm standing there two gorgeous women come walking by me. We exchange smiles as they pass. Two steps later they stop and look back. One of them walks up and hands me a ticket and says "here you'll enjoy this"

I look down and it's from the orchestra section! I walk in and end up about 5 feet from the stage! Amazing....just freaking amazing! And to top that the show ends with TWO encores!!!

Later on that night sitting at a bar listing to some great jazz the A team is celebrating the trip as 3 shots of jager appear in front of us. "Shots from the girls at the corner", says the bartender. Beautiful they are, yes....

The night continues with their company. As we close the place down at 4AM one of them says "I KNOW WHERE TO GO NOW". We taxi to uptown. Walking down a dark street we walk up to a door. She knocks and a face appears at, "WHERE YOU FROM"... the girls respond "so and so from so and so". Face responds "welcome in"

We close that place down at 7AM....

great, yes great indeed!

New York Opening Day!

So the A team (dallas, tyler, RC) at the Apple store recaps on the venture thus far...


1 - insane amount of free beer ON THE PLANE....we love it when flight attendants support our effort!
2 - Dave Letterman Office calls back says we have gold seats!
3 - we reconnect with a long time friend who recently moved to the city...he hooks us up at the Peculiar Pub
4 - "Kimosabe's" ny version of the taco truck lays down the love with the killer gyro. dinner's done with 3 bucks!
5 - uncountable phone numbers from the local women

I (heart) NY

New York Tabblo

New York is one of the few places where I feel 'at home'.  I attribute that to watching Sesame Street, Cosby Show, and 321 Contact when I was a kid. ... See my Tabblo>

Spending Summer in Portugal

I booked a trip to spend a couple weeks on the island of Terceira (Azores) and five days in Lisbon, Portugal this summer! My brother and I are going to meet up in Terceira. After that I'll be solo in Lisbon.

All of my family are from the Azores. They've been encouraging me to go. So it will be exciting to finally make it out there to see what they've been describing.