My part on our group work...

This is just some sloppy notes I made about my part in our group work:"Let's talk about sex"

“Is being gay a genetic disorder, or just a choice?”
scientists proved that homosexuals have a disorder in a chromosome, which makes them more predisposed to engage with mates from the same gender. But this would imply that homosexuality is a disease, and, even though gay people say that they are born that way, they are not so happy about the ‘anomaly’ flag. The discussion goes on, but it doesn’t matter that much. If life is about choices – even if they are genetically ‘limited’, then everyone should choose what they feel like choosing. It’s their lives. Their choices. There are far more important issues about homosexuality than its origins.

"The mere act of homosexuality is against recreation, it is genetic suicide."
This is a good thought. Well, if we all turn gay, we would eventually become extinct. Of course, this is more of a religious point of view than anything else. They see sex as a pure act of procreation. Nothing else. But in the real world, it’s almost impossible for this to happen. The percentage of gay people is minimal, (hence the anomaly tag) so, extinction is far away from happening.

“Should gay marriage be allowed?”
Since marriage is deeply connected to religion, this would be something pointless for me to argue, as i’m not religious. But a religious person would say that homosexuality is wrong and against God’s will. True or not, rules are rules and I wouldn’t see that happening in the near future. But, ‘registry marriage’ should be legal, as like I said before, people are free to marry whoever they want. As long as they pay their taxes and do their duties as a citizen, why not letting them getting married?

“If gay couples could adopt babies, what would be the consequences for this child in the future?”
This is the most important issue here for me. Now we’re not dealing with one’s choices. We’re dealing with third person’s wills and choices, persons that will eventually suffer from traumas for something they didn’t choose. The question is not whether gay people know how to love and educate a child and supply them with everything they need. The question is, how will the child react when he or she realizes the truth? That’ll probably happen in his or her adolescence, where their minds are all messed up from all the sexual crazyness and growth. That, I believe, would deeply traumatize that kid. He wouldn’t feel normal, like other kids, and we all know that in those times, we just want to fit in. So, personally, i’m against this, all because it’s not dealing with one self’s will, but with other’s will, others that cannot make choices.

The Report...By Saul Santos

Food and Health – Obesity in the U.K.

It is known that obesity and overweight problems shadow our society these days. The lifestyle imposed by the modern times is one of the main causes for this problem, along with the extreme consuming ‘needs’ of modern people. It is true that our way of living does not let us set proper and healthy meals, leading us to choose fast food most of the times, due to its speed of cooking and eating, and the rather cheap prices which they are sold. This would be fine we did exercise to keep an equilibrium, but again our lifestyle does not allow us time to do jogging or even a couple of sit ups.
Several studies were made in the U.K. related to this subject, and all of them show the scary reality of this problem. More, they show that this behavior starts at young ages, giving worrying hints about our future.
In 1994, 17% of women and 14 % of men were considered obese. These percentages have been growing since then, reaching 23% on both genders in 2003. Related to this is the fact that most adults do not met the physical activity recommendations, as a 2003 study demonstrates. In the 16-24 years segment, only 54% men met those recommendations, and a even worse 30% of women do the recommended exercise. And it keeps dropping over the years to just 8 % of men and 3 % of women in the 75 and over segment. But the 16-24 segment gives us a hint about another problem that will affect our future society. This obesity problem starts at a very young age. In fact, surveys show that in 1995 13% of the children between 2 and 10 years were overweight, plus 10% that were obese. Those percentages were slightly raised until 2003, with 13% overweight plus 14% that were obese. The situation is does not brighten up when we turn to secondary schools, where students choose 62% of the times food with high fat or high sugar rates, for example chips, cakes, soft drinks, etc. On the other hand, healthy food, such as milk, salads, fruits or vegetables are only chosen 6% of the times.
Of course, over the years, the awareness for this problem has raised, especially since 2000. That is when the boom for treatments for the problem took place. In 1998, only 50 000 prescriptions for treatment drugs were made, it doubled on the next year, but from 2000 to 2002, prescriptions were increased from 150 000 to 750 000, and stabilized around that number for the following 2 years.
Still, predictions for the future are not bright. In 2005, 1.6 billions of people were overweight, and 0.4 billions were obese. In 2015, it is estimated to grow to 2.3 billions of overweight people, and 0.7 billions of obese people.
As we can see, the situation is very serious, and needs immediate actions. Information must be given to the public about what should they do to avoid this problem, or treat it as quick as possible and educational programs must be made for young people. Obesity is responsible for various health problems that are likely to lead to a premature death, along with severe emotional and physical problems.

He and She...

This is my radio script...


Sound Effect: Door slamming
He:OUCH HOLY…!!!
SHE:Oooh I’m so sorry, I didn’t knew you were behind me!
He:T-That’s ok, nevermind that, but damn it hurts
She:I’m so so sorry …please let me do somethin to make it up to you...ahhhhhhh… let me offer you a drink over there,alright?
He: nah don’t worry about it it’s ok,really
She:oh come on, it’d made me feel better
He: ahhh…alright let’s go
(few weeks after)
She: AHAHAHAHAHAHA you’re so damn funny!
He:hey you know what they call me…
She:yeah…you know,sometimes i think…I think that maybe I’m…starting...
He:shhhhhh…
Sound Effect:KISS
(few months after)
Sound Effect: Bed Making funky noises
She:uuhh…UUHHH damn I didn’t know this could be possible…
He:damn right hunny…huu I could use a…
She: LET’S DO IT AGAIN…AHAHA
He:Buuuut III....
Sound Effect:Making out noises
(Few years later)
Sound Effect:Baby Crying/TV playing in the background
She:Could you gimme that?
He:Can't you see what i'm doin?
She:Come on please I can't get it, he's on my lap, goddamn it!!
He:THEN PUT HIM ON A ****ING CHAIR!!I'm busy now,alright?Damn!
Sound Effect:Baby crying louder
She:****,You're such an ***hole
He:Get Lost!
(Months later)
She:What's this?
He:What?
She:This, in your shirt,smells like…
He:Oh cut the the crap, alright?Not in the mood for your bull.
She:I tell you,I’m gonna find out and then…
He:Yeah die trying.I couldn’t care less.
(weeks later)
Sound effect:Door slamming
She:I FOUND IT,I ****ING FOUND IT I KNEW YOU HAD SOMEBODY ELSE!
He:Whatta he…
She:SHUT UP!I TOLD YOU I WAS GONNA FIND IT OUT!AND I DID!YOU GONNA PAY FOR THIS!
He:Watcha gonna do with that?PUT THAT DOWN!!
She:YOU KNOW WHAT IMMA DO WITH IT!
Sound Effect:Gun shot Body falling
She:THERE.THAT’S FOR THOSE THINGS YOU DONE TO ME.You ain’t hurtin me no more.

People!, specially Saul and Bernardo and Sílvia, you need to post your assignments. You know which, right? Bernardo, and your bio... Not just because I think it'll be evaluated soon, but because we gotta talk about it next class. Any ideas on how to make it interesting to present or will we just comment every post...? Play along ;) C ya  

Dudes... as soon as possible, send me summarized lines of your research to make the handouts (use the administrator's e-mail, and warn me in the comments to this post when you did it). Something like 'did you know that...?'. I gotta have that by tomorrow, so that I may ... do it. I don't know about the powerpoint, but alright, I can do it also, just send me the topics of what you're gonna talk about. Keep it simple, really just the topics. The discussion will be about homosexual couples having kids, right? Ok, keep in touch. C ya ;) 

Guys... As no one manifested on the subject for our presentation, I assume everyone's doing something about "sex". Here's what I chose: talk about Alfred Kinsey, a biologist and other things who first made a major study on sexuality. There's a movie about it: The Kinsey Report. If there's time for a development, I'll try to summarize the latest scientific views on homosexuality (it's always a controversial subject to maybe do the discussion about or to deal with in the handouts). There are still themes like the historical perspective on sex, or the moral and sociological approach to the "legal age" for sex activities... Keep focused! We gotta be ready by Wednesday! C ya ;)

Bernardo - are you with us on this? Check the class blog for the details of the assignment; our subject is mentioned above; you just gotta do some research and talk for like... 5/7 minutes. 

Carina's dialogue assignment

Background: Traffic sounds.
Jane: How could you say such a thing to him! He was just a kid!
Phil: I do have eyes you know. You don't have to point out the obvious.
Jane: You were horrible! I mean...even if he did get a smudge on your shirt, that's not enough reason for you to go all-
Phil: A smudge! What do you mean a smudge?! This shirt is totally ruined!
Jane: He was just trying to-
Phil: To what? Burn me to death? That coffee was as hot as Hell, dammit!
Jane: He was JUST trying to give you your wallet back.
Background: Steps and traffic sound. More steps after a few seconds.
Phil: What you mean, give me my wallet.
Jane: So you didn’t notice, did you? Your wallet fell from your back pocked when you got up. The guy was trying to give it back. It's not his fault the cup spilled over you.
Phil: … Man…you could have told me sooner. You know, before I made a fool of my self-
Jane: Oh, I dunno. You seem to be making a fool of you’re a lot these days. Remember yesterday-
Phil: Please don’t start on that again-
Jane: -when you ‘accidentally’ bumped into my boss? You know, the same boss I talked into getting you a job? And let’s not forget, the same boss you so rudely yelled at because of it!
Phil: I know, I know! You don’t have to remind me of that!
Jane: It seems I do need to remind you, though! What happened to you, Phil? I know that stuff’s been hard you since Liz left, but-
Phil: -that’s no excuse for starting developing a temper, I know!
Jane: Here (fabric rubbing) the guy told me to give you your wallet.
Phil: Thanks.
Background: Traffic sounds.
Jane: Erm…look, Phil, I gotta run. My boss’ll kill if I’m late for work again.
Phil: Sure…
Jane: Will you be alright?
Phil: Yeah…I’ll go home to change and go to that job interview. If they aren’t tired of waiting for me, that is…
Jane: Well, then…good luck…
Background: Hurried steps, traffic sounds.
 
 
Synopsis:
 
  Phil has been a banker for five year until he finds out that Liz, his fiancée, was having an affair and dumps her. In a desperate attempt in finding a job far away from his hometown and his former love, he travels to London and ask his long-lost-best-friend Jane for help. But Jane has problem of her own, for her partner and boyfriend, Peter, has run away with a blond Barbie girl, leaving her up to her neck with paperwork.
  It would seem that Lady Luck is not on his side. Or is it? Will Phil succeed on his quest?
 
 
Ana Carina Morais
22516
 

Home
(Carina's article on home assignment)

 
  To some, the concept of home is entirely connected to a house: those four walls that have accompanied and sheltered us since we were born. To others, it is only the idea of feeling at home when they're close to someone or something that makes their heart feel light or at peace.
  But ‘home’ may not be a physical place nor a simple idea or feeling of being at home. To those who have experienced, the concept of home – of truly belonging – is totally unknown. And maybe there are people that, even though they have experienced both, were never truly able to find a place they could actually call home.
 I feel as though I belong amongst them, amongst those who are lucky enough to have all the conditions to find somewhere they can belong, but never actually belonging anywhere, though they have searched a lot throughout their life.
  I come from a big family. Till now, I’ve been able to count at least 200 people, and the numbers are still increasing. But I must admit that, though the contrary is the usual reality, we can not be considered a true family, for the only link connecting us is blood. Christmas has lost its meaning of unity to us, as did Easter, Birthdays and other important dates. And it is sad to admit that even if I can feel my parents’ love and pride, those feelings reach me as a reflection, or an eco if you will, of what I would be feeling if we really spent some time together.
  Alas, the only thing that’s left for me and for those in the same situation is to refuge somewhere far and difficult to reach, a place where we can be all alone and think about our lives as they are. And, if it’s possible, how we can change it, for our and everyone else’s welfare.
  Some choose the imagination. After all, it is the most isolated place in the world. But to completely lose contact with reality is not always the best of choices. We are human, after all. We just need to learn how to protect ourselves and those who surround and, without doubt, love us. To stay at home isn’t effective either, since our little bubble can easily be destroyed by the never-ending problems, gossip and intolerance our relatives amazingly seem to love to involve us in.
  Personally, I think the wild is the best place to find comfort and peace. To listen to the singing of birds, the water flowing, even if not so gently as one would expect or wish for, the wind hitting the treetops and all the other sounds of the forest. All of this creates that utopian environment of tranquillity I need to feel accepted, understood and completely at peace. Sure, reality will always come and drag me from this paradise on earth, but till then I can enjoy the real joy of finally feeling at home.
 
A.C. Morais
08.04.05

Tiago's dialogue assignment

Synopsis: Cindy cheated on her husband for a few years. When he found out, he simply sent her away. Does she really trust her lover Lee to comfort her?

(Synopsis of dialogue: Cindy calls Lee, who has been her lover for a few years but has now something to say...)
 
SCENE: Cindy’s at a hotel in New York, by herself. Lee’s at a restaurant in L.A.
 
Cindy:          Lee?
Lee:              Hey, honey bunny!
Cindy:          Are you home?
Lee:              Yeah... you at the hotel already?
Cindy:          I am...
Lee:              You talked to your mother?
Cindy:          I did, I’m meeting her tomorrow morning.
Lee:              You alright?
Cindy:          Yeah, I guess...
Lee:              Wass up? You talked to Jerry?
Cindy:          No... I tried but he wouldn’t talk to me, he totally hates me now...
Lee:              Well, I don’t blame him...
Cindy:          What a splendid thought...... Is Jimmy there?
Lee:              Yeah...
Cindy:          By your side?
Lee:              Yeah...
Cindy:          Put him on the speaker.
Lee:              Hold on... Here boy... talk to Cindy...
Cindy:          I can’t hear him...
Lee:              He’s not very communicative today...
Cindy:          Couldn’t even hear his breathing...
Lee:              He’s not breathing... I mean, he’s not breathing out loud...
Cindy:          Alright...
Lee:              But he’s looking at me kinda funny...
Cindy:          Like how?
Lee:              Like... a little sad...
Cindy:          Oh... poor Jimmy... Cuddle him!
Lee:              That’s what I’m doing...
Someone
at the
restaurant: One big steak and a beer!
Cindy:          I heard a voice...
Lee:              It’s the TV.
Cindy:          So, you gonna work tonight?
Lee:              Naaa... They’ve given me the night, ‘coz tomorrow I’m leaving early to
                      Denver...
Cindy:          Why?
Lee:              It’s just a little business trip...
Cindy:          Lee, I can’t believe you’re lying to me!
Lee:              Why would I lie to you?
Cindy:          You’ve never been on a business trip before!
Lee:              I’ve just been promoted!
Cindy:          Over night? Oh God..... This isn’t happening... I knew this would
                      come...
Lee:              Calm down... what are you talkin’ about?
Cindy:          You don’t love me, Lee, maybe you never did!
Lee:              ‘Course I love you, sweet pie!
CINDY:        So what’s that loud noise? Are they having dinner on the TV show?
Lee:              It’s just some channel...
Cindy:          DON’T GIVE ME BULLSHIT, LEE!
Lee:              Alright, alright... I didn’t want you all jealous just coz I’m eating out!
Cindy:          Why would I get jealous... And Jimmy!... How could you?... You don’t  
                      sound like yourself... What’s happened? WHAT’S HAPPENING TO US,
                      LEE?
Lee:              Calm down... Listen, there’s something I gotta tell you...
Cindy:          Oh no... Oh God... I knew it... You lying cheating scum, you stupid little 
                      man!
Lee:              Wait... Listen, just hold on a second, OK?..... Hey nigga motha fuckaaa,
                      wass up?
J.D.:              How’s my white broda jack ass motha fucka?
Lee:              I’m kinda busy right now J. D.
J.D.:              Yeah, I’m gonna sit over there, you join me later...
Lee:              Alright..... Hey, Cindy? Hello? Cindy?... Shit!
 

(If it was a play: There’s a small bottle of pills by the bed. Cindy grabs it, empties the bottle into her hand and holds for a moment. As she puts a handful of pills to her mouth, the light fades.)
 

            

Home: take it, don’t leave it

(Tiago's article on home assignment) 

Home may be defined as one’s most essential identity. But what happens when one doesn’t have that shelter or, for some reason, escapes from it?

In the West, people may work their way into some form of independency and then choose to leave their home, not necessarily breaking up relationships with their family. Another thing is when teenagers get delusioned and think the best for them is to run away from home and try to live somewhere far from their nearest and closest. Sometimes these decisions are understandable when the parents don’t lead a normal life and have problems with drinking or drugs and often beat their children. The freedom of choice in the West is proportional to the responsibility the parental figures must have over their offspring.

In contrast, there is still an ancient way of life where tradition and social stability are the keywords. In the primitive tribes still scattered around the world, one’s reaching maturity means getting totally involved in the social life of the tribe. There is no abandoning or mistreating children or escaping home in this kind of living. For sure they feel the deepest bonds with the family but their home is the entire society; and even if they wanted, they couldn’t escape it.

It goes without saying no lifestyle or social structure is better than the other, but the comparison helps to state how the primitives seem socially cohesive but to the western eye apparently oppressive to the individual, as was the opinion of anthropologist Levi-Strauss in Sad Tropics; and how the developed countries offer more liberty to people but maybe without full notion of its implications.

Education starts at home and it’s the quality of such upbringing that can prevent regretful running away from home. There may be very few exceptions to the fact that without the strong foundation of moral values and affections that forms the early education of a person, he or she won’t overcome those deep lacks by seeking that basic identity elsewhere. It is therefore of most importance to a society that its institutions of childcare – from lawyers to guardians, to foster parents – work properly and in the interest of the lonely child’s needs.     

Carina? Who's that?

Hey there, everyone. Suppose it's about time I write something about me. So here goes nothing. Like Saul I kind of have some problems describing my own personality - cause I'm not going to descrive my looks, since anyone who attends class can see me. What I CAN tell you about my person is that I can be very moody and lasy sometimes, but also very stubborn for an eighteen-year-old. I was born two days after Christmas - you do the math - in Lisbon, thought I consider the village where (both) my parents were born my own home town - which kind of makes sense since I spent most of my life commuting between the capital and the village. Since everyone is mentioning their pets, I will refer to mine as well. My tortoise's name's Kida, an honour to Kida from Disney.
I love music, mostly classic music, cinema and especially fiction novels, as well as japonese, greek and egiptian culture. I'm thinking of opening a library in the village for the people there (there are kids too). I play the piano, absolutely love to sing, read and write (I'm writing a book, which I hope to finish in a couple of months).
If you ever think me crazy, then know this: I have never spent a lot of time with kids my age. I never went to a consert either than a classic music recitals. Only recently did I start hanging out after school and getting involved in our society, and I must say that it's not one of my priorities. I've always been around adults and elders - and I DO mean elders - so NEVER ask me about teen subjects: I'm still learning about them.
And that's about it, guys. See you in class.

Hello ya'll...It's me,Saul Santos...

Hey guys,how are you?So,who's Saul Santos?I'm affraid not even himself knows exactly.I guess I have to live and experience to know...But until now,I've realized I'm just your average funny guy. If you don't know me,you'll probably think, 'This guy's a smarta$$'.Most of the time, I can't blame you for thinking that, It's the truth. But when you get to know me better, maybe I'll start to make sense. People in the past have told me that,with me around, things never get boring. Maybe true maybe not, but the fact is, I like to make people laugh. But I know I'm not for everyone. Not everyone can stand my sense of humour. But like my father once told me "It doesn't matter if they love you or hate you,what matters is that you are not indifferent to them." And it's a fact that indiferency is the worst thing ever.I live with a roomate in Olivais,but my real hometown is Cartaxo,near Santarem. I love to skate, I love to laugh and I love my girlfriend eheheh.
Well,I hope we'll get all along well,and I hope I don't piss anyone off with my jokes eheh, If you need anything,just ask me.
Good night ya'll,Saul's out

From the depths of boredom... SÍLVIA!

Hi... My name is Sílvia, I'm 21.

I believe I'm having the most boring year of my life so far...

I haven't been around much. I've been to what? Half of the classes? That many?

Well, I'm just a regular girl with an ordinary life. I've been working quite a lot latelly, if I had known that it would be this easy to get part-time jobs I woul have quit my full-time job a lot sooner... It didn't allow me to go to classes so I failed most of last semesters subjects.
I am a bit anti-social, I don't like fruitless conversations. And sometimes I can't stand having to many people around me.
I've been very concentrated in my family lately. I live with my parents and my boyfriend (you can imagine how easy it IS NOT). I'm coping...
I have a pet too, a dog, Limp (he couldn't walk in a straight line when he came home... he's fine now though) he cleans up really nice; he has the greatest fur in the world!

Well... I could say much more... some other day.

Tiago's hellow, this is me...

Hi class mates and the world! I’m Tiago Pereira and this is my third year at this University... I’m 24, and I live with my brother and parents near Charneca da Caparica (near the beach...!) in a simple house with a nice garden. It’s good to get off the smoky city, and the trees and the flowers are always inspiring (yeah, I got a Sixties’ vein). Here I cherish my cats, Suzuki (girl-cat) and Miazaki (boy-cat) and the dog Dinis. I would set all the birds free but my dad would get angry... Sometimes I’m left to feed the chicken and rooster (no more egg orders accepted – chicken’s on strike!). The fish live coolly underwater and the “cágados” sometimes come outta the water of the small lake to catch some sun. Seldom, snails pass by... And sometimes, in the dark, I can’t help crushing them... poor boneless things! Butterflies, bees, all kinds of insects in the grass or flying around are regular visitors. And me, just a curious guy, with lots of books and some very good friends, making my way through school so that I may someday clean the dust in some provincial library! (I’m kidding, I have greater expectations!...) And this is it, I’m not very psychological today... What is Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason near the calm, indifferent river...?

 (Suzuki)

TALK assignment

We gotta start thinking about the TALK assignment! Share your thoughts... I'll be sharing mine soon...

Hey, you guys! It's good to see that our sandbox is taking flight and gaining altitude. Anyway, the blog is amazing, and so is the Logo. My compliments to the designer.

Hi you all! As the blog designer, I thought I should start it with some words. Well, here we are, ready to rock n' roll! Hope you enjoy The Flying Sandbox! - where the infinite creativity kids have when they're playing meets the strange feeling of delight of a flying head! (Now it seems all figured out... well, find some other meaning...!) Have fun!