Alguns dos grandes eventos a que vamos poder assistir em 2010:
- Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno, no Canadá, de 12 a 28 de Fevereiro
- Jogos Paraolímpicos de Inverno, no Canadá, de 12 a 21 de Março
- Expo 2010, em Shangai, de 1 de Maio a 30 de Outubro
- Campeonato de Mundo de Futebol, na África do Sul, de 11 de Junho a 11 de Julho
- Eclipse total do Sol, apenas visível no Pacífico Sul, em 11 de Julho
- Jogos Olímpicos da Juventude, em Singapura, de 14 a 26 de Agosto
domingo, dezembro 27, 2009
domingo, dezembro 20, 2009
The Christmas Tree Legends
The custom of a Christmas tree, undecorated, is believed to have begun in Germany, in the first half of the 700s.
The earliest story relates how British monk and missionary St. Boniface was preaching a sermon on the Nativity to a tribe of Germanic Druids outside the town of Geismar. To convince the idolaters that the oak tree was not sacred and inviolable, the "Apostle of Germany" felled one on the spot. Toppling, it crushed every shrub in its path except for a small fir sapling. A chance event can lend itself to numerous interpretations, and legend has it that Boniface, attempting to win converts, interpreted the fir's survival as a miracle, concluding, "Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child." Subsequent Christmases in Germany were celebrated by planting fir saplings.
The history of the modern Christmas tree goes back to 16th century Germany. In Alsace (Elsass), dated 1561, states that "no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length." The decorations hung on a tree in that time, the earliest we have evidence of, were "roses cut of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gilt, sugar." Around Strasbourg there was a widespread practice of bringing trees (evergreens, not necessarily a fir-tree) into houses for decoration during Christmastide.
The modern custom is also connected with the Paradise tree hung with apples, present in the medieval religious plays. The decorations could symbolize the Christian Hosts. Instead of trees, various wooden pyramidal structures were also used. In 17th century the Christmas tree spread through Germany and Scandinavia. Eventually the tree was extensively decorated, first with candles and candies, then with apples and confections, later with anything glittering mass-produced paraphernalia.
The success of Christmas tree in Protestant countries was enhanced by the legend which attributed the tradition to Martin Luther himself. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. In England the tradition was made popular by the German Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. The German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to America in 17th century. Public outdoors Christmas trees with electric candles were introduced in Finland in 1906, and in USA (New York) in 1912. The claim of the Pennsylvania Germans to have initiated the Christmas tree custom in America is undisputed today. And it's in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree and its myriad decorations received their first mention in the New World.
It is no surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The Pilgrims' second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event."
The earliest story relates how British monk and missionary St. Boniface was preaching a sermon on the Nativity to a tribe of Germanic Druids outside the town of Geismar. To convince the idolaters that the oak tree was not sacred and inviolable, the "Apostle of Germany" felled one on the spot. Toppling, it crushed every shrub in its path except for a small fir sapling. A chance event can lend itself to numerous interpretations, and legend has it that Boniface, attempting to win converts, interpreted the fir's survival as a miracle, concluding, "Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child." Subsequent Christmases in Germany were celebrated by planting fir saplings.
The history of the modern Christmas tree goes back to 16th century Germany. In Alsace (Elsass), dated 1561, states that "no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length." The decorations hung on a tree in that time, the earliest we have evidence of, were "roses cut of many-colored paper, apples, wafers, gilt, sugar." Around Strasbourg there was a widespread practice of bringing trees (evergreens, not necessarily a fir-tree) into houses for decoration during Christmastide.
The modern custom is also connected with the Paradise tree hung with apples, present in the medieval religious plays. The decorations could symbolize the Christian Hosts. Instead of trees, various wooden pyramidal structures were also used. In 17th century the Christmas tree spread through Germany and Scandinavia. Eventually the tree was extensively decorated, first with candles and candies, then with apples and confections, later with anything glittering mass-produced paraphernalia.
The success of Christmas tree in Protestant countries was enhanced by the legend which attributed the tradition to Martin Luther himself. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. In England the tradition was made popular by the German Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria. The German immigrants brought the Christmas tree to America in 17th century. Public outdoors Christmas trees with electric candles were introduced in Finland in 1906, and in USA (New York) in 1912. The claim of the Pennsylvania Germans to have initiated the Christmas tree custom in America is undisputed today. And it's in the diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date December 20, 1821, that the Christmas tree and its myriad decorations received their first mention in the New World.
It is no surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The Pilgrims' second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out "pagan mockery" of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against "the heathen traditions" of Christmas carols, decorated trees and any joyful expression that desecrated "that sacred event."
Bart's Blackboard
Next time it could be me on the scaffolding
in Homie the Clown, Episode 118, Season 6
in Homie the Clown, Episode 118, Season 6
domingo, dezembro 13, 2009
The Dancing House is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic.
It was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot (where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945).
The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.
The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time.
Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.
Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous.
Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".
On the roof is a French restaurant with magnificent views of the city.
The building's other tenants include several multinational firms.
Bart's Blackboard
Cursive writing does not mean what I think it does
in Bart's Comet, Episode 117, Season 6
in Bart's Comet, Episode 117, Season 6
domingo, dezembro 06, 2009
Darwin Awards - Sparkleberry Lane
Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.
Here's one of the most recent stories:
Sparkleberry Lane
2009 Darwin Award Nominee
(31 July 2009, South Carolina)
Two disguised men entered the Sprint store on Sparkleberry Lane, pulled out guns, and stole wallets, purses, and credit cards before ordering the employees into a bathroom.
Both men fled, but they could not flee from their own stupidity.
24-year-old James Thomas had disguised himself by spray-painting his own face.
Yes, in order to conceal his identity during the robbery, Thomas covered his skin with paint--a toxic substance with well muttknown inhalation risks.
He began having trouble breathing (surprise!) and died wheezing shortly after the robbery took place.
Witnesses were certain as to the identity of their assailant; had he lived, he would have been charged with armed robbery.
More stories in www.darwinawards.com. Don't miss it!
Here's one of the most recent stories:
Sparkleberry Lane
2009 Darwin Award Nominee
(31 July 2009, South Carolina)
Two disguised men entered the Sprint store on Sparkleberry Lane, pulled out guns, and stole wallets, purses, and credit cards before ordering the employees into a bathroom.
Both men fled, but they could not flee from their own stupidity.
24-year-old James Thomas had disguised himself by spray-painting his own face.
Yes, in order to conceal his identity during the robbery, Thomas covered his skin with paint--a toxic substance with well muttknown inhalation risks.
He began having trouble breathing (surprise!) and died wheezing shortly after the robbery took place.
Witnesses were certain as to the identity of their assailant; had he lived, he would have been charged with armed robbery.
More stories in www.darwinawards.com. Don't miss it!
Bart's Blackboard
"Bagman" is not a legitimate career choice
in And Maggie Makes Three, Episode 116, Season 6
in And Maggie Makes Three, Episode 116, Season 6
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