Taking Matters Into My Own Hands

For the past few years I have succumbed to the many popular New Year’s Brazilian superstitions said to grant good luck, wealth, good looks, and the ability to understand what your dog says when he barks.  OK, so I exaggerated a bit but you get the picture, right?  I have to admit, the years haven’t gone all that bad, but does credit need to be given to the superstition of eating 12 grapes, putting the seeds in your wallet, eating lentil soup, etc.?  Aside from being a delicious superstition, does it actually work?  Regardless of your feelings on the issue, I’ve decided to do things a little different this time around. 

I will not rely on superstition to make 2014 better than the last.  I believe I am competent enough to shape my own year, and at the end of the day you can only depend on yourself to get things done.  Am I right?  You may not agree with me but think about it for a second. 

Some of you may think, “No, you can always depend on your family and friends to be there for you.”  True, family and friends are important; scratch that, they are a vital part of your life...for support.  Knowing that you have at least one person that will be there for you no matter what is comforting and can give you the confidence to take on challenges to not only succeed, but fail as well.  HOWEVER, they will not (or at least should not) take on the challenges for you.  Therefore, who can you depend on to get things done beside yourself?

“Well, you can always depend on God.”  That is also, a very valid point.  Through prayer, we believe that God is listening to us and will give us the strength we need to do what needs to be done.  OK, let’s say that this is true, and consider the following predicament: you pray for God to give you the strength, luck, intelligence, whatever needed to land a job.  Something that in the past years, I’m sure many people have prayed for…and still do.  God gives you whatever you asked for, but is He going to send out your application?  Is He going to carry you from the bed, into the shower, into your clothes, out the door, into your car, and into an office for a job interview?  God may give you all the tools, but you are the one that must use them in the manner you best see fit. 

Please, do not misunderstand what I am trying to say.  I am not trying to convince anyone to isolate themselves from their friends and family, to not partake in the New Year superstitions, or to abandon their religion.  I am simply saying that I’ve come to the conclusion that each of these present benefits to all the dynamic aspects of human existence, but you need to work for it yourself. 

It’s time we stop relying on external sources to make our day, evening, week, month, year, and life better.  My time stops in 2013, and in 2014 I (me, myself, and I) will make this year better.  Shit just got serious!!!

Do Contra

Orlando Never Ceases to Amaze Me

Wha, wha, what?!?!?!?!  Is Jonathan finally starting to warm up to Orlando "The City Beautiful?"

Let me tell you a story and you decide for yourself:

Everyday when I'm heading back to work for lunch I'm usually running a little late.  "You don't even have to go on with the story, just eat at work and your problem is solved!"  Shut up smartass,  I come home for lunch everyday because I live close by and it gives me a chance to take my dog, Astro, outside for a walk.  You see, I have a heart.

Well, anyway, I was going to make it on time 2 days this week until I got to the last corner.  I can see the building right there...I could probably chuck a rock and break a window if I wanted to.  The problem is that the wonderful city of Orlando places these buttons that the wonderful residents can press to cross the street.  What this button does is that it turns ALL the lights red and gives the a**hole 30 seconds to cross the street.  AWWWWW, how cute right?  WRONG!!!!!  What genius came up with this idea, and who's the wise owl that decided it would be a good idea to approve it?  I don't know if it's the horrible drivers to blame or the pedestrians that don't know how to look both ways.

Seriously, grab a friend that grew up in New Jersey and ask them this.  If you were driving and you were stopped at a red light to turn left/right and there were pedestrians on the corner waiting to cross the street that you were turning into.  What would you do when the light turns green?  Anybody would tell you, pedestrians have the right-of-way, meaning a car can only turn when pedestrians have cleared the street.

Ask the same person, "hey genius from New Jersey,  what would you do if you wanted to get to a store on the other side of the street and it sits right in the middle of the block?  Ahh I stumped you there didn't I?"  Their answer would be a little something like this, "well, my simple minded homosapien, I would look both ways and see if there were no cars coming and then I would put one foot in front of the other until I made it to the store."  HOLY S***, it's a scientific breakthrough.  Hold the phone, because the answer to the Universe has just been discovered!

Back to my story, the person that pressed that god forsaken button, was on a bike...a BIKE for crying out loud.  He made it across the street in 5 seconds, so for 25 seconds every car was stopped at that intersection.

One day I did the unthinkable in Orlando.  I wanted to reach Jersey Mike's, a place that makes subs, across the street from the building where I work.  I don't know how I lived, but I made it across the street using the same knowledge I got in New Jersey.  I looked one way crossed one part of the street, looked the other way and made it across the street in one piece.  Hallelujah, it's a miracle I'm alive and writing this.

God, I love this place.

Do Contra

My Struggle to Find a Meaning for Christmas 2013

It's not from lack of material that I've gone 10+ days without posting on the blog.  Quite the contrary, if these past 10 days can be summed up into a Siskel and Ebert movie review, it would be "an action-packed drama, where comedy mixes with tragedy to present a life lesson."  

Before I sat down to write this I found myself pondering what the hell just happened to Christmas this year.  Recent events have made it very difficult to be merry and bright, but I remember a conversation I had with my uncle this evening.  I know you are all at the edge of your seats waiting to hear any details.  Sorry to disappoint, but I am refraining from getting into specifics out of respect, since the important part here is the message.

As we all know Christmas is celebrated because it is the birthday of Jesus Christ.  However, I believe that what he stood for is the reason why Christmas is not only celebrated by Christians, but by followers of many different religions.  When I think of Christ, I think of the compassion and love that one should show to everyone, regardless of the various qualities that may make us different.

What I have seen the past few days have been just that.  A huge outpouring of love and compassion from people who have never crossed paths before and who may never cross paths...EVER.  However, everyone was united for one cause, to show love and compassion for someone who was humble enough to ask for it.  

Christmas 2013 may not be the most joyful one, but it will be the one that will be remembered as the Christmas where presents didn't matter as much as the presence of family and loved ones.

Do Contra

My First Words to my Nephew

Baby Caius,
Welcome to the world.  I know everything seems so new and different from the 9 months you've spent in your mommy's belly.  Don't let it scare you, though, because now I'd like to welcome you to your family. 

The people that are around you right now, will be around you for the rest of your life.  Your mommy and your daddy especially will be there to hold your hand like they are right now.  I know your father more than most people, and let me tell you little guy, if there's one person that will love you unconditionally it's that man.  Don't let the tattoos scare you, because pretty soon one of them will have your name written on it. 

As for the other smaller people.  Well, those are your sisters and your brother.  You're lucky, you know...like me you are the youngest, so they will be taking care of you too, just like my brother (your dad) and sister took care of me. 

The lady with the white hair was also there when you were born...that's Vovo.  She's one of the main reasons why your dad is who he is, so love her just as much as you love him.  Watch out, though, because she can be a little tough on you but at the end of the day she loves you with all her heart just like she loves us and all her grandson's and daughters.

Last but not least, that beautiful lady that came to see you a little earlier.  Her name is Michele, and she's your Tia.  Trust me when I tell you, there is no one on Earth like her and I'm sure you already love her because it's impossible not to.  By the way, she gives the best gifts so make sure around Christmas time and your birthday you're extra nice to her.

Your next few days will probably be full of new faces as the rest of the family comes to visit you.  We have all seen pictures of you already, and we're all so anxious to meet you.  We have a huge family, so it may be too much information for you to handle right now...remembering names and such, but don't worry, you'll have a lot of time for that.

As for me.  Well, I'm your Uncle Jonny.  I live pretty far so I won't be able to make it in the next few days like everyone else, but I will come to see you.  I promise.  Until then, you're just going to have to hear stories about me from your parents, Tia Michele, Vovo, and the rest of the family.  I hope they tell you good ones, so that you don't think I'm crazy or anything.  I can't wait to see you buddy.

Love,
Jonathan Vicente Dos Santos (Uncle Jonny)

Brazil - A Place Where the Solution is the Problem

The title of this post may sound a bit contradictory, but it's the sad reality of my birth country.  Many of my Brazilian friends and family don't even need to read too much into this to know what I am talking about.  For all that don't though...for those that have known what a working government with laws that make sense and are enforced...here is a little insight into what made many immigrants leave Brazil.

What inspired me to write this is something that happened this past Sunday at a soccer match in the state of Santa Catarina where Vasco da Gama (VAS) and Atletico Paranaense (CAP) played the last game of the season.  Long story short a brawl between the supporters of each team broke out...a tragedy that repeats itself year after year.  Not going to get into details about it, other than some that were involved got what they deserved and went after...a beat down.  The bigger question is why did it happen?

copied from Da Redação com BandNews FM

Well, there were only 3 security guards to control each group of supporters...so 6 security guards to control a crowd of thousands.  I don't care if it was a crowd of 50, 3 security guards aren't going to control it.  The police, following orders from the city or state (not sure), were outside the stadium because it was considered a private event, which delayed them from getting involved.  It seems like the solution is simple: put the police in the stadium, right?

copied from www.gremista-sangueazul.com

Wrong!!!!  There have been numerous cases this year where the police acted with excessive force and innocent people were harmed.  In a match in Porto Alegre, RS a fan was taken from the stands by the police and beaten while they were escorting him out the gate.  The fan did not show any aggression whatsoever, and as if a beating wasn't enough, the police than proceeded to drag him out the stadium.  All this because he had a crutch, which according to the police, isn't allowed and could be used as a weapon!!!!

copied from zerohora.clicrbs.com.br

In yet another incident in Porto Alegre, the police shot rubber bullets to disperse a crowd that was gathering before a game.  One of their well-aimed shots, hit a man that was walking with his son in the eye.  Doctors said he was at risk of losing eye sight in both his eyes.  Well, good news!!!!  He only lost sight in one of his eyes.  Guess it wasn't that bad right.  That must be what the police must think because the policeman responsible has gone unpunished to this day!!! 

So what exactly is the solution to the problem of fights in the stadium?  Security instead of police?  Police instead of security?  Neither, the laws allow for this to continue unpunished from both unruly fans and from police offers that abuse their power.  One of the fans that's in custody from the fight between supporters of VAS and CAP was already involved in the death of a fan at another game. 

I am bringing up this issue at the stadiums, but anyone will tell you it repeats itself in every aspect of Brazil.  The politicians, the businesses, the drug dealers, the police, the lawyers, the schools, the doctors, the hospitals...the list goes on and on.  Try to find a solution to any of these and you'll find that the solution will also be a problem.

As I've said many times, "O gigante acordou, foi no banheiro...e voltou pra cama."  The giant woke up, used the bathroom, and went back to bed.

Do Contra

Religion: Having one doesn't mean you're religious

All religions have one major belief in common, and that is to LOVE one another, but that message has failed to reach the "faithful."  There are many things that I disagree with about every religion and that is why I can't say I am one or the other, but I agree with that universal belief.  The problem of that belief in the execution.  In other words, people are the problem with religion.

Millions and millions of people go to church on Sunday and sit through whatever it is that they sit through.  Some go for a free meal and drink, but hey they are there, right?  Well, what happens the moment they get out the door?  Are the effects of religion only within the walls of the church?  It seems like it because there are "God fearing" "God Loving" "God Hating" "God Indifferent" people doing some crazy stuff out there.  When was the last time you went a whole day without reading about some horrible crime that somebody did?  You can't!!!!  And by the law of statistics, by the sheer number of horrible crimes that happen hourly...forget daily...there has got to be one person involved that went to some kind of church in the days prior.

Does that mean Religion is bad?  No.  Am I trying to say you should stop going to church because chances are it's not worth it?  No.  Do whatever makes YOU feel good.  Just don't think that just because you chose one religion over the other or because you chose to go to church while others stay home, that it makes you better than anyone. 

Don't preach about how God doesn't like this or doesn't like that when you were face down in a toilet on Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday.  Don't tell me God is watching what I do and forget the fact that he sees you too.  DON'T TELL ME THAT YOU'RE KILLING OTHERS AND YOURSELF IN THE NAME OF GOD BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE REWARDED IN THE AFTERLIFE.  Yes, that was for the a**holes from 9/11.

One other thing that ticks me off, and I promise I'll end it here.  I don't know if everyone is aware but we have free-will.  We do what we damn well please.  That being said, WHY DO PEOPLE THANK GOD FOR ACHIEVING SOMETHING???  Perfect example, Tim Tebow.   "I'd like to thank God for my offensive lineman who violently pushed the defender away from me and possibly broke his leg during the act."  Really?  God is definitely more worried about greater things than a touchdown pass, an Emmy, or any other material item.  You obtain things with your own power, skill, knowledge, etc.

You know what I would thank God for?  If the Earth is still intact when my children's children are born I'd be thankful for that because the way we are sucking the life out of the planet.  It'd be a miracle if we make it another couple of hundred years. 

Enough rambling.

Do Contra