Sambaparanoia

Strange times, strange names

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:37:58 -0300

Some scholar will end up writing about the willful tribute that armed bands pay to the hero universe. In Sierra Leone, one of the top rebel commanders during the 1990s was called Denis "Superman" Mingo. War-torn Yugoslavia had its "Rambo"; the same for Sierra Leone.

Rio de Janeiro too has its share of hero-obsessed thugs. One of the main "militias" in action in the western region of the city is called "Justice League" after the DC powergroup; its symbol is nothing but the batlogo.

"Here's the belly from Brazil!", says The Sun

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:44:26 -0300

According to this piece of yellow journalism, appropriately called The Sun (oh, you know, the sun's yellow, right?―got the pun?), Ronaldo's got fat chance of getting a new contract with AC Milan given these snaps.

_Fat_chance―got the pun?

Corners, São Paulo

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:50:52 -0300

Weird game

Sun, 25 May 2008 00:10:08 -0300

Garrincha (1933-1983) was one of Brazil's top football stars, second only to Pelé. As a player, he was chased and roughly tackled by defenders. Now, his statue at Maracanã Stadium falls prey to Flamengo supporters (although Garrincha also played for Flamengo, he made his name at Botafogo, a local rival). For the so-called flamenguistas, gently "slapping" Garrincha brings luck.

Superstition

Unexpected football Top 11

Mon, 19 May 2008 08:12:01 -0300

Face it: if you talk "football", you must mean low scores, hooliganism and 22 players running after a ball. That's if you wish to be understood by 95% of the world population.

1- San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico

Next to the border, you’d better get a green card to reclaim the ball from gringos up north.

2- Parauapebas, Brasil

The rain forest? Kinda weak on defense.

3- Gaza City, Gaza Strip

Hardball.

4- Goa, India

Not about techno.

5- Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Only 4 kilometers from the White Mosque, you might play football - yeah, only if you’re a Muslim.

6- De Cocksdorp, Netherlands

Maybe the finest one.

7- Boquete, Panama

Well, let’s say you live in a town called “Blowjob”.

8- Nuuk, Greenland

Below 0º C, no big deal.

9- Mayotte, Indic Ocean

French football, colonial style.

10- Mogadisho, Somalia

A functioning league, a non-functioning country.

11- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The beautiful game, Flamengo’s tack.

Pillot pen graffiti

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:48:16 -0300

At a construction site, São Paulo, 2008

Coffin Joe, alive and reporting

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:18:12 -0300

Coffin Joe, Brazil's coolest cult horror director, has a TV show of his own. If you don't know who Coffin Joe (or José Mojica Marins) is, I strongly advise you to read this.

His style is idiosyncratically primitive Latin American, low budget and highly ingenious, and his filmography counts over 60 films - amongst them several which were under censorship in Brazil for many years.

Below, you can catch a glimpse of the debut episode. Unfortunately, there are no subtitles available, but you'll be able to feel the craziness of it all, as Coffin Joe lectures a class of detectives-to-be, in São Paulo.

Mojica feelin'

São Paulo-Tokyo-São Paulo

Sat, 03 May 2008 01:07:28 -0300

Highlights from Tokyogaqui, a small, but smart, local expo of Japanese pop culture (through Brazilian eyes). Unfortunately, It is just about to end.

Mash-up: Godzilla + Posters with a Brazilian 'tack' Pandas, just pandas Elevator lobby, karaoke décor

What would Jesus drink?

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:08:09 -0300

Spread the word

Nietzsche Vending Machines

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:23:21 -0300

The end of History, Brazilian style The tag says: "Free: gift wrapping included"

How to support (brazilian style)

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 21:07:52 -0300

Flamengo 2 x 0 Nacional, 19/03/08

Empty day at Maracanã

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:27:20 -0300

< Football is not about crowds It involves a certain degree of steadfastness And a great deal of craziness

Blck Pwr

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:11:23 -0300

The news someday

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:45:00 -0300

Visitator

When we were kings: Brazil 1970 team voted best ever

Another bite, another real: City fights piranhas with networking...

Tropical atomic: Lula speeds up investment in the nuclear program

The news someday

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 13:48:43 -0300

One game (in Brazil)

Trendy tribe: In anticipation of access, tribes debate the internet

Imperial debris (U-20): US sends home a team not worthy of the yellow shirt

Radical transparency: Brazilian ref strips 'til there are no more trappings of power