Eduardo's Personal Blog

My Visited Countries 2011

2012-01-27T17:09:00.000-05:00

My visited countries as of the end of 2011 is indicated in this map, courtesy of World66.com. Visit them to get your own.

Tipile

2012-01-27T17:00:00.008-05:00

When I was a child living in the Dominican Republic, we sometimes had a dish called "tipile". This is dish made with wheat, onions, parsley, pepper, cilantro, tomatoes, lime, salt, olive oil and vinegar.

Many years later, while living in New York, I learned of a dish called "tabbouleh" that had similar appearance and taste. Considering that the names and dishes are so similar, I assumed they have the same origin.

I have since learned that the tabbouleh/tipile dish comes originally from Lebanon. I am guessing that the name comes from the Arabic language.

Recently I saw a web ad for a Spring Tabbouleh recipe, and it brought fond memories of my childhood, and sparked a discussion about foods from different cultures.

If you are interested, you can view the Spring Tabbouleh recipe that I am writing about.

More Gears Icons

2011-09-14T14:56:00.001-04:00

If you use Google Docs’ new interface, you now have one more gears icon, to control the appearance. And, if you visit Google Docs with the Internet Explorer version 8 or 9, you could see something like this:

Mouse Without Borders

2011-09-14T11:10:00.001-04:00

Microsoft made available for download software that controls the keyboard and mouse for more than one Microsoft Windows computer with one keyboard and one mouse. In essence a software version of a KVM device. This seems to be essentially the same as the open-source project Synergy 2 (see http://synergy-foss.org/), except that it only works in Microsoft Windows. You can read about it (and download it?) from Microsoft’s TechNet blog at http://blogs.technet.com/b/next/archive/2011/09/09/microsoft-garage-download-mouse-without-borders.aspx.

Google +1 Button

2011-06-15T19:10:00.000-04:00

I'd like to +1 the Google +1 Button.

2011-02-22T14:05:00.001-05:00

2:03pm EST and the sunlight has left my window.

2011-02-22T11:43:00.001-05:00

Sunlight pours in thru the window at my work desk, it floods my work area with natural light, a sure sign that spring is on its way.

A refresh to the Documents List - Docs Blog

2011-02-20T14:08:00.000-05:00

A refresh to the Documents List - Docs Blog: "Collections are designed to combine the best features of labels and folders. A file can live in multiple collections, just like with Gmail labels. Collections can also be stored hierarchically, just like folders on your desktop. And of course, collections can be shared, just like you can share docs."

Labels in google docs. awesome.

Reclaiming Your Google Account

2010-09-15T22:12:00.000-04:00

If you ever lose your Gmail account password, you can recover your account by providing an alternate email or phone. Google Accounts - Update your recovery options The good thing about Google's account recovery is that it will prompt you to update these once in a while, because, you know, alternate emails and mobile phone numbers change.

2010-09-13T19:10:00.002-04:00

Through rain, all things material that the sky can see gain a voice seldom heard.

- Eduardo De León

2010-08-21T18:54:00.001-04:00

"A screaming comes across the sky."  How many times I have read this line, and how many more yet.<br class="khtml-block-placeholder">

2010-08-05T08:43:00.001-04:00

Bed bugs do not have wings.

2010-05-24T04:11:00.001-04:00

To log into a web site using your Google OpenID, simply paste this URL and log into your Google account: <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id">Google OpenID Provider endpoint</a>

2010-05-24T01:41:00.001-04:00

Of my 200 most recently catalogued music CDs, 43 are rock, 34 are rap, 20 are alternative, 20 are pop, 17 are heavy metal, 15 are rock en español, 8 are jazz, 6 are balada, 6 are bolero, and 5 are merengue, 4 are world, 4 are salsa, 3 are classical, 1 is electronica, 1 is punk, and 2 are rhythm & blues.

2010-05-23T15:47:00.001-04:00

Chrome for Mac OS X extensions are avaialble from Chrome.Google.com/Extensions.

Google translates comments in PicasaWeb

2010-05-20T20:53:00.000-04:00

Google is getting better at translating between English and Spanish:

Forgiveness and Forget

2010-04-01T12:50:00.000-04:00

Women forgive but never forget; men forget but never forgive.

New Look for NYU.edu!

2010-03-22T18:04:00.001-04:00

I'm not sure if I like it; there are some bugs, but those will get worked out soon- as long as visitors take the effort of clicking on "feedback" link on the bottom. I imagine the system in the background may make things easier to edit.

in reference to: http://www.nyu.edu/ (view on Google Sidewiki)

My TripAdvisor travel map prior to MMX

2010-01-07T17:56:00.003-05:00

View my profile
Create your own travel map or travel blog
TripAdvisor has airline tickets search

Using other SMTP servers with Gmail

2009-08-24T09:06:00.001-04:00

This is worth linking to:

http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/send-mail-from-another-address-without.html

Google Mail now allows you to send email using a third party's SMTP server, as long as POP and/or IMAP are supported.

Colombian Chiva in NYC

2009-07-31T17:14:00.001-04:00

What: Colombian Chiva tours NYC
What’s that? It’s a party bus in the traditional style of a Colombian chiva (See the NYTimes article). Music, Drinks, Food, Friends, Fun!!
When: Saturday 08 Aug 2009, at 8pm (hora Colombiana)
Until: 1am
Is there parking? Yes, there is parking at the pickup point.
How much moolah? $49, includes Colombian dinner also!
RSVP: Email me, leave me a comment, RSVP on the event on facebook, whichever but DO IT BY MONDAY 02 AUGUST 2009! You can definitely join us after that, but RSVPing by Monday guarantees you a seat.

Blogging

2009-05-14T20:23:00.001-04:00

Today I showed Phil how to blog.

Perspectives on H1N1 ca. 2009

2009-05-01T01:46:00.001-04:00

Death toll from 1976 "swine flu" illness: 1
Death toll from 1976 "swine flu" vaccine: 25
Number paralyzed with "Guillain-Barre syndrome" from vaccine: around 500
Remember this before you get your "swine flu" vaccine next month.

It's incredible the reaction people have to this thing; some people become ultra paranoid, some reject alarmist tones. A few people have a measured response of preparedness and increased awareness.

Some joke about it:

"It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs flew. Well behold 100 days into his presidency, swine flu!"

I could write more and get more nuanced but I don't think it's as important a subject. I just wanted an excuse to reflect on people's viral reaction.

Pan fried salmon & vegetables

2009-03-30T16:54:00.001-04:00

Pan fried salmon & vegetables on rice,
from a Tex-Mex restaurant called Happy Taco Burrito,
located on Sullivan Street near Bleecker, in Manhattan (New York, USA).

This restaurant is an establishment run by Chinese people making Tex-Mex food. The food is good quality, fresh, good flavor, and inexpensive. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas and other combinations are available. Some combo specials include rice, beans, choice of chicken, beef or shrimp fajita, lettuce & tomatoes and a soda, and two freshly made tortillas, for a price that's hard to beat. During the winter (and even today when I ate there) they have free tea! They also offer fajitas by the pound.

As far as looks, this is a step up from one of those hole-in-the-wall chinese food places (can't even call them restaurants), but not by much. The decor is basic, nothing fancy at all, with panel ceilings, some mirrors, and some eastern decorations here and there, including a statue of Buddha and the traditional "cat clock" by the window and bamboo tree plant. They do have various magazines, available for browsing while you eat in.

They accept major credit cards for payment, but have a $10 minimum. For one person, your meal will often not reach even that much.

No

2009-03-22T05:08:00.001-04:00

Nosotros decimos no (we say no)

Eduardo Galeano

The translation to English is after the jump.
Este discurso fue presentado en inauguración de las jornadas de «Chile crea», en Santiago de Chile, a mediados de 1988 por el autor Eduardo Galeano. La traducción al inglés está al final. (leer más).

Hemos venido desde diversos países, y estamos aquí, reunidos a la sombra generosa de Pablo Neruda: estamos aquí para acompañar al pueblo de Chile, que dice no.
También nosotros decimos no.

Nosotros decimos no al elogio del dinero y de la muerte. Decimos no a un sistema que pone precio a las cosas y a la gente, donde el que más tiene es el que más vale, y decimos no a un mundo que destina a las armas de guerra dos millones de dólares cada minuto, mientras cada minuto mata treinta niños por hambre o enfermedad curable. La bomba de neutrones que salva a las cosas y aniquila a la gente, es un perfecto símbolo de nuestro tiempo. Para el asesino sistema que convierte en objetivos militares a las estrellas de la noche, el ser humano no es más que un factor de producción y de consumo y un objeto de uso; el tiempo, no más que un recurso económico; y el planeta entero una fuente de renta que debe rendir hasta la última gota de su jugo. Se multiplica la pobreza para multiplicar la riqueza, y se multiplican las armas que custodian esa riqueza, riqueza de poquitos , y que mantienen a raya la pobreza de todos los demás, y también se multiplica, mientras tanto la soledad: nosotros decimos no a un sistema que no da de comer ni da de amar, que a muchos condena al hambre de comida y a muchos más al hambre de abrazos.

Decimos no a la mentira. La cultura dominante, que los grandes medios de comunicación irradian en escala universal, nos invita a confundir el mundo con un supermercados o una pista de carreras, donde el prójimo puede ser una mercancía o un competidor, pero jamás un hermano. Esa mentirosa cultura, que cursimente especula con el amor humano para arrancarle plusvalía, es en realidad una cultura del desvínculo: tiene por dioses a los ganadores, los exitosos dueños del dinero y el poder, y por héroes a los uniformados rambos que les cuidan las espaldas aplicando la Doctrina de seguridad Nacional. Por lo que dice y por lo que calla, la cultura dominante miente que la pobreza de los pobres no es un resultado de la riqueza de los ricos, sino que es hija de nadie, proviene de la oreja de una cabra o de la voluntad de Dios, que hizo a los pobres perezosos y burros. De la misma manera, la humillación de unos hombres por otros no tiene porqué motivar la solidaria indignación o el escándalo, porque pertenece al orden natural de las cosas: las dictaduras latinoamericanas, pongamos por caso, forman parte de nuestra exhuberante naturaleza y no del sistema imperialista del poder.

El desprecio traiciona la historia y mutila al mundo. Los poderosos fabricantes de opinión nos tratan como si no existiéramos, o como si fuéramos sombras bobas. La herencia colonial obliga al llamado Tercer mundo, habitado por gente de tercera categoría, a que acepte como propia la memoria de sus vencedores y a que compre la mentira ajena para usarla como si fuera la propia verdad. Nos premian la obediencia, nos castigan la inteligencia y nos desalientan la energía creadora. Somos opinados, pero no podemos ser opinadores. Tenemos derecho al eco, no a la voz, y los que mandan elogian nuestro talento de papagayos. Nosotros decimos no: nos negamos a aceptar esta mediocridad como destino.

Nosotros decimos no al miedo. No al miedo de decir, al miedo de hacer, al miedo de ser. El colonialismo visible prohibe decir, prohibe hacer, prohibe ser. El colonialismo invisible, más eficaz, nos convence de que no se puede decir, no se puede hacer, no se puede ser. El miedo se disfraza de realismo: para que la realidad no sea irreal, nos dicen los ideólogos de la impotencia, la moral ha de ser inmoral. Ante la indignidad, ante la miseria, ante la mentira, no tenemos más remedio que la resignación. Signados por la fatalidad, nacemos haraganes, irresponsables, violentos, tontos, pintorescos y condenados a la tutela militar. A lo sumo, podemos aspirar a convertirnos en prisioneros de buena conducta, capaces de pagar puntualmente los intereses de una descomunal deuda externa contraída para financiar el lujo que nos humilla y el garrote que nos golpea.

Y en este cuadro de cosas, nosotros decimos no a la neutralidad de la palabra humana. Decimos no a quienes nos invitan a lavarnos las manos ante las cotidianas crucifixiones que ocurren a nuestro alrededor. A la aburrida fascinación de un arte frío, indiferente, contemplador del espejo, preferimos un arte caliente, que celebra la aventura humana en el mundo y en ella participa, un arte irremediablemente enamorado y peleón. ¿Sería bella la belleza si no fuera justa?, Sería justa la justicia si no fuera bella?. Nosotros decimos no al divorcio de la belleza y de la justicia, porque decimos sí a su abrazo poderoso y fecundo.

Ocurre que decimos no, y diciendo no estamos diciendo sí.

Diciendo no a las dictaduras, y no a las dictaduras disfrazadas de democracias, nosotros estamos diciendo sí a la lucha por la democracia verdadera, que a nadie negará el pan ni la palabra y que será hermosa y peligrosa como un poema de Neruda o una canción de Violeta.

Diciendo no al devastador imperio de la codicia, que tiene su centro en el norte de América, nosotros estamos diciendo sí a otra América posible, que nacerá de la más antigua de las tradiciones americanas, la tradición comunitaria: la tradición comunitaria que los indios de Chile defienden, desesperadamente, de derrota en derrota, desde hace cinco siglos.

Diciendo no a la paz sin dignidad, estamos diciendo sí al sagrado derecho de rebelión contra la injusticia y su larga historia, larga como la historia de la resistencia popular en el largo mapa de Chile.

Diciendo no a la libertad del dinero, nosotros estamos diciendo sí a la libertad de las personas: libertad maltratada y lastimada, mil veces caída, como Chile, y como Chile, mil veces alzada.

Diciendo no al egoísmo suicida de los poderosos, que han convertido al mundo en un vasto cuartel, nosotros estamos diciendo sí a la solidaridad humana, que nos da sentido universal y confirma la fuerza de fraternidades más poderosas que todas las fronteras con todos sus guardianes: esa fuerza que nos invade, como la música de Chile, y como el vino de Chile nos abraza.

Y diciendo no al triste encanto del desencanto, nosotros estamos diciendo sí a la esperanza, la esperanza hambrienta y loca y amante y amada, como Chile: la esperanza obstinada como los hijos de Chile rompiendo la noche.

This is a translation to the English, by me. Note that I am not a linguist or a trained translator or interpreter, but am a fluent speaker and writer in English and Spanish.

We have come from different countries, and we are here, meeting in the generous shadow of Pablo Neruda: we are here to accompany the people of Chile, who say no.
We also say no.

We say no to the praise of money and death. We say no to a system that puts a price on things and people, where the one who has the most is worth the most, and we say no to a world that allocates two million dollars every minute to the arms of war, while every minute it kills thirty children of hunger or curable disease. The neutron bomb that saves things and kills people is a perfect symbol of our times. For the assassin system that converts the night stars into military targets, the human being is nothing more than a factor in production and consumption and an object of use; time, nothing more than an economic resource; and the whole planet a source of rent that must give up its juice to the last drop. Poverty is multiplied in order to multiply wealth, and weapons that guard that wealth is also multiplied, that wealth of few, and that hold the line against the rest of the poor, and also solitude is multiplied meanwhile: we say no to a system that does not give something to eat nor something to love, that condemns many to the hunger for food and many more to the hunger for hugs.

We say no to lies. The dominant culture, that the large communication media radiate in universal scale, invites us to confuse the world with a supermarket or a race track, where your neighbor can be a merchandise or a competitor, but never a brother. That deceiving culture, that as in a cliche speculates with human love to extract the profit, is in reality a culture of unlinking: it has made the winners into gods, the successful into owners of the money and power, and into heroes the uniformed rambos that guard their backs while applying the doctrine of national security. For that it says and for what it suppresses, the dominant culture lies that the poverty of the poor is not a result of the wealth of the wealthy, but that it's an orphan, it comes from the ear of a goat or the will of God, who made the poor lazy and dumb. In the same way, the humiliation of some men for others has no reason to motivate the solidary indignation or scandal, because it belongs to the natural order of things: Latin American dictatorships, for instance, are part of our exuberant nature and not the imperialist system of power.

The disdain double-crosses history and mutilates the world. The powerful opinion manufacturers treat us as though we did not exist, or as if we were silly shadows. The colonial heritage forces the so-called third world, inhabited by third-class people, to accept as its own the memory of its victors and to buy the other's lies to use it as their own truth. They reward us for obedience, they castigate us for intelligence and they discourage us for creative energy. We are opined about, but we cannot opine. We have the right to echo, but not to a voice, and those that rule praise us for talent in parroting. We say no: we refuse to accept this mediocrity as destiny.

We say no to fear. No to fear of speaking, to fear of making, to fear of being. The invisible colonialism, more efficient, convinces us that we cannot speak, we cannot make, we cannot be. Fear disguises itself as realism: to make reality not seem false, we are told by the ideologues of impotence, the moral shall be immoral. In the face of indignity, misery, lies, we have no option but resignation. Marked by fatality, we are born lazy, irresponsible, violent, foolish, colorful and condemned to military custody. At the most, we can aspire to convert ourselves into prisoners with good conduct, capable of paying punctually the interests of a gigantic external debt to finance the luxury that humiliates us and the stick that beats us.

In this situation, we say no to the neutrality of human words. We say no to those who invite us to wash our hands in the face of quotidian crucifixions that occur around us. To the boring fascination of a cold art, indifferent, contemplating a mirror, we prefer a hot art, that celebrates the human adventure in the world and participates in it, an art irreparably in love and fighting. Would beauty be beauteous if it weren't just?, Would justice be just were it not beatiful? We say no to the divorce of beauty and justice, because we say yes to their powerful and fruitful embrace.

It happens that we say no, and in saying now we are saying yes.

Saying no to dictatorships, and no to the dictatorships disguised as democracies, we are saying yes to the struggle for true democracy, that will not deny anyone bread or word (voice) and that will be beatiful and dangerous like a Neruda poem or a Violeta song.

We are saying no to the devastating empire of greed, that has its center in the north of America, we are saying yes to another possible America, that will be born of the oldest american traditions, the community tradition: the community tradition that the indigenous in Chile defend, desperately, from failure to failure, since five centuries ago.

We are saying no to peace without dignity, we are saying yes to the sacred right of rebellion against injustice and its long history, long like the history of popular resistance in the long map of Chile.

We are saying no to liberty of money, we are saying yes to the liberty of people: mistreated and hurt liberty, a thousand times fallen, like Chile, and as in Chile, a thousand times risen.

We are saying no to the suicidal egoism of the powerful, who have turned the world into a vast barracks, we are saying yes to human solidarity, that gives us universal feeling (or senses) and confirms the strength of brotherhoods more powerful than all the borders with all its gatekeepers: that strength (or force) that invades us, like the music of Chile, and like the wine of Chile embraces us.

And we are saying no to the sad enchantment of disenchantment, we are saying yes to hope, the starving and crazy hope that loves and is loved, like Chile: the obstinate hope like the children of Chile breaking the night.