"Mr. Brasil" Pageant

http://www.missbrasilmundo.com.br/mister_candidatos.html

So I was trying to translate something last week into Portuguese and was using some online dictionary from Brazil, which was part of a general media portal website. One of the sidebar news stories was on the "Mr. Brazil" competition, which I dutifully checked to confirm included a swimsuit competition. The results surprised me.

Now, I have been to a few beaches in Brazil, and I know that if any one country can claim to have the most attractive swimsuits (and the people wearing them), it would have to be Brazil. So where in the hell did these guys come from?? Sure, there are a few hunks. But Piauí? I'm just scared of you.

While it's true the hottie quotient in Brazil is high, it's good to remind each other that average (ugly, even) people exist too. Duh. I get that, but wonder if the Brazilian pageant process places more emphasis on other aspects of the competition. If that's the case, Mr. Piauí must have proposed detailed, actionable steps to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. I'm just saying. I'll stop being so bitchy now. I'm sure he's a nice guy...

Feliz Ano Novo do Rio

Not much time to write from Rio...in between beach duties and playing tourist, there's hardly any time to sleep. I'm at Washington Dulles trying to catch up with my life while in transit between Rio and Beijing though, and wanted to remember the enthusiastic applause that accompanies sunsets in Rio. It's a nice tradition, really. Yay for our spinning planet.

Vai Tomar No Cu

I love this wig. This song cracks me up too, and the lyrics couldn't be more appropriate for finals week...

Tenho saudade pra este lugar...

This video just makes me happy. Who wants to join me in Salvador January 15 - 22? Vem pra Bahia!! I'll wear a Baiana dress if you do.