My Somatotype adventure...

Ao ler uma noticia sobre carne artificial estive a reflectir um pouco sobre a minha relacao com a alimentacao desde que me mudei para os EUA. Ando neste lado do Atlantico ja fazem alguns anos. Tenho estadia permanente num estado em que existem mais obesos (aos meus olhos) do que carros na estrada. Visto viajar bastante (por prazer e nao so') noto que nas areas metropolitanas a "coisa" muda de figura. Em NYC sinto-me o mais obeso, em DC acho que estou na media, em Chicago calculo que eles sejam elegantes por estarem mirradinhos com o frio, em Grand Cayman o calor e a humidade e' tal que destilam, e podiamos continuar por ai' fora.

Continuando, quando aqui cheguei estava com um somatotipo Ectomorphic. A dar para o magro. Sempre comi o que quis e nunca engordei (mesmo quando tentava!). Com aproximadamente 7% de gordura corporal sentia-me saudavel. 'A medida que o tempo foi passando, associado a um pouco de desprezo alimentar, comecei a notar alguns comentarios (menos proprios!!!!) daqueles que eu pensava que me queriam bem. Alheio a esse aumento corporal decidi meter-me num hydrostatic tank e, realmente, quase que me "afogava" quando vi os resultados. Tinha passado de ecto a endomorphic num abrir e fechar de olhos, e nem sequer vi o mesomorphic.

Entao porque, perguntava. Sem duvida que foi uma questao de alimentacao. Aqui e' facil desprezarmos os bons habitos alimentares que temos em Portugal - ou pelo menos que eu tinha! A vida corre a um ritmo louco, entre trabalho, viagens, e saidas. A comida entalada domina nos supermercados. A comida fresca domina pelo preco excessivo. As tipicas sandes fazem parte de uma dieta menos saudavel. Ha tantos factores que contribuiram para este aumento de peso somente associado 'a alimentacao. Mas no fundo, e falando com amigos "locais", e' uma questao de educacao e cultura. Diria que 90% das pessoas com que me dou nem sabem cozinhar um ovo estrelado. Foram educados a comer a "Peanut and butter jelly sandwich", comer enlatados porque e' rapido, congelados e mais nao sei o que. E' facil ir-se atras de tais habitos.

Apos regressar a habitos alimentares mais portugueses, consegui perder peso e estabilizar. Diria que estou num estado endo-mesomorphic neste momento e ainda preciso de perder um pouco mais. Ainda ha aqui uns restos de gordura indesejada, mas ha'-de ir la' com o tempo - Espera-se!

Life is good...

I'm in Lisbon :)

Great start... Not!

... just found out that one of my NIH grants ($750k) was not funded!! Re-submitting in April :s

Ready...

... for vacation!

Addendum

I really dislike to fold socks

Sunday...

Recovering... trying to clean the loft... start to prepare to leave to Portugal... Preparing the brief two days of work that are fully booked with meetings, conference calls, and more meetings.... Sunday, Bloody Sunday

;)

Lex talionis

Due to some controversy currently being discussed about the "best" method for lethal injections, I have been having some interesting discussions with some friends and colleagues. Most of them have left me speechless as I've found that 95% of the them are in agreement with death penalty. All of our discussions have been ending inconclusive. Arguments back and forth; scientific facts thrown in different directions; physiological pain discussed; emotions at their highest!! Normally it ends with them saying "An eye for an eye."

Maybe because where I came from there's no death penalty, maybe because I've dealt with death too often, maybe... maybe I just cannot understand the concept of willingly take a (human) life and be an avid supporter of it. Or maybe I am the one "blind" to it?

Road Trip...

to a NFL game.
Be back later :)

Update: Just leaving tomorrow AM. Going to Cleveland and coming back Friday or Saturday!

Popeye

I admit. I did watch Popeye and ate spinach :)

Procrastination is... (II)

... having to catch up!!!
Still in the lab. I'll be staying here the next 48h. Will miss my bed :)

Consequencias

depois desta "brincadeira" (Abstinence) o meu BlackBerry anda muito esquisito... Parece-me que nao se va' aguentar por muito mais. Acho que vou precisar de um novo... soon!!! Damn it!

The dog of the house

In this picture she was doing her favorite activities - getting a tan and sleeping. Naturally, eating was her top priority as the good Lab that she was :-) It always bring me good memories to look at her pictures.

Smells Like Teen Spirit

I will never forget/forgive to have missed the concert in 1994 (Cascais, Portugal)

Can't wait...

...final season of "Lost" starts March 2010

Adventures

Saturday Afternoon. Rainy day.

Hair Stylist: So what are we going to do today?

Me: I don't know!

Hair Stylist: huh? (looking extremely confused)

Me: Yes, I have not been to a place like this for some years...

Hair Stylist: hmmm

Me: But I am open enough for you do whatever you want with it.

Hair Stylist: Cool!!! (in a very excited tone)

It ended up well. Just some minor trimming, and lots of talking. Its getting there :)

Let The Games Begin

Today we had the first snow flakes. Interesting, because it rarely snows around here - maybe one to two weeks a year. However, I am taking it as a good sign. The snow season is going to be good, and the snow might be just perfect for snowboard.

I am planning a trip to go somewhere to snowboard. Last year didn't do it - recovering from a stupid injury. This year, while still recovering, will definitely not miss it :) Not sure where/when I am going. Was planning to hit the West Side. Have an invitation from a friend to meet up in Vancouver (Canada) and go from there. Not sure. Honestly, just look forward to get my board out of the closet and go down the slopes with my camera :)

Anyone wants to join me? Just hit me up :)

NYC Night Lights

disclaimer: bad quality picture. Low exposition taken from a sailing boat does not work very well :)

The Lady

disclaimer: bad quality picture. Low exposition taken from a sailing boat does not work very well :)

Procrastination is...

... me right now!!!

News stand

Picture taken by accident while I was talking with a friend