Word Problem
by Bruce Holland Rogers
Stan has traveled 29.3 kilometers from his home in Toronto to the home of his friend in a Mississauga high-rise. Before he gets out of his car, Stan puts on a surgical mask, leather gloves, and sunglasses.
Stan wears the mask because he is worried about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a disease which has a global case fatality rate of between seven and fifteen percent -- estimates vary. He is also worried about Ebola haemorrhagic fever, which has a global case fatality rate of about 90%. Two nearly-recovered patients with SARS are presently 47.2 kilometers away from Stan in Toronto General Hospital. The nearest Ebola patients are in Africa, 12,580 kilometers from Stan.
Stan is not worried about Mrs. Imelda Foster, who is cleaning a penthouse apartment. If Stan even knew about Mrs. Foster, he would appreciate her enthusiasm for bleach as a disinfectant. Mrs. Foster's eyesight is not what it used to be, and she compensates by going over the same surface repeatedly.
Stan wears gloves because he is worried about spider bites. The only venomous spider in Ontario is the northern widow, Latrodectus various, which produces venom fifteen times as toxic as the venom of a prairie rattlesnake. Although the spider injects much less venom than a snake with each bite, nearly one-percent of L. various bites are fatal. Fatalities are concentrated in the very young and the very sick. Stan is thirty-seven years old and in good physical condition. Still, he does not put his hand where he cannot see, and he wears gloves just in case.
Stan is not worried about Tanya Scott, the four-year-old girl who lives in the penthouse apartment where Mrs. Imelda Foster is cleaning. If Stan knew of little Tanya's existence, he would appreciate Mrs. Foster's diligence with the vacuum cleaner everywhere in the apartment, even on the balcony. There are zero spider webs in the penthouse apartment.
Stan wears sunglasses. The sun is expected to radiate peacefully for another 5 billion years, but in the course of that time its luminosity will double to a brilliance that Stan finds alarming.
Stan does not worry about a glass swan figurine weighing 457 grams. Yesterday Tanya Scott moved the swan from its place on the coffee table to the balcony railing where she could see it in the sunlight. Tanya left the swan on the railing. Mrs. Foster does not see the swan when she brings the vacuum cleaner out to tidy up the balcony. She knocks the swan from the railing with the vacuum cleaner wand.
At the moment that the swan begins its descent, Stan is 38 meters from a point directly below the falling swan. He is proceeding toward that point in a straight line and at a steady pace of 3.2 kilometers per hour. A falling object accelerates at the rate of approximately 10 meters/second/second. The railing is 112 meters above the sidewalk.
Question: Is Stan worrying about the right things?
quinta-feira, 18 de junho de 2009
This is a 50 word Saga I prefer.
I like this 50word Saga because I acted like that one day with my cousin.
"I was angry and left the room. I wasn't sure where to go. I was led to my car, the open road, and a thousand hours of music. I listened without interruption and without inspiration. I returned, apologized to my friends, and we continued playing video games".
"I was angry and left the room. I wasn't sure where to go. I was led to my car, the open road, and a thousand hours of music. I listened without interruption and without inspiration. I returned, apologized to my friends, and we continued playing video games".
terça-feira, 16 de junho de 2009
A Class Visit
Last year, at the end of the academic year, all students of Portuguese Language and Culture courses, teachers and I did a class visit to different places or museums in the neighbourhood and out of Lisbon, by bus.
The programme was established in this way; we met at 8: 15 am at the entrance of the faculty and we left at 8:30 am. At 9:30 am, we arrived at the “monastery of Alcobaça museum” and we reached the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria at 12:00 pm then at 2:15 pm arrived in Óbido and finally we arrived in Peniche at 4: 30 pm.
Once in the “monastery of Alcobaça” museum I visited the biggest or the most important monastery of Portugal. As you know, in the past this place was where Portuguese wise men lived and where they did the first translations of the bible into the Portuguese language. When we got in, I saw on the walls the statues of previous kings of Portugal. This visit was guided by a very friendly woman who was explaining things to us and answering our questions. And we were allowed to take pictures. I saw the translation rooms, the auditorium of the palace, the bedrooms, living rooms, and the throne which is still intact there in the same place even all the bathrooms are marbled. I suggest going to visit the Monastery of Alcobaça museum, because it’s symbolic for all, specially for translation students and to know better Portuguese culture and history.
Just after Alcobaça we went to the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, situated outside of the city, where I had lunch. This Institute is smaller than our faculty but there were trees around it. It’s very attractive with a nice dining hall on the veranda of the first floor, where we spent one hour and a half having coffee and contemplating the beautiful nature around.
Contrary to Alcobaça, the visit to Obidos wasn’t guided; everyone could go to see whatever he wanted. In fact, Obidos is a tourist place because of its decor. I noticed that there are a lot of handcrafted pieces from the middle ages. On that day, there were a lot of visitors in Obído too; it means that it's a touristic place. There were actors in the street, dressed like Romans or like people from the Middle Ages (like the king, his wife and his guards with their swords) and dancing to the rhythm of Portuguese melodies. You can also see the small castles up and down by the hills. And it was there where I tasted for the first time the Carpirinha with another kind of Portuguese local drink I don't remember the name. I recommend you visit Obido too, because you can find a lot of Art pieces and the strong spirit from the Middle Ages and Portugal in the 18th century.
And we finished our visit in Peniche, where I visited the museum of the Fortress. As Alcobaça, that visit was also guided. This museum was a jail in the past which Salazar built on the top of a small mountain beside the sea for the political opponents. From the prison yard you could see the sea and lots of small tourist boats hugged the long beach of Peniche and the sight was beautiful. Inside, things are very different; nobody could take pictures. We visited the cells of prisoners and we saw the big handcuffs. It was so horrible for me to see that I decided to get out of the cells. If you visit this museum and you are as sensitive as me, just stay in the prison yard and admire the nice sight of the sea.
When we left Peniche, we came back to Lisbon. We all were happy to do that class visit. It was the reason why on our return we were singing one by one in the bus. I still have some memories of that visit and I would like to do it again.
The programme was established in this way; we met at 8: 15 am at the entrance of the faculty and we left at 8:30 am. At 9:30 am, we arrived at the “monastery of Alcobaça museum” and we reached the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria at 12:00 pm then at 2:15 pm arrived in Óbido and finally we arrived in Peniche at 4: 30 pm.
Once in the “monastery of Alcobaça” museum I visited the biggest or the most important monastery of Portugal. As you know, in the past this place was where Portuguese wise men lived and where they did the first translations of the bible into the Portuguese language. When we got in, I saw on the walls the statues of previous kings of Portugal. This visit was guided by a very friendly woman who was explaining things to us and answering our questions. And we were allowed to take pictures. I saw the translation rooms, the auditorium of the palace, the bedrooms, living rooms, and the throne which is still intact there in the same place even all the bathrooms are marbled. I suggest going to visit the Monastery of Alcobaça museum, because it’s symbolic for all, specially for translation students and to know better Portuguese culture and history.
Just after Alcobaça we went to the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, situated outside of the city, where I had lunch. This Institute is smaller than our faculty but there were trees around it. It’s very attractive with a nice dining hall on the veranda of the first floor, where we spent one hour and a half having coffee and contemplating the beautiful nature around.
Contrary to Alcobaça, the visit to Obidos wasn’t guided; everyone could go to see whatever he wanted. In fact, Obidos is a tourist place because of its decor. I noticed that there are a lot of handcrafted pieces from the middle ages. On that day, there were a lot of visitors in Obído too; it means that it's a touristic place. There were actors in the street, dressed like Romans or like people from the Middle Ages (like the king, his wife and his guards with their swords) and dancing to the rhythm of Portuguese melodies. You can also see the small castles up and down by the hills. And it was there where I tasted for the first time the Carpirinha with another kind of Portuguese local drink I don't remember the name. I recommend you visit Obido too, because you can find a lot of Art pieces and the strong spirit from the Middle Ages and Portugal in the 18th century.
And we finished our visit in Peniche, where I visited the museum of the Fortress. As Alcobaça, that visit was also guided. This museum was a jail in the past which Salazar built on the top of a small mountain beside the sea for the political opponents. From the prison yard you could see the sea and lots of small tourist boats hugged the long beach of Peniche and the sight was beautiful. Inside, things are very different; nobody could take pictures. We visited the cells of prisoners and we saw the big handcuffs. It was so horrible for me to see that I decided to get out of the cells. If you visit this museum and you are as sensitive as me, just stay in the prison yard and admire the nice sight of the sea.
When we left Peniche, we came back to Lisbon. We all were happy to do that class visit. It was the reason why on our return we were singing one by one in the bus. I still have some memories of that visit and I would like to do it again.
sexta-feira, 5 de junho de 2009
Boda-Boda
In Uganda, bicycles are very important in the citizen's lifes. Generally, bicycles are used by rich people for training in one hand, and in other by low-class people who use it for earning a living.
In kampala they use bicycles for so many ways. They are using for transporting people as taxi, and for heavy luggage. Boda-Boda, with means connecting to a border, which they also call manuel bikes.
The most typical boda - bodas are named Roadster bicycles. It normally has two chairs; one for the carrier and the other for the customer, which is made on sponge. The boda-boda's carriers enjoy their jobs. The take care of their bicycles, most of them wash them every day and people respect them. Most boda-boda's carriers say that they are proud of their their bicycles because they know that they cannot have something to eat without them. And they don't think that they are able to do anything different than that. Sometimes, boda-boda carrier's have to name their bicycles and the name and the colour, dependent on their favorite team, are written on the spong of the carrier. In Uganda, people start gradually with bicycles and when they see that they are able to affer themselves a motorcycle or motorbike, they buy it, and they change their life, earning more money. People with six bicycles, for example. use some to deliver ice-cream and the others to rent out.
On the whole, in Uganda, bicycles are very useful for people, in particular to transport people, heavy luggage, to deliver ice-cream, etc... It also the source of revenue for low-clas people.
Jean
In kampala they use bicycles for so many ways. They are using for transporting people as taxi, and for heavy luggage. Boda-Boda, with means connecting to a border, which they also call manuel bikes.
The most typical boda - bodas are named Roadster bicycles. It normally has two chairs; one for the carrier and the other for the customer, which is made on sponge. The boda-boda's carriers enjoy their jobs. The take care of their bicycles, most of them wash them every day and people respect them. Most boda-boda's carriers say that they are proud of their their bicycles because they know that they cannot have something to eat without them. And they don't think that they are able to do anything different than that. Sometimes, boda-boda carrier's have to name their bicycles and the name and the colour, dependent on their favorite team, are written on the spong of the carrier. In Uganda, people start gradually with bicycles and when they see that they are able to affer themselves a motorcycle or motorbike, they buy it, and they change their life, earning more money. People with six bicycles, for example. use some to deliver ice-cream and the others to rent out.
On the whole, in Uganda, bicycles are very useful for people, in particular to transport people, heavy luggage, to deliver ice-cream, etc... It also the source of revenue for low-clas people.
Jean
A Bedtime Story
This stor is about a magician. Everyone talked about him, he was really famous in that city and in the others around. This magician did several times unbelievable things in his well know shows. Like changing paper into money, transforming water into beer or transforming ducks into snakes, etc...
And the most important thingwas that everybody was afraid of him, just because of his power or magic. Knowing that he took unfair advantage of that, threatening people who dared to challanger him. One day, there was an old hunter who put a big snake into a wooden bowl, and came to his show.
The huntsman went to the center of the circle and said to the magician, you are the most powerful man in the world so I just want you to take out this thing from inside the wooden bowl without taking off completely the cover and we all know that you are able to do it. The magician hesited for a few moments and spectators were screaming his name. And he finally put his hand into the wooden bowl, and the snake beat him and he immediately lost his power.
The message is in our life we don't have to take unfair advantage of people when when we take control of things
Jean
And the most important thingwas that everybody was afraid of him, just because of his power or magic. Knowing that he took unfair advantage of that, threatening people who dared to challanger him. One day, there was an old hunter who put a big snake into a wooden bowl, and came to his show.
The huntsman went to the center of the circle and said to the magician, you are the most powerful man in the world so I just want you to take out this thing from inside the wooden bowl without taking off completely the cover and we all know that you are able to do it. The magician hesited for a few moments and spectators were screaming his name. And he finally put his hand into the wooden bowl, and the snake beat him and he immediately lost his power.
The message is in our life we don't have to take unfair advantage of people when when we take control of things
Jean
A Bedtime Story
One day, on a small island surrounded by coconut palms, lived a monkey and a crocodile.
Monkey had a lot of things to eat every day but he wasn't happy because his family lived on another side of this island. He decided to cross the river to join those like him. But as we know, monkeys aren't renowned for being good swimmers. Near by the river, lying down in the sand was an old crocodile. And Monkey said to Crocodile:
"Hello my friend Crocodile"
"Hellooooo Monkey" what are you doing here? replied Crocodile.
Monkey answered, saying "heuuuuuum I would like to ask you a favor but i'm afraid
you couldn't do it for me".
"What favor could it be? Don't worry I'm your friend, you can rely on me" said Crocodile
Monkey: "Well , I would like you to give me a lift, I want to cross the river to visit my friends"
Crocodile: "Of course it doesn't matter, friends are always help those in need".
Monkey: "Thank you".
Crocodile: "Climb on my back"
Monkey: ok
In the middle of the crossing, Crocodile in his turn said to Monkey, "I'm sorry, I also need your help".
Monkey: ah yes! don't hesitate to ask me a favour because we're friends now
Crocodile: "you know that my mother is seriously sick, so to cure her she needs a heart of a monkey alive. Don't take it badly it's really urgent I think you'll understand and forgive me".
Monkey: "Of course, I believe in you but we have a problem".
Crocodile: "What kind of problem?"
Monkey: "I left my Heart in the coconut palm where I slept yesterday. Let's go immediately back to get it."
Crocodile: "I really know that you will help me".
They decided to go back to the island. Once on the island, Monkey said to Crocodile "come with me to the coconut palm" and he said « my heart is upstair, wait for me here I have to go up to give it to you, ok » He climbed to the top and said to the Crocodile "if you really need my heart to cure you mother come up to get it"
This shows that people use others to get a favor but they are always waiting for some things in compensation.
Jean
Monkey had a lot of things to eat every day but he wasn't happy because his family lived on another side of this island. He decided to cross the river to join those like him. But as we know, monkeys aren't renowned for being good swimmers. Near by the river, lying down in the sand was an old crocodile. And Monkey said to Crocodile:
"Hello my friend Crocodile"
"Hellooooo Monkey" what are you doing here? replied Crocodile.
Monkey answered, saying "heuuuuuum I would like to ask you a favor but i'm afraid
you couldn't do it for me".
"What favor could it be? Don't worry I'm your friend, you can rely on me" said Crocodile
Monkey: "Well , I would like you to give me a lift, I want to cross the river to visit my friends"
Crocodile: "Of course it doesn't matter, friends are always help those in need".
Monkey: "Thank you".
Crocodile: "Climb on my back"
Monkey: ok
In the middle of the crossing, Crocodile in his turn said to Monkey, "I'm sorry, I also need your help".
Monkey: ah yes! don't hesitate to ask me a favour because we're friends now
Crocodile: "you know that my mother is seriously sick, so to cure her she needs a heart of a monkey alive. Don't take it badly it's really urgent I think you'll understand and forgive me".
Monkey: "Of course, I believe in you but we have a problem".
Crocodile: "What kind of problem?"
Monkey: "I left my Heart in the coconut palm where I slept yesterday. Let's go immediately back to get it."
Crocodile: "I really know that you will help me".
They decided to go back to the island. Once on the island, Monkey said to Crocodile "come with me to the coconut palm" and he said « my heart is upstair, wait for me here I have to go up to give it to you, ok » He climbed to the top and said to the Crocodile "if you really need my heart to cure you mother come up to get it"
This shows that people use others to get a favor but they are always waiting for some things in compensation.
Jean
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