Yesterday I gave my last class of the first edition Pos-Graduation/Executive Plan “Brand Management” at IPAM (thank you Ana Paula Cruz for the opportunity). As I published before my module was “Branding, Web and Multimedia” with the main objective: to know and promote a consistent relationship between communication, branding and new technologies on multiple aspects of the information society. In the end the students:

· Will have knowledge and practice on new technologies for communication and brand: from institutional sites to campaign sites, the messenger, to the blog, or microblogging, by phone the digital entertainment…

· Will know how to brief and evaluate proposals for sites institutional and consumption in light of the objectives of continuity or off with its technology partners;

· Will know the means and devices available to current and future of branding;

· Will be able to identify and assess new opportunities in the digital world;

· Will be able to design and evaluate a strategy of branding, knowing the means to match goals with foundation in branding online sustained;

· Will be able to advertise online;

In my point of view it all be accomplished by a set of brilliant students:

Alexandra Figueira, Alexandra Mariz, Cláudia Oliveira, Anabela Pires, Ana Almeida, Diana Barradas, Márcia Moreira, Paulo Guedes, Cátia Moura, Sara Nogueira, Isabel Amorim, Zélia Oliveira and Zaida Miranda.

It was a true pleasure to give them classes! In the end we build a cohesive team that party and taught one witch others. The boost for this was a very cool and informal way to be on a classing room. I tell them “this is not a class, it’s a talk” and everyone has to participate with their knowledge and experiences.

Yesterday, I bought a couple of pizzas; they arrange a different (even more informal class room), brought drinks and appetizers. The class contents were given by them and everyone talk about it. Some of them skip the extra class.

Here are some pictures:

I’ll be missing you guys!!! Thanks for a great time… I hope to see you around. Bye, bye…

Since I remember dreaming, I always dreamed about space. In fact, I had lots of books and watched all TV shows about space. When I was I child I loved two differences stuff: space and dinosaurs. I didn’t know how to read but I loved to think and debate these issues. Yes, yes… when someone ask me what I wanted to be when I was a grownup I answered: scientist or an astronaut. A few years later this answer changed to: be the boss!!!

But yesterday I was watching Wired Science show with Adam Rogers and this deep passion came to my head/heart! The show was about buying a space Satellite and the process around it. I thought: I really need one of these. Hence, I’ve watched the show very focus however my hopes were becoming broken every time he asked: “How it costs…”

Look at the numbers:

- Satellite: $250M (it depends of the add-ons)

- Satellite launch: $100M (its depend of the satellite weight)

- Dish farm: $100M

- Slot in space: $100M/year

- Insurance: $25M

- Attorneys: lot of many

In average it costs an half billion American dollars without high definition!!! Note that your Satellite may not arrive to the slot; the satellite has 15 years of life; you must add operation costs;

Even so, companies prefer to buy this equipments than rent it because is substantial cheaper!!!

So BTSat may not become a reality. Watch the show:

I saw in Susana blog that she was 27% geek!!! I was curious about my geekship and made the quiz too!

As you see, I’m not just a workaholic, I’m pretty must a geek. I need a doctor, PLEASE!!!!

74% Geek

These are my answers:

Start by choosing your gender: GUY

Which of these number do you like best?

- 1.61803399

How many books do you read a month?

- 1 or 2

What operating system do you use?

- A bunch of different ones

Which web browser do you primarily use?

- Microsoft Internet Explorer

How many windows do you usually have open?

- 5 - 8

Who shot first?

- Han

To “Grok” something is to: 

- Intuitively understand it

Who created this: /(bb|[^b]{2})/

- William Shakespeare

How is your handwriting?

- Chicken Scratch

What was the spacecraft’s name in the TV show “Firefly?”

- Serenity

Have you ever taken something apart with the intention of fixing it or re-building it to make it better, stronger, faster? (This could be anything: your lawnmower, some source code, laptop, etc.)

- Yes,and it’s working much better now!

What is Slashdot’s slogan?

- News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters

Have you ever corrected a salesman on a technical issue about a gadget you’re considering purchasing?

- Yes

When did you start playing video games?

- I don’t really play video games

How do you primarily communicate with friends and family who aren’t within earshot?

- AIM, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Etc.

What was the name of the dragon in “The Hobbit - There and Back Again?”

- I have no idea

Do you get anxious when you haven’t checked your email in a few hours?

- Yes

What Star Trek race has exceptional hearing?

- I have no idea

Have you ever solved a complex computer problem while in the shower?

- Yes

Did you read comic books after age 15?

- No

Have you ever won an academic competition, such as a spelling bee or math bee?

- No

Have you ever stayed up until sunrise while playing on your computer?

- Yes

Today I make my tribute in honor of this great man who make a true difference in the world and surely his presence will be among us forever.

Since my 8 years old I wanted to see a Pavarotti concert. This will be a wish that will never come true.

Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma - Turandot, Puccini

ITALIAN
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
Tu pure, o, Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza,
guardi le stelle
che fremono d’amore
e di speranza.
Ma il mio mistero e chiuso in me,
il nome mio nessun sapra!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo diro
quando la luce splendera!
Ed il mio bacio sciogliera il silenzio
che ti fa mia!
(Il nome suo nessun sapra!…
e noi dovrem, ahime, morir!)
Dilegua, o notte!
Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle!
All’alba vincero!
vincero, vincero!

ENGLISH
None must sleep! None must sleep!
And you, too, Princess,
in your cold room,
gaze at the stars
which tremble with love
and hope!
But my mystery is locked within me,
no-one shall know my name!
No, no, I shall say it as my mouth
meets yours when the dawn is breaking!
And my kiss will break the silence
which makes you mine!
(No-one shall know his name,
and we, alas, shall die!)
Vanish, o night!
Fade, stars!
At dawn I shall win

The post that I present was taken from Prof. Paulo Sousa blog that make me think a lot.

This week I came across a fabulous little parable about the black belt in martial arts. As with any parable, it’s not the story that matters but the lessons you take from it. The story goes like this:

A young martial artist kneeling before the Master Sensei in a ceremony to receive a hard-earned black belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline.

“Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test,” says the Sensei.

“I am ready,” responds the student, expecting perhaps one final round of sparring.
“You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the black belt?”
“The end of my journey,” says the student. “A well-deserved reward for all my hard work.”
The Sensei waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, the Sensei speaks.
“You are not yet ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels again in front of the Sensei.
“What is the true meaning of the black belt?” asks the Sensei.
“A symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art,” says the student.
The Sensei says nothing for many minutes, waiting. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, he speaks.
“You are still not ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels once again in front of the Sensei. And again the Sensei asks: “What is the true meaning of the black belt?”
“The black belt represents the beginning - the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, work, and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard,” says the student.
“Yes. You are now ready to receive the black belt and begin your work.”

It is actually a story about continous improvement and continous learning and you can apply it to several dimensions of your personal and professional life. Today, I’ll just reflect on it from a “software architect” perspective.

Most of the developers out there nowadays wish to become Architects and see that as their ultimate goal, maybe becoming Chief Software Architect for a major corporation. As with any goal in life or business we must adopt a somewhat humble posture, and recognize that the journey is just beginning and we’ll still make errors, make wrong decisions and specially learn a lot more when we achieve it.

I, as a student, and far away of a black belt can only say that’s hard to control our thoughts and our ambition. Being humbled is hard for those who are always passing challenges and trying to be better over and over again. Hence, I’m the kind of person who likes to experience all type of knowledge and continuous learning. That’s why I’m always saying that I need to find a job that continues to motivate me and giving me different kind of challenges. I try every day to put my personal objectives a little higher. Some people thinks that I like to feel frustrated… I’m starting to see their point of view.