I have been working in an office space just off the Praça Pedro Américo for about two years now. The praça (rough English equivalent is plaza) seems to be a microcosm of Brazil. I hope to begin a few notes of life around the praça. Join me for this bird's eye view. Coming your way in 2004.

It finally happened. Got my own space for http://www.randalmatheny.com . Go and check it out. All my energies will be focused there from now on.

I'm heading for my second trip to the dentist today. Back in Sept. a tooth broke and I got it fixed. Yesterday the resin filling came out. This morning the dentist (Next door to the office) fixed it in under 15 min. But I think it was a little high and though I wasn't chewing on that side, the top part broke. So back I go at 4h (or was it 4:30?). She didn't charge me this morning. Let's see if she does this afternoon.

h**p://www.techcentralstation.com/110304U.html

These guys just don't know how to speak English without resorting to foreign words and phrases.

But they think the old news media are fair, too: "News coverage of the election was cautions [sic] and careful, ..."

And they still don't know why they lost.

Kerry has admitted defeat.

The most decent thing he's done in 30 years.

Now we can sleep easy in our beds.