English: learn & think

Gender: can we talk about it?

2008-04-09T15:46:00.006-03:00

This time thanks go to Esteban, Julián and Huguillo who were brave enough to leave their comments in the blog. I make a point of that because I've heard many who say they don't write "well enough to write in a blog". C'mon! Put your fears aside... here you have another chance.

OK. Gender is this entry's focus. Let's first clarify what it means:

A grammatical category used in the classification of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and, in some languages, verbs that may be arbitrary or based on characteristics such as sex or animacy and that determines agreement with or selection of modifiers, referents, or grammatical forms.

Sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture.

ORIGIN: [Middle English gendre, from Old French, kind, gender, from Latin genus, gener-; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: Traditionally, gender has been used primarily to refer to the grammatical categories of "masculine," "feminine," and "neuter," but in recent years the word has become well established in its use to refer to sex-based categories, as in phrases such as gender gap and the politics of gender. This usage is supported by the practice of many anthropologists, who reserve sex for reference to biological categories, while using gender to refer to social or cultural categories.

So, I'd like you to think about it and post your opinions, and react to other people's comments as well. That is, I'd appreciate it if you can interact by replying to other blogger's opinions on this topic. Feel free to sign your interventions with an invented nickname. The point here is to discuss ideas, regardless of individual differences.
OK, hope to get you thinking!
Peace

Enzo

I can't, I just can't

2008-02-14T22:57:00.002-02:00

Thank you to those who commented the previous entry.
Now, this one is different because I'm feeling different. Let me tell you about it.
I had a great idea some months ago. An idea that meant doing something I really like. Not that I don't like my present job, but I've been doing basically the same thing for about ten years and I thought that was everything my profession could offer me in the career ladder.
Suddenly, I get this wonderful idea and I start working on it right away. I had to collect a lot of info, then read it and after that do something creative with it.
I got started and two weeks after I stopped. I thought it was going to be a short, necessary break due to tiredness. But since then I haven't been able to restart the project. I guess the timing is not quite right. I don't feel like doing all the extra work it needs, at least right now.
Has anything like this ever happened to you? How have you solved it (if you have)?
Comments and ideas are more than welcome
CU all
peace

Enzo

Music to spice up our lives

2007-12-18T22:51:00.000-03:00

Many thank yous to the people who posted on the previous entry.

Now, last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two giant artists: Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquín Sabina. They reminded me how important good lyrics and good tunes are. I don't care if people say they're in the last stages of their artistic lives. They rock!

So, I'm officially inviting you to share experiences of live concerts you've been to lately.

In case I don't see you, merry christmas, happy new year and we'll meet again in 2008.

Reading? What do you do that for?

2007-11-24T19:51:00.000-03:00

Thanx a lot Bless, Cony, Rosi and Martin for your comments on the first entry. Now let's move on, shall we?

Well, some time ago I heard the question in the title from a student, when we were talking about hobbies. It just couldn't enter his mind that I read for pleasure. The wide gap, the huge distance that separated us in that moment made me at once sad and thoughtful.

I don't have a magical solution for that problem (which I think it is). The only solution I can think of is reading. You can give all the arguments against reading you like, but a great book makes you forget the world around you. Enough said.

So, the topic is quite simple really. Name the top 3 or 4 books (not necessarily in order) you'd recommend to anyone who may be interested in reading.

Here are mine:

Great essays and ideas! Great humour too! BORGES'S "Otras Inquisiciones"

Probably the greatest character in literature: HAMLET

The most sensitive book in the world: LIBRO DEL DESASOSIEGO by Fernando Pessoa

You can't go around without having read Kafka's novels or stories!

The Beginning

2007-11-05T10:18:00.000-03:00

"IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD"
This phrase has been quoted ad nauseam, but it is exactly right to describe the spirit of this blog. Mind you, I only like this part of the quotation, not the rest of it. Or at least, I don't entirely agree with the rest of it, and it's open for discussion.
The idea for this first entry is to find a quotation, a song or a movie about 'beginnings'. If it's a quotation you agree with you can explain its meaning and why you chose it. Make sure you check the information about the author carefully, as on the internet there are many sites you can't really trust.
Well, here I go. This is my quotation: "What's well begun, is half done."

[Lat., Dimidium facti qui coepit habet.] Author: Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus)

I like this quotation because it makes you think about the importance of preparation before doing something. If you take your time to study, investigate, check and compare what your are about to do, then half the work is done and your chances to do it until the end increase.

This is my song: NEW BEGINNING by Tracy Chapman. You can watch and listen to her sing here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fNYEQYNjtg

And the movie that talks about beginning is JERRY MAGUIRE, a good example of how someaone can re-invent himself from the ashes. Watch a little part here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH64hzWqnFk

It's your turn now. Before I go, I leave you some sites to start looking for your favourite quote.
Peace, CU
Enzo

http://www.quotationspage.com/

http://www.worldofquotes.com/

http://www.wisdomquotes.com/

http://www.coolquotes.com/