My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
Barak Obama
Read full document here
June is Pride Month. June it's almost over but I think it's important to think about what this Proclamation means. This blog celebrates love, acceptance, pride and diversity. All year.
12ª Pride Parade, Lisbon, June
June 27, 2011
June 21, 2011
Celebrate Summer with Licor Beirão Giveaway
- A fabric case for your laptop as I know you will be going outside to enjoy the sun!
- Cute tattoos (4 different ones) to show with your summer light clothes!
- Magnetic bookmarkers because reading on a garden or on the beach is a must with this weather!
- A diary where you can draw or write down stories about your summer days…
- And 6 very cute small bottles of Licor Beirão, 6 of my readers will have a chance to taste this traditional Portuguese drink. All winners will aslo be sent an informative sheet on Licor Beirão with a few suggestions on how to prepare some refreshing drinks for the Summer, the company and liquor story.
The gifts list:
2 - 1 bottle of Licor Beirão, a diary, 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
3 - 1 bottle of Licor Beirão, 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
4 - 1 bottle of Licor Beirão, 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
5 - 1 bottle of Licor Beirão, 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
6 - 1 bottle of Licor Beirão, 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
7 - 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
8 - 1magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
9 - 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
10 - 1 magnet book marker and 4 tatoos
What you must do to win:
a. Like A Portuguese Love Facebook page here
b. or Subscribe to this blog via email (use Feedburner window on your right to enter your email address)
c. If you already Liked my Page or Subscribed to my blog you can follow me on Twitter.
d. Leave a comment on this blog post indicating what you did + your email contact.
A random draw between those who entered will be made on July 21st to determine the winners. The lucky winners will be announced on this blog and A Portuguese Love Facebook Page. Gifts will be shipped the following two weeks after I get winners adresses.
June 19, 2011
Wood texture Iphone Cases from Zazzle are eco-friendly and sustainable!
People like to cover technology in wood. Most of us are too young to remember old radios and first televisions and their wooden boxes. My parents oldest TV had no wood on the outside but the box imitated wood. My grandmother old radio was covered in beautiful wood. One thing I am certain is that we still like gadgets covered in wood. That's a classic. One chic way to protect your Iphone is to get a cover made of wood. It’s pretty and irresistible. It’s organic material, it’s really awesome choice. But not all the wood cases on the market are sustainable and we care for the planet, don’t we? It’s not a pretty thought thinking we’re chopping trees just to get Iphone’s nicely covered! That’s why I found these Zazzle creators idea a good one – they are offering Iphone cases that imitate wood. There are several species of wood to choose from and if I don’t think too much they look almost like a craftsman hands work. These Iphone skins are made of 100% real Zazzle imagination, which is both sustainable and eco-friendly. And now I have a curiosity to share. Sure you’re familiar with the expression "knock on wood". In Portugal we also have the same expression – bater na madeira – but as we say it we utter “lagarto, lagarto, lagarto” that means “lizard, lizard, lizard”! Well, don’t ask me why we say “lizard” three times because it’s a mystery to me too. Now, check some great wood texture Iphone Cases I found on Zazzle! That is no mystery!
June 15, 2011
Fotolia stock image marketplace review
I really enjoyed my experience at the site. One thing I discovered is that Fotolia accepts photos from professionals and amateurs. That’s positive as it adds variety and makes photos prices more accessible.If you live in Europe, know that Euro is accepted currencie. Paypal can be used. It has photographers and designers contributing and I got excited about it and thought of sending some vector files too and earn some cash. They even provide training that you must follow before upload any work. As they state somewhere in the site, "detailed attention is given to the quality, copyright and editing of files." I found great photos. I can say that I found what I needed.
I did an accurate search for photos so I can say the searching mechanism worked for me perfectly. I searched with a lot of different keyword and got relevant results. I also used orientation filter as I was interested in landscape photos only but Fotolia offers other filters. We can get 100 images per page and examine it well with zoom possibility. This all happens fast enough. All over the site information is clear and navigation is easy.
I think Fotolia is a real social marketplace for photographers and designers. I got the notion that a community is being build around it. It has a blog and a Forum but I did not try it. If you are familiar with Forums you know how useful it can be. If you have doubts or questions you have support in lots of different languages from the traditional English to Portuguese, maybe more than a dozen languages available. Extensive FAQ are available.
What are the purchasing images options? There are two: credit or subscription. If you buy a large amount of credits the price per credit is smaller. It works smoothly. You get your credits, pick your photos and move it to a gallery called Lightbox and then download the files. Subscription has two possibilities, standard and premium. These require a number of images download per day or 24 hours. Fotolia offers 1 month, 3 months , 6 months and annual subscriptions.
There is an interesting software you can download at Fotolia - Flixtime. I haven’t tried it but I want to. FlixTime turns your photos into unique videos and you can pick a tune to it. It sounds great fun. There is also a Fotolia Desktop Widget and a Fotolia Plug-In. And for last, and because everybody loves Freebies, if you become a fan of Fotolia on Facebook you receive access to a free image area.
I also become affiliate for Fotolia as I have no reasons but to recommend it.
So, why don’t you join it too?
June 14, 2011
Win FOTOLIA coupon code and try the power of stock images!
1. What’s Fotolia?
It’s the first worldwide social marketplace for royalty free stock images, allowing individuals and professionals to legally buy and share stock images and illustrations. In fact, it’s the largest image bank of free and most affordable royalty free photos and illustrations perfect for any medium, web or print.
2.What are Fotolia’s advantages?
- Time is money! Fotolia’s services will save you time, as you are much more likely to find what you need quickly. Plus you don’t get poor search functionality on Fotolia. If you look for baby photos you can be sure you’ll get baby photos and not puppy photos. When you look for a photo and can’t get it fast enough you’ll be stressed. Fotolia will help eliminate this kind of stress so you can dedicate your strength to create just brilliant work!
- Many times I used free photo sites. I had to read about every photo I used! Sometimes I had to contact the photo’s owner and wait a long time for an answer. Some photos had no restrictions, some were for non-commercial use and some required the name of the photographer attached to the work I created. Fotolia has a clear licensing agreement – a standard royalty-free license for every photo you want. And more: what if you want to use a photo of a person? You must have a signed release and that’s guaranteed with a paid service. So, choose Fotolia, it's much easier this way.
- You can buy vector art on Fotolia. If you know about vectors you know that it takes some time to create a good one. Illustrated graphics can give a unique look and feel to a work but sometimes you don’t have the time to create one. Or maybe you aren’t too comfortable on how to use Illustrator or Corel or Freehand. Fotolia is here for you with a wide variety of vector art.
- Fotolia's site is so well organized and easy to use you’ll be amazed. Preview works fast has a good size so you can fully appreciate the art or photo you want and make a good choice.
- Forget the idea that Art is easy to create and a glamorous and fun activity. Artists do work very hard to obtain good results and should be paid for their effort. So when you choose Fotolia’s you’re helping photographers and illustrators to live a decent life. They deserve it, don’t they?!
- Many people don’t know enough about intellectual property rights. I had my vectors stolen a couple of times myself. They were available on the internet and people used it. I contacted the person and she thought it was ok to do that because they were available on the internet. But some other times people also grab images because they refuse to pay exaggerated prices for it. To fight illegal use of protected images can be done if they are offered at a good price. Fotolia offers you a good price. Thanks to a collaborative online model, Fotolia is able to offer individuals and professionals (advertising agencies, press, small business, graphic artists, designers) the greatest image collection in the world for as little as $0.75.
3. What can Fotolia do for you?
All images offered on Fotolia are royalty free, they can be used for all kinds of professional documents with no limit on time or copies: creation of advertising media, creation of professional documents, illustration of press articles, illustration of websites, blogs, newsletters, web banners, illustration multimedia documents, illustration / decorations on TV shows or movies and creation of derivative products (just for Extended license purchases.) Try Fotolia, explore it and learn all advantages first hand. For everything you want to know about Fotolia, please go to Fotolia's FAQ.
I am sure you would like to try FOTOLIA and there’s a chance you can. How? Entering A Portuguese Love giveaway sponsored by FOTOLIA, my favorite social marketplace for royalty free stock images. Follow these steps and you might!
1. The Coupon: win a FOTOLIA subscription for two weeks allowing you 3 downloads per day. Please read: you don’t have the right to resell the images in print on demand products as (posters, t-shirt, mugs, templates and so) but the images can be used in blog posts when are writing articles and need to color them up with images, or if you’re are creating marketing materials for your company like brochures or newsletters as long as you are not selling these. Read in detail here.
2. What you must do:
a. Like A Portuguese Love Facebook page here
b. or Subscribe to this blog via email (use Feedburner window on your right to enter your email address)
c. If you already Liked my Page or Subscribed to my blog you can Tweet this giveaway and you're in!
d. Leave a comment on this blog post indicating what you did + your email contact.
A random draw between those who entered will be made on 4th of July to determine the winner. The winner will be announced on this blog and A Portuguese Love Facebook Page.
To your attention, please!
New date for random draw! As I'll be away from tomorrow Saturday 3rd July till next Friday, the draw will take place next Sunday 10th. Thank you for your patience!
( New entries in this period will be accepted also.)
June 13, 2011
Get a Zazzle Gift for your father - Last chance! 50% off 2- day shipping offer
* Does not include: dark apparel, embroidered products, stamps, skateboards, photo sculptures, calendars, framed prints, premium ornaments, photo prints, binders, screen printing, shoes, iPad cases, or envelopes.
** To qualify for the 50% off 2-day shipping offer,
- one or more Zazzle products must be purchased with a net sale price equal or greater than $50.00.
- The coupon code SHIP4FATHERS must be entered during checkout.
- The 50% off shipping offer is for 2-day shipping to U.S. addresses only. Shipping charges will apply to oversized orders and orders being shipped on an expedited basis or shipped outside the U.S.
- Offer is valid through June 14, 2011 at 2:59PM PT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer.
- This promotional offer does not apply to screen printed apparel. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers.
- Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
June 11, 2011
What are your Zazzle store best sellers?
Today I sold more Birthday Party invitations for kids. These invitations are fully customizable so you can use it for any kind of party, not only Birthday Party. Invitations for boys and girls are my best sellers at Zazzle. What's yours?
June 10, 2011
Conte Connosco - Leia, e se gostar, vote e divulgue a história do ovo!
Sorry, folks. Today I am writting in Portuguese only. It's a contest and I am trying to get some votes for a story I wrote. I have a lot of Portuguese people following this blog too. So forgive me if I do not translate this post. If you can't read Portuguese you can't read the story and vote for me. Just wish me luck!
O Concurso “Conte Connosco ” começou a 9 de Maio de 2011 e vigorará até 31 de Julho de 2011 realizando-se três (3) sorteios mensais. Estou a participar na modalidade ESCRITA. Preciso do seu voto e do dos seus amigos!
Veja o Regulamento e prémios que pode ganhar apenas por votar:
http://www.conteconnosco.com/regulamento.php
Como faz para votar na minha participação Pode um ovo fora da validade devolver a paz a um homem perdido?
http://www.conteconnosco.com/trabalho-detalhe.php?id=592
A votação deverá ser realizada directamente no site do passatempo depois de se registar:
www.conteconnosco.com
Também pode votar através da página do Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SantanderTotta2011
Só se pode votar uma vez por dia!
Vão ser selecionados os 20 textos mais votados e para isso preciso, até 31 de Julho, de uma montanha de votos. Se gosta do meu texto, vote várias vezes e divulgue usando o Facebook e o seu blogue.
Obrigada!
June 9, 2011
Win a trip to Oporto with Sandeman(USA only)
Do you want to visit Oporto, my favorite Portuguese city? Then you may want to check this Sandman Mix it up! Contest on Facebook. Just read what you can win: 5 night accomodation at Oporto for two persons, transfers, breakfast and dinner, visit to the cellars and wine museum and a tour in the city! You must be from the United States and Columbia's District only. Wow, I wish I could enter this contest myself! What is that you must do? You must create a delicious cocktail recipe with Sandemans Founders Reserve. All entries must be received till June 15. You must be of age and eligible to travel to Portugal before December 31, 2011.
What are you waiting for? Six days left to enter!
Login to Facebook.
Read all the rules.
Have fun!
Login to Facebook.
Read all the rules.
Have fun!
Estoril Surf and Music Billabong Girls 2011
From 9 to12th June Portugal will be the center of the female surf world. The Estoril Surf and Music Billabong Girls is the 2nd out of 4 events in Europe with a 6 Star status. It will be the biggest celebration of female surfing in Europe. Prepare yourself and go to S. Pedro do Estoril, Cascais, where you can expect four days of festivities, with music, dancing and surfing!
Surfers arrived from Hawaii, Australia, South Africa, Reunion Island, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, New Zealand, USA, Japan, Britain, France, Spain and, of course, Portugal. They are eager to participate as there’s an important prize and points to be earned in the World Surf Championship ranking.
European Women's Surfing Trophy will attract a lot of participants also. This is a ‘Team-Competition’ with modified rules for non-professional surfers from all European countries.
Injoy Energie Dance at sunset sun by day 11 will be a grat moment for sure as hundreds of people are expected to be dancing on the beach. Fun starts today with a super Oppening party is to be held at the Casino Estoril, with the musical line-up to include great Portuguese bands, musicians and Dj's. For more information, go here.
June 8, 2011
Funny t-shirts for the summer
The cold not only makes me feel sick physically but saddens me also. Nothing like having the light and warmth of the sun for company. However, not being a novelty, this year there are added reasons to take precautions with sun exposure. The concentration of ozone in the stratosphere has reached the lowest ever and the countries of southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece) are likely to be more exposed to ultra-violet light.Summer is upon us. So I decided to search for some funny tee-shirts to wear on the beach or everywhere. These are some of my favorite Zazzle tee-shirts. Let's celebrate Summer!
S is for Sea Horse Cute Baby T-Shirt by daphne1024
Join one of the biggest clothing affiliate programs
S is for Sea Horse Cute Baby T-Shirt by daphne1024
Join one of the biggest clothing affiliate programs
June 7, 2011
Visit Portugal Tourism Film 2011
This film is a praise to the beauty of simplicity. The best time to visit Portugal is upon us. From May to October you can expect pleasant weather. Summer is hot and dry, especially in the inland areas (Trás-os-Montes in north-eastern Portugal and Alentejo). Temperatures are slightly lower near the coast because of the influence of the sea. Nice weather at the beginning of November is called "St. Martin’s Summer" as this saint’s day is on 11 November. Warmth welcome lasts all year!
June 3, 2011
Portuguese legislative election is next Sunday
Sunday Portugal will have a legislative election. José Sócrates the ex-Prime Minister was forced to resign after six years of mismanagement. President called for elections. For the last months people have been coping with unfair social measures and austerity budgets one after the other. We saw the biggest political demonstration of displease ever happening on the streets this year. A few are richer and powerful, a few are holding privileges, keeping the best jobs, pulling the strings. Middle class is ruined. The number of poor people is rising. All those who are responsible for this situation should be held accountable. And this includes the ex-Prime Minister. Can’t understand how he was re-elected for Secretary-General of his party, the PS, after resigning is job at Government. For me he’s discredited beyond recovery. Not all the situation we’re in is his responsibility. Europe construction as it was dreamed is trembling. The market shaped by capitalism is trembling and many say that a new economical era is already in the making. But he should have taken measures a long time ago. Portuguese economy is ruined, we lost social rights, justice isn’t working and corruption grew. Our health system that was better than USA’s has suffered cuts, unemployment is growing. People will have less money to spend. Portuguese are known to save the day in the last minute. It’s called “desenrascar”. This time I don’t think the new Government will do it whatever it might be. We’re in deep trouble. I can say that I am with serious difficulties myself. Each day I get fewer solicitations for graphic work. When I answer jobs ads I know that I’m competing against 500 people or more and I am not picky. I have superior education and several other skills because I like to learn so I never stopped improving my knowledge. I have also experience in several different professional areas. It’s not enough. I’m not getting younger. Employers prefer young people especially if they are fresh from university. Young people can do internships for practice. These are for free in the first three months. This is new regulation out this month. Before this measure companies could get free workers for 6 months or more. Companies can also hire these professional newcomers and getting financial help from the Government for a year. This facilitates untrained professionals to get experience. If they are lucky they stay in the company where they trained after that period. This is cool for young people. Not for me. There are no jobs for everyone.
So on Sunday I must fulfill my civic obligation and vote. What are the options? The PSD (Social Democrats) and PS(Socialist Party), CDS-PP(Christian Democrats – Conservatives). All these are centre-right, even PS these days. Then we have left parties – The Left Block and CDU, the Communist party, and some smaller parties with little expression like the ecologist party – The Green Party or PAN – a new party interested in animals and nature and sustainability.I really don’t believe my vote will make any difference. The country is in such a bad shape that it will need at least 10-20 years to recover. It has been 37 years since 1974 Carnation Revolution. Portuguese democracy is still young and has become more imperfect. And we are stupid because we should have demanded proper management from the Government a long time ago. Instead we let it roll. Portugal never rose to the change the country needed to face the demands of European Community in 1986. EU membership meant a lot of money poured but it was bad managed by Governments. Since that time we lost our industry. Portugal has plenty arable land and vast coast with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones. Orders were to stop the plough of the land and to destroy fishing boats. Now a huge effort is being imposed on the population and all those who had the power to do things right but messed up are out here enjoying the precious sun, accommodated in some luxurious hotel and playing golf. Life is not fair.
So on Sunday I must fulfill my civic obligation and vote. What are the options? The PSD (Social Democrats) and PS(Socialist Party), CDS-PP(Christian Democrats – Conservatives). All these are centre-right, even PS these days. Then we have left parties – The Left Block and CDU, the Communist party, and some smaller parties with little expression like the ecologist party – The Green Party or PAN – a new party interested in animals and nature and sustainability.I really don’t believe my vote will make any difference. The country is in such a bad shape that it will need at least 10-20 years to recover. It has been 37 years since 1974 Carnation Revolution. Portuguese democracy is still young and has become more imperfect. And we are stupid because we should have demanded proper management from the Government a long time ago. Instead we let it roll. Portugal never rose to the change the country needed to face the demands of European Community in 1986. EU membership meant a lot of money poured but it was bad managed by Governments. Since that time we lost our industry. Portugal has plenty arable land and vast coast with one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones. Orders were to stop the plough of the land and to destroy fishing boats. Now a huge effort is being imposed on the population and all those who had the power to do things right but messed up are out here enjoying the precious sun, accommodated in some luxurious hotel and playing golf. Life is not fair.
In less than 1 hour it will be Drawing Day!
Drawing Day 2010 is June 4, 2011. Drawing Day will be held on the first Saturday of June each year. Due to the various time zone differences across the world, many events start friday and are open all weekend.
To join in on this event is simple - as simple as picking up a pencil (or mouse) and drawing. However, the most important part is sharing your art with the world. You do not need to be at a physical event to participate. Draw wherever you like on paper, or on your computer. We just ask that you then scan or take your digital drawing and share it with the world.
Using one or all of these options:
- Upload digital or scaned images of your drawings to the Drawing Day website
- Upload to any of our participating online art communities
- Upload to our Facebook page (this is where all artists are encouraged to post drawings on Facebook)
- Draw online using our free online drawing tool to submit drawings
Whether you're a professional illustrator or you just enjoy the occasional scribble, you can give back to the illustration community by drawing on this day. By injecting more and more illustration and art into our community, we are not only showing our appreciation to our fellow artists, but we are spreading awareness of the joy of drawing. It is important that you contribute - Drawing Day will only be a success if we all participate and make some noise. So, please tell your friends and spread the word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Webring