Labrego.com

I won’t really discuss why the 1990 Portuguese Ortographic Accord is high treason against Portugal, nor why I’m completely against it.

I will NEVER write according to the new ortography, and I won’t support financially (meaning, buy) any publication that adheres to the new standard.

I am a software developer by trade. I study and learn languages as part of my professional activity. I also have to adapt to changes on existing languages. Such is trivial. Writing a software application is not.

Writing in Portuguese is not particularly hard, even though I see atrocities committed against my mother language on a daily basis. Adapting to the new ortography is not something I refuse to do because it is hard, nor because I don’t understand the changes, nor because I’m comfortable and don’t wish to change.

Embracing the accord is something I refuse to do because it is WRONG. It is disgusting, and cowardly, and cheap.

I haven’t written much in quite some time. This is because most of my ramblings take the form of tweets now.
Should you wish to follow me, I’m @askien.
Beware: I’m strongly opinionated, and exercise a lot less self-censorship on Twitter than in here. Prepare to be offended.

Frequently, people ask me for an iOS programming book recommendation. Up until now, I’d recommend Big Nerd Ranch’s book, or one of the Pragmatic Studio’s books, but I wasn’t really happy with any of those.

Programming iOS 4: Fundamentals of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch Development has just become my favorite iOS programming book, and it gets bonus points for covering Xcode 4. I’ll be using that as the basis for future iOS programming courses that I teach.

I must admit I’m not familiar with any of of Matt Neuburg‘s previous books, as they cover Applescript and REALBasic, but he definitely got this one right.

I messed up on renewing the domain and Labrego went offline for a couple of days. I apologize.

I love Bibi Sucos. Last time I went there, I tried cupuaçu juice. It sort of tastes like melon.
Yesterday (Saturday) I went to Camboinhas beach. It’s a beautiful beach and, unlike Itacoatiara, you can actually swim there without risking your life, but the water is a bit turbid.

Later on, at night, I went to Candongueiro with Vitor and David. It was fun.

I missed a bit of the game because having gone out the night before to Barra, I was still not fully operational. It was the Portuguese anthem that woke me up from one of the many TVs around my apartment that were on maximum sound volume.
The actual game was mediocre, but I’m glad we tied. Could have been worse. I’d rather face Spain anyways, not because it’s easier, but because it’s a nice derby.
Anyways, for Jean’s birthday we went to Taj Lounge and it was a blast. Fun fun fun. Having been here for a full month, I still can’t get used to the ridiculous number of insanely beautiful women around here.

Yesterday I hiked up the Costão with Vitor and Elvis. These people are insane and I’m so glad I’m still alive. Beautiful view up there of Itacoatiara, though.

Vodka Jabuticaba.
Catuperoni Pizza = Pepperoni Pizza with Catupiry.
Song on non-stop repeat: Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind featuring the lovely Alicia Keys.

Went for a run on the S. Francisco beach calçadão. Vitor and his friend ran 12K. I think I did about 3-4K before walking the rest of the way. Maybe I could be in better shape.

Flamengo vs Fluminense is the big Rio derby. I didn’t make it to the Maracanã, and couldn’t even watch the game on TV. Flamengo lost 2-1. It was Flamengo’s goalie that scored the goal on a free kick.

It’s set. Now I’m a Flamengo fan. It’s my Brazilian team. Historically, Portuguese people root for Vasco, but meh. FLAMENGÃO!!!!!!