Friday, 19 December 2008

Brain teaser 18 (solution)

Suppose the distance is 60 km.
Then it would take him 2 hours to get to work and 3 hours to come back.
Since the total journey is 120 km and the total time is 5 hours, the average speed is 120 km divide by 5 hours, that is, 24 km/h!
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Brain teaser 17 (solution)

As it was stated in the first line:
1 = 5 implies 5 = 1!
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Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Brain teaser 18

A man drives to work at 30 km/h and drives back home at 20 km/h (the way back is exactly the same).
What's the average speed for the two-way journey?
(This question was asked during an interview for an MBA summer associate position at Goldman Sachs)
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Saturday, 8 November 2008

The Last Shadow Puppets - "Standing next to me" (lyrics)

What a sound! One of the best songs I have heard for the last years...
Listen to it and tell me what you think...
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=_8YRx47oylM

Lyrics
.
You want to have her
Two years have gone now
But I can't relate
To the never ending
Games that you play
As desire passes through
And you're open
To the truth
I hope you understand
And your love
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
.
The one you fell for
But it's seemed you deny
And you laugh
At yourself
Again and again
But as you drink
To the thoughts
She'll remember you
Maybe tomorrow
.
And your love
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
And your love
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
.
You want to have her
Two years have gone now
But I can't relate
To the never ending
Games that you play
As desire passes through
Then you're open
To the truth
I hope you understand
.
And your love
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
Is standing next to me
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Illusions 19

Do the straight horizontal gray lines look curvy?
Hold up a piece of paper to prove that they are straight and parallel to each other!
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Friday, 7 November 2008

Massive Attack - "Unfinished Sympathy" (lyrics)


From UK circa 1991:
Lyrics
.
I know that I've been mad in love before
And how it could be with you
Really hurt me baby, really hurt me baby
How can you have a day without a night
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more
.
The curiousness of your potential kiss
Has got my mind and body aching
Really hurt me baby, really hurt me baby
How can you have a day without a night
You're the book that I have opened
And now I've got to know much more
.
Like a soul without a mind
In a body without a heart
I'm missing every part (x5)
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Brain teaser 17

This is pure logic. Take a look at the sequence:
1 = 5
2 = 25
3 = 325
4 = 4325
5 = ?
Find out what's missing...
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Yo La Tengo - "Our way to fall" (lyrics)


Is there anybody who recalls this American rock band from the eighties/nineties?
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=S3TOPNXVXD4

Lyrics
.
I remember a summer's day
I remember walking up to you
I remember my face turned red
And I remember staring at my feet
I remember before we met
I remember sitting next to you
And I remember pretending I wasn't looking
.
So we'll try and try
Even if it lasts an hour
With all our might
We'll try and make it ours
Cause we're on our way
We're on our way to fall in love
.
I remember your old guitar
I remember I Can't Explain
I remember the way it looked around your neck
And I remember the day it broke
I remember the song you sang
I remember the way you looked tonight
And I remember the way it made me feel
.
So we try and try
Even if it lasts an hour
With all our might
We'll try and make it ours
Because we're on our way
We're on our way to fall in love
.
You'll try and try even if it lasts an hour
With all our might try and make it ours
Cause we're on our way to fall in love.
Yeah we're on our way to fall in love.
We're on our way to fall in love.
We're on our way to fall in love.
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Brain teaser 16 (solution)

It will take 3 days too!
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Thursday, 30 October 2008

Réussite! Immigration Québec

Finally I got the CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) and consequently I have the right to apply for a visa to immigrate to Québec!
It was not easy to be accepted due to my age (and the interviewer mentioned it) but other assets were taken into account...
I feel happy but at the same time there's a feeling of sadness as I think about leaving my job, my friends, my family, ... It's not gonna happen now though...
Read the full interview right below (in Portuguese):
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Cheguei às 8h35min no prédio, fiz o cadastro na recepção e foi-me dito que minha entrada no escritório ainda não estava autorizada.
Fui dar umas voltas pelas redondezas, tomei um suco de laranja e retornei por volta das 9h00min; ainda assim a recepcionista disse que ela não havia recebido autorização para me deixar subir. Aguardei mais 5min e logo minha entrada foi autorizada.
O escritório fica no 15º. andar, parecia uma eternidade chegar lá. Fui recebido com “Bon jour” pela recepcionista e logo em seguida “Asseyez-vous s’il vous plaît”. Quando me dirigi ao hall de espera, já avistei de longe uma sala aberta onde se encontrava meu entrevistador, lendo alguns documentos. Devia ser o tal do africano que alguns entrevistados mencionaram... [Na verdade, parece-me que ele é haitiano.]
Aguardei uns 15min, assistindo a um vídeo chamado “Infiniment Québec” e em seguida o entrevistador me chamou. Vestia um paletó xadrez meio alaranjado, uma gravata amarela e uma calça social cuja cor me parecia salmão... Logo de cara ele começou a falar em francês e me perguntou quais línguas eu falava e eu disse que, além do português, falava inglês e um pouco de francês, no que ele começou a deslanchar, pra minha surpresa, perguntas em inglês! Perguntou coisas sobre meu trabalho atual, minha profissão etc.
Voltou para o francês e, no decorrer de minhas respostas às suas perguntas, disse que meu francês não era tão avançado, conforme eu havia mencionado no dossiê. Na mesma hora, saquei da minha mochila o resultado do TFI (Test de français international), que apontava minha nota total de 830 sobre 990 possíveis, o que me colocava, sim, num nível avançado, segundo avaliação da UP Language, aplicadora do teste, e da própria ETS. Ele pegou esse resultado e foi para o computador. [Obs. Decidi pelo TFI por ser bem mais barato que o TCF e o TEF; custou-me R$ 180,00 comparado a mais de R$350,00 dos outros dois. O TFI compreende 90 testes de compreensão oral (listening), em 48 min, e 90 testes de compreensão escrita, em 62 min. Não tem avaliação verbal.]
Aliás, devo dizer que nesse momento a impressão que me dava é que, de fato, segundo alguns relatos que li no Orkut, esse entrevistador estava interessado somente na pontuação. Não demonstrou nenhum ar de simpatia, de informalidade, nada do que eu ouvi falar sobre os antigos entrevistadores. Não houve nenhum interesse da parte dele em saber acerca de meus conhecimentos sobre o Québec, aspectos culturais, políticos, climáticos, quais os motivos para eu querer ir pra lá, não perguntou quase nada de minha vida pessoal, ...
Devo dizer que particularmente eu prefiro um tratamento como o dele, o que demonstra imparcialidade, e também não deve ser nada diferente do que devemos esperar dos quebequenses que trabalham em serviços públicos.
Durante nosso encontro, ele me pediu diplomas, comprovantes de trabalho, viu meu demonstrativo de pagamento de salário, certidão de nascimento, perguntou se tinha filhos (não tenho), se era casado (não sou casado), se eu tinha feito pesquisa sobre minha área de trabalho no Québec (eu mostrei algumas ofertas de trabalho na minha área em Montreal, aliás, minha área é Finanças).
No final, ele imprimiu uma folha com o resultado e disse que minha pontuação era insuficiente para a aprovação, basicamente por causa de minha idade (38 anos). Na verdade, eu já sabia que minha idade seria o maior empecilho para a aprovação, motivo pelo qual eu investi tempo e dinheiro para colocar meu francês num nível avançado, que era pra compensar esse problema. Ele disse que se eu tivesse um mestrado ou doutorado, isso poderia até ajudar, mas o grande obstáculo era a idade.
Foi aí que ele começou a amolecer: demonstrou uma certa indignação com o resultado, querendo dizer que ele havia tentado me ajudar no que pôde, me mostrou que eu havia feito uma ótima pontuação nos outros quesitos, etc. Naquele momento, eu simplesmente joguei a toalha e vi que todo meu esforço no aperfeiçoamento do francês não tinha sido suficiente. Ou seja, o resultado estava fora do meu alcance, o fator idade pesava muito. Eu nem tive forças pra argumentar que eu havia feito a simulação no computador e tinha sido aprovado somente quando eu colocava nível de francês avançado. Eu nem acho que se meu nível tivesse dado fluente as coisas iriam mudar muito.
Foi então que eu me levantei, muito chateado, sem dizer absolutamente nada, apenas ouvindo ele dizer que meu perfil era muito bom, que eu tinha ótimos níveis de francês e inglês, que eu tinha ótima experiência de trabalho, etc. E que ele iria fazer um pedido para que eu fosse aprovado, que dificilmente seria negado e que era pra eu aguardar uma carta na semana seguinte. Segundo ele, era quase certo que eu seria aprovado. O entrevistador mostrou um lado bem mais sensível do que eu poderia imaginar, ele estava triste pois parecia que estava torcendo pra eu ser aprovado pelo sistema. Não parava de falar, parecia que queria até me consolar... Voltei pra casa completamente desolado, mas pouco a pouco me dei conta que havia feito meu melhor e que, se não tinha sido daquela vez, haveria outras.
Eram 15h30min da tarde do mesmo dia quando o telefone tocou. Era do escritório do Québec pedindo pra que eu comparecesse lá até o dia seguinte. Não esperei nem mais um segundo, peguei meu carro e me dirigi ao escritório imediatamente. Chegando lá, a recepcionista me pediu pra preencher uma folha com meu nome, profissão, data, local e assinatura. Fui encaminhado à sala do entrevistador que me disse que eu havia sido aprovado!!! Nesse momento ele foi bem profissional, não demonstrando sentimento algum, simplesmente me entregou o CSQ e mais duas folhas referentes à entrada de visto de residente permanente junto à embaixada canadense. Por último disse: “Bonne chance!” Ao que fui embora feliz...
Ao final de tudo fica uma lição: a pontuação é fundamental, mas a palavra final é dele, ou seja, se alguém tiver pontuação suficiente, a aprovação é automática, mas se a pessoa não tiver a pontuação mínima exigida, ainda assim haverá uma chance dependendo da avaliação subjetiva do entrevistador, cujos critérios variam caso a caso.
Desejo sucesso a todos!
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Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Brain teaser 15 (solution)

Since the relative speed of the trains to each other is 50 + 70 = 120mph, i.e. 2 miles per minute, it follows that 15 minutes before crossing they will be 30 miles apart.
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Saturday, 25 October 2008

TFI - Test de français international

After taking the TFI exam this month, there it goes the result:
.
Compréhension orale - 400 (out of 495)
Compréhension écrite - 430 (out of 495)
Score Total - 830 (out of 990)
.
Pas mal!
.
http://www.etscanada.ca/tfi/index.php
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Galaxie 500 - "Blue Thunder" (lyrics)

Can you remember this lovely American alternative rock band?
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=2UeTsyVPIfQ
.
Lyrics
.
Thinkin' of blue thunder
Singin' to myself
Thinkin' how fast it moves
Feelin how it turns
I was singin' somethin
Out on Route 128
Thinkin how blue it looks
Singin out aloud
My my blue thunder
My my blue thunder
My my blue thunder
Singin' out aloud
My my blue thunder
My my blue thunder
My my blue thunder
Singin' out aloud
I'll drive so far away
I'll drive so far away
I'll drive so far away
I'll drive so far away
Blue thunder
Blue thunder
Blue thunder
Blue thunder
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Sunday, 19 October 2008

Brain teaser 16

If 3 cats eat 3 rats in 3 days, how long will it take 60 cats to eat 60 rats?
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Saturday, 18 October 2008

Grandaddy - "Crystal Lake" (lyrics)

I love this band from California, U.S. Unfortunately they split up!
Lyrics
.
Should never have left the crystal lake
For parties full of folks who flake
Italian leather winter games
Retired by the duraflames
.
The crystal lake it only laughs
It knows you're just a modern man
It's shining like the chandelier
Shining somewhere far away from here
.
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here...
.
And find my way again
I've lost my way again
.
Should never have left the crystal lake
.
Should never have left the crystal lake
For areas where trees are fake
And dogs are dead with broken hearts
Collapsing by the coffee carts
.
The crystal lake it only laughs
It knows you're just a modern man
It's shining like the chandelier
Shining somewhere far away from here
.
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here
I've gotta get outta here...
.
And find my way again
I've lost my way again
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Sigur Rós - "Hoppípolla" (lyrics)

Besides Sugarcubes, Björk and a recent financial crisis, Iceland can offer other interesting things such as Sigur Rós, a post-rock band whose songs are melodic, classical, minimalist and charmantes:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=WkP_NaMsrMM

Lyrics
.
Brosandi
Hendumst í hringi
Höldumst í hendur
Allur heimurinn óskýr
Nema þú stendur
.
Rennblautur
Allur rennvotur
Engin gúmmístígvél
Hlaupandi inn í okkur
Vill springa út úr skel
.
Vindurinn
Og útilykt af hárinu þínu
Eg lamdi eins fast og ég get
Með nefinu mínu
.
Hoppípolla
I engum stígvélum
Allur rennvotur (rennblautur)
I engum stígvélum
.
Og ég fæ blóðnasir
En ég stend alltaf upp
(Hopelandic)
.
Og ég fæ blóðnasir
Og ég stend alltaf upp
(Hopelandic)
Jumpin' puddles
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Brain teaser 14 (solution)

There's no missing $1. The dilemma is merely in the way in which the problem is posed. Each man paid $9, making $27 - of this, the waiter got $2 and the manager $25!
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Sonic Youth - "Teenage Riot" (lyrics)

One of my favourites ever:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=6rgBPMMJtIg

Lyrics:
.
Everybody's talking 'bout the stormy weather
And what's a man do to but work out whether it's true?
Looking for a man with a focus and a temper
Who can open up a map and see between one and two
.
Time to get it
Before you let it
Get to you
.
Here he comes now
Stick to your guns
And let him through
.
Everybody's coming from the winter vacation
Taking in the sun in a exaltation to you
You come running in on platform shoes
With Marshall stacks
To at least just give us a clue
Ah, here it comes
I know it's someone I knew
.
Teenage riot in a public station
Gonna fight and tear it up in a hypernation for you
.
You better look it
We're gonna shake it
Up to him
.
He acts the hero
We paint a zero
On his hand
.
We know it's down
We know it's bound too loose
Everybody's sound is round it
Everybody wants to be proud to choose
So who's to take the blame for the stormy weather
You're never gonna stop all the teenage leather and booze
.
It's time to go round
A one man showdown
Teach us how to fail
.
We're off the streets now
And back on the road
On the riot trail
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Friday, 10 October 2008

Virtual Barbershop

Binaural recording is a method of recording audio which uses a special microphone arrangement intended for replay using headphones.

Get to know this technique and enjoy!!! It's really amazing!
Just click here:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA
and PLAY...
It will take only 5 minutes.
You'll need headphones!
If you close your eyes you'll feel as if you were there...
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Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Illusions 18

Are you a good observer?
If so, try to find a face among the beans!!!
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(Source: Worth1000.com, Furitsu)
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Super Furry Animals - "Juxtaposed" (lyrics)

A nice Welsh rock band:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=3jw7u4f-Ujg
.
Lyrics:
.
It's easy when you know how
To get along without Biff! Bang! Pow!
And if I see that you're fed up,
I'll stop and give you a leg up.
Over priced unreal estate,
Surreal estate,
The highest price they've hit to date,
Creating new divides and tension.
.
You've got to tolerate,
All those people that you hate,
I'm not in love with you,
But I won't hold that against you,
You've got to tolerate,
Some of those people that you hate,
I'm not in love with you,
But I won't hold that against you.
.
This is a tale of 2 city/situations,
Mutual appreciation,
Away from narrow pre-conception,
Avoiding conflict hyper-tension,
Non-phobic word aerobic.
This was my domain,
Till someone stole my name.
.
You've got to tolerate ...etc.
.
Let's get juxtaposed, juxtaposed,
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Brain teaser 15

Think quickly and try to solve by head:
Two trains approach each other from opposite directions. One is travelling at 50 mph, the other at 70 mph. How far apart are they fifteen minutes before they meet?
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Sunday, 5 October 2008

Peter Bjorn and John - "Up Against the Wall" (lyrics)

What a nice and creative band from Sweden!
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=sbWemy7dwUE

Lyrics:
.
Guess I should have caught your call

But I just had to waste

The phone forget it all

Bones are trembling, hands are cold

You don't know how it feels

You've got me up against the wall

.

Maybe we could make this work

But now you start to leave

Before it's getting worse

I don't know what you came here for

It's almost that I wish

We hadn't met at all

.

You slap just like a wake-up call

The bruises on the face

Don't bother me at all

Bones are trembling, hands are cold

It's almost that I wish

You had me up against the wall

.

Brain teaser 14

Three men are in a restaurant. The bill comes to $30, so each man gives a $10 note to the waiter.
The waiter takes the bill and delivers the payment to the manager - who decides that he's overcharged, so he gives the waiter $5 to take back to the men.
On the way back to the table, the waiter dishonestly pockets $2 of the $5 for himself, and give each man $1 back only.
That means that each man has paid $9 - making a total of $27. The waiter has $2, the men have paid $27... that comes to $29!
What has happened to the missing $1?!
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Saturday, 4 October 2008

AIR - "Ce matin-là" (instrumental)

Belle chanson de ce groupe français fantastique:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=Do5wvBcEHlQ (This video was shot in Stockholm, Sweden)
(A canção e o clip são a minha cara!)
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