A collection of fine soaps produced in Porto, Portugal, since 1887.
http://www.clausporto.com/catalogo/
I just love the designs; they are gorgeous.
The best soaps ever! They are as big as my hands (not really) 6 ½” X 4” and they last … let’s say I started using one on January 16 and it is still going. They are luscious and very silky. They have also been feature on O Magazine as one of Oprah’s favorite things.
I have been to Kennedy Center multiple times, in my previous life, for performances but never been to Adrienne Arsht Center for the performing Arts in Miami since it opened its door’s in 2006.
I got my first taste last Saturday and can attest that it is one magnificent gorgeous piece of structural design. With its symmetry simplicity, its ambiance makes your jaw drop and drool of wow. The sound is behind spectacular; the acoustics, it never leaves you as you embrace it from every corner. The lighting is alluring, just perfect. The seats are elegant, exquisite and comfortable. And the ushers were enormously courtagious and super professional; every one of them smiled and were behind gracious; token of anyone’s appreciation.
I enjoyed the concert. There was no intermission and the standard occasional change of attire was replaced by one black au couture outfit, replenished by an all 3-piece black sophisticated necklace (long enough it toppled her slender physic) that went around her neck ten times. But, somehow the singer was able to hold the court the whole hour and half.
But the bizarre, a story I want to share, happened at the end of the concert, while exiting the premises.
I went to the show with a friend. We had good seats. We were this close to the performer. Row E, go figure; when was the last time that happened to me? It was my other friend’s doing; he has connections. I am beginning to think that I am suddenly an important person.
We were going up the few flight of steps when I heard this voice behind us. It was this very slander lady – typical theater going person, simply but very well dress, walking beyond us. She unexpectedly asked me a question.
The Lady: “Who are you wearing?”
(Surprised, I turned.)
“Excuse me?”, I asked.
The Lady: “Who are you wearing?” with insistence and interest.
(Astonished and perplexed, I turned to my friend.)
My friend: “She wants to know who you are wearing.”
“Who me? Who am I wearing?”, I asked.
(Still surprised, I asked her to please validate)
My friend: “Yes”
“Oh, Zara but I bought it in Europe”, I stated.
My friend: “Oh, Zara? There is one in Aventura.”
Some guy, the two appeared to be acquaintances, attempted to participate on the exchange but broke away in a hurry. I guess he had somewhere to go.
“Oh,Yeah, there is one in Aventura? I know the one in Dadeland Mall.”, I replied.
The Lady: “Oh yeah; there is also another one in Ball Harbour.”
The Lady (looking down): “And your shoes by who?”
(Now she wants to know about my shoes!)
“My shoes?”
(Has she had me confused with someone else?)
Still startled I answered, “Carlos Santana”.
Done, I set aside her “imposter” cross-examination (what else to ask?), and I continued chatting with my friend. I was done being gracious. Furthermore, we were close to the door and I needed to go to the loo.
The joke now is “Who are you wearing?”
I still don’t understand why I was quizzed, why the questions and will never know. Perhaps, it was seat E or I looked too cute or carried on a certain aura(ding dong). Next, she would be asking me about the color of my underwear?!
The weight is over. The mood is festive, it feels like Christmas. The lines are long still here in Miami but the weather is kind of funky – not hot thank God but very cloudy; fitting for those standing in line.
The pools have been opened for two weeks and the lines were always a mile long or more, and curvy. On Sunday, the last day of early voting, it opened at 1:00PM but people were already in line – at 7:00AM. There were lawn chairs, books, snacks…. It poured but there were umbrellas everywhere and it did not deter people from doing their job. I went by there at 6:00PM, the voting location is only 5 minutes from my home, it was supposed to close at 4 but people were still at it. It must have closed late. Some people were back in line at 3:00AM this morning in some places.
I have gone through seven presidential elections in this country, this is my eighth and I must confess I have never seen it like this. There is a sense of “defiance”. The turn out is huge as thousands are expressing themselves. People are enthusiastic and energized in both sides. It is impressive and amazing.
Most of the syndicated morning talk radio shows are broadcasting all day and so are TV stations as expected, broadcasting live all night long, and they will be at it today. Passion is at all time high.
People in this country have been accused of complacency and apathy but it seems it will dissipate this time around. Lessons learned. If you want to have your voice heard…. The 2000 election was decided by 500 plus votes.
And then you have this little town of 115 residents, Dixville Notch in New Hampshire that has tradition of casting the first Election Day ballots. It has not voted Democrat since 1960’s but it went for Obama 15 to 6. The elections were tallied live. It was interesting to see the 21 persons depositing their paper ballots in a box and then waiting for them to be counted. The results were announced soon after and it was interesting to see, very moving, this little town, all white mind you, voting for a black man.
Let’s not count our cigars yet but the fact this is happening, it speaks volume even if you agree or not with the candidate. Regardless, this country has something to be proud of whether a black man becomes President or a woman Vice-President. History in the making indeed. C’mon Floridians let’s not screw up this one.
ludlum drive 
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