Ramblings of an Old Man: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Parnamirm

Our home away from home

Our house is located in the Barrio de Jardim Planalto on the eastern side of Parnamirim about 12 kilometers (7 miles) from Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. We are in a more or less middle class neighborhood.

A intercity bus stop is about fifty yards from the house, we have a convenience store on the other side of the block, and a bakery with daily baked bread is six blocks away, not to mention a building supply store adjoining our lot. The store is facing the principal thoroughfare in Jardim Planalto.

Included below are some general statistics about Parnamirm

Our House in Parnamirm
Information about Parnamirm, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Founded

December 17, 1958

Area Total

120,202 km²

Latitude e Longitude:

-5.915833°, -35.262778°

Distance from Natal- 12 km²

Altitude:

53 m

Área Total

120,0 km²

Annual Average Temperature 70 F

Population:

202,413 - (IBGE 2010)

Urban Population: 100%

Male Population: 48%

Female Population: 52%

Demographic Density:

1686,7 hab/km²

Life Expectancy:: 68,27

School Attendance 85,13%

Literacy Rate of Adults: 85,90%

Gross Internal Product:

R$ 914,803 thousand

(USD 568,201 thousand)

Per Capita Income:

R$ 5,607.00 Fonte: IBGE/2005

(USD 3,482.61)

Colado de <http://www.parnamirim.rn.gov.br/estatisticasemapas>

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Invictus

This is a poem by William Ernest Henley that I had to learn in my high school English class. The last two lines had a profound influence on my thinking and how I have viewed my life since then.

Invictus

OUT of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years