I. 355 posts = 365 days!

Não me parece ter sido grande a deriva em relação às intenções iniciais. Um balanço mais detalhado ficará, porém, para um momento (próximo, prometo) menos agitado, menos dominado pela emoção.
Aqui começa um festejo que pretendo possa de algum modo ser representativo do que neste espaço foi acontecendo e aparecendo ao longo deste ano. Como não disponho de estatísticas (e mesmo que dispusesse…), a representatividade é avaliada a «olhómetro». Ah pois! Que festas não se fazem em função de percentagens! Desejo tão-só que pela diversidade possa agradar a muitos. Já me darei por satisfeito.
A todos os meus amigos bloguistas lusófonos, os meus sinceros agradecimentos pela preciosa ajuda que a vossa presença e intervenção tem sido para mim – um expresso de luxo que me tem trazido através de paisagens de outro modo inacessíveis e que me permitiu atravessar um deserto que, sem o vosso apoio insistente, teria sido um suplício.
Pelo bem que me têm feito, bem hajam!

Segue a versão inglesa do original português publicado há exactamente um ano, que encontrarão aqui.


«The road that brought me here was a long one, but the journey was worth all the troubles I've encountered.
By a coincidence that I wish to be a good omen, it's in the middle of the seventh month of the fifth/sixth year (you'll choose the hypothesis that your knowledge of History will tell you to) of the third millennium that I start this activity.
I'm expectant about myself because of the goals I intend to reach. I know it won't always be easy, but – I'm sure of it – it will be quite stimulating and amusing. I will do my best. I will count on your best as well.
As to the heading of this space, well… Firstly Latin, a so-called dead language, right?
But all over Europe the number of those who enrol in this subject, learn it, and come to master it has been growing each school year. Maybe Portugal won't miss this train. Even if it gets in the last wagon, it won't matter in this case. But fear nothing: there will be no posts in Latin, I guarantee you. Yet, as to other languages, I intend to post in English, French, and German with some frequency. I wouldn't like to exclude Spanish, Italian and Dutch, languages that I dearly treasure in my heart. But I cannot predict what is for the future to determine. My will is strong. So may some ingenuity help it and make it company.
Then, what the heading means… On (the) handsome men and others (subjects). I'll have many chances of uttering myself, exemplifying, and exchanging opinions on what this means. Right now – and to hinder an exclusively gay, reductive reading of it – I'll say not only that but also that: both exterior and interior (little valued) masculine beauty, ways trod by the new man in search of everything that converges with a value that is absolute to me – respect. Respect for oneself, for others, for the space he inhabits, for future generations, for the past. For differences and diversities. For the immense richness that we all can be on this planet. If this will happen to be the way to cover, I have no doubt in my mind that men will be really handsome. One has not to fear words. I don't.
I know, it's the plain truth, women are more beautiful. They've always been and will always be. A disadvantage for Y chromosome, well known, that provokes asymmetries prevented by the X one. What to do? Well, while the "strong" sex (oh, what a pain!…) doesn't die out, may it have enough discernment to please – a lot – to all around it, always in accordance with the respectful and respectable inclinations of each and every one. The world will certainly be much better a place, much more beautiful.
The good omen referred to above relates to July 14.th – France National Day.
May the cybernautical ether promote and materialize the taking of many more Bastilles, so that "The Foam of the Days" may be light, white, and luminous.
So, dear blogger friends, this is the moment for you to start leaving your comments. May suggestions, advices, and critiques, whatever will come, be a guide to me.»

This is the English translation of my very first post ever. One year ago!
Thanks a lot to all my blogger friends who came to mean so much to me!
I hereby declare the weekend party open!
Enjoy!

RIC