quarta-feira, 28 de janeiro de 2009

Jacket Copy – What are the 100 most beautiful words in the English language?



Photo: Lonely Angel CP via Flickr

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Jacket Copy – What are the 100 most beautiful words in the English language?
Published on L.A.Times – January 28h, 2009 by Carolyn Kellogg

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When thinking of good words, apparently, it's hard to separate them from their meanings. The site alphaDictionary has compiled its selection of the 100 most beautiful words in English (via Nigel Beale) -- in its entirety here or after the jump, with definitions. The list, when recited, is quite beautiful, and the words, for the most part, are familiar rather than obscure: adroit, champagne, dulcet, ebullient, efflorescence, paean, rhapsody.

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There is a plethora (on the list) of words whose meanings are halcyon (on the list), even effervescent (on the list). If you try, you can find the negative -- surreptitious and beleaguer are both on the list -- but the victory would be Pyrrhic (on the list); anyone who can't enjoy the serendipity (on the list) of discovering diaphanous and ingenue together (both on the list) risks being called jejune (on the list).

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You might have noticed a preponderance (not on the list) of words that don't sound particularly English. There does seem to be a definite Francophile (not on the list) bent to the words that made the grade. Is it the pretty, soft sounds? The unusual vowel pairings? The (not on the list) je ne sais quoi?

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I'd suggest two more words for the list: copasetic (all good) and callipygean (I'll let you look it up). What words would you add?

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1 adroit Dexterous, agile.
2 adumbrate To very gently suggest.
3 aestivate To summer, to spend the summer.
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ailurophile A cat-lover.
5 beatific Befitting an angel or saint.
6 beleaguer To exhaust with attacks.
7 blandiloquent Beautiful and flattering.
8 caliginous Dark and misty.
9 champagne An effervescent wine.
10 chatoyant Like a cat’s eye.
11 chiaroscuro The arrangement of dark and light elements in a picture.
12 cockle A heart-shaped bivalve or a garden flower.
13 colporteur A book peddler.
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conflate To blend together, to combine different things.
15 cynosure A focal point of admiration.
16 desuetude Disuse.
17 diaphanous Filmy.
18 diffuse Spread out, not focused or concentrated.
19 dulcet Sweet, sugary.
20 ebullient Bubbling with enthusiasm.
21 effervescent Bubbly.
22 efflorescence Flowering, the opening of buds or a bloom.
23 elixir A good potion.
24 emollient A softener.
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encomium A spoken or written work in praise of someone.
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ephemeral Short-lived.
27 epicure A person who enjoys fine living, especially food and drink.
28 epiphany A sudden revelation.
29 erstwhile At one time, for a time.
30 eschew To reject or avoid.
31 esculent Edible.
32 esoteric Understood only by a small group of specialists.
33 ethereal Gaseous, invisible but detectable.
34 etiolate White from no contact with light.
35 evanescent Vanishing quickly, lasting a very short time.
36 exuberant Enthusiastic, excited.
37 felicitous Pleasing.
38 fescue A variety of grass favored for pastures.
39 foudroyant Dazzling.
40 fragile Very, very delicate.
41 fugacioius Running, escaping.
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gambol To skip or leap about joyfully.
43 glamour Beauty.
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gossamer The finest piece of thread, a spider’s silk.
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halcyon Happy, sunny, care-free.
46 hymeneal Having to do with a wedding.
47 imbricate To overlap to form a regular pattern.
48
imbroglio An altercation or complicated situation.
49 imbue To infuse, instill.
50 incipient Beginning, in an early stage.
51 ingenue A naive young woman.
52 inglenook The place beside the fireplace.
53 inspissate To thicken.
54 inure To jade.
55 jejune Dull; childish.
56 lagniappe A gift given to a customer for their patronage.
57 lagoon A small gulf or inlet in the sea.
58 languor Listlessness, inactivity.
59 lassitude Weariness, listlessness.
60 laughter The response to something funny.
61 lilt To move musically or lively, to have a lively sound.
62 lithe Slender and flexible.
63 loquacious Talkative.
64 luxuriant Thick, lavish.
65 mellifluous Sweet-sounding.
66 missive A message or letter.
67 moiety One of two equal parts, a half.
68 mondegreen A misanalyzed phrase.
69 nebulous Foggy.
70 niveous Snowy, snow-like.
71 obsequious Fawning, subservience.
72 odalisque A concubine in a harem.
73 oeuvre A work.
74 offing That part of the sea between the horizon and the offshore.
75 onomatopoeia The creation of words by imitating sound.
76 paean A formal expression of praise.
77 palimpsest A manuscript written over one or more earlier ones.
78 panacea A complete solution for all problems.
79 panoply A complete set.
80 pastiche A mixture of art work (art or music) from various sources.
81 peccadillo A peculiarity.
82 pelagic Related to the sea or ocean.
83 penumbra A half-shadow, the edge of a shadow.
84 peregrination Wandering, travels.
85 petrichor The smell of earth after a rain.
86 plethora A great excess, overabundance.
87 porcelain A fine white clay pottery.
88 potamophilous Loving rivers.
89 propinquity An inclination or preference.
90 Pyrrhic Victorious despite heavy losses.
91 quintessential The ultimate, the essence of the essence.
92 redolent Sweet-smelling.
93 rhapsody A beautiful musical piece.
94 riparian Having to do with the bank of a river or other body of water.
95 ripple A small, circular wave emanating from a central point.
96 scintillate To sparkle with brilliant light.
97 sempiternal Forever and ever.
98 seraglio Housing for a harem.
99 serendipity Finding something while looking for something else.
100 surreptitious Sneaky.

domingo, 25 de janeiro de 2009

Convention Cheklist

Convention Checklist
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This handy Checklist includes important information and details that can “make or break” a successful meeting. Early planning is the first step to success ... this checklist can lead the way!
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Tips include:
• Planning meeting objectives, schedule of activities and budget.
• Designing announcements, publicity and mailings for delegates. Setting deadlines.
• Developing an information sheet for each function: meals, tours, spouse programs,
hospitality rooms, etc.
• Planning registration procedures and materials.
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Group Travel Information
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Attendance
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Total members expected
Total guests expected
Total spouses, family members
Approximate number of rooms needed:
· Single
· Double
· Suites
Room rates/range $
Policy of hotel regarding confirmation of reservations,
deposits, room block cut-off (release) date, complimentary room policy:
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Transportation
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Arrangements needed for transportation from airport:
· Limousines
· Taxis
· Shuttles
· Buses
Early/late arrivals
Private cars
Buses for tours and off-site functions
Do you need meet/greet services at airport?
· own personnel
· hired personnel
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Dates
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Most of group will arrive
Most of group will depart
Uncommitted rooms released
Convention registration cut-off date
Hotel registration cut-off date
Arrangements for early/late arrivals
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Complimentary Accommodations
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Number of each room type needed:
· Single
· Double
· Suites
Room rates confirmed
Bars, snacks, complimentary buffets
Transportation
Registration Form
See checklist (next page) for items to include on form
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Items to include on Registration Form
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Use this checklist to prepare registration and promotional materials.
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Name of meeting
Date of meeting
Place of meeting
Delegate name, address, telephone no.
Name of spouse, if attending
If sharing room, roommate’s name, etc.
Hotel(s) name, address, phone, fax, room rates
Cut-off date for hotel registration for group room rates
Cut-off date for delegate registration for conference
Late registration fees, if any
Where to mail hotel registration
Explain alternate/overflow hotel
Where to mail conference registration form
Cost of conference alone
Advance payment necessary?
Check payable to?
Credit cards accepted? Number/Exp. dates.
Description and cost of special activities or tours
Number planning to attend each tour
Description and cost of spouse program
Number planning to attend
Description and cost of pre/post convention tours
Number planning to attend
Cost of transportation from airport to hotel and by what means
Check-in/out hours at hotel
Registration hours and location for on-site conference registration
Time of arrival and departure
Refund policies
Hotel deposit information will be sent with hotel confirmation from hotel or
convention bureau (in Tucson bureau does housing upon request only if three
or more hotels are contracted)
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Meeting / Event Information:
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Finances
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Who has fiscal responsibility?
Are sponsors needed?
Budget $
Deposit receipts
Record keeping
Payments
Final statement
Arrangements handled by:
· Destination Management Company
· Own personnel/volunteers
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Guest Speakers and Visitors
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Invitations to local dignitaries/speakers
Invitation(s) accepted
Tickets provided
Lodging provided/for spouse
Welcome, host arranged, airport transportation or directions provided
· Name tags/ribbons prepared
· Biography
Honorarium required
Honorarium paid
Special equipment needs
Photocopy/print handouts
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Equipment & Facilities
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Make list of all equipment needed
Make list of all organizational supplies
Make list of all items to be rented with prices
Equipment operators
Photographer/Stenographer
Signage:
· Registration
· Directional
· Welcome
· Flags/banners
Lights:
· Spots
· Floods
· Other
Projection equipment:
· Movie
· Slide
· Overhead
· Video
· Computer
Video:
· VHS
· ½”
· Recorder or playback
· Monitor
· Camera
· Tape
Audio:
· Tape Recorder
· Cassette
· Blank Tape
· Microphone
· Sound System
Miscellaneous:
· Chalk Board / White Board
· Flip Chart
· Chart Stand
· Screens
· Lectern
· Extension Cords
· CD Player
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Meetings
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Make a list of date and times of each
Make a list of room sizes needed for each and setup ( theater, banquet, schoolroom, hollow square, etc…)
Record names and cost of rooms
Room needed for office / conference headquarters
When rooms can be set up
· Make seat plan for each room (skirted, tables, etc.)
Speaker’s tables/needs
Exhibit area/needs
Microphone type, podium, staging, lectern, water pitcher / glasses
Pencils, notepads, handouts
Review equipment checklist above for other needs
Mark location of restrooms and smoking areas
Sign, flags, banners, placed correctly
Arrangement for breakfast / meals (how many and location)

Terms and Definitions for the Hospitality Industry

Terms and Definitions for the Hospitaliy Industry
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Access Aisle
An Aisle That Is A Necessary Part Of An Accessible Parking Space. The Aisle Allows Disabled Individuals With A Device, Such As A Wheelchair, To Enter And Exit Vehicles And Travel To The Sidewalk Or Building Entrance. See Accessible Parking Space.
Accessible Parking Space
A Parking Space, Specially Designed For Disabled Persons, That Meets Or Exceeds The Requirements Of The People With Disabilities Act. It Should Have A Minimum Width Of 13 Feet (4 Meters)--8 Feet (2.4 Meters) For The Vehicle And 5 Feet (1.5 Meters) For An Access Aisle.
Accessible Route
A Route That Connects The Accessible Parking Area To An Accessible Entrance Of The Building The Parking Lot Serves. An Accessible Route Should Be A Minimum Of 36 Inches (91 Centimeters) Wide And Have No Abrupt Surface Transitions (From Sidewalks To Streets, For Example) Or Obstructions That Would Present Hazards To A Visually Impaired Person.
Acoustics
Sound Absorption Or Sound Reflection Quality Of Certain Materials, Usually In Ceilings, Walls, Or Floors.
Actual Beverage Cost Percentage
Net Beverage Cost Divided By Total Bar Sales.
Ad Valorem Tax
A Tax Based On The Assessed Value Of The Asset Itself, Usually A Fixed Percentage Of The Value.
Adjoining Rooms
Guestrooms Located Side By Side Without A Connecting Door Between Them.
Affiliate Reservation System
A Hotel Chain's Reservation System In Which All Participating Properties Are Contractually Related. Each Property Is Represented In The Computer System Database And Is Required To Provide Room Availability Data To The Reservation Center On A Timely Basis.
Affiliated Hotel
A Hotel That Is A Member Of A Chain, Franchise, Or Referral System. Membership Provides Special Advantages, Particularly A National Reservation System.
Airline-Related Guests
Airplane Crew Members And Passengers Who Need Emergency Accommodations.
Airport Hotel
A Hotel Located Near A Public Airport. Although Airport Hotels Vary Widely In Size And Service Levels, They Are Generally Full-Service And Are More Likely Than Other Hotels To Have In-Room Movies, Computerized Property Management Systems, And Call Accounting Systems.
Ala Carte Menu
A Food And Beverage Menu In Which Each Item Is Listed And Priced Separately.
Alcoholic Beverage Menu
A Menu That Lists Cocktails, Wines, And Other Alcoholic Beverages An Operation Offers To Guests. Alcoholic Beverages Can Be Listed On A Separate Menu Or Included On The Regular Menu. Restaurants With A Large Selection Of Wines May Have A Separate Wine List. Many Beverage Menus Also Include No- Or Low-Alcohol Drinks.
All-Expense Tour
A Tour Offering All Or Most Services--Transportation, Lodging, Meals, Sight-Seeing, And So On--For A Pre-Established Price. The Terms "All-Expense" And "All-Inclusive" Are Much Misused. Virtually No Tour Rate Covers Everything. The Terms And Conditions Of A Tour Contract Should Specify Exactly What Is Covered.
American Plan (AP)
A type of room rate which includes the price of the room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also known as full pension.
Apartment Hotel

Accommodation in apartment-style units rather than rooms: with minimum or expanded in-suite cooking facilities. Defined by legislation for licensing and classification purposes.
Available Rooms (suites, beds)
The number of rooms normally available on a day to day basis, LESS those permanently used for some purpose other than guest occupancy.
Average Daily Rate (ADR)
The total room revenue for a given period (day, month to date, month, year to date), divided by the number of rooms occupied for the same period. Frequently used as a measure of economic performance.
Bed and Breakfast (B&B)
A type of room rate which includes the price of the room and breakfast. Also known as Continental Plan.
Boutique Hotel
Historical, classic buildings, remodeled into boutique hotels with usually have less than 30 rooms.
Central Reservation System (CRS/CReS)
The ability of guests to make a reservation for one out of a number of hotels by contacting one agency, contracted by the hotels acting as a group, to operate this "central" reservation service.
Complimentary Room
An occupied guest room for which no price is charged. This may include a room occupied by a hotel employee.
Condominium Hotels
Customers purchase fee-simple equity in the units - the hotel's guestrooms. Unit owners may live in the hotels permanently or use them as second and third homes. Depending on the hotel's policy, unit owners may rent their units independently or through the management company's rental program and derive income through a revenue-sharing arrangement. Unit owners also incur budgeted maintenance and operating expenses. Depending on the management company, unit owners have varying degrees of access to their hotel's amenities and services.
Credit Card Commissions
A fee paid to credit card companies based upon a contracted percentage of credit card charges accepted.
Destination Clubs
The newest entrant to lodging, this niche most closely resembles country clubs in ownership structure. While developers of destination clubs expect to branch out into other price segments, for now this niche targets the most affluent of travelers. Customers pay initiation fees that can run as high as $500,000 and annual dues running as high as $25,000. In return, customers get to stay for weeks at a time in multi-million dollar residences and villas in prime urban and resort locations and enjoy a full range of amenities and services.
Facilities
Core physical features: accommodation, restaurants, bars, and meeting rooms.
Five Star Hotel
Luxury hotels; most expensive hotels/resorts in the world; numerous extras to enhance the quality of the client's stay (for example: some have private golf courses and even a small private airport).
Four Star Hotel
First class hotels; expensive (by middle-class standards); has all of the previously mentioned services; has many "luxury" services (for example: massages or a health spa).
Franchise
The right to market a service and/or product often exclusive for a specified area, as granted by the manufacturer, developer or distributor in return for a fee: prevalent in the fast food industry but increasingly adopted within the hotel community.
Frequent Independent Traveler (FIT)
Designation which applies to visitors who arrive on their own as opposed to being a part of an organized group.
Front Office
An office usually situated in the lobby, always located inside the main entrance, whose primary function is to control the sale of guest rooms, provide keys, mail, information service for guests, maintain guest accounts, render bills, receive payments as well as providing information to other departments within the hotel.
Guest Account
An itemized record of a guest's charges and credits, which is maintained in the front office until departure. Also referred to as a guest bill, guest folio, and/or guest statement.
Guest Amenities
Not to be confused with "amenities", this is the term given to the range of disposable items provided in guest room bathrooms and includes such items as shampoo, lotion, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower caps, etc… The cost of these items are built into room rate.
Guest Check (Restaurant)
The invoice presented to restaurant and bar patrons for food and beverage consumed during a visit. Also referred to as a waiter's check or restaurant check.
Guest History
A record maintained for each guest who has stayed at the hotel with a separate entry for each visit and details of pertinent preferences. This is a valuable reference tool for reservations, marketing, and credit departments. Guest histories are now more readily available through the increased utilization of computers and technology.
Guest House
A personal residence with a small amount of overnight accommodation sometimes limited by legislation and residence constraints. Typically provides breakfast which is included within the room rate but no other meals. Not licensed to provide alcoholic beverages commercially.
Guest Service Directory
A documented listing of all of the features of a hotel together with general and pertinent information about the community within which the property is located. Directories are usually provided within each guest room.
High (Peak) Season / Shoulder Season
The period of consecutive months during which optimum revenues, room/suite occupancy and average room rates are generated. In the Rajasthan this is generally October through March.
Hotel
Minimum number of available rooms, services, and amenities, usually defined by legislation for licensing and classification purposes as well as eligibility for fiscal incentives in some jurisdictions. May provide food and beverage services on site but not always within the accommodation building(s): usually by in-house staff but occasionally through an outside food and beverage contractor. May or may not provide a range of recreation and other amenities on site or by arrangement with others off site. Includes motor hotel, resort hotel or resort, and commercial hotel.
Hotel Representative
An individual or firm with the responsibility to facilitate market accessibility to the hotel property by the travel trade.
Ingress and Egress
Ingress/Egress relates to the Civil Authority coverage part of the Business Income/EE forms. If one is unable to enter or exit by direction of civil authority.
Innkeepers Statutes
Statutes that limit the common law liability of innkeepers.
Intelligent Hotels
Hotels that are identified because they have state of the art technology systems for their operations. These hotels have replaced the traditional systems to reduce their energy cost and usually have integrated systems which join analog and digital systems to achieve an effective communication in their hotels. The return on investment is reflected in the energy-cost savings and the comfort they provide to their guests.
Limited Service Hotels
Brand hotels with franchise memberships of recognized hotels, built within limited areas without a restaurant. These hotels are located near business areas such as industrial parks, cities, and airport terminals.
Loss of Attraction
"Loss of Attraction" falls under the Business Income and Extra Expense coverage form although coverage is rarely included as it is hard to prove. For example, if a fire occurred at a hotel in Las Vegas, there may be other hotels in the surrounding area that will have lost income as a result of the reduction in tourism. For those hotels that have not suffered direct damage to the property, Business Income claims would fall under “Loss of Attraction.” Loss of Attraction coverage is not common and can be difficult to identify the loss resulting from a disaster and that which could have resulted from poor management or other uninsured factors. Physical damage to insured property is the primary trigger for business interruption claims; however, additional triggers of coverage outside of physical damage include acts of civil authority, ingress/egress, contingent business interruption and loss of attraction.
Low (off-peak) Season
The consecutive months during which the lowest revenues, room/suite occupancy and average room rates are generated. In the Rajasthan this is generally April to September.
M.O.D.
Manager On Duty.
Mini Bar
A specially designed small floor mounted refrigerator containing a variety of beverages and snacks located in guest rooms, with individual guest room key access. This amenity serves as a more credible and profitable substitute for room service.
Motel
Overnight accommodation originally targeted to automobile travelers and therefore, situated at roadside locations. A more contemporary definition would be the provision of accommodation only, with no other amenities and services provided by the motel.
Night Manager
Evening Manager.
No Category Hotels
These hotels include motels, cottages, bungalows and others with limited services. Nevertheless, these hotels represent 41% of the total hotel market share.
Occupancy (Occ. %) (Occ Rate)
The percentage of available rooms occupied for a given period of consecutive time. This figure is calculated by dividing the number of rooms occupied for a period by the number of rooms available for the same period and is expressed as a percentage.
One Star Hotel
Low budget hotels; inexpensive; may not have maid service or room service.
Overbooking
A situation in which more room reservations have been taken by a hotel than what the hotel is able to accommodate. Hotels that use overbooking as a policy are increasingly being targeted by tour wholesalers and operators in an attempt to better control and minimize the serious adverse marketing effects which overbooking has for all stakeholders.
Package
The name given to an assembly of components under a one price system. Typically, the core package price would include: return transportation, ground transfers, baggage handling, accommodation, one or more meals per day, and applicable taxes. Car rentals, recreation and entertainment and gratuities may also be included, but are more often supplementary to the core package price.
Rack Rate
The full, undiscounted published room rate (price).
Registration Card (Reg. Card)
A form on which arriving guests record their names, addresses, and other details including mode of transportation used, nationality, purpose of visit (usually business or pleasure), method of payment, and length of stay. A space is also provided for signature, room rate and room number. Additional questions may be included as a part of the hotel's market research platform.
Resort Hotels & Spas
A hotel that caters primarily to vacationers and tourist and typically offers more recreational amenities and services, in a more aesthetically pleasing setting, than other hotels. These hotels are located in attractive and natural tourism destinations and their clientele are groups and couples that like adventure with sophistication and comfort. The attractions vary depending on the region and some might offer golf, tennis, scuba diving and, depending on the natural surrounding, may also arrange other recreational activities.
Revenue Per Available Room (REVPAR)
Revpar is the key measure in the performance of the core business of hotels-selling rooms. Revenue per available room (revpar) is the key indicator of performance for hotels and can be broken down into two parts reflecting occupancy and rates: Revpar = occupancy (percentage of available rooms occupied) × average room rate per night. Trends in revpar are very important. Revpar can be used to compare companies but only if they have broadly similar hotels - i.e. similarly priced in similar locations. This is less unlikely than it may seem as most hotels companies give regional breakdowns of revpar and this can be compared.
Room Block
A predetermined number of rooms reserved in advance for group (conference, tour) use.
Room Service
Food and beverage delivered and served in a guest room.
Safety Deposit Boxes
Individual boxes provided for the safekeeping of guest valuables. Located either in a central, secure, and supervised location or in individual guest rooms.
Shoulder Season
The period between peak and low season.
Three Star Hotel
Middle class hotels; moderately priced; has daily maid service, room service, and may have dry-cleaning, Internet access, and a swimming pool.
Timeshare (Vacation Ownership)
A marketing and equity financing concept which permits participants to enjoy vacation accommodation for a fixed, one time amount for life, or shorter contracted period. According to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), timeshare consumers make a one-time purchase of furnished resort accommodations, at a fraction of whole ownership costs, and pay an annual maintenance fee. Each condominium, or unit, of a vacation ownership resort is divided into intervals, either by the week or points equivalent, which are sold separately. The accommodations are priced according to a variety of factors, including size of the unit, resort amenities, location, and season. The purchaser owns the vacation accommodations, but only for the amount of time he or she plans to use it - typically one or two weeks each year. With time-share, the owner has all the benefits of a vacation home without the year-round costs. From its origin, the idea behind time-sharing was to give people the ability to purchase their future vacation - at current prices. Fractional is a variation of timeshare in which the purchaser owns longer intervals, from four to 12 weeks a year. Costs of fractional are significantly higher, ranging to more than $600,000. Major branded hotel companies participate in fractional timeshare, though not to the extent of independent operators.
Tour Operator
An organization or individual who actively manages and escorts tours and tour packages to FIT and group visitors.
Traditional Lodging
Guests pay nightly rates for single rooms or suites and have full access to the hotels' range of amenities and services. Rates begin at "rack," but vary widely, based on time of week and season and nearby events and attractions.
Transfer
This refers to the transportation of visitors between their point of arrival and selected hotel, and back again on departure day.
Two Star Hotel
Budget hotels; slightly more expensive; usually has maid service daily.
Wake Up call
A call made by front office, usually by telephone, to a guest room at the time requested by a room guest to be wakened.
Walk In Guest
Who checks-in without an advance reservation.
Walked Guests
When a hotel is overbooked and a guest room is not available for a confirmed guest, the hotel has “walk the guest” to a nearby hotel. This usually includes paying for transportation to the hotel and covering any difference in the room rate at the hotel the guest was “walked” to.

quarta-feira, 21 de janeiro de 2009

Barack Obama's Inaugural Speech - English and Portuguese


Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
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Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.So it has been.
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So it must be with this generation of Americans.
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That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
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These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
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Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.
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They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
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On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
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We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
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In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
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For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
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For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
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For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
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This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
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For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
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Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
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What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
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Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
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As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
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Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
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We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
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For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
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To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
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To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
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To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
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As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.
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We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
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For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
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Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
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This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
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This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
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This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
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So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
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"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
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America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Discurso Inaugural de Barack Obama

Meus compatriotas,
Aqui me encontro hoje humilde diante da tarefa à nossa frente, agradecido pela confiança depositada por vocês, atento aos sacrifícios feitos por nossos ancestrais. Agradeço ao presidente Bush pelos seus serviços a esta nação, assim como pela generosidade e pela cooperação mostradas durante esta transição.
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Quarenta e quatro americanos, até hoje, prestaram o juramento presidencial. Suas palavras foram ditas durante a maré ascendente da prosperidade e nas águas calmas da paz. Mas freqüentemente o juramento é prestado em meio a nuvens crescentes e tempestades ruidosas. Nestes momentos a América foi em frente não apenas graças ao talento e à visão daqueles no poder, mas porque nós, o povo, permanecemos fiéis aos ideais de nossos antecessores e aos nossos documentos fundadores.
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Foi assim e deve ser assim com esta geração de americanos.
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É bem sabido que estamos no meio de uma crise. Nossa nação está em guerra contra uma rede de violência e ódio de longo alcance. Nossa nação está bastante enfraquecida, uma conseqüência da ganância e da irresponsabilidade de alguns, mas também da nossa incapacidade coletiva de tomar decisões difíceis e preparar a nação para uma nova era. Lares foram perdidos; empregos foram cortados; empresas destruídas. Nossa saúde é cara demais; nossas escolas deixam muitos para trás; e cada dia traz novas evidências de que a forma como usamos a energia fortalece nossos adversários e ameaça nosso planeta.
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Estes são os indicadores de uma crise, tema de dados e estatísticas. Menos mensurável, mas não menos profundo, é o solapamento da confiança por todo o nosso país. Um medo persistente de que o declínio da América seja inevitável, e que a próxima geração deva ter objetivos menores.
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Hoje eu lhes digo que os desafios diante de nós são reais. São sérios e são muitos. Eles não serão superados facilmente ou num curto período de tempo. Mas saiba disso, América: eles serão superados. (aplausos)
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Neste dia nós nos unimos porque escolhemos a esperança e não o medo, a unidade de objetivo, e não o conflito e a discórdia.
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Neste dia viemos proclamar o fim de nossos choramingos e falsas promessas, as recriminações e os dogmas desgastados, que por tempo demais estrangularam nossa política.
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Ainda somos uma nação jovem, mas, nas palavras das Escrituras, chegou a hora de acabar com as coisas de menino. Chegou a hora de reafirmar nosso espírito resistente; de optar pela nossa melhor história; de levar adiante esse dom precioso, essa nobre idéia, passada de geração em geração: a promessa divina de que todos são livres, todos são iguais e todos merecem a chance de lutar por sua medida justa de felicidade.
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Ao reafirmar a grandeza de nossa nação, compreendemos que ela não é um presente. Deve ser conquistada. Nossa jornada nunca foi aquela de atalhos ou de quem se contenta com pouco. Nunca foi o caminho dos fracos de coração – daqueles que preferem o ócio ao trabalho, ou buscam apenas os prazeres da fortuna e da fama. Foi, isto sim, o dos que correm risco, dos que fazem, dos que executam coisas – alguns célebres, mas mais comumente homens e mulheres obscuros em seu trabalho, que nos levaram pelo longo e áspero caminho da prosperidade e da liberdade.
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Por nós eles empacotaram suas pequenas posses mundanas e viajaram pelos oceanos em busca de uma nova vida.
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Por nós eles trabalharam em condições ruins e se estabeleceram no oeste; suportaram o estalar do chicote e araram a terra dura.
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Por nós eles lutaram e morreram em lugares como Concord e Gettysburg; na Normandia e em Khe Sahn.
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Mais de uma vez esses homens e mulheres lutaram, se sacrificaram e trabalharam até que suas mãos estivessem em carne viva para que nós vivêssemos uma vida melhor. Eles viram uma América maior que a soma de nossas ambições individuais; maior que todas as diferenças de nascença ou riqueza ou partido.
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Esta é a jornada que continuamos hoje. Ainda somos a nação mais próspera e mais poderosa na face da Terra. Nossos trabalhadores não são menos produtivos que no início desta crise. Nossas mentes não são menos inventivas, nossos bens e serviços não são menos necessários que na semana passada, no mês passado ou no ano passado. Nossa capacidade permanece intacta. O tempo de deixar as coisas como estão, ou de proteger pequenos interesses e adiar decisões desagradáveis, esse tempo certamente passou. A partir de hoje, temos que nos levantar, sacudir a poeira e começar de novo o trabalho de refazer a América.
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Para onde quer que olhemos, há trabalho a fazer. O estado da economia exige ação, ousada e rápida, e nós vamos agir – não apenas para criar novos empregos, mas para estabelecer novas fundações para o crescimento. Construiremos as estradas e pontes, as linhas elétricas e digitais que alimentam nosso comércio e nos unem. Recolocaremos a ciência em seu devido lugar, e usaremos as maravilhas da tecnologia para elevar a qualidade de nosso atendimento de saúde e reduzir seu custo. Usaremos o sol, os ventos e o solo para abastecer nossos carros e fazer funcionar nossas fábricas. E transformaremos nossas escolas e universidades para atender as exigências de uma nova era. Podemos fazer tudo isso. E faremos tudo isso.
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Ora, alguns questionam a escala de nossas ambições. Sugerem que nosso sistema não pode tolerar planos demais. Suas memórias são curtas. Pois esquecem o que este país já fez; o que homens e mulheres livres podem obter quando a imaginação se une a um objetivo comum, e a necessidade à coragem.
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O que os cínicos não conseguem entender é que o chão moveu-se sob seus pés. Que as disputas políticas vazias que nos consumiram por tanto tempo não servem mais. A questão que se deve perguntar hoje não é se o governo é grande demais ou pequeno demais, mas se funciona – se ajuda as famílias a encontrar empregos com salários decentes, assistência que possam pagar, aposentadorias dignas. Onde a resposta for sim, nossa intenção é seguir em frente. Onde a resposta for não, os programas serão cortados. E aqueles que administram os dólares da população terão que assumir suas responsabilidades: gastar com sabedoria, mudar os maus hábitos, fazer negócios à luz do dia. Porque só então poderemos restaurar a confiança que é vital entre um povo e seu governo.
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Ora, alguns questionam a escala de nossas ambições. Sugerem que nosso sistema não pode tolerar planos demais. Suas memórias são curtas. Pois esquecem o que este país já fez; o que homens e mulheres livres podem obter quando a imaginação se une a um objetivo comum, e a necessidade à coragem.
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O que os cínicos não conseguem entender é que o chão moveu-se sob seus pés. Que as disputas políticas vazias que nos consumiram por tanto tempo não servem mais. A questão que se deve perguntar hoje não é se o governo é grande demais ou pequeno demais, mas se funciona – se ajuda as famílias a encontrar empregos com salários decentes, assistência que possam pagar, aposentadorias dignas. Onde a resposta for sim, nossa intenção é seguir em frente. Onde a resposta for não, os programas serão cortados. E aqueles que administram os dólares da população terão que assumir suas responsabilidades: gastar com sabedoria, mudar os maus hábitos, fazer negócios à luz do dia. Porque só então poderemos restaurar a confiança que é vital entre um povo e seu governo.
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Tampouco a pergunta diante de nós é se o mercado é uma força do bem ou do mal. Seu poder para gerar riqueza e expandir a liberdade não tem igual, mas esta crise nos fez lembrar que, sem um olhar atento, o mercado pode sair do controle – e que uma nação não pode prosperar por muito tempo se favorece apenas os prósperos. O sucesso de nossa economia sempre dependeu não apenas do tamanho do nosso Produto Interno Bruto, mas do alcance de nossa prosperidade; e da nossa capacidade de levar as oportunidades a todos os corações desejosos - não por caridade, mas porque é o caminho mais seguro para nosso bem comum.
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Quanto à nossa defesa comum, rejeitamos como falsa a escolha entre nossa segurança e nossos ideais. Nossos pais fundadores, diante de perigos que mal conseguimos imaginar, elaboraram uma carta para assegurar o império da lei e os direitos do homem, uma carta difundida pelo sangue de gerações. Esses ideais ainda iluminam o mundo, e não vamos abandoná-los em nome da praticidade. Assim, a todos os outros povos e governos que estão assistindo hoje, das maiores capitais ao vilarejo onde meu pai nasceu: saibam que a América é amiga de toda nação e todo homem, mulher e criança que busca um futuro de paz e dignidade, e que nós estamos prontos para liderar uma vez mais. (aplausos)
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Lembrem-se que as gerações anteriores encararam o fascismo e o comunismo não apenas com mísseis e tanques, mas com alianças resolutas e convicções duradouras. Elas entenderam que nosso poder, por si só, não pode nos proteger, nem nos autoriza a fazer tudo como queremos. Em vez disso, elas sabiam que nosso poder cresce quando usado com prudência; que nossa segurança emana da justeza de nossa causa, da força do nosso exemplo, as sóbrias qualidades da humildade e do comedimento.
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Somos os mantenedores desse legado. Guiados por esse exemplo uma vez mais, podemos superar estas novas ameaças, que exigem um esforço ainda maior, uma cooperação e uma compreensão ainda maiores entre as nações.
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Começaremos de forma responsável a deixar o Iraque para seu povo, e forjaremos uma paz duramente conquistada no Afeganistão. Com velhos amigos e ex-inimigos, trabalharemos incansavelmente para reduzir a ameaça nuclear e fazer recuar o espectro de um planeta em aquecimento.
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Não pediremos desculpas por nosso modo de vida, nem fraquejaremos em nossa defesa, e para aqueles que buscam atingir seus objetivos induzindo ao terror e massacrando inocentes, dizemos a vocês que nosso espírito é mais forte não pode ser quebrado; vocês não sobreviverão a nós, e nós os derrotaremos. (aplausos)
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Pois sabemos que a colcha de retalhos de nossa herança é uma força, não uma fraqueza. Somos uma nação de cristãos e muçulmanos, judeus e hindus - e ateus. Somos formados de todas as línguas e culturas, trazidas de todo canto desta Terra; e porque provamos o fel amargo da Guerra Civil e da segregação, e emergimos desse capítulo sombrio mais fortes e mais unidos, não podemos deixar de acreditar que os velhos ódios um dia passarão; que as linhas tribais logo dissolver-se-ão; que à medida que o mundo se torne menor, nossa humanidade em comum revelar-se-á; e que a América deve exercer seu papel no surgimento desta nova era de paz.
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Ao mundo muçulmano: buscamos uma nova trilha adiante, baseada em interesses mútuos e respeito mútuo. Àqueles líderes mundo afora que buscam semear o conflito, ou pôr no Ocidente a culpa pelos males de suas sociedades: saibam que o povo os julgará por aquilo que vocês podem construir não pelo que vocês destruírem. Àqueles que se agarram ao poder por meio de corrupção e trapaças, e que silenciam opositores: saibam que vocês estão do lado errado da história; mas que estendermos a mão se vocês estiverem dispostos a descerrar seus punhos.
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Aos povos das nações pobres: comprometemo-nos a trabalhar ao lado de vocês para que suas fazendas floresçam e águas limpas possam fluir; para alimentar corpos esfomeados e mentes famintas. E àquelas nações como a nossa, que gozam de relativa abundância, dizemos que não podemos mais aceitar a indiferença ao sofrimento fora de nossas fronteiras; nem podemos consumir os recursos do mundo sem pensar nos efeitos disso. Pois o mundo mudou, e precisamos mudar junto com ele.
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No momento em que divisamos a estrada que surge diante de nós, lembramo-nos com gratidão daqueles bravos americanos que neste exato momento patrulham desertos longínquos e montanhas distantes. Eles têm algo a nos dizer hoje, assim como os heróis caídos que repousam em Arlington murmurarão até o fim dos tempos. Nós os homenageamos não apenas porque são os guardiões de nossa liberdade, mas porque eles encarnam o espírito do serviço; uma disposição para encontrar sentido em algo maior que eles mesmos. Neste momento, um momento que definirá uma geração, é exatamente este espírito que devemos ter dentro de todos nós.
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Pois, por mais que os governos possam e devam fazer, no fim das contas é na fé e na determinação do povo americano que esta nação confia. É a gentileza de socorrer um estranho quando um dique é destruído, a generosidade dos trabalhadores que aceitam reduzir sua jornada de trabalho para que um amigo não perca seu emprego, que nos fazem superar os piores momentos. É a coragem do bombeiro que atravessa uma escadaria cheia de fumaça, mas também a disposição de um pai para criar um filho, que decidem afinal a nossa sorte.
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Nossos desafios podem ser novos. Os instrumentos com que os enfrentamos podem ser novos. Mas os valores de que nosso êxito depende – honestidade e trabalho duro; coragem e ética; lealdade e patriotismo; essas coisas são antigas. Essas coisas são verdadeiras.
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Elas têm sido a força silenciosa do progresso ao longo de nossa história. O que se exige, então, é um retorno a essas verdades. O que se exige de nós agora é uma nova era de responsabilidade – um reconhecimento, por parte de todo americano, de que temos deveres para conosco, para com nossa nação e o mundo, deveres que não devemos aceitar de mau grado, mas sim agarrar com alegria, firmes na percepção de que não há nada mais satisfatório para o espírito, mais definidor de nosso caráter, que darmos o máximo de nós mesmos em uma tarefa difícil.
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Este é o preço e a promessa da cidadania.
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Esta é a fonte de nossa confiança – a noção de que Deus nos pede que definamos um destino incerto.
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Este é o significado de nossa liberdade e de nosso credo - razão pela qual homens, mulheres e crianças de todas as raças e religiões podem reunir-se em celebração nesta magnífica avenida, e a razão pela qual um homem cujo pai, menos de 60 anos atrás, não poderia fazer um pedido num restaurante local, pode agora comparecer diante de vocês para prestar um sacratíssimo juramento.
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Marquemos, pois, este dia, com a lembrança, daquilo que somos e do quão longe chegamos. No ano do nascimento da América, no mês mais frio do ano, um pequeno grupo de patriotas juntou-se diante de fogueiras que se apagavam às margens de um rio congelado. A capital fora abandonada. O inimigo avançava. A neve estava manchada de sangue. No momento em que o resultado de nossa revolução parecia mais incerto, o pai de nossa nação ordenou que estas palavras fossem lidas ao povo:
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"Façam saber ao mundo futuro... que nas profundezas do inverno, quando nada a não ser a esperança e a virtude poderiam sobreviver.. que a cidade e o país, alarmados por um perigo comum, ergueram-se para vencê-lo".
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América. Diante de nossos perigos comuns, neste inverno de dificuldades, lembremos estas palavras atemporais. Com esperança e virtude, vamos enfrentar uma vez mais as correntes geladas e suportar quaisquer tempestades que surgirem. Que os filhos de nossos filhos possam dizer que, quando fomos testados, nos recusamos a permitir o fim desta jornada, que não viramos as costas nem fraquejamos; e com os olhos fixos no horizonte e a graça de Deus sobre nós, levamos adiante o grande dom da liberdade e o entregamos em segurança às gerações futuras.
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Muito obrigado. Deus os abençoe. E Deus abençoe os Estados Unidos da América."(aplausos)

terça-feira, 20 de janeiro de 2009

Obama is Sworn In as the 44th President of The United States of America


The inaugural ceremony at the the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday.
Pool photo by Scott Andrews
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Obama Is Sworn In as the 44th President
Published: The New York Times – January 20, 2009
By Carl Hulse

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“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,” Mr. Obama said in his inaugural address minutes after he took the oath of office on the same bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural in 1861. “They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.”
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Mr. Obama, the first African American to serve as president, spoke to a sea of cheering people, hundreds of thousands of Americans packed on the National Mall from the Capitol to beyond the Washington monument. The multitude was filled with black Americans and Mr. Obama’s triumph was a special and emotional moment for them.
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With his wife, Michelle, holding the Bible, Mr. Obama, the 47-year-old son of a white mother from Kansas and a black father from Africa, was sworn in just after noon, a little later than planned, and spoke immediately thereafter.
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In his speech, Mr. Obama promised to take “bold and swift” action to restore the economy by creating jobs through public works projects, improving education, promoting alternative energy and relying on new technology.
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“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” Mr. Obama said in a prepared copy of his remarks.
The new president also noted the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the “far-reaching network of violence and hatred” that seeks to harm the country. He used strong language in pledging to confront terrorism, nuclear proliferation and other threats from abroad, saying to the nation’s enemies, “you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”
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But he also signaled a clean break from some of the Bush administration’s policies on national security. “As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals,” he said, adding that the United States is “ready to lead once more.”
He acknowledged that some are skeptical of his ability to fulfill the hope that many have in his ability to move the nation in a new direction.
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“What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply,” said Mr. Obama, who ran for stressing a commitment to reduce partisanship. “The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.”
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Hundreds of thousands of people packed the National Mall from the West Front of the Capitol to beyond the Washington monument, buttoned up against the freezing chill but projecting a palpable sense of hope as Mr. Obama becomes the first African American to hold the nation’s highest elected office. It was the largest inaugural crowd in decades, perhaps the largest ever; the throng and the anticipation began building even before the sun rose.
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After his speech, following a carefully designed script that played out all morning, Mr. Obama was to head inside the Capitol and sign nomination papers for the Cabinet members he chose in the weeks following his Nov. 4 victory. The Senate is to confirm some of those new Cabinet secretaries this afternoon, but Republicans planned to delay the confirmation of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state for at least one day.
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Mr. Obama, who attended church earlier in the day, had coffee with President Bush and his wife, Laura, and then rode with them in a motorcade to Capitol Hill, will then join Congressional leaders and other dignitaries at a luncheon in Statuary Hall. That will be followed by a review of the troops — his first as commander-in-chief — before he travels back downtown at the front of the inaugural parade, which he will then watch from the reviewing stand at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
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The crowd, before noon, was easily well into the hundreds of thousands.
Even before the sun rose or the mercury rose to the freezing point, people had streamed from all directions to the West Front of the Capitol, making their way on foot and by mass transit, since traffic was barred from a wide area around the grounds and the National Mall for security and to prevent gridlock.
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Given the historic nature of Mr. Obama’s election, black Americans appeared to be much more prevalent in the gathering crowd than at inaugurals of the recent past.
Earlier in the morning, the Obamas went to church, followed by coffee with President and Mrs. Bush.
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They left Blair House at 8:47 a.m. for the short drive in their new presidential Cadillac limousine to St. John’s Episcopal Church, just a few blocks away, for a prayer service. Mr. Obama wore a dark suit and red tie. Michelle Obama wore a sparkling golden dress and matching coat.
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As the Obamas sat in the center of a front row pew, next to Vice President-elect Joseph Biden Jr. and his wife, Jill, the keynote speaker, Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, read a Biblical passage from Daniel 3:19. He then offered some lessons clearly aimed both to brace and hearten the president-elect: “In time of crisis, good men must stand up”; “You cannot change what you will not confront,” and “You cannot enjoy the light without enduring the heat.”
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Shortly before 10 a.m., the Obamas arrived at the White House, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Biden. The Obamas were met at the door by the Bushes. The two men shook hands and with their wives posed for a picture before going inside for a traditional coffee and a final few moments for the Bushes in the home they have occupied the past eight years.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Obama left the White House at 10:47 and, pausing only momentarily for photographers, entered the limousine that would take them to the Capitol. They arrived there 10 minutes later.
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Aides said Mr. Obama was expected to emphasize personal responsibility in his speech.
“He is going to be counting on the American people to come together,” Colin Powell, the former military leader and secretary of state, said in an appearance on MSNBC on Tuesday morning. “We all have to do something to help the country move forward under the leadership of this new president.”
As a black American who grew up in a segregated nation, Mr. Powell said the inauguration was looming as a powerful and emotional moment for African Americans. “You almost start tearing up,” he said.
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The crowd that stretched down the mall was festive and enthusiastic. They were bundled against the cold, with the temperature just above 20 degrees at 9 a.m., and the forecast calling for it to remain in the low 30s.
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Mr. Obama’s assumption of the presidency caps a remarkable rise for a man first elected to national office in 2004, winning a Senate seat in a year when he also delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
To win the presidency, he defeated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who will become his secretary of state, in a pitched presidential primary battle and then beat Senator John McCain of Arizona in a general election conducted against the backdrop of a national economic collapse.
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Though Mr. Obama did not emphasize his African American heritage as a candidate, the symbolism was evident and was reinforced by the fact that the swearing in was taking place the day following the national holiday to mark the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King. He will take office less than a month before the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, another Illinoisan who took the office at a time of national turmoil and a man whom Mr. Obama clearly looks to as an inspiration for his own presidency.
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“Today is about validation of the dream Dr. King enunciated 45 years ago on the steps on the Lincoln Memorial,” Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat in the House and the highest ranking black lawmaker in Congress, said on Tuesday morning.
Responding to warnings that the huge crowd could cause long waits and security screen checkpoints, people packed Washington’s subway trains by 5:30 a.m., filling all the parking lots at the outer stations; the subways had carried more than 400,000 riders by 8 a.m. An accident halted service on one of the main lines around 10 a.m.
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Shortly after 7 a.m., as the sun rose above the Capitol dome, there was a glittering burst of flash-bulbs as the teeming crowd collectively snapped thousands of photos of the dramatic moment. Around the Capitol, ticket gates opened for the long lines that were already waiting.
Before long the Mall was packed with people for as far as the eye could see; by 9 a.m the eastern half of the Mall, closer to the Capitol, was completely full. Large crowds continued to stream in on foot from many blocks away, heading to the area near the Washington Monument. On the East Front, where the swearing in of the president used to occur, Marine One was parked in the plaza, ready to be re-designated for the flight taking President Bush and Mrs. Bush to the airport.
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Inside the Capitol, staffers were scurrying about putting the final touches on the Inaugural Luncheon in Statuary Hall. The corridor leading to the House chamber had been transformed into staging grounds for the caterers, with huge serving tins of beets and green vegetables. Outside the House chamber, were dozens of cases of Korbel Champagne.
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The tables were set with large centerpieces of red roses. And a lectern, fashioned from a brass statue of a bald eagle, was positioned behind the dais. Decorators were making final adjustments to the lighting of “View of Yosemite Valley” an 1885 painting by Thomas Hill that was positioned directly behind the President Obama’s seat at the center of the dais.
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VOCABULARY:
Challenge(s): adjective difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination
inaugural address: [n] an address delivered at an inaugural ceremony (especially by a US president) – (Discurso Inaugural)
oath: [n] a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior ; "they took an oath of allegiance".
be met: verb [T] met, met - to be fulfilled, satisfied, or achieved
span: noun - A period of time: a span of life.
cheering: verb [I] to give a loud shout of approval or encouragement
was sworn: Past Tense of swear – Transitive Verb – to assert as true or promise under oath
thereafter: adverb - from that time on Synonym: thenceforth
bold: adj., bold·er, bold·est. Fearless and daring; courageous.
swift: adj., happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way
relying: phrasal verb to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed
ongoing: adj., continuing to exist or develop, or happening at the present moment
seeks: verb [I + to infinitive] sought, sought FORMAL to try or attempt
harm: verb [T] to hurt someone or damage something
outlast: verb [T] to live or exist, or to stay energetic and determined, longer than another person or thing
acknowledged: Past tense of acknowledge - verb [T] to accept, admit or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something
skeptical: adjective doubting that something is true or useful
fulfill: verb [T] to satisfy; to make happy
fail: verb [I] to not succeed in what you are trying to achieve or are expected to do
has shifted: Present Perfect Tense of shift - verb [I or T] to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another, especially slightly
commitment: noun [C or U] when you are willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in, or a promise or firm decision to do something
partisanship: noun / partizan adjective strongly supporting a person, principle or political party, often without considering or judging the matter very carefully
whether: conjunction (used especially in reporting questions and expressing doubts) if, or not
retirement: noun - [U] the period in someone's life after they have stopped working because they reached a particular age
buttoned up: adjective having a very formal appearance or way of behaving (neste testo tem o sentido de estarem encasacados por causa do frio….)
throng: noun multitude, a large gathering of people
motorcade: noun [C] (US ALSO autocade) a series of cars and other motor vehicles which moves slowly along a road carrying someone important, especially during an official ceremony
commander-in-chief: noun [C] (ABBREVIATION C-in-C) a commander in charge of all the armed forces of a country or of all the forces fighting in a particular area or operation
1600 Pennsylvania Ave: Este é o endereço oficial da Casa Branca (The Official Address of the White House)
Streamed: Past tense of stream- to move continuously in one direction
National Mall: Neste caso o Mall não se refere a um Shopping Center mas sim a uma mistura de Alameda/Parque /Passeio (uma mistura dos 3...) se extende desde o Capitol Hill até o Lincoln Memorial e desde a White House até o Jefferson Memorial
Gridlock: noun [U] a situation where roads in a town become so blocked by cars that it is impossible for any traffic to move
Prevalent: adjective existing very commonly or happening frequently
prayer service: um culto (easier explained in Portuguese)
sparkling: adjective shining brightly
Front row pew: Assento na primeira fileira (easier explained in Poruguese)
Aimed: Past tense of Aim - verb [I] to intend
Enduring: verb [T] to suffer something difficult, unpleasant or painful
Shortly: adverb - shortly after/before sth a short time after or before something
Aides: noun [C] a person whose job is to help someone important, such as a member of a government or a military officer of high rank
Emphasize: verb [T] (UK USUALLY -ise) to show or state that something is particularly important or worth giving attention to
Forward: adverb (also forwards) towards the future
grew up: Past tense of grow up - phrasal verb to gradually become an adult
segregated: adjective – separated or treated differently because of race or sex
looming: Present continuous of Loom - verb [I] to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear shape or object
bundled: verb [I or T; + adverb or preposition] to push or put someone or something somewhere quickly and roughly
backdrop: noun [C] (MAINLY UK backcloth) a large piece of cloth with buildings, countryside, etc. painted on it that is hung at the back of a stage during a performance
heritage: noun [U] features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages or buildings, which still exist from the past and which have a historical importance
bicentennial: noun, adjective US for bicentenary (200 years)
Illinoisan: Natural from the State of Illinois
Huge: adjective extremely large in size or amount
Crowd: group noun [C] a large group of people who have gathered together
Halted: Past Tense of Halt - verb [I or T] to (cause to) stop moving or doing something or happening
Dome: noun [C] a rounded roof on a building or a room, or a building with such a roof
Glittering: adjective – very bright
Burst: nouns (C) a sudden increase in something, especially for a short period
Staffers: noun [C] mainly US an employee, often of a political organization
Scurrying: Present Continuous Tense – Verb Scurry - to move quickly, with small short steps
Statuary Hall: National Statuary Hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is the large, two-story, semicircular room south of the Rotunda. The meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years, and now the main exhibition space for the National Statuary Hall Collection, this room is one of the most historic chambers in the Capitol.
Caterers: noun (C) – people or companies specialized in preparing food for receptions, parties, etc…
Tins: noun [C] (UK ALSO tin) a closed metal container, especially a cylindrical one, in which some types of drink and food are sold
Beets: noun [C or U] a plant with a thick root, which is often fed to animals or used to make sugar (in Portuguese – beterraba)
House chamber: The room in which the House of Representatives normally holds its sessions. The House Chamber is officially called the Hall of the House.
bald eagle: Águia Calva – ave símbolo dos Estados Unidos
dais: noun [C] a raised surface at one end of a meeting room which someone can stand on when speaking to a group

segunda-feira, 12 de janeiro de 2009

2009 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION



(Picture Ron Edmonds / Associated Press)

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See Washington, D.C., like a local
Visiting the city for the inauguration? Experience its authentic flavor on foot via offbeat -- and affordable -- cultural sites, cafes and bookstores.
By Amanda Abrams, Reporting from Washington, D.C., P
ublished: The Los Angeles Times - 06:43 PM PST, January 06, 2009

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The city’s abuzz as preparations, including a White House-adjacent reviewing stand, swing into high gear.
Washington is steeling itself for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20. Hotels have long sold out, and space on residents' floors is going by the square foot.
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But visitors have reason to be excited. They'll be on hand for a historic moment and they'll have the opportunity to visit a dynamic city that's been shedding its stodgy reputation in the last decade. Even with a light wallet, you can still find plenty of cheap and unusual ways to enjoy the District.
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Indeed, the last 10 years have been good ones for D.C. Sure, its gentrification, but little by little, neighborhoods are reclaiming their vitality as young professionals buy and restore the city's trademark row houses. Even with a Starbucks seemingly on every other corner, there are enough local haunts for the authentic flavor of Washington -- populated by a mix of ambitious young do-gooders, immigrants from everywhere and D.C. natives -- to sing out.

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The city is well-served by Metro, Washington's user-friendly subway system, but officials have said that trains may be overloaded during the inauguration. Visitors will have better luck on foot: The city is small and manageable, and its buildings' low heights and architectural details make for an aesthetically pleasant journey.
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Washington's most dynamic areas lie northwest of the Capitol. Dupont Circle is one of the most popular hangouts among young embassy and think-tank staff who work nearby. The surrounding streets -- particularly Massachusetts and New Hampshire avenues -- are crowded with dignified embassies. But if it's too cold for a walk, stop in at Kramerbooks, a proudly independent bookstore that specializes in the latest treatises by Thomas Friedman and Malcolm Gladwell, and one of the few places in the city that's open all night Fridays and Saturdays.
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For a break, head to Teaism, a local chain with unusual, Asian-influenced food and a variety of teas. Or visit the Tabard Inn, south of the circle: A glass of wine buys a seat in one of the most charming and tranquil sitting rooms in town.
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About six blocks north of Dupont is Adams Morgan, the District's party zone. The neighborhood is clogged with club goers every weekend and is often the site of alcohol-abetted brawls, but it's also host to a variety of people and cuisines. Eat cheap, Israeli-style sandwiches at Amsterdam Falafelshop, or boogie to reggae at the Ghana Cafe. During the day, Tryst, a popular cafe, is the place to drink a mocha, play a board game and people watch.
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Adams Morgan might be Washington's most diverse neighborhood, but the U Street Corridor is right up there. Formerly the city's "black Broadway," U Street suffered a major decline after the 1968 riots. But about a decade ago, small businesses began to pop up, and the street now boasts several funky boutiques and small restaurants.
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Revelers took over U Street on election night, and it's likely to be the place to be during the inauguration too. The epicenter could be Busboys and Poets, a 14th Street bookstore cum coffee shop cum restaurant celebrating black history and political activism. Some of the city's best-known clubs are also in the neighborhood. The Black Cat, one of Washington's oldest and biggest concert venues, will be honoring "people's empowerment through art, film and music" on inauguration night.
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Farther east on U Street are several Ethiopian restaurants; Washington is home to one of the largest Ethiopian populations outside of Addis Ababa. Dukem Restaurant is one of the best in town and frequently offers Ethiopian music and a traditional coffee ceremony.
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The inauguration itself will take place at the National Mall, where you can take in a passel of free monuments and museums, though most will be closed on Inauguration Day. Many are bound to be overrun with tourists during the rest of the week, but you'll also find some underappreciated gems too.

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The ice skating rink outside the National Gallery of Art is one treat. Surrounded by sculptures by Roy Lichtenstein and Alexander Calder, skaters can take advantage of the frigid temperatures of an East Coast winter. Southeast of the rink is the U.S. Botanic Garden, a large, glass conservatory at the base of Capitol Hill that is home to 4,000 tropical, subtropical and rare plants.
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At the other end of the Mall, hard against the Potomac, is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The center's Millennium Stage hosts free performances at 6 p.m. daily and will be holding a special celebration featuring Aretha Franklin and other performers on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Day.
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WHERE TO GO IN D.C.
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Kramerbooks, 1517 Connecticut Ave. N.W., www.kramers.com
Teaism, 2009 R St. N.W., www.teaism.com
Tabard Inn, 1739 N St. N.W., www.tabardinn.com
Amsterdam Falafelshop, 2425 18th St. N.W. www.falafelshop.com
Ghana Cafe, 2465 18th St. N.W., www.ghanacafe.com
Tryst, 2459 18th St. N.W., www.trystdc.com
Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. N.W., www.busboysandpoets.com
The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. N.W., www.blackcatdc.com
Dukem Restaurant, 1114 U St. N.W., www.dukemrestaurant.com
National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink, 7th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., www.nga.gov/ginfo/skating.shtm
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. N.E., www.usbg.gov
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. N.W., www.kennedy-center.org
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Vocabulary:
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Abuzz: adjective [after verb] filled with noise and activity
high gear: noun – a state of intense or high activity
sold out: Past tense of Sell Out - noun [C usually singular] a performance or sports event for which no more tickets are available, because it is so popular / in this text it refers to Hotel accommodations which means that all rooms are already either occupied or reserved.
square foot: equals to 1 ft² = 0.092903 m²
shedding: verb [T] shedding, shed, shed (often used in newspapers) to get rid of something you do not need or want
stodgy: adjective UK informal disapproving boring, serious and formal
gentrification: noun [U] when an area is gentrified - verb [T often passive] DISAPPROVING to change a place from being a poor area to a richer one, by people of a higher social class moving to live there
trademark: noun [C] a name or a symbol which is put on a product to show that it is made by a particular producer and which cannot be legally used by any other producer
haunts: verb [T] (of a ghost) to appear in a place repeatedly
do-gooders: noun [C] mainly disapproving someone who does things that they think will help other people, although the other people might not find their actions helpful
aesthetically: adverb relating to the enjoyment or study of beauty
hangouts: noun [C] informal a place where someone spends a lot of time or where they live
think-tank: an institute, corporation or group for interdisciplinary research (as in technological and social problems) also called think factory
treatises: noun [C] a formal piece of writing that considers and examines a particular subject
clogged: adjective blocked
alcohol-abetted brawls: grupos anti-alcolismo – easier explained in Portuguese
venues: noun [C] the place where a public event or meeting happens
empowerment: noun [U] to have legal power or official authority
bound to: adjective [after verb] going to
be overrun: verb [T] overrunning, overran, overrun If unwanted people or things overrun, they fill a place quickly and in large numbers
underappreciated: not duly appreciated