Coincidence is an occasion when two or more similar things happen at the same time, especially in a way that is unlikely and surprising, according to the Cambridge dictionary.
When I called up my insurance company last week, I was asked by the sales person some of my personal information including my date of birth. Then after I told her, a large "wow" was uttered, and the person's voice completely brightened (I can imagine the job is not perfectly stimulating for her most of the time). What is the chance that your sales agent would have exactly the same date of birth in the same year and have the same gender as you? We then had a most friendly chat about my insurance plan, which was nice.
This is not the first time that happened to me. Long time ago when I worked in a large bank sitting in the trading room, the bank celebrated the birthdays with their employees every month. The employees (who had the birthday that month) would come out and cut the cake together. There it was! A guy came out and started cutting the cake with me. When he asked me what day I was born, I told him, and then he said so was I, same year and same date! Coincidence which happens unexpectedly can really bring some smile and ah-ha to one's daily life.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Bossa Nova
Bossa Nova, ("new trend" in Portugese) is Brazilian popular music originated in the late 1950s which was a mix of samba and jazz. The music is played in syncopated 2/4 time, and is relaxing and romantic. It was described as the music of the Brazilian middle and upple classes, often reflecting love, beaches, beautiful women as opposed to samba which reflects the daily struggles of the working classes. The founders of bossa nova are often considered to be composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and guitarist Joao Gilberto. The bossa nova movement only lasted for a few years from 1958 to 1963 though its popularity quickly spread to the U.S. in the 1960s and contributed to the jazz music.
This widely popular "The Girl from Ipanema" is best heard in its original Portugese version by its creators, Jobim, Gilberto and Vinicius de Moraes (lyrics). I often lost myself in the romantic, carefree, hypnotic rhythms of this beautiful version especially after a hard day's work. Try it - simply out of this world!
Related articles
This widely popular "The Girl from Ipanema" is best heard in its original Portugese version by its creators, Jobim, Gilberto and Vinicius de Moraes (lyrics). I often lost myself in the romantic, carefree, hypnotic rhythms of this beautiful version especially after a hard day's work. Try it - simply out of this world!
Related articles
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)