Crazy that it has to be said, but dictatorships are bad. Trust me, you do NOT want to live in one. If you think having Trump as a dictator is ok because he’s your guy, here is what you’re in for:

1. No more free press. Sounds great since you hate ‘mainstream media’, but… /1 It also means you will no longer know what’s happening in your country and the world. Everything is censored so truth no longer exists.

2. Censorship. Goes beyond the news. Books, websites, events, all controlled or blocked by the dictatorship. So much for small government /2

My friends and followers, I beg you to let my experience be your guide if you ever contemplate moving overseas. Someday I may write a whole book on the joys and pains of the journey but for now let me tell you about the tiny print of international moving companies. /1 When you sign your agreement, it seems like a very straightforward document. There are a few things not included, and they make a point of telling you in very big bold letters, that your delivery date is just an estimate. Since there is literally no alternative, you sign it. /2

In case you’re not familiar with electoral system in Brazil:
All persons 18 and older must vote. It’s mandatory. You can justify your absence due to some reasons such as travel. They make it easy - there’s literally an app for that.
If you don’t vote and don’t justify, /1 there’s a fine (not much, about USD 3). Until you pay this and regularize your status with the electoral authorities, you can’t do certain things like renew your passport or apply for a government job.
Brazil has too many political parties to count so this election /2

[thread] Fair warning I’m jet lagged, sleep deprived and really fucking cranky. But I finally figured out what bothers me most about US politics. It’s not the assholery. Politicians have been assholes for ages. Corruption, hypocrisy, partisanship, vitriol - nothing new. /1 What’s really pushing me off is that all of that used to be considered so shameful that they at least tried to hide it. And you’d better because if you were caught, say, making fun of the disabled, no decent human being was going to vote for you ever again. You’d be done. /2

[thread] on the subject of banning books. If you follow me you probably know that I grew up in Brazil during the military dictatorship there. Censorship was extreme to the point where newspapers had to publish cake recipes to fill the space where actual stories had been cut. /1 Needless to say, “history” class was highly redacted. Libraries had only approved books. It would be faster to list the books we COULD get rather than the ones that had been banned. My parents, however, kept a very well stocked clandestine library hidden at home. /2

[thread] In December 2014 I was hospitalized with pneumonia. For the next two months, my lungs collapsed repeatedly and despite different drugs, hospitals, doctors and exams, I kept getting sicker. By January I could not walk to the bathroom without stopping to rest. /1 I gasped for air 24/7. Twice I had liquid drained from my lungs. Finally, I was diagnosed with tuberculosis. When I got the call from my pulmonologist, he said he wasn’t allowed to treat me. I was a public health hazard, and my county government was taking over. No choice. /2

[THREAD] There's a lot of talk about divisiveness and unity right now. The country is at a low point and if you take the politics out of it, it is an opportunity for each of us to take a hard look at how we contribute to both divisiveness and unity. I've been thinking about /1 all the times that I retweeted something snarky, posted a meme that reinforced stereotypes about 'the other side', used words that I would never say in front of my mother or my child, and generally just gave into visceral, knee-jerk reactions to things I disagreed with. /2

Prediction: Republicans who all of a sudden are “shocked” and “shaken” by the monster they helped create and have been nurturing for four years will NOT invoke 25th nor will they take any action against Trump. They will claim his lukewarm statement of an orderly transition /1 is proof that all will be well and no action is needed. You think a mob breaching the Capitol will make them develop a sudden case of integrity, after 4 years declining every opportunity to reign in the maniac? Don’t kid yourself. The outrage may be real, but so is the rot. /2

[Thread] New Year’s is when I typically post a recap of travel. In 2019 I broke my own record and visited 40 countries and 92 cities. In 2020 I made it to 5 of 45 planned countries before the pandemic hit. I don’t need to tell anyone how much this year sucked so let’s skip../1 ...to the good part. I’m healthy. My loved ones are safe. I’m working and kept my clients. None of my friends is sick. I rang in 2020 at the street party in Vienna, something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I made it to two of my favorite countries: France and Egypt. /2

I know the big takeaway from last night being talked about is Trump’s refusal to disavow white supremacy and his “stand by” call to Proud Boys. But honestly, didn’t we know that already? Do you think his base gives a shit? Even those who aren’t racist themselves had plenty of /1 evidence of it before they voted for him the first time around. Also, his bullying isn’t new. Did anyone seriously expect him to show decorum at a debate when he doesn’t show it any other time? Please. His cult loves it. He’s a one-trick pony performing the same act for /2

I knew a guy in Brazil in the 90s who sorely missed a corrupt president we impeached soon after getting democracy back. He was a nice guy, upper middle class, well educated, super smart. I couldn’t understand how a guy like that could be in favor of a corrupt government. /1 One day I asked him. He shrugged and said that sure, he knew corruption was bad for the country, but he didn’t trust bureaucrats. Too much of an unknown. With a corrupt guy, he argued, you know everything you need to do to get what you need. Whether it’s a bribe, a favor, /2

If you want to hear real presidents remember 9/11, here is one (1/2): And here's another:

Lebanese/Mediterranean brunch today. My favorite breakfast item in Beirut was Za’atar Man’ouche (flat bread with seasoning). Super easy to make. You’ll need 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour, 75ml olive oil, 150ml warm water, 2 tsp yeast, 1 tsp salt for the dough. /1 In a large bowl, whisk together flour, yeast and salt. Make a hole in the middle. /2

If you’re putting down Kamala Harris because she’s ‘too ambitious’, ask yourself if you’d say the same of a man. Then ask yourself if you would rather have a meek, timid VP to sit on the sidelines or someone who will fight hard for everything they believe in. JFC it’s 2020 and /1 I still remember all the excuses people made for not voting for a woman president. ‘Too emotional’, ‘No one will respect’, etc etc. Here we are. Do America a favor and judge candidates - of all parties - on their preparedness, experience and leadership. Forget the gotcha /2

Continuing my “fuck it all” mood, this morning I indulged in the only dish I’ve ever invented: cheese waffles. I was inspired by a hotel breakfast in Mumbai of all places. They served eggs Benedict not on English muffins but on savory waffles. Interested? Here we go: /1 You need 2 eggs (separated), 1.5 cups of buttermilk, 2 Tbsp melted butter, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp cornmeal, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1-2 cups of grated cheese (whatever you have at hand), 1 tsp dried herbs. /2

Skillet Cinnamon Rolls (I went through a cast iron cooking phase). This takes 2 hours so it’s more brunch than breakfast. Step 1 - make the dough. You need 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet rapid rise yeast, 1/2 tsp salt, 3 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp butter, 1 egg, 3/4 cup water. /1 Combine ONE cup of flour, sugar, yeast and salt in mixer bowl and stir. Put water and butter in glass bowl, microwave about 30-50s until reaches 120-130 F. Add to flour mixture and beat 2 minutes at medium speed. /2

I'm surprised at the attention this tweet got, but a few points must be made here:
1 - it was not an official warning from the Supreme Court of Brazil to the president. It was one Justice, currently in Europe, giving the president a heads up that the image of Brazil's handling /1

https://twitter.com/boardingsoon/status/1283775027566055425

of the pandemic was terrible, and that he (the Justice) heard rumors that people could file a complaint against Bolsonaro in the ICC for genocide. Whether that's a real possibility or not, I don't know. My legal education was not focused on human rights or international law. /2

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of kittens, I decided to helpfully provide an account of "kitten, one morning in the life of".

Wake up at first light (in July, that's 5:10am). Find yourself in an empty bedroom, door closed. Cry loudly and incessantly like you've /1 never been loved. Human opens the door, and you spring free.

Follow human to her bedroom, climb on the bed using just claws on the new bed coverings. Tap and nibble human's face because she's not playing with you.

When human doesn't move, chew Apple charging cord. That /2

I’m feeling nostalgic for Brazilian desserts from my childhood so today I decided to make ‘pavê de baunilha’ (vanilla pavé). If you’d like to attempt this decadent piece of heaven, bear with me because some ingredients may not be exactly the same. Here we go: /1 You’ll need 1 can of condensed milk, 1 egg, milk, 2 Tbsp corn starch, 2 Tbsp of sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, flavorless cookies (I’ll explain) and Cat help us, whatever we can find that’s closest to “Creme de Leite”. /2

It’s the last day of Egypt Week in #PhotoTravelMemory. Here’s a mishmash of wonderful moments/sights from the last three years. First, more from Nefertari’s tomb. /1 Temple of Karnak. /2

More Egypt Week. In today's #PhotoTravelMemory a look back at what is without a doubt the highlight of every trip I take to Egypt - Queen Nefertari's tomb, in the Valley of the Queens. /1 This is an "extra ticket", like Seti I. On my first visit, I was simply told it was the best preserved tomb in the Valley of the Queens, and worth a visit. I'd already gone into a couple of other tombs, finding them interesting but unremarkable. Then I went into Nefertari's. /2