Ok so I did write this yesterday but i'm hoping you'll lough me that...

So it’s been a while since I’ve written and apologies for that but yeah, you’ve guessed it, I’ve been run off my feet… Every time I see a clear space for updating my blog, writing you chatty emails or hell, just sunbathing for 5 minutes something comes up and I’m back at the hard graft. But now I’ve already done a days (and nights) work and I’m settling down with a good bottle of red (thanks Amanda!) to chat about the last couple of weeks. It could take a while so if you’ve got a sofa and a bottle-opener to hand, sit back, relax and uncork (not that I’m advocating drinking of course, oh no not me…)

I’m afraid I can’t even check to see what I last wrote because the server is down here in Rio, which happens a lot unfortunately. I am slightly concerned about the effect that will have on the radio station, but our meeting with Terra – an internet service provider in Brazil – should rectify that. We will be going to Sao Paulo to discuss options sometime in May. I’m also hoping to go to Sao Paulo for Skol Beats, an annual electronic festival which just happens to fall on the weekend of my birthday this year (May 6th just in case you forgot, the address of where I’m staying - Rua Joaquim Murtinho 587, Santa Teresa, 20241-320, Rio de Janeiro, RJ just in case you want to send any presents!). For those of you who know me you’ll know I dread my birthday (all that attention, all that pressure!) so I’m hoping a set from Fabio, Grooverider, Friction and D-Bridge will avert that dread. In true workaholic mode I might even try to get a show from them for AfroReggaeDigital. Come on Fabs you said you would!

So anyway with an absence of a start point I’m going to back track and start at the end – today. First off I’ve got to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO who I’m sure is currently out somewhere enjoying himself – I love you homie – couldn’t have chosen a better brother. In true Sam style, you’ll get your present sometime when I’m back (ok call it Christmas for arguments sake – cool?! Mmwah!)

I woke early this morning, around 8.30 (for Brazilians working in media that’s early trust) and got straight onto the computer. It was great to get a chance to sit and type uninterruptedly for a couple of hours and do, oh the little things like write an email to the British Council, compile a worksheet on ‘Preparing Your Show’, synopsise the project for the Brazilian press etc that I just hadn’t had the time to do up until now. I took a break around 1pm to walk into Lapa (just down the hill) to buy credit for my phone, get some money out and do some food shopping. OK so this might seem sad, but the supermarket was the highlight of my day today. Primarily because it was the first time in ages that I’d had to myself but also because I revelled in the Brazilian imperfection of things. There are no shiny surfaces in supermarkets here, the trolleys don’t work and the apples are bruised but that’s real life and that’s how I like it! There’s something quite spiritual in choosing your apple from a heap of dodgy ones and not just picking up a cling-filmed pack of four from the shelf.

After Zen-ing it out for half an hour or so I chained myself back to the computer until 5pm when I had a 2 hour Portuguese lesson, and this is when I got depressed (yes I’m a third of the way through the bottle of wine now). I have to admit it’s the only thing not going quite as smoothly as I’d hoped – the Portuguese, which is why I’m taking lessons. It’s a difficult language, everyone says so, but my main problem is that I’m not speaking enough – why not I hear you cry, you’re in Brazil for Christo’s sake. Well I’m constantly working, need to communicate effectively with the (all English) team out here and when we have high profile meetings (with AfroReggae, press agencies, funding bodies etc) the Brazilians either speak English or we have an interpreter – unfortunately it’s more important that the correct message gets across than I practice my Portuguese. I was hoping to be able to conduct workshops solo by this stage but that’s just not the case. Again, it’s more important for the sake of the favela kids that we get someone fluent in Portuguese to help with the lessons – at the end of the day the success of their programmes and AfroReggeDigital as a result – depends on their understanding and grasp of radio. Do not fear though, I have another month to get it right… eu espero, voce espera, nos esperamos, voces esperam… and I’ve already got my Muito Bom down to perfection.

Talking of workshops, we have started giving two a day Monday-Thursday since yesterday. I am now going to Parada de Lucas every Monday and Wednesday whilst Max takes the Tuesday and Thursday groups and we both do Saturdays. We’re currently teaching the students about links (the talking in between music) and BPM studio (the software we’re using to broadcast the station) as well as preparing them for their first live shows from April 30th (Oh my god is it really that close?!?!). There’s a lot to do but I have every confidence in the kids (prove me right guys prove me right please!).

Max & I have also been interviewing this week for volunteer positions at the station. We aim to implement a structured volunteer programme to teach workshops after we leave. We are also advertising, locally as well as internationally, for a ‘Chief of Parties’ (I know what a great job title!) position to run the station full time from June – this position will include giving workshops as well as liaising with ourselves and AfroReggae, managing the team, sourcing new business and securing funding – if you know anyone who’d be interested please get in touch. The successful applicant must have a working knowledge of radio and be fluent in Portuguese. Management, teaching and IT-based skills are also preferred.

I can’t believe I’ve written so much and only talked about the half of what’s happened in the last two days. Suffice to say I’ll save time, ears, fingers and heads by synopsising the rest – mostly with pretty pictures. Just at the right time, the press has come back into play. Last week I managed to meet the deadline for an article for Jungle Drums – a wicked Brazilian magazine based in London. Publishing side by side in Portuguese and English it focuses primarily on music, explores Brazilian culture and touches upon social issues. Check it out at www.jungledrums.com. The article on AfroReggaeDigital goes out in the May issue – I’ll let you know an exact date when I do. Been too busy writing the piece, sourcing pictures and the rest I’d forgotten about that till now… Thanks – JD Release date – add to tingz…

Last week we also had the pleasure of Ali Wade’s company. Ali co-runs a non-profitmaking website covering music/film/art/leftfield culture at www.spannered.org. He came to Parada de Lucas with us, researching an article about AfroReggeaDigital. He’s also a Bristol boy living in Sao Paulo and randomly, knows Max, Mark and Ritchie from back in the day. That’s the thing about this place, and this trip, which keeps cropping up - there are random connections everywhere. Who’d have thought MC Gringo, who’d emailed me at 1Xtra after L Double broadcast backstage from Favela Feva, would be being interviewed when we first met in Rio and went to Rochina and Favelinha, by Natalie - an Austrian radio Presenter/Producer taking 3 months out of her job to study and report on Baile Funk, who would later fix us up with where we’re living now and was being visited by, Ariane, whom Uche from 1Xtra had sent an ‘SOS’ message to myself and Helen Clegg about for when she got to Rio. Who’d have known that Gringo would have played football with Carlbucci, the longest serving DnB DJ in Rio, who is the boyfriend of a friend of Bel’s, The lady who does the music programming for Guanabara, where the first Favela Feva was held. And how come Carlbucci’s MC is Mario Z whose studio you see was Maira’s plan B for a meeting with me after her initial plea, of getting involved in the project. And how come the same Mario Z a shit-hot MC who’s just happened to be getting closer to me without charging a fee or taking the p, is moving from item to object. So some of you have been asking and I might as well tell you now yeah I’ve got a boyfriend… and yeah you said it would happen and it did… He’s the sweetest most lovely boy I ever did meet and he’s already taken me to his beach house down the coast and taken us on a guided tour when Amanda and Mark first got here…sigh… so switch, Amanda came just in time for the Easter holidays and it was so great to see her (in fact I must thank her again for the state I’m in now) we chilled, chatted, ate chocolate and climbed Sugar Loaf. Mark – the superstar online magician technician, out here for a month for AfroReggaeDigital – had just arrived and for a day or two it almost felt like kids on tour, not quite sure if we had the backpacks on or not. We were all high though from a meeting we had a couple of days before with Jose Junior and the core AfroReggae team at their HQ. They are as excited by this project as we are, which was great to see… Long Live ARD!
(Now I must go to bed)