A few years ago I started thinking about going back to school. At that moment, I was considering a Masters in IT Engineering, or in some other topic related to IT. At the moment I didn’t had the chance to quit work, and dedicate all time to study. Also my company wouldn’t support my idea of studying in part-time.

I was not so interested on studying again IT, because I doubted I would learn anything really useful. So I just focused on gaining experience, learning all that I could about business and working with people.

Last year, during Summer I did a lot of thinking about my future, and what I wanted to do in the mid-long term. Although I would love to have my future involved with music, and I still hope it will… I don’t think I could just survive with working with music. I also concluded that at work, I would enjoy more the moments when I worked with people, whether customers or “my developers”. Slowly the more technical tasks became less interesting to me. Some people say it’s a sign of growing up.

So I’ve decided I would consider and search information about going for a MBA, a Master in Business Administration. Going that way, I would take my Engineering foundation and experience, and build on top of that Business Administration knowledge. Would be a good asset in my curriculum and a good experience too.

Initially I was only considering going for a MBA here in Porto, in Portugal. I was already thinking about quiting my work, and focus full-time on the MBA for 1 year. I could still stay in my parents home, and do my best to save money while I was not working.

(more will follow, in a next post…)

In the 11th of June, Andrew Osenga released a very special music project.

It all started in the end of May, with the idea of recording a solo acoustic EP. And as fast as possible… A bit tired from spending eight months to write and three months to record for “Overdressed”, the new Caedmon’s Call, Andrew was just looking to write some different, with less production and the creativity from the moment.

It became something completely different from what I’ve seen in all my life, when he turned it into a more “community” project. He turned into inspiration on his blog readers. On his blog he posted a request for anyone to send him ideas for songs, stories, words, strong lines, paintings, drawings or photos… anything that could inspire him.

He was flooded with ideas. I even send him a couple of old photos from my grandpa feeding the seaguls, and shared that moment with him.

His plans were to release the album online and create a “virtual booklet” in PDF to go along with the songs.

While he was working and recording the songs, another idea came up. Asking anyone to record himself singing backing vocals in one of the songs he was working on. He posted 2 vocal lines and a simple guitar line on his blog, and invited anyone to record and send him back the result. He called this “Webground Vocals”

He received more than 50 vocal recordings. I also wanted to join, but that weekend I had a cold, and my voice was worse than usual. I’m not kidding you It’s not an excuse!

A few days afterwards, he released the songs on his site. He managed to write, record, mix the songs and create the “virtual booklet” in less than 2 weeks, if I’m not wrong. Amazing! And the results were pretty amazing too. Specially the “webground vocals” in the last song came out with very good too.

Anyone could download the songs for free, on his website, and whoever felt right could send him a donation through PayPal.

I love this project for many reasons. I love how spontaneous and fresh it sounds. Although the idea I shared with Andrew didn’t turned out into these 6 songs, I feel like I’m part of these songs too. They are a bit mine too.

The songs turned out really good, both lyrics and music. And the recording and mixing is to be praised, considering Andy did all work. My favorite ones are “Wanted”, “Anna and the aliens” and “Swing wide the glimmering gates”, which is the one with the “webground vocals”. The “virtual booklet” is beautiful, with all the photos and stories being the songs.

You will be taken into the download page, by clicking on the album cover. Enjoy!

Welcome! I’m glad to have you visit my humble new home. I’m starting this new blog, after not blogging for about half-an-year.
I considered it was important to be back blogging, because in about 1 month my life will change completely, and I want my friends to be able to follow my adventures during the next year.

In August I will be going to Belgium, to a city called Leuven, for a 1-year full-time MBA (Master in Business Administration). This involves several changes in my life, as for sure you noticed already.

First, I’ve always lived in Portugal, since I was born, and now I will be moving to another country. It’s not that far, luckily. It’s just a 2 and half hours flight away from home.
Second, I’ve always lived with my parents. So for sure this will be a challenging time, trying to live on my own.
Third, I’ve finished my degree in 2000, and since then I’ve been working for a bit more than 7 years. This is going to be a “back to school” experience. I’m a few months away of being 30 years old, and I’m a bit worried that my mind is not so much willing to stay the whole day sitting in classes, listening to lectures.
And many more changes, that I won’t name now.

In the next days I will do my best to tell you a bit of the story of why am I ended up going for a MBA in Belgium.
When classes start, I will do my best to write some updates here, at least once a week. Also I will post some photos from the places I’ll be visiting. I’m dreaming of visiting some places in Europe.