COMPUTER - A necessity, an entertainment or an addiction? Whatever the answer, I have 4 and can't live without them. I use them mainly for may projects and for that I need (or want) to learn how to deal with the programs and be abreast of ongoing updates. Secondly, they are my way to be in touch with the world, as I never know where I'll be tomorrow and the easiest way to reach me is by e-mail. To develop my site is another thing that takes many hours at the computer; to follow up on the car races without being connected, watching the lap-by-lap timing is almost impossible. And, sure enough, since I got my first computer I learned how to assemble and disassemble, change boards, memory, etc...

MUSIC - When I was very small, my sister studied the flute at school and she taught me the first 5 notes: do, re, mi, fa, sol. I looked at her music books and learned by myself what the other notes were (by logical conclusion). When my class started to learn how to play the flute, I already knew how. So I chose to play at the school band. I would try to make a sweet sound with my flute but the boys would blare their saxes, trumpets, clarinets, etc. and I could not listen to my music! One day I asked the teacher to let me change my instrument but the only one available was a slide trombone! Well, I took it. Later, still at school, I learned how to play the guitar, and a private teacher was hired so that I could learn how to play the classic guitar. Later yet I decided to study the flute more seriously and I became a member of an Ancient Music group. At the same time I became part of a choral group, started to play the piano and study music theory. I also started to have singing lessons, as this was important for my acting career. I was invited to sing in several choral groups. There was a time when I sang at 5 choral groups! That plus classes, rehearsals and recitals...made my time to be almost completely taken by music activities. It was very good for me. But due to the frequent trips it was not easy to go deep into my piano studies. Besides playing the flute I decided to play the oboe, that in may opinion is the most beautiful instrument on any orchestra (well played of course!). However, there was always a big problem: I was shy! Once I organized a solo show for myself, where I read texts, sang and played the oboe. It was nothing grand, it was just an entertainment. Currently I am part of the Madrigal Armando Prazeres, where we sing polifonic and renaissance musics and our next appearance will be on 1st of June. But I cannot always come to the rehearsals due to my car racing activities. So I sing my favorite compositions such as Handel's Messias, Bach's Missa Brevis, and Mozart's Requiem while I'm traveling on the road!

PHOTOGRAPHY - I was given my first camera when I was 9 years old. My father encouraged me a lot - he worked with photography professionally and won several contests, some of them international. I became addicted. Even with a very simple camera I was able to take artistic pictures. When I got the chance, I studied photography and installed my own photo lab at home. I spent many sleepless nights in that lab! I worked as a photographer for theaters, shows and... guess what? Formula 1! I used more than 20 film rolls a day. Even today I always have my camera with me. I love best to make art photos, those that need patience until the right moment comes. I love to use filters! If you want to watch some of the beautiful scenery I did, clik HERE.