First things first.
If you are in some place that gets WAAAAY more snow than we do in Toronto, yes, i know we are spoiled. That is the point of this post! Sorry to start out on the defensive, but, anytime i complain to people from other parts of Canada, I feel the need to defend my hatred of snow. For the record, let me say that it is mainly due to the already horrific GTA traffic conditions, and the chaos that ensues with snow.
Aaaaaanyway.
Here in the GTA, we have had a much tougher winter than normal. It seems to snow every few days and the general consensus is that we are tired of it. Int he past few years we have had it easy here. At no time in th past 5 years did i regret not having snow tires. This year, though... I kinda miss them. We have gotten more snow in February of this year, than we did all of last year.
I remember as a kid growing up that we used to get much more snow. Maybe my memory is coulded by the ipassage of years. Maybe I am only remembering the snowdays of my youth, but, even the family picture albums seem to support this. When I was young my father used to make a skating rink for us in the back-yard. It was an annual tradition. Over the past 10 years we have had very few winters where we could sustain a backyard skating rink.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
What a crock..
CG and I don't play the valentines game. So to all you guys out there bending over backwards to try and impress your gal.... “HaHa!”
Since we started dating, Heather and I have never celebrated Valentines day. I've participated for girlfriends in the past and if she was really into it I could also find it in me to take part. But, I'm happy that CG is grounded enough not to want to go through with the charade. Her feeling is that its a contrived day, put together by greeting card companies to get them through the dry months. Of course she is right. But, that doesn't stop most people from believing that its a holiday. I guess that I can understand. Everyone likes special days. And everyone wants to feel loved. Our take is that we should be showing our love for each other everyday and not when some retail council tells us we are due (see the “Love Day” episode of the Simpsons). So let me take this opportunity to tell my wife how much I love her, in a totally non-contrived, non-greeting card, non retail way. I Love you more because you don't expect me to prove it with an expensive gift or dinner, and you love me for who I am.... not WHAT I BUY you
The office where I work is mainly staffed by females. Lets call it “Estrogen Inc.” At Estrogen Inc., valentines day is a big deal. All the ladies talk about the special treatment that they expect to get from their significant others. Invariably, someone goes looking for the few male perspectives in the office, and asks me how I am going to Lavish my wife today. And, I like seeing their shocked reactions when I tell them that we don't do Valentines day. They think that I am making up the fact that it is my wife that doesn't want to do it, and that I'm just lazy. For her part, CG always tells me that she could come into the office and lecture the women on why Valentines is bogus. I fear that at Estrogen Inc. It would fall on deaf ears...
Since we started dating, Heather and I have never celebrated Valentines day. I've participated for girlfriends in the past and if she was really into it I could also find it in me to take part. But, I'm happy that CG is grounded enough not to want to go through with the charade. Her feeling is that its a contrived day, put together by greeting card companies to get them through the dry months. Of course she is right. But, that doesn't stop most people from believing that its a holiday. I guess that I can understand. Everyone likes special days. And everyone wants to feel loved. Our take is that we should be showing our love for each other everyday and not when some retail council tells us we are due (see the “Love Day” episode of the Simpsons). So let me take this opportunity to tell my wife how much I love her, in a totally non-contrived, non-greeting card, non retail way. I Love you more because you don't expect me to prove it with an expensive gift or dinner, and you love me for who I am.... not WHAT I BUY you
The office where I work is mainly staffed by females. Lets call it “Estrogen Inc.” At Estrogen Inc., valentines day is a big deal. All the ladies talk about the special treatment that they expect to get from their significant others. Invariably, someone goes looking for the few male perspectives in the office, and asks me how I am going to Lavish my wife today. And, I like seeing their shocked reactions when I tell them that we don't do Valentines day. They think that I am making up the fact that it is my wife that doesn't want to do it, and that I'm just lazy. For her part, CG always tells me that she could come into the office and lecture the women on why Valentines is bogus. I fear that at Estrogen Inc. It would fall on deaf ears...
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sweeny Todd
Ok, so my reviews are never quite up-to-date or necessarily of the current movies out there. Sometimes it takes me a while to get out to see stuff. But, i like getting my thoughts about movies down.
Seeing as the past weekend was CG's Birthday, we took the opportunity to take in some dinner and a movie. CG and I don't make it out to movies as often as I would like, and I am sure that it will only get more difficult once thje Mango arrives. After a quick perusal of what was playing, we both agreed on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
CG spent some time working in theatre and was familiar with the story. I had an idea of the broad strokes of the story, but was unprepared for the darkness. I was expecting something of a macabre tale along the lines of what Tim Burton had done for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Instead, the story was a dark, twisted tale about a man's lust for revenge so strong that it takes him to the point of killing innocent people to quench his thirst for blood. WOW! Do I know how to show my girl a good time on her birthday or WHAT! Most men would be having to put up with a Romantic comedy of some sort. Just another reason that CG makes me feel so lucky every day.
Sweeney Todd is a great messed up tale. Any musical about a serial killer is bound to be a bit strange and twisted. Thankfully, Tim Burton's style is perfectly suited to this dark and twisted story. Watching Johnny Depp brood through the movie was fun, and Helena Bonham Carter is so well suited to playing the messed up Vamp (as she has so many times ) that even though she has been there before, its still a treat to take the journey. Alan Rickman is pure evil, so there is no question that he grabs your attention as the Evil Judge.
All in all I was surprised by the blood and gore in the movie as well. I think that this movie gave Kill Bill a run for Arterial Spray volume, although the latter still holds the crown for sheer volume of bloodshed.
Crazy stuff man. Me like.
Seeing as the past weekend was CG's Birthday, we took the opportunity to take in some dinner and a movie. CG and I don't make it out to movies as often as I would like, and I am sure that it will only get more difficult once thje Mango arrives. After a quick perusal of what was playing, we both agreed on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
CG spent some time working in theatre and was familiar with the story. I had an idea of the broad strokes of the story, but was unprepared for the darkness. I was expecting something of a macabre tale along the lines of what Tim Burton had done for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Instead, the story was a dark, twisted tale about a man's lust for revenge so strong that it takes him to the point of killing innocent people to quench his thirst for blood. WOW! Do I know how to show my girl a good time on her birthday or WHAT! Most men would be having to put up with a Romantic comedy of some sort. Just another reason that CG makes me feel so lucky every day.
Sweeney Todd is a great messed up tale. Any musical about a serial killer is bound to be a bit strange and twisted. Thankfully, Tim Burton's style is perfectly suited to this dark and twisted story. Watching Johnny Depp brood through the movie was fun, and Helena Bonham Carter is so well suited to playing the messed up Vamp (as she has so many times ) that even though she has been there before, its still a treat to take the journey. Alan Rickman is pure evil, so there is no question that he grabs your attention as the Evil Judge.
All in all I was surprised by the blood and gore in the movie as well. I think that this movie gave Kill Bill a run for Arterial Spray volume, although the latter still holds the crown for sheer volume of bloodshed.
Crazy stuff man. Me like.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
A much needed movie break..
3:10 To Yuma
After a long day of dealing with crappy weather, Traffic and work CG and I sat down in front of the TV to watch a movie, while eating Pasta. No better way to spend a night if you ask me.
A great western is a joy to watch. You can expect (with the better ones) scenes of natural splendour. Some great action set pieces. Heroes that you can depend on to defend the moral high ground, and a suitably evil villain who you can't help but admire as they embody the freedom of the frontier. As a genre, westerns have come and gone. Every few years someone comes along and revitalizes them enough so that you have a reason to watch again. Sergio Leone did the archetype so well, that you have to shake it up a bit to make it relevant.
3:10 casts the hero as a broken man. Not looking to defend the weak, or fight for what is right, but, merely to be able to ensure his family's most basic survival with only one foot left to stand on. A small rancher on a drought plagued farm, with an evil land baron dogging his attempts at basic subsistence. He is pitted against a man who is so rotten to the core who believes all men have their price, and to whom killing is just a part of business... unless of course he just wants to enjoy it. In the end, our hero learns to stand tall again (for the first time) and earns the most important thing that he has needed... the respect of his son and of all those around him.
Its a great film, and presents some intriguing ideas about what respect really is, and where it lies in all men.
Thats' my read anyway. Some people may dig it for the gunfights and horses... that's cool too.
After a long day of dealing with crappy weather, Traffic and work CG and I sat down in front of the TV to watch a movie, while eating Pasta. No better way to spend a night if you ask me.
A great western is a joy to watch. You can expect (with the better ones) scenes of natural splendour. Some great action set pieces. Heroes that you can depend on to defend the moral high ground, and a suitably evil villain who you can't help but admire as they embody the freedom of the frontier. As a genre, westerns have come and gone. Every few years someone comes along and revitalizes them enough so that you have a reason to watch again. Sergio Leone did the archetype so well, that you have to shake it up a bit to make it relevant.
3:10 casts the hero as a broken man. Not looking to defend the weak, or fight for what is right, but, merely to be able to ensure his family's most basic survival with only one foot left to stand on. A small rancher on a drought plagued farm, with an evil land baron dogging his attempts at basic subsistence. He is pitted against a man who is so rotten to the core who believes all men have their price, and to whom killing is just a part of business... unless of course he just wants to enjoy it. In the end, our hero learns to stand tall again (for the first time) and earns the most important thing that he has needed... the respect of his son and of all those around him.
Its a great film, and presents some intriguing ideas about what respect really is, and where it lies in all men.
Thats' my read anyway. Some people may dig it for the gunfights and horses... that's cool too.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Giving up the Batcave...
I knew the time would come some day.
My Batcave will soon have a changing table...
The expectation of the Mango has forced CG and I to look the available space in our house and try to figure out where to put the kid's room. CG and I have been living in a 3 bedroom home for close to 5 years now, and as such have each enjoys our own personal space. We have used the spare bedrooms as personal offices, giving both of us a needed refuge, and personal space. I've unfortunately probably spent more time in my office space than any other room in the house. I love my space. But, the Mango needs a room and it looks like it will me my office.
We plan on moving our PC's into the basement area, which is at least finished, carpeted and comfortable, and using CG's office as a true Guest room. CG has started the process of clearing out her space this weekend. Soon, I will need to sift through the stacks of CD's, computer parts and various other nic-nacks, leaving only the essential stuff that I can move to the basement. It may not look like much in pictures, but, its mine.
Enjoy little Mango. You are probably the only person on the planet that I would gladly offer my space to.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Cloverfield...
More than any other movie of recent memory, Cloverfield has become an internet sensation. I've been following and anticipating this one for a while, and last night my Brother and I went to check it out.
It was cool. The movie starts slowly by introducing a bunch of people who I had no sympathy for. I was happy when the monster finally attacked and the action got underway. The tension of the First person perspective in the midst of a giant monster attack was well played out. I really liked how they didn't show too much of the monster(s), which also gave the movie a scary edge reminiscent of the first Alien movie. In that way, I think that this film was able to be a bit more interesting than any of the “Big Monster” film we have had in the past while
By the end, I found the characters a bit more appealing. In retrospect, though I think that the lack of likable characters ended up being one of the things that helped the movie rise above the standard “Man in a Suit” B-Movie expectations. I'll try to explain....
Any movie that is about an attack on NYC by almost anything in this day and age is bound to reference 9-11 to us. The imagery is burned in for all of us. In that respect, Cloverfield is blatantly obvious. Panicked citizens watch helplessly from the top of a building as explosions are seen in the distance, then react with horror as one of the City's monuments is defaced. Burning paper rains form the sky, and buildings collapse sending clouds of smoke down the streets, blocking out the light and covering everyone in ash and dirt.
Not so obvious is the effect on the characters. In the beginning of the film we are introduced to a group of self absorbed young professionals and wannabe actors who do little to gain our sympathy. Rob is going to Japan for some big job, and he treats Beth like shit. So what right. It Happens. Marlena can't be bothered to look up from texting on her cell phone to acknowledge the cameraman known as Hud and offer even the slightest good wishes to the departing Rob. All in all they come across as self absorbed, self centred, spoiled brats.
But, once the Monster attacks they begin to move together with an unspoken pact. Selflessly throwing themselves into harms way to help the people they barely acknowledged at the beginning of the film. In bad times, even they were able to step up. Much like what happened in New York in 2001. It's this change in people that in the end had Cloverfield sticking around in my head a bit longer then it might have otherwise. I went in expecting a Monster to attack and break shit. Gladly, I got a bit more. Gladly, the monster also busted enough shit to make it fun, and the perspective of watching it from the ground, while it was happening was a fun twist.
I'm not sure that I will ever want to watch this movie again, as the gimmick and the freshness of the perspective is what makes it so intense. I'm actually quite surprised that I am still thinking about the film, and, that this is the first film I have blogged.
Man this Blog is getting weird on me...
It was cool. The movie starts slowly by introducing a bunch of people who I had no sympathy for. I was happy when the monster finally attacked and the action got underway. The tension of the First person perspective in the midst of a giant monster attack was well played out. I really liked how they didn't show too much of the monster(s), which also gave the movie a scary edge reminiscent of the first Alien movie. In that way, I think that this film was able to be a bit more interesting than any of the “Big Monster” film we have had in the past while
By the end, I found the characters a bit more appealing. In retrospect, though I think that the lack of likable characters ended up being one of the things that helped the movie rise above the standard “Man in a Suit” B-Movie expectations. I'll try to explain....
Any movie that is about an attack on NYC by almost anything in this day and age is bound to reference 9-11 to us. The imagery is burned in for all of us. In that respect, Cloverfield is blatantly obvious. Panicked citizens watch helplessly from the top of a building as explosions are seen in the distance, then react with horror as one of the City's monuments is defaced. Burning paper rains form the sky, and buildings collapse sending clouds of smoke down the streets, blocking out the light and covering everyone in ash and dirt.
Not so obvious is the effect on the characters. In the beginning of the film we are introduced to a group of self absorbed young professionals and wannabe actors who do little to gain our sympathy. Rob is going to Japan for some big job, and he treats Beth like shit. So what right. It Happens. Marlena can't be bothered to look up from texting on her cell phone to acknowledge the cameraman known as Hud and offer even the slightest good wishes to the departing Rob. All in all they come across as self absorbed, self centred, spoiled brats.
But, once the Monster attacks they begin to move together with an unspoken pact. Selflessly throwing themselves into harms way to help the people they barely acknowledged at the beginning of the film. In bad times, even they were able to step up. Much like what happened in New York in 2001. It's this change in people that in the end had Cloverfield sticking around in my head a bit longer then it might have otherwise. I went in expecting a Monster to attack and break shit. Gladly, I got a bit more. Gladly, the monster also busted enough shit to make it fun, and the perspective of watching it from the ground, while it was happening was a fun twist.
I'm not sure that I will ever want to watch this movie again, as the gimmick and the freshness of the perspective is what makes it so intense. I'm actually quite surprised that I am still thinking about the film, and, that this is the first film I have blogged.
Man this Blog is getting weird on me...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Because I suck at keeping one blog....
.. I figured, hey, a second one is a GREAT idea!
So here is my site devoted to the upcoming appearance of our Child, hereafter referred to as “The Mango”.
Waiting for the Mango
I hope to keep this space updated with the other goings on in here in the control room of what will soon me Mango Central, but, I have learned already that even when you are just EXPECTING a child, the little thing has a tendency to take over. All good by me.
So here is my site devoted to the upcoming appearance of our Child, hereafter referred to as “The Mango”.
Waiting for the Mango
I hope to keep this space updated with the other goings on in here in the control room of what will soon me Mango Central, but, I have learned already that even when you are just EXPECTING a child, the little thing has a tendency to take over. All good by me.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Is my Mango a boy?
CG has her second ultrasound scheduled for one week from now. This brings us to yet another of the interesting decisions we need to make. Do we want to know the sex of the child? There are some family members (not pointing any fingers DAD!!) who want to leave it as a “surprise”. There are some who want us to find out so that they can purchase the appropriately coloured clothes.
Now, CG and I both tend to like to think of ourselves as rational people, who like to think things through. I work as a Planner, so for me, looking ahead and coming up with solutions is just my day to day. Knowing the sex of the child in advance would help us to figure out names, and that kind of stuff. I’m not to concerned about the colours, however, if we have a boy, there is NO WAY I want my son is wearing pink! Call it old fashioned, sexist, narrow minded or whatever you will. I don’t care.
For her part, CG just doesn’t do “waiting” very well, especially around Christmas when the sight of wrapped presents sends her into fits of anticipation. What’s funny is that her excitement comes from keeping the secret of the gifts she is giving. She doesn’t keep secrets very well at all. So, if CG learns the sex than everyone will. CG is leaning towards finding the sex, and I guess I am as well.
In the end, we will find out anyway, but I think we are both just a bit too curious to leave it until after the labour, when the person taking the pictures knows.
In other news, I am listening to Serena Ryder. Came highly recommended from a former co-worker. I like.
Now, CG and I both tend to like to think of ourselves as rational people, who like to think things through. I work as a Planner, so for me, looking ahead and coming up with solutions is just my day to day. Knowing the sex of the child in advance would help us to figure out names, and that kind of stuff. I’m not to concerned about the colours, however, if we have a boy, there is NO WAY I want my son is wearing pink! Call it old fashioned, sexist, narrow minded or whatever you will. I don’t care.
For her part, CG just doesn’t do “waiting” very well, especially around Christmas when the sight of wrapped presents sends her into fits of anticipation. What’s funny is that her excitement comes from keeping the secret of the gifts she is giving. She doesn’t keep secrets very well at all. So, if CG learns the sex than everyone will. CG is leaning towards finding the sex, and I guess I am as well.
In the end, we will find out anyway, but I think we are both just a bit too curious to leave it until after the labour, when the person taking the pictures knows.
In other news, I am listening to Serena Ryder. Came highly recommended from a former co-worker. I like.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
90 Years Young...
Today, my wife and I attended a Birthday brunch for my wife’s grandmother. She will be 90 years old on Tuesday. 90!!!!!! Man, if I can make it to half that age and still be as healthy as her I’ll be happy. She’s a remarkable woman for her age. Still walking on her own (albeit with a cane) and with most of her mental faculties intact. Sure, she forgets names and confuses stories sometimes, but for 90 she is still OK. We went out for a Chinese buffet, as that was what she wanted to do. She ate one heck of a meal and topped it off with coffee and cake.
The first thing she said to the wife and I when we walked in was “Hey, hurry up and make me a Great Grandmother would ya!” Gotta love the lady. Back in the day I am sure they would have called her e firecracker, and that would still describe her today. It struck me that sitting at that table there were 9 decades between the oldest member and the yet unborn little Mango. That’s a lot of time and I found myself looking forward to having the Great Grandma and baby together in a mere 5 months or so.
Right now I am listening to Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies. New Years eve 1969 live recording and for my money his best live stuff. Something about the guitar sound on that record, paired with a solid, steady and un-flashy rhythm section that really makes the guitar stand out. I always liked how when Jimi played, it was like you could “hear” the wood singing. Maybe it’s a guitarist thing…
The first thing she said to the wife and I when we walked in was “Hey, hurry up and make me a Great Grandmother would ya!” Gotta love the lady. Back in the day I am sure they would have called her e firecracker, and that would still describe her today. It struck me that sitting at that table there were 9 decades between the oldest member and the yet unborn little Mango. That’s a lot of time and I found myself looking forward to having the Great Grandma and baby together in a mere 5 months or so.
Right now I am listening to Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies. New Years eve 1969 live recording and for my money his best live stuff. Something about the guitar sound on that record, paired with a solid, steady and un-flashy rhythm section that really makes the guitar stand out. I always liked how when Jimi played, it was like you could “hear” the wood singing. Maybe it’s a guitarist thing…
Saturday, January 05, 2008
2 for one special!
This is my second post today. That is 50% of last year’s output already and I am only 5 days into the year.
I’ve played around with the look of this page. The picture in the header is of me in Calabria, which is my parent’s region of Italy. Had they not moved to Canada I would be calling it Home. I remember sitting on that wall like it was yesterday and thinking that somehow, being there felt right.
I’m looking for a direction for this blog. A reason to keep typing. So I might play with the look some more.
I think I want to use this as a way to document what is going on with CG and I was we anticipate our first child. To me, this is the most significant thing going on right now. I just don’t want this to start sounding like an episode of Oprah where we all hear about the “Miracle” of being a parent. Not that it’s not, but, when you aren’t in the middle of it, then it is more just the way things are for someone else than a miracle.
Anyway, CG’s Baby belly I growing. According to the books she is reading, the Baby is the size of a Mango right now. So, for the past couple of days I have been referring to the baby as “Mango”. I always hate it when people refer to their unborn children as “IT” (Sounds like a Stephen King novel) so I have been giving the child different descriptors on a pretty much weekly basis. I’ve used Zygote, Peanut, THE Baby… just trying to avoid “IT”.
In other news… I am listening to Queen’s “under pressure” almost incessantly since seeing the stage show “We Will Rock You” a couple of weeks ago. If Mango is listening, I hope He/She comes out sounding more like Bowie than Mercury…
How’s that for a Rambling Project!
I’ve played around with the look of this page. The picture in the header is of me in Calabria, which is my parent’s region of Italy. Had they not moved to Canada I would be calling it Home. I remember sitting on that wall like it was yesterday and thinking that somehow, being there felt right.
I’m looking for a direction for this blog. A reason to keep typing. So I might play with the look some more.
I think I want to use this as a way to document what is going on with CG and I was we anticipate our first child. To me, this is the most significant thing going on right now. I just don’t want this to start sounding like an episode of Oprah where we all hear about the “Miracle” of being a parent. Not that it’s not, but, when you aren’t in the middle of it, then it is more just the way things are for someone else than a miracle.
Anyway, CG’s Baby belly I growing. According to the books she is reading, the Baby is the size of a Mango right now. So, for the past couple of days I have been referring to the baby as “Mango”. I always hate it when people refer to their unborn children as “IT” (Sounds like a Stephen King novel) so I have been giving the child different descriptors on a pretty much weekly basis. I’ve used Zygote, Peanut, THE Baby… just trying to avoid “IT”.
In other news… I am listening to Queen’s “under pressure” almost incessantly since seeing the stage show “We Will Rock You” a couple of weeks ago. If Mango is listening, I hope He/She comes out sounding more like Bowie than Mercury…
How’s that for a Rambling Project!
At Vacation's End
I have been on vacation since dec 20th. Returning to work on Monday will be difficult. My dad always used to say that the best part of any vacation was the anticipation, as they always end too soon. I still prefer being in the midst of one. I really hate how short vacations always seem in retrospect. I think that the next time I take any substantial vacation time will be when we have the baby in June, so for the time being I will try to enjoy these last few moments of time off.
I can’t say that I have done much sine the 20th. I’ve celebrated Christmas on three separate occasions. Makes it tiring to have celebrations on the 23rd, 25th and 26th of December, but, what better way to have fun than share food and drink with family. My New Years tend to be quiet affairs and CG and I spent it watching movies with my Brother. While it may sound boring, I think it’s a great way to flip a calendar page. Especially when it includes the Bourne Ultimatum!!
I can’t say that I have done much sine the 20th. I’ve celebrated Christmas on three separate occasions. Makes it tiring to have celebrations on the 23rd, 25th and 26th of December, but, what better way to have fun than share food and drink with family. My New Years tend to be quiet affairs and CG and I spent it watching movies with my Brother. While it may sound boring, I think it’s a great way to flip a calendar page. Especially when it includes the Bourne Ultimatum!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
2007
The Year in review
I don’t use this corner of the WWW all that often. It is some thing I should change.
So, I think I will try to catch up with a Year in Review through the eyes of JP.
I spent most of the winter on a quest. After having visited Italy for my Honeymoon, I had determined that I needed to go back. Not wanted, NEEDED! I felt as though I had left something behind there and I needed to go reclaim it. I had been dabbling with selling stuff on eBay, and determined that this could help make my trip a fianancial reality. So, eBay became a part-time job. I listed and sold TONS of CD`s. Scoured liquidators for deals and spent most of my spare time hustling. It was tiring as I already work a full week and try to maintain a family life as well. All in all it was a boring winter.
By the time July rolled around, I had saved enough and sold enough on eBay to pay fo the trip. I had been keeping my plans secret form my wife, as I wanted this to be a surprise, as well as make sure that this trip did not interfere with our other plans. So, I remember finding the perfect priced deal, and telling her what I was thinking. Her only response was `Book it``.
Our trip to Italy was in August (there is a detailed breakdown below). I am glad that I made the trip again. Canada will always be home, but Italy fells closer now too. After my first trip, all I could think of was getting back. Now, its like I’ve taken care of that need.
The fall treated me well. Around thanksgiving, I got the best news that I could hope for. My wife (the one and only Canuck Girl) is pregnant! This alone will make this year special to me. Knowing that I will be a Father in a mere 6 Months has opened up the world to me. Part of me is scared. The focus of my life has already begun to shift. In my mind every decision I make now turns back around to the baby to be. The ultrasound photo in this post is the first view I have of my child. I have copies of this shot everywhere, and every time I look at it, I get a bit more excited.
All in all this year was amazing.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Italy... Yet again
I left Italy 2 days ago. I miss being there. The photo here is of Sorrento, which is down the coast near Naples. It is a beautiful place, and, if ever I have a few spare hundred thousand dollars kicking around I will take a longer vacation there than the 2 hours we spent there. We were only there for a quick visit, but damn that is a nice coast. This year was a return visit, and we visited more cities, but it felt like a slower pace . Whereas last year we were frantic to see all the great monuments, this year we were happy to soak in the city.We landed in Rome late in the morning our first day after a Great flight with Air Canada. After some directionless wandering, and aquiring Heather her first shot of Gelato, we took in the National Roman Museum of Archaeology located in the Diocletian Baths, which last year had been closed. It’s a great museum, even when you have just gotten off a plane! Last year we had really wanted to visit, but, it was closed and throughout the year it was referred to as one of the “too bad we missed its” of 2006’s trip. We then headed to one of our favourite restaurants from last year, “Babbo’s” to enjoy a plate of Lasagne. I think for both of us that little bit of familiarity really hit it home that we had arrived back. From there we wandered a bit and then collapsed into bed to try and adjust to Roman time.
The next day we were off to Venice. I was excited; as we had missed Venice last year as our plane had a one-hour stopover there, but we had gone on to Rome. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. Venice is a beautiful city, but it seems more like a theme park than a living place. It was actually a bit boring being surrounded by mostly tourists. There are only 30,000 inhabitants of Venice proper. It’s an infuriatingly crowded city. With poor transportation where huge crowds and lines that seem go nowhere, it is a difficult city to navigate. Not to mention that all the food we had in Venice was VERY bland. It was a poorly done approximation of Italian food. A young girl we met on the train told us that Venice was infamous in all of Italy fot its poor food, as they know that everyone is a tourist, and there are no locals to make the more traditional fare. As they know that there are thousands of tourists needing to eat, anyone can open a restaurant and poor word of mouth won’t really hurt them, so they just serve whatever. We had a chicken meal that came with frozen French fries one night there! Its as though they were trying to cater to the American tourists, and not concerning themselves at all with the quality of the food. This is in stark contrast to the rest of the country. In Rome for instance, they sell a sandwich called “Tremenzzine” in most of the Bars for 2 euros ($3). When you order one, they wrap it with care and worry about how the paper sits on it, and it is obvious that it is made with fresh ingredients. This is a standard for Italy… they take pride in their food, and whether its and expensive steak, or just a light snack, it is made with pride. This was missing in Venice. Much more pleasant was the side trip to Murano. It’s a bit quieter, and has a bit more flavour, owing to the glass industry. Murano is much more what I expected that Venice would be like. I am glad to have seen Venice, but also glad that we spent only one full day there.
Naples was our next destination. I was worried about this leg of the trip. Venice had been somewhat of a disappointment. Naples, was on our list mainly due to proximity to Pompeii, and much of what I read had not been entirely positive. Frommers talked at length of the crime and confusion of the city, while making the Cab drivers sound like the scourge of civilization. Thankfully, Napoli turned out to be a most welcome surprise. Not only was the scenery great in the city, there were many other great places to see down the coast, and the food was incredible. Here was the real Italian cuisine. Pizza was born in Naples, and by far this was the best we have ever had. Heather is looking for recipes to recreate the typical Neapolitan Pizza dough. The people were also interesting in Naples. Wait staff at restaurants were helpful, pleasant and fun, like the old man we met at the “Amore & Fantasia Bisteccheria”. Finally seeing Pompeii was intended to be a highlight of the trip and it was. But, once again Italy surprised us with Herculaneum. Pompeii’s smaller brother of a buried city, Herculaneum is better preserved and offers more of a glimpse into daily life in the Roman Empire. Whereas Pompeii impresses with the scale of the ruins, Herculaneum impresses with its intimacy. I wish that we had seen Herculaneum after Pompeii, rather than before, as Pompeii’s relative bleakness and desolation seemed to be overshadowed by Herculaneum’s beautifully preserved frescoe’s and mosaic floors. Naples is perhaps the most “Italian” of all places I have been in Italy. It is a wonderful place, busy and chaotic, but, at the same time ultimately exciting and real. It has many faults such as crazy traffic, congestion, and some very seedy areas, most notably around the train station. In the end, it is these faults that make it real and exciting. The view of the Gulf of Naples, with Mt. Vesuvius looming is one that I will always remember.
From Naples we took the train into Calabria to see my family. It was a great time with much food, happiness, alcohol and some sad times. All in all it was good to see the Family again. I choose to stay short times in the south so that I don’t impose on the family. They have so many visitors coming through that I don’t want to be a burden to them. But, I do cherish the time that I spend with them. Getting to know my cousins a bit better in the past years has been terrific, and its amazing that it feels like I have known them all of my life, having really only spent 4 days with them in the past year. Its an amazing feeling to find family and get to know them. No matter what that closeness of genetic material makes itself felt. No where in Italy was the slower pace of this year's trip more welcome than here. Last year my Father had called my family and gave them a laundry list of things he wanted me to see in his homeland. It was fun, but he managed to get all my relatived worked up into a fever of touring, and we left exhausted. This year, Heather and I were even afforded the luxury of having the time to do some things that we wanted... like taking a walk when WE felt like it. Imagine that :)
From there it was on to Rome for 2 days. This year our intention in journeying to Rome was to enjoy the city, rather than see the sights. Rome cannot be done in one visit. My cousin Armando also met up with us in Rome and took us around in the evenings. New for us this year were Campo dei Fiori and its morning food market where we purchased fresh fruit in the morning, the night time tour of government offices, by my cousin, and the District of Trastevere. Trastevere is the kind of “artsy” district of Rome. I would like to spend more time there in the future. In the Piazza’s of Trastevere are all sorts of vendors and street performers and it is frequented more by locals than tourists. It is very cool, and kind of the larger, not quite as commercial, analog of Toronto’s Queen Street and Kesington districts. My cousin also introduced me to the joy that is “St. Eustachio”. This Café, located in the tiny Piazza St. Eustachio makes the finest coffee that I have ever tried. They hide their machines to keep their methods secret, so even though I purchased their coffee grounds, it is nowhere near as good to the brew they make. St. Eustachio became the ritual start to our mornings, with even the wife trying and enjoying it, though she does not normally drink coffee. Its location near Piazza Navona, allowed us to wake me up with their coffee, then go to Campo Dei Fiori to by fruit snacks for the rest of the day and then walk the streets from there. I enjoyed the 2-day ritual we developed there, and spending most of our time just walking the streets and shopping was awesome. I feel as though I have a bit of a better feeling of what the city is like, after piquing my curiosity last year.
All in all, this trip exceeded my expectations, just as last years had. I was concerned that trying to recapture the previous year’s vacation was going to be a mistake. In fact, I was very concerned when Venice did not live up to the hype as I had expected. As always, Italy held many surprises for me. Unexpected pleasures abounded, and I never felt that we were just re-treading the path from last years trip. Its great to travel with someone like Heather who takes an open minded approach to everywhere we visit, and is happy to let the trip go in unexpected ways. As always it is good to be home, but I will treasure the time we spent in Italy and look forward to another return voyage…
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Those infernal Machines!
I am a bit of a techie. I like having new electronic gizmos that improve my life. Things that will let me hear “more music in better quality”. Allow me to watch TV in “higher definition”, compute faster, play my guitars louder and take more pictures.
I am geek, hear me roar.
Why oh why them do my beloved toys always turn on me? I only ask that they perform their assigned duties, continue to improve my enjoyment of media and I will be their slave. I will sing the praises of my iPod. Shout the name of my video card from the highest peaks, and kneel in praise to my HDTV. Yet… I spend so much time playing, tweaking and fixing the infernal machines that I rarely spend any time enjoying them! The $400 speaker which were my Christmas gift to me this year (damn I’m generous) required an afternoon of set up, then a quest for the perfect wall mounts. Hours of angling and balancing levels, running speaker wire.
My computer case seems to be open more than it is closed as I add in more hardware to allow me to organize all those electrons fractions of a millisecond faster.
I love the thrill of opening a new box full of silicon goodness. DVD plalers, Amps, TV’s. Damn but they are some sexy machines. And they all break!!!!!! Remember the first VCR you had? If you are my age, then it was probably the ONLY VCR you had for your childhood and adolescence. The machines used to be a part of the family. Those rugged pieces of hardware used to be able to withstand nuclear blasts! I’d wager that a higher percentage of all the Betamax machines produced are still in working order than DVD players made in the past 10 years! It drives me nuts! I hate it when the things just up and plotz on me. Why o Why do you torment me!?
Anyway, my HD PVR is on the fritz. Turned it on and it made a sound like a cat was stuck in it. (bad sign #1) Then the digital display on the front just started randomly displaying digits. A call the the cable company from whom we rent the infernal device confirmed that it was toast long with all the stuff I recorded and hadn’t watched. Double GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. This is the 3rd PVR we have gone through in the past 2 years. At least I am glad that I am paying a monthly rental on it, rather than having spent $500 to purchase the cheap thing.
Ah well
New Arcade Fire out today…. I’m closing in on the end of one of those great first listens. I think this record will spend some time with me. Like their first record. I love that record as it was just this amazing fully formed band that came out of nowhere
I am geek, hear me roar.
Why oh why them do my beloved toys always turn on me? I only ask that they perform their assigned duties, continue to improve my enjoyment of media and I will be their slave. I will sing the praises of my iPod. Shout the name of my video card from the highest peaks, and kneel in praise to my HDTV. Yet… I spend so much time playing, tweaking and fixing the infernal machines that I rarely spend any time enjoying them! The $400 speaker which were my Christmas gift to me this year (damn I’m generous) required an afternoon of set up, then a quest for the perfect wall mounts. Hours of angling and balancing levels, running speaker wire.
My computer case seems to be open more than it is closed as I add in more hardware to allow me to organize all those electrons fractions of a millisecond faster.
I love the thrill of opening a new box full of silicon goodness. DVD plalers, Amps, TV’s. Damn but they are some sexy machines. And they all break!!!!!! Remember the first VCR you had? If you are my age, then it was probably the ONLY VCR you had for your childhood and adolescence. The machines used to be a part of the family. Those rugged pieces of hardware used to be able to withstand nuclear blasts! I’d wager that a higher percentage of all the Betamax machines produced are still in working order than DVD players made in the past 10 years! It drives me nuts! I hate it when the things just up and plotz on me. Why o Why do you torment me!?
Anyway, my HD PVR is on the fritz. Turned it on and it made a sound like a cat was stuck in it. (bad sign #1) Then the digital display on the front just started randomly displaying digits. A call the the cable company from whom we rent the infernal device confirmed that it was toast long with all the stuff I recorded and hadn’t watched. Double GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. This is the 3rd PVR we have gone through in the past 2 years. At least I am glad that I am paying a monthly rental on it, rather than having spent $500 to purchase the cheap thing.
Ah well
New Arcade Fire out today…. I’m closing in on the end of one of those great first listens. I think this record will spend some time with me. Like their first record. I love that record as it was just this amazing fully formed band that came out of nowhere
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Snow Day
Well, it’s been so long that I figured it was time to update this not so blogging blog.Things are good. Today is an official snow day. Schools are closed, we have TONS of snow and I’ve stayed home from work. I feel guilty as sin about that, but, there was enough snow to keep me away from the office. I know that I will be very busy and since it seems as though a fair number of my co-workers made it in I’m sure that tomorrow there will be some frowns upon me, but, what ya gonna do.
Aside from that things have been good. Work is busy and interesting. My company is going through some strange transitions and it seems like something big is on the horizon.
Real world life has been great. No complaints
Anyway, I just thought it would be fun to post my Snow Day Picture.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Thoughts on Italian-ness
Some random thoughts now that I have had time to digest my Italian Honeymoon… And believe me, with how much I ate digestion is not easy!
First off. I am Italian. Sounds like a crazy statement to make but lets see if I can make sense. Prior to visiting Italy I would have said that I was anything but a stereotypical Italian male. I am not prone to clutching my crotch, while sitting on the hood of my Mustang 5.0 with Little Suzy Blaring outside of Coffee Time on Highway 7. Most people say I don’t “look” Italian. My musical, movie and lifestyle choices are nowhere near what people here in Canada say Makes up the “Italian Male Stereotype”. Yet, In Italy I fit right in. I could talk to the locals and my family there easily and have a connection almost immediately.
The people in Italy are nothing like the Italo-Canadian model I find myself making fun of far too often. Perhaps I am afraid that I will be lumped in with what is generally portrayed as a somewhat misogynistic, racist and ignorant group of people. Let’s face it, Italian Americans have never been looked upon in the most favourable light. Most people think of the Sopranos, or the Godfather when Italian Americans are in the media. Any successful Italian businessman/woman is automatically assumed to have mob connections. The men are seen as generally insensitive, old fashioned wife beaters who’s social ideas froze somewhere around 1952. Italian women are seen as loud, obnoxious, kinda slutty until they are 25, then just fat old grandma’s. Let’s face it. This is how Italians are expected to be like. When I tell people that I am from an Italian family, they automatically think that they have both me and my family figured out. Call me crazy or reactionary, but that ticks me off.
Now to be sure, there are many stereotypes that ring true. My father grows tomoatoes. Lot’s of them. We eat a lot of pasta, try to feed everyone, and make a spectacular effort to make sure that the Family remains close and come before everything. BTW, by Family I mean the Nuclear Family, and not that whole “Cosa Nostra” thing WHICH I HAVE NO INVOLVEMENT IN! Sorry yelling that out is habit now. Anyway, like any group, some of the assumptions people make are grounded in the culture. Others are based on the high profile of a few members of the group, and media images. Since “The Godfather”, you’d think that based on TV and film we were all gangsters.
But, I will agree that many Italian families in Canada have clung to many old ideas, much to the detriment of their families. I also understand that this is a defensive measure. An attempt to hold on to their roots in a new land. To make it feel like home and hold on to the ideas, traditions and customs that they remember from when they were back home.
Its interesting that in Italy, most people are far more progressive than their North American counterparts. Unlike Italian-Canadian culture, Italy has moved on. So much so that Italian Canadians (like my father) now find Italian culture to be unrecognizable. I understand that now. When My “old school” Italian relatives visit Italy they want to see things they way they remember them in the 1950’s when they left. In fact, they have kept things in Canada closer to that remembered society than Italy itself has.
In the course of this they have missed out on a truly beautiful culture while in Italy.
First off. I am Italian. Sounds like a crazy statement to make but lets see if I can make sense. Prior to visiting Italy I would have said that I was anything but a stereotypical Italian male. I am not prone to clutching my crotch, while sitting on the hood of my Mustang 5.0 with Little Suzy Blaring outside of Coffee Time on Highway 7. Most people say I don’t “look” Italian. My musical, movie and lifestyle choices are nowhere near what people here in Canada say Makes up the “Italian Male Stereotype”. Yet, In Italy I fit right in. I could talk to the locals and my family there easily and have a connection almost immediately.
The people in Italy are nothing like the Italo-Canadian model I find myself making fun of far too often. Perhaps I am afraid that I will be lumped in with what is generally portrayed as a somewhat misogynistic, racist and ignorant group of people. Let’s face it, Italian Americans have never been looked upon in the most favourable light. Most people think of the Sopranos, or the Godfather when Italian Americans are in the media. Any successful Italian businessman/woman is automatically assumed to have mob connections. The men are seen as generally insensitive, old fashioned wife beaters who’s social ideas froze somewhere around 1952. Italian women are seen as loud, obnoxious, kinda slutty until they are 25, then just fat old grandma’s. Let’s face it. This is how Italians are expected to be like. When I tell people that I am from an Italian family, they automatically think that they have both me and my family figured out. Call me crazy or reactionary, but that ticks me off.
Now to be sure, there are many stereotypes that ring true. My father grows tomoatoes. Lot’s of them. We eat a lot of pasta, try to feed everyone, and make a spectacular effort to make sure that the Family remains close and come before everything. BTW, by Family I mean the Nuclear Family, and not that whole “Cosa Nostra” thing WHICH I HAVE NO INVOLVEMENT IN! Sorry yelling that out is habit now. Anyway, like any group, some of the assumptions people make are grounded in the culture. Others are based on the high profile of a few members of the group, and media images. Since “The Godfather”, you’d think that based on TV and film we were all gangsters.
But, I will agree that many Italian families in Canada have clung to many old ideas, much to the detriment of their families. I also understand that this is a defensive measure. An attempt to hold on to their roots in a new land. To make it feel like home and hold on to the ideas, traditions and customs that they remember from when they were back home.
Its interesting that in Italy, most people are far more progressive than their North American counterparts. Unlike Italian-Canadian culture, Italy has moved on. So much so that Italian Canadians (like my father) now find Italian culture to be unrecognizable. I understand that now. When My “old school” Italian relatives visit Italy they want to see things they way they remember them in the 1950’s when they left. In fact, they have kept things in Canada closer to that remembered society than Italy itself has.
In the course of this they have missed out on a truly beautiful culture while in Italy.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Hey!!! I Got Married!!
I had hoped that I would be able to write a Day-By-Day account of our trip in my blog. Unfortunately, my current life denies me the possibility of Blogging full-time to get all my ideas down. Damn life. There is really just TOO much to say about Italy. I hope that all that I Loved and Hated about the country will somehow stick with me over the years. I tried keeping a written diary while I was there, but, keeping it up to date while enjoying the trip proved too much. Even 9 hours on the plane was not sufficient to keep a complete day-to-day picture. I intend on completing it but with some shorter entries.
But First, I realized I never blogged my Wedding. D’OH!!
In my defense… We flew out the day after and I didn’t spend that much time proximate to an Internet connection. That and European keyboards are weird. I’ve just gotten over the trauma.
If there is anyone reading who was at my wedding (Hi honey) all I can say is Man That was a party. I Ate well, drank well, and Danced… Somewhat well. Hopefully no one caught my somewhat drunken impersonation of Angus Young on tape. Ah well, if ya can’t make a fool of yourself when you are paying for the party, then when can you right?
Heather. I always think that she is beautiful, but on our wedding day she shone. It wasn’t the dress or the make-up, but I could see that she was “Happy-in-love” with me. And that is the most amazing thing.
The Ceremony. Short, but sweet. Our officiant Dr. Aboud, made some funny quips and everyone said that it was a beautiful ceremony. It was, but, I do live in “Bias land” when it comes to the wedding. I was there kind of early and I spent about an hour before the ceremony mingling with the guests as they made their way to the sets that had been arranged. We had the Ceremony and reception in the same venue starting at 5PM here …http://www.sphericalarts.com/ We won lots of praise for not having a wait time in-between the parts. The ceremony will remain the happiest moment of my life I am sure.
The Pictures and reception – I smiled a lot, Got blinded a lot, then shook many hands.
The dinner – The food was better than our tasting at the venue had been. Seeing a room full of about 75 Italians salivating over dinner is always fun! I was worried about how the Buffet style would work, but, it seemed ok and that way people could eat as much as they wanted! Great short speeches from Kiki Dad-in-Law, My Padre and My Brother.
The Party – Best. Party. Ever. Welcome to Biasland… population JP.
Some highlights. Fly me to the moon and dancing with my Wife. Kicking it up to “spirit of the west” with by Brother in Law Benny and cousin Mark! AC/DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shooting pool with my comrade Brad like it was 1994 again. Seeing my Stella Toting wife just shining all over the room and dancing in a Big White Dress! Damn she looked fine!
All in all it was the best night of my life. Being surrounded by almost everyone in the world that is important to you is a great thing. Celebrating Together makes it special, and I can’t think of a way to adequately thank everyone who was there. It was the guests that made the night so special to me. Thanks to everyones’ willingness to go with the flow and just enjoy it, this will be a night I will always remember.
BEST. DAY. EVER!!
But First, I realized I never blogged my Wedding. D’OH!!
In my defense… We flew out the day after and I didn’t spend that much time proximate to an Internet connection. That and European keyboards are weird. I’ve just gotten over the trauma.
If there is anyone reading who was at my wedding (Hi honey) all I can say is Man That was a party. I Ate well, drank well, and Danced… Somewhat well. Hopefully no one caught my somewhat drunken impersonation of Angus Young on tape. Ah well, if ya can’t make a fool of yourself when you are paying for the party, then when can you right?
Heather. I always think that she is beautiful, but on our wedding day she shone. It wasn’t the dress or the make-up, but I could see that she was “Happy-in-love” with me. And that is the most amazing thing.
The Ceremony. Short, but sweet. Our officiant Dr. Aboud, made some funny quips and everyone said that it was a beautiful ceremony. It was, but, I do live in “Bias land” when it comes to the wedding. I was there kind of early and I spent about an hour before the ceremony mingling with the guests as they made their way to the sets that had been arranged. We had the Ceremony and reception in the same venue starting at 5PM here …http://www.sphericalarts.com/ We won lots of praise for not having a wait time in-between the parts. The ceremony will remain the happiest moment of my life I am sure.
The Pictures and reception – I smiled a lot, Got blinded a lot, then shook many hands.
The dinner – The food was better than our tasting at the venue had been. Seeing a room full of about 75 Italians salivating over dinner is always fun! I was worried about how the Buffet style would work, but, it seemed ok and that way people could eat as much as they wanted! Great short speeches from Kiki Dad-in-Law, My Padre and My Brother.
The Party – Best. Party. Ever. Welcome to Biasland… population JP.
Some highlights. Fly me to the moon and dancing with my Wife. Kicking it up to “spirit of the west” with by Brother in Law Benny and cousin Mark! AC/DC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shooting pool with my comrade Brad like it was 1994 again. Seeing my Stella Toting wife just shining all over the room and dancing in a Big White Dress! Damn she looked fine!
All in all it was the best night of my life. Being surrounded by almost everyone in the world that is important to you is a great thing. Celebrating Together makes it special, and I can’t think of a way to adequately thank everyone who was there. It was the guests that made the night so special to me. Thanks to everyones’ willingness to go with the flow and just enjoy it, this will be a night I will always remember.
BEST. DAY. EVER!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Florence the great.
So now we are in Florence.
Heahter and I have been calling Italy the 'uphill' country as everything appears to be uphill. Its kinda tiring, but, sometimes more than worthwhile Like today for instance when we arrived at the top of the Bodolini Gardens and were treated to a beautiful view of the entire city.
We have seen more artwork than I will ever be able to remember and it has just been incredible. I am a bit tired from trying to cram so much into everyday, but, I feel as though each hour is precious to me.
I have also developed a theory about traffic flow in Italy. It seems as though many Italians have evolved beyond the old 'dodging mechanisms'. On the savanah, when we saw an animal charging at us, we dodged. Simple enough. In Italy, it seems as though people have forgotten dodge and as a result, oncoming traffic means nothing. So, when a car is rushing at you, with most people, we revert back to our evolutionary past, and our mind picks up a charging Hippopotamus. here in Italy, i feel like the only one who sees the Hippo.
Anyway, Italy Still Rocks, but, its hard to find a pay-phone.
Heahter and I have been calling Italy the 'uphill' country as everything appears to be uphill. Its kinda tiring, but, sometimes more than worthwhile Like today for instance when we arrived at the top of the Bodolini Gardens and were treated to a beautiful view of the entire city.
We have seen more artwork than I will ever be able to remember and it has just been incredible. I am a bit tired from trying to cram so much into everyday, but, I feel as though each hour is precious to me.
I have also developed a theory about traffic flow in Italy. It seems as though many Italians have evolved beyond the old 'dodging mechanisms'. On the savanah, when we saw an animal charging at us, we dodged. Simple enough. In Italy, it seems as though people have forgotten dodge and as a result, oncoming traffic means nothing. So, when a car is rushing at you, with most people, we revert back to our evolutionary past, and our mind picks up a charging Hippopotamus. here in Italy, i feel like the only one who sees the Hippo.
Anyway, Italy Still Rocks, but, its hard to find a pay-phone.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Here I am
I am in ITALY!!!
Good food, coffee, people, food.... and the scenery... AHHHHHHH che belleza!
It is day 5 of our trip... i think and things have been amazing. we arrived in ROME on monday and settled in. We then started walking.... and walking... and walking. Everyone in rome walks and I have no idea how the locals do it in such unconfortable, but, oh so fashionable footwear. Men and women alike tend to deck out their feet better than any part of their body it seems. I've been cruising around in a pair of Ben Shermans (proferred on clearance for only $20) which back home have garnered me many compliments. Here in rome... i feel as though the locals have been regarding them with a mixture of disdain, disgust and more than a little sympathy for the 'povere Americano' . Ah well. I have a pair of Italian wheels that my dad has picfked up for me and while great shoes, I couldn't spend more than an hour in them.
Anyway... we walk for days on end, bump into cool stuff like the Pantheon, understand the experience that is St. peters and all the while eat great food. Its a great way to spend a honeymoon i tells ya. I think i will need to keep a journal of my trip. I feeel like there is too much to remember and my ipod (also my picture storage device) seems to be acting funny.
I hope to blog this in more detail, but, as we near the mid point of the trip all I can say is WOW! Part of me seems to be saying 'see.. this is your home'. Which i guess makes sense as this is the place that the culture I was raised in comes from.
My Grandparents payed a large part in raising me when I was young and Italian was actually my first spoken language. I grew up as an Italian living in Canada and, even though I have grown up to be a Canadian with Italian background, those early impressions left an impression.
I Miss my home and my family, but, I also want to wring as much culture and 'Italian-ness' out of my time here that I can.
Florence awaits.... Ciao
Good food, coffee, people, food.... and the scenery... AHHHHHHH che belleza!
It is day 5 of our trip... i think and things have been amazing. we arrived in ROME on monday and settled in. We then started walking.... and walking... and walking. Everyone in rome walks and I have no idea how the locals do it in such unconfortable, but, oh so fashionable footwear. Men and women alike tend to deck out their feet better than any part of their body it seems. I've been cruising around in a pair of Ben Shermans (proferred on clearance for only $20) which back home have garnered me many compliments. Here in rome... i feel as though the locals have been regarding them with a mixture of disdain, disgust and more than a little sympathy for the 'povere Americano' . Ah well. I have a pair of Italian wheels that my dad has picfked up for me and while great shoes, I couldn't spend more than an hour in them.
Anyway... we walk for days on end, bump into cool stuff like the Pantheon, understand the experience that is St. peters and all the while eat great food. Its a great way to spend a honeymoon i tells ya. I think i will need to keep a journal of my trip. I feeel like there is too much to remember and my ipod (also my picture storage device) seems to be acting funny.
I hope to blog this in more detail, but, as we near the mid point of the trip all I can say is WOW! Part of me seems to be saying 'see.. this is your home'. Which i guess makes sense as this is the place that the culture I was raised in comes from.
My Grandparents payed a large part in raising me when I was young and Italian was actually my first spoken language. I grew up as an Italian living in Canada and, even though I have grown up to be a Canadian with Italian background, those early impressions left an impression.
I Miss my home and my family, but, I also want to wring as much culture and 'Italian-ness' out of my time here that I can.
Florence awaits.... Ciao
Friday, August 11, 2006
This is what happens when you blog while tired and drinking beer.
I booked all the hotels for our upcoming Italian Jaunt today. Unfortunately, I had to modify my intricately laid Hotel plan I developed last week-end.
I blame it not on myself, but upon the contraction of the rare disease which tends to afflict many males throughout the summer months. Yes, I have contracted a severe case of “too-lazy-to-get-off-my-sorry-assitus”. Symptoms include
· Falling asleep on the patio for hours at end
· Allowing both the desk at home AND the office to become covered in a layer of paper more than 3cm
· Having your wife-to-be (who tends to be more clutter prone then you) comment “man….. this place is a mess, and responding with a grunt. Just for the record I will have you know that it was an intelligent, well rounded and thought out grunt, thank you very much!
· Using the floor as a CD storage unit.
Luckily the cure for this is a trip to Italy, so this vacation now counts as therapeutic, so, I can claim it on my medical benefits. What’s that you say? Bah! Jail-Schmail!!!!!
I look forward to my wedding and the trip, but I also seem to be yearning for a return to normalcy in my house. Although in all honesty I don’t know what that is.
So anyway, due to the above noted affliction, the hotels that I had chosen no longer had rooms available. I set out with my trusty Frommer’s guide to find new places in in the total of about an hour had booked everything. What’s the Moral of this story? I spent hours looking at Hotels and researching, because the internet travel experience allows it. There is so much information out there nowadays that we can research the hell out of anything, then in the end, we still have to rush to make decisions.
I LOVE being wired. But, sometimes I hate the internet.
Tomorrow brings more shopping. Perhaps an iPod for this geeky rambler and a night out with the boys. Kind of a Stag Night. We are going to a place Called “Dave & Busters”. Which I can best describe as a Chuck-e-cheese for big boys.
Hear that? That was the sound of any doubt that my inner five year old runs this show escaping.
1 week and half an hour to my wedding day!
I blame it not on myself, but upon the contraction of the rare disease which tends to afflict many males throughout the summer months. Yes, I have contracted a severe case of “too-lazy-to-get-off-my-sorry-assitus”. Symptoms include
· Falling asleep on the patio for hours at end
· Allowing both the desk at home AND the office to become covered in a layer of paper more than 3cm
· Having your wife-to-be (who tends to be more clutter prone then you) comment “man….. this place is a mess, and responding with a grunt. Just for the record I will have you know that it was an intelligent, well rounded and thought out grunt, thank you very much!
· Using the floor as a CD storage unit.
Luckily the cure for this is a trip to Italy, so this vacation now counts as therapeutic, so, I can claim it on my medical benefits. What’s that you say? Bah! Jail-Schmail!!!!!
I look forward to my wedding and the trip, but I also seem to be yearning for a return to normalcy in my house. Although in all honesty I don’t know what that is.
So anyway, due to the above noted affliction, the hotels that I had chosen no longer had rooms available. I set out with my trusty Frommer’s guide to find new places in in the total of about an hour had booked everything. What’s the Moral of this story? I spent hours looking at Hotels and researching, because the internet travel experience allows it. There is so much information out there nowadays that we can research the hell out of anything, then in the end, we still have to rush to make decisions.
I LOVE being wired. But, sometimes I hate the internet.
Tomorrow brings more shopping. Perhaps an iPod for this geeky rambler and a night out with the boys. Kind of a Stag Night. We are going to a place Called “Dave & Busters”. Which I can best describe as a Chuck-e-cheese for big boys.
Hear that? That was the sound of any doubt that my inner five year old runs this show escaping.
1 week and half an hour to my wedding day!
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