Well ok, it was not a real sanctioned fun force day, however we laughed alot today reminiscing about our teen idols (Andy Gibb, Sean Cassidy), shows we grew up with (buggaloos, land of the lost, the monkees) etc. We hit Youtube so fast they probably had server failure. hehe
It is a good thing we are in a room by ourselves, because we were really rowdy. lol We also cracked up over the video below. My friend K sent it to me last week and every time I watch it - I laugh out loud. Gotta love cats =) It may not sound like it but we really were productive today. Still crazy busy with no signs of stopping soon. Oh well as long as I have time to laugh - I will survive!
More later...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Living History
One of my favorite genre of books is historical fiction. I find it fascinating to lose myself in some historical place, imaging the everyday life of the characters in vivid detail. Part of my fascination with history is to explore the people and what their lives were. mundane details are so interesting, how they traveled, shopped, cooked, cleaned, bathed, etc; what kind of education they received (or didn't), what determined their station, well I could go on and on.
I know these are fiction but they explore different time periods and most of the authors I read do extensive research. Anyway, what's really cool is when I can read a story and recognize the places they are set. even better VISIT the places in which they are set.
Case in point:
Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
This is a story about Isabella & Beatrice d'Este, sisters in the famous Este family. (I was very excited by the Este family because my husband grew up not far from the town). Isabella marries Francesco Gonzaga (of Mantua), Beatrice marries Ludovico Sforza (of Milan). Isabella is by far the most famous of the sisters and was reputed to be a very powerful woman and close companion of Leonardo Da Vinci. Reading the story sparked an interest in learning about all 3 of those families and Gonzaga became much more than a NCAA college to me! And look, here is a picture of modern day Mantua as taken by my husband a couple of weekends ago (without me, sigh). But cool no?
Another example:
The Rossetti Letter by Christi Phillips
I loved this book from a first time author which is set in Venice, both modern and historical times. Venice is of course my favorite city in Italy and in a region I have visited many times. So I am reading the book and they start mentioning Padova. Hey Padova - I am very familiar with that city! Back in the day, it was a refuge for the Venetians during the heat of summer and the countryside is full of Venetian villas and palatial grounds. Not giving anything away about the story, the main historical character writes to her cousin in Padova and the city itself becomes an aspect of intrigue and possibly a refuge? Anyway, as I was reading about it- the faded facades I have seen in person came alive with the grandeur they once must have had.
And finally:
In the Company of a Courtesan by Susan Dunant
Set in Renaissance Venice after the 1527 sack of Rome. I will admit, at times this book is hard to read because it does give you a very vivid picture of the not so nice aspects of the renaissance world. It was dirty and gross and some of the savagery is simply astounding. But wow, to read the descriptions of the places you may have seen such as the "ghetto" in Venice, well that is amazing. I knew basic history about the "ghetto" from my husband when we visited it, but reading how everyday life may have been in that small space and actually being able to stand in it, well the past really comes alive. Honestly, I can't wait to go back and wander the streets, with a more vivid picture of what it may have been like 500 years ago. This picture is not the "ghetto" but I don't imagine the general landscape looked much different in the past.
I could go on and on, but I won't. =) I know not everyone is as passionate about history as I can be, but I think if you can actually experience some of it, it becomes more interesting. It doesn't even matter if the history is 200 years old or 2000, it is the continuation of life and all the changes that must happen to sustain it. The fact that hundreds of years ago, someone stood in the exact spot you are standing. I wonder what they were thinking/doing. Were they thinking about the future or the past: or just about getting through the day. What did their world look like and would anything be familiar to them in this age?
Its one of the things I love about Italy when I'm there. What can I discover today? Who discovered it before me? Who will discover it after me?
Deep thoughts...hehe
More later
I know these are fiction but they explore different time periods and most of the authors I read do extensive research. Anyway, what's really cool is when I can read a story and recognize the places they are set. even better VISIT the places in which they are set.
Case in point:
Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
This is a story about Isabella & Beatrice d'Este, sisters in the famous Este family. (I was very excited by the Este family because my husband grew up not far from the town). Isabella marries Francesco Gonzaga (of Mantua), Beatrice marries Ludovico Sforza (of Milan). Isabella is by far the most famous of the sisters and was reputed to be a very powerful woman and close companion of Leonardo Da Vinci. Reading the story sparked an interest in learning about all 3 of those families and Gonzaga became much more than a NCAA college to me! And look, here is a picture of modern day Mantua as taken by my husband a couple of weekends ago (without me, sigh). But cool no?
Another example:
The Rossetti Letter by Christi PhillipsI loved this book from a first time author which is set in Venice, both modern and historical times. Venice is of course my favorite city in Italy and in a region I have visited many times. So I am reading the book and they start mentioning Padova. Hey Padova - I am very familiar with that city! Back in the day, it was a refuge for the Venetians during the heat of summer and the countryside is full of Venetian villas and palatial grounds. Not giving anything away about the story, the main historical character writes to her cousin in Padova and the city itself becomes an aspect of intrigue and possibly a refuge? Anyway, as I was reading about it- the faded facades I have seen in person came alive with the grandeur they once must have had.
And finally:
In the Company of a Courtesan by Susan Dunant
Set in Renaissance Venice after the 1527 sack of Rome. I will admit, at times this book is hard to read because it does give you a very vivid picture of the not so nice aspects of the renaissance world. It was dirty and gross and some of the savagery is simply astounding. But wow, to read the descriptions of the places you may have seen such as the "ghetto" in Venice, well that is amazing. I knew basic history about the "ghetto" from my husband when we visited it, but reading how everyday life may have been in that small space and actually being able to stand in it, well the past really comes alive. Honestly, I can't wait to go back and wander the streets, with a more vivid picture of what it may have been like 500 years ago. This picture is not the "ghetto" but I don't imagine the general landscape looked much different in the past.I could go on and on, but I won't. =) I know not everyone is as passionate about history as I can be, but I think if you can actually experience some of it, it becomes more interesting. It doesn't even matter if the history is 200 years old or 2000, it is the continuation of life and all the changes that must happen to sustain it. The fact that hundreds of years ago, someone stood in the exact spot you are standing. I wonder what they were thinking/doing. Were they thinking about the future or the past: or just about getting through the day. What did their world look like and would anything be familiar to them in this age?
Its one of the things I love about Italy when I'm there. What can I discover today? Who discovered it before me? Who will discover it after me?
Deep thoughts...hehe
More later
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Cultural Repartee
Inspired by Cyndi's recent post, I decided to open the topic of meat in pasta with my Italian. In response to my telling him about her post, he laughed and said:
"Nope, only in ragu. I would've probably done the same thing."
Me: "Why is that? What is the big deal?"
Him: "Maybe it's because the chicken covers the taste of the pasta. The pasta doesn't taste like pasta, the chicken doesn't taste like chicken."
Me: "But together they make a new taste which while different, can be just as delicious."
Him: "It's like putting the chicken and pasta in a blender, puree-ing it, and eating it. The tastes all cover each other up."
Me: " Oh please, part of eating is enjoying textures, you wouldn't blend it! and plus, you CAN taste each thing separately when you eat them together. There are layers of tastes. I thought you Italians were culturally adventurous! One of the best ways to understand culture is to understand the food."
Him: "We are adventurous with food. We like to go to Asian restaurants, Mexican (in Italy?), etc. but when we go, we know we are going to eat those particular tastes. When we eat pasta we like it in particular ways. I know people who take their own pasta when going away for an extended amount of time in case they can't get what the like there."
Me: " Ya'll are food snobs. lol I don't understand but thats ok, I like Italian Italian food."
Him: " We are a bit of snobs. We don't like interpretations of our food!"
AHA - that is the crux of it all. It all dwindles down to that one sentence - "we don't like interpretations of our food". Yep, it should be as Mamma makes it and no other way. hehehe
Works for me because Mamma makes it GOOD.
More later...
"Nope, only in ragu. I would've probably done the same thing."
Me: "Why is that? What is the big deal?"
Him: "Maybe it's because the chicken covers the taste of the pasta. The pasta doesn't taste like pasta, the chicken doesn't taste like chicken."
Me: "But together they make a new taste which while different, can be just as delicious."
Him: "It's like putting the chicken and pasta in a blender, puree-ing it, and eating it. The tastes all cover each other up."
Me: " Oh please, part of eating is enjoying textures, you wouldn't blend it! and plus, you CAN taste each thing separately when you eat them together. There are layers of tastes. I thought you Italians were culturally adventurous! One of the best ways to understand culture is to understand the food."
Him: "We are adventurous with food. We like to go to Asian restaurants, Mexican (in Italy?), etc. but when we go, we know we are going to eat those particular tastes. When we eat pasta we like it in particular ways. I know people who take their own pasta when going away for an extended amount of time in case they can't get what the like there."
Me: " Ya'll are food snobs. lol I don't understand but thats ok, I like Italian Italian food."
Him: " We are a bit of snobs. We don't like interpretations of our food!"
AHA - that is the crux of it all. It all dwindles down to that one sentence - "we don't like interpretations of our food". Yep, it should be as Mamma makes it and no other way. hehehe
Works for me because Mamma makes it GOOD.
More later...
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Lessons Learned
Things here in Texas Espresso-land are pretty boring lately. However, I have learned a few things in the past couple of weeks that I'd like to share.
1. NEVER, NEVER go to PetSmart on a Saturday. Did you know they have adoptable dogs and cats there on Saturdays?? I'm not kidding, I almost cried. I wanted to give all of them a new home and I couldn't get out of there fast enough. poor animals... makes me so sad.
2. Maybe I DO like Westerns. I saw 3:10 to Yuma and it was so good. Especially now, I don't seem to handle sad movies well, (which is why I don't like Westerns, or so I thought), but I must say, I really enjoyed this Western. Russell Crow... Christian Bale.. I mean what's not to love? they are FABULOUS! (and hot, albeit dirty throughout the whole film)
3. No matter how much money you spend on a comfy cool pet bed, a big envelope which has traveled from Italy seems to be a discerning cat's bed of choice. It is also very handy during playtime as you can dive-bomb under it with your front paws and attack imaginary critters (ahem..balls). AND it makes a crunchy noise - who knew it was kitty nirvana?
4. When I got married, I didn't change my last name. This came about from a mixture of my laziness and the fact that my husband likes my last name. It sounds very American to him, plus women don't change their names in Italy. It used to not bother me when people would address mail, checks, etc to me combining my name with my husband's last; but NOW IT DOES. I have repeatedly told my (very conservative)family that my name has not changed and they continue to ignore that. It has become one of my biggest pet peeves. Helloooooo that is not your decision. I don't care if you think its weird, its my choice thank you. Respect my AUTHORITY! (had to throw in a SouthPark reference there)
5. I can pick a good tomato! I know, I know, tomato season has ended but I have managed to eek out the last yummy tomatoes of the season. This summer I have been gorging myself on caprese salads. delicious tomato...fresh mozzarella....sea salt... olive oil...bread to sop up the lovely juices... man I am drooling already. The funny thing is I never really liked tomatoes before I met my Italian. and for some reason, (maybe from all the trips to the farmers market) I have just be craving fresh tomatoes. so good.
6. Never EVER watch R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet." If you see it on the IFC channel - run away! I think he is already a freak, but anything called a "hip-hopera" is just wrong. Strangely compelling ... but like a bad wreck you can't look away from and wrong nonetheless. I have no idea why we wasted 1.5 hours watching it - I couldn't get the tune out of my head and during the night I even dreamed another chapter.lol
OK, I guess that is enough for now. Check back for some good ole Texas fair going later on this month.
More later...
1. NEVER, NEVER go to PetSmart on a Saturday. Did you know they have adoptable dogs and cats there on Saturdays?? I'm not kidding, I almost cried. I wanted to give all of them a new home and I couldn't get out of there fast enough. poor animals... makes me so sad.
2. Maybe I DO like Westerns. I saw 3:10 to Yuma and it was so good. Especially now, I don't seem to handle sad movies well, (which is why I don't like Westerns, or so I thought), but I must say, I really enjoyed this Western. Russell Crow... Christian Bale.. I mean what's not to love? they are FABULOUS! (and hot, albeit dirty throughout the whole film)
3. No matter how much money you spend on a comfy cool pet bed, a big envelope which has traveled from Italy seems to be a discerning cat's bed of choice. It is also very handy during playtime as you can dive-bomb under it with your front paws and attack imaginary critters (ahem..balls). AND it makes a crunchy noise - who knew it was kitty nirvana?
4. When I got married, I didn't change my last name. This came about from a mixture of my laziness and the fact that my husband likes my last name. It sounds very American to him, plus women don't change their names in Italy. It used to not bother me when people would address mail, checks, etc to me combining my name with my husband's last; but NOW IT DOES. I have repeatedly told my (very conservative)family that my name has not changed and they continue to ignore that. It has become one of my biggest pet peeves. Helloooooo that is not your decision. I don't care if you think its weird, its my choice thank you. Respect my AUTHORITY! (had to throw in a SouthPark reference there)
5. I can pick a good tomato! I know, I know, tomato season has ended but I have managed to eek out the last yummy tomatoes of the season. This summer I have been gorging myself on caprese salads. delicious tomato...fresh mozzarella....sea salt... olive oil...bread to sop up the lovely juices... man I am drooling already. The funny thing is I never really liked tomatoes before I met my Italian. and for some reason, (maybe from all the trips to the farmers market) I have just be craving fresh tomatoes. so good.
6. Never EVER watch R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet." If you see it on the IFC channel - run away! I think he is already a freak, but anything called a "hip-hopera" is just wrong. Strangely compelling ... but like a bad wreck you can't look away from and wrong nonetheless. I have no idea why we wasted 1.5 hours watching it - I couldn't get the tune out of my head and during the night I even dreamed another chapter.lol
OK, I guess that is enough for now. Check back for some good ole Texas fair going later on this month.
More later...
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