tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861481159756042062023-11-16T07:41:48.753+01:00CAS in Rome - Mia E. BriceñoMiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-9041437828214129442009-12-08T01:00:00.008+01:002009-12-08T02:09:08.248+01:00A Hesitant (Yet Long-Winded) Comment on the Trial in PerugiaAbout the only thing I can write with certainty about the Amanda Knox trial is that I'm glad I wasn't one of the jurors. When I first read of Knox's conviction last Friday, I immediately considered exploring in writing the media coverage of the trial and the ways in which both Knox and the Italian legal system made such fitting targets for soundbyte-ing and stereotyping. I quickly realized that just about every other journalist and blogger had that angle covered. As I read article after article about the trial, glimpsed image after image of Knox being escorted from the courtroom, and watched testimony from Knox's mother and the family of the victim, Meredith Kercher, I felt less and less as though I had a clear opinion about any element of this two-year-old case.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn3qq-3zHAM92TTQPi53gelMXiuMkqs96DqLuewu0ZQ94kZ80ghJbfDNzI4KszS_8dO2v9j8_pwy1odAZ1wsRoNOw60KgXSpN2Hx-gGlhTHnRxQgSknFF9a5_w6g50dNdCAqptSnpJrOQ/s1600-h/guedeknox10a.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn3qq-3zHAM92TTQPi53gelMXiuMkqs96DqLuewu0ZQ94kZ80ghJbfDNzI4KszS_8dO2v9j8_pwy1odAZ1wsRoNOw60KgXSpN2Hx-gGlhTHnRxQgSknFF9a5_w6g50dNdCAqptSnpJrOQ/s320/guedeknox10a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412662863365408850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Sollecito, Knox, and Guede</span><br /><br /></div>I do think that it is at least worth noting (to what ends I'm not yet sure, but I have some uncertain arguments in there somewhere), in terms of the rhetoric of this trial, that while the two other suspects in the case - Rafaelle Sollecito and Rudy Guede - also were convicted of taking part in the killing of Kercher, they nearly always only receive a sidelong mention in a larger report featuring Knox. This has been the 'Amanda Knox Murder Trial,' in spite of the fact that there have always been three suspects under scrutiny. There has been a lot less concern about the conviction of Guede (which occurred over a year ago) or the evidence produced against him. Guede, like Knox, is non-native of Italy, but unlike Knox, is a black man originally from Cote d'Ivoire. In all my poring over articles about this trial, I've learned slim to none regarding Sollecito (an Italian citizen), but I've seen the same video of Sollecito and Knox kissing and comforting one another ('inappropriately') around the time they learned they were suspects. And in a move that is well precedented, there has been little attention paid to the victim, Meredith Kercher, although she is often remembered in interviews as a good friend and sister, and a person who is dearly missed by those who love her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWYrWy8p0B_7V2w5D-zli4m6BYpQC1S9HCHriMfD_wR1m8A1zBxxwNUgiaHH5PERvHrclY4JHcelmiLhpGr0fKL25Yz4JGuEI5VZCA4Q9tygjT_N3iH6rdBqIIv929bnLHb42iQS690XZ/s1600-h/meredithkercherPA_450x375.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWYrWy8p0B_7V2w5D-zli4m6BYpQC1S9HCHriMfD_wR1m8A1zBxxwNUgiaHH5PERvHrclY4JHcelmiLhpGr0fKL25Yz4JGuEI5VZCA4Q9tygjT_N3iH6rdBqIIv929bnLHb42iQS690XZ/s320/meredithkercherPA_450x375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412664707726485074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Kercher</span><br /></div><br />I hesitate to boil the entire trial down to this, but I want to consider the point (and it's likely an obvious one): the media coverage here bears a striking resemblance to other cases in which young, white, blond, U.S. American women feature in one way or another. A ready example is the Natalie Holloway case - clearly different from the Knox trial in so many ways, but also illustrative of emphasizing one family's plight over the innumerable tragic cases that involve less camera-ready individuals and families. I make this observation not to devalue the tragedy of Holloway's disappearance, but to consider the media coverage in a slightly different way than the Knox op-eds have thus far. Concerns over the sensationalizing of Knox's gender have been explicated in numerous ways, however, this isn't only about Knox's gender, but her national origin, as well as her classed, raced, and sexualized identities, especially as perceived by international media that have offered strikingly similar reports of the case.Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-8170278662471385542009-10-05T20:24:00.002+02:002009-10-05T20:29:05.704+02:00CAS in Rome 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qxfdi5E8LS88MDpuzvxIf5H2U2gj9izn9tRTldUbJx5t2Zdrh71JbW3IrYcDwbRAa3s8ZDzIHrHiwfmrdpqmGQaJeF7BZyHu1dfQYbyVfFUMtuPEyUS91XmQuwkTpGfCrBrwCR1MYxrb/s1600-h/DSCN1079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Qxfdi5E8LS88MDpuzvxIf5H2U2gj9izn9tRTldUbJx5t2Zdrh71JbW3IrYcDwbRAa3s8ZDzIHrHiwfmrdpqmGQaJeF7BZyHu1dfQYbyVfFUMtuPEyUS91XmQuwkTpGfCrBrwCR1MYxrb/s320/DSCN1079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389184613425570434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Next summer's program info is up! <a href="http://www.personal.psu.edu/t3b/projects/Rome%202010/rome2010brochure.html">Have a look see.</a><br /></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-27696214226783779012009-09-16T23:27:00.005+02:002009-09-16T23:44:15.625+02:00Not Quite a Conclusion . . . Oh, and About Italian Wi-Fi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJweminB6XmHZ6B-LehAS1NjNdJog95obtOx12V1wlH9JNqM777tjZX_5X8alTcztaALI-erVAdrIkqkubf_wDqJ2M2zNtK3H3NS9fEcnbPwjFk_lPykvUoRw7inuf20zuserO5DLnlhkd/s1600-h/DSCN1224.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJweminB6XmHZ6B-LehAS1NjNdJog95obtOx12V1wlH9JNqM777tjZX_5X8alTcztaALI-erVAdrIkqkubf_wDqJ2M2zNtK3H3NS9fEcnbPwjFk_lPykvUoRw7inuf20zuserO5DLnlhkd/s200/DSCN1224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382184279597897266" border="0" /></a>I've been back in the States for almost three months now, but studying furiously for comprehensive exams (I love that there's a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_examination">Wikipedia entry</a> about them), hanging out with this four-legged guy, and catching up on sleep kept me from notifying the five-ish folks who actually read this blog. My apologies to the small lot of you.<br /><br />Anywho, I'm now in the midst of comp-ing (two down, two more to write), and as I was cramming a bit for tomorrow morning's set of questions, I couldn't help but take myself away from the intensity of the present task and check out some Rome blogs and related Italy Internet fun. In doing so, I happened upon a "Q&A" section of <span style="font-style: italic;">The American in Rome</span> (linked to the right there) that has some great advice on <a href="http://www.theamericanmag.com/tourist_qa.php?feature=travel&column=46">Wi-Fi spots in the Eternal City </a>and how to access them. Wish I had encountered this info sooner, but perhaps it will be a help to the person who just clicked "Next Blog" and ended up here randomly. Or maybe I'll get to make use of it the next time I'm in Rome . . . hopefully there is a next time in my future.Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-17206918316607995352009-06-25T12:42:00.008+02:002009-06-25T13:33:59.133+02:00Where I've Been/Where the Time's Gone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfCvs7sd1hCNwV1_4qfpBUAZIK3aCaYgG5FgLWWkDUqQJ9RScZzaVKfJ4U9uKiqqVu1cA7h-GNpfMziVE6s2_vWVwuZIoekjEYYrKQbzJNqmN7VhfYmfMSZmzEUKxObo0ygJPA7HUefzt/s1600-h/DSCN1177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfCvs7sd1hCNwV1_4qfpBUAZIK3aCaYgG5FgLWWkDUqQJ9RScZzaVKfJ4U9uKiqqVu1cA7h-GNpfMziVE6s2_vWVwuZIoekjEYYrKQbzJNqmN7VhfYmfMSZmzEUKxObo0ygJPA7HUefzt/s320/DSCN1177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351225343706258530" border="0" /></a>I've been a delinquent blogger this past week, mainly due to the fact that we've been wrapping things up in class and enjoying farewell social activities. I've also had my head elsewhere (mainly packing and looking ahead to my summer of studying for comprehensive exams in State College), so the blog was temporarily orphaned. I must say, though, although it feels like I've been busy, I'm not exactly sure where the time has gone. This is true not only of our last week here, but of the program overall. There are days when the brief semester here feels like it might last for seven months rather than seven weeks, but then you wake up one day and realize that you've only got about three days to check off everything on your to-do list and buy chintzy souvenirs.<br /><br />Rome was especially beautiful after last weekend's thunderstorms cleared the air, leaving the skies a saturated blue and the clouds extra fluffy. I thought I had enough pictures of the Colosseum and Via dei Fori Imperiali, but all this city has to offer looks quite different in the cooler days following a good storm. That's why you're getting the gratuitous shot of one of the most photographed images in Italy (top left), and I don't feel the slightest bit cliché for including it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm including one more photo, as all of the action that's gone down in Iran has not yet made its way into this blogspace, which I think is a significant absence but also difficult to work into the overall theme (sorry for all the clauses in that sentence). We passed this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_General_Confederation_of_Labour">CGIL</a> poster, which I can't translate fully, but basically expresses sympathies for and solidarity with the women and men of Iran, who have voted for change in the recent elections.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiucmfzGkQYTdW2wXn6rKrurjvbvVHLaylNKpsZ8iPSpaMXgUfwCdTg4vGu_ZWdchCBTBoD4Jxy4ccMU7NKDroLaOVhKAZsY_aPI9q2cx6v2hicuSoU6VQJPkESdILr8un3AAzhul8ZSb/s1600-h/DSCN1176.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiucmfzGkQYTdW2wXn6rKrurjvbvVHLaylNKpsZ8iPSpaMXgUfwCdTg4vGu_ZWdchCBTBoD4Jxy4ccMU7NKDroLaOVhKAZsY_aPI9q2cx6v2hicuSoU6VQJPkESdILr8un3AAzhul8ZSb/s320/DSCN1176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351224669136578866" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-60458252745241025432009-06-19T17:29:00.006+02:002009-06-19T18:02:56.848+02:00I See Right Through That Kimono (Not in a Gross Way)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUodt3YlWk4gHFi6X2BT7jlBO6tq40l2LiSOfNPsq4bexz1Bik-8MnwHyrGqKUiIiEyEAXTdwW0yeNhRGa2MT7oQJwNLAnTHEB82I6hQn9C0XR5-KsRTUsgwVO6HFfV40FHSfk4oXsKDI/s1600-h/93225309-90787417-32392926-86295673.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUodt3YlWk4gHFi6X2BT7jlBO6tq40l2LiSOfNPsq4bexz1Bik-8MnwHyrGqKUiIiEyEAXTdwW0yeNhRGa2MT7oQJwNLAnTHEB82I6hQn9C0XR5-KsRTUsgwVO6HFfV40FHSfk4oXsKDI/s320/93225309-90787417-32392926-86295673.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349064966698412178" border="0" /></a>The heat is still on in Rome, and when that's the case, I prefer indoor activities that include air conditioning in the cost of admission. I'm also a sucker for museums - I think it's because museums allow me to engage in one form or another of elitist escapism while simultaneously putting my rhetorical critic skills to work (think of it as scholarly self-flagellation infused with Catholic guilt - fun, right?). Today's museum encounter was no exception, as I laid out 9 euro (which, by the way, would've been 7 euro if I was under 26; a mini, just-over-quarter-life crisis ensued but ended quickly) for the <a href="http://www.museodelcorso.it/en/exhibitions_view.pl?k=43">Hiroshige exhibit</a> at the Museo del Corso. The exhibit consists of ink and paper and wood block prints from the <a href="http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=568">James Michener C</a><a href="http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=568">ollection</a> at the Honolulu Academy of Arts (PA sidenote: the James A. Michener Art Museum is located in Doylestown, in Bucks County - Michener's hometown). <br /><br />So I'll start with the escapism elements: the pieces themselves are simply displayed, complete white matting and plain wooden frames. The blues in some of the scenes are phenomenal - gorgeous stuff. And now for the critic: the exhibit is curated in such a way that you first walk onto a faux-Japanese bridge in a faux-Japanese garden, and silhouettes of human figures dressed in kimonos populate these scenes, although sparsely. The folks policing your museum experience, whom I usually expect to be wearing burgundy blazers and black slacks or some awful variation thereof, are instead dressed in pseudo-kimono inspired tops and black skirts. All of said 'policers of experience' are Italian women.<br /><br />Further, visitors are invited to keep a record of their travels through each of the four rooms of the exhibit inspired by Japanese travel diaries (the best explanation of which I found <a href="http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jettravel3.htm">here,</a> after doing a basic search of the surface Web). You just pick up a blank booklet and a stamp in each room (the stamps are elements taken from Hiroshige's scenes) serves as evidence of your journey. Now you're faux-traveling like a real Japanese person. Here's the evidence of my journey:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1KRzVseZg7fcGpWdI0dHkzEUngDj5jp_QLQ-BhKdr28S5GeoJCazR7kmX4OOVHvYxjV4_1wOzARWWTAjA60MLlXf3iz2ZcWWe4J_n8p9GDs_OLffh20E1hK0cNnVaGXB85DQPB_R3vCc/s1600-h/DSCN1170.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1KRzVseZg7fcGpWdI0dHkzEUngDj5jp_QLQ-BhKdr28S5GeoJCazR7kmX4OOVHvYxjV4_1wOzARWWTAjA60MLlXf3iz2ZcWWe4J_n8p9GDs_OLffh20E1hK0cNnVaGXB85DQPB_R3vCc/s200/DSCN1170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349067496746575074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVSciCiThSsi7w6yE7BuNBg877r7oVR6X3pfgFwoNjv-ossXYiYzAZGaEK8IQxogZt3NUSLqCi0knjsmIG5Wq02EVOYJ07FvQnq4paOGdri7PDY6IPi8mhS4AvnGyplVyS-QsbLjUZdS4/s1600-h/DSCN1171.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVSciCiThSsi7w6yE7BuNBg877r7oVR6X3pfgFwoNjv-ossXYiYzAZGaEK8IQxogZt3NUSLqCi0knjsmIG5Wq02EVOYJ07FvQnq4paOGdri7PDY6IPi8mhS4AvnGyplVyS-QsbLjUZdS4/s200/DSCN1171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349067502826520210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifrCydwH62wdQA7P3mQdHrPRQn1VkQ_VPU4_oCMuRFze3PtED4IWiHmecbc9tjXtUv-goVvH9_0LlLsuocp97fOVtU0DXb4TMZJrwPYzRwY4Rz3cuic76sHZAppYJmgGjw7R8xV1zUUNZ/s1600-h/DSCN1172.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifrCydwH62wdQA7P3mQdHrPRQn1VkQ_VPU4_oCMuRFze3PtED4IWiHmecbc9tjXtUv-goVvH9_0LlLsuocp97fOVtU0DXb4TMZJrwPYzRwY4Rz3cuic76sHZAppYJmgGjw7R8xV1zUUNZ/s200/DSCN1172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349067504893507634" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Did I enjoy the exhibit? Most definitely. Am I a little weirded out by the presentation and abbreviated explanations of the ways in which visitors are to inhabit a particular moment in Japanese history and culture? But of course. Is this what it is to experience a conflicted trip to the museum with Mia? You betcha - and I didn't even <span style="font-style: italic;">touch</span> the Michener stuff. So who's up for a visit to <a href="http://www.palmermuseum.psu.edu/">the Palmer</a> when I get home?<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Hiroshige poster taken from <a href="http://www.museodelcorso.it/en/exhibitions_view.pl?k=43">Museo del Corso website</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-86673264277300060522009-06-18T17:11:00.004+02:002009-06-18T17:54:24.201+02:00A Bit of Lancaster in Rome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWceAYYFK5OC_9tlU2Wv1cfxnG4a-YmbLxcvObKec8xFF3adHv5cyJKyawOCy760TOjZg1C80mtROq7drM_1tl1vJu9OXsEIz3RjWDWG_n5nPV07taN5GmjmThZdCPiM7ELYr-DtAbrWJl/s1600-h/DSCN1161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWceAYYFK5OC_9tlU2Wv1cfxnG4a-YmbLxcvObKec8xFF3adHv5cyJKyawOCy760TOjZg1C80mtROq7drM_1tl1vJu9OXsEIz3RjWDWG_n5nPV07taN5GmjmThZdCPiM7ELYr-DtAbrWJl/s320/DSCN1161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348694571990940658" border="0" /></a>Yeah, I know. Doesn't make a lick of sense, does it? Please allow me to put this in context for you.<br /><br />Lately, I've spotted some folks in Rome and also some celebs on trashy gossip sites (come on, what's a grrrl to do without trashy TV?) wearing clothes conspicuously marked with the logo <span style="font-style: italic;">Franklin & Marshall</span>. For my Pennsylvanians, that name might ring a bell as <a href="http://www.fandm.edu/">Franklin & Marshall College</a>, a small liberal arts school located in Lancaster, PA. Was I wrong to connect fashionable young Italians with small town U.S.A.?<br /><br />It turns out I was wrong to think that there wouldn't be something wildly profitable in a <a href="http://www.franklinandmarshall.com/">Veronese clothing company</a> that operates under the guise of promoting vintage, American, college style across the pond from the place where it was allegedly born (wait, why does it smell like Abercrombie & Fitch all of a sudden? I hate that smell). The creators of the F&M clothing line are a couple of Italians who were inspired to create the line in 1999 when they spotted a second-hand Franklin & Marshall sweatshirt a London flea market. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_&_Marshall_College#Clothing_Company">Wikipedia</a>, they almost didn't get away with their presumptuous branding, but the college decided not to sue and instead to accept a licensing fee from F&M clothing to continue producing cheeky sweatsuits bearing the name.<br /><br />In a portion of the F&M clothing website entitled "The Heritage," the history of the clothing company and the college are strangely intertwined. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this fashion phenomenon, and when we happened by one of the F&M stores off of Campo de' Fiori this morning, I had to head home to do a little research. I'm especially concerned that a slightly edgier A&F has gained its footing in Rome (of all places! you can have your McDonald's, but leave your faux-vintage distressed hoodies to the college towns of the Big 10!).<br /><br />Stores are peppered throughout Europe but conspicuously absent from Lancaster.<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Top right: F&M store in Rome.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-20646509415030929312009-06-18T16:35:00.007+02:002009-06-18T17:10:36.981+02:00Different Ways of Seeing Rome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7R7pgdPRkD3bsPgSUcP4iSv97ar90bjG2Xxazcb-6RGya9yn4Xaa_rSTMMv7C4qtey_tZvUe-84kNvn_RmjTKHipV1BVPrShGsR9N9sbxPaWp5mr3b07DO2a3lKt3QtzJ0grKxiE6LfF/s1600-h/DSCN1160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7R7pgdPRkD3bsPgSUcP4iSv97ar90bjG2Xxazcb-6RGya9yn4Xaa_rSTMMv7C4qtey_tZvUe-84kNvn_RmjTKHipV1BVPrShGsR9N9sbxPaWp5mr3b07DO2a3lKt3QtzJ0grKxiE6LfF/s200/DSCN1160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348684429339404850" border="0" /></a>Over the past five weeks, our students have become intimately acquainted with Rome via countless hours and kilometers passed walking about, exploring, and getting lost in <span style="font-style: italic;">la città eterna</span>. This morning, we capitalized on their knowledge of Rome's better and lesser known sights and asked them to lead us on two guided walks through our temporary hometown.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although all of our students created walks, they were asked to limit our morning adventure to two. The lucky leaders were Nicole Arcidiacono, who designed a walk she titled <a href="http://casinromenicolearcidiacono.blogspot.com/2009/06/rome-on-silver-screen.html">"Rome on the Silver Screen,"</a> and Aimee Boyd who loves her gelato so much, she had to <a href="http://casinromeaimeeboyd.blogspot.com/2009/06/gelato-tour.html">share</a> it with the rest of the blogosphere.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The guided walking tour of Rome is one of the last assignments that students are asked to complete as a component of the Street and Studio blogging course. You can link to all of our undergrads' walking tours and maps (even those from last year's CAS in Rome group) via Dr. Benson's <a href="http://rhetoricofrome.blogspot.com/">Rhetoric of Rome: Street and Studio</a> page. They've come up with some unique ways to see this city - lovely additions to your own maps and guidebooks.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdAUUj1e-cPq0bwmCD6Lhe_MeZs6n6LiMRQ3gy_dWLkSe04phZpJizOMmNBkYJqHsPGLWd4AopDwqxNkLk-3YeVEzBDU5xFyvoxxT0Fxe9FiFWWiIpNE1T4wiFS5ejWWU2i5R-c-cDAkb/s1600-h/DSCN1157.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdAUUj1e-cPq0bwmCD6Lhe_MeZs6n6LiMRQ3gy_dWLkSe04phZpJizOMmNBkYJqHsPGLWd4AopDwqxNkLk-3YeVEzBDU5xFyvoxxT0Fxe9FiFWWiIpNE1T4wiFS5ejWWU2i5R-c-cDAkb/s320/DSCN1157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348684735767986418" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Top left: Aimee schools Dr. Browne about gelato.<br />Bottom: The gang at the Trevi Fountain, the last stop on Nicole's walk.<br /></span></div></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-15423344545001625022009-06-17T17:54:00.003+02:002009-06-17T18:06:08.110+02:00The Roman Food Gods Will Have Their Revenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD1GKQxwaxiaulcqXxIPMV6gZYA6aGMHBWtgs0RmiBUuMQZTNmOW8mJaFsf87vRyqqCshgveffpQ923qsWA-ZfO5cDsAM9wAy3k7UaRezv5VZzmPneGVAV7x0_VJxWI0nsi3qgN43V40D/s1600-h/2065532648_1483ea03d1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD1GKQxwaxiaulcqXxIPMV6gZYA6aGMHBWtgs0RmiBUuMQZTNmOW8mJaFsf87vRyqqCshgveffpQ923qsWA-ZfO5cDsAM9wAy3k7UaRezv5VZzmPneGVAV7x0_VJxWI0nsi3qgN43V40D/s200/2065532648_1483ea03d1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348327134725394994" border="0" /></a>On Monday, Una and I threw touristic caution to the wind and gave in to our basest desire as U.S. Americans - the desire to eat hamburgers. We've been dying for some burgers and fries, and we thought if we were gonna go all-American, we better sell out big and hit up the Hard Rock Cafe on Via Veneto. I was silly to think I'd get away with such a foolish move. Not 24 hours later, I was struck down by the Roman food gods, punished with that most unpleasant effect of undercooked meat - food poisoning. That burger was apparently destined to put me out of commission from the very first mouth watering bite.<br /><br />I'll tell you what, it has not been a pleasant couple of days, folks, but I'm finally feeling a bit better. What I've learned from this: trust your tourist guilt, and stay out of the burger joints . . . especially the spectacle that is themed chain restaurants. Anything cooked in the shadow of Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock' suit and gigantic glasses should be eaten with scrutiny, if at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image top right (found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ralph-dot/2065532648/">here</a>): Ceiling at the Hard Rock in Rome. Note: Rock n Roll <span style="font-style: italic;">putti </span>do not ensure safe meal passage.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-5869369089523732072009-06-14T22:37:00.010+02:002009-06-15T22:57:24.074+02:00I Am the Weekend WarriorTo borrow a phrase from Una, what <span style="font-style: italic;">didn't</span> I do this weekend? Well, I got a second wind, that's one thing, and I decided to go a tourist-ing. Traveling through Italy is wonderful, but I love a nice, relaxing weekend in Rome, and with a semi-empty apartment and a little extra time on my hands, I rested up nicely for two different ends of the tourist spectrum in Rome.<br /><br />On Saturday, I visited <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/rome/review-140295.html">Terme di Caracalla</a> (ancient public baths, people). I'd dare say these are the best ruins in Rome, and admission isn't all that expensive (six euro, please). The immensity of the walls of the baths can't quite be communicated in these photos, but I'm including them anyway, so just do me a favor and try to imagine it. One of the best characteristics of this site is that looking down has just as many benefits as looking up - there are remnants of the marble and mosaic floors of the ancient baths here and there, so it's best not to get distracted by everything above eye-level (not too difficult for those of us closer to the ground).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hUY95Yfq4Upf5BDGRiuSiyyMNMqXLjQQPQ7XjDbA9qjyNNIGERUZrAnivBsNo1oDhvXqPI-QkNmOUbCDakIA5gbcypBWFlvuixdpKrJc0UkjHgu7FjhymwjkkvkaJVYg5Dt3cifwuwtk/s1600-h/DSCN1154.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hUY95Yfq4Upf5BDGRiuSiyyMNMqXLjQQPQ7XjDbA9qjyNNIGERUZrAnivBsNo1oDhvXqPI-QkNmOUbCDakIA5gbcypBWFlvuixdpKrJc0UkjHgu7FjhymwjkkvkaJVYg5Dt3cifwuwtk/s200/DSCN1154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347653333735891682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcmGKwOo4Ldl31q0IduGpTynlmKKzAR8MLNdZ_toK5IS7zyfGM1vMc7CSRX6dZ7uqDsyHtj8vtEU-Zr9qzaAs-ioUbKMmpB2XIwHRvIjMlIOuCJPMHWdH0RY0ru3pL8AEzHcX-_ub7i_h/s1600-h/DSCN1142.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcmGKwOo4Ldl31q0IduGpTynlmKKzAR8MLNdZ_toK5IS7zyfGM1vMc7CSRX6dZ7uqDsyHtj8vtEU-Zr9qzaAs-ioUbKMmpB2XIwHRvIjMlIOuCJPMHWdH0RY0ru3pL8AEzHcX-_ub7i_h/s200/DSCN1142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347653781201704866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFwNJ2t6uKhg13l6Ap8gwaYjtJmoZ0GWiv3FhBnZifN96iw6YVtYW0bz8srMVf2RR__SXOjejM4OlUcM83AToHfcwkREoud3BQPEdTRgCkXpGKNalPYVGCHlfMu2FKQarjXAUJA-JZCqx/s1600-h/DSCN1148.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFwNJ2t6uKhg13l6Ap8gwaYjtJmoZ0GWiv3FhBnZifN96iw6YVtYW0bz8srMVf2RR__SXOjejM4OlUcM83AToHfcwkREoud3BQPEdTRgCkXpGKNalPYVGCHlfMu2FKQarjXAUJA-JZCqx/s200/DSCN1148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347653337173581970" border="0" /></a></div><br />The next day, I finally got around to seeing two exhibits that have been on my radar for quite a few weeks now. At <a href="http://www.palazzoesposizioni.it/canale.asp?id=136">Palazzo delle Esposizioni</a>, I indulged in jewelry and photography for over two hours. Although the air conditioning was a big draw (seriously. huge. it's 90 city degrees here.), I was primarily interested in the historic, kind-of-retrospective <a href="http://www.bulgari.com/125anniversary/languageSelector.html">Bulgari</a> exhibit, celebrating 125 years of the Italian jeweler. Especially exciting (for this nerd) were the items from Elizabeth Taylor's personal collection and the jeweler's connections with the most recognizable Italian actresses of the 20th century - Gena Lollobrigida, Anna Magnani, and Sophia Loren.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmvmInBmdOZ75zQUi2laBVqnS9CT-S94uFCmvEJmKXoyVArw7A1dExwXOi51yRD4DlLcQl4xqxoh7fFCb1KnScqpUMHFSYOBdVjvqKbERbO-zax-6Wu0x3MgusG32ovb_VE4xTwbP7vKj/s1600-h/q_0.preview.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmvmInBmdOZ75zQUi2laBVqnS9CT-S94uFCmvEJmKXoyVArw7A1dExwXOi51yRD4DlLcQl4xqxoh7fFCb1KnScqpUMHFSYOBdVjvqKbERbO-zax-6Wu0x3MgusG32ovb_VE4xTwbP7vKj/s320/q_0.preview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347660525718698162" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="http://english.palazzoesposizioni.it/canale.asp?id=305">FotoGrafia</a>, the other exhibit at Esposizioni, is a touch overwhelming at some points, but overall is a fantastic chance to see a whole heck of a lot of photography that covers a pretty wide range of subjects, objects, topics. A special treat for photo lovers is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nan_Goldin">Nan Goldin's</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Heartbeat</span>, where the exhibit begins. This slideshow is not for those easily offended, but it's quite cool to experience - I especially enjoyed the music sung by Bjork (composed by Sir Jon Tavener) that played as a soundtrack as the photos were projected onto a large screen in a dark, dark room. A hallway of simultaneous slideshows and soundtracks overstimulated my eyes and ears a little, but there are plenty of benches where you can rest your bones and take your time soaking it all in.<br /><br />All in all, for my second to last weekend in Rome, I don't think I did so bad.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Elizabeth Taylor in Bulgari found <a href="http://content.coutorture.com/3146947?page=0,0,0">here</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-1164458571460690852009-06-10T14:10:00.005+02:002009-06-10T15:21:34.911+02:00Pittsburgh vs. Rome - Liveable Cities?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFvdZLpX3WSaL-kzit69pArzJKnRuXdQl0c-r6svzdBRTFmN1AriL55pdLks2uLQ5RJr2If-vc2AO_NKgQCFA0xWcngUpR4Bbs4bUqFiO97f_42rgrBIrZUdxu0CeRNumacHh5WUaWQyP/s1600-h/steelers.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFvdZLpX3WSaL-kzit69pArzJKnRuXdQl0c-r6svzdBRTFmN1AriL55pdLks2uLQ5RJr2If-vc2AO_NKgQCFA0xWcngUpR4Bbs4bUqFiO97f_42rgrBIrZUdxu0CeRNumacHh5WUaWQyP/s200/steelers.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345686845629298290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8sNjnVHxfXlZev4_-njjhokqvJ1n7bdLQ4k5srtB3-PTMMmkiQjoAWATl-m_BNbjRxOEcWUdEgXthcUcq9hK2HnC6GkdG7_6WU9TaAP9_2_5-OzWNDPk9RQNh78pmiQejHUtKZvFSH3h/s1600-h/as+roma+mare.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8sNjnVHxfXlZev4_-njjhokqvJ1n7bdLQ4k5srtB3-PTMMmkiQjoAWATl-m_BNbjRxOEcWUdEgXthcUcq9hK2HnC6GkdG7_6WU9TaAP9_2_5-OzWNDPk9RQNh78pmiQejHUtKZvFSH3h/s200/as+roma+mare.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345686848159303938" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I try to keep up with what's shakin' in the States while I'm here in Rome. I'm especially invested in the goings-on in and around Pittsburgh (it's home, people!). While checking out the <span style="font-style: italic;">Post-Gazette</span> today, I happened upon an <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09161/976252-53.stm">article</a> on <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist's</span> "Liveable Cities" rankings. Turns out Pittsburgh is ranked 29th overall and the most liveable U.S. city by this poll's standards. That's proud news for Pittsburghers, I suppose, but I think we better not hold our collective breath that it indicates an increase in popularity or even that it affects the standard Steel Town image that the city's history invokes in most people's minds. Not that we might want folks to flock to Pittsburgh <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> that we're ashamed of its working class history, but to what extent is such an "honor" a boon for local economies? According to the Post-Gazette: "[T]he value of such publicity to the Pittsburgh area (priceless)." I'm not sure I'm sold on that.<br /><div id="TixyyLink" style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br /></div>So, what does this have to do with Rome? Well, my immediate reaction was to search for the entire list of "Liveable Cities" in order see where Rome falls in the rankings. I think I might need the print version of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist</span> for that, so if anyone can provide that information, please do share. It's at least clear from the info available online that Rome did not make the top ten in 2009. In spite of this, and in relation to my musings above, populations seem to continue to boom in the places like Rome and where you'd expect - crowded urban and cultural centers like New York, LA, London, etc.<br /><br />I used to think I'd like to live in a city like Rome. Now that I'm a little older, a touch stubborn, and more particular, I don't know that I'm so into it. It's wonderful to have the experience of seven weeks in an education abroad program here, but how would I be able to truly <span style="font-style: italic;">live</span> here? Picking up the language could happen, but the euro is sure to kick my butt financially eventually. It's about as crowded with tourists as any place can get (although I can't speak for the 'off' season), and I'm certain that I'd miss my family and friends in the States too much to make it here long term.<br /><br />Aside from <span style="font-style: italic;">The Economist's</span> 'objective' standards, I think I'm ultimately questioning what makes for a 'liveable' city? It's got plenty to do with the rhetoric of the developed versus developing worlds, and I'm not without my biases toward the former. I do know quite a few folks, however, who put a lot of stock in the quality of the city's football team.Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-49098960964411211982009-06-09T18:47:00.008+02:002009-06-15T21:49:58.520+02:00Vision of the Past . . . and the FutureMy dear readers, you know my affection for Anna Magnani is strong, but this week's film, <a href="http://www.criterion.com/films/375"><span style="font-style: italic;">Mamma Roma</span></a>, calls us to pay some close attention to one of its lesser characters. Bruna (played by Silvana Corsini), is Mamma Roma's worst nightmare, as she is a clear reflection of the aging prostitute/fruit vendor in her youth. Bruna is the young, single mother of a two year old son, she has no prospects in terms of work or family, and she exchanges sex with the young men in her neighborhood for gifts. We can see the fear and resentment in Mamma Roma's face as she eyes Bruna in the market - at least Mamma Roma was a bona fide hooker; Bruna is merely a promiscuous girl who stupidly expects she might get ahead in some small way using her body.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboBFZTRQlgu5DZHo89dumJCAguu6mO2AClVlDAkpHkzdivLQp7PleKNtYH_oN-vJ07XWgfjkWVk7fpD06HWwfMXwVbNoj6yS8JKrYm1WqadGKns3mCVYEfCefIIUG5XToAuaWITqn5Yep/s1600-h/Mamma_Roma-5._Bruna.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboBFZTRQlgu5DZHo89dumJCAguu6mO2AClVlDAkpHkzdivLQp7PleKNtYH_oN-vJ07XWgfjkWVk7fpD06HWwfMXwVbNoj6yS8JKrYm1WqadGKns3mCVYEfCefIIUG5XToAuaWITqn5Yep/s320/Mamma_Roma-5._Bruna.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347610666839110130" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Bruna gets the short end of the stick in <a href="http://archive.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/02/pasolini.html">Pasolini's</a> second outing as a film director. Were Mamma Roma to recognize the similarities between her life and Bruna's, were she to show the girl some compassion, were she to open her eyes to her own sons misguided decisions, the viewer mightn't be so opposed to Bruna's misguided decisions. Bruna is not so stupid as Mamma Roma assumes - she inhabits a space in which it makes sense for her to keep the gang of local boys on her side. They have no qualms about assaulting her, and she has no means to get out. When the boys are enraged over her decision to 'go for a walk' with Ettore, she sides with their violent group. This move appears cold, but I believe we are left to wonder what might happen to Bruna were she to reject them for Ettore's company.<br /><br />This situation parallels Mamma Roma's - she who finds herself at the mercy of her old pimp. He needs money, so she must find her way back to the street and pay up, or face several consequences that are, I'm sure you know, undesirable. In spite of Mamma Roma's claim that the individual is responsible for her lot in life, <span style="font-style: italic;">Mamma Roma</span> is very much a film about constraints, context, and inhibiting structures. Bruna gives us a glimpse of those constraints on Mamma Roma's past as the character of Mamma Roma provides insight into how they might affect Bruna's future.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image found <a href="http://www.follow-me-now.de/html/body_mamma_roma.html">here</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-27645177823304035272009-06-07T20:32:00.005+02:002009-06-07T20:46:48.935+02:00When in Rome, go south!Una and I are back from a weekend in Sorrento. We couldn't quite escape the scooter noise from Rome (our hotel room faced a busy street), but at least we were rid of the barking dog and cawing gulls for a couple of nights.<br /><br />We took a ferry to Positano on Saturday, and I somehow managed to capture a pretty darn good photo of the Amalfi Coast's famed bouganvillea and picturesque buildings stuck right into the hillside (if I do say so myself). See . . .<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hT7EWkTOsgvlq3Njh9l5DVbMLcSMmIJ5oO5AUrtyPHZpF88m7Ta013zbg_y6LfM3eVQ65bwEBoBR_PmjR2SggvmlFV6hy6mtSni4V8cZUngR8_6FcJLpLxujvAStYdXKaFt01nH-933R/s1600-h/DSCN1132.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hT7EWkTOsgvlq3Njh9l5DVbMLcSMmIJ5oO5AUrtyPHZpF88m7Ta013zbg_y6LfM3eVQ65bwEBoBR_PmjR2SggvmlFV6hy6mtSni4V8cZUngR8_6FcJLpLxujvAStYdXKaFt01nH-933R/s320/DSCN1132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344658100903186370" border="0" /></a><br /></div>It was weird to feel like I was actually on vacation this weekend, but I definitely enjoyed our downtime - especially the strolls through Sorrento's and Positano's narrow streets lined with shops. Eat, shop, enjoy the views - that's about it around these parts, and I was happy to indulge for just about 48 hours. All things are fabulous in and around Amalfi, as emphasized by this guy who apparently just hangs out in front of Missoni in Positano all day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pOcZvGj0OA7__D2y8OOVJrY0Qz3zwbPbZomDNTC62u-lmJVLu8haM_awsBiUE7IpwHPBY8Le9zj2Gvk9_k__CbUt4SbXWeffsT88qXxT8FYB4gCuhdwpl8LVYrV3KqOgvti4mSXcvYVD/s1600-h/DSCN1134.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pOcZvGj0OA7__D2y8OOVJrY0Qz3zwbPbZomDNTC62u-lmJVLu8haM_awsBiUE7IpwHPBY8Le9zj2Gvk9_k__CbUt4SbXWeffsT88qXxT8FYB4gCuhdwpl8LVYrV3KqOgvti4mSXcvYVD/s320/DSCN1134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344658588832073106" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-20374395821424338232009-06-04T19:10:00.004+02:002009-06-04T19:47:58.271+02:00Fauna, Fauna EverywhereClass time consisted of a walk on the Aventine Hill today, and every place we went, we encountered busy little animals either hanging out in their habitats or eager to interact with all of the people infringing on their habitats. I figured a gratuitous photo entry was in order. You may want to shield the kiddies' eyes from the beetles pic.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCNlAEjzb20TwyToK-EWu_jYbHM82wCkRmsc3lLUGztHRSJWWTPWMv6tKhq8RjK3wrhJX4dySQD4JIgTJ9ALNpm4Y-iwVB2RrPnXZC0zk1hcwy3gYExKGYlt5jdyBYzmgusRGtSBUT4cg/s1600-h/DSCN1119.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCNlAEjzb20TwyToK-EWu_jYbHM82wCkRmsc3lLUGztHRSJWWTPWMv6tKhq8RjK3wrhJX4dySQD4JIgTJ9ALNpm4Y-iwVB2RrPnXZC0zk1hcwy3gYExKGYlt5jdyBYzmgusRGtSBUT4cg/s200/DSCN1119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343524805674699362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Friendly kitty at the Protestant Cemetery.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSozbgYTKiKhJ2eqDzjh6dddvEblYYwoeIc0XiqmeojqxpdDjbzLBCqUIMxb5cd_b6Z2KDdkqvDqm7BFKkWINYMKWFN2zBh1__gRRRHutT8B2i_GG05QXR_vYwy1lhvP05p1hed5lI0VFK/s1600-h/DSCN1115.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSozbgYTKiKhJ2eqDzjh6dddvEblYYwoeIc0XiqmeojqxpdDjbzLBCqUIMxb5cd_b6Z2KDdkqvDqm7BFKkWINYMKWFN2zBh1__gRRRHutT8B2i_GG05QXR_vYwy1lhvP05p1hed5lI0VFK/s200/DSCN1115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343524790723641986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Snail that almost met its end at the sole of my sandal in the Protestant Cemetery</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs3Y_RRY2zZ7PvVdOgHE7jZyZxijGmE6_CR8TwyJs9n9wuosH5fGTMnSlfLSCw81elSdiz7XyjUlQq_xEqNFWewpU5UBKoW3cEC-_Xgx9WiZRCup_n4GgjjUHnTOrlGOQtBK8NkNw5R6S/s1600-h/DSCN1117.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs3Y_RRY2zZ7PvVdOgHE7jZyZxijGmE6_CR8TwyJs9n9wuosH5fGTMnSlfLSCw81elSdiz7XyjUlQq_xEqNFWewpU5UBKoW3cEC-_Xgx9WiZRCup_n4GgjjUHnTOrlGOQtBK8NkNw5R6S/s200/DSCN1117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343524800829680946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Busy" beetles at the Protestant Cemetery.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyh6c8O86dqOgDXOVJiPqG1b1T6v1ZaWPKLlbV0hUt-ieM1OTy3IuksuFEkqJmkPiXqauWQSdCXiAx0vuPwRPx5uHfV0pkD02qX7ZBfPKGZHbr2BWyFGo59YnsoLbl4JnK6wXNGWPP3woE/s1600-h/DSCN1120.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyh6c8O86dqOgDXOVJiPqG1b1T6v1ZaWPKLlbV0hUt-ieM1OTy3IuksuFEkqJmkPiXqauWQSdCXiAx0vuPwRPx5uHfV0pkD02qX7ZBfPKGZHbr2BWyFGo59YnsoLbl4JnK6wXNGWPP3woE/s200/DSCN1120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343524807054361506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A rather tame herd of humans at Giardino degli Aranci.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07G9s_yVxSfDijhNDJ126dvm3jPEZx3mTj9aiT1fdqSiu57guheawZcPia9mqNbkdWqG_wxNWM-ygMc54LONnSuTqCdOufunbAy9jSOnxyHKpm98wQ0MJg4tkVUybH9Gu8GFMFMdIKmMW/s1600-h/DSCN1121.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07G9s_yVxSfDijhNDJ126dvm3jPEZx3mTj9aiT1fdqSiu57guheawZcPia9mqNbkdWqG_wxNWM-ygMc54LONnSuTqCdOufunbAy9jSOnxyHKpm98wQ0MJg4tkVUybH9Gu8GFMFMdIKmMW/s200/DSCN1121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343528922562721074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy dog and his pine cone in Giardino degli Aranci.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSnfTLAcIeSKxJB0gdV99y5Kw8bvBG8fW6aVwLTofUjPprC9YKQ-dOqWxOTJ_nDuH7trO-F6gQRfQpoCMr7p6HmBmx0-9yLxT8dVRaeoGLVS-W47DnmQ4kjKSZ8OZP_Lw8W9NOjaeEu-d/s1600-h/DSCN1122.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSnfTLAcIeSKxJB0gdV99y5Kw8bvBG8fW6aVwLTofUjPprC9YKQ-dOqWxOTJ_nDuH7trO-F6gQRfQpoCMr7p6HmBmx0-9yLxT8dVRaeoGLVS-W47DnmQ4kjKSZ8OZP_Lw8W9NOjaeEu-d/s200/DSCN1122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343528929525935730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Curious kitten in Giardino degli Aranci.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQpbuNYIMKFzutN-MXCa9TbA1T54EFIoZIwjTsZXAuDlP9ZLzsoHb3nIAFlmExXGsof8OZJiNex_zedX7YtYVpsnWhkpF68XIdkPHJ5oWj3KdZAmHSzcEOO0pUELuEciyWeRQqw82Tvp/s1600-h/DSCN1128.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcQpbuNYIMKFzutN-MXCa9TbA1T54EFIoZIwjTsZXAuDlP9ZLzsoHb3nIAFlmExXGsof8OZJiNex_zedX7YtYVpsnWhkpF68XIdkPHJ5oWj3KdZAmHSzcEOO0pUELuEciyWeRQqw82Tvp/s200/DSCN1128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343528935044858386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The bee does its part in Roseto Comunale.</span><br /></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-72622916483131309742009-06-04T13:53:00.001+02:002009-06-04T13:59:25.987+02:00MU-JI-Oh(!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwOc2cE7RJDVLcc3Uogu-sX6QFKAiI4_ugh4y-fDmUWUHU3Td-myX1EUptDcxOYbk7a7Ayh7H2v0oxiRhFp3FZ_gb7wA-wEW3LwyTAAWiAHAR0qb5lsojqNwH7Xe7QjNu3biqMhL-o9PK/s1600-h/DSCN1112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwOc2cE7RJDVLcc3Uogu-sX6QFKAiI4_ugh4y-fDmUWUHU3Td-myX1EUptDcxOYbk7a7Ayh7H2v0oxiRhFp3FZ_gb7wA-wEW3LwyTAAWiAHAR0qb5lsojqNwH7Xe7QjNu3biqMhL-o9PK/s320/DSCN1112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343440772945541810" border="0" /></a>There's a tempting little store on Via del Tritone called <a href="http://www.muji.eu/index.asp">MUJI</a>. I'm a little bit in love with it, but I also cannot make a solid argument to myself in favor of actually making a purchase there. The Japanese company's "philosophy of 'no brand quality goods'" is reflected in the minimalist packaging and store design. I'm a little perplexed, however, how they maintain a reputation for earth conscious production and packaging when most of their appealing little products (and I do mean that they are actually wee little things) are mostly plastic and kind of unnecessary.<br /><br />I think I might hold out for one of the MUJI stores in the States, since the prices in euros seem to differ greatly from the prices in British pounds (both are printed on the tags), and I don't think it's simply a matter of currency conversion. So the next time I make it to the Big Apple to visit my girl <a href="http://casinrome.blogspot.com/2008/06/jenny-in-big-city.html">Jenny</a>, I think a little trip to MUJI SOHO might be in order.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Google tells me that today, this is the euro-pound equivalence: </span><span style="font-size:85%;">1 Euro = 0.866634158 British pounds.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-20081620165336943432009-06-03T23:54:00.007+02:002009-06-04T14:55:34.127+02:00A Man and His Dog . . . and the Maid<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXtu4-tQowW3Wi2LB36KNC2skaIjJGmC0UqOz5p-mpw5DIOCiuqbhPuIxNVFr0DG0rI4nQOHWlHlUQFkT7HtJuY9BlD92lBZA36xY0czingVcZzMCsLJ_onnfbShvZbkmFZLg1ggDWvQI/s1600-h/414790589_555e03678c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXtu4-tQowW3Wi2LB36KNC2skaIjJGmC0UqOz5p-mpw5DIOCiuqbhPuIxNVFr0DG0rI4nQOHWlHlUQFkT7HtJuY9BlD92lBZA36xY0czingVcZzMCsLJ_onnfbShvZbkmFZLg1ggDWvQI/s200/414790589_555e03678c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343450888279272690" border="0" /></a>I'm sure you've all been on the edge of your seats wondering what this week's film selection was for CAS 415 in Rome. Lucky for you, the wait is over. Today, we watched <a href="http://www.time.com/time/2005/100movies/0,23220,umberto_d,00.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Umberto D</span></a>, another neorealist staple directed by Vittorio De Sica. Critics love this movie, which succeeds in so many ways in spite of it's fundamentally trite premise (did you catch the title of this post?).<br /><br />Maria-Pia Casilio plays Maria, the maid in the boarding house where Umberto rents a room and from which he is soon to be evicted. Although it has the potential to develop as maudlin and exploitative, empathetic is the way in which I would describe the relationship between Maria and Umberto. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSr_2_1fiMo5_-nByjljAlh6QkHEXAA6i03S1-7OM6YcNWDAQuQ0Ry5ByQisXVWFyqLf_hCi7kLnq5XQKrcT5wPLdXm5cCk7aSP-gYyO_UQZqUyFOWgYXbMvpYazpGsKsPgVRZR9P0WnH/s1600-h/11264683_tml.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSr_2_1fiMo5_-nByjljAlh6QkHEXAA6i03S1-7OM6YcNWDAQuQ0Ry5ByQisXVWFyqLf_hCi7kLnq5XQKrcT5wPLdXm5cCk7aSP-gYyO_UQZqUyFOWgYXbMvpYazpGsKsPgVRZR9P0WnH/s200/11264683_tml.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343451384497728914" border="0" /></a>She seems to have no significant ties to family, but she does not seek out Umberto as a surrogate father or grandfather, nor does she wish to be his caretaker. This might have been an easy move for De Sica to make, but he is appropriately restrained in the presentation of Maria and Umberto's friendship (which might also be stretching it).<br /><br />Maria is rather no-nonsense, but then, she must be, as she is three months pregnant and on the verge of poor, single motherhood. However, De Sica does not neglect her the complex character portrait that such circumstances require - she cries quietly over her situation as she makes the morning coffee, alone in the kitchen, but she does what she can to help out with Umberto's dog when he requests it. The stereotypical notion of the Italian mamma who feeds others' problems with a heaping plate of pasta in red sauce is lost on De Sica and neorealism generally. Maria has her own business to worry about, after all.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Umberto D</span> poster found <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/414790589_555e03678c.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/38472579%40N00/414790589/&usg=__mubBkoWy54dsKwfLoyc0qN2rIXQ=&h=500&w=348&sz=115&hl=en&start=17&sig2=ZWw0dapdOJWg1a6DD5UgmQ&um=1&tbnid=dI_iO3ahdaWUoM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmaria-pia%2Bcasilio%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=Fr0nSsGJOsuN_QbuksXqAg">here</a>.<br />Maria-Pia Casilio image found <a href="http://www.flixster.com/actor/mariapia-casilio">here</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-25252484012170432472009-06-02T17:46:00.005+02:002009-06-03T23:53:38.905+02:0002.06.2009<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs17AWd4fAkKzT2_-42RBsNk6ujaB2_pIBzFFyNsO0f-fIlE991oqzvjQa-_7MTKEmf2I8TWcNYzB0rjNOTINcGUoBLOxTWMmd-P6OBxBGz4fmvC2eUE2j0Q7tRvdG46wbS3lzBnRQ2ZVA/s1600-h/DSCN1108.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs17AWd4fAkKzT2_-42RBsNk6ujaB2_pIBzFFyNsO0f-fIlE991oqzvjQa-_7MTKEmf2I8TWcNYzB0rjNOTINcGUoBLOxTWMmd-P6OBxBGz4fmvC2eUE2j0Q7tRvdG46wbS3lzBnRQ2ZVA/s200/DSCN1108.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343221286521650274" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Today is a national holiday in Italy, folks. I blogged about it a touch <a href="http://casinrome.blogspot.com/2008/06/festa-della-repubblica.html">last time around</a>, but I've got a very different perspective on it this year. Part of that different perspective is based in geography. This year, we're living in an area that is directly in line with the parade route, and today's parade route is, on most days, the most efficient way to walk to our classrooms off Piazza del Collegio Romano. As Una and I walked along Via dei Fori Imperiali this morning, however, we were trapped like rats - forced to watch the parade of endless segments of the Italian military marching in all their masculine, uniformed, glorious lock-step. I didn't think I'd be up for it, and especially not without at least one cappuccino under my belt.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">The point is, we beat a hasty retreat out of there, roundabout though it was, and did the more sensible thing - hung around a group of military folk just off of Piazza Venezia in white riding pants, gold chest plates, and patent leather riding boots. It was their beautiful horses rather than the sharp dressing that drew us in, which to us, <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> seem more sensible.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUL-VsBBgVs5H2DC4Lw1tlfQ5vwyEMML8JWmHu0WHpahhbBb4x9wUvhK36V3lRikWVChgLHowveHwyBY13FCnUehpN1u0MY4mCcJpj0jzEFmGr56iqRlHTvqZqvidhJV8ASKYp-X4j6IS/s1600-h/DSCN1110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUL-VsBBgVs5H2DC4Lw1tlfQ5vwyEMML8JWmHu0WHpahhbBb4x9wUvhK36V3lRikWVChgLHowveHwyBY13FCnUehpN1u0MY4mCcJpj0jzEFmGr56iqRlHTvqZqvidhJV8ASKYp-X4j6IS/s200/DSCN1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343221296546170242" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Okay, so aside from the way in which today's parade makes the navigation of a chaotic urban center feel even more chaotic than usual, I am uneasy about the show of military might (warranted or not) that is Festa della Repubblica. There have been alternative parades for peace in previous years, especially during the 'W' years and the height of the Iraq war, but I found no information on any alternative celebrations this year. The symbolic purchase of flexing the national muscle in the June second parade has somehow become less significant to peace movements in Italy, or in Rome at the very least, in this, the year of Obama. As with the declaration of a 'post-racial' era in the U.S., I have to imagine/hope the lack of alt festivities does not necessarily prove this to be true.<br /><br />On a lighter note, do check out Joe Augello's blog for the <a href="http://casinromejoeaugello.blogspot.com/2009/06/festa-della-republica.html">most surreal experience</a> that any of us CAS in Rome folks had on Festa della Repubblica this year. You won't be disappointed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Top: Firefighters scale/hang out on the Colosseum.<br />Middle: The horses . . . with distinctive haircuts.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-90110813908281907912009-05-31T17:59:00.006+02:002009-05-31T18:59:00.624+02:00Perugia and a Railway Education<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU06ToLGeLK3FOjilAV0JAXLM8gt7TgsTu2wLC8v995xmIWT6vA6wdQShs9Yj9vvs4dJCTH0HnGTri2DqBRVfc5EClO_W7rG6E_CqWnHuOLXNeNtLbSwSzsaObbqEwVDw0FJMWgR8GIpXZ/s1600-h/DSCN1094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU06ToLGeLK3FOjilAV0JAXLM8gt7TgsTu2wLC8v995xmIWT6vA6wdQShs9Yj9vvs4dJCTH0HnGTri2DqBRVfc5EClO_W7rG6E_CqWnHuOLXNeNtLbSwSzsaObbqEwVDw0FJMWgR8GIpXZ/s200/DSCN1094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342030847621640754" border="0" /></a>I spent this Friday into Saturday in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=perugia&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&ei=_6kiSoahNYOPsAaOwujIBg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1">Perugia</a>, a lovely little hill town with gorgeous views and lots of those little picturesque archways and cobblestone streets that one expects to find in Italy.<br /><br />I made my way back to Rome yesterday, due to the fact that I was feeling a little under the weather and in need of some Benadryl and a little time to sleep off the ickiness in my own bed (tiny and cot-like though it may be). My route home was a touch annoying (I did <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span> of waiting around in train stations yesterday), but as I waited out the train to Termini in Terontola, I noticed a plaque on the wall devoted to a one <a href="http://www.cyclinghalloffame.com/riders/rider_bio.asp?rider_id=21">Gino Bartali</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2M8MN0u-aqeelMHCxz0-BYwRM6TsZu_vzb3nxgNOhuewL41u_EZfaChKclbKxMsD94rxFXd0eH90E1ssxibBt3l9dly1bPVVx0mILzBthkaV7p39SdIOF2xI8dgqypXb7gS6V3vh7_Fq/s1600-h/Bartali+1948.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2M8MN0u-aqeelMHCxz0-BYwRM6TsZu_vzb3nxgNOhuewL41u_EZfaChKclbKxMsD94rxFXd0eH90E1ssxibBt3l9dly1bPVVx0mILzBthkaV7p39SdIOF2xI8dgqypXb7gS6V3vh7_Fq/s200/Bartali+1948.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342032689230926146" border="0" /></a>What I could decipher from the Italian text on the plaque was that this guy was a cyclist, and an accomplished one at that. I wondered what kind of cycling legacy earns someone train station plaques, and while nosing around for some info on 'Gino the Pious,' I realized that not only is my Italian icons-of-sport history a little shaky, so too am I un-savvy regarding contemporary cycling. In all of our football fervor, we've been ignorant to the <a href="http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cycling/giro/">Giro d'Italia</a>, which has been in progress since we arrived in Rome. The race ended today(!); Russian Denis Menchov is the winner.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Top left: Kids playing football in Perugia.<br />Bottom right: Gino </span><span style="font-size:85%;">being </span><span style="font-size:85%;">not-so-pious. Image found <a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.albertocontadornotebook.info/i/Bartali%25201948.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.albertocontadornotebook.info/giroPantheon.html&usg=__iFgM90fLsqoFWNEmTjEZd41p1vw=&h=500&w=383&sz=37&hl=en&start=12&sig2=HGj0xdVbMRZRhzvnoDCE_g&um=1&tbnid=NaXyEg_tg8dKnM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgino%2Bbartali%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1&ei=XrUiSsnLIdOclQfhrOjkBQ">here</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-88938889194391978592009-05-28T20:02:00.005+02:002009-05-28T20:25:28.495+02:00Caught Red-Handed (Snouted?)Una and I have taken to sleeping with the doors open - that is, there are doors in our room that open onto a very small terrace, and because we've been on the verge of heatstroke lately, we do whatever it takes to encourage even the tiniest breeze as we settle in to catch some ZZZs each night (what, you thought there would be AC?). The problem with the open door (and it probably wouldn't matter much if we closed the stinkin' thing either) is that all of the sounds of the streets below and apartments beside us drift in without regard for our beauty sleep. <br /><br />I've been trying to sleep with earplugs in and sometimes my iPod on, but there is one noise that breaks through seemingly any barrier I attempt to put up. That noise comes from this little guy or grrrl:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1dEr7lOENlmfnLU48IVd94pQtVejVF_re1hYQTDfFAnCaPM96BwGlMyOvuHb3Dyo1C5TbXPa52bMremtNDlBPdh5HQhQPJnyBT9xMPdgMUPI7lj1kJE5-PXbyaBpVF9j-Z6jeFGbV8Ym/s1600-h/DSCN1084.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1dEr7lOENlmfnLU48IVd94pQtVejVF_re1hYQTDfFAnCaPM96BwGlMyOvuHb3Dyo1C5TbXPa52bMremtNDlBPdh5HQhQPJnyBT9xMPdgMUPI7lj1kJE5-PXbyaBpVF9j-Z6jeFGbV8Ym/s200/DSCN1084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340937905340269298" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XPmu9Au03aiLuAjNHrf8IuLKRRjnItrd5IYADU6gNAla7llTUmJGn0kMR8n9DqtgE6qywpODt-EkU_BRL9A9GpPOr6FPXJLXXV3H1V1FKCk-cnfLlKVQQaxbZKIHRI_krzzNxDYyTnf9/s1600-h/DSCN1083.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XPmu9Au03aiLuAjNHrf8IuLKRRjnItrd5IYADU6gNAla7llTUmJGn0kMR8n9DqtgE6qywpODt-EkU_BRL9A9GpPOr6FPXJLXXV3H1V1FKCk-cnfLlKVQQaxbZKIHRI_krzzNxDYyTnf9/s200/DSCN1083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340937901748331090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Can't you just see the guilt in his/her eyes? His/her posture? He/she was fully aware that I was snapping this photo of the booming bark in action, and so the he/she turned away in shame! <br /><br />This dalmation lives across the street and below us (hence the bad angle on the photo), and the owner seems to leave it outside throughout most of the day. This isn't necessarily bad dog-owning practice in Rome - plenty of animals are more of the "outside" than "inside" variety. We've taken to calling the pup 'Vega Due,' after the ill-fated <span style="font-style: italic;">animale domestico</span> in Tim Parks' <a href="http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/0449908186.asp"><span style="font-style: italic;">Italian Neighbors</span></a>.* The clear difference between our Vega and the original - this dog will continue to bark all day long, long after we've departed Rome.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />*Parks, Tim. <span style="font-style: italic;">Italian Neighbors</span>. New York: Grove Press, 1992.</span><br /></div></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-58410581305635182872009-05-28T17:00:00.002+02:002009-05-28T18:07:47.249+02:00This Week in Film . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9XllFhNkQfcYQdZibHfSV-JRjOioTLqLBLQOZrO440cM5dcRcvkatXCFdiqpYVm1chiAtdtUMa_jAPIQah58xtbAzDs_vx5xYBq-_JyGvSPAfxf0F1jRs1dRtML8OOy5xFE8R0RIYAXX/s1600-h/federico-fellini_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9XllFhNkQfcYQdZibHfSV-JRjOioTLqLBLQOZrO440cM5dcRcvkatXCFdiqpYVm1chiAtdtUMa_jAPIQah58xtbAzDs_vx5xYBq-_JyGvSPAfxf0F1jRs1dRtML8OOy5xFE8R0RIYAXX/s200/federico-fellini_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340907024989661362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044000/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lo sceicco bianco</span></a> - Fellini's debut as a solo director. Although a "logical" narrative can be culled from film overall, there is much in it that is whimsical, nonsensical, and reliant upon spectacle, making it hard to make sense of in the midst of our neorealist undertakings. One thing that I think is clear, is that Lo sceicco bianco is fraught with questions about feminine identity and agency, and although the protagonist, Wanda, takes her fair share of missteps, it is her husband, Ivan, and the object of her desire, the White Sheik, who inhabit buffoonish roles, perhaps to the ends (arguably progressive within the historical context) that Virginia Pichietti describes:<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />"Because it problematizes femininity, Lo sceicco bianco stands as an insightful reflection of the dilemma that women faced in the gendered performances advocated by 1950s popular culture. At the same time, it cleverly unravels this performance to expose the contradictions on which it is built. While Wanda is not a protofeminist character, her movement between roles subtly reveals the wilful interpretation of the self's position in social intercourse. Unfortunately, within the conventional, institutional universe of Fellini's film, her vision must ultimately be confined to the role that guarantees a moral euphoric ending for her to participate as a functioning member."</span>*<br /><br />The ending, considered by Pichietti to be 'confining' and 'conventional' for the main female character, is often the one that our small audience of CAS in Rome finds the most comforting, as it is the closest we'll get in our film class to a happy Hollywood ending. Hmmm . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Picchietti, Virginia. "When in Rome Do as the Romans Do?: Fellini's Problematization of Femininity (The White Sheik)." In <span style="font-style: italic;">Federico Fellini: Contemporary Perspectives</span>, edited by Frank Burke and Marguerite R. Waller, 92-106. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002.<br /><br />Image of Fellini found <a href="http://ilikeeunha.blogspot.com/2007/07/federico-fellini.html">here</a>.<br /></span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-16230822906394716812009-05-27T17:53:00.007+02:002009-05-27T18:23:41.658+02:00Calcio: Senza Alcol Edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA24vxQsPWMPu68yG10m3ND3FSHZ9arvBqhdPuGZfwSNk4N3XRjQngXGEJonRtPjUNne8hLC6MttKuKm6txlO39qT34LEzUhRLBBlgo8XNPEEHkddVMXn6uGeEwukyyP0fMvWWjrWKVyoV/s1600-h/heysel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA24vxQsPWMPu68yG10m3ND3FSHZ9arvBqhdPuGZfwSNk4N3XRjQngXGEJonRtPjUNne8hLC6MttKuKm6txlO39qT34LEzUhRLBBlgo8XNPEEHkddVMXn6uGeEwukyyP0fMvWWjrWKVyoV/s320/heysel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340539099986210482" border="0" /></a>Playing host to major football matches in Europe, Asia, and well, anywhere outside of the U.S., can be an anxiety inducing affair. There has been a noticeable influx of fans into the city of Rome this week, and with more soccer fans, there has historically been an increased chance of violent conflicts. Ever since the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/29/newsid_2733000/2733979.stm">Heysel Stadium disaster</a> in 1985, hosting cities' officials have taken precautions, like <a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=6669">increasing police presence</a>, in the hope that the site and its reputation remain in tact - no culture/football capital wants to be the place where more people lost their lives over hooliganism than Heysel.<br /><br />As a means to deterring conflicts in Rome for the Champions' League final tonight, a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8067274.stm">ban on alcohol sales</a> has been in effect since last night (Tuesday) and is supposed to remain in effect until early tomorrow morning (Thursday). Una and I were unaware of the ban until our students mentioned it in class this morning, but we were doubtful of its effectiveness, considering we had ordered wine at dinner last night and sat amidst plenty of folks at lunch today who partook in a fair share of beer to wash down midday pizzas.<br /><br />We'll see how the ban continues to be enforced/ignored as we head out to watch the match in a bit. One rule that I wish they had put into place rather than the ban: all Man U fans must keep their shirts on in public throughout their stay in Rome, no matter how hot it gets. Think of all of the trauma that could have been prevented.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Image of Heysel Stadium from <a href="http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/heysel/images/heysel.jpg">Channel4</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-22623591331557891202009-05-24T20:03:00.008+02:002009-05-25T14:49:19.937+02:00"Inside" Sunday/At Home with Il DuceAlright, I admit it. I slept in today. In spite of the non-stop barking from our neighbor's dalmatian through the wee hours, I was whooped enough to stay in bed nearly until 11am. However, I was still able to make a day of it once I peeled off my sleeping mask (it's necessary sometimes, and I only have one because they gave it to me on Air France last year; no judging, please). I thought something relatively close to home and indoors would be the best choice on this HOT Sunday, so I decided on a visit to the <a href="http://www.galleriaborghese.it/nuove/spvenezia.htm">Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia</a>, just around the corner from our classrooms off Piazza Collegio Romano.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjRPTRB_V1JaqkCxPUW2BshyOa5kk0_NGhTXT2odjRBirjD4CGug_7QDKiMW3qXlq_cx-bGkjETLFlHV11_IWsuJ_DPzK3W-FADjMWGced1N6PBqLCjygvO2CshSlKsCiRhoY9P2l6LGM/s1600-h/pal_ven.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjRPTRB_V1JaqkCxPUW2BshyOa5kk0_NGhTXT2odjRBirjD4CGug_7QDKiMW3qXlq_cx-bGkjETLFlHV11_IWsuJ_DPzK3W-FADjMWGced1N6PBqLCjygvO2CshSlKsCiRhoY9P2l6LGM/s320/pal_ven.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339738063909471730" border="0" /></a>Seeking a respite from the heat in Rome's museums can turn into an expensive strategy, so I don't think I'll be resorting to it all that frequently. Palazzo Venezia was actually worth it, but that's mainly due to the fact that the current temporary exhibit is <a href="http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/menteleonardo/">La Mente di Leonardo</a>, and all critical perspectives aside, it was pretty cool. The permanent exhibit includes wooden sculptures, which is interesting considering the overwhelming amounts of stone and marble pieces that we usually encounter in the museums, piazzas, and churches here.<br /><br />One last note on Palazzo Venezia - Mussolini often stood on one of its balconies that faces the piazza of the same name (a large, busy traffic circle/roundabout) and delivered speeches to the massive crowds below. Check out <a href="http://sensesofrhetoric.blogspot.com/2009/05/mussolinis-balcony.html">this entry</a> from Dr. Benson's <span style="font-style: italic;">Senses of Rhetoric</span> blog, where he posted an illustrative video of Il Duce and the aforementioned crowds in Piazza Venezia.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image found <a href="http://www.francescaantonacci.com/esposizioni.htm">here</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-16340150857075751092009-05-23T17:21:00.005+02:002009-05-23T18:00:10.667+02:00A Weekend In/Around RomeAlthough the weekends are often a time for residents of Rome to get the heck out, I was unconcerned with planning a trip out of town this weekend. Turns out, that wasn't such a bad move, as there is plenty I've yet to see, do, and stumble upon in the Eternal City.<br /><br />Una, Matt, and I took an hour's train ride out of town to Nettuno for a beach day on Friday. If one can manage a trip to one of the beaches near Rome on a weekday, it is to her great advantage. There were only a sprinkling of beachgoers when we arrived (as opposed to the packed Saturdays and Sundays on the coast), which made for a quiet afternoon, and also meant we didn't have to navigate too many bronzed Romans in speedos - a difficult thing for many U.S. Americans to get used to. We didn't make it to the <a href="http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/sr.php">World War II cemetery</a> at Nettuno, but it's on the 'to do' list for a potential future visit.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHIONBPoZVhMvtsC5bXgzWWoBIBJ-MngQMS2RElK-VfUS9TVt7iZa5LyMlWtI0W1HM5f6X-T_0eu9KNvrUDDqKicqPYzCx-Ucbeebx6hsyaNPaO3SsKAPBLuaVf33CB4Xd0aygW9kk3QT/s1600-h/DSCN1033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHIONBPoZVhMvtsC5bXgzWWoBIBJ-MngQMS2RElK-VfUS9TVt7iZa5LyMlWtI0W1HM5f6X-T_0eu9KNvrUDDqKicqPYzCx-Ucbeebx6hsyaNPaO3SsKAPBLuaVf33CB4Xd0aygW9kk3QT/s200/DSCN1033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339046135311886770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJvSWcBD_6yLvh-Tf1QzAntbSQTjTIZYxtY8IhxNLPQGGKqavk8VL14PYsAheEK53vk5UTb-nIKzcHLDIDFZvNg4qrITpJIXCpSnIoZ1PyHN2I7At65PTa2LBaIB24DmFZqxg2KZyPZSb/s1600-h/DSCN1032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJvSWcBD_6yLvh-Tf1QzAntbSQTjTIZYxtY8IhxNLPQGGKqavk8VL14PYsAheEK53vk5UTb-nIKzcHLDIDFZvNg4qrITpJIXCpSnIoZ1PyHN2I7At65PTa2LBaIB24DmFZqxg2KZyPZSb/s200/DSCN1032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339046130840183778" border="0" /></a><br />Today, I did some walking on the Aventine hill after strolling through the Protestant Cemetery in Testaccio with Una and Matt. On this trip to the Protestant cemetery, I was most taken with the different varieties of flowers scattered among the graves, and so it seemed to make sense to make it a day of cemeteries and flowers and visit the rose gardens (<a href="http://www.romaclick.com/Pages/Rome/Tosee/Rome-guide-roseto.htm">Roseto Comunale</a>) on the Aventine, as well (the Roseto used to be the Jewish cemetery in Rome). In spite of the pre-summer heat, the roses were still in bloom and looking quite beautiful. I had to stop taking photos thanks to low battery, but I think you get the picture . . .<br /> <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsQc6y_rW1Gl7U9pM2Rvth0rQyi1ozjFYpcj3no91PlqZuijQ55gzCGRhRbAlhWwBOOCpIOC4ljfoNXt34fTEnw-2BCQLmbXTm4qQpDaLpnGx7pNM0e1AKF-9CYGH8AZc_9C8cGueXaeM/s1600-h/DSCN1039.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsQc6y_rW1Gl7U9pM2Rvth0rQyi1ozjFYpcj3no91PlqZuijQ55gzCGRhRbAlhWwBOOCpIOC4ljfoNXt34fTEnw-2BCQLmbXTm4qQpDaLpnGx7pNM0e1AKF-9CYGH8AZc_9C8cGueXaeM/s200/DSCN1039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339049026442179970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDZGbhnXLnZOLMFMYG5lQjuGXo3gyvLvACQltJKaMcbHjM0a3jAiT6GHPm4D1goMWx-fBLa8A0NG6TjkPciRgPoOx9gNpnRaSxJY8Hiv9ZTRLLxUy0ng74YEEpWae1ulMUfnpkIgyjPq/s1600-h/DSCN1052.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLDZGbhnXLnZOLMFMYG5lQjuGXo3gyvLvACQltJKaMcbHjM0a3jAiT6GHPm4D1goMWx-fBLa8A0NG6TjkPciRgPoOx9gNpnRaSxJY8Hiv9ZTRLLxUy0ng74YEEpWae1ulMUfnpkIgyjPq/s200/DSCN1052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339049031327342866" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4luRnUt9hZRPInIasKX4QJcBqEFZYV2hgw-nXUciPlNKJwBOK-OD9eOeJL1of1UYi5YCrnYe4uGypdYaTOnT7-G_gMa8DFwlTQskkwBcHWACIfm4k0gf2QFx7DGH_9DpQPv-Y-DfvMh7k/s1600-h/DSCN1059.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4luRnUt9hZRPInIasKX4QJcBqEFZYV2hgw-nXUciPlNKJwBOK-OD9eOeJL1of1UYi5YCrnYe4uGypdYaTOnT7-G_gMa8DFwlTQskkwBcHWACIfm4k0gf2QFx7DGH_9DpQPv-Y-DfvMh7k/s200/DSCN1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339049036100688994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTg9XtC7EP8cgnCIYSoE5gxPSSb69yDUPvR7Q29ZRXLooF9pBTwiH5kUhEcQ8zH3tzXd5Itwh_Mb8s8mdYjHwgEfLRqUUv4GnMn3UeFWSv-1PEAPCJXxL5vrvQD3sxMuyOwLtLm-PiOU6/s1600-h/DSCN1064.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTg9XtC7EP8cgnCIYSoE5gxPSSb69yDUPvR7Q29ZRXLooF9pBTwiH5kUhEcQ8zH3tzXd5Itwh_Mb8s8mdYjHwgEfLRqUUv4GnMn3UeFWSv-1PEAPCJXxL5vrvQD3sxMuyOwLtLm-PiOU6/s200/DSCN1064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339049039750011122" border="0" /></a></div>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-70135303816554519082009-05-21T16:25:00.004+02:002009-05-21T17:11:11.379+02:00Calcio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7ELRRhpYJZ4aHeQ0WzDFtKKvwuq5wcu3UK-tFLkmvtSJoVnP7CvMK_A5_nz-ZIEI99sXvHRZIfwkNu1oie_UCMbxL7PAy-uLyT5xwMQM1ZzID3BPAmLjf1Syv7FAc-wSCbuwOKT4XBw7/s1600-h/uefa-champions-league-logo-2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7ELRRhpYJZ4aHeQ0WzDFtKKvwuq5wcu3UK-tFLkmvtSJoVnP7CvMK_A5_nz-ZIEI99sXvHRZIfwkNu1oie_UCMbxL7PAy-uLyT5xwMQM1ZzID3BPAmLjf1Syv7FAc-wSCbuwOKT4XBw7/s320/uefa-champions-league-logo-2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338293945351274962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://casinrome.blogspot.com/2008/06/euro-2008.html">Euro 2008</a> was a highlight of our stay in Rome last year, in spite of Azzurri's loss to Spain in the quarterfinals. <a href="http://www.uefa.com/competitions/woco/index.html">Women's Euro 2009</a> is being held in Finland this year, but we don't have a TV, and it won't get underway until August, anyway. However, next week's <a href="http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/index.html">Champions League</a> final <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">in Rome</span> - Barcelona v. Manchester United. I'm fairly certain one does not come by tickets for the final easily, so my hope is that we can squeeze in at one of Rome's Irish-themed pubs and watch the match over a pint. For those of you less interested in football and more interested in prettyboy footballers, come to the match for <a href="http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?bioid=91960&pagegid=%7BFE60904B-C2A8-4E60-9B05-700DBBC29BBC%7D&section=playerProfile">Ronaldo</a>, but stay for the soccer.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Image taken from <a href="http://www.soccermusic.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/uefa-champions-league-logo-2009.jpg">this</a> site.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-42612998856521974602009-05-20T17:42:00.005+02:002009-05-20T21:27:49.839+02:00More Fun with Neorealism<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s7SUQVGPpG7E9VZA1Zf8Wqriw5sSHrVd3krwWDOjjVb8gPjYjnD1cqr1XW6iyY9-MEfJiiwvca5vadQmnhrWUNfWkYfpEyBXErmmBvpiZJlEysihtMJlj5w6LwZ4G_mT8f9KjMMGnoiS/s1600-h/142975.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-s7SUQVGPpG7E9VZA1Zf8Wqriw5sSHrVd3krwWDOjjVb8gPjYjnD1cqr1XW6iyY9-MEfJiiwvca5vadQmnhrWUNfWkYfpEyBXErmmBvpiZJlEysihtMJlj5w6LwZ4G_mT8f9KjMMGnoiS/s320/142975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337989930081929938" border="0" /></a>We're moving right along in our Italian film course, and this week's offering was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040522/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ladri di Biciclette</span></a>. De Sica's 1948 film tends to still ring a bell in U.S. popular culture contexts, but the title is frequently mistranslated as <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bicycle Thief</span>, committing a perpetual injustice to the film and its audiences (once you've watched it, I'm willing to bet you'll feel the same way). <br /><br />As I continue to think about female figures in Italian neorealist film, I am reminded that the women in this film are seemingly minor characters but clearly integral to the progress(?) of the story. Maria Ricci figures most prominently, making the significant decision to give up her dowry (sheets, for goodness sake) for her husband to get his bicycle out of hock in the first place. I'm also partial to the character of La Santona, "the one who sees," who both women and men frequent for advice and predictions about their futures. In a historical moment in which many folks are struggling to earn and maintain some kind of salary, La Santona's waiting room is packed with clients, eager to hand over whatever lire they can spare.<br /><br />One last crucial note about the large cinematic shadow cast by <span style="font-style: italic;">Ladri di Biciclette</span> - the epic narrative, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089791/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pee Wee's Big Adventure</span></a>, is arguably <a href="http://www.ambidextrouspics.com/html/pee_wee_s_big_adventure.html">a loose intrepretation</a> of Antonio Ricci's quest to reclaim his bicycle. I thought I caught a hint of that brilliance watching Paul Reubens as a six-year-old.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Image from <a href="http://trovacinema.repubblica.it/film/ladri-di-biciclette/120318">TrovaCinema/laRepubblica</a>.</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886148115975604206.post-4386683799998686472009-05-19T16:25:00.005+02:002009-05-19T16:58:53.937+02:00Home Is Where My Cot Is<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3vsrvZT-yAYVAQSbEjdXuF8lSBArS6UcUjxK1I3g5FyZiQvgLn0v2RzsmTUrjLhW_FEXnMuv6ZqL-jG06c4INfycMlUC3lJdzux3NlWC3kT-JunI_qyAuqhKRr8jqxfAKpm_MsgLHfOu/s1600-h/DSCN0996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3vsrvZT-yAYVAQSbEjdXuF8lSBArS6UcUjxK1I3g5FyZiQvgLn0v2RzsmTUrjLhW_FEXnMuv6ZqL-jG06c4INfycMlUC3lJdzux3NlWC3kT-JunI_qyAuqhKRr8jqxfAKpm_MsgLHfOu/s200/DSCN0996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337547184631528850" border="0" /></a>Una has already taken the time to blog a bit about <a href="http://unainrome.blogspot.com/2009/05/living-quaters.html">our living quarters</a>, but I thought I might put my two cents in (you know, for good measure . . . oh, and because we can never say enough about, well, anything).<br /><br />Our humble apartment's address is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Via_Labicana">Via Labicana</a>, about half a mile from the Colosseum, just around the corner from one of my favorite churches, San Giovanni in Laterano, and la Scala Sancta, and across the street from <a href="http://www.basilicasanclemente.com/">la Basilica di San Clemente</a>. Not a bad location for a couple of grad students kickin' around Rome for a few weeks.<br /><br />The living is relatively easy (thanks to the elevator), but it has become a bit of a chore to walk home from Piazza del Collegio Romano in the afternoon sun, navigating through crowds of tourists along Via dei Fori Imperiali and dodging those kids who want to scam you on some ticket that allows you to jump the line at the Colosseum (no thanks).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9jMU04L3rL2TntQzEeBr5b5xHnjF4BqfjSufrXgG8xCKiaNP5hHKM8p-ptN9hbChEONMzZWrOjkHIU87I-dsmcJjUCowgb6dh-QiKv2pgXH96fylUU6BAoPKwJqwpgrfFeHelM9s0WPp/s1600-h/DSCN0981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9jMU04L3rL2TntQzEeBr5b5xHnjF4BqfjSufrXgG8xCKiaNP5hHKM8p-ptN9hbChEONMzZWrOjkHIU87I-dsmcJjUCowgb6dh-QiKv2pgXH96fylUU6BAoPKwJqwpgrfFeHelM9s0WPp/s200/DSCN0981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337547643826015410" border="0" /></a><br />Once I get past all that, and I decide I'm going to be a trooper and walk up the 100+ stairs to the apartment, I'm pleased as punch to relax on my squeaky little bed before reviewing the undergraduates' weekly journals or washing the stink off in our only bathroom (that's for six people, by the way). Thank goodness for that thin mattress and those two old pillows. I sleep like a baby on it nearly every night, and I hesitate to lift my body out of it early each morning. That's how I know I'm at home in Rome.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Above left: view from my room; Right: the bed!</span>Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09501759827240536224noreply@blogger.com1