13 Favorite Photos I've Taken

13 Favorite Photos (That I've Taken)

Today I thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos - in most cases, they are photos that I've taken, but one or two were taken by other people instead. Almost all of these are taken in Italy, of course, since this is where my love for photography got a chance to really blossom.

So, in no particular order, here are 13 of my favorite photos! :)

I start with this one, since it's her birthday tomorrow:

Me with my mother on her first visit to Italy, September 2006. (photo taken by my hubby)

On that same visit, the next morning (my mother and stepfather's first official day in Italy), we were greeted by this sight:

Isola Pescatore (Lago Maggiore, Italy) at sunrise, September 2006.

When the hubby and I honeymooned back in 2004, we went to Tuscany (of course). That's where I took this next shot:

A Siena vicolo (alleyway) in La Contrada della Pantera, March, 2004.

And then, of course, you must see...

Venezia... September 2006.

And in this romantic atmosphere, some things come naturally to you...

The hubby and me, May, 2007.

Just last weekend, we attended a Renaissance fair in the nearby city of Quattro Castella, where I took these (if you've seen Under the Tuscan Sun, you should know what they're doing):

Flag throwing at the Ren fair, May 2008.

One of my favorite places to take photos is always Firenze, Italy, for obvious reasons:

Statue in Piazza della Signoria, Firenze, Italy.

Closer to home, however, there are special little moments worthy of note. Like this little guy, the unofficial mascot of the offices of a local bank, where I teach English:

His name is Romeo, by the way. He comes to the bank every morning and rides the elevator to the fifth floor, where he sits on his favorite chair and is given treats. He leaves shortly before 9 a.m., and sometimes returns in the late afternoon. In Winter and Summer, he stays all day, but leaves for lunch (at home). :)

Although this one is blurry, it's a favorite of mine because of the subject. :)

My hubby and his dad, Paolo. February 2007.

On occasion, we wander into the hills for a relaxing stroll. I always take my camera. Here's why:

My hubby in the Appennine foothills...

And then, there are the things you find that just demand to be pictured...

Awwwww.... Sad house is sad...


Post-World Cup Celebrants in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy, July 2006. (This photo was taken by my hubby, btw.)

I think you can see why I enjoy these pictures, eh?

Oh, yes, there's one more photo that I do enjoy...

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A repeat, but still a goodie!

Fabio Cannavaro, soccer player.


Ciao!

Real Men Wear Pink!

Thirteen Facts about The Giro d'Italia

This great cycling race, second only to the infamous "Tour de France", began last weekend. I'm pleased to bring to you a few facts about one of my favorite sporting events.

So, let's jump right in!



1. The first ever Giro d'Italia was begun May 13th, 1909, and was won by Luigi Ganna.


2. This year marks the 90th Giro. It began on May 10th and will continue through June 1st.

3. It has been suspended twice - for World Wars I and II (1915-18 and 1941-45, respectively).

4. Ever since 1931, the overall leader of the Giro sports the maglia rosa (pink jersey), which corresponds with La Gazzetta dello Sport 's pink newsprint. (The yellow jersey given to the overall leader of the Tour de France is done for similar reasons - to correspond with the yellow color of the pages of France's L'Auto sports newspaper.)

5. The different portions of the tour are called "stages". The 1909 race had eight stages. The 2008 race has twenty-one.

6. Like all cycling races, the person who crosses the finish line first is not necessarily the winner. The winner of the Giro is the person who has the overall shortest time for the whole tour.

Daniele Bennati

7. Last year's winner of the Giro was Danilo Di Luca - a.k.a. "The Killer".

8. In 2006, the Giro passed through my new "hometown". I took some photos:

In 2007, Reggio nell'Emilia played host to the beginning of a stage. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend, as I had to work. (Yeah, I'm still bummed.)

9. An American rider won the Giro once upon a time. In 1988, Andrew Hampsten of Columbus, Ohio, raced for team 7-Eleven.

Andrew Hampsten

The '80s were so cruel when it came to hair, weren't they?

10. The route of the Giro varies each year. The Alpine and Apennine passes are probably the most difficult stages of all, and it's not unusual for the riders to endure wildly varying climates from the beginning of the tour to the end. Occasionally, the weather is a greater obstacle than expected, as Hampsten found out in 1988:

11. Three different cyclists have managed to win the Giro five times each: Alfredo Binda, Fausto (Il Campionissimo - the Greatest Champion) Coppi and Eddie (the Cannibal) Merckx.

12. The Giro d'Italia is considered part of the "Triple Crown of Cycling", along with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España.

13. The Giro itself was started with one purpose in mind: to boost the sales of Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport (The Sports Gazzette). I dare say it's proven to be a success!

And there you have it! 13 tidbits about the Giro d'Italia!

Never fear... I haven't forgotten... Just scroll down...

Keep scrolling...

Mario Cipollini - Winner of 42 separate stages of the Giro d'Italia, over the years. (An unbroken record.)




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Thirteen Stories I've Written (or will write)

This week I thought I'd show a little about how my creative process works, and divulge the inspiration for a few characters/stories that I've written (or am working on, at the moment).

So, let's jump in with a few stories that I've written:

1.) The first story I ever fleshed out into a novel-length tale was - for better or worse - written when I was just seventeen. It was originally supposed to be a short story for my Creative Writing class - just two or three pages - but I didn't write my twelve-page epic until the morning it was due. I got the highest marks in the class. The story - titled "Resolution for the Muse" centered around a rock musician in his late-thirties/early forties (note: not a rock "star") named David (...duh...) who falls in love with an underage fan - and works with her years later; needless to say, his marriage is already rocky, and this doesn't help.
Can anyone say "wish-fulfillment"? I knew that you could. The rock star inspiration in question was my burgeoning obsession - David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

I'd still like to give this novel a shot, one day.

2.) Around this same time, I wrote a short story about a young drifter who wanders into a small Southwestern town which is on the verge of falling apart, due to unseen forces tearing at the very fabric of existence. Titled "Unity", it was crazily surreal, dealing with some supernatural themes, death and spiritual possession, bloodlust and revenge. Pretty heady stuff, for the time, and a little over the top for the school competition I entered it in. (I did get a PRIDE award for the most outstanding contributions to the school magazine, but I digress.) The inspiration for the drifter? A "Young Guns"-era Kiefer Sutherland.

3.) The Rock-and-Roll themed novel I mentioned before didn't leave my brain for a long, long time. An attempt at "world-building" (of a sort) wound up becoming a "prequel", dealing with the youth of the musician, and I found out a lot more than I ever expected! Called "Groundwork", it told the story of David's coming-of-age, his reluctant marriage to the "wrong girl", band politics, his affairs and tortured friendship with an enigmatic troublemaker named Mitch, whose career parallels his own - until Mitch's untimely and grisly drug-enduced death. Heavy stuff - but not as preachy as it might seem, here. The inspirations for David and Mitch? David Gilmour and a hodge-podge of musicians from Syd Barrett to Marc Bolan, respectively.

Again, I'd still like to give this series a shot...

4.) My first attempt at writing "erotic" fiction was surely laughable, but at least it was a try at writing a female lead. And hey, I still think it's an interesting story, really.
"Night Flight" is the story of a young woman named Catherine Skye Piper who works at a small Municipal airport in California. She is employed by a friend of her late stunt-pilot father, who died while training another pilot. When the roguish D.J. Curtiss arrives on site, she is swept into a clandestine whirlwind romance with him, despite the warnings from her boss that she should avoid this man like the plague. In time, the relationship is discovered, and when D.J. asks her to go away with him, she agrees - but she never anticipates the secrecy with which he conducts his gypsy-style life, or the secrets he refuses to divulge to her. The ending, I am pleased to say, was rather unexpected - my test readers never saw it coming, for sure. Heh, heh...
This story, as well as "Groundwork" were my first true attempts at character growth/arc, and I think they were quite successful.

5.) Some years later, after a seemingly endless writer's block, I found new inspiration after a visit to the UK. A new story was born after I started listening to the music of Pulp, a Brit-pop band which somehow never quite caught on in the US... Nevermind that, though - I was inspired to write a story, and I am eternally grateful for that.
The story, titled "The Right Girl (For the Job)" was the story of Hannah O'Neill, who applies for a job as a personal assistant on a whim, and finds herself moving to England to work for a most curious couple, indeed. She is hired by Amanda Pollard, a photojournalist and author, and her husband, Jon Davies, an artist and photographer of some renown. Amanda wishes for Hannah to assist her husband with his business commitments while she is away working on her own. To Hannah's dismay, she feels a strange attraction to the gruff and often unfriendly man, and there is a definite interest on his part, as well. In time, however, the truth is revealed: Amanda wishes for the two to get together, thus relieving herself of the burden of his "care and attention", and allowing her to work and/or devote herself to their large brood of children.
To make things worse, Hannah attracts the attention of a local ne'er-do-well at the local pub - a strange lad who draws her as much, or more, than her new employer does; and he has a history of his own, with the family she works for.

6.) That ne'er-do-well had a strong voice of his own, which simply would not be ignored. Soon, I started writing his story - "A Marginal Life (Well-lived)", and this became my obsession for the next six months of my life. The music of Pulp fueled my writing days and nights, and Burke Wilson emerged almost fully-formed onto the page. This story begins with the death of his mother when he is seven and ends when he meets Hannah O'Neill at the age of thirty-two, and it covers everything you could possibly imagine in between. This was the story I shared online in 2003, and it got remarkable "reviews" at the time (if only for the first six chapters, which was all I posted); in fact, it was what brought my husband and me to each other. :)
The inspiration for this story? The music of Pulp and Jarvis Cocker - and Jarvis Cocker, himself.

7.) More recently, I have begun writing stories involving Italy and Italians, since this is where I live and these are the people I deal with every day. The first story I have written with this inspiration is "Connections" - the short summary of which goes like this:

"The more you want something, the slower it is in arriving. I suppose this includes Italian trains.

So thinks Emily Spadon, as she begins her journey away from the place she has called home for the last ten years, Rovigo, Italy. Desperate to get back to the United States and put her failed marriage behind her, she is dismayed to find that a train strike has disrupted her travel plans and stranded her at her connection in Bologna. Furthermore, there is the matter of the stranger from the train who won't stop smiling at her.

When professor Davide Magnani offers his cell phone to assist Emily in changing her flight arrangements, a connection is made between two fragile hearts and a friendship is born. By the time they bid farewell that evening, Emily and Davide have found that even the smallest gestures of kindness have a way of growing into something better than expected. However, one final connection is yet to be made."

I am waiting to hear from several queries sent out for this short story. Wish me luck! The inspiration for this tale is complicated, but came about while I watched a travel show in the US. An episode of "Passport to Europe" was showing the city of Bologna, and it made me so homesick, I just had to write something down to pay tribute to my region's capital.

The inspiration for the character of Davide was twofold: his name came from a student of mine. The rest was a mish-mash of my imagination and the beauty of Bologna resident, Samuele Bersani.

How can you not love a guy with a bunny? Seriously!

8.) At the moment, I'm working on a WIP set in Modena, Italy. Titled "Grand Emilia", it is about a woman named Chiara - a single mother of two pre-teen daughters - and her struggle to meet a decent guy. When an oddball named Marco catches her attention, she finds herself put off by his peculiar manner and Maltese dog fixation. His friend Angelo, however, is a different story. Tall, blond, with grey-green eyes and a body that is tanned and fit to perfection in his tailored suits, Angelo seems like a long shot at best, and an impossibility at worst. His interest in Chiara takes her by surprise, but she eagerly dives into a relationship with this "perfect angel" of a man. Marco has some information that gives Chiara a few doubts, though she presses onward, in love with the dream of finding the perfect man to be a father to her girls, as well as her lover. Will she be able to find a future with Angelo, or will a secret from his past disrupt her plans?
The inspiration for Angelo is crystal clear: Kim Rossi-Stuart.

This brings us to works which are "in the pipeline" for the time being.

9.) "Il Bagnino/The Lifeguard" is summed up, thusly:

A young lifeguard named Eros gets all the romantic attention he can handle – and then some – when an aging pensioner indicates his interest, as well. The chance to earn enough money to buy a proper car plus a ring for his beloved takes him somewhere he'd never wanted to go – or did he?

The inspiration for Eros? A young Riccardo Scamarcio.

10.) "The €7,000 Crush":
A young man follows his heart's desire – straight into language lessons at the local language school. Too shy to approach the girl of his dreams, he engages himself into every course she takes – but should he see his colleague's interest, or is that in his imagination?

11.) "La Fermata":
An old man spends his days watching the world outside his window and soon becomes fascinated by one bus passenger in particular. A lifelong bachelor, he muses over the missed opportunities of his past, and begins imagining the passenger has played a bigger role in his life than he'd thought.

12.) "Il Parucchiere":
What is it about the stylist at the local salon that keeps his lady customers coming back? It's not his looks, that's for sure. It must be something in his…touch? The effect he's having on ladies of all ages is scandalous, and one skeptical woman is determined to find out what all the fuss is about.
"Ugo", the stylist in question, was inspired by none other than Roberto Benigni, on whom I've had a crush for nearly eight years now. What of it? ;)

13.) A two-fer, of sorts, composes this final tale: the two-part conclusion of the story begun in "Connections".

A Milano :
The professor from Bologna pursues his American interest to her hotel near Malpensa Airport. After post-dinner confessions he inadvertently spends the night with her – and the two part in the a.m. at the airport, after he determines their unanticipated common bond.

Ben Tornato a Bologna:
One year later, the couple of Connections /A Milano are reunited, and awkwardly consider the options before them after having conducted a courtship via the post and email. Their awkward connection looms between them, if only in his mind. A tragic event reveals a few secrets which remained hidden, before, and they must decide whether or not it is possible to go forward or if it is best to just let things go.

And there you have 'em; an exhaustive look at the projects which have kept - and continue to keep - me occupied in spite of myself, over the years. I hope you liked this probe into the depths of my mind, and...

I'm sorry, what?

Did I forget something?

Are you sure?

Oh! Right...

Scroll down, y'all...

For a change of pace, we go... *ahem*... "Down Under".

Michael Witt - Australian Rugby player.

Ciao for now!

Thirteen Things About Reggio Emilia

Since I moved here four years ago, I've learned a few little facts about my new "hometown". Since Reggio Emilia isn't one of the more well-known cities in Italy, I thought I'd share them with you, today.

1) Reggio Emilia's roots extend as far back as 187 BC, with the construction of the Via Aemilia (the Roman road which still exists today) by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. At the time, the city was a justice's administration center, with a "forum", known as Regium Lepidi.

2) Reggio Emilia has a special place in the hearts of educators, thanks to the "Reggio Emilia Approach" to teaching children. My husband attended the flagship school when he was a child, and the kindergarten was cited as one of the 10 best pre-schools in the world, by Newsweek.

Inside the "Asilo Diana" kindergarten of Reggio Emilia. This is the school my hubby attended. :)

3) Reggio Emilia has its own basketball team (here, however, the sport is simply called "Basket"), called Pallacanestro Reggiana, which features several American players. In 1989-91, Joe Bryant – father of Kobe Bryant – played for them.

4) The poet Ludovico Ariosto was born just outside the city. He wrote the poem Orlando Furioso, a sequel to Orlando Innamorato, by Matteo Maria Boiardo, also from the province.

5) The city's patron saint is Saint Prospero, and his day is November 24th. He is the city saint because in the year 452, he prayed for the city's protection against the approaching Hun army, and a blanket of fog covered the city, obscuring it from the invaders.

6) When a peaceful protest march against the apparent resurgence of the fascist party was held in the city on July 7, 1960, the Italian government sent police to quell the protest – and gave permission for the police to fire at will, should an "emergency situation" arise. Five unarmed people were killed in Reggio Emilia; ultimately, eleven people died all over Italy.

7) Luciano Pavarotti made his professional debut in Reggio Emilia's Teatro Municipale, in 1961.

8) Romano Prodi, former prime minister of Italy, was from the province of Reggio Emilia, in the city of Scandiano.

9)

Stefano Baldini, winner of the 2004 Summer Olympics Marathon, is from the province of Reggio Emilia, in the city of Castelnovo di Sotto.

10) The Italian national flag – the Tricolore – was created here on January 7, 1797.

11) If you enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano, this is the place to find it! (That's the real name of "Parmesan" cheese, by the way.)

12) Reggio Emilia's sister cities include Dijon, France; Girona, Spain; and Fort Worth, Texas.

13) Reggio Emilia is home to several fashion houses, such as Max Mara, Mariella Burani and Elena Mirò.

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Since I didn't have any eye candy specific to Reggio Emilia, I thought I'd share a shot of one the boys from Padua... What the heck, at least he's Italian:

Mirco Bergamasco - Italian Rugby player...

Ciao!

13 Books on my Shelf

Thirteen Books I Have On My Shelf Writers read. If you want to be a good writer, you have to read. That's all there is to it. Bearing that in mind, here is a sampling of what you'll find on my bookshelves, should you happen to come by my house, sometime. Sure! You're invited, just let me know in advance, eh? ;) 1. The Entire Harry Potter series - the Scholastic (US) print. I have a few first editions in there, too. I've read and re-read the whole series a few times, now. In fact, I read the last two of the series in less than nine hours, each. I don't just read books, I EAT them. 2. The same goes for this series, of course. I've read and re-read every book in the saga, and I enjoy them more and more every single time. I honestly believe that "The Gunslinger" contains the single most perfect opening line, ever: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." Shivers! Ecstasy! 3. This is one of the first books I became obsessed with, when I was going into sixth grade. I was about 10-going-on-eleven when I found the book version of one of my favorite films. I had to beg my mom to get it for me (she didn't believe I'd finish a book this big!), but she did, and I read it roughly twenty times over the summer. I re-read this at least once a year, and I'm endlessly amazed by the depths of this tale. It's deceptively bucolic, after all - talking bunny rabbits? But in the end, nothing is as it seems. A stunner, and perhaps my favorite book of all time. 4. This is the most recent release by John Irving, I believe - and I have most of his works on the shelf as well. He's criticized for his recurring themes (absent parents, Amsterdam, "molestation" and others), but I feel that it simply takes me deeper into the universe he's created for the reader. Besides, so many of his books leave me in tears - of the best kind - for not wanting the story to end! 5. My husband encouraged me to read this one, and I loved it. Stefano Benni is one of Italy's foremost writing talents, and this tale of a young girl's family being destroyed by blatant consumerism is a startlingly profound tale, wrapped in delightful wordplay. If you've never read his work before, do give him a try (a few of his stories have been translated in English). 6. You've likely seen the movie - but did you read the book? It's much, much better, trust me! There's a depth to the characters (even Will!) that you just can't get from the film, and if you can make it past the scene of Marcus on the doorstep in the rain (that goes for the film, too) without getting misty, well... I just don't know you. 7. I loved all the books. I even liked the film. Why? Because I understand that Douglas Adams never meant for one medium to accurately reflect the others. And with insanity raging at the levels it does in these stories, do you really think a direct rendering is possible? We miss ya, Douglas... We need your irreverence now. 8. Oh, yeah... Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap series. I've read 'em all - and loved 'em! - and not just because she's writing about the area where I lived for three memorable years (yes, it's a real place, y'all!). For best results, read 'em all in order: Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon, and Home to Big Stone Gap. These books were the reason my mother was sold on my Italian hubby in the early days of our relationship. Read 'em and see if you can see why. 9. Technically, this one isn't "on" my shelf - it's what I'm reading at the moment, and it's a chilling tale, so far. Roth is simply amazing. There's no other way to describe his work. 1o. I'm Not Scared (Io Non Ho Paura), by Niccolo Ammaniti. This was made into a film, as well, directed by the incredible Gabriele Salvatores - and you've never seen anything quite like it. Inspired by a true story, this is the chilling tale of a small Italian town corrupted by greed in the midst of the hottest summer on record, and of one young boy caught unaware in the crossfire. 11. Forget "Under the Tuscan Sun" - this should be the classic ex-pat tale of love and self-discovery you read this year. DeBlasi's "blueberry-eyed stranger" spotted her during a journey to Venice, and when she returned, he followed his heart to pursue a romance with her. Who could blame her for being swept away? A fun read, with a realistic take on life in Italy for an American - especially one who has taken a big chance on a new love. 12. The History of Love - Nicole Krauss. This is one of the most haunting and perplexing novels I have read in recent years. It is also one of the most heartbreaking. I weep copiously each time I get to the final pages. It feels cathartic. Sheer beauty on the page. 13. Not a fan of Russian literature? Give this surreal treat a try and see if you don't change your mind. Entertaining, wry, daring and caustic, this is one book you must read before you die. It takes a devilish concept and spins a fantastic story that you won't soon forget. My hubby and I give this book as a gift to everyone - and they have always thanked us profusely. That's it for the list... All that's left is to scroll down... En garde! (members of the 2006 French Junior Fencing Team)




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Thirteen Crushes I Have Had Yeah, I know - it's an oddball - but I wasn't able to prep anything in advance, and I wanted to take advantage of the power of the Internet. Bwahaahaaahaaa! Anyway, these aren't in order, just how they came to mind as I wrote this...So, here goes: Thirteen Celebrity Crushes I Have Had 1. Michael Palin of Monty Python's Flying Circus. I was eight and the show was in re-runs on PBS. I thought he was the cutest thing ever! (He turned out to be my first crush on a Northern England boy, too - and my first Sheffield lad, as well!) I still think he's adorable, even if he is old enough to be my dad. I don't care! 2. James Spader. I saw him on TV (the name of the program is lost to me, now) when I was about 12 or so - I was fixated on blond men for a long time after that. I don't see much of him now, save for reviewing those old '80s films, because I don't watch much TV. I hear that he's still a lot of fun to watch, though. 3. Carlo Imperato... Ahhh... You know him best (most likely) as "Danny Amatullo" from the TV version of "Fame". I had such a crush on him that I wrote my first ever fan letter. And got an autographed photo back. And then I lost the photo in all the moves during my early teens. Yeah, I'm still heartbroken. And he's still a cutie! :) 4. Dustin Hoffman. I loved him because of repeated viewings of "Little Big Man" when I was an impressionable girl. (About nine or ten years old.) To this day, I just find him compelling - I can't explain in greater depth than that. 5. C. Thomas Howell. OOOOhhhh, baby. When "The Outsiders" was made into a film, I was in Heaven, I tell ya! And that this cutie was selected to play Ponyboy was a real treat! I saw many of his later films, too, and thought he had great potential. I haven't seen his latest work, but I trust that he's gone on to good things? I sure hope so. 6. Kevin Costner. Just a pretty average-looking guy, really. I'd seen him in "American Flyers" (a sweet movie about bicycle racing) one year, and then found him in "The Untouchables." In those wonderful suits. And a hat. Ohhhh, Myyyyy, Gaaaaawd...! A short while later, "Bull Durham" followed. Let's just say that, for a period in the late '80s/early '90s, Costner found every button of mine and pushed it. I mean, bicycles, fedoras and long coats, baseball... What could I do? That's right. I lusted openly and often. So there. 7. Jarvis Cocker - lead singer of brit-pop band Pulp, and all around smart guy. He's got wit, a funky and unique sense of style, and those specs. Plus, he's from Sheffield, UK. (Love the accent!) He's the unlikeliest sex symbol there ever was, but he does something to me that I can't explain. And he's got a great voice, too. Listen to "Pink Glove", "Acrylic Afternoons" or any track from "Different Class" and tell me he isn't a compelling artist. I dare ya! 8. David Gilmour - my longest crush, ever. I discovered him when I was 16 and was mad for him until I was 31. I had a website dedicated to him. I flew from Florida to London to see him perform. I stood outside in the frosty London January cold to get his autograph (and I did get it!). I sat front row for two out of three shows and I'm a small blur in the video of those shows. Did I say "Crush"? Maybe I meant obsession... 9. Anthony Edwards. From "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" (he was one of the stoners), to "Gotcha", to "Top Gun" - all the way up to "ER", as a matter of fact - he was a favorite. I WUV him! 10. David Duchovny. I was an "X-Files" fanatic from midway through the first season onward - and he's the main reason why. I also adore his comic turns, and I think he's just dreamy in Romantic Comedy roles (I don't care what anyone says - I loved "Return to Me"!). Unconventionally handsome, with a wicked sense of humor. What more could I ask? 11. Don't call him "Tracy"! Eddie Izzard - smoking hot - and positively mesmerizing to watch on FX's "The Riches". Naturally, I'm SOL as far as seeing him live on his tour of the US - but maybe lightning will strike in my favor? Here's hoping! 12. John Krasinski and Martin Freeman, who play Jim and Tim on the US and the UK version of "The Office", respectively. I'm not sure if it was the character who attracted me first, or the actors playing the role, but they're both adorable, and make you really pull for them to win out. Of course, we know how Tim's story turned out - but I don't get to watch the US version here, so I don't know yet about Jim! Don't tell me! I want to see for myself! 13. Samuele Bersani. What more can I say? He's my current crush, one of my MySpace friends, and I've adored him since I first laid, erm, ears on him. I loved his voice before I could understand the words, and he's looking to be one of my long-term crushes, after all. I urge anyone who is willing to listen to Italian music to listen to him - you won't be disappointed. And naturally, there's an extra treat for y'all... Scroll down... Nick Beyeler - Gymnastic Aerobics World Champion and Aerialist. I can't tell you what it means. But, honestly - do you really care? Ciao for now!


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13 Things About Raoul Bova

Welcome one and all to this week's Thursday Thirteen:
13 Things about Raoul Bova.

Why Raoul? Because the ladies love him, that's why. And I have pics to share. Those are all the reasons I need, thanks.

Raoul, all bundled up, in Predator vs. Alien. This is the last time you'll see so many clothes on him, here. I promise.

Besides, he provides quite a bit of, erm... Inspiration, for the writers I know. So, let's jump on in!

1) He was born August 14, 1971. (Which makes him one month younger than me... So he has to do what I tell him to, right? Heh, heh...)

2) At the age of 16 he won the Italian swimming championship of the 100 meters backstroke competing for the team S.S. Lazio, the oldest and most important sport club in Europe.

Splish, splash!

Mmmm... Backstroke...

3) At the age of 21, he performed his military duty in the Italian army's "Bersaglieri" (sharpshooters) corps. (Now there's an image, eh?)

Imagine these eyes sighting down a gun... I hate violence, I deplore guns, but still...!

4) He studied at the Italian Institute of Physical Education. (I could say so many things here...)

5) He was born in Rome. Naturally, he considers himself Roman and feels that he couldn't live anywhere else (a common Italian trait, of course). However, his parents are from southern Italy - his father is from Reggio Calabria and his mother is from Napoli.

Mamma's baby is alllll grown up...

6) He lost 14 kilos (31 lbs!) to portray Saint Francis in Francesco (2002) and named his second son, Francesco, after the Saint.

7) Before becoming an actor, he took an exam to enter in the "Carabinieri", the Italian military police but was refused. (Thank goodness! Though he'd have looked damn good in those uniforms...)

Well, he looks good in white, also...

8) He occasionally plays soccer with the "Nazionale Italiana attori" in charity matches.

9) Raoul made a nude artistic calendar in 2000 for the Italian magazine Max. (Oh, yes, indeed... And verily, we are thankful...)

10) His favorite writers are Paulo Coelho and Luis Sepúlveda. (Wow! They're two of my favorites, too! Good taste, there, Raoul.)

11) He is good friends with actors George Clooney and Alessandro Gassman.

(I personally enjoy this little factoid. Why? I like to picture Raoul hanging out with this:

and this:

and all the fun that could follow, if only in my head. Yes, I know. I'm a sick, sick woman... But y'all can thank me later... Heh, heh.)

12) Raoul, coming from Radulf, derives from the Germanic elements rad meaning "counsel" and wulf meaning "wolf".

Rawr.

13) He has been known to say that had he not gone into acting, he would have opened his own sports club and been a physical education instructor. (Imagine that... having this -

- as your trainer... Yeah, I'm winded just contemplating it.)

And, oh, heck, here's one last one!

Do what you will with it, ladies (and gents...you know who you are)!


Ciao!