13 Things I'm Looking Forward To

Got caught short again this week, so I thought I'd do a quick list of

13 Things I'm Looking Forward To!

1) This weekend, I'm supposed to go to Bologna, which is enough to make the list on its own.

But then we add to this the fact that we're going there in order to see:

2) Samuele Bersani, presenting his latest CD, Manifesto Abusivo! Woot! :)

3) I'm also looking forward to finishing the edits/rewrites/etc, etc on my novel "Ask Me if I'm Happy" and once I've finished that, I'm submitting the full to a new publishing house. :)

Which brings me to:

4) The launch of Dragon International Independent Arts in London, November 14th, 2009. I'll be there with the hubby in tow. It's his first trip to London, and my second. Wahoo!

5) I'm looking forward to next year, because I'm supposed to have a visit from my friend Cristy. At least, this is what she's currently claiming.

6) I'm also supposed to have a visit from my friend Anthony.

7) And one from my mother and stepfather.

8) I'm looking forward to getting more work done on my current WIP, "27 Stages."

9) I'm looking forward to doing more research for this, as well. Heh. Part of which will involve rather intense *ahem* study of:

10) Il Giro d'Italia,

11) Le Tour de France

12) La Vuelta a Espana and various other cycling events, both local and worldwide.

13) also, I'm looking forward to seeing some Rugby on TV.

erm, I mean...Rugby, on TV.

And Gonzalo's lovely pic not withstanding, I'm sure you'll appreciate if you scroll down a bit...










'cause, you know, it's not Profoundly Shallow without a little more eye candy, is it?


























And to those who might say this is exploitation, pure and simple, each and every week, I say:





















Naaaaahhhh...


















It's appreciation. Specifically, of the work of Dylan Ricci.

ciao!

13 Websites I Frequent

Now that I'm working more steadily, I'm afraid doing a T13 this week almost fell to the wayside. Since I'm pressed for time, I thought I'd make short work of stuff and present you with:

13 Websites I Frequent (Almost) Every Day

1) Yahooooo-oo!
I reckon you know what this is. Visiting the American site instead of the Italian one is the only reason I know what's going on the US, much of the time. How sad of me, eh?

2) Face Time!
Lawd help me - I got sucked in! At least I'm "friends" with lots of nice people! :)

3) GoogleMail!
My other email portal. I like the fact I can personalize it, too.

So far, it's pretty boring, right? Wait, it gets better!

4) Divas!
This lovely bunch of writers welcomes anyone and everyone who wishes to write, and they're willing to offer advice, help and even - when necessary - a shoulder to cry on. What a great group! I've grown as a writer since joining them. I couldn't do what I've done without 'em!

5) Manifesto Abusivo!
The site promoting Samuele Bersani's latest album. It's a beautiful layout, in my opinion, easy to navigate and virtually stress-free to visit. (And the "galleries" are full of wonderful goodies, too.)

6) Weather Page!
I'm a weather nerd. I walk to work, so I always need to know what the weather might have in store for me. I check this site all the time.

7) YouTube!
I go there for clips of just about everything. Including this:

8) Free Rice!
No, rice hasn't been unjustly imprisoned. Here, the idea is simple: play games, donate rice. Does it work? I don't know, but if it does, I could probably cure world hunger just playing this thing. Addictive.

9) Online Translation Site
When I'm in a bind and can't reach the hubby, or I just need a filler for a phrase in my WIP until I find a native speaker, I use this site. The translations seem better than what I've gotten on Babelfish, so far. Of course, the vetting process goes on afterward, so it's rare that what I've found here stays permanently in anything I've written. But it does happen. :)

10) Venetian Real Estate
When I was writing the "Alternate Rialto" section of "Ask Me if I'm Happy", I visited this page frequently. The palazzo on this link, with some fudging, became Jacopo's home on the Grand Canal. These sites fascinate me at any time, but when I'm writing, they're a godsend!

11) Men? EWWWwwww!
If you want to write a jerk, this site is proof that you really just can't write weirder stuff than real life throws at us. I swear, I've been in relationships with some of these guys... Ugh.

12) Naked Men, Happy Women
On the other side of the spectrum, for those who aren't hung up on nudity of the male variety, there's this site. Seriously, this woman and I almost share a brain - men are beautiful! Look at them! Then again, if you're uncomfortable with viewing men in the, *ahem*, altogther? Don't go here. Please.

13) Inspiration of a sort...
If I could afford it, I'd buy a big ol' print of this one. I visit all sorts of royalty-free stock photo sites, but this pic is one which featured in a big way when I was writing "Ask Me if I'm Happy." One day, I'll purchase a copy and hang it on my wall.

And now, you know the drill.


















Keep going...


































I think he's lovely.



























And I have no idea who he is.































Thanks to "Naked Men, Happy Women" for this week's eye candy.



















And of course, thank you, Dylan Ricci, for catching this image.

God bless ya!





Ciao!

13 Select Pieces of Eye Candy

(WARNING: if you are offended by male nudity in any form, skip this post. There is a rather revealing glimpse contained in a photo in this week's post. Not quite the full monty, but still, a bit of frontal nudity is visible. You have been warned!)

Okay, everyone, this week, I thought I'd dispense with all the hubbub and get right down to the matter.

No names are necessary, I think. Some of them you've surely seen before. Some of them you might be seeing here for the first time. I admit to my slight bias toward rugby players, but seriously - do you blame me?

Remember - all pics here are clickable! :)

Please, allow me to present to you:

Thirteen Select Pieces of Eye Candy!

Have a happy Thursday! :)

Ciao!

13 Things About Samuele Bersani

Whoops! I got all caught up in writing this week and completely forgot to do a Thursday Thirteen! However, I had some handy inspiration available, provided by my favorite Italian singer/songwriter (and sometime Facebook buddy). And so, I give you:

13 Things About
Samuele Bersani

1) Today is his birthday! Samuele was born on October 1st, 1970.

2) He was born in the city of Rimini, Italy.

3) His first album, C'hanno preso tutto (They Have Taken Everything) was released in 1992. The cover featured the famous sweater, seen here in the first single, "Chicco e Spillo."

4) In 2000, Samuele won the Critics Prize at the Sanremo Music Festival for his song, "Replay."

Samuele, last year, in a pic taken on his videocam and published on MySpace.

5) He has released six albums and a "Greatest Hits" compilation (called Che Vita!) to date.


6) His career was launched by Italian singer/songwriter Lucio Dalla.

7) Samuele is a huge admirer of the late Fabrizio de Andre', and recently covered the song "Il Bombarolo" as a tribute.


8) The majority of his publicity photos are done by his longtime partner, photographer Monica Silva.

Good eye, Monica! (Whew!)

9) He is frequently found out and about in Bologna, Italy, where he has lived since the early nineties.

Ah, yes...so young, so innocent... (yeah, sure...)

10) The city of Bologna honored several famous residents by displaying their images on the ancient city doors, last year. Samuele was one of those chosen for the honor.

11) On a more personal note, his song, "Chiedimi se Sono Felice" is the source of the title of my previous novel, "Ask Me if I'm Happy."

12) In July, he released a single called "Ferragosto," named after the Italian summer holiday period from mid-to-late August.


13) He has a new album coming out tomorrow (Yay!) called Manifesto Abusivo! Can't wait to get my copy.

Tanti Auguri e Buon Compleanno, Samuele!

And for those of you who only come here for one thing...



















I give you one of the other inspirations for Davide in "Ask Me if I'm Happy."
























He's a favorite of mine, too, you know.































And well worth a scrolling, you'll agree, I'm sure.










































Here you go, ladies (and gents of a certain persuasion):

Luca Argentero, Italian actor/eyecandy

13 Facts About Fabian Cancellara

In honor of his competing this week in the UCI Road World Championships - specifically in the Time Trials competition, and since I can't be there in person (although it's only in Mendrisio, Switzerland, for Heaven's sake, I shoulda just taken a bloody train... grumble, grumble...) today I'm bringing you:

13 Facts About Fabian Cancellara

1) Fabian started racing at an early age, and won the Junior World Time Trial Championship twice - when he was 17 and 18 years old .

2) His first professional team was Mapei-Quick Step, back in 2000. He currently rides for Saxo Bank, and will through 2011.

3) His specialty is Time-Trialling. He rides alone, competing against the clock.

4) At present, he holds the third fastest prologue speed for the Tour de France, having maintained an average of 53.561 kph for 6.1 km in 2004.

All tuckered out...

5) He was born in Wohlen bei Bern, Switzerland, to Italian parents.

6) His racing nickname? Spartacus.

7) As of the 2009 Tour de France, Cancellara holds the record for the most stage wins by a Swiss national (eleven total, six in 2009 alone).

8) He has been the Swiss Time-Trial Champion six times (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008)

Look Ma! No hands!

9) He has won the Tour of California Prologue two years in a row (2008 and 2009).

10) In 2008, Fabian came in second in the Tour de France's final time trial. However, the winner of that event, Stefan Schumacher, tested positive for EPO - a performance-enhancing substance.

11) He won both Gold and Bronze in the 2008 Olympics, in the Individual Time Trial and the Road Race, respectively.

12) At 6'1" and 175 lbs, he is quite large for a cyclist. However, these are also contributing factors to his success as a time-trialist.

There's power in them thar legs, y'all!

13) This year, he also won the Tour de Suisse.

Edited to add:
Fabian just won the UCI World Time Trial Championship, with a lead of almost one-and-a-half minutes!!!

Congratulations, Fabian!!! I love you, Spartacus!!!

BONUS:
14) He serves as the inspiration for the main character in my current WIP, "27 Stages." ;-)

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten.











Although for me, the previous pics were candy enough!










Still, I know what you're *really* here for.











It is a repeat pic, but I thought I'd keep it in the "theme" of today's topic, as it were.














So I give you the gent Fabian held at bay for six stages of the Tour de France:

Go, Lance! Go!