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[feathered]

I keep trying to think of interesting things to say here, but I never can. It's been so very long since I've written here regularly that I have no idea what to say or how to begin to say it. You all are strangers to me, and that idea gives me performance anxiety or something. So how about a picture of Venice's San Marco instead of a proper entry?

Comments

[rachelkachel]

Ooh, Venice! Such a lovely city, and yet so thoroughly touristy. The dome in Florence was amazing, too, though it's not for the claustrophobic. We were behind a couple where the guy had to keep encouraging his wife to keep going, but eventually she just couldn't take it anymore and had to go back.

[feathered]

There were certainly way too many tourists in venice, but I didn't find the city itself very touristy at its heart. What I did was every time I saw a sign pointing to the Rialto or San Marco, I turned the other way. I avoided those terrible rivers of tourists all going along the same few streets and wandered into the rest of the city. The Piazza San Marco is fun and all, but what I found most magical about Venice were the side streets, the little old women knitting in groups, the nuns, the children playing soccer against fountains. Lovely.

I think I decided against going up in Florence's dome just because I didn't feel like shelling out six or eight or whatever euro -- the museums were expensive enough. I sort of wish I'd done it now, but I was so underwhelmed by the interior of the church that I wasn't expecting the dome to be much better.

When were you in Italy, and for how long? I adore it there; I spent more time there than in any other country on my trip. Rome is also incredible.

[rachelkachel]

I spent two weeks in Italy in April, toward the end of my year in Paris. We spent an afternoon in Milan, and a couple days each in Venice, Rome, and Florence, with a side trip to Pisa. Rome was my favorite, I think. So much history there. Sadly, I was with friends who weren't very interested in art museums, so I'll have to go back sometime to Rome (for the Borghese gallery) and to Florence (for the Uffizi). We did at least see David and the Vatican museum, but there's so much more.

The dome in Florence isn't beautiful, but it's interesting and incredibly important in architectural history. I had it drilled into me in class, the herringbone brick pattern and the double shell and everything, so seeing it up close was neat. There's a decent view from the top, of course, but it's not worth the money just for that.

[chimerae]

very nice

maybe you could post an oblique list of things you're NOT saying. Nothing wrong with mysterious obliqueness if you're feeling the pull to post something.

[feathered]

That idea appeals to me enormously. I am a huge list-maker. I should make lists! Many, many lists!

[squaresun]

Ooh. A couple of days ago I finished Thomas Mann's Death in Venice. I want to go there. It's weird how I so zealously identify myself as a European and yet I've only been out of the UK a couple of times, to France and Spain, and both of those were five or more years ago. But Venice...my parents had a holiday in Venice shortly after their marriage. Which leads me to wonder whether I was concieved there. That would be cool. But how can you raise that sort of subject with your Mum and Dad? "MUM! DAD! LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU TWO FUCKING! IN VENICE! MY PARENTS FUCKING! IN VENICE! VAGINAL PENETRATION! I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MY FATHER'S MEATY SHAFT PLUNGING REPEATEDLY INTO MY MOTHER'S PUSSY!" ugh...I'll never work up the courage to ask. Maybe it's for the best. The truth is that I was probably concieved in my Grandparents' double bed while they were out, or in some depressing British hotel, or something. At least if I don't ask I can continue to entertain the hope that I was a Venetian baby

Allan isn't so bad

[squaresun]

The name Allan comes from "aluinn", which is either one that is lovely to behold, or the word to describe the way that a stream or lake sparkles. Apparently a lot of bodies of water bear a variation of this name in Scotland.

I once met a man with the surname Allen, who was Irish (maybe Scotch once upon a time) I think. He was beautiful, with crisp curly hair and blue eyes. He had a gorgeous accent and always let me and his wife sit while he made and elaborately poured tea and served cookies. He had a way of looking at people that made them feel very important; I think you could call that charm. I'll always associate the surname with this man and his lovely ways. Not so bad after all.

[anonymous]

I havent anything to say about the mass produced pic...but it is nice looking...actually Im here to say thanks for allowing your collection of 'Hallelujah' songs to be posted. I came across the John Cale version a feel in love...hope your well, and happy...:)