Sunday Bananas and other Random Thoughts

While London is drowning under rain, I wake up and try to keep up the mood.
There is plenty to worry about lately.
International affairs are keeping my head busy. How can people just avoid looking at what is going on? Ok, I guess this moment of global panic comes after reading few books that contributed to an additional wake up call.

The latest - I must recommend it - is The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein, best known for her No Logo. The book is an informative and yes, shocking excursus from the Fifties till the Iraq war that explains and proves with breathtaking clarity the path and growth of Disaster Capitalism.
It's the perfect reading for those really willing to understand more of the tangled dynamics of our poor Western - and not - World.

In the meantime, while the powerful ones are keeping an eye open towards the next crisis to profit from, Italy is sinking deeper into scandals.

Just like today's Guardian headline:

Silvio Berlusconi says he will stay on as Italy's PM even if convicted in court

From good to great I guess. Even after seeing the immunity law sacked from the Constitutional Court, he tried to amend the terms for limitation in order to ensure that the current law suits against him end up in dust. However - for once - the President of Italy, Mr. Napolitano - sent the drafted law straight back to Parliament. Which means nothing in practice. In fact, if the Parliament approves it again, he will be forced to sign it and the change will start operating... Last source of hope would be a claim of unconstitutionality. Not sure about that though.

Soon we will see Mr. Berlusconi back to Court to attend the Appeal trial that sees him as corrupter of his UK lawyer, Mr. Mills. All great stories to talk about, in a country hit hard by unemployment and where SMEs are struggling to get to the end of the month, not even the year.

I guess Parliament is so busy trying to save the feathers of our PM that everything else can easily be stuck on the corner, on hold till the real collapse occurs.

Bottom-line: they ate all the Bananas and now we are left with the skin (if so).

In the meantime, I am trying to make my way to breakfast - Sunday morning without a proper one is no Sunday. To then devote most of this rainy day to keep up with the research I am doing. Due to my professional engagement, I am trying to learn more about Behavioural Change. The book Performance, by Robin Stuart-Kotze, is landing me a hand at the moment.
I have always laughed at those reading guru books, especially if linked to business. The bottom line was "Can't you do it yourself?"... But now I came to realise that when you are inside the project, part of it, engine of it, supervisor of it and so on, few suggestions - external ones - might be handy.

Off to eggs, juice, yogurt, coffee and everything I could possibly feel like in this horrible London day.

Out of Space - Analogic London

It's been too long. It's been hard to find time.
To breathe. To live.
I am glad to say I am finding the strenght to make London my new home.

London is another one of those love&hate relationships I so easily get into.

Here is a visual diary of my life, as per now. I am finding new joy in analogic photography. It's such an emotion to get the film developed to re-discover shots taken and already forgotten.


Ducks lounging - view from my balcony.

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar - More than a restaurant, an institution.


London Pagoda in Battersea Park and Battersea Power Station in the background.


My beloved Ransome's Dock - Home.


View from my balcony No. 2 - Thames oriented.


I need to get back to writing. I need to find time and energy to put my thoughts into words.
There is a lot going on in the world.
Politics, international affairs, shoes, cocktails.
So much to talk about.

Inshallah - if God wants - I will be back soon.

Mad-Hatting here and there...

I lost touch with this virtual reality due to an intense dive into physical truth.

These past couple of months have taught me one of the greatest lessons of all.

You never know.

And it's so freaking true... I did make plans. And I did believe in every single drop of them.

But then. The unexpected.

So, to make it concrete. These are the latest news. Might be hard to digest but life does not always taste like candy! A+ facts and other meaningful events:


- I am happily in love with my Life but not planning final details for my India's Trip.
- My life took one of those detours leading up north.
- London is The Place.
- Amazing opportunity... Another proof that my Karma was in great shape, indeed.
- Italy. Two months and a half. Life is hard. Family as well. And I love both.
- These days are hectic but things look marvelous (...I think I do too, due to general satisfaction).
- Weddings, parties, trips... Friends are forever and that's a fact.
- Can't wait to organise a quicky in Barcelona, miss everyone.
- Wednesday is Birth Day (like the detached version, sounds more cheerful).
- One thing I truly adore about my life... When I happen to start behaving, something happens that...

Running through life with a torch in my hand, I found a hole and couldn't help jumping in.

A.

Now is such a precious time

An Osho card called Silence says "Now is such a precious time" and I agree. This is quite a special moment.
But these days are not for talking nor for writing.
I am diving in deep silence, within myself, in spite of all the words I am sharing with family and friends.
Relocating is never easy. That I know.
Although satisfied and at peace with my decision, I now find myself trying hard to balance my steps and avoid falls.
This is why I am leaving the task of explaining my Here and Now (let's say my last month) to some pictures.
There will be days for written words.
This journey is getting tougher and I need to accomodate it, without fighting.
And I'll have to make sure to gather all the energy I can possibly find.
From within.

After a few days of packing, we were all quite stressed.
Even my cat couldn't help feeling weird.
Those boxes around my apartment were the clear sign of imminent change. In spite of how exciting these phases are, I did feel shaky. Is it because I am a true grown up?
I had the chance to put together some initial thoughts about my relocation in Egypt... And my mind spinned at her best, staring at those endless landscapes.












And then what? Bologna city welcomed me with her mixed vibrations and invisible horizon. Compensated by the warm hug of those I love.






















Next week I will be in London. New scenario, again. And that unique smell of fresh opportunities.

A.

New Beginning

I am back.
Soon, very soon, some words about this new beginning.


A.

Just a few words today

I am packing. I hate it.
Plenty of tiny pieces of me in a box.
In the meantime, my creativity went completely dry.
I don't feel like writing, which sounds like a normal blackout, considering the moment.
Once back in Italy, I will get back to my Words.

There's plenty that needs to be shared.
For the moment, I am sorrounded by boxes and piles of clothes.
My cat is looking at me with that expression.
He knows, deep inside...
It's a shame that personal development has to go through grades of separation.
But it is also needed. And healthy.
I feel energised for my new beginning.
Which looks pretty bright.
And it's not a start, anyway.
It's just another phase, the next step.
Forward.

...Another Proof

This past weekend has been truly amazing. Barcelona is blossoming and getting at its best, just like every spring. It's one of the shames of my departure... Not that Italy isn't a wonderful place to be, especially during this season. But in any case, I must admit that the presence of the beach, right off the city centre, makes a gigantic difference and turns Barcelona into a special mix of ancient buildings, modern people and sunny sand strips.

The world is blossoming and I flower along with it.

However, I must go.

I have gone as far as I could here and I am sure I have done everything I had to. The time is right for several reasons and there is no point in sticking to attachment. I experienced a weird but clear feeling and acknowledged the fact that another phase of my busy yet magical life just opened up.

How do I feel?

Well, just like every person with a lot of suitcases, I am a bit confused. I look around my room, trying to count how many shoes, books, dresses, bags, scarves, cats (luckily just one), accessories and lotions I managed to collect during these past two years. The answer is A Lot.

However, for the first time in my life, I feel completely content with my choices. There is some sort of lucky star guiding me and I can perceive its power without struggling too much to read signs. It's just there, shining.

My latest horoscopes have been simply great, telling me how energized, happy, satisfied, complete and convinced I should be. And for once I agree with them. I do feel like an A+ Fact, in spite of the recent losses of my "certainties".

I have spent a few weeks now without reading the news. I am not aware of the most updated bad news with regards to the decline of the empire. And once more, I have got to say that it feels so good not to know how many people got fired last week worldwide.

I am one of those, anyway. So let's say that we can share some mercy and unite each other in the Worldwide Movement of People that got Kicked Out. Kicked out of where? Of the system, of the box, down the train, off the boot. Does it matter? Not really. The train slowed down anyway while the system is cracking and the box is wide open, letting go years and years of secrets and lies. The boot has always been more confortable somewhere else anyway. All I can say is No Big Deal.

This past Friday I got another proof that my Karma is great. This cutie spent almost half hour going up and down my arms and legs. She was telling me how I have no reason to worry and I agreed.

Someone else once sang... Everything is gonna be alright...

My Karma is Great

I ended up writing a new Tickle, disclosing my plans and what happened to me in the past few weeks.

I must say that this first week of unemployment has been light and easy. And I am not saying it with a full bank account... On the opposite, I am on a very tight budget, with the company owning me way too much money. But I have the crystal clear feeling that I have never felt this good before.

It is funny how we manage to turn our life into something we don't actually like. I happened to love my job. I truly did. But - as I said in the Tickle - I made someone else rich.

On the other hand, I learned lessons that go beyond professionalism. And I had the unique chance to look at myself and assess my status. What I saw is extremely pleasant. I do like myself, my personality and the path that took me here.

I have other pockets to fill. My eyes are longing for more. My hands are asking for mud... I feel like being exahusted. For a good cause though.

These days are weird, as it always happens when we encounter ourselves at turning points. But I am enjoying every bit of these weeks, spreading love and taking care of myself and my beloved ones.

No one else deserves my attention right now. The superior energy ruling everything will take care of those that hurt me.

I am good. My karma is great...

Tuesday Full Moon hit hard on me. Put things back into perspective and helped me enormously to balance my emotions, shaking me from head to toe.

This is not a separation. It's just part of the journey.

Sunny Barcelona and others A+ Facts

Barcelona is finally welcoming my most-beloved season, Spring. It is a mixed feeling of rejuvenated emotions, willingness to go out and breathe, and talk and smile. And even to Love, at a Universal level.

While Earth wakes up and gives birth to pink blossoms and cute guys, I get ready for my next jump. It's been a while since I last turned my life upside-down and this new phase is an exciting bubble floating in my head.

I lost my job, which happens to be one of the best news of the past five years. After all the energy and commitment I devoted to my daily work, I have been kicked out without money nor real explanation, along with all the other workers of the company and I am now one of the characters involved in a weird knot of illegal modus operandi and bad management.

I realized how little my personality and proactive attitude have been valued by the company and how easy it has been for the top management to get rid of anyone for the sake of their own survival. Illegality was the rule and right now I am just glad to be out of there, having finally understood the gigantic hidden trap.

My plan is to head back to Italy for a few months, spending some quality time with family and friends. And then leave for my great trip on July 3rd, with a ticket for momentarily 10 weeks of Pure Life.

I have been quite disconnected these past few days and didn't check to much about our friends, the Planets and their rollercoaster... Tomorrow I will definitely devote sometime to a deeper update.

However, I can already anticipate that tonight's 94% full moon is quite a show herself and cannot wait for the upcoming Full Moon on Wednesday.

Today I have spent part of the afternoon in a tiny and cozy tea place in the Gothic area of Barcelona, Caj Chai, and I drank a litre or so of fennel infusion, great to purify my organism after a fun but exahusting weekend.

All in all, I'd say that Facts are great and I am living something quite similar to a Magical Moment.

A.

P.S. I lost myself on Google looking for a picture and I ended up visiting this website about Mind Mapping... Got to go and dive into it for a bit.

Spreading the News...

... To explain myself once for all. This blog is listed in some directories and other sources and I usually tag it as travel blog.

Why? You might wonder. Where is the traveling? The discovery? The report? The pictures and the bureaucracy issues? The inner growth, that crescent feeling of emotional development, chasing you while you open your eyes wider...??? OK, let's say it... Here I serve it for you... Warm!

I got a flight ticket
(A bit more than a simple A+ Fact)

...

And I won't tell you where I am going.

Because traveling is definitely a state of mind. But to do it for real, it's much better.
This is the beginning of the story of this part of my life, where dream and reality slowly dissolve one into another and I am not able to discern their roots. While trying to solve this time-consuming issue, I have decided to cut it at its very beginning. I made the dream turn reality, and viceversa. And there hides the greatest present of all, when reality turns into dream... Nothing matters, only the Whole of You.

Your Journey is yours and you are drawing lines on the map. Where have you been? Where are you going? And, most important, where are you Now?

For those that care about Their Truth, keep reading and let's dream about it.

A.

The C Factor Part III

C things I left behind in the past 12 hours:

1. Corporation
2. Company
3. Careless people

C things to be left behind in the next 30 days:

1. Country

Others To Be Done:

1. Cabs
2. Crisis
3. Craziness

I have never liked Cs anyway, very mediocre.

The New Version of the Ant and the Cicada Story

First, I learned something new. Originally there was a Cicada, shallow and shopaholic. Not a Grasshopper, an animal I actually don't like... Nor I like the Cicada but that's another story, about me and my tough relationship with insects.

Anyway, once there was the Ant, saver and thoughtful. She was able to look forward, calculating expenses, saving seeds and tiny pieces of whatever for the cold cold winter. The Cicada, jigging about through hot and shiny summers, wouldn't bother with savings and other $ issues.

Whatever, she'd hum, strolling back into her condo hideout, skinny arms full of nothing but joy. The Ant, in the meantime, wouldn't stop accumulating. I need to save, I need to have, she'd stress.

Then the seed crisis came. A windy, stormy, unpredictable tragedy, whose effects no one was able to imagine.

The Ant, who had spent years accumulating all her goods into a private storage, smartly located just a few blocks from her tiny, modest studio, rushed to collect her things back.

"Sorry, we are closed. No withdraw today." Said a note on the storage's main entrance.

She didn't loose control and went back the day after.

"Sorry, we are still closed. No withdraw today. Nor tomorrow." Another note informed.

The Ant felt a little weird discomfort tapping at the bottom of her stomach. Nevermind, she solved.

The fourth day, she literally ran to finally get all her thingy things back.

"Sorry, we are officially closed. For good."

She was surrounded by a wide crowd of nervous ants, knocking with arms and legs at the door of the storage... And we all know that ants do have power. Eventually, they managed to dismantle the reinforced concrete door. Once inside, they couldn't repress their shock at the view of the inescapable emptiness of the space.



This is a scam! It's all gone. Oh my god. How are we going to survive? Please call an ambulance, I am fainting... The drama lasted for hours and the media couldn't help reporting the breaking news.

"Ants' lifetime savings are gone, for good."

And what about the Cicada? You might wonder...

The Cicada is out, having dinner with her friends, dressed up with her newest shopping-spree acquisition. Her fridge is empty today and she thought it'd be a good idea to have a bite out. She just got back from a weekend with her boyfriend, which was great "in spite of the new hotel we chose.. You know, not that great. But we need to be a little careful, with this crisis!"


Nothing changed in her life and nothing will, as long as she has a job and she keeps buying and eating her seeds. She won't stop spending, wasting, shopping, consuming. She loves it and that's all that matters.

The crisis taught all of us a great lesson. The Cicada and the Ant were both right, doing what they were doing and behaving like they did. But... A few details have to be kept in mind.

It's ok to save... Although you'd better be sure where you store your goods.
It's ok to live... Why cut out from our lives the few pleasures we have?

It's even better to save while living... The crisis is made of people and we need to help each other.
If you still have a job, enjoy your free time and keep paying for certain services... (...Women: manicure, pedicure, hairdresser, basic clothing needs, the yoga course, a special present from time to time, a dinner out with friends... C'mon! Men: vitamins and proteins for the muscles, clothes for the office/sport, the gym membership, a drink with mates, the latest videogame, that fancy watch strap you saw in the jewellry store, I saw you staring at it!)

There is no point in modifying our habits dramatically, altering our mood and the one of those around us... All in all, we still have our greatest presents with us: Ourselves living life on Earth.

This short story was inspired by a great Article written by Ms. Vera Montanari (Director) on the Italian magazine Grazia.

The C Factor Part II

More C things I need to leave behind...

(1. Cabs)
2. Crisis
3. Craziness

...And the list can only grow.

A+ Fact of the Day: I am Alive.

The C Factor

Things I need to get rid of, whose spelling starts with a C...

1. Cabs

More to be Announced.

Let's Identify the Situation... Or Maybe Not

Barcelona's sky today is quite grey, extremely luminous, just as if clouds could break into tinypieces any moment, leaving the sun free to shine.

I had a slow weekend, with not too many highs and lows. I needed to maintain the coolness, try to stay as healthy as posible, rest and be surrounded by love. I believe I accomplished the mission.

My cat is sitting next to me, while I am typing. There is a candle on and a soft lamp. It would be a perfect scene, if only... But I have a bug in my head... Still. One thought about it.

Why do we allow tangling issues to fill out every free corner of our mind? How can humans learn to detach? Ok, I am not raising any new question here. I know some people would recommend yoga, some other oriental practices, cooking, sleeping, running, taking a bath, having a drink and so on. Displaying a wide range of possible escapes, for any taste and appetite, against stress, towards self-management and development.

But right now, I am not sure whether any of these ideas would work, if applied. I am finding peace inside, in the depth. My blood is calm. My soul is at peace with herself. I am not in need for self-questioning. I am aware of My answers and currently not seeking any special rescue or intervention. Some would say, I'm just fine, or even good.

Now, coming to the end of this mind-stream, I happen to realize. I am good, indeed. We - as human beings - are so good at getting in trouble, even when there is no apparent problem around.

When we do have things to solve - that's how I feel now - we cannot separate their influence from our daily mood. A mix of anger, willingness to be positive, instants of peace, seconds of desperation... Stir and serve: your daily ups and downs! Coming to me. I am relaxing slowly, while typing, which leads me to a fundamental conclusion. I am actually aware of My Way to calm down.

I fight not only the flattening effects of 2D screens, but also the unbearable bitter taste of daily bugs, with the invisible colours of words.

A+ Facts:
- I saw my friend Chia and spent some quality time with her.
- I ate healthy food throughout the weekend.
- I drank quite a lot of infusions. Yummi Oriental: clove, cinnamon, orange, anis, fennel... Mhm!
- Now I achieved a status of - hopefully durable - good mood...
- ...And I did it through writing.
- Something is telling me that today I will write another Tickle.
- I am reading a nice one on "Robin Hood is Ba(ra)ck!"

Sometimes we should just remind ourselves that Now is such a precious time.


A.

I Had a Dream

...In my dream I was actually cursing.
Why does it feel like there is something bugging me in my head?

It was a vision more than a sleeping phase of my life. I had my eyes closed but I knew I was wide awake.

There is not much to say but the deep feeling of a gigantic and not too fun misunderstanding. Although we know it's not.
I am not in the mood to repeat those thoughts out loud. They were not nice, after all.

Barcelona today is grey shaded. I cannot help recall other moments of my past. From Bologna to New York, and eventually to Barcelona, with its lame look of catalan superiority. Are we really superior anyway? Covering Japan, Kenya, United Kingdom, Brazil and few more places I happened to visit.

I am overwhelmed. I am not in the mood. I am sick. I am, and that's an achievement, some might say. Holding tight until the next dawn, I can only keep the hope candle alive.

There has been a wave of bad news and yet, my energy didn't abandon me in full. But the task of keeping it safe from death seems to go beyond my power. I don't like to think that I'm depending on nobody. I just fake a smile and keep going. But the curses come back to my head.

This whole situation is soon to be clarified and I won't help explaining each and every step of this apparently unclear stream of consciousness.

Give me Time. I need more time. I am seeking A+ Facts. Would love to have a long list to fill out this post. ...Still seeking with no apparent success. For now, the plot is tangled and I will do my best to smooth some tight knots. Will get back soon with brighter words.

Monday's New Moon Effects

Good morning... I should say.

This week has been completely ruled by Monday's New Moon, which opened some new channels of communication and abruptly stirred my thoughts. New Moons tend to sort some magical effects, no matter what, but I particularly felt this one, located in watery Pisces.



Of course, it did inspire me to write a few words and this is the result, posted in my latest Tickle. I hope you find it enjoyable as I wrote it with open heart and a wide smile on my face.

It's finally Friday, again, and this is the best piece of news and A+ Fact of the week. I will be back soon with some spare ideas I'd like to share.

For now, I look forward for some feedback on my Tickle.

A.

Mine, You Won't Forget

These are nights to breath deep
Nights to achieve
Nights to win
No prize, only myself

Without any space or time
I am just a rainbow
And you can look for my roots
Lost ones

Every word has been said
Every step has been walked
Running into life
Now, only the shadow of me

Hold me
Like there is no good-bye
Tickle my soul
Like I'll be in you forever

And when tomorrow comes
Only the shadow of me
You will see
And my eyes will shine

Nothing else but life
Now, these sheets, our shelter
You will be back to your water
Hermosa, I will sing

The game of us
Lasting 'till the next moon
Your eyes, I keep
Mine, you won't forget

Mine, you won't forget
Arianna Neri, December 2006. NYC

Women I Trust

Bright, Sunny, Warm, Refreshing and Recharging Sunday... Thank you Barcelona for the 20°C miracle! The beach today was absolutely stunning, just like a well-composed painting. Every single bit of it seemed to perfectly balance together in a melting pot of rays of sun, juicy food, breathtaking weather conditions, kids playing with sand and hip yet corky people, fun to watch.

I am completely relaxed.

Not too relaxed if I think that tomorrow is actually Monday again but all in all I don't feel like complaining. Why bother? I am not going to be able to change the course of the calendar anyway. Or maybe... Practicing a bit more... Should give it a try!

Well, to close with velvet red curtains this soon-to-be-finished weekend, I am sharing the first series of the Women I Trust collection. Their music is the cherry on the cake of the weekend.

This is just so witty and energizing, it makes me want to start jumping on my bed. Not a good idea though, considering its not-too-fashiony shape. And the video is so unrealistically hilarious... They all manage to look so serious and in-the-part while I am simply cracking up (Camera Obscura, Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken).



Ok, she is the pioneer of this genre. Absolutely fantastic in this surreal dance with an even more surreal male partner. Thank you Feist (One Evening)!



Unfortunately no official video for Regina Spektor's Hotel Song. But please do watch this because the whole song is played a cappella and I find it extremely tingly and ticklish.

Off to watch The Reader, let's see if someone really deserves an Academy Award here!

Oh, today I created one of my new and I believe soon-to-be-famous quotes...

"Life is like Bowling. Mind the Balls, Visualize the Balls." Arianna Neri, mad-hatter and wannabe writer. 1981 - Present

Barcelona in Technicolor

Kids playing at Barceloneta

Pink view from my apartment, Calle Princesa

Right after the wedding, San Pere Square

Early morning in Plaza Real

Barcelona Black & White

The tower of Santa Maria del Mar, Born area.

Narrow streets in the Gothic Quarter.



The City Hall Square.

Once More, a Few Words on Karma

What a Lovely, Energizing, Peaceful and Powerful Night! Good Karma is coming under the blanket with me tonight.

Put together five women, an old and charming Barcelona flat, food & drinks, the scary and yet amazing feeling of "we are in this together" and the result might be a vibrant night of words and thoughts.

Chatting about Life, Love and Longings... Getting to a few, bright conclusions.

We are in power, we are the sole responsible for our own failure/success. We have the sacred task of accomplishing our own path, our own journey, our own happiness. At all - respectable - cost.

I love to share. I adore these nights of warmth. I am enticed by the endless potency of souls. Togetherness is capable of joining forces and reducing the fear. We are in this together.

I feel good. An amazing A+ Fact.

Late night, I wish myself and everyone I love golden dreams served on creamy clouds.

A.

Freedom of Information

I thought I'd spend sometime talking about Berlusconi's new pearls of wisdom. Although I am also aware that it is somehow a waste of time to discuss about someone who is sooooo out of space.

I feel like doing it for the sake of freedom of information. Italy is getting closer to a Level 0 Democracy, dictator-based, banana republic. I resume and link to some of his latest moments of endless knowledge:

1. During a speech in Cagliari, he happens to mention the sad and unforgettable past of the Argentinian desaparecidos. So far, so good. If it was not because his comment - summarized - seems to have sounded like "how good were those times when they would just open the doors of the flying airplane and let them out, in the middle of the sea"... Very nice, that was the reaction of the international diplomacy, so far.

2. During his meeting with Mr. Brown (UK), he experienced an illuminating rush of free thinking. His creative thought-flow led to a genius idea, immediately aborted as too close to a non-capitalistic model... "Maybe we should nationalize banks...". Now, there wouldn't be anything wrong in brainstorming with your economic team, in private. But that's so not Berlusconi's style. He enjoys improvisation, as we all know, and we love him for that. Go Silvio Go freestyle.

3. And what about Mills (his bribed UK lawyer)?

Yes, what about it. AlJazeera reported the news on Feb. 17, along with BBC, The International Herald Tribune, The Australian and The Financial Times. International TVs and media joined together to report on our Prime Minister, both defendant and corruptor in this almost surreal story. Ok, so what about Italian TVs and other media? Italy's most popular "TV living room" Porta a Porta must have had a special night, devoted to this shameful and yet true piece of news. Right? Right??? Nooo, why bother? RAI, Italian public television, didn't even bother going to the trial... What, are you surprised? Berlusconi's involvement in bribery cases is no news for us.

Even The Economist talked about it but still, maybe RAI is right and this isn't anything Italians need to hear about.

But if we give a closer look at the whole Old Boot status, things are not going so bad for our friend The Prime Minister. In fact, the so-called opposition just faced the resignation of Mr. Veltroni, its impotent and 100% failed leader.

All in all, to make things even, no matter how bad Berlusconi behaves - and he is as bad as we can possibly imagine him to be - the rest of Italy floats in chaos with a 0% growth index and a 0 effective opposition.

Maybe we shouldn't even be calling it a dictatorship as he has no rivals to face... Actually, it's most likely to be the contrary as our dearest Mr. Veltroni proved during his 14 months of presidency of the opposition. He struggled hard, put all his best efforts, didn't sleep at night to find a way to GET CLOSER to Berlusconi. He wanted the Bananas Dictator to LIKE HIM, to work with him, to cooperate with him... Maybe even to hug him. And what did Chavez... Oh no, sorry, Berlusconi did? Nothing. He didn't even call Willy Veltroni to give him a proper Adios, goodbye farewell. Nope.

Ok. I am not angry. I am not. I am not even disappointed. Not anymore. Not even close to rebel. Not my style.

I am simply, deeply, purely scared by the regime Italy is becoming, by his power and possessions, by the non-reaction mood that Italians are carrying on with, handling every new drop of madness with a impassible look: "we are not surprised anymore, we've seen this whole story before..."

So what are we going to do? Just passively look at this man, this creepy tiny and overly powerful creature taking over everything we are left. The actual beauty and enormous potential of a country rich in history, culture, brains and ideas. It is - almost - all gone. And we will need more than just a few bananas to find energy to put this back together, when our close-to-75 years old Prime Minister is going to - miraculously - leave this Planet and set us free.

Amen.

P.S. I am not an activist, I am not left nor right wing, I don't reside in Italy, I don't have anything personal against any journalist/press resource. But I wonder, where did integrity go? Where has the willingness to provide The News gone? How can journalists and media go to bed at peace every night, knowing that they are deliberately not providing their service to the community through a fair level of information? And, most of all, why am I informed of every single bit of news (and past stories) of our sparkling political scene? Isn't sometimes worth it to click here and there and try to see beyond the veil?

Freedom of Information. That is all I am talking about but apparently it's not a real fashionable concept nowadays...

I might be back soon

It looks like my Mac is finally ready to come back home.

I had to have several fights with the Apple retailer to have my problem fixed at no expenses.

But apparently the final score of this hard-to-win match is:

Arianna 1 - System 0 (please consider this as a A+++ Fact with triple points).

Will keep you posted.

This week there's been so many news that I really feel like writing about them. Hopefully the weekend will give me the chance.

A.

I am not gone...

I haven't abandoned my blog. I swear...

The facts are these: my MacBook, my lovely white laptop, happened to break. Nothing major I must say but a crack on the white plastic around the keyboard. How do you call that, by the way?
















One morning, a few months ago, I woke up and opened it to check my emails and I saw this tiny but real crack. One of the sides was actually already detached from the base and I heard my heart bumping in my chest... How the heck did it happen? Well, my research led me to the conclusion that a lot of MacBooks broke in the same exact spot. Don't ask me why. I don't even want to know.

I longed a few months. Waiting to see if a miracle could actually happen and the crack could fix by itself. Of course, not only it didn't fix but I also started seeing the same exact issue on the opposite side of the plastic. Oh jeez, this is a conspiracy!

Monday my laptop was finally brought to the assistance center by my flatmate Corey, who experienced a Hard Drive apparent death during the weekend. It was such a relief to know that the white plastic would eventually be replaced... No, not that easy.

At the center, they gave him a very hard time and I had to call them myself, threatening to file an official complaint to the Apple assistance, to ensure to get it fixed without extra expenses (yes, my laptop has no warranty BUT Apple is taking care of this problem as its fault).

Anyway, it's all good BUT I have no laptop. Which makes me think how dependent from the machine I actually am. I am so freaked out when I come home from work and cannot surf throughout my usual sites of horoscopes, daily news, show videos, etc... Hopefully I will get it before the end of the week although I highly doubt it. I gave them such a hard time that they might as well make me - morally - pay for the damage.

In the meantime, here is the link to my last Tickle, called Your Body is Your Temple. To keep you hanging in there while I am out of the surfing world!

The only A+ Fact I can think about....
- I am detoxing from the WWW for a few days, ready to come back stronger than ever.
A.

February 14th. Story-Telling...

So That Day of the year finally came. Saint Valentine. And then I wonder, first of all, who the hell was S. Valentine and why is he remembered to be the protector of lovers?

According to an interesting article published on History.com: "One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France. While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the middle of February in an effort to 'christianize' celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival [...]."

My view of S. Valentine day is quite neutral, I must say. I am pleased to have finally recognized a evolutive path that my attitude towards Love undertook... I recently wrote a Tickle on it, which I hope you all enjoy. I must say - for the record - that I wanted the title to be "The Field where the Apples Grow Wild" but it was changed last minute by the editors and there's not much I can do about it... Go ahead reading it and please do share your view!

And remember, even when things are going completely wrong (...just like now...), you are meant to Love yourself and your Temple.

A+ Facts of Today:
- Vegan dinner with friends, always warm to have loved ones around.
- Friday, what else can I say?
- Nice plans among friends for tomorrow - will disclose soon.
- Avoided the shopping rush that almost took control over me today.

A.