Tender (the big one) living up to his namesake, and Zeus (the small one). Zeus lives up to his in his own way.
@ 11:59 PM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
This is what I feel like right now. Still sick but going to work. Happy Monday…
@ 08:34 AM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
Unfortunately I’ve been sick and haven’t really had the chance to explore too much besides visiting St. Peter’s once. That’s the dome rising above an overpass right down the street from where I live, it’s about a five minute walk.
The second photo is just a side street and I liked how the light passed on the apartment buildings.
In the third, there’s a guy I pass on the way to work every morning and on the way back home. I’m assuming he’s homeless but I’ve never once seen him ask for money or even look needy. Usually in the morning he’s eating out of a pot with steam rising from it, and today I was passing and saw him painting. Makes me wonder what I’m doing with my free time (this).
And finally, the steps I walk up to find a hot dinner and a comfortable bed at the end of each day.
@ 05:30 PM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
If I were to leave Italy right now, the one thing I’d miss the most is the coffee. I wouldn’t miss it like I miss a Philly cheesesteak or kimchee, I’d miss it like I forgot to brush my teeth in the morning. It’s just that essential as part of my day here. One in the morning, maybe with milk, then usually one after every meal with sugar. What Italians call coffee, or caffe, here is closer to an espresso in America, though it isn’t really. When made at home/work, it’s brewed in this little thing called a Moka. It’s efficient, brews quickly, and has become an icon in itself. I don’t miss drip coffee at all. And… now I’m going to go make a caffe.
@ 07:30 PM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
That MINI looks old, but the cobble stones in the street are called “sampietrini”, and ancient. They were set in the 16th-17th century and cover most of the narrower streets of Rome, especially in Trastevere (where I work). They look beautiful when the street lights shine on them at night, especially when wet, and now I’m beginning to see grass grow in the cracks. Unfortunately they get slippery when wet and are hazardous to speeding vehicles and… women in high heels. The government’s answer is to pave the streets over with asphalt.
It’s a tough one. Culture and history? Or chicks in heels and fast cars?
@ 07:02 PM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
“Is it… was that a raindrop? Did you feel that?”
err, and for reference.
@ 07:01 PM in Just Because, (0) Comments, Atom
Largo Argentina, where I transfer from tram to bus on my way home from work.
“Largo di Torre Argentina is a square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey’s Theater. It is located in the ancient Campus Martius.
The name of the square comes from the Torre Argentina, which takes its name from the city of Strasbourg, whose original name was Argentoratum. In 1503, in fact, the Papal Master of Ceremonies Johannes Burckardt from Strasbourg built in via del Sudario a palace (now at number 44), called Casa del Burcardo, to which the tower is annexed.
The other tower in the square is not the one giving the name to the place, but the Medieval Torre del Papitto (“Little Pope’s Tower”), attributed by tradition to Antipope Anacletus II Pierleoni, allegedly not a tall person.
After Italian unification, it was decided to reconstruct part of Rome (1909), demolishing the zone of Torre Argentina. During the works (1927), however, the colossal head and arms of a marble statue were discovered. The archeological investigation brought to light the presence of a holy area, dating to the Republican era, with four temples and part of Pompey’s Theater.
Julius Caesar was killed on the steps of the Theatre of Pompey, and the spot he was believed to be assassinated is in the square.”
via Wikipedia
@ 10:24 AM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
Just a typical view from the office. And it’s kind of cloudy out.
@ 01:11 PM in Everyday, (0) Comments, Atom
Photos of Korea here and here.
Better late than never? Some photos from my light cannon (many thanks to Primer). I took a little detour on my way to Rome to volunteer at a place called Kkottongnae. It’s a massive area in the mountains where the homeless, abandoned, and sick are welcome to stay for free, and receive treatment and whatever else they need to get back on their feet, or stay and help those even less fortunate than themselves. I spent half a month here, and the other half in Seoul and some other cities.
It was strange going from the city to the sticks, but I feel like I had a good overview of Korea and a variety of experiences. To be honest, I was hoping for something more authentic, but apparently that kind of culture only lives on through the food (delicious…) Definetely not in the pop music. Ironically, the highlight of my trip to Korea was meeting friends from America, and it was great seeing some old faces again. It was really the people that defined my trip, and I’m glad I had the chance to see some of them before leaving for the other side of the globe.
Thanks again to Diana, Jay, Fr Jay, John, and the family of Kkottongnae. You made Korea not suck.
@ 12:18 AM in Travel, (2) Comments, Atom
Site’s back, and this time all backed up and safe. Internet connects is a little spotty here but I’ve got a lot to catch up on, so watch this space.
@ 05:33 PM in Just Because, (0) Comments, Atom