Category: Argomenti vari

Domestic literature

The other day the internet was down, therefore, after working time, I had to find another occupation before going home for dinner.

That’s how I started rereading my stories and decided to put together a book.

The objective is to get immortality.

To win the natural coyness to get public and the risk to seems pretentious, I had to add a long introduction, where I explain this concept of domestic literature.

I developed this definition in the eighties, in order to describe all that written production (literature, why not?) that may not be worthy of universal attention, but it is important for a little group of people, an intimate circle.

Then, I assembled a Compendium of Domestic Literature. Again, I like it.

One year

From one year I am fighting with English by way of this blog.

I travelled in Haiti, Ivory Coast, many times in Bruxelles, different regions of Spain, probably Paris, Picerno.

I have bought a car, some orchids, wooden masks and produced a new collection of Cravates d’Afrique, multicoloured swimsuits, jewellery.

There was the evacuation from Abidjan, the Tsunami, the failure of Volare, too many kidnapping in Iraq and, last and actually least, Berlusconi’s new government.

I wonder if my English improved. For sure, my attitude towards this idiom has changed, I am more confident, the idea of having to start a note or a letter does not worry me excessively.

I have the impression I know when I am writing something wrong, but I don’t always have the capacity, time or patience to look for a better alternative.

In any case, it is a pleasant exercise. And it was not a bad year.

Risk on line

Since some weeks, I’ve found a new occupation to keep myself busy.

It started when I wrote to friends asking for digitalised gifts for my birthday.

Researching the net (by google, of course) and scanning several discussion groups, I eventually located the good site to play Risk (Risiko!!!) on line.

I’m getting used to play a game before dinner. Sometimes it is fast and silent, others it goes on for longer and the fighters exchange comments, suggestions, insults.

I like it. I like to play.

Riferimenti: Try it ……….

Bravo Mbeki

We were not really impressed by Mr. Mbeki’s mediation, that seemed to be based on a incomplete comprehension of the scenario and to have no impact on the situation.

Later on, there have been the letter that he sent to the Ivorian community, that touched some delicate issues and used a positive and constructive language.

And now the success (of course, under verification) of the meeting in Pretoria and yesterday’s settlement of the question of candidatures for next elections.

This last one is a good piece of diplomatic literature, paying attention to the different susceptibilities and anticipating the possible questions and objections.

We are not on the edge of the peace, but it is a good try. And the final responsibility remain on the Ivorian leaders.

Riferimenti: Find the text here

Pressure on Cuba

Fidel will distribute one pressure cooker to each Cuban family.

He has been quoted saying that these pots: could help the country and suggesting to cook at different times: at four o’ clock at Pinar del Rio, 5 o’ clock in Santiago, 6 o’ clock at La Habana in order to save electrical energy.

This is not surprising, in a country where every citizen is entitled to a cake on the day of their anniversary, by the cartilla. But, with all the due respect, that is really too much.

As Patricia de Lille said (see 14 April 2004 note) enough is enough.

March 20

 

What can still change the world (I wonder)


I mean, which factors are still capable to have a real and overall impact in the world of globalisation, consumerism, TV superpower, enduring North-South disparity. Factors that one person may support, to the extent of his possibilities. Training, education. Of course. But this is a long-term and complex process, where an individual contribution risks to get lost. Media, perhaps. Support honest media could make a difference, wherever in the world. And it exists a very simple way of realising it, the subscription. In developing countries as well as in Europe a reliable newspaper represents a robust device to change the situation. Or at least to understand it.

Flower power

The blossom of flowers has got something magic, it really is an expression of power and magnificence, a sort of miracle.

And it lasts little, the flowers dry up soon and the glory of their birth is replaced by dust.

The other day I witnessed this occurrence, one of the orchids we bought finally got flowers, they were gorgeous. And the day after (look at the photo and try to visualize) they were already dry.

flowers

From A to Z

I was looking for an alphabet book to support a friend who’s trying to learn to read French.

First of all, it has to be said that learning French is a nightmare; the pronunciation create countless traps for the poor learner who get crazy trying to find a sense in that mess.

Then, the point is that alphabet books are generally directed to children, and to children who already know and speak well the language. But an adult knows animals’ names in his own language and not in French, therefore that option is not practical.

Not even the alphabet book I drew for my nephews was a possible choice, as the drawings are not clear enough, and the words sometimes too difficult.

Therefore, I created a personalised book, with objects the learner know, see and use everyday: car’s logos, publicity of beer, soap and other trivial entries.

Of course, some letter presents a challenge. Below is the X.

Am I getting Christian-democrat??

«I think it should be reminded that Iraqi elections are a positive collateral effect of a war organised with other objectives in mind, objectives then resulted false or tendentious. To reach these objectives, non reimbursable prices have been paid: thousand of victims, of injured, of orphans, all them holders of ‘future resentment’ as well as (or rather as bad as) of thousand of destroyed towns» Pierluigi Castagnetti, Europa, February 8

I would never have thought that I should have made recourse to the translation of a phrase of a Christian Democrat politician (as reported by l’Unità) to get a clear, effective and sharable opinion on the situation in Iraq. Adding that I will probably vote for Mr. Prodi at next elections, I really fear I’m becoming a Christian democrat.

Fate’s jokes.