Andiamo!

Monday, August 1st, 2005

The packers arrived at 8:00 and I had to tell them to wait. We still had no quote for the shipment and therefore had no idea of the cost. Imagine … we write them a blank cheque, they take all our stuff and hold it as ransom until we pay whatever they ask!
The quote arrived […]

Bye-bye I’m back

Thursday, April 21st, 2005

In many languages, the same word can be used to say hello and goodbye (aloha, salut, shalom or dag, for example). In Italian, ciao has a similar double-ended function. Curiously, the word originates from Venetian and used to form part of the longer expression, “I am your slave”. These days, it is the easiest word […]

Lock down

Thursday, April 7th, 2005

While millions are heading towards Rome, many Romans are heading out before the city is locked down tomorrow with the closure of both airports and many major roads out of town. Judging by the ease with which I managed to find a parking space this morning, many have already left. In our office, tomorrow has […]

Milk

Thursday, February 24th, 2005

“Nobody,”She whimpered,“Could call meA fussy girl;I only wantA little bitOf muesliAnd some milk!”*
*Apologies to A.A. Milne.
Yes, just some milk from a carton. Without first having to shred the paper off layer by layer, saw through the seal with a serrated knife, tilt the carton sideways to avoid an uncontrollable splash and then dribble more drops […]