Honest to blog...

Never thought I'd be so sad to be back in Rome...

2009-06-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Words aren’t enough to describe how amazing this weekend was. I’m not even going to bother to really try. We left for Sorrento Thursday night and got to our hostel, 7 Hostel, pretty late, so Thursday we just went to bed. The next morning by 8 AM our bus headed to Pompeii. Here we saw ruins of an entire village that were preserved after being covered in volcanic lava. Shopped around a little, ate, etc. THEN we climbed a volcano! It was rough (especially in gladiator sandals), but completely worth it. The views were nothing short of spectacular and the experience as a whole was so fucking rewarding. Completely worth the bugs I accidentally swallowed while gasping for air, haha. That night we had dinner at this cute little restaurant where I finally had lentil soup (burnt the hell of out my tongue, though) and eggplant stuffed with mozzarella and tomato. Delicious! Went back to the hostel and drank some wine on the roof and I was so exhausted I was asleep by midnight.

Saturday we went to Capri and it was one of the most incredible days of my life. We took a boat to the Blue Grotto where we got in a canoe and went inside the grotto. My camera sort of went a-wall and my pictures don’t do it justice, but it was such an awesome sight to see. The water was NEON. Cooler than any lazers I’ve ever seen, Joe Higgins ;). After that our boat took us to Marina Piccolo in Capri where we shopped around, did some more hiking to check out the incredible views from the island, and I got sandals hand made by this little old man named Salvatore. We walked up a huge hill on the via Krupp to the Giordano Augustus where the views were seriously breath taking. Our boat driver dropped us off on this little remote cliff to wait for the bus, where we just hung around and let the day sink in. When we got back to our hostel at night, we had dinner there…vegetarian burritos! Completely filled my Mexican food void. Then we drank wine on the roof and talked for a few hours. Was in bed by midnight again The perfect end to the perfect day.

Sunday we went to Positano, which is equally as gorgeous as Capri, where we laid on the beach then took out a private boat into the gorgeous ocean. Turner pretty much drove the boat for us, but Erica, Naina and I drove for a little too and it was awesome. We were going to go cliff jumping, but the water was too rough. I was bummed, but just being on the boat was fun enough. Afterwards we had a nice dinner at this nice restaurant on the “beach”. Then the only shitty part of the weekend came -- four hour bus ride back to Roma.

It was really nice to get away from my apartment for the weekend. I genuinely like my roommates (most of the time), but I have a pretty low tolerance for certain personality traits in people, and to say it in the nicest way, I was feeling a little trapped last week.

Since it is mid June a ton of tents and stands are popping up along the edge of the Tiber that are going to open soon as outdoor markets, shops, and bars. I think they open this weekend, or at least I hope so. I was planning on either going to Paris or Florence this weekend, but I’m not sure yet. I have an essay I have to write this weekend, which probably wouldn’t take me long, but I’d rather do it here than traveling. More importantly, this week marks the half way point in my time here, and I’ve only actually stayed in Roma one weekend. I don’t know, it’s a tough decision, we’ll see.

Now I’m off to watch the documentary “Punk Attitude”, which I assume will be like every other documentary or book I’ve read on how “punk” began/the movement in general. Eh, woe is me. Adios.

PS: Katie Gibbons and Colleen MacDonald reunion countdown: 10 days. just sayin'.

I had about 130 pictures from this weekend, so I'm obviously not going to post them all here, but most will be on my facebook if anyone wants to check them out. Also, the pictures are in reverse order from the weekend and I'm a little too lazy to change them...

Man overboard

THIS BOAT IS REAL

Bar on our hostel's roof top

Salvatore making my sandals

Lara loves Limoncello. I think it tastes like shit, just sayin'.

kitty

Sad fish/cactus hybrid

Birds eye view of the path we walked up

BLUE GROTTO

Torre on the canoe

Beeeetle

Wine before dinner.....in dixie cups

Ruins in Pompeii

View from the top of the volcano

CRATER

View on the way up the volcano

Start of the hike

Pretty amazing how the color in the paintings still remain after ya know, being covered in lava.

We really need to stop going to M8 bar....

Our couch is from "Ipea".

Do you have Old E?

2009-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Finally did some more sight seeing yesterday. It was drizzling a bit in the morning but ended up being a beautiful day. Right now I'm sitting at this cafe by my school (thankfully) enjoying some alone time. This guy Brian who goes to JCU took us all around the city yesterday. He is 35 and one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. He's studying to be a history professor, and he's actually going to look at Princeton for his masters after this, so maybe I will show him the epic sights of New Jersey (...from the club to the grease trucks).

Sorry if my toursity pictures get boring, but it's all I really have to attempt to describe what I am seeing every day when I walk outside my door. Pictures don’t do justice to how amazing the art and architecture is here. I’ve never had a huge appreciation for Ancient Roman art before this, which is why I’m in such shock. The attention to detail is mind blowing. Attempting to take everything in literally almost gives me anxiety.

Today I woke up early and finished some assignments I've been putting off. I also watched the film I Cento Passi. Highly recommend it. I stayed in last night, which was such a relief because I've gone out every night since I've gotten here and I was starting to feel very worn out. I just sat in my window listening to the Pixies and drinking some wine by myself, and it was so refreshing.

I need to go to the Indian restaurant next door! They play awesome music which flows into my bed room window, and the smell is INCREDIBLE. That, and I’m craving Indian food. I attempted to go Monday, but I guess they are closed on Mondays. Oh well.

Okay, I'm off to make dinner. Ciao! xx

There are these ruins that are fenced in where about a dozen cats just hang around all day.

CAT PARTY IN ROMA

MATT MANCINI WEARS A BIKINI DRINKIN A MARTINI (I miss you xo)

"I GOT THE BEST SOUVENIR EVER"

Trevi fountain

I'm still goth, mom

PASSED OUT AT THE PANTHEON

Back of the Pantheon.

Still the original doors of the pantheon. Wood covered in bronze.

Pantheon

The following is an outdoor exhibition done by this street artist.
It was all along this curb (looked cooler in person, no offense).

"Self Service"

"Stop It Lilli!"

Artist holding "Lilli" on a leash

"A Whole LOAD of money"

"Waiting room"

"In case of Emergency, Break Glass"

"Artwork stolen"

St. Peter's in Vatican City

EYE OF THE TIBER

YOUR CARS SUCK I'M SO MUCH BIGGER, NO OFFENSE

Attempt at self time....failed.

They call it an "irish pub" because they serve Guinness.

Julietta, Julietta

2009-06-01T05:03:00.001-07:00

So I’m tryna nap the other day and I hear a ton of horns and people cheering, so I go to the living room window and I see people on bikes everywhere. Some people had signs protesting the use of oil, but I mainly gathered that it is Rome’s own “critical mass”. Talked to some of the bikers and they said they were just going to keep going until it got broken up by cops or something. Made me wish I had a bike here. Here are some pictures, and videos.

METALLICA

Yesterday we left for Tuscany at like 7:30 am, so exhausting. It was a great day, though. It blew my mind to even think that I was in the birthplace of Galileo, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. We saw some breath taking views. It was seriously so beautiful and incredible there. The town of Pienza is gorgeous. Architectually, it is designed around the idea of humanism. It's a renaissance town, so when it was redid humanism was a way of life for most people there. We stopped in little shops and had lunch at this small restaurant in Montepulciano. The wine tasting was nice, but a little crowded. Then we had a 5-course homemade lunch in a 13th century farmhouse run by a traditional Italian family, grandmother and her 6 children and 18 grandchildren. I could only really eat two of the courses, but the dinner was still great. So was the wiiine.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Italy, Festa della Repubblica, to celebrate the Italy undergoing a republican form form of government. This means I have no class tomorrow!

A lot of these pictures are from Tuscany. The rest are just random. Enjoy. xx

Wine tasting.

Wine cellar. It was converted from an old prison.

Me tryna figure out where the wine comes out.

My new ring!

Triiippin' balls in Italy, bro. Shits MAD HYPHEY.

Cheese. All day, every day baby.

Bacio me through the phoooone

Good luck

Stephanie and an awesome view

Vineyard

I'M ON A BUS. TAKE A PICTURE, TRICK. I'M ON A BUS, BITCH.

This is what the steps outside my window look like every morning.

Guiliano

SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS

At happy hour there is a free buffet, holla

Bromance in Italy. I can't even talk about. These guys were idiots, except one of actually hilarious and successfully made me laugh until I cried for the first time since I've gotten here!

Ouch

2009-05-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

Wedges + Cobblestone + My bad habit of thinking I'm invincible = Me waking up face down on my couch with a big cut on my nose. It was bound to happen. I've been moving in slow motion all day. I should really do my homework but the thought of that is making me nauseous. Zach sent me this events website for clubs and stuff in Italy, and I'm trying to figure it out. I want to venture out of the Travestere area one of these nights, I just need to figure out how the tram system, etc works. I wonder where my new dj friend lives. He said he drove here the other night but that it is a pain to get here. I don't blame him, the streets are so small and parking is like a free for all. The words he used to describe it were hilarious. "in trastevere? not really.. it's such a damn chaos.. especially for us that we reach there by car... it's dramatic to find a parking.. it's uncomfortable." However, he said he said he will come here asap to hang out with me, so that's exciting. Okay, I need to go back to bed or something. Here are so pictures from yesterday, folks.

GREEN GUYS: A Green Day Tribute Band. Seriously Rome, SERIOUSLY?

I swear this kid was like, 12.

Qualifications for me talking to you at a bar: Must be over 35. Must be wearing a suit.

Check, and check.

I would go out tonight, but I haven't got a stitch to wear...

2009-05-29T03:05:00.000-07:00

I finished up my first week of classes yesterday. It's not so bad, I just hate having the same two classes four days a week. Whatever, class is class. It sucks going just as much in America as it does in Italy.

I'm so happy it is the weekend, though. Last night we went to this bar that had a good crowd and and played awesome music (...and gave us free drinks). I met this dj guy, Marco, who was so nice (and cute!) and said he'd show me some dope places to go out to, so hopefully that works out. They call themselves Supermarket Night (watch out Glass M.). He's actually sending me some mixes he did right now.

This weekend I just plan on relaxing and shopping a little. I checked out that thrift store yesterday. It was all right, not as good as I expected. I got this dope shirt, though. I also want to check out this gallery where local artists are displaying their latest work. Apparently there is some awesome graffiti exhibit (word to Billy). One thing I've always thought was awesome about Europe is that the governments gives grants to artists to do whatever they want (artistically speaking, and for living) for the year. But yeah, tryna lay low this weekend, this week was already crazy enough. However, Sunday I'm going to TUSCANY! Ver, ver excited.

I think I'm going to skip lunch and sleep til dinner, my head feels like it's going to explode. I'm off, ciao!

Nice socks, Romeo.

Thanks for the drinks brah.

This is one of the guys who live outside my window.

This is what the piazza looked like after the soccer game the other night. Two people in the middle were having a dance off. This one dude just kept doing high kicks, it was hilarious.

Sorry miss but I'm still tipsy from that other party

2009-05-27T08:59:00.001-07:00

Every day here gets better and better. As most of you know I have the wooorst sense of direction in the world, but I seem to be getting less lost here now. Tonight in Rome is the Champions League final (had to google that name) in soccer aka futbol. Barcelona v. Manchester U. Ow owww! Apparently it is so insane that most bars stop serving alcohol for 48 hours starting at 11 pm last night to avoid riots. There are obvioulsy loop holes to starting these riots and I am sure I will find them. Anyway, when the bar we were at stopped serving last night we went back to the apartment and got all of our wine and champagne and drank on the fountain steps.

In the works of booking my flight to Barcelona for the 18th to the 21st. Katie Gibbons and I will be one again. Hoootay time! Speaking of which... my dear friends, YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE the statue outside of my apartment. Just scroll down to the pictures...

I found this awesome thrift store the other day, that I must return to. Just have to remember where it is. Okay I'm off to find a place that serves beer. One.

Realized what my coffee table looks like. nbd.

My roommates are so small!

Rocky Catanese, am I wrong?!

They have lazers in Rome, guys! Not the same, just sayin'.

Hangin' out, eatin' apps.

They were chanting. Aimed for SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS (didn't work).

This is what my living room looks like when it's occupied.

When we moved in this painting was left here. I assume the male is from New Jersey.

Tryna make the "sky scraper" picture more accurate..... you can only guess.

SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY, can we talk about the fact that the statue outside my apartment has a baby arm.

Can we take a cab?

2009-05-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

In our living room we have these incredible, huge windows with a view of the Piazza Trilussa. Since we don’t have a front porch (I miss you 33 Division) I’ve taken to hanging out in the window. This is has led me to become good friends with the dudes who live outside my window. I needed to do this anyway cos I’ve been having the urge to say “Morning Boys!” to them on my walk to class every morning. Anyway, I got to talking to one of them and he used to squat in Tompkins Square Park for a while. He was also wearing a G.B.H. shirt. Okay in my book. Prob going to make them breakfast one of these days.

So as most people know I was totally nervous about my roommates not “getting it”, i.e. my sense of humor, etc. BUT THEY DEFINITELY DO! Such a relief. I already have them saying superlatives, HIT ME ON MY BEEPER, and I think, but I’m not quite sure, that baby arm might be next…. (too soon, too soon).

Today in class we watched one of my favorite films Lavorare con lentezza AKA Radio Alice. I really like that class. The first day the professor just showed us M.I.A. music videos and today he was wearing a Minor Threat shirt. Got em.

After class I went to the book store, which is right by the Spanish steps. I definitely want to go back at night because I’m sure it will be beautiful.

Now I’m tryna make a mimosa and get ready for dinner. xx

Hangin' hard.

We have a cactus!

Life without microwaves.

Example of big window.

My version of Amelie.

This is what lunch looks like.

Reppin' you guys in Rome. I miss you Lazer Lakehouse Krew 09!

Once Abby got drunk she decided she didn't like her painting....

Coooome to my wiiiindow....

HEY JOE HIGGINS MY DJ CAN PAINT

This is my American friend.

This is my American friend with a donkey.

Wombmates.

Lemme back upppp

Tyler has a map, IT'S OKAY

CHUG CHUG CHUG

wittle baby cigarette box srighsdrkgj

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN

...................

BABY BAR FOR THE BABY ARMS

YOU SAY IM PREMATURE I JUST CALL IT ECSTASY

2009-05-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

You can drink anywhere you want. THIS PLACE IS LIKE CLUB MED.

Hit me on my BEEPER BEEPER BEEPER

Center of Rome. Designed by Michelangelo.

YOUR JOB SUCKS, NO OFFENSE

Colosseum

AT AT AT NIGHT. sorry, had to.

Dudes were killin' it.

Not the original but it'll do.

This is me tryna do the ET hands with this statue.......failed.

NO HOMO!!!!!

This one time we were significant, now we're just rocks....

This is a building pretending to be the Colosseum.

This used to lead into the Jewish Ghetto. The gate is actually still there.

I call this one the "Rotating Fan".

This is everyone I met in Rome.....

Homeboy jumped in our picture.

TAKE THIS PICTURE. I'M SO HAPPY TO BE DRINKING THIS BEER.

Like I said, people just flood the streets.

This is what it looks like when I step out of my apartment at night.

Abby doesn't get drunk, she gets french.

HEAVEN.

Nutella Party!

Prob obsessed with my kitchen.

So today I finally made it on a full tour to the Colosseum with stops on the way. Totally hung at Caesar's tomb. This place is seriously incredible. Although must of the buildings, if not all, are crumbling, it is still amazing to see how long they've been preserved.

I just made eggplant and my roommate made pasta and we all had dinner. Broke our only wine opener in the bottle of wine, so we settled for the Italian equivalent of 40's. Okay, I don't really feel like typing or sitting here for much longer because I'm exhausted so on with the pictures. Misses and kisses.

ROMA!

2009-05-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

FINALLY made it to Rome! Long story short, I fell asleep in the airport in Amsterdam and missed my flight, so I had to get on a later flight. Finally got to the airport and Rome, and ofcourse my bag is the one bag they didn't load on the flight. So I'm still waiting for my luggage, but whatever it should be delivered to my apartment soon. My apartment is amazing! The location is awesome, super high ceilings, right on the river, etc. It's right next to the Piazza Trilussa where hundreds of people just hang around at night. I was way too jet lagged to go out last night, but I could hear people outside my window til like 6 AM. Today I got a cell phone, hopefully I have better luck with phones in Italy than I do in America. I started a tour but then got distracted by this market and wandered off. My roommates are cool and have a similar sense of humor so I'm stoked on that.

Right now it's "siesta" so I'm just at the cafe next to my apartment where people pretty much just sit around, drink espresso and chain smoke. Day in the life. Ciao!

These are the buzzers for my apartment. Note the "Colleen #1". Just in case I forget, nbd.

GOT EM.

The park by my apartment.

This is Michael Bolton. But in Rome.

That's me with Jesus voming water.

Bought some of these bad boys. Hoootay time!

This is the market that distracted me.

Outside my apartment.

Outside the university

Shortest 12 hours of my life.

2009-05-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

Landed in Amsterdam this morning. Watched The Wrestler on the flight here. I really liked it, but then again I like practically everything Mickey Rourke is in. I had no idea Vintage Mode was in it! I tapped the woman sitting next to me and was like "Ah! I shop there all of the time!" She didn't really seem to care. Anyway, had an amazing brunch at this little cafe, and read for about an hour there. It was beautiful out, I was surrounded by amazing scenery, and my brunch was delicious, so to say the least it was a great morning. I walked around downtown by myself for a few hours then I met this guy Kristof from Belgium and we drank at this pub for a bit then went to a "coffee shop" which was hilarious. Was definitely interesting...super Euro, and half the music made me cringe, but I had fun none the less. I already can't wait for my layover here on the way home. I definitely need to come back here with friends because I'm sure it will even more amazing.

I just got off the train and am sitting in the airport super bored and exhauuusted considering I've barely slept in days. My flight to Rome is only a few hours so hopefully I sleep the whole way there.

Need to live here. This boat(house) IS REAL.

This beer was bomb. Duvel from Belgium.

DICKTATION

Comme des Garcons for H&M

2008-11-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on my way to my internship I passed the H&M at 34th and 7th and saw a slew of people lined up with their umbrellas. I was confused at first but then it hit me that today Comme des Garcons launches their line for H&M. I understood that lines were huge because the line was only hitting select H&M stores, but the crowds and reaction I read on some blogs today was what was shocking to me.

Since I had work, I knew I wouldn't be able to see the line in person, and by the time I got out, I was sure mostly everything, at least in my size, would be gone.. so I checked the line out online. I am definitely not impressed. To begin with, I'm not Comme des Garcons number one fan. Yes, they have nice clothing, especially their menswear.. but some of their garments ALREADY look like they could be sold at H&M (mainly some coats and skirts). Another thing that annoys me is the polka dots they used, so I was not surprised when HALF the line for H&M was covered in polka dots. I'm more impressed with most the designers lines for Target than this line. At this point I think people are buying the H&M lines JUST because they are by high fashion designers.

Past lines for H&M, like Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, and Viktor & Rolf also sold out within hours of store openings. However, I liked most of the things from these lines. I can't say that I hated this line, because there were definitely a few things I liked. I liked a tuxedo jacket, $99, which isn't too bad, but I can't help byt think about a Viktor & Rolf wedding dress for H&M at the same price. I also loved this dress and jacket, but although it is Comme des Garcons, I still can't justify spending $350 on a single item at H&M.

People shop at H&M because it's affordable. The point of designers doing this is to give an opportunity to get couture to the masses. The fact that everything sells out in the first couple hours completely contradicts this. To sum up, Karl Lagerfeld said it best with, "The incomprehensible decisions of the management in Stockholm have taken away any desire to do it again. They did not make the clothes in sufficient quantities. I find it embarrassing that H&M let down so many people… I don't think that is very kind, especially for people in small towns and countries in eastern Europe. It is snobbery created by anti-snobbery."

Two very interesting articles I read today:

2008-11-12T14:03:00.001-08:00

http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/106551/forget_red_vs._blue_--_it%27s_the_educated_vs._people_easily_fooled_by_propaganda/?page=2

http://littlecog.com/2008/11/12/an-opinion-on-gay-marriage-rights/

YES WE CAN

2008-11-04T22:27:00.001-08:00

"We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling we know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.. for change."

GOT EM.

2008-03-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Visitor

2008-03-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend I finally watched Tom McCarthy's The Visitor. In the beginning of the film I was very intrigued by and curious about the Richard Jenkin's character of Walter Vale. I actually found myself saying, "What's his deal?" out loud. Vale is a college professor in Connecticut who has to go to New York for a conference. Not having been at his New York City apartment in years, he returns to find two strangers living in his apartment. These strangers are illegal immigrants named Tarek and Zainab. Vale allows them to stay at his apartment and begins to form a friendship with Tarek that begins with learning to play his drum. Vale goes from a somewhat uninvolved, dare I say boring, professor (which I could not tell if he was this way before his wife's death) to a more cheerful, although awkward at times, confident man. He becomes assertive through his struggle to help Tarek after he is arrested a discovered to be an illegal alien from Syria.

The Visitor raised questions about the way illegal immigrants are treated in the United States. It sheds light on the fact that they are human beings, too, but are more than often not treated as so.

This film was definitely different from a mass culture experience. It targeted a smaller audience, and did not hold the central values that encompass those of a film made for mass culture. This film was for a subculture of people that enjoy movies like Shop Girl, Lost in Translation and Taxi Driver. The Visitor focused more on the inner changes the main character goes through as opposed to developing the plot more. This does not make the film's values negative, though. In fact, I enjoyed that aspect. It is nice to see something different than main stream movies that all have similar plot developments and structures. If the movie were trying to have a "Hollywood ending" then Vale would have asked Mouna to marry him. This could have resulted in citizenship for Tarek and possible love for Vale -- killing two stereotypical movie ending birds with one stone. Obv The Visitor would not go over well with a conservative audience, due to the questions it raises about the emigration policies of the United States. Overall, two thumbs up.. Well played, McCarthy.

weird

2008-03-24T18:32:00.001-07:00

Brian Jonestown Massacre is....in....a.... Target commercial? What?

The day Travis and I didn't leave the couch.

2008-03-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

It's hour 12 into my Spring break and after waking up to realize there is now a punching bag hanging from our ceiling (which was definitely not there yesterday), I've come to the conclusion that Travis and I aren't going to get off of our respective seats on the couch. Which led me to hop on the blog wagon for no other reason than boredom. As of now, you will probably never find anything very introspective in this, so if that is what you're looking for, you came to the wrong spot.

Anyway, I'm thinking if this keeps up Trav and I might end up in a situation like this woman: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpMo5pdCnadyrY2ypTwfBfsPFxQwD8VC22HO0. We've been here since one in the afternoon and have managed to make it up to make pasta and biscuits, attempt laundry, and get some 40s out of the fridge.

Until then....