Weeds

Today I resumed reading between seemingly endless lines of bureaucratzy, pulling no weeds except figurative ones.

For some reason, I remembered a deep sea fishing trip we took from Fort Lauderdale.  As we cruised through the Inland Waterway we passed a giant statute of a human's middle finger. "What's the story?" I asked the captain.  According to him, the owner had first installed a large statue of a naked woman.  When folks complained, he yielded and installed a bird instead.  The critics remained unhappy and even more irritated.

When we visited Florence a couple years ago, I waited an hour or so to view Michelangelo's David.  He's pretty big, I dare say bigger than the naked lady in Florida, and his picture is everywhere, even in respectable publications.  Yes, he's inside now, but that wasn't always the case, and as I understand it, the reason is not because the neighbors were upset.

Virginia pipes up, "I bet the sculptor of the naked woman wasn't as talented as Michelangelo.  We must protect our young from inferior artistry, don't you think?"

Oh, I get it.  Is that what those long lines were, outside the American Idol tryouts, demonstrators against the bad singers who didn't get past Simon but received a few seconds of national exposure anyway?

"Just a thought," says Virginia.

She's way too nice, that woman.

Tour Italia

In September 2008, after studying Italian on Pimsleur CDs, Karen and I vacationed in Italy.  Here's a quick tour.

In Venice, this is the site of the first murder by robots.  A workman was repairing something on the roof and forgot these guys would swing their hammers to ring the bell.  "Ouch!" says Virginia.

Also in Venice, these are the piano movers.  Click on the center boat.  "Hey, it'd be fun to set it on its legs and serenade everyone," says Virginia.

While in Verona, for good luck in love, men must do this to Juliet. "Yeah, right," says Virginia.

I think Burt, filming Mary Poppins, might have found a challenge in Scanno. "Everyday's a holiday with you, Burt," sings Virginia.

Certain orchestra members are not allowed in Scanno.  "French goats?" asks Virginia.

We came upon these Juliets at the National Museum in Rome.  "You seem to have a breast fetish," says Virginia.

This orange Roman fence, if installed on our cabin's deck, would pass inspection. "And it would be beautiful," says Virginia.

Sneak a peak at this curbside scene outside the Church of St. Peter-in-Chains, Rome.  "Rest break?" asks Virginia.

Mamma Mia, look at the view from our room on Capri!  "Nice railing," says Virginia.

Feeding the birds on Capri.  "What's in the bag?" says Virginia.

In Florence, we had to recharge our rental car.  "I thought you said you didn't drive in Italy?" asks Virginia.

This door, in Corneglia, reminded me of the window along the route of the Boston Marathon that urges runners to "check your form."  "CIA headquarters?" asks Virginia.

In Milan (Brera), grocery shopping is not for the blind.  "That's what we need in Sin Valley," says Virginia.

I hope you've enjoyed this tour.  Please come again.