Curious

March 3, 2008 · Filed Under This blog · 4 Comments 

I had a look at Blog from Italy’s world wide rankings according to Alexa’s ranking service today, and I noticed a few interesting things.

First, most of my visitors come from the other side of the Atlantic. This is no great surprise, seeing as the USA is probably the most connected nation on earth. But in a very close second place is Italy. Now that did surprise me, as did my blog’s ranking within Italy: 13707.

I have noticed, and am pleased, that quite a few more Italians have been dropping in and leaving comments recently, but I did not really think they would be that interested in my waffling on about their lovely country. Must have been wrong. Sometimes being wrong is not so bad after all!

The surprises though are not over, though. Quite a few Germans pop in here too, which is great, but again surprises me. I mean I’m sure there are more than a few good German blogs that talk about Italy out on the www.

However, the biggest surprise for me is that people from the Philippines and Singapore are visiting too. Again, I had no idea that people from these countries would find my blog even remotely interesting, but some must - so a big thanks for visiting to my readers from the Philippines and Singapore.

I have to admit that it is little discoveries like this that make blogging so fascinating for me.

Who ever you are, and where ever you are from, please feel free to drop in whenever you like. And thanks for doing so.

Alex - the chap that writes all this, er, stuff ;)

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Walter Veltroni - saviour, or same old, same old?

February 15, 2008 · Filed Under Italians · 3 Comments 

My brief profile of Walter Veltroni led to a couple of unexpected reactions. First, I received an email in Italian in support of the man, saying that he really is a great hope for Italy. And then, someone from Stateside asked, very nicely, how to contact Veltroni. No reason was given.

I have to admit that I’ve been quizzing a few Italians about Veltroni recently and nobody I spoke to, young or old, voiced any particular support for the man. Primarily because, he appears to be regarded as nothing new or fresh.

One young man observed that Veltroni had been in politics in Italy for 25 odd years. It is sounding, from this, and other comments, that Italians are seeing through this ‘repackaging’.

But the really worrying thing is that Italian politicians are viewed, especially by the young, as being totally out of touch with the life of the average Italian. Not good, seeing as they are supposed to be representing the people’s wishes.

I must have a look at the Italian constitution in order to see whether Italy’s politicians could be considered to be acting in an unconstitutional fashion.

Italy certainly is an intriguing place!

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Things to do. Done!

February 5, 2008 · Filed Under Blogging · 3 Comments 

I’ve upgraded the ‘Almost all Posts’ page with a system which lists every post I’ve scribbled chronological order. Delve away. I just hope my server does not protest.

And, there is now a thingy which allows you to be notified when and if anyone, like me, replies to one of your comments. Just tick the little box next to the ‘Notify me of followup comments via e-mail’ and you will receive an email when someone posts a reply. This may encourage more people to engage me in some more ‘comment’ discussions! But only if they feel like it. I use this system often when I see it on other blogs, and it can be helpful when you are looking for an answer to something.

I n some ways, I think blogs are better then books. I mean, if you want to, you can interact with the ‘author’ and all the others who leave comments. Fun! And I get to ‘meet’ some very interesting people too!

Feedback on the new additions is, as ever, appreciated. Thanks.

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