Manic Monday

May 28, 2008 · Filed Under Work · Comment

Yes, I know Monday is now but a memory, and that it is now Wednesday. But Monday was a fun day!

Why a fun day? Well, aside from the usual stuff, I also made a vulgar suggestion to an artist I had never spoken to before - in Italian, then, after having retrieved the little one from his school, I met up with two American friends, Chris Bright and Sean Carlos for a couple of pints down at the good old 442 - in the company of the 5 year old bundle of energy. To cap it all, in the middle of Monday I received a request for a translation which had to be completed by Tuesday morning.

To cap things off, and just before I was due to collect the little one, it appeared that persons unknown had been trying to hack my Italy is in site, which turn turned added a dose of ‘frenetic’ to what had already been quite a hectic day. In order to block the potential hack and prepare myself for the worst, I whizzed around changing passwords, and making backups, just to be on the safe side.

Then came the news that the Italian mother in law had been admitted to hospital with breathing problems, which caused worries all round. The poor lady is something of a ticking time bomb, and years of chain smoking have left her health somewhat unstable. A great shame, she is a very sweet person.

Despite all the action, I managed to get the translation job finished on time, and the client was quite pleased to discover the nicely formatted, thanks to WordFast, final version lying in her email inbox on Tuesday morning.

As for the vulgar suggestion I made to the artist, who, as I have already mentioned, I had not spoken to before in my life, I am pleased to say that said artist was not the least bit put out by what some artists may have considered a potentially sacrilegious idea. Although I won’t mention exactly what I am up to, you can read more about the idea on my new Italy is in Italian contemporary art site, in this my ‘Art Meets Business‘ article over on Italy is in.

At least the drink down the pub was pleasent, and I was pleased to hear that Chris seems to be getting things sorted out on the looking for a job in Italy front. Sean was in fine form too, and we exchanged geek info about WordPress and he ended up asking me if I really was ‘just’ an English teacher, after I fired off some info about server file permissions (775 for most folders and 644 for most files, incidentally), after I mentioned the attack which appeared to have taken place. Yes, running your own web sites can be traumatic at times.

I finally got to bed at around 2am, think is was. Great, and Tuesday was to prove no less hectic.

Actually the activity of both days left me dog tired, and I ended up collapsing and falling asleep on the sofa with the dog last night.

At least today will be a little less fraught, I hope.

Tags: 4-4-2 Pub, 442 Milan, 442 pub, Art, Blogging, Business, Chris Bright, Italian, Italian contemporary art, Italian contemporary sculpture, Italy, Me, My son, People, pub, Wordpress

Ron Howard’s Da Vinci Code Goes Down Well

March 19, 2008 · Filed Under Our dog · Comment

This book certainly went down well with our 8 month old Manchester Terrier pup. I caught the little blighter demolishing the book this morning. He had stolen the tome from the bookcase. Only his reading skills are not all that strong (His is only 8 months old, after all) so the ripping story was, er, ripped.

I guess e-books are less vulnerable to this kind of attention!

Obviously the full effects of the dog’s recent castration have not yet fully kicked in. Apparently he will continue to produce male-hormones for the next two months or so, after which time, presumably, his tendency towards book destruction will diminish. For the moment though, he is still the mischievous pup he always was. Read more

Tags: atman, book, books, career, dog, Funny, health, Italy, life, Manchester Terrier, photo, pub, pup, reading, tips, vet

442 Pub Milan - New Banner

January 21, 2008 · Filed Under 4-4-2 Pub · 3 Comments

Down at my favourite watering hole there is a curious new flag with ‘Four Four Two, Milan’ on it. Although this flag, which can been seen on Facebook, appears to be English - red cross on a white background, not the Union Jack, interestingly enough, it is the flag of Milan.

I have no idea why the England and Milan flags are exactly the same, but I have to say that it is very appropriate for a sport pub in Milan. If anyone out there knows anything about the origins of the Milan flag, then please let me know.

I have used said flag as the basis of the new banner ad on this blog, and you will see it down on the left hand side. If you click on said banner, you will be taken to the official 442 pub site, but much better than a virtual visit is a real one. And shortly all you rugby fans will be able to see all the rugby down at the pub - but get there before the matches start, otherwise you will find it is standing room only. The atmosphere will be great though, sitting or standing.

Oh, and the ‘two beers for the price of one’ offer is still on. Yet another excuse for checking the place out.

Tags: 442 pub, ad, banner, beer, eat, England, English, flag, interesting, Milan, origins, pub, rugby, Sport, visit