World Cup Trophy in Rome today

Piazza del Popolo might be a little hectic today.




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It's almost 5 a.m. and I'm tired

I want to stay up to see best director and best picture but I'm fading fast.

Flashback Friday - 1989 Oscar opening featuring Snow White and Rob Lowe

Oh man!!

What was the late Alan Carr smoking when he created this opening? It was ripped to shreds and Mr. Lowe is lucky this went down pre-Twitter/Facebook etc.

I like the tribute to Old School Hollywood. The rest? I have no words.

Have a great weekend.

Fashion week

A vicious reminder that my ass is broke.

1.5 million people displaced after a major earthquake in Chile.

Horrible news. Over 300 dead so far.

Chile is earthquake prone so their building codes are very strong and their response teams are ready. Chile had sent several teams to Haiti to help in the recovery effort there.

One piece of good news is the treat of a major tsunami hitting Hawaii or Japan seems to be over.

Am I crazy or has there been a uptick in major earthquakes recently? Italy, Haiti and now Chile.

Flashback Friday - Bennifer edition - "Jenny From The Block"

Jennifer Lopez has left/or was dropped from Sony Music. Does this mean the days of a Ja Rule/J. Lo collaboration are over? Whatever happened to Ja Rule?

I never thought Ben Affleck was "hawt" except in this video which came out in 2003.

I went to the premiere of one his movies during the height of the "Bennifer" era and it was madness.

After this SONG was released, all my friends would refer to themselves as "....from the block." I was somehow able to work the sentence, "don't be fooled by the rocks that I got", into everyday conversation.

Have a great weekend.

Spring is coming....some belle foto from Gina at Warm Pears

I think the worse of the raining season is over. Woot!

I'm not sure how I found Gina Gomez's photo blog. She's a very talented young American photographer who sold all her things and recently moved to Rome.

Her photos are fantastic.

This POST captures the promise of Spring.

Favorite Things: Mondi Pasticceria - (danger!)

An Italian friend of mine lives north of Ponte Milvio and we met for coffee at this incredible pastry shop.

This place is dangerous. I was almost overwhelmed by all the delicious treats.

I haven't seen Mondi mentioned in any guide books as Ponti Milvio is a very residential area.

The second time I came to Rome on vacation, I had rented an apartment in Trastevere.

My friend G. suggested we meet for lunch by Ponte Milvio. He said it would take me about about 35 minutes to walk from Trastevere.

Hello, more like 35 minutes by scooter. After walking for a while, I called him while I was standing in the Prati neighborhood and said, "Where the **** is this bridge?" He came to pick me up on his scooter. We had an excellent lunch then went to Mondi for gelato.

Mondi Pasticceria
Via Flaminia Vecchia, 468

Congrats to Tracie P (nee B)

Tracie (writer of the blog My Life Italian) was one of the first American expats I met. I was still living in L.A. and she was in Naples and Ischia.

During one of my trips Rome I went down to Naples for the day. We spent such a long time talking over lunch, the waiter actually brought us the bill. I think we were in the restaurant for over three hours. ha

Tracie recently got married. She and her husband Jeremy were in Italy for their honeymoon.

It's so funny how life works. Tracie studied wine here in Italy. She moved back to America and meet another American, who was living in a different state, he works in the same field, speaks Italian fluently (has a PhD in Italian) and travels to Italy often.

I know I have been down with love lately but seeing the two of them together warmed my cold, cynical heart.

Tracie has posted a link on her BLOG to her wedding photos.

Auguri Tracie and Jeremy!

Roger Ebert is dying.

This article in Esquire was one of the most moving pieces I've read in a long time.

Ebert might be best known for saying "Two Thumbs Up" but he was the first film critic to receive a Pulitzer for his work.

I knew he had cancer but no idea he had lost the ability to eat or to speak. That half his jaw is gone.

That he is slowly dying and aware of it.

What would most people do? Ebert does what he loves. Watches films and writes about them.

Snow in Rome?!

For the first time in 25 years there was some serious snow in Rome. Okay our version of serious is not the same as the craziness my poor sister had to deal with in DC last week.

It snowed a little in 2005 but this time the snow stuck to the ground for a least an hour. ha.

Everyone was out taking photos and cracking up.

I haven't seen snow in years between living in L.A. for so long and going home to the Caribbean for Christmas the last few years.

I went to college in upstate New York where it snowed all the time from October sometimes until May!! That darn lake-effect snow was a pain in the butt.

I happened to be out running an errand when the snow really started to fall. Standing in the Pantheon and watching it hit the floor was pretty amazing.

Today is Valentine's Day!!!

whatever.

Flashback Friday - Alexander McQeeen & Kate Moss

A truly outrageously talented man.

McQueen killed himself at age 40. I do not understand.

Many people dismiss fashion but this man was no random celeb with a "line" of clothes.

He's work influenced many in the arts, especially music. He designed covers for Bjork, among others.

R.I.P. Mr. McQueen.

GLEE Italian Style!

Great promo for the show. I wish I was there on that day. I cut through that building's lobby all the time.

One of the funniest moments on the show had to be the Acafellas singing the Bell Biv DeVoe classic,"Poison". Hilarious.

Sade's New CD drops today!

It's been ten long years since her last one.

The woman is 51 and schooling folks. It's nice to hear some real music with real emotions.

Sorry, I'm not feeling Ke$ha or her damn auto-tune. Basta.

The title track is fantastic and I'm liking this track as well.



Interesting article about Sade in the New York Times

My screenwriting process (most of the time)

My friend Sara suggested I write a post about my process.

I also receive a lot of questions regarding the difference between writing screenplays vs. books, articles, etc.

The biggest difference is film (unlike TV) is a director's medium not a writer's medium. When you write a feature script what ends up on screen could be very different. When you write a novel or a play that's it. You will of course get notes from your editor or if it's a play, the producers and/or talent, but no one rewrites you. You're not fired from your book and other authors are "put on" the project.

Every writer has their own process but for most screenwriters an original script goes like this:

Once I have an idea I do a

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
I spend a lot of time on this. Most of the backstory is never mentioned in the actual script but by the time I start writing I have a very good idea of who my characters are. There will be surprises of course. Sometimes the character will "dictate" to you what they want to do. It's best to get out of their way and let them do it.

BEAT SHEET
Some writers use index cards. Some even have a different colored card for each character. I use a Word document. Not sure why I stopped doing the index card thing. I don't have the room? Basically this is page (or index cards) of 50 scenes/beats. I keep it short just a line or two per scene/beat. I add to this while working on my characters. I also do any research during this stage.

THE OUTLINE
Screenplays have to be structured. Someone asked me if that's why so many Hollywood movies are unoriginal. No, just how we all have skeletons but are unique individuals, that's what a script is. The skeleton of the film. Without structure, it breaks down.

Are there films that follow a different structure than the three-act one? Yes, Pulp Fiction but you have to know the rules before you can break them.

Notice when you go to a movie and you start to get restless, nothing seems to drive the movie forward? That's a pacing problem and no matter how great the dialogue, interesting the characters, if the structure is broken it's a mess.

The outline is not set in stone. Writing is rewriting. Some writers don't outline or spend a lot of time on theirs. But trust, they still have structured scripts.

For me I like have a solid outline because when I sit down the write my first draft I want it to flow. I do not edit my work until after that first draft is done. When I'm writing that draft, I write 5 - 15 pages a day. I try to iron out story, structure and character problems before I start writing. I want to focus on dialogue when I write the script and that's hard to do if everything else is wrong.

By the time I start the first draft, I have lived with the movie for a while and I think about it all the time. Snippets of dialogue come to me at random times and I write them down. If I didn't have the outline I could easily get stuck, especially during the long ass second act. The second act is where movies can get bogged down and where there are the most story problems.

After the first, rough, draft, I put the script aside focusing on another project for a week or so, then start rewriting. This is the meat of the matter...when the screenplay really takes shape. It might come together in four drafts or maybe fourteen.

If you are interested in writing scripts, read them. Most of them are online. Read books, magazines, newspapers, etc. Watch a TON of movies, current and the classics. In different genres.

Don't think because you can write in another medium, poof, screenwriting must be easy because there are so many bad films. You have no idea what the original script looked like and yes, it's hard to write bad scripts as well.

Listen to the DVD commentary. This is a gift from heaven, especially if you cannot go to film school. You can learn a lot from listening to the writers and directors talk about the movie.

Check out John August's blog, it's excellent. If you don't know who John August is and you want to write scripts...start doing research on the A-list writers. Google their interviews on Youtube. Most of them talk about their process and how they broke into the business.

One page of a screenplay in general equals a minute of screen time. Screenplays range between 105-120 pages. Comedies closer to 105.

When I was an exec and would get a comedy script clocking in at 140 pages from a new writer, immediately I knew the screenwriter didn't do his or her homework.

Execs have stacks of scripts to read every week and are looking for every excuse in the book not to read yours. Don't make it easy. I know plenty of execs who will stop reading a script after 15 pages. People are not overestimating the importance of those first few pages. No one is going to keep reading to see if things get better in the second act.

While the first part of my process (especially the outline) may seem tedious, going through my iTunes library for my script's playlist is fun. Any procrastination issues tend to happen during my research/outlining stage. Once I write FADE IN I'm good to go and music helps a lot.

I write in the morning. During the colder months it's the first thing I do since it's too cold to work out outside. During warmer weather I work out first, then write.

This applies to original material (a spec script). When you have a writing assignment, in general you have eight weeks once commenced to turn in a draft to the studios. That's not a lot of time to do all the prep work and a few drafts of the script. Usually you will give the draft to the producers who may give you notes before you hand in the draft to the studio.

Similar to journalism, there's not such thing as writer's block when you have a writing assignment. Nobody wants to hear it. If the studio is paying for a script and you want to have a career in Hollywood, you need to be reliable.

I've heard many executives, agents and managers say while talent and luck are very important, being a disciplined writer is just as, if not more, important.

French Nutella Toast in Celebration of World Nutella Day

Yes the wonderful is back.

World Nutella Day is back.

Declared as such by my friends Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso (and Shelley from At Home in Rome, in spirit) as a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.

Last year I walked around the Historic Center of Rome with a jar of Nutella looking crazy. This I made something super easy.

FRENCH NUTELLA TOAST

eggs
milk
dash of cinnamon
bread (day or two old) I used French bread.
nutella

Lightly beat the eggs, milk and cinnamon.

Put a layer of Nutella between two pieces of bread.

Coat the bread in the egg mix.

Fry in some butter over medium heat until lightly browned.

Sprinkle with powered sugar.

Eat with syrup or without.

NOTE: Don't use fresh bread as it will soak up too much of the egg mixture and will be soggy.


You can also add bananas or jam.

Lo Shopping: Amazon.com France is the bomb!

Last week I decided to order some books from Amazon France's website.

Not sure if this is always the case but my order arrived very quickly and I didn't have to pay any wackadoo customs fees.

I have heard horror stories of expats here ordering from Amazon USA and having to pay fees that are more than the value of the books. Plus with the dollar so weak I would get killed with the exchange rate. At least now it's a Euro to Euro transaction.

So despite my shaky French skills, I will continue to buy my English language books from France instead of the U.S. Not sure if all the English language books on my Wishlist are available but at least several are.

I'm so excited.

Angèlique Kidjo at Parco della Musica, with a special guest appearance from Carmen Consoli

I was not in good mood last week after receiving some bad news about my work (will explain another time).

I went to the show with three Italian friends. I have never seen Kidjo in concert but have a few of her CDs.

At first everyone was sitting down, into the music but no dancing or anything. This space is similar to New York's Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center.

Kidjo said, "I can't believe this is Rome. What's going on here? Don't be shy." During the next song a group of people went up front, started dancing and that was it.

The rest of the night we did not sit down. Kidjo stepped off the stage and went into the audience with her mike. Later she invited Carmen Consoli (an Italian singer) who was in the audience, up to sing Aretha Franklin's "Baby, I Love You" with her.

For the last couple of songs, she asked audience members to come up on stage. It was great to see so many children. They were having a ball. She held one girl's hand who seemed a little nervous and the two of them danced.

One of her drummers came out to the center of the stage. A few people, Africans and Italians, busted out with African dance moves. The energy in the auditorium was unreal. It was like we are at a very cool, fun house party.

Her band is tight, her vocals amazing. Her new albums drops this week and she is touring internationally. If Kidjo comes to your city, I highly recommend checking out her concert.

My friends said they had so much fun at the show. We talked about it for the rest of the night. I saw one friend at Capoeira class the next day and he was still talking about it.

Kidgo spoke about the 2010 World Cup and how she was so proud it's going to be on her continent. She said Africa is more than just famine, war, corruption. Kidjo was born in Benin and raised there and in Paris. She sings in English, French and Yoruba.

Before the concert I was thinking what the heck am I doing with my life regarding writing? Why am I writing? Who am I writing for? How do I reconciled what I like to write vs. what sells in Hollywood? How do I make a living in an industry that is not a meritocracy? How do I survive in an industry that is ageist, racist and sexist?

Then two things happened, the concert and Kathryn Bigelow winning the DGA award for Best Director. This is the first time a woman has ever won. And the DGA is the most male-dominated guild in a very male-dominated industry.

Bigelow keeps doing her thing. It wasn't easy for her to find get the money to finance THE HURT LOCKER. The movie made NO money but here it is, still in the Oscar mix, because it's a good film.

Kidjo grew up listening to all types of music thanks to her parents. You hear the influence in her work. When she sings you feel her emotion, energy, spirit. She's not some talentless auto-tune brand.

These two women create what they want to create. It's authentic.

I'm still trying to figure out how to approach my work. I have to find the middle ground between writing the stories I want to tell and making them commercial. In the meantime I need to refocus, recharge and rewrite. I refuse to believe that as an female agent said to her client, a black female writer/director friend of mine, "black women have no value." Yes she was talking about the Hollywood marketplace but I understand why my friend got so upset. Who wants to hear you have no value?

Flashback Friday - The Beatles - "Here Comes The Sun"

I wish.

It's raining again and will be raining all weekend.

Here comes the sun, do do do do...Here comes the sun and I say...It's alright.
Little darlin, it's been a long cold lonely winter. Little darlin, it feels like years since it's been here. Here comes the sun, do do do do, here comes the sun and I say, it's alright.

Have a great weekend.

The glorious event is almost here....World Nutella Day!

Yes, it's that time of year again. On February 5th, Nutella lovers from all of the world will pay tribute to this wonderful Italian creation.

For more info on how to participate, check out Michelle's Bleeding Espresso blog or Sara's Ms Adventures in Italy blog.

Get your art on: Boldini e Gli Italiani a Parigi: Chiostro del Bramante

My friend A. invited me to check out this exhibit. I highly recommend it.

I had no idea there were so many Italian impressionist painters. There are some truly stunning works of art in this show.

My friend E. had told me about the cool cafe upstairs but I had no idea where this museum was. Of course it's walking distance from my apartment. I've been here almost two years and I'm still "discovering" places in my neighborhood.

The building, designed by Bramante, is pretty spectacular as well. It was cold and raining when we went last week. I look forward to returning during a nice sunny day.

The show runs until March 14th. Here is more INFO about this incredible exhibit.

Guest Post - A Day In The Life Of An Expat In Perugia

Here's a lovely post from Tina, one of the first expats I "met" way back when I was thinking of moving to Italy. It's a slice of life look at a beautiful place. Grazie Tina.

A Day in the Life of an Expat in Perugia

I live outside the historic city center of Perugia, in a very tranquil place. I have a view of a castle, the Umbrian hills and some cypress trees. Since I work from home, it's very easy for me to spend the whole day inside at my computer. Now that I don’t live "downtown” anymore, trips into the city (just a few minutes away by bus) are excursions I look forward to.

Yesterday I decided to get out of the house, enjoy the cold, sunny weather and go grocery shopping. I rode the bus to central neighborhood of Monteluce. Where my bus stops, you can see bars, bakeries, a pharmacy and a butcher shop, among other things. It’s bustling. The main thing that stands out for me is the imposing medieval church of Santa Maria di Monteluce, next to the Misericordia hospital. I've been known to forget to get off the bus, too busy admiring its rose-colored gothic facade. I always forget my camera when I go into the city and yesterday was no different. Someday I’ll capture an image of it.

As I made my way through the grocery store, stopping for my usual items (wine, cheese, chocolate, oranges, vegetables, pasta), I had a feeling I should pay extra attention to the aisle I was in. I looked up and saw tortillas, tortillas chips, salsa, peanut butter, mustard, mayonnaise, curry sauce and Tabasco sauce. Nearby, basmati rice. My jaw dropped in wonder. I'm usually in my little Italian bubble when I do leave the house, and I forgot that Perugia is actually pretty international. In fact, now I remember a store on the other side of the city that sells Thai ingredients and even yerba mate, the national drink of Argentina. I have got to get out more.

I walked to my bus stop in the crisp air, checked the bus schedule and while I was studying the bus times, a familiar sound rose to my ears. There was a couple, also studying the bus schedule, but they were speaking Spanish, with Argentine accents. I smiled, half wanting to talk to them.

Meanwhile an old man started to sing. And sing and sing. To me. I distracted myself from him and walked over to the window display of the tobacco shop. This shop sells not only cigarettes but also costume jewelry and perfume. Every time I walk by I have an impulse to buy all three of those items and go home and listen to Edith Piaf.

I noticed the singing old man boarding a bus so I returned to the stop and admired the women around me in their fur coats, one with sunglasses even though the sun had set by now. The bells of Santa Maria di Monteluce began to ring and continued to do so for about 5 minutes. I looked from the fur-clad ladies to the tobacco shop window to the church, all the while listening. It was one of those moments in which everything I loved about Italy was present at the same time.

A couple arrived at the bus stop and began arguing. Her Italian was very Russian-accented. Their arguing would intensify with each bus that pulled up. Finally, my bus arrived. I settled into a seat, grateful that I was no longer in the cold. Two people boarded the bus and began happily chatting in Polish. I smiled to myself, realizing that for being a small city in the middle of Italy, Perugia has a lot going on and is very receptive to immigrants. Earlier in the day I had been craving a larger city with a more international population (and am thus planning a trip to Florence soon), but on this little outing I realized that I am surrounded by people from just about everywhere. This could be a sign of the times – and a very positive one indeed.

Tina Ferrari is a translator, writer and tango dancer based in Umbria. She can be found at her own blog, Tina Tangos as well as AffordableCallingCards.net. **If you're an expat blogger in Italy, stop by and enter the Blogging from the Boot contest!**

Tina Tangos

AffordableCallingCards.net

Blogging from the Boot contest

Flashback Friday - GLEE - "Don't Stop Believing"

The hit American TV show GLEE just started airing in Italy.

After hearing all the hype and my even my jaded film industry friends rave about the show, I finally got to see it.

Ryan Murphy who created the shows POPULAR and NIP/TICK created this show based on his own high school experience.

Are the students cliches? Yes I think that's the point. Of course the football jock is dating the head cheerleader. But then he's blackmailed into joining the GLEE club. ha

It's great the show is introducing younger viewers to songs from different genres and eras. The actors are crazy talented and kudos to casting for picking people who can actually sing.

Jane Lynch plays the very mean cheerleader coach She's hilarious.

This video is from the ending of the pilot episode. It warms my geeky music loving heart. I love the energy and joy.

Have a great weekend.

Learning Italian, a breakthrough

Finally.

Before I was so worried about getting the grammar correct, I would be afraid to speak.

Somehow after my trip to St. Martin, where I kept responding to French speaking people in Italian, I returned to Italy speaking faster and with more confidence.

My Italian friends are being helpful by speaking more Italian around me. Since all of them are multi-lingual we would always speak English. Not anymore. Sometimes I do get lazy and fall back to English. Before they would switch but now they say they don't understand me. Ha.

I am determined not to be that American Expat who has lived aboard for years and still can't speak the local language. I don't want to just get by. What happens if I find myself in a situation where no can translate for me?

Plus I need to prove to myself that I can become fluent in another language. It kills me that I studied French for 7 years, have a French speaking mom, multi-lingual dad, was a foreign affairs major and yet didn't learn any languages.

All my expat friends are stronger speakers than me. Several have lived here longer and/or are married to/dating Italians. We now split our conversations between Italian and English.

While there are many practical reasons why I need to become fluent, there's also the poetic reason. Italian is such a beautiful language. I love how expressive, lyrical and dramatic it is.

Some day I will open my mouth and find Italian words spilling out of it effortlessly. Until that time, I will keep trying to remember which one of the twenty-one Italian verb tenses is correct, articles, that nouns have a gender, and ease up on the curse words. While they are fun to say, perhaps they are not always appropriate.

Cenci, Frappe, Chiacchiere...the yummy goodness is back!

I had no idea it was the beginning of the Carnival season until I walked into my local Forno/bakery and saw Frappe. These lightly fried treats are so addictive. They are made daily and available at bakeries only during this time of year.

They are called different names in Italy. In Rome it's Frappe.

I'm going to try very hard to limit my intake to only once or twice a week. Hard to do when they are all up in your face.

R.I.P. Teddy Pendergrass "aka Teddy Bear"

Sad.

This was "grown folks" music when I was growing up. When I got older I started to listen to all his music. I loved his work with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and his solo work. They were part of that great Philly soul movement.

He had a great voice and will be missed.

7.0 earthquake devastates Haiti

This is the strongest quake in the region in over 200 years.

We all know how terrible a strong quake like this is in an area like Southern California that has a strong infrastructure and emergency services. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There is barely any infrastructure.

The phone lines are down and most of the buildings in the capitol have collapsed, including the Presidential Palace and the UN headquarters. Experts worry the death toll will be quite high.

My heart goes out to the Haitian people. The island cannot seem to catch a break.

NYTimes article here.

Ina Garten's Honey Vanilla Pound Cake. Some help from bakers?

One of the gifts I received for Christmas was Ina Garten's latest cookbook (thanks sis!)

I made the Honey Vanilla Pound Cake. This is the first time I have baked something from scratch here and I have some questions.

I couldn't find cake flour. I read online that you subtract a tablespoon from each cup of all-purpose flour and add some cornstarch but I couldn't find any cornstarch. While the cake was good, it was a little too dense. Maybe Castroni's sells cake flour?

Also in converting the temperature (350) to Celsius (180) I wonder if the oven was too hot. My cake browned quickly on top and was not baked all the way through. I had to leave it in longer.

Last but not least, the recipe called for 4 extra-large eggs but I could only find large. In the future should I used 5 large eggs?

Thanks.

St. Martin/St. Maarten, Trip report and some pics

My sister wrote a trip report for Travel Talk Online. She does a great job in describing the beaches, and places to eat and drink.

Clink HERE for the report.

I noticed all the construction on the Dutch side. I didn't think it was possible for that side of the island to become even more over-developed.

St. Martin was slammed recently in a big travel magazine saying that the island, especially the Dutch side, is losing it's character. The French side still has some open spaces. The French side also uses euros, has property taxes and zoning laws so that could be one reason we don't have all the fast food places, traffic and over development the Dutch side has. The French side is more expensive, bureaucratic and therefore less attractive to big developers.

St. Maarten/St. Martin was THE spot back when La Samanna first opened. Now St. Barths and Anguilla, two nearby islands, are attracting more of those visitors while St. Maarten gets the big cruise ships with their day trippers.

I worry for the future. Who wants to travel to an island and sit in traffic all day? Serious crimes, unheard of before, are being committed and the locals are furious about the immigration problem. Of course some of the complaints are more about intolerance toward people from other islands.

People concerned about the environment/conservation are starting to speak out. They want to make sure the island is not turned into one big slab of concrete.

I still get pissed every time I see Domino's pizza in the recently renovated airport.

I wonder how the bids for that space went down. Did any local people even get a chance to put in a bid? Domino's has crappy pizza and nothing to do with Caribbean food. If you are traveling to the Caribbean from America why would you even want to eat Domino's and I doubt all the European or Canadian tourists are dying for it.

St. Martin is a special place. There's a reason so many people have been going there every year for decades. People complain because they love the island and don't want to see it ruined.

St. Martin has many of the same issues as places like Venice or Florence. Tourism is a big part of the economy but in the process do you lose your soul or the thing that attracted tourists in the first place?

Friar's Bay Beach.


Le Gailon Beach, aka "the baby beach". The water is so blue, clear and calm.


More photos on my Flickr page.

Flashback Friday – Les Nubians - "Makeda"

Some French Neo-Soul on this rainy day. It's schedule to rain for the next 10 days. Sigh.

I heard a lot of French music in St. Martin the other week.

I totally remember this hit from 1998. Sisters Helène and Celia Faussart have beautiful voices and this is a beautiful melody.

Have a great weekend.

Build A New Life, No Going Back, and Selling A House Abroad.

These are the English titles for several shows on Discovery Travel and Living.

Every episode features a British couple or person who has decided to leave the city and buy property in the country or overseas. I'm addicted to these shows.

The prices in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal are much cheaper than in the UK and the weather is better so I understand the attraction of moving. I also get that train wrecks make for better TV but some of these are folks are freaking nuts.

Usually things do work out at the end but the process! What drama. These shows are educational in that they show you what NOT to do.

• Always get a survey/inspection.
Who buys a house without doing a survey? I realize some places don’t require one but given how much thought I put into buying a pair of shoes, you best believe my anal self will be asking lots of questions and will have someone look at the property before I buy. One couple in Normandy bought a house full of termites, which were discovered after they moved in. Another couple in Southern France found out that the previous owner didn’t have proper sewage facilities. This weaken the property’s foundation. Sewage had been leaking out into the yard for years. Yuck.

• Budget enough for your renovations.
Call me crazy but 5,000 pounds (around $9,000) is probably not enough money to renovate an old Tuscan farmhouse that doesn’t have plumbing, or electric.

• Hire professionals unless you actually are a builder.
Just because you can put together some furniture from IKEA doesn’t mean you can put up a roof, wire electrics, pour concrete floors by yourself, etc. I really wouldn’t mess around with wiring. A badly painted wall is not the end of the world. Jacked up electrical can be a fire risk.

• Don’t pay builders in full before the job is done or use their lawyer to draw up your contract.
This seems to be more of a Spain problem, since most of the properties there are new builds. In fact, there are more new builds in Spain than in France, Italy, and Portugal combined. I do not want to buy a new house so I tend to ignore those episodes. I did get sucked in with one couple from the UK who paid in cash before the job was done. The contractor didn’t finish the house. There were several couples who found out after they signed the papers that their houses were illegal builds (again big problem with new developments popular with expats along the coast), or a highway was going to put in next door, or that the person who sold them the house really didn’t have the rights. Hire an independent lawyer folks.

• Have a back up plan/save enough money.
Watching these poor people living in small caravans while their renovations go over budget or are delayed, I wonder why they assumed everything would go smoothly. It’s construction, in a different country. The ones who quit their jobs and think they will be able to renovate quickly and make money from vacation rentals have the toughest time, especially if they have kids. There were several near divorces. One couple renovating a houseboat did in fact get a divorce. The marriage couldn’t survive the stress.

• Get references.
Don’t hire a builder because they are cheaper than the others. They might be cheap for a reason.

• Learn the language.
Or at least make sure your project manager or architect can communicate with the builders.

• Find out what the zoning laws are.
If you are moving to the country for some peace and quiet, you might want to make sure there are zoning laws. This one woman paid for a villa in Spain with mountain views and the developer built these ugly ass condos right behind her. She’s stuck since she can’t sell the property and she doesn’t want to live there anymore.

• Find out before you buy the property if there are restrictions on renovations.
Many older homes are protected. Try to get all your building permits lined up before you actually hire a builder. There were several shows where people started renovations only to be told they had to halt all work because they didn’t have the right permits.

Here's a clip of George Clarke. He's the host of "Build A New Life" and easy on the eyes.

Can someone please explain to me how comedian Steve Harvey became an "expert" on relationships?

Yet another expose about us poor single black American woman. This time on ABC's Nightline.

Mr. Harvey's advice to date older men is downright revolutionary. I mean, who ever heard of men dating younger women?!!

One friend told me his book "Act Like A Lady, Think LIke A Man" is helpful and a good read. However, I can't get past the title.

In this new year/decade, I'm going to keep on keeping on and seriously not worry about all the stats. I'm fine with not getting married as I'm not having children.

However for my friends who do want to get married, I understand their frustrations. I felt the same way a few years back.

Best New Years Eve ever (well in recent memory anyway)

Happy New Year everyone!

I've decided to stay up so I can get on Rome time.

I just flew back from St. Martin yesterday and didn't really get to sleep on the plane. I might become delirious in a few hours. ha

I went with a friend to a dinner party last night where there were a ton of kids. They like sparklers.

The second party which we went to after we couldn't find the club, had no kids but a DJ. I danced for hours and I bumped into who...my imfamous friend G. What the heck?

My other friend has nothing to do with the film world so to walk into this party and see so many people I know was kind of funny.

Several Italians busted out with "OH MY GOD!!" with an American accent. So wrong...I do not do that. Okay I lied. I do say that sometimes but not everyday or anything. And seeing G and his girlfriend was worthy of an OMG moment.

I was sad to leave St. Martin but happy to return to my home. I was alright at the airport until my sister started crying.

I have a bunch of pictures to go thru but hope to post a few beach shots later in the week. Getting to St. Martin was a nightmare. Snow delays, drama at the airport, etc. Returning to Rome I connected in Paris and was put on blast by the officer at the passport control for not being able to speak French. It does say on my French passport I was born in America and received my passport in Los Angeles. I have to conquer Italian before I can revisit French.

I need to write down my goals for 2010. 2009 started out horribly but ended well. I have high hopes for this year.

Not sure why but I feel like it's going to be a kick ass one.

How do you feel about the New Year? So many of my friends were glad to see 2009 go.

Brittany Murphy dead at 32.

Cardiac arrest?! At 32?

This is just sad.

Jezebel.com has a nice write up about her.

While she had some big struggles in her life and career lately, "CLUELESS" will always remain one of my favorite quotable flicks.

"Why should I listen to you, anyway? You're a virgin who can't drive."
"That was way harsh, Tai."

Did anyone see AVATAR?

I read it's going to make 70 million this weekend.

Of course I will have to see it but for some reason I'm not really excited to.

I loved James Cameron's earlier movies but did not like TITANIC. I appreciated the special effects but was not emotionally engaged.

I saw the movie with my sister at the Willowbrook Mall theaters in Jersey. At one point I remember looking at my watch and wondering when was the freaking ship going to go down.

I hear the effects in AVATAR are mind blowing but the narrative is lame. The movie is also long, 2 hours and 40 minutes. I have no patience for long special effects movies without a good plot.

Speaking of movies, I finally saw TROPIC THUNDER. Robert Downey Jr. was priceless. "Just because it's a theme song, don't make it not true."

Flashback Friday – Santa, Gennaro Gattuso & Francesco Totti

This year's holiday ads feature only Totti as he transformed into Babbo Natale (Father Christmas).

The commercial below always puts a smile on my face. Hello, you've got Santa and two well-dressed men looking fioooooone!

Have a great weekend.

"If Madonna can still bust a move at 51, I can make through this class."

I was thinking that last night.

Our Capoeira instructor has returned to Brazil for the holidays. He will be gone for a few months.

My friend who told me about the class, was our new instructor. He's been studying for a while.

Unlike our other classes, we did a pretty hard core warm up. My poor arms. Then I thought about Madonna.

Okay, I do realize it's her job. She has a personal trainer, a chef and has been a dancer for years. However, she did motivate me.

She looks great in the "Celebration" video. Love the Louboutin boots. I can't believe Lourdes is a teenager. She's in the video at the 3:16 doing the flip.

The video was directed by Jonas Akerlund. The way it's edited is very cool. I'm a big fan of Akerlund's work (Prodigy, U2, etc.) and love the videos he did for Madonna in the past including, "Ray of Light" and "Jump".

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that this woman is in her 50s. It seem like only yesterday I heard "Everybody" for the first time. Actually it wasn't yesterday. It was in 1983!

Ouch. Silvio Berlusconi is hit upside the head.

The leader of the far right party, Lega Nord, said it was an act of terrorism.

Okay, the man who was arrested on the spot has a history of mental problems. So until there is a link between him and a terrorist organization, it's a little early for such talk.

I wonder how heavy was the Duomo souvenir? The PM had his nose and several teeth broken.

I can't imagine getting hit in the face that hard.

Former President Bush was lucky he only had to deal with a soft shoe.

Here is more from the Financial Times. I agree with the article that this incident is only going to add fuel to the "poisonous political" atmosphere.

One thing that surprises me as an American is how much less security there is surrounding European leaders. Do people in France, England, Italy, etc. have to go through metal detectors when their leaders are giving a speech or going to an event? I mean we even have metal detectors in many of our city schools.

When Clinton was president, a friend and I went to the NCAA basketball semi-finals in Dallas. Arkansas was playing and President Clinton attended the game. We had to arrive extra early (driving in from Austin where we were working at the time) because of the extra security. The entire stadium had to go through detectors.

True Berlusconi was speaking to a rally of his own supports but it was still a public event. Anyone could have walked into the piazza. Later he was signing autographs when he was attacked.

I assume his security will be beefed up.

Sade's new single "Soldier Of Love" - LOVE IT

Sade's new album drops February 10th. After 10 years she is back.

Cannot wait. When I was younger I thought she was a little too "easy listening". As I got older I really started to appreciate her lyrics and the musicianship of her band.

Especially now with more and more female singers doing little than trying to sell sex, there's something refreshing about a singer like Sade.

She is sexy. She doesn't have to shake her butt to get you to buy her music. The talent stands on it's own.

This single is the bomb. Sade turn 50 this year and is BRINGING IT.

Listen to the song with good headphones if possible. The track surprised me. I was expecting something else. Love the drums. When the back-up voices kick in as she says "I'm a soldier!" , I get chills.

I hope it can cut through the clutter and become a hit. I think it's uptempo enough but you never know.

I'm down on the whole love thing right now but these are some deep lyrics (and very optimistic). I needed to hear this song.





I've lost the use of my heart
But I'm still alive
Still lookin for the life
The endless pool on the other side
It's a wild wild west
I'm doin my best

I'm at the borderline of my faith
I'm at the hinterland of my devotion
In the frontline of this battle of mine
But I'm still alive

I'm a soldier of love
Every day and night
I'm soldier of love
All the days of my life

My own Top Chef challenge: Homemade Chicken Stock

The Foster's Market Cookbook is one of my go-to books.

I was at the farmer's market and noticed how incredible the vegetables looked. I wanted to try Foster's Roasted Red Pepper and Eggplant soup recipe.

The problem? Like most soups I needed chicken stock/broth. In L.A. I used to make soups all the time and just bought stock from Trader Joe's.

Yes, I did hear that homemade stock makes a difference but for some reason I had it in my head stock was hard to make.

Well living in Rome I couldn't find canned stock so I had to make it.

Inspired by a post from the lovely Michelle at Bleeding Espresso, I bit the bullet.

Folks I've seen the light. Just like with marinara sauce, I will make my own for now on. It was easy and I could absolutely taste the difference.

Here's a basic simple recipe from The Unemployed Cook Blog.

Flashback Friday – Jackson 5 "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that Christmas is this month.

I loved this version as a kid. I didn't know back then because Katherine Jackson is a Jehovah Witness, the kids did not get to celebrate Christmas. It was later in life via Elizabeth Taylor (random!) that Michael Jackson celebrated the holiday.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

It's a "ponte/bride" weekend in Italy. Tuesday is a holiday so a lot of people are taking Monday off.

randomissimo - Tiger, Desperate Housewives, men

I think Tiger Woods needs a new publicist stat.

Why is the Susan character on Desperate Housewives so annoying? I wish she was killed off last season.

What cocktail should I make for the Mad Men Season Three premiere (In Italy) December 13th?

Why do people in America keep asking me if I've met a man yet? How many times must I tell them "Under A Tuscan Sun" is fiction!

Speaking of men, I'm done. I need to focus on work. I really can't get distracted. Clearly there's something wrong with me and I no longer need/want to make a fool out of myself. If shit hasn't worked out by this age...it never will. It's some kind of fucked karma that I'm writing a romantic comedy and have nothing positive to draw from. Nothing. That is not normal. Everyone says write what you know. Trust, nobody wants to see that movie.

I can relate to this clip minus the having sex with Jon Bon Jovi. Oh yeah and the therapy part. I was one of maybe two people I knew in Hollywood not in therapy. Perhaps I should have been.

Pictures of Trinità del Monti church, Spanish Steps, Rome

The first two times I visited Rome on vacation, there was scaffolding covering this beautiful church.

A lot of people over look the church focusing on taking pictures of the incredible views. It's definitely worth a visit.

Construction was started by the French in 1495 to celebrate their successful invasion of Naples.

During the Napoleonic occupation of Rome, this church like many churches/villas had it's artwork stolen and taken to France. It was eventually returned.

There are several works by Daniele da Volterra. He was a pupil of Michelangelo. Da Volterra was later hired to paint clothes onto the nudes in the Sistine Chapel's The Last Judgement.

Flashback Friday – Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas"

Yes I know in America the day after Thanksgiving is "Black Friday", the biggest shopping day of the year.

I don't get it. Standing in line from 3:00 a.m.? People getting trampled to death over some bargains? I just don't think the season is about that.

To me the day after Thanksgiving means one thing....I can break out my Christmas music!!!!

This is one of my all time favorites. Don't even speak to me about that lame Chris Brown cover. Rest in peace Donny.

Have a great weekend.

Record breaking weekend in Hollywood, fueled by women and girls

Not just New Moon, but The Blind Side and Precious are out performing expectations.

The next Hollywood exec who says women/girls don't go to the movies, needs find a new career. I'm so sick of hearing that any female driven movie that does well is a fluke.

We are over 51% of the population. Wake up Hollywood.

Numbers don't lie. Even older ladies (over 25 by Hollywood standards) came out over the weekend.

If you make movies people want to see, they will support them.

Now it would be nice if some of these movies were actually good. However, I get it's a business and Hollywood doesn't care about the quality of a hit like New Moon.

Still broke, still single but like Stevie "Not Going Worry 'bout A Thing"

This morning I went to an gallery opening curated by my friend's father-in-law. My friend's Italian wife asked me what was going on...I was glowing. She is not the only person who has asked me this question lately.

What the heck?

Seriously why the good mood? My financial situation is still beyond jacked up. The latest news from the WGA (Writers Guild of America) is not encouraging.

Yes it still sucks to be a female writer in Hollywood. And writers of color? bwahaha less than 6% of ALL films/TV shows. The numbers for women and minorities are declining. Part of the reason is the emphasis on comic book/tent poles movies and movies based on toys. Studios hire male writers for those films. There are male writers are known for writing female characters but the reverse? Not really.

Melissa Silverstein of the fantastic blog, Women and Hollywood, writes about the latest study HERE.

The balance in my bank account is declining, the dollar keeps sinking and Sarah Palin refuses to go away. Yet earlier today I was working out on the Appia Antica and caught myself, on more than one occasion, smiling to myself. I feel like I'm on drugs or something.

Man oh Manischewitz, I fear this "glowing" thing might have something to do with my crush. I guess that's the upside. It's better than looking tore up because you're depressed.

I see PDAs around me all the time here and I have to say I'm a little jealous. Not that I would be tonguing down my man in the middle of the street, but you know what I mean.

Looking at what is happening or not happening in my life I should be at the very least sad, if not alarmed!

Instead, I had an amazing weekend.

Saturday after Capoeira class I caught up with E. her husband (aka The Professor) and their baby. E. used to work in Hollywood too, but we met in Rome.

My classmates joined us and we were sitting on a terrace overlooking the city. I don't know if it was a post-Capoeira high, the mojito or the views but I felt this sense of everything is going to be okay. Things are going to work out.

I thought I'm really fortunate to live in this city, to have such great friends in my life, to have a family that supports me (emotionally and financially) and that I left L.A. before I before I reached the point of no return.

Stevie Wonder's INNERVISIONS has been listed on many a top album of all time lists and I agree.

I heard this song earlier today.

Flashback Friday – Destiny's Child - "Say My Name"

Regardless how one might feel about Bey, you cannot deny this song from 2000 is very catchy. Love the bridge and the harmony.

While I hate the producer shout outs in the song (hello did people shout out Motown! Stax! Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! etc. back in the day?) this was the jam.

The original group was singing on this track and when the video came out there was a lot of controversy regarding why two of the members were kicked out.

Beyonce is a huge star now so I don't know if DC will ever reunite.

Have a great weekend. It's going to be GORGEOUS in Rome. I might have to take my Macbook and work outside.

Here is the VIDEO

My own Top Chef challenge: Plantains

It's a little weird that in all the years I lived in L.A. I never cooked plantains. I'm sure there must be a market somewhere in the city that sells them. I never saw them at any of my farmer's market or in my local supermarket. I can't remember if Bristol Farms had them.

Yet I've seen them in Campo dei Fiori at the vendor we call the Bulgari of Campo because while his produce is beautiful and diverse, it's very, very expensive. You can also buy them at the Piazza Vittorio market and Prati's Trionfale market.

I was at the Trionfale market this morning and picked up a few. The vendor I went to has a great selection of Caribbean, Asian and African food. Some of fruits and vegetables I have never heard of.

Plantains are extremely popular in the Caribbean. My dad used to buy then in the City and they are perfect thing to eat with jerk chicken, or beans and rice.

Super easy to make all you need are plantains (the "browner" the better/sweeter), oil and a pan.

Fry the sliced plantains in the oil on med/high heat until they get a little crispy around the edges. Put then on a paper towel to soak up the excess oil.

Some people like to sprinkle brown sugar on top. I leave the sugar off for side dishes but would put some on if I'm using the dish as a dessert.


photo: foodnetwork.com

Gorgeous day - some pics from Gianicolo Hill

We're having a a run of beautiful weather.

Instead of the constant cold and wet weather we had last November, it's been warm and partly sunny.

I went on a run up to to Gianicolo Hill. I have written about one of my favorite fountains located there.

The views of Rome are incredible from the hill.

Here are some pictures I took a while ago.

Not sure what time the puppet show starts but it's very popular.


The statue of Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva di Garibaldi (aka Anita Garibaldi) above her tomb. She was the Brazilian born wife of Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi. Her statue has her holding a gun and a baby. She fought along side her husband and died while pregnant with their fifth child during the Retreat from Rome.


A cannonball that was found during renovations of this church. This area was the scene of vicious bloody battles between the French and Italian revolutionaries fighting for Italy's freedom.

Flashback Friday - Sonny Rollins - "My One And Only Love"

The Rome Jazz Festival started this week. I went to see Sonny Rollins at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. Sonny is a musical legend. To see him out still touring at 79 is incredible.

He has played with GIANTS, Monk, Coltrane, Blakey, Davis. It's bizarre to me that jazz, an unique American art form, is more appreciated abroad especially in Europe and Asia. Why is that?

At the end of this amazing show, the crowd went nuts with a prolonged standing ovation. It went on forever.

When it comes to jazz I definitely lean toward the saxophonists, like Rollins, Coltrane and Gordon. I love the sound of the tenor sax. Along with the cello and piano, it's of my favorite instruments.

I listen to music everyday. I don't know if I would be so passionate about it if I had not been exposed to so much music from my dad, his friends and the music programs in my schools.

I lucked out my NYC public elementary school had art and music. This was pre-budget cuts.

Then we moved to a NYC suburb where in fourth grade I started flute lessons, in school. In high school I was told there were too many flutes in the concert and marching bands. I was switched to alto sax and tenor sax. Mind you I (my parents) did not have to pay for two brand new, very expensive saxophones. They were provided by the school.

My tiny high school believed it was important to pay for football uniforms AND band instruments.

I wasn't talented enough to be in our jazz band. They were outrageous talented and to this day still remember Joe Montini's sax solos.

I really miss playing music.

If Sonny Rollins is touring near you, run and buy a ticket. He can barely walk across the stage but once he starts playing, you forget he's almost 80.

Have a great weekend.

Guest Post - Merging Cultures: Three Ways to Share Your New Culture With Your Old Family

Today's Guest blogger (my first!) is one of my favorite people, the lovely Cherrye.

Like me, Cherrye is an American living in Italy. She lives in Calabria with her husband, where they own a B&B.

Cherrye's a very talented writer (it runs in her family) and I loved meeting her and Peppe earlier this year. I felt kinda bad for him because Cherrye and I like to talk. Uhmm, a lot. ha

Her advice below is on point. Here's a link to her blog, My Bella Vita.


Merging Cultures: Three Ways to Share Your New Culture With Your Old Family
"I remember feeling like a kid on a candy-crazed high during my first trip to Europe. I loved each new place more than the last and I couldn’t wait to get home and share these experiences with my family.

I wanted to take them to the top of the Eiffel Tower with me, share some homemade pistachio gelato with them and splash them with a bit of Nessie’s water from her near-frozen loch.

When I got home I was surprised to learn they didn’t care to climb to the top of Notre Dame and watching The Sound of Music was as close to Salzburg as they cared to get.

I didn’t get it.

I continued to travel and would report home with mom’s magnet, they’d look at pictures and that was that.
But when I moved to Italy it all changed.

No, it wasn’t them-it was me. I changed my approach to sharing and discussing my new culture and whatdoyouknow, they were hooked on Italy, too.

Here are three ways you can share your new culture with your old friends and family back home.

1. The Way to a Man (and your mom’s) Heart
… is still through food.

When I go to Texas I make a point of taking fun Calabrian ingredients they don’t normally eat back home. Sometimes it is limoncello, other times it is traditional Italian Christmas candy and often it is a new pasta recipe or homemade dessert idea they wouldn’t have tried on their own.

2. Education as a Weapon
Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. So why not start with your family?

When I started reporting on what I’d learned about Italy, the history of the buildings they were seeing in photos and how Italians do things differently than we do back home-my family started listening.

It wasn’t enough for them to just look at pictures. Once they understood the history and could appreciate the background, they understood why I love this country.

3. Lasting Impressions

If you are intent on sharing your new culture with your family, then take them gifts they can’t get in the states. For example, my mother now proudly displays La Befana
every year with her Christmas decorations and she uses her Italian porcelain salad tongs every time she serves dinner.

Credit: Clarita82 at Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarita_it/

What other ideas do you have for sharing your new culture with your family and friends back home?"

Cherrye Moore is a freelance writer and B&B owner living in Calabria, Italy. She writes for aAffordable Calling Cards where they sell prepaid calling cards to Italy, and about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita.

My blogversary

I cannot believe it's been four years.

To be honest, I'm not sure if I would be writing or living in Italy had I not started this blog.

A lot has changed since then, for the better.

I've "met" so many incredible people thanks to this blog.

A huge GRAZIE to everyone who takes the time to read my posts on Italy, film/hollywood, food, fashion, life and my rants on random subjects.

The Perfect Bun...best burgers in Rome?

I can't say as I haven't had one there yet but I can say the Chicken Fajitas are the bomb! Great fries as well too.

The menu is "American" type fare. Burgers, Fries, Wings, Nachos etc.

I'm not sure what the crowd will be like during the winter but this summer it was a great place to go on Tuesday and Thursday nights for drinks. Excellent drinks, very good DJ.

Crowd is Italian with a few expats sprinkled about. I'm surprised there aren't more Americans given the menu and how close it is to Campo/Piazza Navona. One friend had a theory that it's too pricey for the college crowd.

TPB has one of the best Ladies Room. ABBA's "Dancing Queen" plays while a disco ball spins. Hilarious.

Here is the website

Flashback Friday – The unrequited love edition - Eric Clapton "Layla" and Marvin Gaye "I Want You"

A good friend told me she was head over heels for a guy she met. The good news, she could still have those feelings, the bad news, she could still have those feelings.

She went through a tough divorce a few years ago. So while she's glad to have some romantic feeling back in her life, unrequited love, let's be honest, sucks. It doesn't matter if you're 16 or 60.

She's a screenwriter as well. Most of the writers I know are expressive and/or in tune with their emotions, very raw, close to the surface. Doesn't matter if they are screenwriters, novelist or songwriters, male or female.

There's a downside to this. While it can be helpful in writing, it can be rough for "real" life. Of course one doesn't have to be a creative person to get "twirly" about someone. I have another friend who's going through the roller-coaster thing right now. At least she's dating the guy. My friend's crush has no idea.

All I'm going to say is I'm in the middle of the same BS now and it's not cool. I'm working on a script dealing with some similar issues so I try to channel some of my twirly energy into it.

I must be a glutton for punishment because why am I listening to all these love songs? Why? Why? Why?! Damn you Sade and Maxwell.

You'd think watching GOODFELLAS, a gansta flick, I would safe but one of the best montages in film is set to the instrumental section of "Layla." Poor Eric.

Have a great weekend. I will be working and thinking about the object of my affection.



Marvin, as always, brings it in this song. The emotion, everything. Madonna working with Massive Attack did a great cover of this.



Lyrics "I Want You"
I want you the right way
I want you
But I want you to want me too
Want you to want me,baby
Just like I want you

I give you all the love I want in return sweet darlin'
But half a love is all I feel
It's too bad,It's just too sad
You don't want me now
But I'm gonna change your mind
Someway,somehow,oh baby

Repeat

This one way love is just a fantasy, oh sugar
To share is precious, pure and fair
Don't play with something you should cherish for life,oh baby
Don't you wanna care
Aint it lonely out there

Repeat



Lyrics "Layla"

What do you do when you get lonely
and nobody's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.

Chorus: Layla, you got me on my knees.
Layla, i'm begging darlin' please.
Layla, darling won't you ease my worried mind?

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
You turned my whole world upside down.

Chorus

Let's make the best of the situation,
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way,
Or tell me all my love's in vain.

Chorus

My own Top Chef challenge: Fennel

Along with trying to rely less on recipes, I'm also trying to cook with new ingredients. I have never cooked fennel before.

While this vegetable is not that popular in the States, it's huge here. You see it everywhere.

I saw chef Giada de Laurentiis cooked with it several times on her Food Network show when I lived in America.

I was at the market and on a whim I bought some.

I made her Roast Fennel with Parmesan.

This dish is so easy (I used slightly less olive oil) and absolutely delicious. The salty cheese works well with the sweet fennel. I will make this one over and over again and next time I might add some pancetta.

With such a simple dish the quality of the ingredients must be excellent.

You can find this recipe in Giada's fantastic cookbook "Giada's Family Dinners".

Roasted Fennel with Parmesan
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 fennel bulbs, cut horizontally into 1/3-inch thick slices, fronds reserved
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly shredded Parmesan

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly oil the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange the fennel in the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then with the Parmesan. Drizzle with the oil. Bake until the fennel is fork-tender and the top is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Chop enough fennel fronds to equal 2 teaspoons, then sprinkle over the roasted fennel and serve.




Not only does it taste good, it's a pretty dish. I forgot to sprinkle the fronds over it.

Randomissimo - Am I the only American who has never had a flu shot?

I've reading and hearing a lot about the Swine Flu vaccine.

As a child I went to the pediatrician every year for a check up. My mom was a nurse. Yet I never had a flu shot. In L.A. it seemed everyone I knew would get a shot for the season.

Should I get one? Do you? Why or why not?