Oh, I know she’s not acting. But she’s not acting very well.
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Today’s word: Puttanesca

The Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle is easier than the Friday one.

Not only does it not make sense, but I don’t care.
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Today’s word: Cruciverba

Somewhere, someplace, Franco is crying.
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Today’s word: Endorfina

It’ll be okay. Call me when you’re ready. I understand.

If there is anything to this Vitamin C theory, then the basketful of oranges I could not help but consume at lunch should end this cold. Or at the very least counter the time spent in the rain.
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Today’s word: Arancia

Truth lies: A sigh will flirt;
Romance is curt.
Interpret the regret and blurt:
I never meant to hurt.
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Today’s words: Credo che questo sia stato un errore

(Friendship?) I have and make friends just fine.
“Don’t you want somebody to love...”
(Dating?) Well, ideally, but there’s a little distance to overcome.
“...Don’t you need somebody to love...”
(A Relationship?) I want to be someone for someone and someone to be for me.
“...Wouldn’t you love somebody to love...”
(Random Play?) Okay, fine, maybe I am desperate to be held...
“...You better find somebody to love...”
(Whatever I can get?) ...but sorry, I have standards. I get a choice.
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Today’s word: Malato

I live in the land of Cheap Pizza for Every Meal. It’s like heaven, only with more Catholics.

Abbot & Costello.
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Today’s word: Fetta

Rome and Italy and Europe are wonderful and good and lovely and all that. But you know what I miss about America? See, I am a big believer in Free Stuff. Which is in a scarce supply here. The side salad. Refills of drinks. Dinner rolls. Ice water in restaurants. Nights & weekends on the cell phone. Bags at the grocery store. Public restrooms. The only thing I’ve gotten free here has been a CD of 10 songs with my Italian SIM card.

Two halves of a different coconut, but I’ll take what I can get.

This is what makes America the greatest country in the world. Land of the Free.
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Today’s word: Cocco

On a dreary day, the cat sanctuary allows one to duck inside a contained world, away from the stresses outside. One gets to consider what it might be like to be a cat, condescending, independent, with a playful tail and retractable claws, living a life of perfect laziness. But here another side of the animal is seen. Here are abandoned strays, sick and injured, their grace overshadowed by pathetically awkward movements. These animals depend not on the hope of someone finding them beautiful, but pitiful.

I have always wanted to have a cat, and I hope to be able to have one next semester. But it will depend on my living situation, and that lies in the future. For now I live in Rome.
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Today’s word: Gatto

Once Mars was returning from a victorious battle in Etruria when a great hunger overtook him. Seeing a flock, the son of Jove began eating the sheep. Their shepherd, Perioche, overcome by the sight of the blood-covered god, went to King Tarquin the Flamboyant, who advised him to pray for intervention. Some say that the king advised that votives be offered to Ceres, who, with the ancient procedures having been satisfied, caused an almond tree to spring up by which Mars’s hunger might be sated. From this came the term bread of Mars, or Martis panis. But most hold that the shepherd prayed to Pan, who transformed the sheep into almonds, which were referred to as the almonds of Pan for Mars, or Marti Panis. In accordance with this, the people of Rome prepare, shape, and consume marzipan.
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Today’s word: Marzapane

Sit tibi terra levis
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Today’s word: Carcare

The basilica of St. John Lateran contains impressively imposing religious scuptures, in particular a gallery of the 12 apostles each holding an instrument. This clearly should form the basis of a video game in which these characters engage in acts of smiting. It should be called Moral Kombat.
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Today’s word: Ecumenico

So, those of you who attended any of my parties over the summer should surely recall my hosting technique of offering cans of Sunkist or Pepsi. I won't get into why I like Sunkist; but the Pepsi is because I genuinely like it better than Coca-Cola. I'll drink Coke if I don't have a choice, but I prefer the other taste. So, having said that, curse you, Coca-Cola, for your kudzian proliferation of Fanta throughout the civilized world.

Chinotto is the opposite of fennel. The one seems decent when it is first put in the mouth, only to then have a most bitter lasting aftertaste; the other vice versa. And, chinotto has ties to fascism.

Damn it, I'm in Europe, I want Orangina.
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Today’s word: Chinotto

Anchorman has its moments, admittedly. Unfortunately, there are better parodies of news shows in modern satire; this one doesn’t try to be good, just funny. And the humor is of people lying badly. It also probably should have been seen prior to viewing Talladega Nights.
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Today’s word: Sveglia

Despite the bad travel karma starting upon leaving the Centro and continuing to return, I accomplished what I wanted to in Florence: Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, a touch of Wash U, an enchilada, and precedent set. And now I know what not to do for future trips. I will give Florence this: As strongly as I must say the Tiber flows, the Arno could wrestle it.
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Today’s word: Retardo

[Back, with the weekend's travel karma hopefully finally ended.]

Florence for the weekend, with an Italian SIM cell number: (39) 328-975-3404
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Today’s word: Treno

There is a television channel in Italy called FoxCrime. It is not intended to be ironic.
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Today’s word: Ammorbidente

“There’s some weird echoing, and I sound petulant.”

If you ever don’t want to talk to someone, just date them and cheat on them.

"I don't want him to break up with me. He'll just date another whore."
I think that came out wrong.
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Today’s word: Fustagazione