decisions....

...  are really that easy to make (?)

one of those days

couldn't find another video, but what a good song! 


The weather here in Italy is fantastic, so I've been going on long walks along the beach with Coco. 

Procrastination has also been something at the top of my list of priorities - I have to finish my essay, instead I have started baking. 
I could never understand people who enjoy cooking/baking - the kitchen being an area which is off-limits as whenever I attempt to do anything in there, everything goes wrong. 
I have added salt to food when it should have been sugar and vice versa, the pots and pans fall onto my feet and I grate my fingers instead of carrots.
However, some things change: I have baked 3 cakes in the last 2 days, and they've all gone down a treat. I've even invited people I barely know over, just so that I can for once in my life feel like there are some feminine attributes in me. Tea and cake accompanied by pointless chit-chat. Perfect for those hazy afternoons. 

I have baked a flourless chocolate cake and two gluten-free lemon cakes. 

Va.can.ze

Soon I'm going to be lazing around the Amalfi Coast. I am so excited. It's going to be short trip (3 nights, 4 days) and I have many things planned:

• A day exploring caves on the island of Capri, which has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic. 

• A day driving along the Amalfi Coast, stopping off at the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello and Positano etc.

• A day looking around Pompei and Herculaneum

And... a day in Napoli (where love is king)... 

J'ai hâte d'y aller!

Ham on Rye

I

I am currently reading "Ham on Rye" by Bukowski. I had never read anything by him before, but had heard various people discussing his works before. While the quality of his works may be debated, his influence as the "laureate of American lowlife" (Time Magazine) never been disputed. The novel focuses on the life of Henry Chinaski, Bukowski's alter ego - a boy from a poor background growing up during the Depression, suffering from loneliness and a particularly bad case of acne.

The book is written in an extremely forward style, which helps depict vivid images of the era and Henry's suffering. The book seems to have many parallels with Georg Samsa ('Metamorphosis' - Kafka) and to some extent Meursault ('L'Etranger - Camus): 

• the absurdity of the human race and perhaps, 

• the need to fit into society (and whatever that may mean...)

• the alienation and resulting from a "monstrous" appearance

 

Sheer Talent

impressive!

Melange

oh Österreich...

Just Added

These albums have just been added to my iTunes - so far, excellent:

 1. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Best Of

2. The Brian Setzer Orchestra - Songs From Lonenly Avenue

3. Caravan Palace - Caravan Palace

  4. Marillion - Misplaced Childhood

 5. Manu Chao - Esperanza

 6. Gogol Bordello - Trans-Continental Hustler