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Grammar and Vocabulary – Brain Fritters Posted by Geoff on Apr 28, 2014
As promised, here is the grammar and vocabulary analysis of last week’s (disgusting) Brain Fritters post. Quando ero bambina non ero vegetariana, tutt’altro ed anzi la carne mi piaceva molto, con l’eccezione del pollo, che detestavo perché lo trovavo troppo stopposo. A casa mia non mangiavamo solo fettine di filetto e bistecche, ma tutto quanto…
Dave the Sniper Posted by Geoff on Apr 22, 2014
It’s not the first time that a great work of art has been used, or abused, in order to sell a product, but the transformation of Michelangelo’s celebrated sculpture of David into a gun toting sniper seems to be ruffling a lot of feathers … Left: Michelangelo’s celebrated sculpture of David. Right: ArmaLite’s version. Is…
The Italian Tattoo Tax Posted by Geoff on Apr 16, 2014
Not long ago, in my blog The Pursuit of Happiness – Part 1., I wrote: “I’m not generally a big tattoo fan”. Well according to an article in the Giornale del Corriere it seems that I’m not the only one: Scade il 30 Giugno il pagamento dell’ISE (Imposta Sanitaria Estetica), al quale si dovranno adeguare…
What’s Happening in the Garden? Posted by Geoff on Apr 9, 2014
…. Flowers are Happening! Yesterday I had to do one of my least favourite chores … tagliare l’erba nel giardino col decespugliatore (cut the grass in the garden with the strimmer/brush cutter). I dislike this job for two reasons, 1: it’s noisy and smelly, and 2: although I know it’s necessary I hate cutting all…
How to use Molto Posted by Geoff on Apr 2, 2014
I remember when I was beginning to learn Italian that I frequently experienced moments of confusion over what should have been the simplest of things. Sound familiar? One of those theoretically ‘simple’ things was the use of molto. Let’s have at look at it’s various translations, and some examples of how we use it: 1…
La Terra delle Frane Posted by Geoff on Mar 27, 2014
Frana = Landslide At the recent European convention of geologists in Rome the massive problem of landslides in Italy was high on the agenda. LANDSLIDES, NUMBERS AND COST (red = high risk of landslides!) “In pochi numeri Gian Vito Graziano, presidente del Consiglio nazionale dei geologi, fa capire le dimensioni dei fenomeni franosi nel nostro…
A Nice Plate of Thistles Posted by Geoff on Mar 26, 2014
Serena and I just can’t agree about this: thistles … tasty, yes or no? Okay, maybe I’m being a bit harsh by calling them thistles, they’re actually called carciofi, but to me they’ll always just be big thistles, certainly to be admired for their impressive foliage and wonderful purple flower heads, but as a kid…