Tuesday, April 29, 2008

History repeats itself

I've been following the political events in my own country, Italy, with mixed feelings of worry, disbelief and sadness.

In the last political election, one sign was clear to me. The left party disappeared and left the right wing with incommensurable power.

It seems to me that the concept of checks and balances totally disappeared, leaving the path open to extremists and political fanatics.

I don't know about my Italian folks but I'm kind of seeing a deja vu here. And my deja vu was even confirmed by this photo I saw today in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Romans were celebrating the victory of the new mayor of Rome, Alemanno, waving their hands with a fascist greeting. I don't know about you but images like this one make me think that Italians have forgotten about their past. And they really make me angry.


I think when I get into grad school, I will seriously think about doing a short documentary in Italy. It's definitely a good time to document a few things.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

People on camera

I took this photo this weekend. I'm kind of proud of this picture....maybe because I never shoot photos of people. I find it a little intimidating and more difficult. But I really like this one and if Matt likes it, I like it even more :)

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Acupuncture

Today I did acupuncture. For the first time. I was nervous at the beginning because I had no idea what was going to happen. Well, now I should say I wish I could afford acupuncture more often!

My symptoms have somewhat ceased and I have a feeling of general relaxation. Is it just on my mind? I would say maybe partly but not completely. It definitely took my stress out for the day.

I'll do another, last (sigh!) session on Monday. I liked it!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Austin, SXSW and more...

Last Thursday I went to Austin during the SXSW. It's hard not to get excited about Austin, especially when you live in a so much boring city like Dallas.

Austin is definitely a vibrant city with good looking, young people walking or riding bikes in parks or around the city. The sense of community is there and is nice to see and feel.

SXSW definitely made the city more vibrant. I saw one of my favorite Italian musicians perform - Vinicio Capossela.

I also took some photos that you can see here below.





Thursday, February 28, 2008

The only good thing left in this country is....

Barack!! Go vote people!!! You that you can, go vote and make a difference.

Check these photos.

Something good

Maybe beyond my pessimism about health care and my own health, I should turn page myself and start with a fresher, more positive topic.

Well, some good news arrived a couple of weeks ago. Next fall, I will start a new academic path in documentary. I was recently accepted to an mfa program in documentary. This means three more years in Dallas. It's going to be tough but hopefully new, good challenges will come my way.

I'm excited. I'm ready to start something new and challenging.

For now, I'm just searching for money - in form of scholarships, fellowships or whatever. Money is money. $$$$ :)

No gallstones...then what is it?!

So, the mystery about the gallbladder has yet to be revealed. The result of my test was normal. No gallstones. My gallbladder, my liver look fine. So what is it? What is it that wakes me up in the middle of the night every month and keeps me in miserable conditions for long hours?

I guess the diagnosis won't come as easy as I thought. Tomorrow, I'll go back to the hospital for a follow-up visit. More of the same....or as someone would say, "It's bullshit time!" Exactly.

American healthcare system.....ahhhh, that would deserve not just an entire new blog, but an entire new chapter. This is one of the aspects that when I puke as I'm sick, it makes me want to puke on America.

Yeah. Can someone reset the healthcare system?? Wake me up when you're done. RESET!!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Me and my gallbladder

Now that my constant stress about the gre is over and am done thinking about school and tests of that sort, I can move on with life. But another important test is coming up on Monday. And this is more important than scores and numbers on the gre. It's about my health.

I'm doing an ultrasound on Monday to find out why my gallbladder is being so capricious. For the past six months, me and my gallbladder have been on a constant fight, not getting along at all. Every month I get sick, like I've never been sick before and I feel like I'm about to die.

So, for lack of health coverage and personal stubborness, I refused in six months to go see a doctor, hoping that the painful and long attacks would cease at one point.

Well, they didn't.

They actually continued. So, after six months of pure sickness, I decided to force myself into a strict diet. Only whole wheat, very few veggies, like beets, carrots and potatoes. Everything boiled. Nothing raw. No meat, no eggs, no chocolate, no coffee. NO fat whatsoever. It's probably the worst treatment human beings can give to themselves. The worst punishment - not being able to eat the things they like. It's worse than abstinence from sex. It's a deprivation of one of the best pleasures in life. Not that sex is not one of them...but believe me, food reaches another level, I think.

So, Monday is the day. The big day. I will found out what's wrong with my gallbladder and how many stones, if any, I have.

For now, I keep dieting...and unfortunately lose weight that I don't need to lose. But one day, one day, hopefully soon enough, I'll be able again to eat a slice of pizza, a few delicacies that I think I have almost forgotten their taste and experience the bliss that only good food can provide.

For now, I'll leave you with a sad, baked potato I ate last Sunday in Fort Worth. Sigh!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The GRE hour is approaching fast

I'm taking the gre in a couple of hours today. A little nervous but I can't wait to be done with it. Hope it goes well and will help me get a generous fellowship. After this, I'm almost done with tests....well, not until Monday for another and maybe more important test. Will post photos soon....

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Again I'm here on this blogosphere!

content is coming soon, but very soon. For now, wish me good luck on the gre tomorrow!!