Monthly Archives: May 2009

Snip snap snip

Posted on May 31, 2009 by

For someone whose media empire is based on vulgarity, indiscretion and an obsession with what famous people get up to in their spare time, assuming that’s still a meaningful concept, Silvio Berlusconi’s attempt to block the publication of photographs taken … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy | Leave a comment

Teddy Thompson sings Ain’t No Sunshine

Posted on May 31, 2009 by

One of my favourite songs done by one of my favourite singers.

Posted in music, teddy thompson | 4 Comments

Bestsellerdom

Posted on May 29, 2009 by

Don’t blink or you’ll miss it, but The Scent of Cinnamon has made the Amazon top 100 short story list. OK, I’m 93rd, but I’m in very good company, rubbing shoulders with Somerset Maugham, Alice Munro, Henry James et al. … Continue reading →

Posted in amazon, the scent of cinnamon | 3 Comments

Some are more equal

Posted on May 28, 2009 by

Remember the ministries in 1984? The Ministry of Peace, responsible for war; the Ministry of Love, responsible for torture? Most governments are more subtle about this sort of thing, but Italy, a country that enjoys subtlety in so many guises, … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, carfagna, equality, homophobia, italy | 1 Comment

Holiday advice

Posted on May 25, 2009 by

Just in case you were wondering where to go this summer…

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Family holidays

Posted on May 25, 2009 by

According to the ex-boyfriend of Noemi Letizia, the 18-year-old knicker model and would-be member of parliament who refers to Silvio Berlusconi as her ‘papi‘, Noemi was invited to one of SB’s villas in Sardinia last summer, along with 30 or … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, blair, italy, politics, sex | Leave a comment

Why Italy is boring

Posted on May 23, 2009 by

I admit it. I’ve been putting this off. Partly because I’m no authority on Italy and don’t want to pass myself off as one. I just live here, along with 60 million other people, many of whom have greater claim … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, italy, politics | 6 Comments