Waiting for better news

And finally she (the waitress) wrote in English on the milk surface of the coffee cup :-)

Last week I talked with a dear blogging friend from the UK, Willie. We also mentioned through email a famous Italian sugary cake filled with cheese. Its name is Cassata. My sister, who live in Naples (South Italy), makes that cake at home three or four times a year. It seems it is not a cake for beginners.

Its name derives from the Latin term for cheese, caseus, or from the Arab word qas'at , which means cake pan. The American version of this wonderful cake is also decorated with strawberries, which give some freshness to the sweet cake.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/italian-cassata-cake-recipe-305361

Unfortunately, I have just heard that one of the organizers for the Ottawa Trucker Convoy, Tamara Lich, had been found dead in her cell in Ottawa from an apparent strangulation. Can we say that her death was suspicious? ... considering that Tamara Linch was not suicidal. One year ago an Italian doctor, Giuseppe De Donno, who became famous for having discovered and proposed the cure of hyperimmune plasma to defeat Covid-19, committed suicide by hanging himself in his house. He had criticized the Health Ministry and proposed his own innovative therapy. That's enough, as nowadays it is easy to become a paranoid conspiracy theorist. 

In addition, last week we heard many bad news from East Europe. At the moment Moscow prepare for talks and Ukrainian delegation arrives for negotiations. I hope we will hear good news soon!

Have a nice week!

Winter running outfit





I'm sorry for the delay in writing posts considering that I wrote my last post in January. However, I've been reading my running friends's blogs with their reflections, comments and opinions about running, healthy food, outdoor lifestyle and other topics. We, friends of our blogging community, do not need to be a journalist to write an interesting blog: reading your blogs gives me the chance to know thousands of new ideas, trends and places all around the world.

I notice you that since February 14th I've been having  connection problems with some websites, such as Amy, Black Knight and Char's blogs ... I don't know why! Anyway, if I didn't understand where the fault is I would communicate through emails soon.  

As you can see in the photo, I'm still running in the dark ... that's why I'm compelled to wear yellow running clothes :)

I will not bore you with the  uncertainty of Italian 2013 election and the  impact of its outcome on the euro currency.

Happy running to everyone!

The Earth has another three billion years

A new year begins soon, in spite of the end of the Mayan Calendar which finishes on December 21st (or 12nd), 2012 ... and nobody seems to be worried about the theory and its hypothetical cataclysm :) The prophecy was a mistranslation that has been portrayed in the media. As you know, people tend to be sheep! The planet is going to go on and has another three billion years. But we will have to deal with other issues: unemployment and pollution in Western countries, human rights and wars in the muslim part of the world such as Syria, Egypt and Nigeria. We, people who live in the Northern emisphere of the world, have taken everything for granted, particularly fuels, commodities, environment and that sort of things. Anyway, I am reasonably optimistic although we have got to be careful: the ecological footprint of nations shows that humans are horribly depleting the world, but I think there's an optimistic future!

The photo above was taken two weeks ago when I went to Rome for shopping. It shows the big Christmas three which was set up in Vatican Square.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Pumpkins

 Yesterday I enjoyed  running 55 minutes through a soft rain. It was really pleasant because the weather is still warm enough here in Central Italy, where such weather conditions are unusual in October.
The photo shows a particular of the beautiful farm and its well maintained ground, where I bought two pumpkins this morning. That farm is located 15 km North from my town, but I didn't buy the pumpkins because of  Halloween history and traditions :) We have planned to  cook an easy soup with pumpkin puree. As you know, people who live on the edge of the Mediterranean sea don't celebrate Halloween. Its origin lies in the traditions of the Celtic people although that festival takes place mainly in the U.S..

I've just heard good news with regards to my post about the Italian politicians, which I wrote on  November, 8th, 2011.  A judge convicted former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi for tax fraud. Mr. Berlusconi faces a year in jail, but he is unlikely to serve the sentence, as prison terms in Italy aren't carried out until the lengthy appeals process is exhausted. What a shame! I hate those politicians who pretend to be pious and break the law!

Do you celebrate halloween in your country?

Next 10 km race

Thanks to all my blogger friend for the kind words and the support about my daughter's accident. As you know, everything is fine and no major injuries.

Unfortunately, I haven't written any post since April, 30th. Life has been busy! First of all my daughter's accident, then my wife was hill and last week I went to Naples where my mother lives (she's dealing with a legal matter about real estate and I am helping her).

That's why I'm running less than three times a week. However, I haven't put on weight and this is a good goal :) and I've planned to run a 10 km race on Saturday, 26th, although I am not adequately trained for it. Next Saturday  the 1st edition of the Village of Ceri's 10 km race starts at 6 pm.
http://www.romaepiu.it/en/content/village-ceri

Political snapshot: Centre-left and protest parties have made gains in Italy's local elections, amid widespread discontent with the government's austerity drive. In France, last Sunday socialist Hollande defeats Sarkozy for Presidency.

This week an article titled "A big fat zero" was  published by the economist. The title's meaning is related to Europe's GDP stagnated in the first quarter although we've seen an unexpectedly strong German economy. Official data showed the German economy expanded faster than expected in the first three months of this year.
Last year while I was in Germany I took this unusual picture below. I took it from the Sankt Peter Kirche's tower in Munich.

Tomorrow I'm doing a long run although Sunday weather forecast looks bad!

Have a nice running and hiking weekend! 

Mayor election

Last Saturday my daughter Laura and her friend Demetra had an accident. They had planned with other friends to go to "Subway" to eat something and they decided to go by motorbike. At 12:50 pm, while they were going to the pub above mentioned, which is located next to the port, a car driven by a silly lawyer hit their motorbike and they both fell. My wife and I were afraid she had had an injury but the doctor of the Civitavecchia's hospital said that there wasn't any problem. Her right knee is in good conditions but this morning she still had shoulder pain. Now she feels better and her friend Demetra is in good conditions too.

A well organized 7.8 km race was held yesterday in Grosseto (Tuscany): beautiful environment, soft and flat running path, good loot (wine, rice, honey and biscuits), great post race refreshment point and about 150 runners.  The scenery was interesting and we ran along green fields where we could see a lot of brown horses. The time taken was  4.55 min/km and I did't run that short race with  my competitive spirit because I was not (and I'm not) adequately trained for it. Stefano ran that race as training too and I have just known that he have got knee pain. I hope that he will feel better soon.

Local Politics: Civitavecchia’s Mayor election will be held on Sunday, May, 6th. I can't predict who will win and with how many casualties but I have seen that most election candidates are lawyers and doctors. Consequently: lawyers + doctors = Italian local politicians  :)

That gives me the opportunity to share with you the following joke which is titled “The doctor and the lawyer”:

A doctor and a lawyer were talking at a party. Their conversation was constantly interrupted by people describing their ailments and asking the doctor for free medical advice.

After an hour of this, the exasperated doctor asked the lawyer: "What do you do to stop people from asking you for legal advice when you're out of the office?"

The lawyer replied: "I give it to them! And then I send them the bill."

The doctor was shoked, but agreed to give it a try. The next day, still feeling guilty, he prepared the bills. When he went to place them in his mailbox, he found a bill from the lawyer. 

I hope all my blogger friends will have a nice 1st May holiday!

10 km race to help charities

On Sunday, December, 18th the Liberty Christmas run starts in my town. It's its first edition and it will be organized to help many charities. I hope that hundreds of runners will run this 10 km race although in the same day another Christmas race starts in Orbetello (Tuscany).
Today I ran with the group along the race's track which is situated around the industrial area in the northern side of the town.
After the warm-up (25 mins) we did 8 x 5 mins repeats at a average pace of 5.10 min./km. It's a good pace considering that the track was hilly and it wasn't easy. At this point, I would need to lose weight, 3 kg at least. It's always the same problem before every race. So, I'm going to increase healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables ... and of course, less both red wine and beer ... in the Autumn I love having red wine with chocolate and chestnut :) Moreover, carbs (bread, pasta, pizza and potatoes) are really dangerous at dinner. Although I enjoy the kitchen table, I'll try to monitor calories ... until Sunday, December, 18th :)

On the political front, while economic newspapers in the world are writing that Europe stands on the brink of disaster, in Italy there are people who predict disaster, quite routinely, in order to justify the distruction of social security and other popular programs: I hope that conservatives in the world don't exist any more. And if they were to resurface today in the policy world they would be taken seriously by no one. 

The second photo shows the Mignone river, situated 100 km North from Rome.  Last week I was here for job.

I hope all you blogger friends will have a nice week and a happy running!

17 km long run on Sunday, November, 20th

Hi to everyone,

On Friday, November, 18th, Stefano sent me this photo which was taken last summer while I was running a 6 km race. He found this photo through the web.

My training is going well and today I did 17 km with the group. I was delighted with the time taken which was   1 hour and 25 minutes because the track was hilly. I'm running a 10 km race next month so I'd like to increase my speed on that distance.

In the meanwhile, all the politic scenario is going to change around the Mediterranean area: from Italy to Greece and from Tunisia to Libya and Egypt. I hope politic and economic conditions will be better soon! The photo above shows  Muammar Gaddafi, former Arab nationalist  leader of Libya.

I hope you'll have a nice week!

5 km race on the night

This morning after I had read last Johann's  post about Africa's big five (Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo) I met two couples from South Africa. They were visiting Mediterranean countries and travelling by a cruise ship with other South African people. They were looking for the beach and asked me some information. Moreover, they were trying to change their currencies and I helped them. So I discovered that the big five, which Johann showed in his post on July, 8th, are on South Africa's currency.

Today is independence day for the Republic of Southern Sudan. They celebrates Independence from North Sudan. This is a country that should have golden prospects related to its agricultural resources, large oil reserves, gold, and other minerals. There is a relatively small population too. Best whishes to the 54th State of Africa!

Yesterday I ran a nice 5 km race on the night through the old part of Orbetello (Tuscany). The atmosphere was really nice and during the race I felt good. I was delighted with my average pace which was 4.15 min/km. But the track was easy enough and completely flat. Stefano ( Black Knight ) enjoyed that race although he decided to run it as training. I'll post some photos as soon as possible.

Next Saturday I'm running a 10 km race in the night  near my town.
Nice weekend to all my blogger friends!

Different reasons for having a blog

On January, 28th, an interesting survey was held by Christina , from Phoenix, Arizona. "Why do you have a runnning blog?". That was her question. Most bloggers answered that they love sharing their thoughts and staying motivated. Blogging helps them and runners have different reasons for having a blog. Although I'm not a facebooker, I think that our blogger community is a great way to communicate and the social aspect of it is really cool.

The photo above shows the Ostia's 14 km race which I ran on January, 16th, on a sunny and beautiful Sunday. That photo was taken while I was running the 2nd km. and the Black Knight found the image through the web. Thanks for that Stefano!
After I had run the race I took the photo which you can see below. It shows  the refreshments which was held after the race. Good organization: we had  a lot of food and drinks such as fruits, pastry, cakes, sandwiches, orange juice and tea.

b

In the meanwhile, near my country, the Tunisian contagion catches on and violent protests sweep through Egypt and Yemen. Authoritarian regimes in the Mediterranean area are facing unexpected challenges that could rearrange the political landscape in the Arab world. 

This month I'm busy for job and I can't run four times a week. it's a real pity that I'm not running a race this month although I'm trying to maintain the training.

I hope all you will have a nice Sunday!

The situation remains uncertain

As matter stand, most investors want to see signs of recovery. Althought there is more money going in to the market than coming out, there aren't signs of stabilization and unemployment would may rose again. While some companies last week were forecasting a earning decrease in 2009, the German group Arcador, where there are 43,000 employees, decided to go bankrupt. G-8 finance ministers said yesterday after a meeting in Lecce, Italy, there are “signs of stabilization,” though “the situation remains uncertain.”

Meanwhile North Korea said any U.S. effort to enforce international sanctions over the communist nation’s nuclear program would be considered an act of war and be met with military force. The sanctions also call for new restrictions on loans and money transfers to North Korea. We have to think what theese global news mean for the market.

This morning while I was running I saw an old Italian war ship and I took a photo. You can see the old ship in the picture above posted. On the other side of the sea harbour there was an Italian aircraft carrier. Its photo is down here.