I'm sitting here now on my bed blogging to you, listening to Miles Davis. Not only Miles Davis, but his best work in my opinion, "So What"; a very simple piece in structure from a theoretical stand point. So, what? SO WHAT!? What is it all about anyway? Today has been spent painting for most of the day, and sketching. What is my subject? The one and the only Chopin himself, quite possibly the greatest romantic artist that ever lived. Some will say, "He's not an artist, he's a musician!" Oh but on the contrary! Musicians paint with noise, they choose from a color palate of emotion and feelings of which they want to paint the canvas with from paper to heart. Music to me is more than just a medium to carry the void of every day life, making that every day life some what easier to bear. No, music is a talent, and a gift that can be opened again and again and again. Musicians even included refrains and choruses, to help drive this point home. So what does it all mean? If you were Miles Davis, perhaps life means that regardless of the simplicity from a theoretical stand point, life can be complicated. Here in Italy life isn't too complicated. Wake up, art. Eat, art. Study break, more art. Italian, the artistic language. Eat, drink, sleep, repeat.
However, its the complications, the colors of the trip... every other ingredient of this amazing opportunity that makes this trip colorful, and worthwhile. Chopin and Davis have different styles to say the least, but both musicians had a knack for getting to people. I cannot help but be taken back to a state of mental focus, meditation, and release every time I hear this piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtIW2r1EalM (please listen to it while you continue to read!) Today's grand discovery has brought me great joy. I have found a tuned piano in the villa which I have fallen in love with. I've had cravings you see.. desperate cravings that I've needed to fulfill. I've been without the ability to sit down and mesmerize myself in the harmonic melodies of a piano in a long time. Now, fortunately I have that ability and it's fantastic! Dedicated to Chopin, I've not only painted his portrait but I've played his music for all to hear. So what does it all mean you ask? Each and every day, we can find reasons to make life more colorful, regardless the medium. I've grown fond of such mediums of music and pen on paper, what will you create?
Stay classy... stay strong, be colorful
LS
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Friday October 10 Journal
Hey folks, ciao and all!
Today was another journey up north. We visited the Ara Pacis here in Rome, what a beautiful building that is! A refreshing upbeat modern contemporary building in the midst of such crowded and congested baroque and renaissance architecture. It sure sticks out like a thumb though, that's for sure; but not sore by any means. It's nice to see some simplicity in design, especially with art. Let the building be a basis, a frame. The artwork inside should be where the attention is drawn, in my opinion. The building of white steel, concrete, sandstone and mostly glass gave an ora pleasant to the mind. Finding the alter dedicated to the legend of the one and only Augustus, was extraordinary. The opportunity to walk around this extravagance was an experience to say the least. I was thrilled when I saw the intricate artwork that was involved in such a process, and that I got to see this first hand. To think of Rome as such an advanced society for its time, I'm pleased to learn from them. As an American I have realized how much we've taken away from the Roman republic, kingdom and empire. Our nation's senate takes note from the Roman law, as well as our overall justice system.
The thrills didn't stop here, for we visited a villa that used to belong to a Pope turned museum and tourist attraction. The beauty of the villa was only compared in quality with the amount of artifacts preserved in such amazing condition that they're still enjoyable over 2000 years later. It's honestly hard to believe that such a civilization would leave behind so many relics for our generation and civilization to discover and learn from. What will we leave behind? I can see it now; someday the Iphone 6 will be behind some shield and preserved on display for beings to stare at and take futuristic photographs of. Maybe they'll take art history classes on grafitti and street art, which we seem to leave behind more than footprints. Rome is plastered with the stuff, and after awhile it actually begins to grow on you; though I have no idea what it means less than a tenth of the time. As I lay here on my bed blogging to you, the window to the street is open, and the white silk curtains blow to and fro mildly with the hot humid wind from the Roman air. We're not too far from a wonderful gelataria, and a restaurant with the greatest homemade pasta and delicious house wine cheaper than 10 Euro, and worth more than $20.00 American easy. Though our challenges of art history comprehension are coming to a gliding finish to understanding, it will be nice to have another topic to study. As a man who has very few lessons in art history under my belt; this experience was definitely shell shock.Well, all in all its a learning experience and that's what this trip is all about.
Until next time, stay classy.
LS
Today was another journey up north. We visited the Ara Pacis here in Rome, what a beautiful building that is! A refreshing upbeat modern contemporary building in the midst of such crowded and congested baroque and renaissance architecture. It sure sticks out like a thumb though, that's for sure; but not sore by any means. It's nice to see some simplicity in design, especially with art. Let the building be a basis, a frame. The artwork inside should be where the attention is drawn, in my opinion. The building of white steel, concrete, sandstone and mostly glass gave an ora pleasant to the mind. Finding the alter dedicated to the legend of the one and only Augustus, was extraordinary. The opportunity to walk around this extravagance was an experience to say the least. I was thrilled when I saw the intricate artwork that was involved in such a process, and that I got to see this first hand. To think of Rome as such an advanced society for its time, I'm pleased to learn from them. As an American I have realized how much we've taken away from the Roman republic, kingdom and empire. Our nation's senate takes note from the Roman law, as well as our overall justice system.
The thrills didn't stop here, for we visited a villa that used to belong to a Pope turned museum and tourist attraction. The beauty of the villa was only compared in quality with the amount of artifacts preserved in such amazing condition that they're still enjoyable over 2000 years later. It's honestly hard to believe that such a civilization would leave behind so many relics for our generation and civilization to discover and learn from. What will we leave behind? I can see it now; someday the Iphone 6 will be behind some shield and preserved on display for beings to stare at and take futuristic photographs of. Maybe they'll take art history classes on grafitti and street art, which we seem to leave behind more than footprints. Rome is plastered with the stuff, and after awhile it actually begins to grow on you; though I have no idea what it means less than a tenth of the time. As I lay here on my bed blogging to you, the window to the street is open, and the white silk curtains blow to and fro mildly with the hot humid wind from the Roman air. We're not too far from a wonderful gelataria, and a restaurant with the greatest homemade pasta and delicious house wine cheaper than 10 Euro, and worth more than $20.00 American easy. Though our challenges of art history comprehension are coming to a gliding finish to understanding, it will be nice to have another topic to study. As a man who has very few lessons in art history under my belt; this experience was definitely shell shock.Well, all in all its a learning experience and that's what this trip is all about.
Until next time, stay classy.
LS
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Wednesday 10/8 Journal
Love to all my friends and family back in the states.
Stay classy, Big Red out.
LS
Monday, October 6, 2014
MON OCT 6 Journal
Hey guys,
Today we've returned back to Rome, and I've got to say it's refreshing. The beauty of Taormina yesterday was overwhelming, and I took way too many pictures. As we walked through the thin and fairytale like streets, the essence of small town Europe collapsed over me once more in a blanket of comfort. Small town Europe is a craving of cleanliness, so much different than I could've pictured it to be. When one sees a movie involving a drama of some sort there's a very good chance that movie involves Europe in one way or another, and what better way to experience dramatic romance in Europe other than Italy? Right? Everybody knows this yes? So with that picture you think of the graceful little bistro that sits on cobbled streets, of narrow passage of tethered stucco and marble. A wooden hanging sign faces the streets and swings back and forth, to and fro on cast iron chain beside a baroque street lamp casting warm ambiance upon that table for two. That table with the white table cloth, and small bouquet of roses no higher than the candles beside it. Here is where our imaginations will take us, inspired by such realities as Taormina.
We stopped at an Irish pub for lunch, the four of us in our group (myself, Sorcha, Michaela, and Chris) and the lunch we had there was exquisite. I haven't had such amazing orange juice like the orange juice I had here. It seriously was worth the 10 Euro's I didn't realize I was spending on it. I was frustrated when I figured it out, but then... well then the deductible juice hit my throat and the world just sort of stopped for a moment. To say the least my presentation on the Teatro Greco on site at Taormina, Sicily was wonderful as well, going smoother than anticipated. Overall, its just been a great day. I'm starting to get internet at a constant rate now, so the blog should pick up a bit to more of a daily basis or as close to daily as I can. Thanks for following, stay classy!
LS
Today we've returned back to Rome, and I've got to say it's refreshing. The beauty of Taormina yesterday was overwhelming, and I took way too many pictures. As we walked through the thin and fairytale like streets, the essence of small town Europe collapsed over me once more in a blanket of comfort. Small town Europe is a craving of cleanliness, so much different than I could've pictured it to be. When one sees a movie involving a drama of some sort there's a very good chance that movie involves Europe in one way or another, and what better way to experience dramatic romance in Europe other than Italy? Right? Everybody knows this yes? So with that picture you think of the graceful little bistro that sits on cobbled streets, of narrow passage of tethered stucco and marble. A wooden hanging sign faces the streets and swings back and forth, to and fro on cast iron chain beside a baroque street lamp casting warm ambiance upon that table for two. That table with the white table cloth, and small bouquet of roses no higher than the candles beside it. Here is where our imaginations will take us, inspired by such realities as Taormina.
We stopped at an Irish pub for lunch, the four of us in our group (myself, Sorcha, Michaela, and Chris) and the lunch we had there was exquisite. I haven't had such amazing orange juice like the orange juice I had here. It seriously was worth the 10 Euro's I didn't realize I was spending on it. I was frustrated when I figured it out, but then... well then the deductible juice hit my throat and the world just sort of stopped for a moment. To say the least my presentation on the Teatro Greco on site at Taormina, Sicily was wonderful as well, going smoother than anticipated. Overall, its just been a great day. I'm starting to get internet at a constant rate now, so the blog should pick up a bit to more of a daily basis or as close to daily as I can. Thanks for following, stay classy!
LS
Sunday, October 5, 2014
9/27 Journal
Wow, where to begin, I have no idea it's seriously just been that amazing of a day. I feel amazing, because the world has blessed me with such a wondrous creation called Perugia. A city full of life, a cobblestone checkerboard, a game of life worth playing to get to. I however did not take enough pictures today, only in the 500's. From an ancient underground city preserved beneath a church, to a Corinthian Catholic church with the most incredible stonework and artistry that I have ever experienced in my life. We were early to rise, and arrived to the church around 10:00, with a nice walk through the city to get there after our hosts dropped us off in town. What a tour! Holy artwork batman! I mean there was not one single inch of that church not painted. Now when I say painted, I don't mean titanium white, with a base primer; I mean not one single inch was not some gorgeous christian work of art painted to be the seams. Next was lunch, a treat from the wonderful Ms. Rosella. Not only lunch, the best pizza I have ever had in my life. I can't really imagine myself eating any other pizza from the states again, with that same excitement as I had today.
Sunshine, what a gift we have in sunshine. It's a soft kiss upon the world, providing a warm sensation of bliss to all that walk within it. The sunshine today was something to write home about. The Mediterranean sun shone its heart out, and I was loving it. Sunscreen of course is a necessity in this lifetime for a guy like me. Being red all over is not a good look. So with plenty of sunscreen we proceeded to tour an amazing museum. Seeing such beautiful country, with the hilltops decorated with intertwined cities. Cities that have withstood the test of time, and influence from all over the world. This is my paradise.
LS
Wow, where to begin, I have no idea it's seriously just been that amazing of a day. I feel amazing, because the world has blessed me with such a wondrous creation called Perugia. A city full of life, a cobblestone checkerboard, a game of life worth playing to get to. I however did not take enough pictures today, only in the 500's. From an ancient underground city preserved beneath a church, to a Corinthian Catholic church with the most incredible stonework and artistry that I have ever experienced in my life. We were early to rise, and arrived to the church around 10:00, with a nice walk through the city to get there after our hosts dropped us off in town. What a tour! Holy artwork batman! I mean there was not one single inch of that church not painted. Now when I say painted, I don't mean titanium white, with a base primer; I mean not one single inch was not some gorgeous christian work of art painted to be the seams. Next was lunch, a treat from the wonderful Ms. Rosella. Not only lunch, the best pizza I have ever had in my life. I can't really imagine myself eating any other pizza from the states again, with that same excitement as I had today.
Sunshine, what a gift we have in sunshine. It's a soft kiss upon the world, providing a warm sensation of bliss to all that walk within it. The sunshine today was something to write home about. The Mediterranean sun shone its heart out, and I was loving it. Sunscreen of course is a necessity in this lifetime for a guy like me. Being red all over is not a good look. So with plenty of sunscreen we proceeded to tour an amazing museum. Seeing such beautiful country, with the hilltops decorated with intertwined cities. Cities that have withstood the test of time, and influence from all over the world. This is my paradise.
LS
Friday, October 3, 2014
10/3 Journal
Ciao!
This evening we arrived in Catania, a city towards the shores of Sicily. The city reminds me of those classic Sherlock Holmes episodes with Jeremy Brett; from the romantic architecture and presence of the past. Today is the first day I've been able to blog in a while due to the scarce internet supply and slow speeds. What makes this city unique? That I am yet to find out, it follows a few patterns that are unfortunately common in Sicily; the filth the crowded streets, and the stench. Though it is nicer in some of these categories relatively speaking, it is still bad. The amount of trash on the streets and the sides of the roads is sad, and honestly heartbreaking. I'm not normally one to gripe about the world's habits on pollution etc. normally I just let it go. However, here in Sicily, I am not able to do so so easily. The first destination we traveled to after our arrival to the island on the 29th, was Palermo, Sicily or Sicila as is natively spelled. "Little Iraq" is the running joke, as the description of the place. I've researched that the presence of middle eastern influence is popular, but I didn't know it was this popular. I mean that in the least amount of offense, though still it almost feels as though there is a presence of danger on every street corner. Traffic laws are a joke, almost as hilarious as the air to breathe. Stars are a faded dream, as the pollution is thick enough to be cut up and fried with eggs... rotten eggs would be more accurate I suppose.
The bottom layer, or first floor of all the buildings is covered inch by inch with graffiti, and above it all the baroque and renaissance to classic and romantic architecture remains in better condition. Honestly the city is laid out as though a jig puzzle. Piecing together one's position within the city is comparable to completing a jigsaw puzzle while someone is shaking the table with a jackhammer. Yet, once you get your groove, and a somewhat sense of direction through repetition it is bearable and a sense of peace is restored. The streets are so old, the painted lines are faded and glossed over from oil stains and debris constantly battered against it like a blacksmith's anvil. The urge to wash one's feet is constant, after taking only a few steps through the city. If you can get passed all the chaos and violet noises the interiors of some battered facades are really quite remarkable. The hotel we stayed in was surprisingly nice despite its illusions of decay from the exterior view. Power however, is a problem as the voltage is not nearly high enough to charge my Mac; again hence the lack of journals lately, my apologies to my followers!
To summarize the last few days, I will upload several pictures to tell more than words can. I'm still enjoying myself very much, and thank all of those that made this possible. I thank my professor Mark Moak for his tolerance and patience with all of us crazy college folk. From getting myself left behind in a village after the bus left without me from a communication error, to organizing the epic voyages across the back alleys and hellish roadways of Palermo to get to the bus each morning; he has done a fantastic job keeping us all in tact. Kudos Mark! I feel blessed to be one of your fortunate students tagging along on this journey. We've had great times at the beach, hiking through wildlife reserves and relaxing at dinner with wine and stellar food. This trip is definitely changing me, and I feel I will never be the same person again; not that it's in a bad way, but I have definitely had to reboot my conscious a few times from sheer overload of data. We have had a fabulous bus driver, Mr. Carmelo a native to Sicily and resembling Antonio Banderas if I'm honest. He's put up with our pit-stops every time we've needed them with no complaints. He's been punctual and forgiving if we have not been. To thank him I gave him a generous tip from my own wallet along with a fine bottle of Malbec (Red Wine) I felt he deserved. My taste for wine is getting snobish, and I'm sort of proud of that. Wines that we couldn't have for under $70.00 US we can find for around 20,00 Euros which is fantastic I must add. Thank you followers, for your patience in waiting for my next entry. I miss you all back home, think of you and how great it would be if you were here with me!
Please comment, and ask questions as they come to you! Until next time, Ciao!
LS
This evening we arrived in Catania, a city towards the shores of Sicily. The city reminds me of those classic Sherlock Holmes episodes with Jeremy Brett; from the romantic architecture and presence of the past. Today is the first day I've been able to blog in a while due to the scarce internet supply and slow speeds. What makes this city unique? That I am yet to find out, it follows a few patterns that are unfortunately common in Sicily; the filth the crowded streets, and the stench. Though it is nicer in some of these categories relatively speaking, it is still bad. The amount of trash on the streets and the sides of the roads is sad, and honestly heartbreaking. I'm not normally one to gripe about the world's habits on pollution etc. normally I just let it go. However, here in Sicily, I am not able to do so so easily. The first destination we traveled to after our arrival to the island on the 29th, was Palermo, Sicily or Sicila as is natively spelled. "Little Iraq" is the running joke, as the description of the place. I've researched that the presence of middle eastern influence is popular, but I didn't know it was this popular. I mean that in the least amount of offense, though still it almost feels as though there is a presence of danger on every street corner. Traffic laws are a joke, almost as hilarious as the air to breathe. Stars are a faded dream, as the pollution is thick enough to be cut up and fried with eggs... rotten eggs would be more accurate I suppose.
The bottom layer, or first floor of all the buildings is covered inch by inch with graffiti, and above it all the baroque and renaissance to classic and romantic architecture remains in better condition. Honestly the city is laid out as though a jig puzzle. Piecing together one's position within the city is comparable to completing a jigsaw puzzle while someone is shaking the table with a jackhammer. Yet, once you get your groove, and a somewhat sense of direction through repetition it is bearable and a sense of peace is restored. The streets are so old, the painted lines are faded and glossed over from oil stains and debris constantly battered against it like a blacksmith's anvil. The urge to wash one's feet is constant, after taking only a few steps through the city. If you can get passed all the chaos and violet noises the interiors of some battered facades are really quite remarkable. The hotel we stayed in was surprisingly nice despite its illusions of decay from the exterior view. Power however, is a problem as the voltage is not nearly high enough to charge my Mac; again hence the lack of journals lately, my apologies to my followers!
To summarize the last few days, I will upload several pictures to tell more than words can. I'm still enjoying myself very much, and thank all of those that made this possible. I thank my professor Mark Moak for his tolerance and patience with all of us crazy college folk. From getting myself left behind in a village after the bus left without me from a communication error, to organizing the epic voyages across the back alleys and hellish roadways of Palermo to get to the bus each morning; he has done a fantastic job keeping us all in tact. Kudos Mark! I feel blessed to be one of your fortunate students tagging along on this journey. We've had great times at the beach, hiking through wildlife reserves and relaxing at dinner with wine and stellar food. This trip is definitely changing me, and I feel I will never be the same person again; not that it's in a bad way, but I have definitely had to reboot my conscious a few times from sheer overload of data. We have had a fabulous bus driver, Mr. Carmelo a native to Sicily and resembling Antonio Banderas if I'm honest. He's put up with our pit-stops every time we've needed them with no complaints. He's been punctual and forgiving if we have not been. To thank him I gave him a generous tip from my own wallet along with a fine bottle of Malbec (Red Wine) I felt he deserved. My taste for wine is getting snobish, and I'm sort of proud of that. Wines that we couldn't have for under $70.00 US we can find for around 20,00 Euros which is fantastic I must add. Thank you followers, for your patience in waiting for my next entry. I miss you all back home, think of you and how great it would be if you were here with me!
Please comment, and ask questions as they come to you! Until next time, Ciao!
LS
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