sei cose a caso / six random things

Peter of Detectives Beyond Borders tagged me with the "six random things about yourself" meme in this post. I hereby comply with the meme's request.

Randomness does not really apply to this selection process, because I don't have a jar full of things about myself from which, with eyes covered, I can pick six items at random. Still, I tried to let chance (il caso) guide my choice (scelta), at least to some extent: I picked six things from my hyper-chaotic desk to tell you something about myself through them.

1. As a child, I wanted to learn to bind books (rilegare libri). There was a bindery next to my parents' house and for me it was a magic place. I never went inside and could not see much from the outside, so I didn't know what binding books was actually about, but I loved the idea. Many years later, when I was at Mills College studying Computer Science, I took Book Arts classes and my dream came true.
2. I am a compulsive collector of things that I find when I walk on the beach (spiaggia): pieces of wood, fragments of shells, pebbles. I think these objects tell stories. The piece of wood in the photo was an amazing find.
3. I write with a fountain pen (penna stilografica). I started using fountain pens when I was in second grade or so. As a consequence, my white apron had ink stains, of which I was very proud, because they proved that I was hard at work with my pen.
4. I like Baci Perugina. I was born and grew up in Perugia, where these chocolates were created. My deep love for chocolate started very early.
5. In college (in Milan) I studied English and German (language and literature). I wrote my thesis (which students must do in Italy to graduate) on a novel by Edith Wharton and still enjoy her works. Suggested (short) reading: Roman Fever.
6. I am a great admirer of violinist Joshua Bell. The first time I listened to him in concert, some years ago, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I have had many such experiences ever since. A few years ago, I sent him an email inviting him to taste some of my home made ice cream. The only time in my life I have tried to make contact with a celebrity, I received no answer. My admiration for him was not affected, nor was my enjoyment of ice cream making.

After revealing six things about myself, I am required to pass along the meme to six bloggers and here they are, in alphabetical order: Almost Turkish Recipes, An Italian in the US, Babbling Blueberry, Baking History, Champaign Taste and Taste with the Eyes.

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Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post: 

sei cose a caso

or launch the  sei cose a caso  audio file [mp3].

[Depending on your set-up, the audio file will be played within the browser or by your mp3 player application. Please, contact me if you encounter any problems.]

Comments

[Maryann]

It's always nice to learn more about you, Simona. Hugs!

[Lisa]

Interesting info. I like Baci, too. And now I must read the Wharton short story and find the Joshua Bell CD! Your book, by the way, is beautiful.

[Peter]

That's quite a list, starting from the first item. Bookbinder is on that list of things I'd like to be if I were something else. It's not as high as neuroscientist, but it is right up there with cartoonist.

I write with a fountain pen, too, and I will henceforth take pride in my ink stains.

==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/

[Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes]

HI Simona - thanks for recognizing me with the meme. I am a bit apprehensive about that, but maybe I will give it a try.

The part about Joshua Bell and ice cream is adorable.

[Susan]

Wharton in one hand, baci in the other. Simona, thanks for these lovely little glimpses of your life. Very nice.

[bee]

fountain pens make writing an experience, not a chore. it was fun reading your meme.

[Lucy]

Lovely to know just a little more about you.

I'm about to embark on a book-binding journey with a local, traditional craftsman.

Can't wait!

[Paz]

Very cool random facts! I have one of Joshua's cds on my ipod. Too bad you never heard from him. I think he missed out on some delicious ice cream. ;-)

Paz (who loves baci, too!)

[Marta]

How interesting. I didn't realize you studied English and German in college.. You have a lot of different fields of expertise!
I love penne stilografiche too :)

[Simona]

Thanks Maryann and Lisa.

Neuroscience is indeed an interesting field, Peter. Cartoonist is something I have never thought about, maybe because I cannot draw.

This was the first meme for me too, Lori Lynn. It's fun, you'll see.

Thanks Susan.

I agree, Bee.

That's great, Lucy: I hope you'll share your experience with your readers.

Thanks Paz. I should not say this about me, but I also think he missed out.

Yes, Marta, after getting my nursing diploma, I went on to study something quite different.

[nipsum]

How do you do.
I hope to see blog.
Please link to this site.

[comidademama]

Cara simona, quando ho letto "fuso orario" e "ritardo" nel post di cuoche dell'altro mondo mi sono detta
"Simona vive in USA" E avevo ragione!
Ciao, mi chiamo Elena e vivo a Cambridge MA
mi è piaciuto sentire la tua voce via mp3
Ti ho iscritta nei feed così cercherò di seguirti anche s e volte sono così tanti che faccio un gran reset e aspetto il prossimo turno

A presto

[Simona Carini]

Piacere di conoscerti, Elena. Anche tu ora sei nel mio Bloglines, cosi' posso seguire le tue avventure.