la Giuli si sposa

30esimo compleanno

2008-03-25T14:05:00.004Z

casa

2008-03-25T13:56:00.001Z

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/

Budapest

2007-09-04T09:11:00.000+01:00

Pix of Budapest - you can find them on Flickr (click on 'Budapest' and you'll be redirected), or on my Facebook profile.

Jazz in Budapest:
http://blip.tv/file/364185/
http://blip.tv/file/364189/
http://blip.tv/file/364191/
http://blip.tv/file/364192/

Schilpario/mountains

2007-09-03T16:33:00.001+01:00

Click on 'Schilpario' to see the pix:

Not sure what happened to blogger, but there doesn't seem to be an option to upload pix anymore? Perhaps it's just me being dizzy: it's the beginning of the week, month, new academic year and I feel I'm justified...

brumm brumm

2007-08-08T13:57:00.000+01:00

Click To Play

Cocorosie gig

2007-06-14T16:54:00.000+01:00

More pix here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/

Marije's hen week-end in the Peak District

2007-06-04T17:29:00.000+01:00

More pix here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/

Pepe

2007-05-29T13:36:00.000+01:00

Il micio di Clara - yaaaaawn, belllliisssimo :-)

arrrrrffff! sorrrrrbole!

2007-05-04T15:04:00.001+01:00

alright alright, I am obsessed...

2007-04-26T18:09:00.000+01:00

Click To Play

...with our cat. That's no big news. The big news is....he lovesÂ VIVALDI! If you play this clip, you can see for yourself.

Despite the crap recording quality, and despite the tape being almost 15 years old, it still does the job!

somersault

2007-04-26T18:04:00.001+01:00

Click To Play

ok ok, tigro got a new toy, so what?

Well, check out the somersault at the end.

OI, who said 'Yes, so what? this is no rocket science!'.

Take it back, NOW! This is Tigro, rememeber? E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g he does is amaaaaazing!

Tigro reads his first book (@ 10 months)

2007-04-26T17:22:00.000+01:00

Step 1: Put your doc glasses on

Step 2: Read about yourself

Step 3: Go back to your den and ponder on your old age

My 30th year crisis

2007-04-26T17:04:00.000+01:00

Wanna see me as a shipwrecked 29 years old woman? Check out Giulia's and Tanja's pirate birthday party!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35734870@N00/sets/72157600126674975

whirlpool

2007-02-17T11:57:00.000Z

Tigro a 8 mesi #2

2007-02-01T10:54:00.000Z

Watch the video

BTW, I think I'm going to put this on my CV. I mean, how good is this?! It proves my excellent multitasking ability to juggle a variety of resources and constraints in critical situations.

Plus what about planning and executing skills? Dur to my extraordinary forward planning ability, I could foresee the need for a specific device (my camera) days in advance (ethnographic observations revealed an emerging pattern with some remarkable exceptions which could provide excellent ground for future research). This enabled me to perform on demand (I had my camera right by the sink), just in time, and finally generate a meaningful artefact which will provide interesting insights for the wider community.

What else? I need to go back n do some real work, I imagine.

Tigro a 8 mesi

2007-02-01T10:48:00.000Z

Watch the video

Apologies for the upside down video - the reason this video is how it is, is that I was upside down myself, when I took it. Tigro obviously decided to perform his best tricks when I was in the middle of brushing my teeth, in our bathroom. So, if you see some shaking, it's because of the extreme pain I was in, having half of my body on the stool, and the other half on the floor, trying to support my arm while not swallowing huge amounts of toothpaste (Euthymol, mmmh, yummmy) and hoping that noone would step into the bathroom at that specific contingency in my life.

Enjoy!

La giornata della memoria

2007-01-27T09:48:00.000Z

NON GRIDATE PIU'
Cessate d'uccidere i morti,
Non gridate più, non gridate
Se li volete ancora udire,
Se sperate di non perire.
Hanno l'impercettibile sussurro,
Non fanno più rumore
Del crescere dell'erba,
Lieta dove non passa l'uomo.
(Giuseppe Ungaretti)

http://www.onemoreblog.it/archives/014211.html

Marije's amazing pictures

2007-01-14T14:34:00.000Z

Le nuvole

2007-01-08T16:28:00.000Z

Watch the video

Eccolo qui, il mio primo home video con Windows Movie Maker. Siccome sono una novellina, e pure poco ripigliata, abbiate pazienza se gli effetti non sono proprio 'spot on'. Soprattutto avrei voluto un effetto di chiusura del video molto piu lento (il fade out into black) - qualcuno sa come fare??? Grazie, Unknown Watcher!

New Year's Eve 2006/07

2007-01-01T13:00:00.000Z

click on the link to see us dancing away
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/

Julie and Gaffar waltzing away

2007-01-01T00:14:00.000Z

Watch the video

This video was taken in the first hour of 2007: Alex's mum and her husband show us how it's done!

Tigro a 7 mesi

2006-12-28T13:17:00.000Z

Our big fat monster has grown bigger than my laptop.

Xmas 2006

2006-12-28T12:55:00.000Z

Click on the link to view the Xmas pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/sets/72157594444303395/

and here to view our clay pigeon shooting escapade (Courtesy of Mike Tollemache)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/sets/72157594444309610/

Dancing machines

2006-12-02T14:20:00.000Z

Watch the video

Annie's Fancy Pants Party

2006-12-02T14:04:00.000Z

Click here to see the pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnorry1/sets/72157594444368857/

Quantity VS quality - an ill-defined debate?

2006-09-22T10:25:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

Behind the scenes - sweat and wine

2006-09-21T14:12:00.000+01:00

Eccole, le foto vere del matrimonio. Quelle ufficiali sono qui:
http://www.ajpsauk.com/latestweddings/alexgiulia/

Ma quelle genuine...me le dovete mandare voi! C'e' qualcuno? dai dai, mandatemi le foto che avete fatto VOI!

Dinner at Ryan & Adriana's

2006-09-21T14:02:00.000+01:00

Tigro, My Family & Other Animals...

2006-09-21T13:55:00.000+01:00

Che soddisfazioni: ecco il sangue italiano che viene fuori!

E pensare che da piccolo era (quasi) normale...

Lincoln

2006-09-21T13:50:00.000+01:00

Newsted Abbey

2006-09-21T13:48:00.000+01:00

Chatsworth

2006-09-19T20:45:00.000+01:00

Eric Goulder, Stasis

Squirting willow

Damien Hirst, St. Bartholomew, Exquisite pain

Henry Moore, Reclining figure

Giacomo Manzu' (di Bergamo!), Cardinale seduto

Giant leaves (or tiny Alex?)

Giulia + mushrooms

Donnie Darko - evil bunny statue

Monkey Tree + Monkey Giulia

Chicken + Chicken Giulia

Wobbly trees - reminded me of Barbapapa' (http://www.barbapapa.fr/gb/barbapapa.html)

The emperor of The United States

2006-07-28T12:15:00.000+01:00

Reliable sources (thank you, Ryan!) tell me that a citizen of San Francisco, Joshua A. Norton, proclaimed himself Emperor of the U.S.A., back in the 19th century. And no one seemed to be bothered by that. It is very true, isn't it?, the U.S. are the Land of Freedom, they must be.

Here's his story
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/norton.html

GoKarting

2006-07-26T16:34:00.000+01:00

This also has nothing to do with weddings and honeymoons, so I hereby officially declare this blog will be, from this point onwards only, a 'generic stuff from G' one. Bless!

Israel - Lebanon

2006-07-22T20:25:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

Italia Campioni del Mondo!!!

2006-07-10T22:29:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

Italia Campioni del Mondooooo

2006-07-10T14:20:00.000+01:00

I don't know what this ritual is about...

...but he seems happy to be in the middle of it.

Last night in SF

2006-07-09T23:19:00.000+01:00

Learning French today?...

...don't think so...PARTY!

ZEUM Children's museum in SF

2006-07-09T13:44:00.000+01:00

sunset in MonteRey

2006-07-08T20:44:00.000+01:00

Nun Giulia is ready for this mystic experience

Whale Watching

2006-07-08T08:52:00.000+01:00

Jelly fish

2006-07-07T20:50:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

Monterey Aquarium

2006-07-07T17:46:00.000+01:00

Sea Otters

(bat) rayfish - the softest, most gentle creatures...

Jelly fish

(the head of an) eel: the rest is inside the rock

Sweet sharkies

(Solitary) sunfish

Listening to the sound of the sea though my otter earphones

I wish I had some pictures of those massive tunas to show you.
Here is how the legend goes:
many many many years ago, the Aquarium people brought a white shark back from the sea into a tank at the aquarium. It didn't take long for the other fish to get used to the Big White and make friends with her. Especially a big tuna, whom we'll call, errrm, Big Tuna. So, Big White was contented with the tons of food the aquarium people were feeding her. So, she wasn't interested in hunting. Plus she was only a baby back then.
But then, well, then she grew up, and things changed. One day, Big White woke up feeling quite peckish, and she looked like she was reaaally going for one of her tuna friends. Aquarium people decided to take her away, back into the sea.
We don't know what happened to Big White, but we do know that the tunas were so distressed by the departure of their sweet shark friend, that they started displaying unusual behaviours, like going round and round and round as if looking for Big White.
Until one day, the inevitable happened: Big Tuna decided he no longer wanted to live without her shark friend, and catapulted himself against the tanks's glass wall. Imagine the visitors, seeing this huge tuna kamikazing against their faces: shock horror! but then, what would they know?
So, this is the story of Big Distressed Tuna who just didn't want to live anymore. Isn't it just so SWEET?!

2006-07-07T15:14:00.000+01:00

Peek-a-boo eels

Watch the video

2006-07-07T14:54:00.000+01:00

Those beautiful otters

Watch the video

Yosemite National Park & tepee

2006-07-06T15:42:00.000+01:00

Learning French today?...

...don't think so...
The Half Dome

Bridesveil waterfall

Giant oak trees
Giulia stretching "alla Fantozzi", in Ales's shorts

elephant paw

Monkey Giulia...

...wins her monkey throne

This is where a big fire hit the area - don't ask me when, I shall call it...The tree cemetery

Home!!!

We found gold (maybe)...

...in the river!

the O'Shaughnessy (pronounce s-h-o, not shag!!) Dam, in the Hetch Hetchy Valley. It provides water for most of San Francisco. It leads into the Tuolumne River. More normal names, anyone?!

Outside a Very American Diner

Paying my homage to The Lady

There are many ways to reach a Tepee:

crossing the locus amoenus (?!) ...

...by car...

...through a 'baby delivery pipe'...

...through Alice in Wonderland's little door...

...diving in the pool...

...straight into the party!

4th of July in San Jose

2006-07-04T17:26:00.000+01:00

Tina's work

cm'on G, behave yourself!

Nope, no tongue sticking or...

the cookie lady won't give you any!

The Queen salute

Getting ready for the food party

Orio cookies fairy

2006-07-02T20:14:00.000+01:00

A glimpse into real life as a married couple: aren't we SWEET?

Rough subtitles...
G: Mooovie!
A: Yeah, I'm taking a movie
A: Turn the flashing lights on [of the car], Giuli
G: Yes
[car door slams; then again]
G: I'm gonna move the car forward
[car door slams again]
G: ahhh, for F***S SAKE! Oiii!
A: whaaaaat?
G: You nearly shut my foot in the door

Watch the video

Diane's art followed by drinking Bellini concoction in Napa Valley

2006-07-01T14:55:00.000+01:00

The drunken train, so people don't have to drive after their drinking trips in Napa, the Land of wine!

gd

2006-06-27T13:19:00.000+01:00

God Save the U.S.A.

Courtesy of Diane Flyr

Watch the video

more SF

2006-06-26T18:05:00.000+01:00

The Armani store

The cable car

The Golden Gate Bridge!

Marin County: Point Reyes & Lagunitas

2006-06-26T13:30:00.000+01:00

So, you'd think Californian beaches are sunny and hot....

...but they are SO NOT!

Constance's house, garden and hot tub

The beach near Point Reyes

Driving to Stintson beach: mystic and magic - the most romantic drive, ever (although you can't quite tell by my face - so, where are the GEARS, anyway?! No gears...no party. Ronf ronf, bzzzz...).

Between Napa Valley and Marin County

Alex's old house and school in Lagunitas

Gay Pride Parade # Fiji

2006-06-25T20:05:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

2006-06-25T17:49:00.000+01:00

Leaving San Francisco # 1

Watch the video

2006-06-25T17:24:00.000+01:00

Leaving San Francisco #2

Watch the video

2006-06-25T16:54:00.000+01:00

more parading, Alex gets a necklace

Watch the video

2006-06-25T14:39:00.000+01:00

Gay Pride Parade # Naked Man

Watch the video

Gay Pride Parade

2006-06-25T12:51:00.000+01:00

We stayed at the San Remo Hotel!

Straight from the catwalks of SF, the latest Parade street fashion.

On our way back, a surfer follows our trails.

ferry trip from Marin County to SF

2006-06-25T12:41:00.000+01:00

Pier 39

2006-06-24T17:56:00.000+01:00

San Remo - the penthouse

2006-06-22T18:34:00.000+01:00

The view from our room

So, this is Alex picking a fag from the toilet. Excellent chop sticks training, top marks!

In SF, tpeople are obsessed with their fire brigades! One day at the hotel someone fell over, and who did they call? they fire brigade! After all, their fire engines look so amazing, it is no surprise.

splatter science @ the Exploratorium

2006-06-22T09:50:00.000+01:00

Watch the video

Golden Gate Park

2006-06-21T20:54:00.000+01:00

De Young Museum

Learning French (maybe)

@ Peter's, SF

2006-06-21T16:33:00.000+01:00

Yerba Buena Gardens SF

2006-06-21T15:05:00.000+01:00

The SFMoma
The dome was designed by famous Italian architect Mario Botta

anyone fancy a splash in the fountain?

I swear to ....I didn't know it prohibited!

The Exploratorium

2006-06-21T10:59:00.000+01:00

Can anyone tell me why all these statues are facing away from the visitors? that's kind of weird, isn't it? Comments are very welcome!

San Francisco what A view!!

2006-06-20T15:05:00.000+01:00

Learning French today?...

...Don't think so...

First sunrise in SF

2006-06-20T04:05:00.000+01:00

Still jet-lagged, we head to the harbour. It is 4:30 p.m.

What on earth is this? Oh, I know - a baby delivery service! always a step ahead, these Americans!

2006-06-17T15:00:00.000+01:00

wedding medley

and the pictures (some of them) are here:

http://www.ajpsauk.com/latestweddings/alexgiulia/

Watch the video

Courtesy of Marco

The Day Before

2006-06-16T20:25:00.000+01:00

Mia mamma e mio papa', trying to decipher the pub menu. Sweet, eh!

(Italia VS U.S.A.) VS Hornsbywedding = 0-∞

2006-06-11T13:21:00.000+01:00

Raga', lo so che c'e' la partita, ma che cosa vi devo dire? La partita comincia alle 8, esattamente quando ci sono i discorsi e i brindisi e la torta. Quindi, cerchero di farvi avere una tv per guardare il secondo tempo (ode a Santa Giulia, prego). Ma la vedo dura. Altrimenti, vi portate la radiolina e vi seguite (solo il secondo tempo) su Radio Five. In inglese. Prendere o lasciare. Venghino, signori venghino. Mi sembra di non essere troppo befana, a chiedervi di spegnere la radiolina per mezzora, no?!

The final countdown!

2006-06-01T12:41:00.000+01:00

3 days to gooooo.....................................

Il discorso del Gufo!

2006-05-05T17:17:00.000+01:00

Per ora e' solo una bozza, ma rende l'idea...

I collect toys: toy cars, toy ships, toy trains, toy airplanes, toy soldiers and all that.
When Giulia was born, I lined up my best toy fleet near the doorway, so when she came back from the hospital with her mum, the ships could salute her.
She was very pretty and sweet. But then, she grew up. And she started to talk, all the time, and to run and jump around. So I started to call her nicknames, like ‘monkey’, or ‘chicken’. This may seem a little strange, but let me tell you something about the Gelmini family: we are all animals in our family – my wife is a terrible hyena (iena), and I’m an owl (gufo).
As a father, I sometimes thought ‘who will she marry?’ A fellow chicken? Or perhaps we can give a few camels to the peasants, and buy her a nice roaster.
Then, to my surprise, she found Alex. And he was English. I speak English! But he was obviously an English breed I was not familiar with, for he could not speak the English of the Queen, so I couldn’t understand a thing he was saying.
Then ‘chicken’ left for England, and decided to marry Alex.
So we had to find a language, a sort of Esperanto, a mix of ‘owlese’, ‘hyenish’, ‘chickian’ and well…’Alexese’.
Building a new language is not easy. It is a bit like building bridges. I’m an engineer, and building bridges is my job, so we figured it out.
But today, I am so proud of Giulia and Alex, because I know they will be happy together, somewhere in a farm, far far away. And I would like to give them one of my toy airplanes, to cruise lightly in the air. And one of my toy cars (perhaps beetle?), to be safely grounded to the earth. And one of my toy ships, to keep them afloat even when the sea is in turmoil, so their feathers don’t get wet.
To Giulia and Alex!
And to my beloved wife, the hyena!
(toast)

PlayList - get ready for the boogie!

2006-05-05T17:12:00.000+01:00

Eccolo qui, puro distillato di musica letale (in ogni senso)

Texas, White on Blond – Say what you want (not all of it, just a few mins)
This mortal coil with Liz Fraser, Song to the sirens
Cure, Love cats
Britney Spears, Hit me baby
B52’s, Love shack
Clash, Rock in the Kasbah, Should I stay or should I go
U2 + BB King, when love comes to town
Siouxie and the Bahnshees, Christine, or Siamese Twins (from Batman?)
Wham, Wake me up
Duran Duran, Wild boys
Robbie Williams, Millennium
Cure, Boys don’t cry
Soft cell, Tainted love
Goldfinger
Chemical Brothers, Push the button
Olivia Newton John + J Travolta, You’re the one that I want
Rocky Horror Picture Show (Time warp…)
Madonna, Papa don’t preach
Shania Twain, Man I feel like a woman
Franz Ferdinand, Matinee
Queen, We will rock you
Happy days (TV series)
Cindy Lauper, Girls just want to have fun
Pink, Lady Marmalade
Blondie, American Gigolo or Heart of glass
Bill Haley & His Comets Words Rock around the clock
Beastie Boys, Fight for your right (+ Sabotage)
Village People, WMCA
Gloria Gaynor, I will survive
Sid Vicious, My way
Nena, 99 Luftballoons
Genghis Kahn, Moskow
Bon Jovi, Living on a prayer
Bangles, Walk like an Egyptian
Sister Sledge, We are family
Skatalites, Pink panther punk
Fabrizio de Andre, volta la carta
Goran Bregovic (TBA)
Guns’n’Roses, Sweet child of mine
Nouvelle Vague, Too drunk to fuck
Joss Stone, (suggestions?)
Flying Lizards, Money
Zutons (Devil’s Deal and Confusion)
Nick Cave + Kylie, Where the wild roses grow
Dave Pike, sitar (I have it if you need it)
Reef, Place your hands
Moby, We are all made of stars
Kylie Minogue, Can’t get you out of my head
Bill Withers, Kissing my love (from Starsky and Hutch)
Deep purple, Smoke on the water
ABBA, Mamma mia etc etc….
Iggy Pop?
The Beatles, Twist and shout
Chuck Berry, No particular place to go
Van Halen, Jump
Average White Band, Pick up the pieces
Pulp fiction, Son of a preacher man
Pulp fiction, Jack rabbit twist contest song
Various, Perfect day
Eurithmics, Sweet dreams

Towards the end, to chill out

Spice Girls, When 2 become 1
Doors, Indian Summer (only a few mins)
St Germaine ?

To set the atmosphere for us leaving for honeymoon

Gipsy Kings (Eagles?), Hotel California
California Dreaming
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Californication
Scott McKenzie, San Francisco
Madonna, Holiday
Beach Boys, I get around
Wham, Wake me up before you go

During the bouquet throwing
Scissor Sisters, Filthy, gorgeous
Rocky theme

Lista nozze #2

2006-04-17T17:07:00.000+01:00

Eccoci qua, finalmente!!!
Chi prima arriva, prima si becca il regalo scelto. Quindi, quando avete scelto, mandate un post al blog (o una mail a me), e io tolgo l'articolo dalla lista. Se qualcuno se l'e' gia preso nel frattempo, ve lo faccio sapere, cosi ne potetee scegliere un altro. Ok?
Allora, potete scegliere qualcosa da:
a. Luna di miele (l'abbiamo stilata io e Alex insieme)
b. wrapit (stilata da Alex)
c. Extra (stilata da me)

So, once you've chosen your item, please mail me, and I'll take it off the list.

1 euro=1.3 $

a. Honey Moon-Luna di miele

http://maps.google.com/

17-19.06.06 hotel near Heathrow
2 nights @ £ 100 (each)

19-23.06.06 in SF
3 nights accommodation @ ……: $ 55 a night
1 night accommodation @ Penthouse: $ 150.00 (Thur 22) (Franci e Giorgio)

Evening drink and skyline view cocktail @ The Equinox Bar @ $ 20
http://sanfranciscoregency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/lounges/index.jsp

Sushi dinner @ $ 50
Funky haircut for Giulia @ $ 30 (Clara e Fabrizio)
2 X entrance to Exploratorium (Science Museum) @ $13 (each)
2 X cabaret @ Broadway @ $ 15 (each) (Clara e Fabrizio)

23 Depart for Marine County

Visit to Alex’s old homes & friends

24-25 staying with the Castles

26-28 Depart for Napa Valley
2 nights accommodation in Napa in spa resort: $ 79 per person
http://www.goldenhaven.com/lodgepr.html

28-29 Sacramento Area
1 night accommodation: $ 60

29-02 Yosemite Park
3 nights accommodation (cabin) @ $ 80 each night (Carmen, Shaaron, Claire, Kelly)

02-03 one night stop off on the way to Monte Rey
1 night accommodation @ $ 60
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=499

3-8 July Monte Rey
4 nights @ Blue Lagoon hotel @ $60
http://www.monterey.com/mcP/driftwood/driftwood.html

1 night @ TBA (nice hotel) @ $ 140

2 X adult admission @ MonteRey Bay Aquarium + cuddly toy @ $ 25 (each)
http://www.mbayaq.org/

2 X adult boat trip in MonteRey Bay @ $ 40 (each) (Marcy, 1 ticket)
1 fishing trip @ $ 45
http://www.montereywhalewatching.com/

1 luxurious (champagne, and all that) day picnicking on Carmel beach @ $ 50 (Ly)

8 July, 1 night in SF
Sun, 9 July
Depart SF to UK

b. www. wrapit.co.uk
- click on 'the wrap it website'
- go to 'guests'
- put Alex Hornsby in
- click 'search'
- click 'go to their list'
- click 'go to list'
search items
when you have chosen the item you want to buy, inset a 1 in the box at the far right
(quando avete scewlto l'articolo, inserite 1 nella casella in fondo a destra)
- click 'add to basket'

c. Extra

1 day @ spa in Italy. Hotel Milano. 2 X $ 50 (each) (Franci)
http://www.hotelmilano.com/ita/sunside_inverno05/weekend_alpen.htm

subscription to DVD rental service @ £ 14.00 a month (Franca)
http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/dvdvideo/moviesdirect/home.htm

funky wig for Giulia @ £ 50 (parrucca :-)) (Dani)

Rucsack (zaino da campeggio) @ £ 59.99
http://www.gelert.com/Products/Evolution_Runaway_60__20_Litre.aspx
(but I'm happy to take suggestions on this one - as long as it is sturdy, has wheels and a handle, and has around 70 lt. capacity)
(se volete prendermi un altro modello, va benissimo, anche un'altra marca - basta che abbia le rotelle, la maniglia, sia capiente (sui 70 litri) e robusto...)

Bike (bici) @ about £ 100 (Dani, Paolo, Franz)

GRAZIE A TUTTI!!!!!!
THANK YOU - DANKE - GRACIAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Il vestito e la pettinatura #2

2006-04-09T14:43:00.000+01:00

Fatto!!! Vestito pronto, pettinatura anche. Senza spargimenti di
sangue, zuffe, scene isteriche, niente di niente. Solo dal parrucchiere mi e' venuta giu una lacrimuccia. Che ce vo fa, sono umana anch'io :-)

Il vestito (per ora) mi va a pennello. Vedremo fra un mese...
E' semplice, con le maniche a tre quarti e i risvolti di raso (il lucido del raso fa contrasto con il resto del vestito, che e' tipo di crépe o come diavolo si scrive). Stessa cosa per il dettaglio sui fianchi, che non saprei come descrivere..avete presente le bambine frufru che verso i 9-10 anni danno fuori da matto e cominciano a mettersi quei costumi da bagno con una striscia di tessuto che fa le ondine sui fianchi? Ecco, piu o meno...shock horror. ahah, no, dai, non e' proprio cosi drammatica la cosa.
Poi ho uno strascico abbastanza lungo e ampio. All'inizio non lo volevo (non sono mica qui a fare il Gioppino, eh, un minimo di contegno!), poi un giorno io e il mio 'fashion consultant' (?!) Rupert, che ha disegnato il vestito, ci siamo guardati negli occhi, e ci siamo detti: 'ma che ci frega, noi lo strascico lo mettiamo eccome, tie'!'
E lo strasico fu.
La scollatura e' rettangolare, non profonda, ma molto ampia.

I capelli li raccolgo, ma morbidi, e un po a onde. Tipo Rita Hayworth, o diva anni '30 in generale.
E per tener su i capelli, dietro ho un pettinino di perline bianche e cristalli che, a detta del mio 'fashion consultant', riflettono la luce in modo squisito. E, ovviamente, un sacco di piume color amarena (che e' il colore-tema del Grande Giorno - aka GG - in generale).

Ecco, e' tutto.
Ebbene si, mi sono bevuta quel poco di cervello che mi rimaneva.
Il resto del cervello, credo che se ne andra il GG, quando saro' tranquilla e felice come una pasqua, grazie alla preventiva assunzione di sostanze ipnotiche. Non so bene di che natura, ma sicuramente qualcosa mi ci vorra', altrimenti schiatto prima di arrivare all'altare.

Thank you, thank you, I don't deserve all this (inchino, saluto con la manina). I would like to share this GG with all those who believed in me: my family, my fashion & make up consultant, my producers, my life coach, my hair styl...
ok, basta.
E' ora di mökarla.
Pero sono contenta che mi ascoltiate, la fuori. GRAZIE :-)

...................................

Siccome alcuni di voi mi hanno chiesto ragguagli, eccomi qui.
Beh, allora, il vestito non c'e' ancora. Ma a Pasquetta faccio la prima prova nel vestito vero (non la tunica enorme che mi aveva imbastito Rupert). Poi vi dico.
Il resto, e' tutto in tema bianco crema e rosso amarena (come le decorazioni floreali):
smalto vamp rosso amarena, e piume bianche e rosse nei capelli.
Lo so, non e' da me. Ma siccome il vestito e' sobrio, qualche dettaglio per non farmi sembrare una suora ci vuole, no?
Comunque, l'ispirazione per le piume mi e' venuta da un video di Siouxie & the Banshees, storica band punk fine anni '70.
Giusto per, trallala.
La giarrettiera ce l'ho, fatta di zuccherini.
Le scarpe anche (no, non di zuccherini).
Gli anelli, mah, ancora non ci siamo tirati insieme.
......
Vi scrivo prestooooo
G.

Il testo della cerimonia, tradotto in italiano

2006-04-07T11:40:00.000+01:00

The Marriage Service

Welcome and Introductions

All: God of wonder and joy, grace comes from you, and you alone are the source of life and love. Without you, we cannot please you; without your love, our deeds are worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, that we may worship you now with thankful hearts and serve you always with willing minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

Preface

The congregations sits. The bridal party remain standing.

In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we have come together to witness the marriage of Alex and Giulia, to pray for God’s blessing to them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love.
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his Church.

La congregazione si siede. Lo sposo e la sposa rimangono in piedi.
Carissimi, siamo qui riuniti nella casa del Signore, Padre, Figlio e Spirito Santo, per consacrare il matrimonio di Alex e Giulia, implorare la benedizione di Dio, condividere la loro gioia e celebrare il loro amore.
Il matrimonio e’ un dono di Dio attraverso il quale marito e moglie partecipano alla creazione attraverso la grazia di Dio. Cosi’ come Cristo e’ uno con la Sua Chiesa, Nell’unione reciproca del cuore, del corpo e della mente, essi cresceranno insieme nell’amore e nella fiducia.

The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union and joyful commitment to the end of their lives. It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are born and nurtured and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, may find strength, companionship and comfort, and to grow to maturity in love.

Il dono del matromonio unisce marito e moglie nel diletto e nella tenerezza dell’unione sessuale e del gioioso impegno fino alla fine dei loro giorni. E’, questo, il fondamento della famiglia, nella quale i figli vengono alla luce e crescono, e nel cuo amore ciascun membro della famiglia trova forza, compagnia e conforto, nella buona cosi come nella cattiva sorte fino alla maturita’.

Marriage is a way of life made holy by God, and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee. Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. No-one should enter lightly into it or selfishly but reverently and responsibly in the sight of Almighty God.

Il matrimonio e’ reso sacro da Dio, e benedetto dalla presenza del nostro Signore Gesu Cristo nelle nozze di Cana. Esso e’ un segno di unita’ e lealta’ che ciascuno deve mantenere e onorare. Esso non va intrapreso con leggerezza d’animo o egoismo, ma con senso di reverenza e responsabilita’ al cospetto di Dio Onnipotente.

Alex and Giulia are now to enter this way of life. They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, and in token of this they will each give and receive a ring. We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, that they may fulfil God’s purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.

Alex e Giulia stanno ora per intraprendere questo viaggio. Entrambi stanno per scambiarsi gli anelli nuziali, in segno del loro reciproco voto solenne.
Preghiamo con loro affinche’ lo Spirito Santo li guidi e sostenga, e che possano adempiere il volere di Dio nel corso di tutta la loro vita terrena come marito e moglie.

The Declarations

The minister says to the congregation:
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.

Il sacerdote alla congregazione:
Anzitutto, devo chiedere a tutti voi qui presenti se c’e’ qualcuno a conoscenza di un motivo per il quale queste due persone non si debbano unire nel vicolo matrimoniale, affinche’ lo dichiari ora.

The minister says to the couple:
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; therefore if either of you know a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.

Il sacerdote alla coppia:
State per scambiarvi I voti alla presenza di Dio, sommo giodice e che conosce ogni segreto dei nostri cuori; quindi se anche solo uno di voi due conosce una ragione per la quale non vi potete sposare, questa va dichiarata ora.

The minister says to the bridegroom
Alex will you take Giulia to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers: I will

Il sacerdote allo sposo:
Alex, prendi tu Giulia come tua sposa? Prometti tu di amarla, sostenerla, onorarla e proteggerla sopra ogni altro, di esserle fedele fin che morte non vi separi?
Sposo risponde: Lo prometto

The minister says to the bride
Giulia will you take Alex to be your husband? Will you love him comfort him, honour and protect him, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers: I will

Il sacerdote alla sposa:
Giulia, prendi tu Alex come tuo sposo? Prometti tu di amarlo, sostenerlo, onorarlo e proteggerlo sopra ogni altro, di essergli fedele fin che morte non vi separi?
Sposa risponde: Lo prometto

Cominciate a commuovervi, ma non troppo - vi riuscite ancora a controllare.

The minister says to the congregation
Will you, the families and friends of Alex and Giulia support and uphold them in their marriage now and in the years to come?
All reply: We Will

Il sacerdote alla congregazione
Promettete voi tutti – le famiglie e gli amici di Alex e Giulia – di dare loro supporto e sostegno nel loro matrimonio ora come negli anni a venire?
Tutti: Lo promettiamo

The Collect

God our Father, from the beginning you have blessed creation with abundant life. Pour out your blessings upon Alex and Giulia that they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

La colletta

Signore Onnipotente, che hai benedetto la creazione con il dono dell’abbondanza, riversa la nostra benedizione su Alex e Giulia, affinche siano uniti in reciproco amore compagnia , nella santita’ e nell’impegno che si sono promessi. Te lo chiediamo in nome del nostro Signore Gesu’ Cristo, tuo Figlio, che vive e regna con te, nell’unita’ dello Spirito Santo, ora e per sempre. Amen.

A Reading from the Bible

A short address may be given

A hymn may be sung

Lettura dalla Bibbia
Inno/Invocazione

The Vows
All stand
Who brings this woman to be married to this man?

Alex and Giulia, I know invite you to hold hands and make your vows, in the presence of God and his people.

I voti
Tutti si alzano
Chi porta questa donna in sposa a questo uomo?

Alex e Giulia, prendetevi la mano e scambiatevi i voti davati a Dio e la sua comunita’.

Qui comincia la prima lacrimuccia - attenzione!

The bride and bridegroom face each other.
The bridegroom takes the bride’s right hand in his.
I Alex take you Giulia to be my wife
To have and to hold, from this day forward;
For better for worse, for richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health, to love and cherish,
Till death us do part; according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

They loose hands.

Gli sposi sono in piedi, uno di fronte all’altro
Lo sposo prende la mano destra della sposa nella sua.

Io, Alex, prendo te, Giulia, come mia sposa
E prometto di amarti e onorarti sempre;
In salute e in malattia,
Nella buona e nella cattiva sorte,
In ricchezza e in poverta’,
Finche’ morte non ci separi;
Prometto nel nome di Dio.

The bride takes the bridegroom’s right hand in hers, and says
I Giulia take you Alex to be my husband
To have and to hold, from this day forward;
For better for worse, for richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health, to love and cherish,
Till death us do part; according to God’s holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

La sposa prende la mano destra dello sposo nella sua.

Io, Giulia, prendo te, Alex, come mio sposo
E prometto di amarti e onorarti sempre;
In salute e in malattia,
Nella buona e nella cattiva sorte,
In ricchezza e in poverta’,
Finche’ morte non ci separi;
Prometto nel nome di Dio.

Scoppio di gioia/emozione incontenibile, piangete piangete pure.

Let it all out, dear.

The Giving of Rings

The minister receives the rings and says this prayer:
Heavenly Father, by your blessing let these rings be to Alex and Giulia a symbol of unending love and faithfulness to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lo scambio degli anelli

Il sacerdote riceve gli anelli e recita la benedizione:
Padre Onnipotente, benedici questi anelli, simbolo dell’eterno amore e fedelta’ tra Alex e Giulia, affinche’ essi ricordino loro del voto e promessa che si sono scambiati oggi in nome di Gesu’ Cristo, nostro Signore.

The bridegroom places the ring on the forth finger of the bride’s left hand, and holding it there, says
Giulia I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Lo sposo infila l’anello all’anulare della mano destra della sposa, e, tenendole la mano, dice
Giulia, ricevi questo anello in segno del nostro matrimonio. Con questo atto io mi dono a te, e prometto di onorarti e condividere tutto cio’ che ho con te, nell’amore di Dio, Padre Onnipotente, Figlio e Spirito Santo.

Sospiri, emozione, ma con discrezione, prego.

You can sob quietly, now.

The bride places the ring on the forth finger of the bridegroom’s left hand, and holding it there, says
Alex I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

La sposa infila l’anello all’anulare della mano destra dello sposo, e, tenendogli la mano, dice
Alex, ricevi questo anello in segno del nostro matrimonio. Con questo atto io mi dono a te, e prometto di onorarti e condividere tutto cio’ che ho con te, nell’amore di Dio, Padre Onnipotente, Figlio e Spirito Santo.

The Proclamation

The couple knell, and the minister addresses the people
In the presence of God, and before this congregation Alex and Giulia have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings.
I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.

The minister wraps a stole around their joined hands and says
Those whom God has joined together, let no-one put asunder.

Proclamazione
Alla presenza di Dio e di questa congregazione, Alex e Giulia hanno acconsentito a scambiarsi i voti, tenendosi reciprocamente la mano e scambiandosi gli anelli. Quindi, io li dichiaro marito e moglie.

Che nessuno divida coloro che sono stati uniti da Dio.
(Che nessuno separi cio che Dio ha unito)

The Blessing of the Marriage

The minister gives God’s blessing upon the new husband and wife.
God the Father God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace, that you may please him both in body and soul, and, living together in faith and love, may receive the blessing of eternal life. Amen.

La benedizione matrimoniale
Che Dio Onnipotente, Padre, Figlio e Spirito Santo vi benedica, preservi e mantenga (?!preservi…?!). Possa il Signore conferirvi il dono della grazia, affinche’ lo onoriate nel corpo e nello spirito, e conviviate nella fede e nell’amore. Ricevete la benedizione (della vita?!) eterna. Amen

Hymn, during which the bridal couple goes to the alter

The Prayers

Faithful God, holy and eternal, source of life and spring of love, we thank and praise you for bringing Alex and Giulia to this day, and we pray for them.
Lord of live and love: hear our prayer.

May their marriage be life-giving and life-long, enriched by your presence and strengthened by your grace; may they bring comfort and confidence to each other in faithfulness and trust.
Lord of live and love: hear our prayer.

May the hospitality of their home bring refreshment and joy to all around them, may their love overflow to neighbours in need and embrace those in distress.
Lord of live and love: hear our prayer.

May they discern in your word and purpose for their loves, and may the power of your Holy Spirit lead them in truth and defend them in adversity.
Lord of live and love: hear our prayer.

May they nurture their family with devotion, see their children grow in body, mind and spirit and come at last to the end of their lives with hearts content and in joyful anticipation of heaven.
Lord of live and love: hear our prayer.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn

The Blessing

God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Registration of the Marriage

The congregation sits.
The bridal party moves into the vestry for the Signing of the Registers, after which the couple leads the bridal party out of church.

Giubilo generale. Ripigliatevi! E' ora di andare fuori ad aspettarci col riso/pomodori/ecc.

Non c'entra niente...

2006-03-27T19:53:00.000+01:00

Ma, tanto, post piu post meno...

http://www.beppegrillo.it/immagini/Saving%20Italian%20Science.pdf

e anche

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4739154.stm

G.

E anche questi....teneroneeee (vi ricordate il Tenerone, del Drive In?)
http://www.nypost.com/news/worldnews/59688.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4690000/newsid_4694200/4694270.stm

Addio al nubilato

2006-03-24T13:48:00.000Z

Mi rivolgo a voi, perche ho le idee piuttosto confuse su questo punto... All'inizio credevo di tornare a Bg a maggio, per...boh, qualcosa di ancora indefinito per festeggiare. Pensavo al ponte del 1 maggio, ma poi mi sono resa conto che molti saranno via in vacanza. Stessa cosa per chiedere a voi di venir su a Londra - per un attimo ho avuto la pazza idea di chiedervi se vi andava di venir su, che ci sono un sacco di localini a Soho (quartiere 'a luci rosse' di Londra). Non ci sono mai stata, ma so che ci sono locali anche abbastanza 'soft', dove fanno cabaret, si balla, ci si traveste, ci sono i trans che ravvivano l'atmosfera, e in generale si sta allegri. Si, questa e' l'idea di 'soft' a Soho...
Solo che effettivamente mi rendo conto che e' un po troppo chiedervi di venir su 2 volte in 2 mesi. E poi al ponte magari avete altri programmi.
Altre date non so...mi sa che saro in pieno nuovo lavoro, e gia devo prendere 20 giorni per la luna di miele in California...
Vediamo come va tra un mesetto?
Che dite?
Si puo fare un addio al nubilato quando si e' gia sposati?!!

And if you gooooo to San Franciscooooo - make sure you weaaar - some flowers in your hair....
Oggi va cosi, ieri sera ho festeggiato il compleanno a scoppio ritardato, e sono una happy bunny con...un nuovo cellulare! Un cellulare vero, eh! Di quelli che fanno le foto.
Che paura. Stanotte avevo paura che mi cogliesse nel sonno, a tradimento, allora mi sono nascosta sotto le coperte e mi sono messa a cantare fra me e me: And if you goooo - to San Franmciscoooo...

G.