March 8:... A week until my birthday. Drew another warrior chick in Skillen's class. "Red" Carmen this time. I think this could be a theme. I could almost hear Katrina in my head. Must figure out a way to make her shut up.
I bought a bottle-stopper today-- it's very cool and looks like flame. Also tried an Italian hot chocolate. Excellent. Italians are not the crowned monarchs to the hot chocolate throne. It's like someone melted a chocolate bar into a dinky cup and mixed it with half'n half and hot water. Super concentrated. Drips off the spoon. Superb. I suppose I ought to mention that today I saw the inside of the local Duomo, particularly the San Brizio chapel painted by Luca Signorelli, about the Last Things. Look it up, is cool.
March 9:... Tommy's birthday. He's 20. I'm next in line. Not much to report today. Tried translating more of my comic. Bought another one. Different storyline and artist, even though it's the next one in the same series. Argh. More translating work. Double argh.
Gwen finally bought the crossbow she's been wanting, and when we were leaving the store, the nice old shopkeeper guy (TM) gave us some itty bitty little perfumey pots as souvenirs of Italy. They're speckled and kinda stinky, but good, though I can't help thinking "Hmm... I bet I know someone who would like this..."
I worked some more on page 2 of my "Tainted" comic. Aagh. Hate that page. Much pesky.
March 10:... Other than getting no sleep, this day is a total blank. That's what I get for going back and trying to remember it five days later.
March 11- 14 : Florence trip Day One: Stopped in Arezzo. Fun with trains. Whee. Bought some gummy letters. Yum. Talked with Gwne and Will about TV shows from our childhood. Gwen bought purple socks. I bought a calzone. Couldn't get my water open. Used fingernails. Ate lunch near a tank with spiffy goldfish. One was purple. It rained. Back on train to Florence. Got warned about pickpockets. Got to hostel. Unpacked. Feet hurt. Changed shoes. Walked around looking at art. Legs hurt. Back hurts. Neck hurts. Got gelato. Strawberry. Fragola. Went back to hostel. Talked about Antonio and his family. Crispy sock discussion which grossed out Julia. *grin* Juice box wine for Tara and Laura. Nasty. Got no sleep because Julia snored. Argh.
Day Two: Got up at 7 am. Freakin' sadist prof. Got thick cocoa and croissant for Breakfast. Saw lots of churches. Lots. Much standing. Back hurts. Watched pigeons at lunch. Pretty pigeons. Had nice lunch. Penne al ragu. Sat next to German family. Had waiter who might'a been Irish/Italian. After last church, bought Venice calendar. Didn't go clubbing. Finished my picture. Want to go clubbing. Long day tomorrow, will gag.
Day Three: Tired. Chocolate muffin for breakfast. San Marco Monastery frecoes. I don't like Fra Angelico. I REALLY don't like pushy crowds of tourists and standing for hours. Back hurts. More churches. McDonalds for lunch. No ketchup. Grr. Tried on a pretty coat. Realized mom would skin me for buying an 155 Euro coat. Took coat off. Fed pigeons. More churches. And a museum. Bought a book about Botticelli. I like my book. Drew the 3 Graces from the "Primavera". Except not. Hungry. Scummy. Need stamps. But I get to sleep in tomorrow!
Day Four: Went to Botticelli show with Gwen. (Took a shower before... all clean now!) Got great idea for sketchbook assignment. Caught up with others at Uffizi Gallery. Was late. Sort of. WAs drawing the (replica of the) David so who cares? *shrug* Resisted buying things in bookstore. Long hallways of sculpture were awesome though. Tired. Packed up, left hostel. Booked butts of exhausted studentia back across the Arno to the train station and home to Orvieto. Cold and tired. Ate dinner. Gnocchi. Yummy. Squishy. Colored my picture. Warm, fed, and resting now. Whew.