Slurp Slurp
Written by admin on 26 March, 2009 – 11:40 am -
Twitter! Is it taking over the world? During the last couple of months I have heard so much about this simple communication tool. I thought it was about time to give it a try.
Now I know some of you use Twitter already, but for those of you who don’t or would like to find out more about it read The Ultimate Guide for Everything Twitter. It will give you a good explanation and is full of useful advice and links to help you get started.
What will I be tweeting (or as I am a cappuccino blog, slurping) about? Well I don’t know exactly. I am learning as I go along but I can use it to quickly and easily to share information about new posts (RSS does this quite well already though), interesting news and what’s worth seeing (cinema, theatre, festivals). I can answer questions (or try to anyway), collect opinions, share tips and tricks etc. People following me will all have a common interest, Italy, so hopefully a community will develop where ideas can be exchanged, opinions expressed etc.
I have also introduced a sidebar to show my latest slurps. You can follow me at mrcappuccino but you will first need to sign up for a twitter account.
Posted in Interactive | 3 Comments »
Word of the Week
Written by admin on 24 March, 2009 – 7:55 am -This week the Italian Commedia dell’Arte character is…
Columbina Lit. Little Dove
“by her keen and active wit, she [is] able to hold her own in every situation and emerge with ease and dignity from the most involved intrigues.” ~ Pierre Louis Duchartre
Columbina (also known as Arlecchina) is an astute and cunning comic servant who is a member of the Zanni
Further reading: The Italian Comedy by Pierre Louis Duchartre
Posted in Language | No Comments »
Prince Charming Captures Italian Hearts
Written by admin on 22 March, 2009 – 10:32 am -
Emanuele Filiberto with dance partner Natalia Titova
Last night Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Venice and Piedmont, won the celebrity dance competition on Rai 1 Ballando con le stelle (Dancing with the Stars) along with his partner Natalia Titova. He beat off strong competition from Andrea Montovoli (actor) / Ola Karieva (2nd), Alessio Di Clemente (actor) / Alessandra Mason (3rd), Stefano Bettarini (ex footballer) / Samanta Togni (4th), and Emanuela Aureli (comedian) / Roberto Imperatori (5th). His victory was fully deserved.
Posted in Entertainment | 2 Comments »
Let’s Pizza!
Written by admin on 19 March, 2009 – 4:05 pm -
Photograph from popaitaly on Flickr
Fancy a pizza in the middle of the night? All the restaurants and pizzerias are closed. You forgot to buy a frozen pizza during your last shopping trip. What can you do??? Well fear not. Soon you will be able to get a freshly prepared pizza 24/7.
“How is this possible?” I hear you ask.
“Let’s Pizza“, an automated vending machine, will make the pizza for you from scratch. Watch and be amazed as the machine prepares the dough, tomato sauce and fresh ingredients, delivering a pizza in under 3 minutes.
I can’t wait to hear what the Italians, or anyone who reads this, will make of it. I look forward to your comments.
Posted in Food & Drink | 2 Comments »
Word of the Week
Written by admin on 16 March, 2009 – 3:23 pm -
This week the Italian Commedia dell’Arte character is…
Arlecchino Harlequin
a mischievous clown, the servant of either Pantalone or Il Dottore (see later posts). He often tries (but fails) to trick his master. The girl he has set his heart upon is Colombina but unluckily she is only interested in making fun of him. However, he is a favourite with the audience.
His costume contains a very colourful diamond shaped design and he can often be found as the Joker on playing cards.
Posted in Language | No Comments »
Word of the Week
Written by admin on 11 March, 2009 – 1:44 pm -
Following on from my latest article about Turin’s ChocolaTò I have decided to look into some of the characters from the Italian Commedia dell’Arte (improvisational theatre that began in the 16th century). Let’s start with…
Gianduja
Gianduja represents Turin and Piedmont. He is a happy peasant who enjoys food and wine and has a girlfriend called Giacometta. Usual he wears a brown jacket and a tricorn hat. During the carnival period he is particularly popular.
Gianduja (or Gianduiotto) is also a chocolate. It originates from Turin and dates back to 1865. A blend of cocoa and roasted hazelnuts from the Langhe region of Piedmont, it is easily recognizable by its characteristic boat shape. Produced by Caffarel.
Posted in Language | 3 Comments »
CioccolaTò
Written by admin on 7 March, 2009 – 1:50 pm -
Gianduja talks about his Piedmontese chocolate, the Gianduiotto
Turin, the chocolate capital of Italy, is now hosting its annual festival CioccolaTò. Many famous chocolatiers will be exhibiting their products in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, among them such famous names as Guido Gobino, LINDT, Peyrano, Avidano and Caffarel. To allow people to sample the different chocolates there is Chocopass, a carnet costing €12 which contains 22 tastings and is valid for 3 days.
Continue reading …
Posted in Food & Drink | 6 Comments »
Giacomo Puccini
Written by admin on 5 March, 2009 – 8:11 am -
Alessio Boni as Giacomo Puccini (Rai 1)
This week, to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Giacomo Puccini, Rai Uno screened a two part drama about the life of the world famous composer. As I have recently been to Lucca, Puccini’s birthplace, and Nagasaki, the setting for Madama Butterfly, I thought maybe it was about time to find out more about the Maestro.
Continue reading …
Posted in Entertainment | 4 Comments »
Word of the Week
Written by admin on 1 March, 2009 – 8:04 pm -bocciare
to fail, to turn down, to reject
- bocciare una proposta di legge – to reject a (parliamentary) bill
- mi hanno bocciato in fisica – I failed physics
- è stato bocciato – he failed (eg to fail the school year)
As usual feel free to add your own expressions in the comments section.
Posted in Language | 2 Comments »
