Enjoy Italy - my fav European country. Only advice - you and your wife find and buy the most comfortable walking shoes because they will be worth every penny !
Cinque Terre is a great choice. We stayed in Manarola. The train can get you to all the 5 towns but the best way is to hike. From Manorola to Riomaggiore is a leisurely stroll. The year before we went (2011) there had been a flood that did a lot of damage to Vernazza and 2 main trails. They're open now. The route we took from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare was open and spectacular. The cold birra at the end was too. I prefer Moretti to Peroni. How about you? Of course, the "house red" is always the best choice with your meal. Cheapest too. Check out the tiny town square in Manorola. It's about the size of a tennis court. Local little kids use it as a futbol pitch while tourists give right-of-way. A good memory there. Also in Manorola, walk down to the shore and take the walk up the hill on the right. The view of the town from there is the one in all the postcards. Best to see at dusk. Godere!
Elly, Two days after Elly hit the prodigious walk off HR at Louisville he wore the Platinum Sombrero (5K's). It will be a bumpy ride but he brings so much else to the table (running ,fielding) that he should become a star. Don't you work him out/try him in the outfield???
Florence may take two days if you're going to take in the Uffizi (do your homework on ticketing), the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo (we walked there - fantastic view of the city). You may wish to include the hill towns of San Gimignano, Volterra, and Montepulciano (there are several others) in your tour of Tuscany, and don't miss Siena, home of the Palio horse race. Hope you're hiking Cinque Terre - it takes effort but the view and the towns are worth it. We would do it again (and hope it doesn't rain). Stayed in Santa Margherita and took the local train to and from Cinque Terre. You can walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino, a colorful, picturesque fishing village. Ciao!
I’d recommend Sienna to see the square where each neighborhood races a horse once a year for bragging rights. They cover the brick square with dirt for the race. Also San Gimignano for the gelato. There’s a world award winning shop there, I think it’s Gelateria Dondoli.
Doc, I could never make this up. In one of the Cinque Terre towns, we were taken to an inlaid wood shop. First they showed us the machines and the process, and then (as one would expect) suggested visiting the other half of the shop to buy their stuff. I'm browsing, but my attention was drawn to a small picture frame hanging on a column in the middle of the display area. [OK, get to the point, Neil}. What was it? A team picture of the 1990 world championship Cinti Reds. Not sure you want to spend your precious time going to this place, but I might be able to dig up the town if you're that interested.
Lots of keyboard angst about the fifth most popular sport in the US. I have nothing but respect for Rory, but when the smoke clears Dustin Johnson will have at least $150 million in his pocket, Koepka will have at least $75 million, and Bryson will have $125 million. I think Rory needs to direct his ire towards Monahan who reminds me of the guys in Animal House who trashed Flounder's car. The PGA players effed up - they trusted Monahan and left life changing money on the table.
Having some principles and being a loyal team player is commendable. And a lot easier decision for guys like that compared to us: when you’re making 10/20/30M a year, got the crib on the intracoastal in Jupiter, private aircraft at your disposal, and everything else, stand your ground.
Yep. FYI - Rory made an extra $30 million last year due to some increased bonus payouts likely due to the LIV competition. Still made less than the $43 million earnings and the $150 million DJ made and was guaranteed.
This is generational wealth for these guys. Bryson had career earnings of $33 million and was guaranteed $125 million. Koepka was fighting knee injuries that hurt him for 4 years with the question of whether he was ever returning to his former level of play. Phil was done earning money in tournaments.
I am not sure any of us should be casting stones because those guys guaranteed financial security for their families. Also, there is always someone with a bigger and faster jet, a bigger crib on the intracoastal, and a better place in the mountains. And these guys are competitive.
Ah yes....the wonders and virtues of materialism. More, more, more. There's another word for that. Starts with a G. Ends in a D.
Enough with the BS. These LIV guys aren't to be admired or celebrated. They already had more than enough and then some. Truth? You sleep with devils, you become like devils. They're stained. Generational wealth? That's just a flimsy excuse for More, More , More. "I gotta make my kids super rich, too." But people are trying to sell it, so, hey, why not you, too? Chasing More grows, the debt grows, crushing interest grows, and our economy sits on cracked foundations. We fiddle as dollars burn. Generational wealth? Hah. Odds are this country goes belly-up in the near future and generational wealth disappears overnight. The depression in '29 did happen. Fortunes can and do vanish. The current approach is unsustainable.
It takes many willing to put the common good ahead of themselves to make a good country. Hundreds of thousands have died fighting for those principles. "More for me" is the antithesis of the attitude that those brave men died for. It belongs to evil empires, who promise their soldiers many spoils and wealth in exchange for brutality and viciousness. We are supposed to be better. We have to be better to survive.
The lust for Bigger, Newer, Shinier is rooted in ego and illusion. A legacy of love and caring is far more valuable than a legacy of things and money. Grabbing as much as you can for yourself is not cool. It's blatant selfishness. And the karma's a bitch. Still have hope for ya, Jay. Gonna keep working till I see a breakthrough. I have faith. Carry on, my wayward son. :<)
I have to admit that the Reds are now fun to watch. The energy of the young players is infectious. I hope they continue to perform and keep things interesting.
Although I haven't been to Italy, I would expect the smaller towns near the coast are similar to those we visited in Greece. If you like seafood, the local fish from the Mediterranean is better than anything we get here in the US. Our best meals were at the local tavernas where they would take you into the kitchen to pick out the fish you wanted. Their local wines were also outstanding and all meats and vegetables are fresh. Even the eggs for breakfast were flavorful.
Music tip: Fans of the movie 'Rock Star' are likely aware that the songs were performed by Steelheart and Milojenko Matijevic. I think he has probably the best rock voice I've ever heard, and an unbelievable range. The poor guy's career was sidetracked when he was seriously injured by a falling light tower on stage while performing. Here are two examples of his early and later work.
I haven’t listened to it in a long time but buried in the music library of my phone is the soundtrack to Rock Star. Steel Dragon’s We All Die Young is a great song for what it is. Blood Pollution and Stand Up aren’t bad either.
"We All Die Young' is a great song and really showcased his voice and caused me to do more research about the singer and band. I watched an interview with the singer recently and learned that he wasn't allowed to tell anybody that he wrote and sang that song. Most people didn't know until several years after the movie. He was born in Croatia but grew up in New York.
Have a great time in Italy! Definitely on my bucket list. EDC really seems to have all the tools, but time will tell. I'm not really a golfer, so I really don't care a lot about PGA/LIV. 30 years ago when I was in the USAF I was in Saudi Arabia for 6 months, so I got a pretty good taste of the country back then. It was very culturally opposite of our own. MBS is certainly no good guy, but he has expanded women's rights far beyond anything I saw. In the meantime, there are elements within our society who want to emulate Sharia Law, removing rights that have been hard fought for. Anytime anyone seems SO SURE that their interpretation of the Bible and their religion is the only correct one, it reminds me of what I saw back then. Crazy is crazy, period.
Like it or not, ”Oh, goodness, that ball had a family!”, is trending all over the world. It’s already been used in a Mumbai cricket match when a bowled yorker was ripped out of the stadium.
Good column as usual. I am always good with you wading into politics. However, I believe your call out of golfer Bryson D. is misplaced. I believe it would be better if you had asked Caitlin Collins and CNN to ask those questions about taking Saudi money to President Biden vs a golfer. In the same period Bryson signed with LIV, President Biden traveled across the world to fist bump the Saudi Crown Prince in front of the world and then asked (Begged) him to immediately increase oil production to lower gas prices in time to help the Democrats in the upcoming midterms. So, yeah, maybe that would be better than asking a pro golfer.
I know you drink Keystone. If you have any friends who drink wine, specifically, red wine, and you like to be a good host if they come calling, when in Tuscany be sure to visit the mountain-top town of Montalcino and visit the wine shop just outside the castle and the plaza and as you head down the idyllic Tuscan street with all its shops and restaurants. Don't know the name. It's on the right. Can't miss it. You can buy a case of really good wine and have it shipped to Cincinnati for about $300 that will be better and cheaper than any wine you can find here. It got to our house a day after we got home from our trip. The staff will tell you great stories about how it comes from the grapes grown on either the north or south side of the mountain and tastes different because of the early v. late sun. I can't remember which is which, but it's a cool story. Part of the Tuscan experience. Enjoy.
Before I went to Italy had a friend that owns an excellent wine store tell me that wherever you go just order the cheaper house wine as it's better than anything I sell in my store. He was right!
Enjoy Italy - my fav European country. Only advice - you and your wife find and buy the most comfortable walking shoes because they will be worth every penny !
Seriously, pickpockets are about in crowded areas. And...(practical) bathrooms are not a plenty. Most bathrooms are for customers only. Enjoy.
Cinque Terre is a great choice. We stayed in Manarola. The train can get you to all the 5 towns but the best way is to hike. From Manorola to Riomaggiore is a leisurely stroll. The year before we went (2011) there had been a flood that did a lot of damage to Vernazza and 2 main trails. They're open now. The route we took from Vernazza to Monterosso al Mare was open and spectacular. The cold birra at the end was too. I prefer Moretti to Peroni. How about you? Of course, the "house red" is always the best choice with your meal. Cheapest too. Check out the tiny town square in Manorola. It's about the size of a tennis court. Local little kids use it as a futbol pitch while tourists give right-of-way. A good memory there. Also in Manorola, walk down to the shore and take the walk up the hill on the right. The view of the town from there is the one in all the postcards. Best to see at dusk. Godere!
I prefer the Keystoni
I’ve been watching and writing about this team for years. I’ve never seen anything like Elly. Eric Davis is the only one that comes close.
It’s fun to write those words!
Elly, Two days after Elly hit the prodigious walk off HR at Louisville he wore the Platinum Sombrero (5K's). It will be a bumpy ride but he brings so much else to the table (running ,fielding) that he should become a star. Don't you work him out/try him in the outfield???
Florence may take two days if you're going to take in the Uffizi (do your homework on ticketing), the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and Piazzale Michelangelo (we walked there - fantastic view of the city). You may wish to include the hill towns of San Gimignano, Volterra, and Montepulciano (there are several others) in your tour of Tuscany, and don't miss Siena, home of the Palio horse race. Hope you're hiking Cinque Terre - it takes effort but the view and the towns are worth it. We would do it again (and hope it doesn't rain). Stayed in Santa Margherita and took the local train to and from Cinque Terre. You can walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino, a colorful, picturesque fishing village. Ciao!
I’d recommend Sienna to see the square where each neighborhood races a horse once a year for bragging rights. They cover the brick square with dirt for the race. Also San Gimignano for the gelato. There’s a world award winning shop there, I think it’s Gelateria Dondoli.
Saudi ruling family = Wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Doc, I could never make this up. In one of the Cinque Terre towns, we were taken to an inlaid wood shop. First they showed us the machines and the process, and then (as one would expect) suggested visiting the other half of the shop to buy their stuff. I'm browsing, but my attention was drawn to a small picture frame hanging on a column in the middle of the display area. [OK, get to the point, Neil}. What was it? A team picture of the 1990 world championship Cinti Reds. Not sure you want to spend your precious time going to this place, but I might be able to dig up the town if you're that interested.
Lots of keyboard angst about the fifth most popular sport in the US. I have nothing but respect for Rory, but when the smoke clears Dustin Johnson will have at least $150 million in his pocket, Koepka will have at least $75 million, and Bryson will have $125 million. I think Rory needs to direct his ire towards Monahan who reminds me of the guys in Animal House who trashed Flounder's car. The PGA players effed up - they trusted Monahan and left life changing money on the table.
Having some principles and being a loyal team player is commendable. And a lot easier decision for guys like that compared to us: when you’re making 10/20/30M a year, got the crib on the intracoastal in Jupiter, private aircraft at your disposal, and everything else, stand your ground.
And be pissed at the PGA like Phil said.
Yep. FYI - Rory made an extra $30 million last year due to some increased bonus payouts likely due to the LIV competition. Still made less than the $43 million earnings and the $150 million DJ made and was guaranteed.
This is generational wealth for these guys. Bryson had career earnings of $33 million and was guaranteed $125 million. Koepka was fighting knee injuries that hurt him for 4 years with the question of whether he was ever returning to his former level of play. Phil was done earning money in tournaments.
I am not sure any of us should be casting stones because those guys guaranteed financial security for their families. Also, there is always someone with a bigger and faster jet, a bigger crib on the intracoastal, and a better place in the mountains. And these guys are competitive.
Ah yes....the wonders and virtues of materialism. More, more, more. There's another word for that. Starts with a G. Ends in a D.
Enough with the BS. These LIV guys aren't to be admired or celebrated. They already had more than enough and then some. Truth? You sleep with devils, you become like devils. They're stained. Generational wealth? That's just a flimsy excuse for More, More , More. "I gotta make my kids super rich, too." But people are trying to sell it, so, hey, why not you, too? Chasing More grows, the debt grows, crushing interest grows, and our economy sits on cracked foundations. We fiddle as dollars burn. Generational wealth? Hah. Odds are this country goes belly-up in the near future and generational wealth disappears overnight. The depression in '29 did happen. Fortunes can and do vanish. The current approach is unsustainable.
It takes many willing to put the common good ahead of themselves to make a good country. Hundreds of thousands have died fighting for those principles. "More for me" is the antithesis of the attitude that those brave men died for. It belongs to evil empires, who promise their soldiers many spoils and wealth in exchange for brutality and viciousness. We are supposed to be better. We have to be better to survive.
The lust for Bigger, Newer, Shinier is rooted in ego and illusion. A legacy of love and caring is far more valuable than a legacy of things and money. Grabbing as much as you can for yourself is not cool. It's blatant selfishness. And the karma's a bitch. Still have hope for ya, Jay. Gonna keep working till I see a breakthrough. I have faith. Carry on, my wayward son. :<)
I got a warm feeling in my belly ... thanks to Elly! 😎
I have to admit that the Reds are now fun to watch. The energy of the young players is infectious. I hope they continue to perform and keep things interesting.
Although I haven't been to Italy, I would expect the smaller towns near the coast are similar to those we visited in Greece. If you like seafood, the local fish from the Mediterranean is better than anything we get here in the US. Our best meals were at the local tavernas where they would take you into the kitchen to pick out the fish you wanted. Their local wines were also outstanding and all meats and vegetables are fresh. Even the eggs for breakfast were flavorful.
Music tip: Fans of the movie 'Rock Star' are likely aware that the songs were performed by Steelheart and Milojenko Matijevic. I think he has probably the best rock voice I've ever heard, and an unbelievable range. The poor guy's career was sidetracked when he was seriously injured by a falling light tower on stage while performing. Here are two examples of his early and later work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRSHmyK9o-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJGhuD4hyag
I haven’t listened to it in a long time but buried in the music library of my phone is the soundtrack to Rock Star. Steel Dragon’s We All Die Young is a great song for what it is. Blood Pollution and Stand Up aren’t bad either.
"We All Die Young' is a great song and really showcased his voice and caused me to do more research about the singer and band. I watched an interview with the singer recently and learned that he wasn't allowed to tell anybody that he wrote and sang that song. Most people didn't know until several years after the movie. He was born in Croatia but grew up in New York.
Mark Wahlberg really sold that song in the movie. Here’s his character auditioning to be the lead singer. I really liked that movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEMs41vAjnw
Have a great time in Italy! Definitely on my bucket list. EDC really seems to have all the tools, but time will tell. I'm not really a golfer, so I really don't care a lot about PGA/LIV. 30 years ago when I was in the USAF I was in Saudi Arabia for 6 months, so I got a pretty good taste of the country back then. It was very culturally opposite of our own. MBS is certainly no good guy, but he has expanded women's rights far beyond anything I saw. In the meantime, there are elements within our society who want to emulate Sharia Law, removing rights that have been hard fought for. Anytime anyone seems SO SURE that their interpretation of the Bible and their religion is the only correct one, it reminds me of what I saw back then. Crazy is crazy, period.
Exceptionally summarized. You nailed it on the head.
Bible thumpers are really out there on the fringes of reality and sanity. They are scary in their fanaticism. And not so different than Arab fanatics.
Like it or not, ”Oh, goodness, that ball had a family!”, is trending all over the world. It’s already been used in a Mumbai cricket match when a bowled yorker was ripped out of the stadium.
Leaving people in Mumbai scratching their heads too.
The implied meaning is that the ball was senselessly murdered and it had a family.
Thanks for the explanation as I had no frickin' idea what he was talking about.
You aren’t alone, Frankie. When I read the line printed in an article I had no idea what it meant. I had to play the YouTube video to understand it.
It’s a clever line.
Good column as usual. I am always good with you wading into politics. However, I believe your call out of golfer Bryson D. is misplaced. I believe it would be better if you had asked Caitlin Collins and CNN to ask those questions about taking Saudi money to President Biden vs a golfer. In the same period Bryson signed with LIV, President Biden traveled across the world to fist bump the Saudi Crown Prince in front of the world and then asked (Begged) him to immediately increase oil production to lower gas prices in time to help the Democrats in the upcoming midterms. So, yeah, maybe that would be better than asking a pro golfer.
So they're both wrong.
🥱
I know you drink Keystone. If you have any friends who drink wine, specifically, red wine, and you like to be a good host if they come calling, when in Tuscany be sure to visit the mountain-top town of Montalcino and visit the wine shop just outside the castle and the plaza and as you head down the idyllic Tuscan street with all its shops and restaurants. Don't know the name. It's on the right. Can't miss it. You can buy a case of really good wine and have it shipped to Cincinnati for about $300 that will be better and cheaper than any wine you can find here. It got to our house a day after we got home from our trip. The staff will tell you great stories about how it comes from the grapes grown on either the north or south side of the mountain and tastes different because of the early v. late sun. I can't remember which is which, but it's a cool story. Part of the Tuscan experience. Enjoy.
Before I went to Italy had a friend that owns an excellent wine store tell me that wherever you go just order the cheaper house wine as it's better than anything I sell in my store. He was right!