Monthly Archives: January 2015

Syriza!

Posted on January 28, 2015 by toritto

“As he climbed on an elevated stage in central Athens to give his victory speech on Sunday night, Alexis Tsipras looked more like a rock star than Greece’s newly-elected prime minister.” “Our people too have a right to joy and … Continue reading →

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“Freedom”

Posted on January 28, 2015 by toritto

You will knead enough dough for dozens of loaves but will taste not a morsel for you are free to slave for others while your children stare in store front windows hungry.   From the day you are born they … Continue reading →

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Demolishing Daisy’s House

Posted on January 27, 2015 by toritto

The waters of the great sound embrace me at Land’s End lapping ceaselessly and bearing witness. My front door is now unhinged paint peels from my walls. Yellow Formica passe kitchen floors strewn with trash pool and diving board in … Continue reading →

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Timepiece

Posted on January 26, 2015 by toritto

I have a temporary home at Bulgari on the via Condotti, out of sight of the hoi-polloi. I am seen only by those who matter by appointment to those who are driven rather than drive who live in palazzi or … Continue reading →

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From Republic to Empire

Posted on January 26, 2015 by toritto

Standard of the IV Cohort XXIV Legion   At Cannae, in Southern Italy, the Army of the Roman Republic faced Hannibal in the 2nd Punic War. At the time a Roman citizen could not “join” the Army; it was an … Continue reading →

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The Destruction of Messina and the Italian Exodus

Posted on January 25, 2015 by toritto

On December 28, 1908 at about 5:30 in the morning the greatest earthquake to ever strike the European continent in modern times struck Messina in Sicily. Messina was home to about 180,000 at the time. It was Italy’s 3rd largest … Continue reading →

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Whitney’s Super Bowl

Posted on January 24, 2015 by toritto

It was Super Bowl Sunday 1991 and the game was being played in my adopted home town of Tampa – in the old Tampa Stadium where the popcicle Bucs began their days. It was an all New York Super Bowl … Continue reading →

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RIHT to RISD

Posted on January 22, 2015 by toritto

Once upon a time, during the reign of Antoninus Pius, I lived and worked in Providence, Rhode Island. But I’m getting ahead of myself. As a sixteen year old high school graduate I worked in the mail room of the … Continue reading →

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St. Vincent’s

Posted on January 21, 2015 by toritto

I can almost hear them  down in the basement across the street plotting. Almost hear them. I know who they are. Think they can fool me But they’re wrong. I see them watching. Plotting. Got to get to St. Vincent’s. … Continue reading →

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Wild Cherries

Posted on January 20, 2015 by toritto

It was Autumn 2002. I was turning 60 years old and she and I were going to Paris. Paris,  Las Vegas. Neither of us had ever been to the Desert Mecca. I thought it might be fun. She had her … Continue reading →

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