The Elusive Perfect Show

It is nice to have had the experience of not having to be apprehensive about whether there will be a show as the minutes count down to air-time. This was it !!!!! Ellen and I went through the series of steps that precede the beginning, connecting cables, pressing the right buttons, sound checks, etc. flawlessly. Although shocked by the incredible smoothness, I was nonetheless waiting for the other shoe to drop, but there were at 5 PM, with Ellen whispering, "The DVD is in. Quiet on the set." Wow. Well maybe the second DVD player won't work as has occurred several times. For this part there would be no way to determine until later.

The show was devoted to the interviews of Americans I have conducted over the past several months, and came off perfectly. One lady even went to the show not aware she was on it, and was delighted to see her interview. Everyone came off very well, and even I was pleased with my own performance. It is good stuff to interview people without a lot of Italian travel experience. I would certainly like to do more, but with the poor results I have gotten from people who promised to do it, and then backed out, I have become reluctant to approach people. I would surely love to do more, and maybe I will continue to try. Anyway that part of the show was fine.

I spoke about my first Library Forum which I did last Monday. Despite the presence of only five people, it was a lot of fun. They even asked me to lead a tour, which I have done several times for friends and family, but never for "strangers". My next forum is Tues Jan 29 in Kingston. I also gave additional information about the relief sculpture Laura photographed in the Jewish Ghetto of Rome last May, making mention of it. Then after the show Ellen told me there was a date on it which could have some meaning. When I got home I researched the date and found that October 16, 1943 was the date that over 2,000 Jews were deported to Auschwitz, with only a handful returning home, so I now I will make mention of that on next week's show. We must continue to remind everyone of the absolute nightmare that Jews experienced in those horrible years, truly a holocaust.

The show ended perfectly, both DVD players worked fine, I downloaded to my computer, uploaded to Youtube, all in a period of a couple of hrs, and then today realized I had forgotten something I wished to do - acknowledging my mother's and father's 82 wedding anniversary. They were both gone now, but some mention would have been nice, and I will yet again pick up the pieces next week.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

An Art History Lesson by Ric Hirst

I very much enjoy taking art history courses at Bard College, so tonight's show was wonderful. Ric Hirst, my friend and fellow Italophile, was brilliant in his analysis of the art of Marino Marini. The museum in his honor is one of my favorite museums in Florence located right near my favorite restaurant, La Spada, along the street, via dell Spada. Ric to me is quite mesmerizing, and his presentation was worthy of an art history professor. The show itself went quite smoothly as Ellen did her usual fabulous job of camera work and videography.

I again reminded the audience about my book, Alan's Italy: My Personal Journey, which can be reached at my website, Alansitaly.com, Xlibris website, or amazon among many other internet sites. All profits will be donated to the Town of Woodstock to be used to help support the TV studio. Also the book is now on sale at the Woodstock Venue, Jean Turmo, a lovely store on Tinker Street right in the center of town.

I will be doing a library forum in Saugerties 6 PM, Monday evening, Jan 14, to promote the book. I have been creating and re-creating my presentation for quite some time, and now seem to have arrived at a vehicle I feel comfortable with. I will trace my life of Italian travel going through the six Parts of the book through stunning photos, all very personal, including images of the times I have spent with the inspirations for the book, my friends the influential people in my life. There will be photos of me with Lidia, Luca, Franco, of course Laura, my TV engineer, Ellen, and the final Part, just about my past year of amazing experiences. I may do a book reading of a couple of passages that are the most meaningful to me. I hope if you are in this area, you will stop by at 6 PM.

Meanwhile I have moved closer to returning to my real passion to continue teaching mathematics at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. I have been away for almost three years, and am very eager to return.

Next week I will show several video taped interviews of people with whom I am friends. They will talk about their experiences traveling in Italy. The name of the show is Italy in Their Own Words, Part 3, completing the three-part series I started back last spring. I have several more possibilities for interviews in the wings, but right now, this is it. Hope you take a look. Ciao for now !

Return to the Fold

When I began to write this blog it was my intention to only write about my experiences producing the TV show. It has evolved into a lot of things related to my many projects, the books I have written, lectures I have given, classes, library forums, and of course the show itself. Then it transformed itself into me basically thinking out loud, and I haven't felt completely comfortable with that. I am known as a pretty opinionated guy, and who wears his heart on his sleeve, so if there is anyone out there in cyber land who actually knows me, then you certainly understand what I am saying.

Nonetheless, since my favorite things to do are to write and talk about myself (i.e. my very "successful" TV show), here is a tidbit you might find interesting. As many of you might know, ten years ago I retired as a high school assistant principal (Chairman of Mathematics), and then 2 1/2 years ago from my other job as a college lecturer. Well I have made the preliminary feelers out to my old college in Manhattan to possibly return in Fall 2013. This decision has been a long time coming. I tried retirement, filling up my time swimming, walking, guitar playing, reading, watching TV, producing a TV show on public access, writing books and blogs, lecturing and "teaching" about Italy, and of course planning trips there. The past year has been exciting, but when people attempt to tell me that I have successfully "redefined" myself as an Italian Guru, I feel uncomfortable to a certain degree. I would like to believe that, but frankly I miss the old jobs a lot, especially making some money along the way, which I did very successfully for 41 years.

I would love to become a high school principal. I think I would be good after 26 years as middle level supervisor. Going from total 7 day a week freedom to working my ass off, is hard to imagine, albeit very, very tempting. I think I could be very effective. There is so much that needs to be done in education. So I will mull that concept of trying to move in that direction or the much less taxing role as a college teacher of mathematics, which would be 2 days a week, although very difficult days for a guy who has not done much for almost 3 years.

Probably I will return to college teaching in NYC, possibly, but unlikely, up around here. I was very, very good (pardon my immodesty) at teaching math, so that would work, and I would be finally making some money again to feed the beast, i.e. Italy. Meanwhile I promise to write my regular blog after the Friday show, with guest appearance by Ric, about Marino Marini.

Have a great day.

Not Many Pieces to Pick Up

At the end of the blog I wrote yesterday just before leaving for the studio, I wrote that I will only write one today if there are pieces to pick up. Well, thankfully, the studio experience was uneventful. I arrived, set up, checked the systems with Ellen and then did a show where the only thing I regretted was attempting to pronounce some Italian words that sometimes throw me for a loop. Other than that the show was extremely enjoyable for me, but as I move foreword into my second year, I seem to be unable to stop talking. That is not a problem, because after all this is my show, and I do what I want, but the video I wanted to show of the the people Laura and I met in Rome on the day before we left Italy, which was over 6 minutes long had to be squeezed in. I even shortened it by just a few seconds, which did not take away from the video at all. The result was a show that lasted 1 hr 2 minutes and a few seconds, a bit longer than Ellen and I are comfortable with. I hope the five people got my e mail telling them to visit  themselves on Youtube, because I never got a response. I really enjoyed that romp through Rome on a stunning May afternoon filled with excitement and outstanding sights. You have to see it in full to appreciate the whole concept.

Other than that, Ric Hirst has agreed to do Marino Marini next Friday, Jan 11, and I am looking forward to that very much. Then I will show my several interviews with the people I know very well whom I interviewed a few months ago in the show titled, Italy in Their Own Words Part 3. Then back to Franc and on and on.....

Any Questions ?

A Little Variety in Presentation. The Blog, Not the Show.

I never have written a blog BEFORE a show, only after, and then usually the next day, but here is the exception. Sixty-four people have gone to this site to read my blog since last Saturday. I always wonder if people read them through from beginning to end, or just take a look, sort of like TV channel surfing, except on the internet. Web browsing, right ? Isn't that what it's called. I am mulling the idea of presenting a prize to the first one who reads this and emails me some kind of response, anything to let me know who you are. Like you get a free ticket on our plane to Italy if you contact me within the next 48 hrs. Be the first on your block to receive a free ticket to Rome with Alan's Italy !!!!

So to the issue at hand. I spent the week looking back over past shows, not all of them, of course, but a few of the first and then a few of the most recent. There is a marked difference. First, of all I have gained about ten pounds in reality and it is obvious from the photos. Second,  it is clear what my thinking was back then. I never knew what to do with my hands. At first they were all over my face. Then when friends told me, I kept them at my side, but that made me look like I was tied to the chair. Then I tried folding them on the desk or playing with my pen. That is the most acceptable. Third, the presentation on the computer has changed. There are more graphics, writing, especially in the conclusion. Fourth, Ellen seems to be producing clearer images even using the "focus" which I always thought produced poorer images. Fifth, and most importantly, I look and act much more relaxed. It has finally gotten through to me that I am not making the famous "King's Speech" that required so much prep by Edward VI or Roosevelt's "Today is the day that will live in infamy," or Lincoln's "Four score and seven year ago." (The latter, Gettysburg Address, I know by heart. Yeah I know crazy. Also while I am here, I should tell you that I know every American President and when they served. Trivia.) I think I have finally truly relaxed, and perhaps even kept this thing in perspective.Who knows. Tonight I may self-destruct right before my audience. I never know with me.

My friend and former colleague Sima who has never seen my show and is one of the fifteen people in the USA who does not have a computer, has requested to see the show. She does have a DVD player, so I will send her three old shows, and copies of both books. One show I happen to have a copy of Rome Part 2, Show # 8. Then I will send # 41 with Ric Hirst doing the Museum of the Duomo Part 2 to show her a broadcast with a guess appearance. And finally either the Florence Church Show or Piazza show I did recently. Those are arguably my favorites. I'll make that decision when I finish this. For those shows I need to burn a DVD from my computer. The computer which used to take 2 hrs to burn a DVD of a show now takes 3 1/2 hrs and scares me, like is my computer getting worn out. So Ellen, my engineer, will do the copying on better equipment.

Tonight's show Alan's Italy Show # 48 will focus on my amazing last day of our trip back in May, when we spent the day simply strolling around Rome. We had originally planned to visit the MAXXI Museum, but when we saw how beautiful the weather was and how many people were out and about, we decided to join the multitude and right there at our lunch table at Ristorante La Grotta Teatro di Pompeo, I drew up an alternate plan. Tune in for the show. The images are very mundane shots of just about everywhere in Rome including a place at which I have spent precious few minutes, the Jewish Ghetto.

Probably I will write a blog afterward to pick up the pieces. See ya later, or tomorrow.

Defining Alan's Italy

As I have told people over the course of the past year, the name Alan's Italy was chosen purposely because the various projects that developed from the TV show are a personal statement of my view of Italy. Through my experiences over the past twenty years of travel I have come to define a journey that is an outgrowth of my personality, with all its flaws. All of my abilities and deficiencies have clearly emerged in this endeavor, just as they have in my professional life. Indeed as a mathematics educator I had to reach goals that were sometimes hindered by aspects of my various jobs that were beyond my capability. Even becoming a high school supervisor would not have been possible had I been forced the pass the New York City Mathematics Chairman Exam that existed prior to the mid 70's. I was never a math scholar, as many of my fellow chairmen were, and only because the nature of the requirement had been modified was I able to compete, and indeed to succeed.

When I began the television program and the other projects such as my lectures, blogs, and books, I knew there would be things that would cloud my quest for "perfection." I cannot speak fluent Italian, for example, which honestly only hurts me in two ways. First, and foremost, it may have prevented me from becoming closer with some of the native Italians who are a part of my life, like Luca's partner, Mary, Mary's daughter Maria Cristina, Luca's daughter Greta, and many members of Lidia's family. I have tried at least three times to learn the language, and given up in the middle after having made significant progress each time. It is partly that reason that prevents me from trying again. Second, people are always asking me if I speak fluent Italian, and that is more of an embarrassment than anything else. The fact is that during my seventeen years of Italian travel when I held down full or part-time jobs, I just didn't have the time. Now that I am retired, I am heavily into TV production, writing, and lecturing. I get by, but there is always the cloud that follows me around like that cloud of dust that goes wherever that character goes in the comic strip, Peanuts. I was at a party recently where two friends of mine were really getting to me over this issue. I hope my irritation did not come through too much, but I fear that someday it will.

There are other "deficiencies" like my inability to perform the perfect show. As I watch them afterward, there are always faux pas along the way, some of which I correct on a subsequent show, and some I don't bother with. I really try to be better, and I study my performances constantly focussing on ways to improve. There IS a marked difference as time has gone on. Also, my knowledge of Italian culture, history, and art are lacking primarily due to my lack of ANY formal education. Everything is self taught. Yes I have audited courses at Bard College, but without the pressure of tests and papers, I only have only superficially enhanced my overall knowledge. Another thing is that I have never spent more than 2 1/2 weeks at a time in Italy. Many people with whom I come into contact have spent much more time there, and are always shocked that I haven't. They are also shocked that I don't ever want to live there. In fact so many things "shock" people that after a while I just don't even want to talk about the Italian passion thing at parties. At first I did, and when people brought up the show or books, it pleased me. Now it has become an irritant, and I dread having to yet again make excuses. ENOUGH !!!!

I am who I am. I know what I know. Everything I am and know is Alan's Italy, not Bob's Italy, or Sidney's Italy, or simply Italy. Leave me alone already ! You get what is there, no matter how tainted it might be. I never claimed to be an expert, and in fact made that clear on my first show, and many subsequent ones trying vainly to express the fact that I am presenting Italy as I see it, feel it, and experience it, and now that I have yet again expressed this fact in this blog, I feel much better.

So with all of these deficiencies I have somehow managed to get to Italy twenty times, make friends with several natives, three of whom are very dear to me, experience some amazing things, visited extraordinary places and gotten quite a bit out of that experience, and produced a cable TV show, written two books, numerous blogs, lectured before as many as thirty-five people, planned several dozen trips for people, taught in two continuing education programs, developed and maintained a website (www.alansitaly.com) and finally, and most importantly have had a wonderful time, and even, dare I say it, made somewhat of an impact on the Italian Fascination, Italian Mystique (what is it
called ? Sigh, yet another deficiency of mine, the inability to define the pervading amazement with Italy).

Nonetheless, I cherish my blogs one of which you are now reading, as well as my "mysterious" readers who refuse to reveal themselves to me, ever. I see that perhaps 80 to 100 people have come to this site on a weekly basis, growing by the weeks, and I like that and hope I have entertained and interested you. A little encouragement would be helpful, but it is not necessary. I have no trouble sustaining this narrative of my experiences with Alan's Italy, so thank you once again, and I do hope you understand me a little better now.

Adventures in Broadcasting

It was 4 PM and I was ready to leave for the studio. Ellen called to say, "Time Warner cable is not working. We do not seem to be broadcasting." "Impossible," I replied, "I am watching it now." We agreed to try to do a show and Ellen suggested that Laura call us at 5:05 to let us know if there was indeed a show being broadcast. I arrived at the studio, set up for the show, found out the Spanish Dancer would be practicing next door in the Community Center, and off we went into the evening's broadcast. As I was into the first few minutes, my wife called me on my cell indicating that there was nothing coming across her TV at home related to Alan's Italy. There was, however, the usual public service announcements that come across when no scheduled program is on. Suddenly Ellen realized that she had failed to pull a switch and did so immediately it was indicated to me over the phone that all was working well. I asked Ellen if we should start over, but she said that the DVD machine was working well, and that was the most important. I went back a few minutes reiterating some announcements for the people who watch live and missed those items I had spoken of at the outset. And off we went. It was fun talking about my favorite museums, but it is always a challenge with the Spanish Dancer doing her thing right beyond the door.

I spoke a little about our trip to Venice in May/June 2013 (see my next blog entry).Other than that first show a year ago on Venice, I haven't created much on it, so this is a great opportunity. I hope to obtain press credentials for the preview period which will permit me to interview some of the Biennale participants. I would also like to tour the city with several shows in mind such as the Jewish Ghetto, some famous bridges and churches, and perhaps some other famous museums. A significant portion of the material I will bring back will center around the 55th Biennale itself. I will also take day-trips to two cities that have always eluded me such as Padua and Ravenna. Padua if a short train ride from Venice, but Ravenna more of a challenge since it requires a change of trains, probably in Bologna. I am determined to finally get to view the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua after making and breaking two reservations during the past decade. For one reason or another there was always an issue that prevented me from getting there. Ravenna is the venue for the extraordinary Byzantine Mosaics

Tune in to Youtube for tonight's show # 46 - Secret Treasures of Florence focusing on the extraordinary eleven museums that are among my favorites in Florence. Next week we return to the Illuminated Photo Sculpture of Franc Palaia picking up where we left off last time.