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dimanche, mai 08, 2005

Insanabile Cacoethes Scribendi

I was never warned that the blogging business also comes along with an insanabile cacoethes scribendi (an incurable urge to write). Like the tabloid editor, desperate to fill every last inch of the column, your average blogger is addicted to the filling in of his daily journal. The term �feed� I believe is used in those sites where you can track whether the blogs you follow have been updated (I�ve started to use newsgator but am still very green about it all). However feeding is just the right term. Like that famished pet dog that is always at your feet wanting more, your blog could turn out to be the worst drain to your attention since the dreaded tamagochi craze when people went around feeding electronic pets.

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Insanabile Cacoethes Scribendi - Juvenal

Now this is not to say that a blog is not intellectually more rewarding however the opposite of writer�s blog could be writer�s logorrhea where any amount of words are spat onto the page in an effort to fill. Just a bit of silliness really. Now I have found no cure for this urge except maybe to sit down and write and later discard without ever publishing. I never manage myself... my ego is too great to be able to discard any work no matter how much I can bring myself to admit it is worthless.

Today�s cacoethes scribendi is however attributable to a different matter altogether. It is a mental diversion. I originally wanted to blog about passion in all its different forms. I even researched the subect (sad as it may sound I am researching for a blog). Thing is, I cannot concentrate for a most banale of reasons (for some). Today, at 1500 hours GMT in the Stadio San Siro AC Berlusconi faces Juventus Turin as they are affectionately known this side of the Alps. What would seem to be a trivial occasion to many assumes monumental importance to people like myself. One reason may be the fact that I have psyched myself up for this moment through the whole season. The stage is set, the two giants will play before the bald arbiter and there can only be one victor. If not today the victor will be announced in the playoffs to be played on the 14th and 18th June. Poor heart. Poor heart.

So. Having abdicated from my passion duties due to my passion for il calcio I shall satisfy my urge to write and fill by doing something which is normally found in many Sunday papers. A list. Two lists actually. The first is a list of the books that I am currently reading (all at once yes, for I am unable to stick to the normal finish one and start another routine - since I read at night it is probably a parallel to the zapper infront of tv... selecting the best program to suit my needs at the particular moment). The second is a list of books that I open and refer to randomly since they are not meant to be read at one go and contain dips of wisdom here and there. So here we go...

Open Book
Dublin - Edward Rutherford
From the author of London, Sarum and comes another intriguing historic novel. If you�d love to learn about the history of these cities without going too much into the technical, rutherford�s books are just the right pill. I cannot wait for the day he writes The Three Cities (an account of the Three Cities and eventually Valletta) myself. Who will write to the guy?

La Mysterieuse Flame de la Reine Loana - Umberto Eco
Just started this one (in French). Looks like he is back to his best. Although I liked Baudolino and dredged through L�Isola del Giorno Prima, this new one seems to be just the ticket. Run to the stores and buy your copy ... preferably in Italian original but the French version is cool too.

The Motorcycle Diaries - Ernesto Che Guevara
A very good friend of mine just gave me this one. Also just started. Looks good. Have not seen the film and will not before I finish the book.

Quicksilver - Neal Stephenson
First book of a trilogy. The guys knowledge range is encyclopaedic. Problem is I keep losing the plot. The book is full of interesting facts and descriptions of life in another time (the period when alchemical discovery begins to split from real science and the period of the great mercantile wars). It is brilliant in its depth of research and information, I find it weak in its storyline (which is why I can never seem to get through the whole book). Has anyone else read it? Have you encountered the same problems?

Monsieur Rene - Peter Ustinov
A book that I bought from some second hand shop. Yes I did buy it because of the name, and because of the author who I loved as an actor. Mildly entertaining. An interesting scene is one where the author describes sex between two characters in their second youth. Humorous and touching.As for the story it�s ok, nothing special but Ustinov�s style and descriptions can make up for the cliche plot.

Open Reference
Giulietta e �na Zoccola (Tempi Supplementari) - Cristiano Militello
An overview of the best banners that have appeared recently in Italian football stadia. A must buy.

1515 et Les Grands Dates de l�Histoire de France - ed. A. Corbin
Not 1066 and all that. An extremely interesting collection of essays on the different events that make up the history of France. It is an auto-critique of the French by the French. Taking as its point of reference a popular history textbook of the 30�s, the book reexamines the myths created in order to create a popular idea of La France and contrasts them with what really happened. Read about the founding of Marseilles, Pepin Le Bref , Jean d�Arc, and much much more.

The Book of the Samurai - Hagakure
Bought this one after seeing Ghost Dog. Not bad. Has some insightful information but can be quite a disappointment sometimes.

The Art of Travel - Alain de Botton
Interesting analysis of the why and because of tourism from a personal and almost spiritual point of view.

101 experiences de philosophie quotidien - Roger Pol-Droit
101 exercises using little more than your work desk or your telephone. Little challenges which help you discover new perspectives.

Factoid of the Day
1906: In 1906 a spareggio was necessary between Milan and Juventus and this was played in Torino by reason of the better goal difference of the Turin side. Thematch ended in a no-score draw. The Federation decided that a rematch would be played at the neutral stadium of US Milanese (another team from Milan at the time). Juventus did not accept the decision and did not turn up at the stadium. Milan won by default.

8 commentaires:

Antoine Cassar a dit…

Best of luck to Juve!!!!!

I don't support any Italian team in particular, I used to follow Napoli as a child because I was enamoured with the flair of Maradona. But I like Juve, and man, even though Eccezziunale Veramente is a great film (Milan Miiiilan!), I just can't stand Milan. Hope they lose today and to Liverpool on the 25th.

Abbasso Berlusca!!!

Arcibald a dit…

About the urge to write: I know the feeling, and I would like a remedy. Everything I think about has lately become a case of "that something great for the blog" or "I would like to throw some shit about that in the blog". Even reading the newspapers lately has become a hunt for worthy subjects to blog about! Anyway, if you ever find a remedy, kindly leave me a message!

MaltaGirl a dit…

I find myself making mental notes during an event about how I will write about it in my blog: "Let's see, I must remember this bit, because that will make some great comic relief in the middle of the post" :-)

Sounds like we could all use a couple of these...

Arcibald a dit…

That's really great Maltagirl! I'm seriously considering buying one!

Antoine Cassar a dit…

Ecccccezzzziunaaaaaaale!!!! Prosit Juve!!!

Kenneth a dit…

Arcibald, they don't ship to Malta :)

Arcibald a dit…

wizzikk... naghmel id-design jien u nipprinjtah ghand xi konica jew hekk.. jaghmlu t-shirts minn ghalija... u ahjar ghax innehhi l-website address li hemm wara :)

Anonyme a dit…

Re: books you might like to read (not that you seem to be in dire need of recommendations) but you might enjoy The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.