I like this.

-- Posted from an atoll.

Painted Trains

On my fourth day in Rome I thought it might be a good idea to visit the National Library so I could begin working on my research project. As the library was a few miles away from my apartment in Trastevere, I was looking forward to using Rome's underground Metro for the first time. Waiting on the platform, I was stricken with glee when I saw that it was a painted train that came whizzing out of the tunnel. Immediately, I had flashback to Brooklyn, during the summer of 1987. I was six, and I was staying with my grandma Rosa at her apartment in Williamsburg for two months. Every day we had different adventure, and every day we rode the subway. I visit New York fairly often as an adult, and it's pretty rare to see a painted train now, but when I was a kid, they were endemic. And for six year old Meggie, painted trains were like giant pieces of candy that people used for travel. It was as if they had escaped out of Toontown or something. I loved just the sight of them. And to see one while I was standing on the platform at the subway station in Rome, it was kind of like I had stepped into a time portal back to Brooklyn in the 80s. It was awesome.

Italy has such amazing street art, I really wish that I had taken more pictures of all the cool walls and posters and murals and trains that I saw while I was there. They all just offer such a colorful and engaging juxtaposition when set against the backdrop of Italy's architectural heritage.

Here are some pictures I took of some of the painted trains I saw:

Like I said, I wish I took more.

Megan

What NOT to do before bedtime:

Watch Goodfellas.


-- Posted from an atoll.

Wow.

This gem of a bookshelf was designed by Ron Arad.

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/5972/ron-arad-new-works-at-the-timothy-taylor-gallery.html

Pretty amazing, huh? When I saw it I got really exited and inspired about getting back to work in the woodshop at Oxy. Can't wait to start making some stuff.

Megan

Greetings from SpinCycle

So I just downloaded an iPhone application that allows me to post blog entries from my phone. Lame? Awesome? It's really too early to tell. But I will admit I like the fact that I'm blogging from a laundromat.






Xoxo,
Meggie

-- Posted from an atoll.

Socialized health care: Yet another reason why I'd rather be in Italy...

Well, I've been back in LA for two weeks now and each day has been somewhat worse the one before it.  My theory is that I am now paying the price for having such an awesome ten weeks in Italy.  When not sitting at my desk in the library trying to write my research paper, I am mainly spending my time trying to figure out how to go back to Italy... permanently.  

Since I've been back in the States, the news has been dominated by the health care debate - if you can call it that - and all the dumb-fuckery of protests against Obama's socialist agenda.  Now, coincidentally, for the last two weeks I've been having excruciating neck and back pain that just won't go away.  So I see my doctor, she examines my neck and back, and tells me I need to go to physical therapy twice a week for the next few months.  So I go to a physical therapist, and surprise!!! my insurance doesn't cover physical therapy, at all.  I have to pay for each visit out of pocket.  So what do I do?  Nothing, I don't go to physical therapy, I just deal with it.   Oh well.  

My point: I HAVE health insurance, but I can't get the treatment I need because my insurance doesn't cover it.  And I'm just one example of millions and millions of other folks who can't afford to get proper medical treatment, (or even health insurance in the first place), many of whom have conditions that are much more painful and serious than the pinched nerves I've been griping about.  So when I turn on the news and see all the health reform protesters holding up signs of Obama in the likeness of the Joker, or even Hitler, I feel worse.