7 x 8

I do memes if I haven’t done the particular one before, if I think I can make a decent post out of it and – yes – sometimes if I’m stuck for an idea. This one from Lady Mac made me think:

8 things I’m passionate about:
1. My dog
2. Italy
3. Books
4. Cooking
5. Language learning and teaching
6. Any form of bullying – in schools, at work, on the internet, anywhere – angers me.
7. I hate narrow-mindedness.
8. Unkindness is so unnecessary.

8 things to do before I die:
I’ve done the big one – I moved to Italy!
1. Publish a book
2. Buy a Sicilian villa on the proceeds
3. Visit Mendocino – because of that song by Kate & Anna McGarrigle [no room for it on list below]. Along with Carrickfergus, I think it expresses homesickness perfectly.
4. Fly long-haul first class but only if I can take ALL my make-up on board!
5. Meet James, Ellee, Lady Mac, Winchester Whisperer and jmb! [Be warned: I eventually manage to do most things I set out to do!]
6. Fall madly, irresponsibly in love one more time – with an uncomplicated, straight, solvent, single man. [Well, all right, I suppose he can be a bit complicated!]
7. So many more books to read!
8. So many more recipes to try!

8 things I say often:
1. All to my dog: “Good girl/Pretty girl//I’m only putting on lippy – it’s not time to go out/Simi day today” [on a day when I’m staying in].
2. A lot of unprintable Anglo-Saxon swearwords.
3. “Shit! I can’t see to find my glasses.”
4. “Pazienza” .
5. “Buona giornata /serata” [“Have a good day / evening”].
6. “He /she’s on his / her way out, then”, whenever a British Prime Minister gives a minister his “unreserved backing”.
7. “Con ghiaccio e limone, per favore” [“Ice & lemon, please”].
8. Cincin!

8 books I’ve read recently:
1. Hot Mettle – Brenda Dean
2. As a Dodo
3. Shakespeare’s Wife – Germaine Greer
4. Delizia! – John Dickie
5. The World According to Bertie – Alexander McCall Smith
6. Love in a Torn Land – Jean Sasson
7. Dear Olivia – Mary Contini
8. L’Amore molesto – Elena Ferrante


8 songs I could listen to over and over:
1. Va, Pensiero – Pavarotti or a Welsh male voice choir
2. Nella Fantasia – Katherine Jenkins / Summer /Paul Potts
3. Sapore di Sale – Gino Paoli [every Italian’s favourite summer song]
4. À Quoi Ça Sert l’Amour? – Edith Piaf & Theo Sarapo. In this song the young man asks the experienced, older woman what’s the use of love because he’s heard it brings only pain. She replies that it does bring pain but also much joy. “C’est triste et merveilleux – It’s sad but it’s wonderful”. I like to think that Sarapo really loved Piaf. I have no reason to believe that he didn’t.
5. Always on my Mind – Presley / Patrizio Buanne
6. Waltz Across Texas – Ernest Tubb. I just can’t sit still when I play this. It reminds me of my line-dancing days and Simi thinks I’ve gone mad!
7. Last Man in My Life – Shirley Bassey
8. The Prisoner’s Song – Brenda Lee
And my ringtone is Je ne regrette rien.

8 qualities I look for in a best friend:
1. Be trustworthy.
2. Be kind, above all else.
3. Understand it’s not always easy to be single.
4. Humour, humour, humour!
5. Don’t be narrow-minded .
6. Stay in touch – you don’t have to live in my pocket, but don’t let me make all the effort in the friendship. An email saying, “Sorry, I’m busy – speak next week / month” is nearly always possible .
7. Don’t call me when I’m listening to The Archers – unless, of course, you are in trouble, in which case you can call me any time of day or night.
8. Love my dog.

8 people I’m passing this on to:
Anyone who feels like doing it. [I don’t tag.]