MJ Speaks

25 Things I Love About Italy

In no particular order, here are some of the things that I’ve come to love about Italy, and why I’m looking forward to a return trip again next year. [caption id="attachment_346" align="aligncenter" width="525" caption="Fields of sunflowers in Tuscany, July 2009"][/caption] Sunflowers Gelato Lake Maggiore Isola Madre Isola Bella (and yes, I know it’s gaudy and over-the-top) Latte de Luna (with wild mushroom soup that’s to-die-for) Brunello wine Giuseppe and La Montalla Florence (so much beautiful art) Trevi Fountain in Rome (I threw in 3 coins, just to ensure my return) Vatican (history and art, religion and politics) Fashion and fashionably dressed men and women Cafes and cappuccino Hills towns in Tuscany Beautiful churches (every town has ...

Review: In the President’s Secret Service

I was driving on my way to an appointment, when an interview with Ronald Kessler came on the radio. Kessler, a prolific author and former columnist for the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, has a new book out, In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect . Although a bit too much of the interview was whinging about the Secret Service needing more money (I’m neither agreeing nor disagreeing with that premise), some of the gossipy presidential tidbits grabbed my attention. I fired up my trusty Kindle, ...

The Most Famous Street in the World

Paris is home to one of the most famous streets in the world, the Avenue des Champs des Elysees. No trip would be complete, without talking time to at least stroll down the Avenue. Better yet, take time to stop off for a cafe au lait and watch the world go by. Better still, a little shopping spree! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris, France"][/caption]

Patience Please, New Template in Progress

I'm in the process of upgrading my personal blog here into a magazine format, along with adding in some shiny new whistles and bells. I've got the template selected, and, as you can see, I'm in the process of getting it all spruced up. [caption id="attachment_223" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="The Ancient Ruins of the Roman Coliseum"][/caption] The fun part of all of this, is that it's going to look so nice when it's all done. The not so fun part of all of this, is that I'm having to learn a lot of tech stuff, and that means that there are gong to be ...

There’s Only One Me

I was researching information for a blog post, and got sidetracked by something that I read on Twitter. There’s only one of me. How many of you are there? HowManyOfMe.com ...