Forget about global recession, enter the cutest car of the year! The new FIAT 500 actually came out in 2007 as a modern version of the 60s' Cinquecento (kind of like the VW New Beetle or the omnipresent Mini). With over five hundred colour, interiors and motor choices, each of us can assemble our own unique Cinque. And the best part of it is, prices range from 10.000€ to 14.000€, undeniably financial-crisis-friendly.
Yesterday I learnt something new about macroeconomics: just as banks and companies, countries can go bankrupt. Apparently, Iceland is in serious economic trouble after a ten-year long economic boom during which its banks and citizens expanded both the reach of their investments and the figures in their accounts. Now that these investments have collapsed, the country is in a state of alert over the possibility of breaking down, to the point that Icelanders fear a shortage in food supplies.
This is proof of both the depth and the global reach of the crisis, especially dramatic on a week in which European banks have begun to show their weakness. I'm no economist so I can't really explain what's going on in the land of ice, but I'm enclosing an article about it from the Herald Tribune.
Feel good videos often look alike. These two (an extract from Odette Toulemonde and the videoclip for 1234, by Feist) both feature a female star, a collective dance routine and an overall positive feeling. Enjoy!
I saw Radio Days yesterday, and it totally made up for the disappointment that was Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Where VCB is predictable, cliché-ridden, and unsteady in its pace, Radio Days easily unfolds a wide gallery of characters and atmospheres, while presenting something that's not exactly a story, nor a memoir, and would be best described as a tableau vivant recreative of a very special time and place. Allen's memories introduce us to the heyday of the radio in 1940s New York City. The film develops around two distinct poles: the inner world of the bussiness, with its various broadcasts, stars, and stars in the making, and Allen's regular, if eccentric, low-class family whose lives revolve around what they hear on their receiving set. Aside from the characters and the great little stories it contains, RD also has a great script, full of funny situations delivered with Allen's distinctive punch lines. Being a comedy, it has very moving moments, even for those of us whose radio memories are linked to last.fm. In short, it's one of those brilliant Woody Allen films that I advise you not to miss!
Like most girls, I am prone to shoe fetishes, and the start of a new season, with all its shopping possibilities, is the ideal time to develop one. So it's no surprise that this week I've developed my first fetish of the season over these Fred Perry sneakers.
I saw these in an übercool shop in town and fell in love right away. As a general rule I love all things Fred Perry -the brand has a very understated feel, and the clothing is simple and well made. However, I have to say, I am wary of wearing sneakers everyday, because this widens the feet and makes high heels terribly painful. I usually alternate between sneakers with a narrow shoetree and ballet flats, which I like to think are less foot-widening. These seem a bit wide on the picture, but actually they're pretty small. Anyway, they'd be a great complement to my newly purchased ballerinas!
Forget Obama Vs McCain, here's the vote you can't miss: the Motown 50 vote!
As a celebration of Motown's 50th anniversary, Universal (the label's current owner) has enabled a voting page for the label's best tracks ever. Voters choose their top 5 songs, and the winners will be included in the Motown 50 celebration album. All the great artists are there: Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes... I can't say I grew up listening to them (more likely, my parents did), but these songs are all classics to me, they've helped shape my musical taste. As a matter of fact, I'm considering a Motown update to the blog playlist. I've already cast my vote: 1) The Tracks of My Tears - Smokey Robinson 2) Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross 3) ABC - The Jackson 5 4) Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell 5) You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes I enclose a link to the page: http://www.universalmusiconline.com/motown-50-vote/
Marvin Gaye seeks inspiration during a recording session
I just updated my personal playlist! I've made it shorter and sweeter, with songs that I've recently discovered or that feel like the current month. I hope you'll like it! Also, I'm posting a little present. This picture makes for a very cool wallpaper. All you have to do is download it and set it as your wallpaper in the 'centered' position. I have only tried it on Vista, but (hopefully) it will work on other Windows versions.
