Not Intent on Arriving

This morning, a car accident in Italy made news around the world. A driver, under the influence of marijuana, attempted to pass another car. In doing so, he collided head-on with a group of local bicyclists. Various media reports list the number of dead at 7 or 8. The crash occurred in Lamezia Terme, a small town about 200 miles south of Naples and an hour south of Cosenza, where I spent a large portion of my summer.

Police arrested the driver immediately. He was identified as an immigrant of Moroccan origins, driving without a license. Family members of the victims mourned the loss.

“He was a quiet man. He had a computer store, but bicycling with his true passion,” a co-worker of one of the victims said.

News out of Italy today is not good all around. On a variety of issues.

1) More School Protests: Thousands of students took to the streets across the country, protesting cuts in public funding for the university system (already underfunded). These same protests occurred while I was studying abroad in late 2008 and continue. Below is video taken at the train station in Bologna (where I’ve spent much time). Police appear to charge students.

2) More Walls Fall Down: Following the collapse of the House of Gladiators earlier this month, archaeologists in Pompeii were on high alert. Unfortunately, the wall of an ancient garden fell yesterday.

3) A New Economic Disaster Brewing: Following a bailout of Ireland by members of the European Union, several economists are suggesting more countries on shaky economic ground. Italy made the list.

4) Berlusconi— The Joke of the World: It’s been quite a month for the leader of Italy. First, a teen Moroccan girl claimed Berlusconi would host “Bunga Bunga” parties where a group of naked girls surrounded the prime minister in a bizarre underwater ritual.  The latest scandal moved the government to the brink of collapse, as previous allies fell left and right. Now, another escort claims those parties were full of underage girls, who were paid handsomely for sexual favors.

5) A Sign of Berlusconi’s Mind: The Prime Minister authorized what amounted to plastic surgery on two statues. Of particular note: he commissioned a penis for a statue of Mars, the god of war.

The Incorrigible Octopi had another victory last night at trivia. We did well in an unlikely category thanks to my weird knowledge. Can you identify these rappers based on their given names (well, I’ll give you photos to make things easier.

1. Christopher Bridges

2. Jeffrey Atkins

3. Shawn Carter

4. Cornell Haynes Jr.

5. Curtis Jackson III

6. Marshall Mathers III

Answers

1. Ludacris 2. Ja Rule 3. Jay-Z 4. Nelly 5. 50 Cent 6. Eminem

I got all of them except for Ja Rule.

First of all, take a look at where the Chinese workers who make your iPhone live and sleep. Wired has an extremely moving photo gallery.

Also, Apple has announced, in a fairly shocking move, that they will lengthen the sample of every song in their library to 90 seconds from the 30 second status quo.

Finally, if you want to Skype with lots of friends at one time, you’re in luck. Skype unveiled group chat in its beta version.

Nordstrom plans to open a new store in New York City’s Soho neighborhood. What’s unique about this store? The plan is to donate all proceeds from this new venture to charity.

The new store will open in late 2011 on the bottom floor of a residential complex. In spite of the company’s support, the venture will assume a new identity— beginning with a new name.

“Our intention is not to create a mini-Nordstrom,” corporate spokesperson Pamela Lopez said. “There will be no Nordstrom signage and no Nordstrom shopping bags. Really, the store will have an identity all its own. It’s a chance for us to do something completely new.”