Category Archives: Randomness

Well, do you? ~ by Marie…

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Buongiorno a tutti!!  🙂

(posting a wee bit early this morning!)

Way, way, way, way back

Flashback Friday!

While we are waiting for Marie to return to her seat (we really must take those pictures of Igna out of the cockpit!), “Ok, come on, good girl, follow the dimple….” I thought I’d repost a poem she wrote many years ago….

– Do you “one click” order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble?

– Do you hum Their music at Walmart? The Doctors office? Work?

– Do you know the location of Abruzzo, Marsala and Naro?

– Did you pay $400.00+* just for a closer look?  *price updated for 2017!

– Do you know what the letters “TLUC” stand for?

– Do you feel the need to use words like Buonanotte, Grazie and Bravo?

– Do you look for that freckle on the end of Ignazio’s nose?

– The small scar on Gianluca’s right cheek? Piero’s little cross?

– Do you plan to spend the rest of your life celebrating Their lives?

Well, do you?

I already knew you did.

Welcome, this is exactly where you belong.

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~Marie

Un Amore Cosi Grande

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Daniela sent us this wonderful sneak preview of the movie the guys have been working on.

By now we all know that ILVOLO will take part in a movie entitled UN AMORE COSI GRANDE, which will be released in 2018.

This article was published a few weeks ago, that speaks of the plot of the film.

From the giornal THE ARENA

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The protagonist is Vladimir, a young Russian who lives with expedients to keep himself and the mother who has been a great soprano.

His mother convinces him to go to Verona in search of his father.

In Verona Vladimir performs his singing talent and conquers young Veronica and attracts the attention of ILVOLO manager who is looking for a debutant to launch in the trio concerts.

Of course the story will be much woven, and will be shot in St. Petersburg.

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The guys with Vladimir’s mother

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Gianluca and the actress who interprets Veronica.

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Vladimir e Veronica

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Un Amore Cosi Grande, is a film that wants to relaunch the lyrics to bring young people closer to this world up to now unknown.

Tell precisely of the “grande amore” of the protagonist for the work but also for his mother and his girlfriend.

The music of the movie will be drawn from the operas as well as some songs IL VOLO.
On the set, between a slate and the other, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, gave some explanation about their role “Recite next to professionals, but in a role that favors us because we remain Il Volo, essentially doing what is better: singing”.

Behind the shots appear at ease. “The lights we are accustomed,” say in choir boys de Flight, those of the stage of the Arena then know them very well, in fact you have organized various concerts, the last last 19 and 20 May.

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Thank you, Daniela!  

~~Jane~~

 

 

Nutella Dreams Are Coming True!

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On their Italian journey last year, our world travelers,  Jana and Lorna,  stopped by the little cafe in Montepagano and enjoyed Nutella crepes.  Little did they realize that soon Chicago would boast the first stand – alone permanent Nutella cafe!

But first a little history on where Nutella came from…

Pietro Ferrero, who owned a bakery in Alba, Piedmont, an area known for the production of hazelnuts, sold an initial batch of 300 kilograms (660 lb) of “Pasta Gianduja” in 1946. At the time, there was very little chocolate because cocoa was in short supply due to World War II rationing.[3] Ferrero instead used hazelnuts, which are plentiful in the Piedmont region of Italy (northwest), to extend the limited chocolate supply. This product, called “Pasta Gianduja” was originally sold as a solid block, but Ferrero started to sell a creamy version in 1951 as “Supercrema”.[4]

In 1963, Ferrero’s son Michele Ferrero revamped Supercrema with the intention of marketing it throughout Europe. Its composition was modified and it was renamed “Nutella”. The first jar of Nutella left the factory in Alba on 20 April 1964. The product was an instant success and remains widely popular.[5]

And now fast forward to May 31, 2017…

America’s first Nutella cafe opens!

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People enter the cafe through a door shaped like a Nutella jar, which also includes pendants shaped like hazelnut flowers and a ceiling designed to remind customers of Nutella waves.

The 2nd floor of the cafe features a fireplace.

Their menu goes beyond sweet stuff with savory sandwiches and salads made with the hazelnut spread, including panini with speck ham from the same Italian region where the spread originated.

Nutella has held cafe pop-ups across the country but nothing permanent like this new one in Chicago.  Chicago is well known for it’s flourishing food scene, so it was a top choice for the Windy City to be home to the first cafe.

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So next time the guys are back in the U.S.A. those of you in Chicago,  be on the look out for a famous Italian singer who just happens to love Nutella.

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You just never know who you  may run into at this very cafe!!

Nutella Cafe, 189 N. Michigan Ave., (312) 729-5186, open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For those of you from out of town, if you take the train, the Nutella Café is just a little over a mile from Union Station and about a 30 minute walk.  If you walk, then you won’t feel too guilty about eating there!  🙂

Buon appetito!

Photo and story credits to Eater Chicago, Wikipedia and Facebook.

~~Jane~~

 

Personally Speaking ~ Dream On And Dream BIG ~

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Here’s how to get a FREE CASTLE in Italy, your Majesty!

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Want a free castle in Italy? Sure, take one, your highness. But, as with everything good, there’s a catch.

As part of an initiative called the Strategic Tourist Plan, Italy is giving away 103 historic buildings — villas, inns, houses, towers, etc. to entrepreneurs willing to take them. (Yes, that means it could be you!)

All the recipient must do is pledge to renovate the buildings, which are mainly in more remote areas of the country, in a way that will diversify Italy’s tourism industry. This means transforming them into hotels, restaurants, visitor centers, spas, shops — anything that will attract tourist traffic.

This will ideally help ease crowding in popular Italian tourist hubs like Venice and Milan, instead drawing crowds to chill, lesser-known spots along cycling paths, hiking trails, or religious walking routes.

Does the work seem worth it? You’ll need to submit a proposal to the State Property Agency by June 26. So, if you’ve dreamed for years of turning a beautiful castle into a go-kart track, now’s your chance!

We always knew you were royalty. :’)

Above author, Chloe Bryan from mashable.com

 

Dream on and Dream BIG…WHY NOT?

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This could be the view out your back door!

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This could be your next door neighbor!!

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As I said…dream on and dream big!

Writing up my proposal.  I will have a new address soon for a lovely B&B, I’m sure.  I will make the croissants and Marie will make the blood orange juice!    I’ll be sure and look for a place big enough to fit ALL of the FLIGHT CREW in…and of course the guys when they are in town!

Credit to all owners of photos.

~~Jane~~ 

 

 

Once Upon A Time….

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Hey, Everyone!

I’m not sure how this will go, but I’ve seen something like this on social media and thought it might be fun to try here; we have so many creative people in this group.  🙂

The rules are simple:  I’m going to start a story, and when I stop, the next person continues it with a comment of one or two sentences, then the next person does the same and so on.  Only rules: keep it G rated, and have fun!  🙂  Oh yeah…Il Volo has to be incorporated in some way…of course!  😀

Ready?  Here we go!

 

 

 

Once upon a time, long, long ago in a far away land, lived a set of twins named, Eva and Eddie.  Like all brothers and sisters, they sometimes quarreled over toys, or Eddie would make Eva cray when he teased her, but they were always the best of friends.  Then one day…

 

Personally Speaking ~ Aspirations ~ by Mary Bohling

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ASPIRATIONS….ASPIRAZIONE

We know that the highest aspiration of Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio has always been to bring appreciation of the Bel Canto music of their native Italy to the whole world, but are there other things that they also aspire to?  Do they sometimes lose themselves in thoughts and dreams (aspirazione)?

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IGNAZIO:  THE NURTURER

Ignazio seems to be deep in thought.  He is serious, but not sad.  Perhaps he is thinking of all the dogs in the world who are homeless or neglected.  How many of the unfortunate ones could he rescue?  He might be thinking, “Since I can’t rescue all of them by myself, maybe I could start a rescue program that would change the lives of some of these desperate animals….maybe it would be worldwide.  It would be in honor of my two beloved dogs.  They have opened up a whole new world to me.  To nurture them and watch them grow up has brought me joy and comfort.“

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GIANLUCA:  THE THINKER

He looks so serene….might he be thinking, “And now, some time alone to meditate and reflect on the meaning of life.

The meaning of life may well be Love…to love and be loved, really.  Il Volo is bringing love to the world with our music….after all WE ARE LOVE as the song says.  We were raised on familial love and that has taught us well what love is.  We aspire to show heartfelt love to our fans, and we can feel it radiating back to us.  Love completes our lives.”

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PIERO:  THE DOER

Might Piero be thinking, “I believe that I could fly if I can just jump high enough.  Ever since we sang “Volare” I have dreamed of soaring into the blue where everything is peaceful and serene….like diving into a blue lagoon…to fly and sing as I glide through the clouds…to escape from reality into a calm and surreal world.  Of course I would eventually have to come back to earth to rejoin Gian and Igny.  They couldn’t get along without me, and I love our life, but sometimes I just want to escape into the blue to bask in its’ beauty and revive my soul.“

Photo credit:  Maria Renata Pina Williams and Facebook

~~Mary Bohling~~

Will You Pass the Test?

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 Take the 7 Question
LOVE ♥ TEST

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Who is… (no fighting please)

1) The most serious? ❤

2)  The best dresser? 💋

3)  The quietest? 💕

4)  The one with the most dimples? (OK, that one was unfair.) ❤

5)  The one who will marry first? 💖

6)  The friendliest? 💋

7)  The one you most want to kiss on the cheek.  ❤ (Answering all three isn’t allowed)

If you thought I was going to ask “who is the most handsome” you’re wrong.  They are ALL the most handsome. 💙💚💛

Bonus question:
What group did Gianluca recently say was their United States fan club? 💕

(Admit it, we use to do this kind of thing in high school and it was fun.)

Correct answers:    If your answers were, Gianluca, Piero, or Ignazio, in any order, You passed! 💟

 

If you don’t know the answer to the bonus question, you’ve come to the wrong website!

💋Marie