Even Salvini won't veto Draghi's invitation by Mattarella to form a technocrat coalition government. It simply makes sense. Italy must present a sensible plan this April regarding the COVID relief fund in order for the Dutch to sign off on such a large amount of money. And who better than Draghi, he probably knows more [...]
Author: baileyalexander
Absence does make the heart grow fonder
In the same way distance gives a writer perspective. When I leave Piemonte for Lake Garda my writing feels liberated, it's offers a fresh voice as I glance over my shoulder, in the same way I could write about America after moving to Europe. The mind opens up and flows, I feel less stifled, less [...]
Yellow means we can travel across regions
So Piemonte to Trentino I go and 4 hours later, another world, with water, which always feels emotional. Lake Garda's a second home, but it was my first home in Europe, some 20 years ago, and it always acts like a blam, a gentle reprieve. Flat it tiny, on the lake, love it and it [...]
Remembering Jim Haynes, and Paris, sadness and other things…
I was sorry to hear of Jim Haynes passing, I wrote about him in my book, 'A European Odyssey'. In the Guardian's obituary they wrote about Jim being a 'leading light in the arts counterculture'. He was instrumental in getting the Edinburgh book festival off the ground. He did many things, he kept busy. I [...]
If you’re a writer you need to read, and if you’re struggling with our new normal; Proust may prove critical.
Not that you need to read all of "In Search of Lost Time", I have tried many times but can't seem to finish, I've only completed the first two volumes. Thankfully, there is time. And Proust is much ado about time and memory. Perceptions and passions, those privileged moments, these little epiphanies... so I find [...]
If you’re like me, and you love to listen; “A European Odyssey” is now available on Audible @ Amazon
Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VF98DDF
‘A Couple of Europhiles’ podcast provides a complete breakdown on Covid; by country, and by vaccine
Bailey and Francis cover Covid, including the vaccine wars, and why it's strategically important that each country develop their own. In this episode they cover the recent drama between the EU and the UK and precisely why contracts must be honoured. They discuss EU regulations, lessons learned and vaccine nationalism. And how US investment was [...]
‘A Couple of Europhiles’ provide a Complete breakdown of Covid; by Country and by Vaccine.
Bailey and Francis cover Covid, including the vaccine wars, and why it's strategically important that each country develop their own. In this episode they cover the recent drama between the EU and the UK and precisely why contracts must be honoured. They discuss EU regulations, lessons learned and vaccine nationalism. And how US investment was [...]
Heading towards a one year anniversary
Forces me to flash back to Feb 24th, when my lockdown began. I'll lever forget the Venetian who said; "we know many things, and we know nothing at all" I play by the rules, others, not so much, one year later, plus ça change
Ferdinanando Giugliano, being Italian, uses the car analogy
Pfizer/BioNTech: Ferrari (expensive, but top results)Moderna: Lamborghini (as powerful, but more niche)J&J: Volkswagon Golf (convenient, does the job)AZ/Oxford: Fiat Panda (as above, but with more issues) An Italian journalist, with a sense of humor