Just back from Valletta. I’ve just seen the Piano Plans at the archaeological museum and there aren’t enough superlatives to describe the genius behind them. I love it all. The narrow gate, the subterranean gallery, the use of the ditch, the projection screens around the opera house, the multiple functions for the theatre, the hemispherical parliament hall, the room for the janitor on the same level as the ministerial suites and the eco-friendly building ideas. Why do people even bother to comment when we are blessed with genius of such simple magnitude?
Not Fausto, though I am sure he is sweet in his own particular way. I meant the wind that has so sweetly decided to sweep into the island on the first full evening of my visit. “You can’t always get what you want” sang the Stones and I’ll have to adjust to the temprary glitch in the weather. Still I guess many people will be loving the cool breeze the vento maestro brings along so no I can wait a little longer for the sticky windless sun bathing. Meanwhile, back on the ether here is a lovely sample of Timesofmalta journalism for not so anglo-philes:
Sheffield Utd wins friendly against Floriana
English Championship Club Sheffield United won Floriana 1-0 in a friendly at Hibs Ground tonight with Brian Howard scored a penalty in the first-half. Goalkeeper Justin Haber made his first team debut for the Blades as he started the match against the club with whom he started his career in Malta.
They won Floriana? It’s painful to the ear and damaging to the soul. I’m off to finish and send off an article.
This blogger is in motion. This is normally the time I would be registering my usual complaints about the unreasonable travel times and connections between Luxembourg and the island home. By my calculations todays timing for the door-to-door trip is a tad bit above 10 hours. Teleport anyone?
Fat chance zeek. J’accuse will be moving its Royal Pain Base to Paceville and Marsalforn for the next ten days. Goodbye monsoon rains hello heatwave.
aside: Why are there no benefactors and philanthropists for the arts in Malta? Easy. They are all busy covering the payroll for the various bits and bobs emanating from Dar it-Trasparenza and Dar Centrali. Just a reflection innnit.
Yesterday’s denial by Fiorentina’s Pantaleo Corvino seemed to be nothing more than a depistage. This morning, Tuttosport was the first to announce that an agreement seems to have been reached for the transfer of Brasilian midfielder Felipe Melo de Carvalho to Juventus for the fee of €25 million. According to the first information available the bianconeri will be dishing out €20 million plus the transfer of the full ownership of Marchionni (€5 million) to cover the €25 million buy out clause.
This purchase will make the current Juventus team the most Brasilian in its long and prestigious history. It goes without saying that as a supporter of both Juve and the national sides J’accuse is over the moon. Now for the summer imagination to be let loose – will young coach Ferrara transform Juve into a 4-2-3-1 impenetrable goal machine?
(yes, Patrik G. definitely a good time to be a Juve and Brasil fan!)
The swine flu virus has hit the island and the daily reports of new cases have led the quickfire comment crowd to increase the signs of alarum. The latest cases were reported at a village festa in the tiny Gozitan village of Gharb. The general cannons and guns are now pointed on the Isle of MTV music festival or whatever that is being held sometime this week. Big acts like the Black Eyed Peas are expected to entertain thousands for free but some naysayers are calling for a cancellation of the event.
Here is one of the online comments (Warning: Humble Opinion Advisory):
So a simple village feast caused 3 infections as far as we know. What about the Isle of MTV? @Roy C I agree that life must go on, but precautions need to be taken. In my opinion the Isle of MTV is going to be one of the main causes of a major spread. This is only my humble opinion and I am not attending that one for surely. If you agree with me then do not go, if you do not then go.
There you go. This comes hot on the heels of the Roman Catholic Church ordering communion by hand (not in the mouth) – for once the church had in mind the earthly measures for the prevention of the spread of disease and influenza (well, so long as its not a rubber johnny). Some thought that this would not be enough:
[T]his goes to follow.Churches are crowded places too ,and moreover it is an enclosed space. People should be told to refrain from attending Mass . Communion by hand is not enough (D.Vella)
Yep. Refrain from attending. Funny how people do not refrain from typing before processing their thoughts. No wonder sometimes you have to bring in comment moderation. The alarmist crowd should think of what went on at the annual Glastonbury Festival in the UK. 177,000 revellers and three (3) swine flu cases.
Festival spokesman Christo Hird said: “Three unconnected people were taken off-site, straight to an isolation unit on the advice of the doctor and have now gone home.” He added: “They presented with symptoms. All medical staff have been fully brief. The view of the chief medical officer is that they had this before turning up. “This was anticipated. There is no more risk here than anywhere. The figure of three in 177,000 people is regarded as very low.”No other revellers had presented with symptoms, he said. A medical team of 600 is on hand to deal with medical emergencies. (The Scotsman)
I’d be happier if we would be calling for proper medical and security stand-by staff at the Isle of MTV rather than having the usual crowd of fatwa yielding plonkers.
