Author Archive
San Lorenzo, the Duomo
We got out a little earlier today. We started with San Lorenzo and it’s library (which was designed by Michelangelo). The cathedral’s face was also designed by Michelangelo but never applied so it looks quite raw from the outside. The line for the Duomo was short so we decided to walk through. To me, the […]
September 19th, 2017 by alephnaught
The Duomo Museum and the Medici Riccardi
Yet another late start – it’s become standard, we get up and eat a leisurely breakfast and then go out for the afternoon. Today Aviva and I went to the Duomo Museum, which has been complete remodeled. It is now really modern and wonderful, they’ve got a multi-floor model of the Duomo showing key sculptures. […]
September 18th, 2017 by alephnaught
Santa Maria Novella
We got up very late and grabbed a quick lunch and headed to Santa Maria Novella. It’s a large church with great frescoes by Ghirlandaio (Michelangelo apprenticed with him) and Lippi. We also walked around the cloisters with severely damaged frescoes from Ucello. Then we shopped at Santa Maria Novella Farmacia which goes back to […]
September 17th, 2017 by alephnaught
Some sculpture at the Bargello and a failed attempt at Santa Croce
As usual we got out late. We walked down to the Museo Nazionale del Bargello and checked out the sculpture, then tried to get into Santa Croce – we were too late, services had already started. So we shopped a little, had dinner and headed back to the apartment.
September 16th, 2017 by alephnaught
The Ufici
This day we had a 2P ticket to the Ufici, which means office in Italian. We got an incredibly slow start – my throat is still sore and Aviva didn’t sleep well. So we ended up rushing out at about 1:30, grabbed a fast lunch at Move On, a combination record store and pub. The […]
September 15th, 2017 by alephnaught
Shopping in Florence
We got a late start – my throat is sore and scratchy and neither of us slept especially well. We decided to do some shopping, so we went to some stores Aviva identified, ending at Aviva’s favorite jewelry store and I at the Florence Apple Store. Aviva found all kinds of neat things including a […]
September 14th, 2017 by alephnaught
Finally made it to Firenze
We set off on Sunday Sep. 10 – and made it as far as LAX. Alitalia moved our flight to the next day. And they did it very badly – we spent all day at the airport to learn that we should have just gone home and returned. They had no staff that knew anything […]
July 7th, 2017 by alephnaught
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
I’ve lived in Los Angeles for over eight years and hadn’t been here. Nathan and Ashley wanted to go so it seemed like a good opportunity. And it was fun! We had lunch at the LACMA cafe (its a short walk from the Tar Pits across a park along the Tar Pits Lake) and then […]
July 5th, 2017 by alephnaught
Anime Expo 2017
My son Nathan and his spouse Ashley came in to visit, and we spent two days at Anime Expo. It’s always fun – there are cool sessions and autograph opportunities along with an artist alley and exhibit hall full of people selling everything. This year was bigger than last year – on Saturday it was […]
June 17th, 2017 by alephnaught
The Handmaids of West Hollywood
Aviva and I were at LACMA last weekend and just happened to arrive as some handmaids were leaving the museum. Here are a couple articles about this group, from the LA Times and TV Guide. Save Save
September 20th, 2017 by alephnaught