Adamo does Palermo

So I got here safely... my second home. It feels really great to be back! And its hot... 27 degrees, compared to the 10 that I left in Newcastle! Later we're going to trapetto to see Vito's parents which is always nice.

Working, as usual... but when you have a view of the sea and th warmth of this place, its more than ok.

Mark Thomas and the Killer Coke

I forgot... I went to see Mark Thomas on Monday, and he was AMAZING... too funny.

As I said, he's got more to him than a sense of humour, and he's converted me to boycotting Coca Cola and all of their products. Check out www.killercoke.org to find out why. This is one sick company.

Off on my travels again...

So tomorrow I fly off to Sicily again, my dear Sicily, where so many of my great friends will be. I can't wait, only 32 hours! But before that I have crazy work to do... and drinks to be had with some new found contacts that we met yesterday.

I was asked last week if Youth Voice would present to a group coming from the British Youth Council, which I agreed to reluctantly as we have so much going on, however I am so glad I did! I hadn't really prepared anything other than a rough schedule but then its quite easy to present on Youth Voice as we have a ton of video that explains a lot so I thought I'd just show that. I expected a young audience, but I was suprised when I met the guys and they were all in their 30's and 40's!! I was even more suprised when I was introducing myself and they were saying "I'm so and so from the British Council Indonesia/Saudi Arabia/Pakistan etc."... They weren't actually from the BYC at all they were from the British Council!!!

I actually find presenting to adults easier than to young people, I am usually more relaxed... and this was surely proof. It was great. I showed the classic e2000 video from Paul's trip around the world and they were right away engaged. I then went on to just talk, answer questions etc for over an hour, and these guys really seemed to like what they heard.

Anyway, near the end we were talking away with them, they were really interested, and then they invited us to join them for drinks tonight as its their last night at the conference they are attending. So Paul and I are off on a social networking event that will top many... British Council representatives from all over the world all of whom are interested in forming new partnerships. I'll be sure to take a big pile of business cards!! Whether I'll sleep much before catching my plane at 8:15am tomorrow is another questions....

Cultural progression...

So where do I start?! Things are manic, but great. Paul is back which is better than I had imagined... already he has managed to speak with the director of the Culture 2000 programme in the UK which we will be applying for this month, and this week we have meetings with some very important people which will only see things progress further and further.

I am feeling like things can only get better and better. I have toooo much work, way too much but its all so good and I don't mind one bit, I just have to make sure I keep on top of it. Yesterday I watched "Lost in Translation" which I have been meaning to watch for sooo long. And it was better than my expectations, you should see it if you get the chance. Directed by Sophia Coppolla whose debut was "Virgin Suicides" another fantastic movie. Also there was a making of video on there which was amazing. The film was on a really low budget and filmed entirely on location in Japan... but they all just seemed to have fun, and bill murray was just great. Reminded me of our projects and the ethics behind them, people doing things because they enjoy them, not because they get paid a load of cash.

I'm going to Mark Thomas tommorrow night, again I think he will be an inspiration, I can't wait!! Anyway, more updates soon.

Autumn is here...

So Autumn is here and its all colourful outside... but its really cold, which after a summer in Palermo is taking a bit of getting used to! Paul is on his way for our first meeting since June, which should be great. I got my tickets to Mark Thomas on Monday and managed to get a good way through my to-do list, but there's still always more where that came from.

I've been having quite a reflective day in between frantic e-mails and telephone conversations. I've got a trip to Sweden, Sicily, Portugal and maybe Estonia before the end of the year so time in Newcastle I guess should be precious. But it doesn't really feel that way.

Sharad moved out yesterday, crazy to think we've been living together now for 4 years. End of an era I guess, and I'm gonna miss him. But for him its bigger and better things, he's going to Spain to teach English next year and I think its exactly what he wants and needs. So I can only smile...

The return of an old friend...

Its Tuesday Morning and I'm feeling good, at least monday is over. Tomorrow Paul gets back, which is amazing... its been hard going without him around, not just because it has meant a lot more work, but also because when he's here he helps keep me going. In case you didn't know, Paul is my partner in e2000, our NGO or as its now being called "Social Enterprise"... grr... I hate these buzz words... but more about that another time...!!

Today I am trying to organise things for our Contact Making Seminar... it was accepted last week and it will involve 21 countries. We're told this is the biggest ever in number of countries, which for a currently part-time, almost voluntary organisation its surely not bad going! But trying to get 21 different countries organised with travel, visa's, accommodation and all the other crap its gonna be hard work. Its a Euromed project so that means there are European and Mediterranean Partners, including Syria, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Estonia, Latvia, Italy, Portugal... damn... too many to mention. Anyway, its gonna be great. I'll probably post some more info on it here later in case you're interested.

On Monday Mark Thomas is gonna be in Newcastle, I'm trying to get tickets, this is one comedian not to be missed. Maybe comedian is the wrong word... more activist through comedy. If you want more info about him go to www.mtcp.co.uk and see what I mean. He's great. Just hope I can get tickets... keep your fingures crossed!!

Futurama and Cranberry Juice

So its Sunday afternoon and in usual style I'm hungover. I was sure that I was going to go straight home from the restaraunt but no... not only did I go out drinking with the guys afterwards, but I came home with the guys and continued with vodka till 7:30am this morning. So.. Not really suprising that I slept through to early afternoon. I gotta work now... like crazy.

So... this is me... looking slightly... strange...