Title: Getting it off my back

Abstract: The role of this blog is to liberate myself of the frustrations of living in a marvelous but imperfect city. This entry sets the stage.

Body: Don't get me wrong, living in Rome is a dream which I wouldn't trade for anything. But after about 15 years here, the little things get on your nerves. It might be a beautiful day and I head out of my apartment, ready to make the most of it, riding my Vespa down from the hill where I live to the historical center where I work, blessed with a magical view of domes and rooftops from the Janiculum hill. But by the time I park near Piazza Farnese I'm in a bad mood thanks to all those little things. Dog shit and litter on the street, scooters and cars parked on the sidewalk, cars double and triple parked along the Janiculum, illegal parking attendants helping cars illegally park, cars parked in the scooter parking spaces, traffic police ignoring all of the above, bad air resulting from the traffic, public buses slowed to snail's pace because of traffic, pedestrian zones overflowing with cars and scooters, and I'm trying to solve the problems of the world's greatest city on my way to work. I've called the "vigili" (Rome's traffic police) on many occasions, and once got the satisfaction of watching a car belonging to a city politician towed from the sidewalk outside my son's school. I've sent faxes and letters. I've written offers to the mayor with ideas to better the city. I've reached out. I've tried to suggest politely to driver's to leave the crosswalks free for pedestrians. But in the end, I still start my day angry because of all these little things.
So this blog is meant as therapy and brainstorming, a place to put down observations and ideas about this city's big little problems get the frustration out. Enjoy, and send suggestions.