Riina & Dan

Young girl on mobile: Nah I can’t. I lost my license.
Young girl on mobile: For doing something wrong.
Young girl on mobile: February. 2010. Speeding.

In the days before the plebs could read, those in power communicated their ideas in pictures. Here in the Duomo of Florence is such an example. Near the top are those who are in heaven. At the bottom are those in hell – if you look to the lower right you’ll see a couple of unlucky souls being sodomised by what appears to be some kind of burning shaft.

This must have a shocking effect on children or the uneducated. Being brought up to actually believe this would be terrifying.

I think it was Francis of Assisi ( I’ll have to check ) that said one of the pleasures of heaven was that you get to watch those in hell. Religion really brings out the best in humanity.

Flying to Rome’s Fiumicino airport went smoothly on Finnair. When we got to the terminal however, the pilot explained that we could leave the plane, but couldn’t yet leave the entry concourse. So, we all piled out of the plane and stood in the hot corridor, just outside the plane. Meanwhile, a chap was desperately swiping a card through a card reader, and talking on the phone. After about 10 minutes, a old maintenance guy ( Scruffy from Futurama ) turned up with a screwdriver and proceeded to pull the machine apart. 5 minutes of this and we were sent down another door and two stair cases. Thwarted once more, the doors here failed to open. By the time we reached these doors, the original doors opened. Welcome to Italy

The train ride in went past some derelict buildings which now appear to be used as a rubbish tip. Meanwhile, the guys behind us where amazingly obnoxious – banging the lid of the ash tray in time with some crappy eurotrash music playing out of his mobile phone.

Finally, we arrived at our destination only to discover I’d booked an apartment with no AC, on a day which was 37 degrees. The fact that it was totally my fault didn’t help. At least it was a ground floor flat with a fan and some solid concrete walls which had kept some of the coolness.

Must dash. 30 seconds left at the internet cafe!

Amnesty Internation defended itself against from the Vatican recently.

“No more financing of Amnesty International after the organisation’s pro-abortion about-turn,” said a statement from the Roman Catholic Church’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.*   

What has AI done to deserve the wrath of the Catholic Church? They have a policy of supporting women who choose abortion, when their lives are in danger and in the case of rape and incest.

“Amnesty International stands alongside the victims and survivors of human rights violations. Our policy reflects our obligation of solidarity as a human rights movement with, for example, the rape survivor in Darfur who, because she is left pregnant as a result of the enemy, is further ostracised by her community,” said Kate Gilmore.**   

The Catholic Church reminds us why we love this progressive, broad minded, rational institution. If you’ve ever considered joining Amnesty, now would be a good time.  

* From the BBC 

** From Amnesty

So anyone who’s looked at my list of recently read books will see that I’m currently enamored of quirky Economics books. I was reading a review of “More Sex Is Safer Sex: The Unconventional Wisdom of Economics” and thought I’d like to buy it. So where should an Australian buy this book? At your local bookstore surely? No postage from there – should be cheaper than buying it from the Internet right? Right? The book is hardcover and will be released on the 18th of June.

• Collins has it for $45.00, with deliver of $6.95 for a total of $51.95
• Dymocks is also $45 with delivery of $7.95 to Melbourne for a total of $52.95
• Angus & Robertson has it at $45 with shipping price of $6.50 for a total of$51.50
• FishPond.com.au Has it for $59.99 ( pre-order version ) with free shipping (orders over $50)
• Booktopia sell it for $35.96 with postage of $6.50. for a total of $42.46
• Amazon US is stocking it for $AUD 20.55 plus $AUD 14.351 for shipping for a total of $AUD 34.901
• Amazon UK £6.52 ( $AUD 15.377 ), £7.98 delivery ( $AUD 18.82 ) for a total of $34.19.

Aside from Booktopia, the lack of competition between local book stores stands out. What also stands out is that it’s cheaper to buy the book from the UK or the US and have it shipped here. Even with $18.82 shipping costs from the UK – it’s still cheaper to buy it there! What gives?