What we can learn from Little Old Italian Ladies

This week, a potluck.

To start, "Things we can learn from Little Old Italian Ladies":

The last may be first and the first may be last, but if you don't push and shove a little, you might not get in at all. This lesson came in handy for me the other day: I was waiting for the bus, and, when it arrived, my inclination was to wait in line patiently, mount the stairs when it was my turn, and so on. But everyone else starting pushing to be the first one to the front, so - it's my competitive side, I couldn't help it - I did, too. And it's a good thing: At one point, the driver got tired of waiting for people to get on and closed the doors and kept on driving.

I heard the Irish didn't have such a great season this year. Did the offensive line have any trouble? If so, I have the answer! Forget 330-pound supermen. They need to send some recruiters to Rome. Get two little old Italian ladies, give one of them a wheeley-cart and the other an umbrella, and they'll create an absolutely impenetrable ten-yard pocket. The best spin moves and linebacker blitz won't do a think. And if you take away the umbrella and instead give the second lady a yappy-dog on an extend-a-leash, I guarantee she makes All-American. Except that she's Italian, of course.

Next up, I've discovered what could become the latest, greatest, workout craze! Not exactly. I think it'll live and die with me, but I think it's great. I decided I didn't really want to "work out" : Get up early, put on the special clothes, run, shower, and then get on to the "rest of the day." Nah. But I realized that Rome is pretty big, and I want to see "all" of it. Why not run everywhere? So I've been a runner-tourist. I just wear my normal clothes and go wherever I want. It's awesome, because I've been able to experience lots more of Rome than I expected - thanks to taking the "fun way," so to speak, plenty of times. Of course, this only works if you are willing to commit at least one major fashion foul: You can't wear fancy shoes.

And, finally, speaking of fashion, I've possibly purchased something fashionable! It's a coat, it seems to be the same coat that everyone else is wearing, it covers up my traveler'clothes (except for the shoes), and I bought it for five euros. And - it's strange, what Italy can do! - I've even considered buying reasonably fashionable shoes.