Sorry for no photos of the snow everyone! I was out of the country when it happened and by the time I got back, everything was melted.

In any case, let’s get ready for a little game.  Who can guess which Roman street artist is responsible for this door?  Double points for people who know where it’s located as well.

By the way, if you speak Italian, head over to Drago Libri’s blog to read a great article on the state of street art going to the gallery in Rome currently.  They pretty much stated everything I think about the “exhibit” that was recently in town.

Last month I was lucky enough to film a monthly travel program that airs on CNN International regarding the city of Rome.  A bunch of locals were selected to participate, including Vino Roma, Irene de Vette, and the filmmakers of Italy Love It or Leave It.  I personally took the crew to the Villa Farnesina to explore some art history and then to my neighborhood of Pigneto, where we talked about street art with my friends Omino71 and Mr. Klevra, toured the art studio of Arturo, went dancing at Fanfulla, and lounged at Bar Necci.  You can watch part of the program starting tomorrow over on the CNNGo website and below I’m listing the times I was given for when it will air.  By the way, I don’t have CNN International, so if anyone has a way to record it, please do!  I would love to have a copy sent to me!  It was a fun experience and I hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed filming.

update: With the help of a friend I was able to see the show! For those of you who are interested, check out the segments on the CNNGo website linked above.  I’m featured in the second half of the “Gorgeous Rome” clip and have some voiceovers at the end of the “Italy’s Capital of Contradictions” clip.

SHOW TIMES
Wednesday, February 8 at 5.30am and 12.30pm

Saturday, February 11 at 12.30am and 2.30pm

Sunday, February 12 at 7.30am

***All times are ET (+6 for Italy) ***

Today I had the fortune of photographing (and helping color in) the second sidewalk chalk venture by Roman graphic designer Tommaso Guerra.  We set up camp in Piazza Vittorio with other friends and he set to work in writing out a phrase in beautifully selected fonts all in white chalk.  Think of it as the typographers answer to the classic madonnaro.  His last outing on the via del Corso was an original phrase “Love is among cyclists, hate is among drivers.”  This time he tackled the well known saying “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast.”  The fonts selected try to give form and movement to the words, which I think is quite successful.  Check back to his site shortly for the aerial photos of the full piece and meanwhile, enjoy the slideshow.

Ok, so laundry hanging out of the window is a little cliche, however I like the tighty whitey underwear and so couldn’t resist.  Plus the reflection in the window gave a nice warmth that I liked.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.  We’ve been fortunate enough to have amazing weather in Rome and I’ve been enjoying some time with my family.  I hope 2012 brings great things to everyone!

As my last shot of the year I have the Hotel Bernini Bristol, which is perched to one side of Piazza Barberini.  I have no idea what it’s like inside, but it’s always reminded me of the grand hotels from the 1950s or 1960s when service was a whole other thing.

To me this door in Pigneto is almost a collage of the cultures that live here.