Mīlle viae dūcunt hominēs per saecula Rōmam

Here we are. Another post on my recent travels. This one about the gorgeous city of Rome. The ''Eternal city''. Do you know where does the name come from? From the Roman times. Ancient Romans believed that no matter what happens, no matter how many empires should rise and fall, Rome will be there forever. I suppose in a way they were right no? I mean ancient Roman empire did fall but there still is a Rome today.

Right from the get go, Rome is beautiful, impressive and everything is made in a large scale. There's nothing small about Rome. The stadiums, the streets, the buildings, everything is huge. And everything is beautiful, the Roman remains, the Vatican and the more recent buildings such as the monument built for Vittorio Emanuele II. Holy shit. That thing is massive. But first things first. Those of you who follow me for a longer time know I am obsessed with Berlin. That it's my absolute favourite place in the whole wide world and that there is nothing that could change that. Except perhaps Donald Trump moving to Berlin, but I think I don't have to fear that happening. Lol. Anyways if you know that then you probably also know that Italy is also one of my favourite places. That I love all of Italy, especially Tuscany, their history, their culture, their art, their food and even their crappy driving. Italy is amazing, there aint another place on this earth as amazing as Italy is. And Italians are very special people, very kind, very helpful, very loud. Gotta love them. 

I've been all over Italy even down south on the island of Sicily, but the closest I got to Rome was a far away view from the highway where I could just catch a glimpse of the dome of San Pietro. It's been a long standing wish to see Rome actually. Even if my heart was pulling me back to Berlin this year. I have to admit, I was rather disappointed with how filthy the city is. It's one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it's so filthy. Trash everywhere. Really rather gross. Italians really just don't care but to me, it's a bit off putting. I get super annoyed at home when there's pieces of plastic wrappers laying around, now I see that I get my panties twisted for no reason. Comparing to Rome my home is spotless. What also bothers me immensly is that I live in Slovenia, which is right NEXT to Italy and yet to get there I have to take a train to Austria and then from Austria to Rome. What the hell? Shouldn't all European capitol cities be connected? 

Starting with the hotel. It was a cute, nice, family owned place. Not that much of a hotel but more of a bed and breakfast kinda thing with a shared bathroom, mostly meant for people that stayed a day or two, so us staying that long was a bit unusual but you know why not. It had a great location, right next to the subway stop, very clean, good price, and the nicest and kindest staff. The owner was super sweet, very helpful, and bonus she had a sweet dog that came to our room each night and morning to play. You know me, if there's a dog I'm game. In case anyone is interested, the place is called ''B&B Royal'' you can easily find it on ''Booking.com''. Really, if I go back to Rome and I'm not rich enough for the Hassler hotel (don't ask) I'm for sure coming back to this place. 

We did the whole drop your bags and go out exploring thing the very same moment we came. I literally changed clothes (I was over dressed and Rome was hot as hell) and bolted out. Technically only to hunt down the Hard Rock Cafe. It was the last day of ''Freddie Mercury week'' and obviously I would just die if I didn't try the Freddie milkshake which may I add was amazing and due to my Freddie shirt I was wearing actual Freddie with a cape came to talk to us and joke around and take pictures it was super awesome and by the way, just like everything else, their Hard Rock is amazing. Not only saying because they have Bruce Springsteens guitar (oh my god!) but also because of their ceiling with angel paintings. Beautiful. Did I mention btw that the HRC staff is always the nicest staff out there? Just the same in Vienna I love them all just saying, if any of y'all is reading this, you guys are doing a great job. 

The other thing that I saw the very first day was the Trevi fountain and honestly I have to admit I nearly fell over backwards. No other fountain in the world compares to this one, well it couldn't because Trevi is the biggest one. It's a clever name ''Trevi'' comes from ''tre vie'' which means the junction of three roads which is where it stands. Also another missed conception that the fountain is made by Bernini. It's in fact not true. Bernini was supposed to ''fix it up'' because one of the popes found the original insufficiently dramatic, but because the pope died before the construction even began the project was abandoned. There are several touches based on Bernini's sketches that were used later on however. It was actually Pannini not Bernini who did most of the work on the Trevi fountain. The legend goes that if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder, you'll come back to Rome, or if you make a wish that wish will come true. It's silly I know but yet aparently there's about 3000 euro worth of coins thrown in the fountain daily so obviously I had to do it as well.

Walking around the very first day took us around some of the most important landmarks, Trevi fountain, Castel Sant' Angelo and the Spanish steps. All flooding with tourists. And the Spanish steps are far less interesting than they used to be. They used to be a meeting point for people all over the world. They'd sit down on the steps and chat, these days sitting down is forbidden and punished with a fine, all you hear is the police whistling all the damn time. I don't really understand it to be fair. How is sitting down more damaging than walking up and down. If they fear damage they should just close them down all together. And you do know what's right across right? The famous and most expensive shopping district in the world. Via Condotti. HOLY.SHIT.

 

Besides the filth I gotta complain about the prices. Everything and I do mean everything is expensive in Rome. And nothing is free except water in fountains placed all over the city. You will pay even walking around the ruins in the Circo Massimo which is supposed to be a public park. Which it is but a part of is where the ruins are is fenced and payable. Deep sigh. And another thing that bothers me more than anything. I mean I can suck up the filth and the prices but this is too much. Humans. Humans and their selfie mania. I swear the god they can't make 5 steps without a fucking selfie. It's unbearable. It's like Rome is no longer a beautiful, historical city but just a backdrop for idiotic selfies. Can you imagine what their phone galleries must look like? And there's like no respect, they climb all over the ruins, hanging from Pompeii pillar remains, grinning dumbly in front of graves at the cemetary…my god. Really I can't take it no more. I'd bitch slap all of them to punch some sense into them. Btw. No offence but most of them were Americans. Yet again. Sigh. 

So another thing that we went to see was the Zoo. Or the so called Bioparco di Roma. My feelings about zoos are conflicted. Sometimes I feel it's cruel to keep animals in ''cages'' or enclosures for human entertainment and sometimes I feel all animals in the world should be locked up just to keep them safe from humans. Bioparco is supposed to be a smaller zoo (Yeah sure. As if anything in Rome is small) and it's located in the massive estate of the Villa Borghese gardens. Just how rich were these people really??  The gardens alone are spectacular and a great place to walk, parrots flying freely around and nice shade from huge trees. Beautiful. The gardens of course house the Villa Borghese with amazing art works, which I didn't see due to it being all sold out and I didn't know that that is one other thing that needs to be booked online to see. Sigh. But the zoo was a nice alternative. Today they have 222 different species of animals which may I add were very lazy because it was very hot on the day of our visit. Not that I don't understand them. At this point another word of advice, bring bug spray and bathe yourself in it especially if you're prone to bug bites. Mosquitos are everywhere and they nearly ate me alive. Not pleasant. So the zoo. It's very old, it was opened in 1911 and I think what I like most is that instead of bars there's ditches, pits and in some cases glass. It makes it look less like a prison and more like a park.  One very notable animal (aside from all the cute but deadly coloured frogs) is the Kleinmann's tortoise or the Egyptian tortoise, it's nearly extinct in the wild (humans eh?) and in Bioparco they successfully bred them in 2007, crazy story but the group in the zoo are actually animals that they confiscated from a smugglers suitcase in 2005. Again humans huh? Awful. This animal smugglery makes me so sick and so angry I can't even find the proper words for it. I'm glad these guys got their happy end but most animals don't. 

Another huge and fascinating thing is the Piazza Navona. To be fair so is Piazza del Popolo and many others. They have a lot of piazza's and all of them are impressive. This one though is built on the site of the Domitian stadium where the ancient Romans went to see the games aka ''agones'', aparently the name went from Circus Agonalis (competition arena) to in avone to navone and lastly to navona. Of course Piazza Navona is important because of Bernini's famous ''Fontana del Quattro Fiumi'' the fountain of the four rivers, which was an inspiration for our artist Robb who created a fountain simmilar to this one with also a simmilar name. Copy cat huh? Haha. Equally beautiful to the fountain is a church right next to it called Sint' Agnese in Agone. You can have a good look at the piazza and the fountain in Dan Browns movie ''Angels and demons'' where one of the 4 preferiti is attempted to be killed by drowning in said fountain. What a way to go huh? Drowning in one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. There's a lot of beautiful and historic landmarks in the Angels and demons movie such as Piazza del popolo, Santa Maria del popolo church, the Pantheon,…I believe those are real on site locations in the movie, while all of the Vatican is fake. Obviously, I don't expect Vatican allowing something as contraversial as Angels and demons to be filmed there. Never mind allowing accsess to the Vatican archives. Honestly I would kill to be able to have a glimpse of those. The knowlege and the secrets they may be hiding down there…I always thought it's unfair you know. Why should the church have the power to know all these things and the power to hide them from us? Aren't we allowed to know as well? I don't get it, really. No, wait actually I do. Rumours say that what the Vatican is hiding amongst other things is the original ''bible'' that would blow the Christianity myth wide open and expose it as a lie. I wouldn't want that coming out either.

Fascination never ends in Rome so there's also the Pantheon which comes from the word ''pantheum'' meaning ''temple of all the gods'' and it's the oldest church in rome. It used to he a Roman temple and now it's a church. It was built in 113 / 125 AD so you know this thing has seen some things already. And just like everything else the Pantheon as well is beautiful. Of course you know how it goes, you have to be there precisely at noon because of the light pouring from the circle window on the ceiling. Well I wasn't, but to be fair even without it the building is fascinating. Of course people were driving me crazy with their daft selfies in here as well. I mean it's a church! A church! A sacred place! You're supposed to be quiet inside never mind taking selfies. Humans. We ran into some ceremony the second time around, not sure what it was about but it was highly interesting. What's interesting about the Pantheon is that besides Umberto I and his wife, Vittorio Emanuele II is buried there, strikes me as odd, with that monstrous monument I'd assume Vittorio would be burried somewhere inside the monument. Besides them also buried inside  the Pantheon is the great artist Raphael, he requested to be buried there and his wish was granted, which means he's the first artist to be given such an honor. 

 After vising Pantheon there was a break for more important things and by that I mean pizza and Aperol. Hah. I can't for the life of me remember which tiny narrow street we turned into to find a restaurant off the main square (less expensive), it was a small thing with the basics, pizza, pasta and drinks, suggested by Trip Advisor and can I just say that their Margherita was literally the best pizza I ever tried. Topped off with olive oil which is something that normally disgusts me and yet the best thing I tried. Italians never ask if you even like olive oil, they make you like it, or at least respect it. And hell great for them. 

Aperol happened in a different place. Another Trip Advisor restaurant. Let me point out that two glasses of Aperol are the price of a good lunch, and possibly a lunch with three corses back home, but it would be ridiculous not to try at least one while in Rome. It's another thing I am not a big fan of at home, it's a little bitter and watery which is why I didn't like it. But hey, in Rome? They are incredibly generous with the alcohol and it's very very very good. With it they serve black olives with olive oil and citrus skins and fried pizza dough in several flavours, which is to die for good. Top notch service also. The waiters are super nice and friendly and one of them taught me basic Italian. Or so he thought, not knowing I already spoke Italian. I did enjoy all the Italian pet names and the fact that he renamed me into Giulia. 

Speaking of flirting and such. Another guy stopped me because of my Jurrasic park tshirt, asking me if I'd rather be a raptor or a trex. Obviously a trex even if a raptor is deadlier. Anyways a short exchange later, he asks me if I'd like an Italian boyfriend and I tell him I already have one at home, he's not Italian but still and he goes ''ouch, you just broke my heart''. I died. It was really way too cute. 

In order to keep this from turning into a massive novel I'm only writing down the things that I feel are most important. Like the Colloseum. I think when people think Rome, that is one of the things they think of straight from the get go. The amphitheathre from 70 / 80 AD. Another massive thing. What else is new. It would aparently hold up to 80 000 people. Imagine a rock concert in there. Like say Metallica. Hell. That would be amazing. It is of course impossible, the heavy, loud music could damage the ancient building, which is already in bad shape. You know time, earthquakes and of course people stealing stone, made it come to the shape it is in today. Stone thieves. Is there nothing sacred no more? Actually…why do I bother. We wisited the catacombs and I was overly excited you know the creepy, gory side of me, a hallway made of skulls and bones, on the floor, on the walls, everywhere. How amazing is that? Well I won't find out, that is now closed to public due to people stealing bones. Yep you read that right. People were stealing fucking bones. I mean. What? WHAT?! I can't even process that. By the way while we're at the catacombs, we actually saw two of them. First ones were called the Catacombs of St. Calixtus. Road to those nearly killed us, Italian bus drivers? Jesus Christ. Yes, if you are suicidal. I don't know if they ever heard of slow driving instead of pedal to the metal and breaks but okay. Literally driving over all potholes with that speed felt like it will tear apart the bus which already looked like it's falling apart, everything was shaking, rattling…a nightmare. But at the catacombs we had the best tour guide. He was super funny, joking with the Americans (of course guided English tour means, we have to be the only non English speaking people in the group) that to be careful that nothing grabs them while walking down the narrow corridors. People believed him too. Lol. He also said to keep close because he's famous for loosing people and if we see someone with a long white beard, it's someone he lost last year. And he made me his assistant, to help him explain about the wall paintings. Lol. Eric, you were awesome, I hadn't laughed that hard in a year so thank you for making my day.

The second catacombs were the Capuchin Crypts and museum. It's a cute little museum, showing some of the ''holy relics'',  interesting to see. AND the Crypt where you guys I got to see my bones. No pictures allowed, which obviously I understand but it also annoys me, because I had a new (old) Pentax with a black and white roll of film in that would make spectacular shots of the Crypt. Assuming I wouldn't fuck something up which is very well possible, given the fact that it's been like 15 years since I held one of these in my hands…while we're here, can I post a public thank you note to the person that gave the Pentax to me? He's reading this, and he knows who he is, and he also knew how badly I wanted one of these beasts. So thank you, for being such a great friend, I really appreciate all you do for me. (P.S. actual Pentax photos - coming soon)

Now back to the Colosseum. Except it being guarded by the army and police, which is everywhere. Every fucking where, I get it but I also don't get it. I'm from such a small country / city that all this maximum security makes me feel not safe but rather uncomfortable. Anyways point, like everything else Colosseum needs skip the line tickets. A ton of tourists are waiting each day to get inside. To be honest I didn't even want to go in. I was not that impressed by this Colosseum. Yes sure it's huge and nice but half of it is not even original because it was falling apart and had to be rebuilt. Props for getting it done and preserving it but personally, I really like another smaller version that stands in Pula Croatia. I've been inside that one, on a concert even and hell it was a lot nicer. Matter of taste I suppose.

What also made an impact on me was the Protestant cemetery. A cemetery and a market are a must for me no matter what city I'm in. And this one is especially special because it's the home of the ''Angel of grief''. I have a special obssesion with angels. Angel human love stories is my favourite type of fiction and angel sculptures on cemetaries are the most beautiful things to me on this planet. Sadly I don't have any at home so knowing Rome has not only an angel but THE angel it was obvious it's a must. This one is super special because literally you see all devastation and sadness, because the angel is pretty much life sized and the way it's collapsed, weeping, draped over the grave…it will tug on your heart strings, that much more if you've ever lost someone, you'll understand the pain, if not, then you'll appreciate the art. It's absolutely beautiful. The sculpture itself though was made by William Wetmore Story dedicated to his wife. As well as the beautiful angel this cemetery is also the final resting place several important and famous people, two of them being John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, whos grave reads ''Nothing of him that doth fade, but doth suffer a sea change, into something rich and strange''.

What you will also find at the cemetery are cats. There's a ''cat colony'' the ''cats of Rome'' that live near by and the employees of the cemetery take care of them and feed them. You can help with donations that upkeep the cemetery and buy cat food. Of course I did. Such noble cause, they could take the easy way and ''get rid of them'' as humans so love to do but these people embrace them and keep them happy and fed, makes me feel there's a bit of hope for humanity left. 

It is absolutely impossible to write down everything that I'd want to or this would be insanely long, so in short some of the other highlights. There are beautiful museums of Leonardo Da Vinci in Rome and I recommend you see at least one. We went to a great one that allows you to try out his devices. Nothing short of a pure genius and years ahead of his time. Also really nice was the Napoleon museum which is guess what free, now that is a miracle. It's a small but nice place. Also free and great is the museum at the Vittorio Emanuele monument where on our 5th or 6th day we caught the German president. Huge HUGE drama. Suddenly there were over 20 police cars rushing with lights and sirens, followed by fire department and ambulances, the press and also a police helicopter…let me tell you something if you live in Europe that usually means nothing good. But luckily it was ''just'' the president with a wild escort of Maseratti's and police on Harleys. I don't know exactly what was going on might of been some anniversary or something like that but there were the army, the police, the navy, all in their special suits. Quite a view not going to lie. 

One more of the very impressive things is the Doria Pamphilj gallery. They call it the smaller Villa Borghese. And holy hell it's amazing. Impressive. As everything is. This had to be some extremly wealthy family (still is today) because this gallery houses their private collection and the rooms itself aside, it has Raphael and Caravaggio and also Tizian. 

And are you really in Rome if you don't go stick your hand in the ''Mouth of truth''? of course not. The security man over there is also the best. He will take pictures of you and when you put your hand in he'll scream just to scare you, you should see the Japanese tourists jumping. It was too funny. 

What I noticed is a huge huge difference from say our capital is the fact that this city is alive. Musicians, preformers, artists, everywhere on all streets. And I love that. Some were really good. Two singers that I was listening to. Man, not many ''professional'' artists come near their voices. Absolute perfection. 

After all the walking and sights we took a day off at the beach in Ostia. You guys, it's like what 30 km from Rome and you can easily get there by public transport with a one way / 100 min valid ticket for just 1.50 EU. Of course most beaches there are private which means expensive, renting an umbrella alone will set you back between 10 or 15 euros but seriously my suggestion is go ahead and do it, the sun is scorching, the public beach offers no relaxation because it's crowded and to be fair private beach is safe, no need to fear your things will go missing. It was a great experience for me because I didn't even know how badly I missed the ocean and sand till I saw it again. It was rather cold at this time of the year but that didn't stop me from diving right in (well, counting to ten a few times first to gather the courage) but it felt so great. I do miss the sea side. And this side of Italy and this ocean is crystal clear and super clean. You won't see one single piece of trash anywhere, lets not even start with the sand (rougher sand) and the sea shells. Beautiful. I loved it and it's the perfect relaxation  after a long day / days of walking around. 

Alright, there was so much more of this, great memories, unforgettable stories, beauty and amazing places but if I'd write it all word by word this would soon turn into a 300 plus pages novel. You know me I can't keep it ''short and sweet''. I guess all I really can say is that if you ever get the chance to visit Rome, do it, it's amazing, it's beautiful, it's enchanting and it leaves a spectacular impression. You'll love it just as much as I did I promise. So I guess next time a post on Pompeii to conclude my travels. So many memories though and I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing about them. 

Between Angels and Demons

So it's been a while huh? Since I last posted a traveling post I mean. It's not just that I'm not posting, it's also that I'm not traveling unless it's a day trip to Milano or Vienna for concerts. There's been a post last year...yeah that obnoxiously long post on Vienna, when I stayed there for more than a day. But hell, Vienna isn't really that much of a travel for me, even if it's a gorgeous city and one of my favourite places. But it's close. I'm there all the time…I think as last proper traveling only Spain counts and that was 4 years ago already.

But since I was in Italy a lot longer than I was in Vienna last year I am dividing this traveling piece into three posts. Besides Pompeii and the Vatican deserve their own post, don't you think? So sit back, take a glass of wine, preferably play some Bon Jovi – Thank you for loving me, whos video was entirely shot in Rome. How about that? Though, he's Bon Jovi, they cleared the area at the Trevi fountain for him, while us normal mortals had to push through ridiculous crowds to get anywhere close to that masterpiece.

So to follow a somehow logical part of my trip, we'll start with the Vatican, go on with Rome and finish up with the Pompeii ruins.

First a few tips about the Vatican. It's impossible to get in without a ticket bought online at least a week in advance. If you think you'll walk up to the museum and buy a ticket…sure you can but before you get there, 2 hour if not more of waiting in a line. And say a day or two before you visit, buying a ticket online is imposible, they are usually all sold out, so plan ahead and buy online a week in advance (same for Villa Borghese). If you don't, there's many ''skip the line'' agencies, which I assume are part of the reason why tickets ran out online, they buy out everything. Very expensive 55 to 75 to over 100 euros for a ticket and guided tour. In a way a guided tour is better, you skip the line and are guided through most important art pieces, but it's a 2 hour tour which is not nearly enough for the entire museum, so you only see say 40 percent and no galleries with paintings at all. Aggravating but for me it was enough (for now) because as stupid as it sounds I went only for the Laokoon and the St. Peters Basillica. Oh and of course the Sistine chapel.

The Sistine chapel and the Basilica are included in the guided tour, else entry to the Basilica is free but as everything else, impossible lines, swirling through the entire St. Peters square. Also important and good to know fact, if photography is allowed everywhere else (without flash of course) it is absolutely forbidden to take any pictures of the Sistine chapel, which to me was just devastating because let's be honest it is absolutely AMAZING. The altar paintings and the Creation of Adam is surreal, well to be fair the entire thing is surreal.

But lets start at the begining. I noticed that many people, mostly Americans (no offence) have no idea what the Vatican is…which okay, shouldn't surprise me that much but I guess it does. There are things, mostly art related and European history related that are completely obvious to me, because I know a ton about them, that I am automatically surprised when other people don't. Note to self Nikki, not everyone is a major nerd like you…(a bit nerdy wouldn't kill people though).

So the Vatican City, is really a state, or a country if you will, inside of Rome Italy. It's officially called Vatican City State or Stato della Citta dei Vaticano and it's an independent city state. It's about 44 hectares big with the population of around 1000 people which makes it the smallest state in the world.  Obviously the Vatican is ruled by the Pope / Bishop who is also the head of Roman Catholic Church.  The most important landmarks in Vatican as mentioned above are the St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and of course Musei Vaticani or the Vatican museums that house some of the worlds most famous paintings and sculptures.

Here's the deal, when visiting Rome, skipping Vatican museums is almost impossible, they are a collection of museums that make up the 4th biggest museum in the world and are roughly visited by 6 million people each year. Which presents it's own difficulties, it's incredibly crowded, walking along corridors is hard, stopping to admire a certain piece of art almost impossible. Now you know me, I walked along a garden growling and hissing at ''walking selfie making zombies'' in front of me that barely moved and I cut a corner and there it is in front of me, suddenly, the Laokoon. Looming over the crowd appearing as if no joke Mother Mary to religious people. I literally shrieked when I saw him. There aint a piece of art on this planet that I admire more than him…I mean just look…

I mean just look at it. The emotion, the horror, the movment, it looks like it's alive and it will move any second. It's amazing. The talent, the detail, the love that the artist put into this piece. To me there's nothing, not even the famed Mona Lisa that could compare to this one. The only other piece I love as much is Michelangelo's David but even he comes second. This piece showing the realistic movment in a frozen action scene, where you can literally see the frantic movment of trying to break free from the snakes. It's just amazing. Let's not even start with the anatomy of the human body because that is just unreal.  Now the fist reference of this piece was mentioned by Pliny about 200 BCE and it's believed to be the very same one that is now housed by the Vatican museums (there's a copy at the Uffizi in Florence, which I have yet to see), although historians disagree saying that this is likely a marble copy of a bronze original that was lost. Which after all might not be a bad thing,  marble has a way of really bringing out the fine features that much better.

Fun fact, since the artist that made Laokoon is not determined (supposedly Agezander, Polidor and Atendor created it) there are many theories around about who and when it was created and if it's in fact a Roman copy of a Greek original. In 2005 Lynn Catterson claimed  that Laokoon was actually created in 1506 by Michelangelo. Crazy. But also not so crazy, it sure does have some of Michelangelos fine art techniques. Just look at his ''Dying Slave'' which was inspired by the Laokoon.

Now what this piece actually depicts is a Trojan priest, Laocoon. The story goes that when the Greeks left the famous Trojan Horse on the beach it was Laocoon who tried to warn the Trojan leaders against bringing it into the city because it could be a trap. And the Greek goddess Athena that was a protector of the greeks punished Laocoon for meddling by having him and his two sons attacked by sea serpents Porces and Chariboea.

This piece was important also as a historical influence, leaving a huge impact on Baroque and Neoclassical sculpturism.

Another significant part for me at least is the ''Gallery of maps / Galleria delle carte geografiche''. It's a gallery (sections of the Vatican museums are called galleries) located on the west of the Belvedere Courtyard. It contains a series of painted maps of Italy based on drawings by friar and geographer Ignazio Danti. But honestly it's not the maps that are interesting, they are nice and all but guys, the gallery is essentially a large wide corridor, 120 meters long, and the ceiling, the ceiling! My god. Not anything I had ever saw in my entire life. It's amazing. Amazing enough to make some Americans think they were in the Sistine chapel. Sigh. I mean not to be rude, but this entire trip was a collage of insanely funny comments by Americans who were clearly determined to prove that they are not the smartest people on earth. ''Does the St. Peters only include sacred painting motives and sculptures?'' uh actually no if you round that corner over there you'll see a painting of Yoda and the Death Star. Can you see me rolling my eyes? Honestly. I can't.

Each gallery containing any kind of art form is breathtaking, spectacular, beautiful. The ceilings are extraordinary, the reliefs or the frescos on them are out of this world. It all screams money really, once inside you're just aware of the riches of the Vatican and the church. It's a bit…what's the right word? Wrong to say the least specially when all around the Vatican and under the nearer bridge there are homless and beggars. Wrong.

Now before I make this too long and since I can't comment on the paintings gallery. Didn't get to see them after all…lets go to the Sistine chapel. Mad security, cameras everywhere and if you try to take a picture you're thrown out. So I didn't risk it. It's not worth it. But it's a shame. Because really it's a masterpiece on it's own. I never imagined just how big the damn thing is. Enourmous. If you watch it on tv each time you do it looks a lot smaller, a lot darker really, than it actually is, and then you're suddenly standing in the middle, right under the Creation of Adam and it just feels surreal that the damn thing is actually real. Like a concert you know, musicians suddenly aren't just pictures online but real people, so is this, it's not just online art, it's real. Amazing. Also it makes you feel extremely small and insignificant but I suppose that's the purpose of the church.

Cappella Sistina is the site of the papal conclave today, so the process of chosing a new pope happens in there. And the fame of it is really all due Michelangelo. Btw it's not entirely painted by him, the side paintings were done were done by several other artists such as Pietro Perugino, Cosimo Rosselli and Sandro Botticelli. The ceiling of the Sistine chapel was obviously difficult to paint, I mean creating such beauty must be hard to do down on the ground never mind several meters in the air and on a ceiling. But it's a wrong belief that Michelangelo did it laying down, he actually did it standing up on a wooden platform he created himself after Donato Bramante failed to produce a solution as to how to paint the ceiling.  Colours used are clearly very bright to make them visible from the floor, you can see the ancestors of Christ, male and female prophets and Jonah over the altar. On the highest section there are nine stories from the Book of Genesis. The chapel also fatures the Last judgement behind the altar (where btw all figures were painted naked and were ''dressed'' only later). Michelangelo was first asked to paint only 12 figures but he turned down saying he aint a painter, later with compromise to paint whatever he want (as long as it's biblical) he agreed and painted more than 300 figures! 300! Can you imagine the tiring and exhausting work he had to put in to create this beauty? It's about 40 meters x 13 meters which would mean about 460 square meters of frescos. Like, woah! And as amazing as it sounds it's equally amazing standing inside. Now his own chosing features also the Creation of Adam (my favourite) the creation of Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the Great flood.

Now we all know that Michelangelo was not religious, he was more of a spiritualist and he was not the biggest fan of the church. And the church was not the biggest fan of him. Now did you know that Michelangelo started disecting human bodies and learning about anatomy at the age 17? Or that he did that by digging up corpses and cutting them open? It's a fact thats both fascinating and deeply disgusting. I can't decide which is more. I think fascinating. Such a deep desire to learn your art to do that…wow. You've heard about the hidden brain depictions in the chapel right? In the representations of God? Giving the illusion that God not only gave Adam life but also superior inteligence? But did you know about other hidden messages? There's even a book written about it and of course non other than Dan Brown had a lot to say about the censorship and ignorance that makes us blind to other possible meanings of one of the probably biggest art treasures in the world.

Now because Michelangelo wanted to scuplt not paint and aparently this project was somewhat forced upon him he did a few subtle things. Like say the small angel painting on the ceiling, it's impossible to see from the ground but looking up close you can see the angel doing the ''fig'', sticking the thumb between the index and middle finger, in the Renaissance era this was the same as flipping someone off. The angel is next to a prophet Zechariah which is believed to be painted in the likness of Pope Julius II. The small angels gesture is therefore aimed at the Pope Julius II also known as ''Papa Terribile'' or the ''Fearsome Pope'' and this was Michelangelo's way of insulting him in a subtle way where Papa Terribile would never know since it's nearly impossible to see it from the ground.

This was supposed to be just one of the very famous insults towards Pope Julius who Michelangelo despised and was disgusted with his way of working. Not to mention they bickered back and forth about the motives painted and the slowness of Michelangelos work (hello idiot perfection takes time) and of course in turn Michelangelo complains about the slowness of payments. Like an ancient soap opera.  The works also include a lot of Kabbalistic and Judist symbolics and several depictions of human body parts hidden in subtle ways which was supposedly Michelangelos way to protest against the churches refusal of the scientific method.

Alright enough about the Sistine chapel and lets move on to the St. Peters Basilica. Can I just say ''oh my god''? I mean I saw a ton, literally a ton of churches in my life. And none of them compare to this one. It's insane. Literally insane, how big, beautiful and breathtaking this church is. Literally it's the Keanu Reeves of churches.

It was designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and of course Gian Lorenzo Bernini and it is the largest church in the world. I mean just look at the basic specs, in length it's 220 meters, 150 meters in width and 136 meters high with the dome measuring 42 meters in diameter. Like can you even begin to imagine that monstrosity or how, HOW did they even attempt to build it? It's insane. Outside of the Basilica there's the famous St. Peter's square which is basically two sections both with ''corridors'' of tall colonnades, decorated by sculptures, which are even more fascinating. Not only are they the hight of sacred architecture and beauty but just thinking about how the hell did they do it, with no fancy machinery. It's crazy. Someone once wrote about this church that it makes us feel overwhelming, like dwarves because the entire thing, the building, the domes, the colonnades, the altars, everything, is massive in size. It has well over 20 altars with the most famous being Berninis Baldacchino. The baldachin is nothing I've ever seen before. I know I say this a lot but that's how it is, you walk around Vatican and every single thing amazes you more than the last one. There's nothing small and modest here, everything is big and impressive. So the baldachin is no exception. It's actually a large bronze sculpted canopy right at the center of the crossing and under the dome of the Basilica. It's supposed to mark the Saint Peter's tomb underneath. Talking about impressive marker huh? I mean…like, a floor marker would be enough no? But no, lets build a giant canopy instead. Another thing that makes you feel small in size…I mean take a look (and no I don't support taking pictures or worse a selfie in a church but this one…I really needed a picture of me in this church. It's beyond your wildest dreams).

The Basilica really is the whole concept of paintings, sculptures, and light vs dark art combined. Everything together features a symphony of artistic perfection unlike any other in the world. It's something not just religious people and artist should see, but every one on this planet should be privileged enough to see it some day because it really is nothing short of spectacular.

One other very prominent and important thing about this Basilica is of course as well Michelangelos Pieta. Now Pieta is basically any depiction of Mother Mary holding dead Jesus after crucificion. Michelangelos work is that much more important because it has a perfect balance of Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. And, AND! it's the only piece Michelangelo ever signed. Of course as David so did she have to suffer substantial damage. A mental patient attacked her  just like another one attacked David (what is with these wackos?) causing a lot of damage and people, onlookers instead of tackling him down which is what I would do, looked and STOLE pieces of marble flying around. I mean what? WHAT?! Seriously I would hang them all in the public square as a warning to others. There is something seriously SERIOUSLY wrong with the human race. Thank god for Bob Cassilly who tackled the fruit loop away from the sculpture. I applaud you. Thankfully it was restored, they did her justice I believe and it's back where it belongs today only behind a bulletproof glass panel. Sad.

After marveling at the Basilica you can desend up over 500 steps to have a look at basically entire Rome. My advice? DO IT. It's so worth it. The view is spectacular, of the Vatican, of Rome and of Vaticans amazing gardens. Only, if it's the summer, do take a lift up there because the heat is unbearable and the stairs are spirally and narrow. Easy to get dizzy and disoriented and possibly get a heat stroke. They don't advice heart patients to go on foot.  But seriously the view is worth all the trouble. See for yourself.

And with these pictures and a bonus pic of the Vaticans Swiss guard (how badass is he?) I am ending the post on Vatican City. I mean no words really do it any justice but I tried…next up will be a post generally about Rome, I'll try to put all the funny and flirty inside and all the near death experiences…kinda (Italian driving...horror), and all the crazy and fun that happened in the past few days. It was one hell of a ride trust me…

“Darling, my attitude is ‘fuck it’; I’m doing everything with everyone.”

Another annual concert. Another local band I absolutely adore. A concert called ''Tribute to legends'' with a band that plays covers of ALL my faves and a singer so good that it feels as if all those amazing bands are actually on stage. We're talking Led Zepp, GN'R, Bon Jovi, Queen, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, ACDC,…
  

I think this is the fourth time they played this annual show at the end of the summer. And I think it's my third time going. I skipped them once. I still feel bad about it but the worst of the worst happened. Two concerts at the same night and impossible to go from one to the other. Like WHO does that? Who? Satan you bet. You can't make me choose between my children it's inhumane.

BUT guess what? Even though this was yet another free local show which is a recipe for disaster on any given day, Saturday night was actually really great, no people to annoy me. No people to growl at, no drunks. What happened? No idea, the hell froze over. I have a strong feeling I had to be the drunkest person there. Wait a second. Is this why people didn't bother me? Oh my god! Is this one of those ''if you can't beat them join them'' cases? Woah. Okay. Newsflash moment.

Well I've been crawing some fun, partying, concerts! Guys! I never saw this little concerts as I have this year and I think I am having a crisis! Huge one. The other day I saw a picture of one of those huge harvester machines on a field of wheat at night, tons of lights turned on a little blurry I admit but hell I swear the god I saw a stage and a crowd. And here I am thinking ''this had to be an amazing show I wonder who it was'' and then I see I am fucking fawning over farm gear. Like…if that doesn't speak crisis then I don't know what does.

Guess you could say I let my hair down, had too much to drink, screamed along to the songs a bit too loudly, my throat is still a bit scratchy. I need moments like this in my life, moments in which I remember what happiness feels like. What carefree feels like. What living feels like. These days I only know surviving, I only know struggle, but I don't know how fun feels like anymore. And reminders like these feel amazing.

I literally do live, love, breathe music. I love small clubs, I love intimate crowds. I love big crowds. I love stadiums. I love when music runs through you. I love when you're lost in the beat. I love everything about it. I love it because it feels like home. It feels like everything in the world in that moment, in that hour, just falls into place and everything is okay.

I loved this band since they started out, I love everything they do. Covers are spot on (the band does Bon Jovi better than Bon Jovi atm) and their author songs are amazing as well. I might be slightly obsessed with their first single not going to lie. What I also love about their shows no doubt is the fact that you see all generations, from literally little kids to seniors all rocking out to the same music. To in my opinion the ONLY music. Yes there's a lot of amazing musicians out there, in pop, blues, jazz, classical…but hell none of them move the soul like Rock N Roll does. Like they say about motorcycles, 4 wheels move the body, but 2 wheels move the soul.

Rock N Roll just might be the gods greatest gift to humanity. Or let's say music in general is gods greatest gift to humanity. There's so much that's wrong with the world and so much that's wrong with humans, the sheer lack of compassion, the evil, the cruel, the ugly, but then you look at a Rolling stones album or Led Zepp, and damn! There's so much that's right with the world as well.

Enjoy your week guys, to all you starting schools or universities today or next month, my condolences, stay strong, good luck and all the best in the new school year.

P.S. Check out the band on FB or IG under ''kobrarockshow''

“Have a little faith in my magic fingers”

''Love is the closest thing we have to magic.'' Don't you agree? It's actually a quote by a mermaid in a movie titled Aquamarine. Silly, sappy, cute movie that I probably saw a million times. I wasn't going to post this till next month, didn't want to spam up the blog with too many of the same style posts. But then I figured, it's written, it's sitting on my laptop so what difference does it make now or in a week or two. There's been A LOT of same style posts in the past anyways and I haven't been feeling too inspired to write about music, or in a mood to complain about how my life is going to hell in a Little red Corvette with Satan riding shotgun. I'm sorry to say though, this post is for the fantasy lovers, and mostly Shadowhunter fans. I believe other mortals just won't understand what's it about. You're welcome to read of course, but consider this a fair warning.

It's funny but I think I always did love fantasy. Not much has changed, except I guess now I like vampires and bloodshed more than cutesy rainbow unicorns. Who am I kidding. I still love unicorns. Hah. I guess it's watching how really forbidden or impossible love finds a way in the end. Spoiler alert, The Addams family and Interview with the vampire might be my favourite movies but I'll still cry my damn eyes out watching the Notebook. I think it's actually creepy meets sappy that I love most. Have y'all seen Warm bodies? Can I just die? Really that movie is just perfect. Zombies, and love, and understanding, and acceptance. What more do you want?

I noticed that the older I get, the more crap I witness going around me in ''real life'', the more crap happening to me personally, the more comfort I find in fake fantasy worlds. I also noticed that I just can't stand movies or books with tragic endings no more. I mean, life is tragic enough, I don't need to watch / read a nice romantic love story only to have them both or worse one die in the end. What is that? Who writes that? Satan over his morning coffee?

So safe to say I was just like other teens fawning over the Twilight series. The only difference was while the entire world was arguing over ''Team Jacob'' or ''Team Edward'' here I was a strong team Carlisle. He's blond. Go figure. But since I later found out that the Vampire Academy is much better, Twilight moved from a mild obsession to just a book series I once read and enjoyed. Still have them at home mind you, and been contemplating of reading them again. Someday when I have some free time (what is that anyway?).

Anyways another book series I really love is Cassandra Clare's The mortal instruments. Excuse me while my fangirl heart dies over the perfection that is Jace Herondale. Moving on, mentioning them now because of the very book this review is about. It's not a part of the Mortal instruments series but I do strongly recommend that you read them before going on to this one (maybe even the Infernal devices series, I hear Magnus appears there as well but I can't say as I haven't read those yet). Characters and story lines will just make a lot more sense this way, with some background.

 The Bane Chronicles  / Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson.

(     Fantasy, Romance, Historical fiction, Short stories, LGBT.     )

This is actually a collection of connected novellas featuring obviously Magnus Bane from The mortal instruments and The infernal devices series which is why I said it's important to read those first. Well I mean you don't HAVE TO but that way you miss out on what's truly the best about Magnus and the rest of the characters that appear through these stories. 

I read somewhere that the authors actually began to tell stories about Magnus to eachother which then later developed into novellas and finally this book where all 11 of them are published together. Story titles go;

-          What really happened in Peru

-          The Runaway Queen

-          Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale

-          The Midnight heir

-          The Rise of the hotel Dumort

-          Saving Raphael Santiago

-          The Fall of the hotel Dumort

-     What to buy the Shadowhunter who has everything (and who you're not officially dating   anyway)

-          The last stand of the New York Institute

-          The course of true love (and first dates)

-          The voicemail of Magnus Bane

The first ten of these stories were first published as ebooks, the final story ''The voicemail of Magnus Bane'' however is a bonus story which is exclusive to the printed version of the book. Now the stories follow Magnus chronologically through his life. As  what 500 something old warlock you'd imagine he'd have some good stories to tell no?

I totally love Magnus, I love how he's sassy and stylish and kind and loving nevermind how much he tries to pretend he's not. He uses magic to do his hair and makeup in the morning! Magic for hair! Guys I can relate on 99% of my mornings when even magic wouldn't help taming my mane. I was a bit wary about the book outcome though, you know combining the three authors and three different styles together, and I gotta say I wasn't too impressed with the first story andddd let's be honest I came here for ''Malec'' stories. I heard people say it spoiled the Infernal devices for them and that they should definately read those first before this one but what's done is done.

''What really happened in Peru'' is a bit of a disappointment. I mean there are so many, SO many teasers as to what happened in Peru through the entire Mortal instrument series and here I was digging through the text, hella excited thinking fucking finally. An answer. Did you think I got one? No. No I didn't. despite the title, I still don't know what happened in Peru except that Magnus annoyed the hell out of a lot of people and some llamas. What really sets me off are titles ''what really happened'' and endings ''we may never know'' or something along those lines. God the tease! I hate that.

Then there's the Runaway queen. You know who she is? None other than Marie Antoinette herself. So looks like our favourite warlock played a key role in the French Revolution. Well, if we know how Marie's story ends then we know it didn't do him much good. But at least he saved the day that one time right? So while in France Magnus finds himself in attempts to conduct a rescue mission of a certain royal family from the claws and fangs of a vampire clan. Why is that so? Because of the hopes of  preserving the royal blood line and mostly because Magnus couldn't find it in himself to say no to a certain very handsome count by the name of Axel. You know I understand. I have an undying crush on a man called Axl and he has Axel, and there are also very few things I'd say no to should he ask. So really I understand Magnus even if his crazy escape meant hot air ballons. Don't ask, read the story instead. Best part of it though? The quote;

''It was also a very bad idea. 
It was terrible idea. 
It was the worst idea he had ever heard. 
It was irresistible.''

Pretty much how I run my life on any given day. Bad idea? Lets do it. Some people just never grow up.

While I love Herondales in general this story (Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale) lacks background. It just feels like a boy who never wanted to settle down falls in love basically over night and becomes a completely different person. Which strikes me as odd, given the inhumane Shadowhunter ways, rune stripping and so on. The story really takes place during the first peace talks between the Shadowhunters and Downworlders back in Victorian London. Fantasy aside this isn't so different from our world. We tend to hate more than love too. And just like it's driving Magnus crazy it's driving me crazy too. I really loved the quote in this story;

''I have very few rules in life, but one of them is to never decline an adventure. The others are: to avoid becoming romantically entangled with sea creatures, to always ask for what you want, because the worst thing that can happen is embarrassment but the best thing that can happen is nudity, to demand money up front and to never play cards with Catarina Loss.''

Now tell me, isn't this something one could totally live by?

There's just one thing about this story, all the Herondale boys are incredibly attractive, their lives are always tragic, and their undying love for that one true forever love will break your heart.

In the Midnight heir we see the comeback or for me the first glance at characters such as Jem, Will and Tessa as well as James Herondale. (Just WHAT is with Herondales and their unexplained fear of birds??) This story is set around the fact that though Magnus felt like he'll never return to London (at least he's not banned from it like he is from Peru) but he is once again compelled to go back by an offer. This time an offer of Tatiana Blackthorn who, lets just say doesn't have anyones best interests at heart, save maybe her own. This story also introduces James Herondale who is the only son of Will and Tessa, which is I guess what it's really about? I don't know, I guess the story itself would mean so much more if I actually read the Infernal devices and knew the characters better, else this was more about an an angsty teenager than it was about Magnus. But well, I loved James just like the other Herondales, makes you laugh and the next second he breaks your heart. Just like all of them do. Really, I'm good.

Rise of the hotel Dumort. Clever name for a vampire hideout aint it? Dumort. Well I mean it became an abandoned vampire hideout at some point, it wasn't yet at the time this story plays out. Set in New York in the late 1920s and Magnus owns a Speakeasy. To be fair if I'd expect anyone ever to own one it would be him. Or Rick from the Mummy. Don't ask. Of course the hotel was a new addition to the town, of course it was as posh as it could be and of course things going on inside were not quite as grandeur as the building itself. I didn't really get this story, the point of it, it's confusing as hell to be honest, I wished for a bit more insight as in how the hotel came to be what it is in the Mortal instruments but I liked how some real events are linked with the fantasy world of this book. 

So Saving Raphael Santiago. I'm fond of him in the book series but I am very fond of him in the tv series. In the Shadowhunters TV show he's pretty badass, and I love how his character is portrayed. This is still happening in New York only 30 years later, and it's Magnus who's hired to locate a missing teen Raphael Santiago. The only problem is what happens after he's found. See I wanted back story on Raphael so bad but now I kinda wish I didn't have it. Oh god, it was a bit tortureous not going to lie. This story if you ask me should come with a warning. Trigger warning that is, for murder, kidnapping and pedophilia. I mean I don't know for sure but I'm guessing that's the case. This one really is one of the best stories in this book and it really makes you feel so many emotions. Sadness, anger, all the works. It explains a lot about Raphael how he can be so mature for a 15 yearold, it makes you understand him better, and see why he is the way he is. And then you remember what happens in City of Heavenly Fire and if you're like me you're probably crying in a corner by now.

The fall of the hotel Dumort. I suppose it's destiny. Everything that has a rise also has a fall. Just how nature works sometimes.  Not overly impressed with this one either. It shows the hotel in the 1970s, in the state that's more familiar. Dark, dusty, falling apart and most importantly full of stark crazy vampires. I mean, if you're a fan and think that glittery Edward Cullen is the best thing since the invention of fire this short story is bound to make you rethink your life choices. Magnus in this one finds himself eye to eye with a woman he once loved, Camille but to realise she's not at all what he once knew. Have you had that happen to you before? With a lover, or a friend? You saw them years later and suddenly it all made sense why an ex is an ex. Both relationship and friendship. I guess this story didn't really mean much to me because I can't stand Camillie and here it's just obvious how their relationship was underestimated the entire time. But I guess Fleetwood Mac cameo is not too shabby.

And we are finally getting to the good parts that made me wanna get this book. You can imagine me singing that sentence in a sing song voice. Super excited. There are certainly characters or couples that you fall in love more than others, here we are ''Malec'' Magnus plus Alec are my oh so fave power couple. The whole forbidden love again. Shadowhunter and a Downworlder. Oh my gosh! So this is set between City of Ashes and City of Glass, where the relationship is brand new and cutesy. Who am I kidding it's always cute. Anyways it revolves around Magnus finding the best possible birthday gift for his ''boyfriend''. Not to mention his plans are sorta put to a halt while dealing with a certain demon he conjured up for a certain client. Do y'all even know how much I missed these two after I finished the series and after the tv show ended? This one is just cute and witty and funny and I love how Isabelle and Magnus are slowly starting to be friends in this one.  I love the line in this one ''This was love, new and bright and terrifying.'' Don't we all feel like that? New love is exciting and also so damn terrifying.

The last stand of the New York Institute. Set in the 80's. My favourite era. In general I mean not specifically in this book. This is the time of the Uprising. Valentine's circle goes after Downworlders. Oh hey. Deja Vu isn't it? A psychopath deeming an entire race unworthy and wants them all dead. It's not like I haven't seen that before in real life. This is the first time Magnus sees Jocelyn and Luke so that's rather important I think, given how the story plays on with Joceyln and Magnus, and it shows us some back story to how Jocelyn found Magnus later on. And I think we all needed to see what possesed Jocelyn to do to Clary what she did and also how did she get Magnus to agree on it. It's a little sad I guess, Valentine is an evil roach and it's a little happy because of the Tessa and baby Clary relationship. But also a good insight into how the Shadow world was in fact impacted by this entire craziness. And Tessa watching Pride  and Prejudice with Magnus killed me. So precious.

The course of true love (and first dates). Oh be still my beating heart. This is just the story I've been craving for. Magnus' first date with Alec. Awwwe. It is so cute watching them interact and meet and all the cutesy awkwardness. It's so different watching Alec actually through Magnus' eyes. And despite it all my gosh that first date, it was so perfect, I wouldn't mind one like that too.

And then the bonus story. I almost wrote bonus song. Hah. Clearly I can't get the album review habit out of my head. The voicemail of Magnus Bane is really just a transcript of voicemails that the Shadowhunters left on Magnus' answering machine after the City of Lost Souls when him and Alec break up (I hate that part in case you haven't figured that out yet). I like this last part because I didn't know something can be so funny and so heartbreaking at the same time. I'll share two of my faves for the rest, as I said, read the book.

"Mrrrrrowl. Mrrrrrowl."
"Ow! Ow, stupid cat! Ahem. You told me, 'stop calling, Isabelle,' but I'm not the one calling you. Church is calling you. Mine are merely the fingers that work the phone.
"See, here's something you may not have known before you committed your recent rash acts. Our cat, Church, and your cat, Chairman Meow? They're in love. I've never seen such love before. I never knew such love could exist in the heart of a... cat. Some people say that love between two dude cats is wrong, but I think it's beautiful. Love makes Church happier than I've ever seen him. Nothing makes him happy like Chairman Meow. Not tuna. Not shredding centuries-old tapestries. Nothing. Please don't keep these cats apart. Please don't take the joy of love away from Church.
"Look, this is really just a warning for your own good. If you keep Church and Chairman Meow apart, Church will start to get angry.
"You wouldn't like Church when he's angry."

-Isabelle Lightwood

“Hi Magnus. it’s Simon. You know me. Well, you called me saomes last time we spoke”

-Simon Lewis

In general I like the book. Quite a lot. I like the different points of views we get to see some characters in and I like the background on some things, people and events that it offers. Of course it's not a brilliant piece like say the Harry Potter series are but the stories are cute, just long enough to not be a drag and easy to read. I only don't like that it starts with Peru. It really is the weakest link in this chain I believe.

To the fans of Infernal devices or Mortal instruments I recommend reading, I'm sure you'll enjoy it and bits of it will make you laugh and your heart hurt just like it did mine. Also huge bonus I find are the graphic novel pages. Those are really cute so props for that. 

Clare is one of my favourite fantasy writers and as soon as I get the rest of the books I'm missing there will be more reviews, promise. But while we wait, and when it's not once again about music or another random post about how I can't stand people, because lets face it I really can't, there will be other reviews about books that are more consumer friendly? Can't say radio friendly hah, and I really don't know the proper term. Books for wider audiences, books that don't require a whole entire series to understand what's it about. Untill then, just a word of advice, believing in a little magic never hurt no one, even Jon Bon Jovi agrees. 

Love ALWAYS wins

I took a little stroll down memory lane and read the very first entry posted here. It's stupid optimistic and I hate it but that's beside the point. Here let me share a small part of it…

''This is a completely new beginning for me because I decided to keep it simple and write about things I love, things that make me happiest. I decided to share my art, my photography, my love for music, traveling, fast cars, Harley's, books, comics, movies, tv shows, shoes, vinyl, Jack Daniels, animals, the country side and all things strange and unusual that don't fit in the society's standards of ''beauty'' and ''normality''. I just want this to be a positive space, I had enough negativity in my life and I don't need to make it worse, by writing about it and dwelling on it. This is a happy place. Containing all the things I love most.''

Oh my damn, have I managed to stray far from that or what. Music okay that's a constant on this blog. Or well pretty much the only thing I do write about. But happy place? Woah. Then again how could I preach on happy? I don't know the first thing about happiness. But one thing that is certain is that I need a change. Don't get me wrong I love writing about music, I love music above all else. Music IS my happy place. But sometimes the posts just seem forced and I find myself thinking how I'd love to write I don't know, a piece about how I do my hair or daily makeup, which is disgustingly girly and doesn't fit with my broody dark ''I hate life'' vibe at all but I'd still like to do it. You know what I mean? 

Going through that list above about all the things I wanted to share before, I have a super strong feeling you'd not want me to sit here and sigh over how damn attractive I think Dean Winchester is, how I feel he's pretty much the reason for global warming because DAMN that smile and let's not even start with how after 14 seasons Supernatural is my pretty much my entire life and I feel it's not just the show ending but also my life. What did I even do before Supernatural? What will I do after Supernatural? My life is over I tell you. 

So to avoid all that, and more, I watch way too many tv shows, and to also avoid ranting about how nobody should even breathe my way today (Metallica is once again less than 300 km away and I'm stuck at home, 6th time in a row) I decided to try and write up a book review. 

I have hundreds of books at home, used to have more time and I loved reading, guess that kinda came to a halt when life happened. Don't get me wrong, I still love to read, fantasy and romance, my favourite combination, it's just getting harder and harder to find the time and to even get books. I admit I have a peculiar taste and the things I like are not as easily purchased here. Never mind the tax on books in this country, it's crazy. No wonder people are stupid if they never bother to tackle something thicker than yellow pages of a gossip rag writing about the Kardashians. Sigh. 

Let's make one thing clear before we get into it. My fave author always was, always will be Hemingway. But that aside I actually like reading cute, sappy, easy material, one that feels relaxing as opposed to making me think far too much. I'm not a fan of ''difficult'' books if you know what I mean. Like ''War and peace'' great literary piece but can you just kill me on the spot? 

So here's a review on this fluffy cuteness I read just last month. 

Love, Simon / Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

(  Young Adult, Romance, Drama, LGBT, Coming Of Age        )

I don't say ''don't judge a book by it's cover'' but rather ''don't judge a book by it's movie''. Every damn book is turned into movies these days and you know what? It usually ruins the story. Like Fallen. Oh my god! SUCH a great book and such a terrible movie. But this one was different. Yes I saw ''Love Simon'' the movie first, shallow me, got it because Nick Robinson plays the lead. Yes yes I know shut up. But I ended up really liking the movie so I had to get the book as well. 

It's a story that talks about issues and questions important to me. I always was a very passionate supporter of the LGBT rights and nothing ever saddens me more than listening to a gay boy or girl talk about their childhood, being alone and scared and wondering if they are normal or worse praying to be normal. That's just horrific, and like Simon says ''why is straight the deafult'' or why is ''coming out gay'' such a big deal? Why don't straight people come out as straight and parents cry and make a fuss out of it. Who told straight people that they are normal in the first place?

There are many things I just can't seem to understand, and especially hatred. Who gave anyone the god given right to tell someone who to love, how to live, what choices to make? Can we all just agree that people just love a person for who they are not for their genitalia? Can we just celebrate love in it's true, pure, beautiful form and forget the ''standards'' and whats ''normal''? Can we for fuck sakes just love instead of hate? 

''Love, Simon'' or as the original title goes ''Simon vs. the homo sapiens agenda'' by Becky Albertalli is a story about a 16 yearold Simon Spier, who says he's ''totally normal, just like you, only he has a huge secret''. He's gay. See the whole thing starts when Simon reads an anonymous tumblr post from a schoolmate, signed with ''Blue'' and it's a confession. ''Confession'' like it's a crime. Like being gay is a crime. Ugh. So this Blue leaves his email addess under the post to which Simon responds. 

You follow them through the mailing, flirting, through a safe space they find in each other, away from the hateful world around them. And though they don't reveal things about themselves that could tell the other who they are, they touch very personal topics and obviously fall for each other that way. It's like, hold my heart before it jumps out because of the whole, cute, awkward, teenage love. 

Problem occurs when a classmate Martin gets a hold of those emails and threathens to leak them online unless Simon hooks him up with his best friend Abby. Book and movie stray from each other a bit, in the movie Martin leaks the emails but in the book he just posts a nasty post outing Simon. I know it's fiction, I get it, but it made me feel nauseated. I mean, can you imagine, it's already a thing so many kids struggle with, and then even the choice on who to tell, and when to tell, if telling at all, is taken from you. That's just. It's disgusting that's what it is. Nobody has the right to do that. 

I like how social media actually plays a key part in this book. Not just the posting selfies and positive sides of it like most movies and books imply, but actually the dark side of it. Blackmail and hate speach and basically how one single stupid post can make your life hell. 

I also like the flow of the story, how it unfolds slowly and you find things out same time as Simon does, ''experiencing'' things first hand, trying to figure out who Blue is first hand just like he does, it's a ''guess who'' game through small clues left in the emails. 

And that ending! My god! I'm not giving it away, I'm here hoping to inspire you to pick it up and read it so I most definatelly won't ruin the ending for you, but let me just say, ''damn!''. Perfect ending to a perfect story. 

I like books that give you all the feels possible, and this one just feels like a hot cup of pumpkin spice latte on a late October walk with the leaves crunching under your feet. Or like those first rays of warm sun in late spring. Or just like the most beautiful summer sunset. All the feels. 

In short, if you know me, then you already know that a book containing dogs, Oreos and boys kissing is a safe bet to become one of my favourites. And if it happens to also be just a little bit sappy, then obviously I am done for. 

And the most important and the best thing about this book? It's simple, the message it passes on ''love is love and there shouldn't be a deafult''.