I cant thank you enough!!!!

...to those of you who pitched in... I can never thank you enough!

As if the show at the Clan were not enough tonight to whet my whistle, Silvia La Una had a trick up her sleeve.

Last week she had helped me phone a gentleman about a used camera from an Italian internet site and I suppose the plan was hatched then. Tonight, just before the start of the show, Silvia and those present, DJ Livia, Intern (whose real name is Alberto) and J. Pizzle presented me with a gift that left me weeping with joy and acceptance the whole way home several hours later...In light of recent lost camera they have bought me a new one. Dont know what to say, I was speechless, I was overcome with joy for those who are around me on a regular basis, and I have been given the feedback everyone so wants to hear in their lifetime - That their friendship matters to others. Lisa, Enrico, Alberto (intern), Sara, Livia, Ale, and John all signed the card that was printed on the angriest of red paper earlier today (I had no idea when Silvia asked me what colour of paper I would use earlier today, that it would be in reference to my own card) with Silvia's quote reigning queen over all others...

"May the chicken of happiness and the sausage of prosperity be with you wherever you go."

I am going to miss these friends so much in the short time away, and I cant explain how important they have been to my survival all year, or how much they have truly left me feeling that despite all the language and cultural barriers we face, they are true friends.

Thank you to you all, you are the kindest and most sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of calling My Friends.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart!

I love you guys very much!

Scotty

DIESEL!!!!!!!

Always remember to put diesel fuel in a diesel automobile, otherwise you might spend the afternoon waiting for a tow truck in a dumpy, near-abandoned part of Italy, only to be slightly chastened by mechanics (rightfully deserved) and cost the company money that you will feel guilty and dumb about forever... whatever, the weather was nice, and Rob needed the nap.

Robbie and I have had some busy days here in the last week. Working on bikes for the last couple tours, getting RAD on bikes a couple times a week, picking up rental bikes all over Umbria and Tuscany, almost to Rome, and for myself a rocking metal show with friends near Bologna.

Not a bad way to stay busy and active while wrapping up the season.



GONDOLA!!!!



nothing says "lets get pretty for a metal show" like the ring in this picture



THE MELVINS! check the video here....amazing!











Big delivery south...





where early celebrating of minor success beings minor set backs...






stayed at a place that had an interesting view of the "herb garden" from our window...













a "mixed condition ride" at its finest autumn glory









look at the photo below closely...you can gague the steepness of the final descent by the angle at which the house intersects the earth...it was STEEP!



and a pick up in Pisa where there is normally a ton of parking, except when there is a kids volleyball tournament...then you get to drive through the crowd and hope for the best...







wrapping things up, staying ornery, getting rad as often as we can. more later...
S

the week in review...

Busy week here in the lovely hamlet of Faenza. Rob and I did a few pickups around Tuscany...







and vowed to get our pictures taken holding the Leaning Tower of Pisa up but after a few shots of these guys...





(GONDOLA!!!)



we settled for this.





There was a rainbow message from El Senor warning of polychromatic lazers from his holy fingers destroying the earth with a smile...creepy...





there was an archaeological discovery in the dry riverbed under the bridge leading into town...





There was Intern's last supper in which he was repeatedly yelled at to "shut the fuck up and get us another beer!!"...Gonna miss you Intern whatever your name was...







There was Rad-getting on dirt oriented bicycles...



There was a mini tour with some Germans in a town we vowed to spend more time in next year...









There was a going away dinner for Francesca Fabri, aka Franny 2-Hands, aka Dick Volpaccino, aka Franny Blacksmiths...we will miss her and all her aliases...









There was a delivery from our Number One Tour Leader Friend Guy ENRICO Dal MONTE! Who once again retains his status of number one tour leader rock and roll usa by bringing The Mechanics a big bag of big beers. Grazzie Mille dude!



and finally there was some RAD-getting aboard bicycles of all shapes and sizes for the end of the wine season, celebrating the harvest by consuming large quantities of fresh (young) wines in the region, shuttling around by bikes, me of course in costume. A costume so cool that it garnered the attention at the makeshift awards ceremony, in which one announcer wanted to give me a prize for my costume, and the other decided it was best to simply award the prize to my Mustache. I can now say My Mustache is Award-Winning.



a rare shot here by the man who informed of this bike gathering, Santo Claudio not only on a mountain bike but on FLAT ground...











































The one and only John Paul of BRAY ladies and gentlemen...









Sunday is a waste....finally getting a little hair of the dog around 3pm...loving it here, and anxious for December.
Scotty

More pictures on Facebook...