I wish I could work up some enthusiasm for pro soccer.  If I could I'd be in heaven here.  I just passed Vidal, a young Chilean player for Juventus, (Torino's #1 pro team), who lives in a townhouse behind us.  The only reason I recognized him is because he wears a Mohawk, not very popular with Italian fashion conscious men.  Grace is having conniptions because a new player for Juventas, Tevez from Argentina, has just enrolled his kids at the school and I start teaching his daughter one on one after the vacation.  Grace is still angry that I didn't get an autograph from the team's goalie when he came into the library with his sons.  This time around I am expected to give Tevez her name for babysitting.  I think she's under the impression that some of their fame and fortune might rub off.  I actually enjoy soccer as a game but pro sports don't do a thing for me.  The amount of money thrown at these young athletes is ridiculous but for them it really is a dream come true.  So many of the pro players here in Europe are south Americans or Africans whose only hope of getting out of poverty was soccer.  Evidently this new guy Tevez pours huge money back into the ghetto outside of Buenos Aries where he's from.  Our neighbor Vidal, brought half of Chile with him when he came here and hosts huge family parties at his place.  We hear Latin music blasting and children squealing till the wee hours of the morning.  Living here has brought out a side of GP that I'd never seen.  That little "futbol" loving Italian boy has emerged.  I never imagined I'd see him sitting on the sofa yelling at tiny men in shorts on the T.V..  He and Grace follow the games together.  I can't say "watch" because Grace has decided that she brings bad luck to the team if she watches the game, so she sits in her bedroom and listens to it from there.  GP acts as a sports announcer and calls the plays for her which she then watches on her laptop.  The one occasion where having a tiny apartment comes in handy.  It's ridiculous.  I have to close myself in our room and read.  
It's Saturday so housework day, then off this afternoon to Le Langhe, the wine region, for some tasting and local food fairs and then dinner.  I should probably have a nap before leaving....xxoo me