P.S.

Arrieviderci!

Spent last dinner at Pasquale's, a local place run by ample Italian mother and lovely daughter. Great home-style cooking. Lit by harsh flourescent light, like police central booking. (Not that I'd know.)
Today started at 3am NY time. Breakfast followed by ride to Turin airport, 8+ hr. charter to JFK w/ 2 meals enroute. Arrived 3:30 NY time, followed by mega laundry session and takeout Chinese w/ Amy. Now 10pm, 4am Torino time. 24 straight hrs before I'm done, at least.
A fitting finish to this marathon. I've learned a tiny bit of what it feels like to be Italian. Being in a culture thousands of years old lets you obseve people who've learned how to live. Yesterday while on a city bus I watched a mother shower her 3 year old daughter with kisses about the face. It summed up what I saw in the people here. It's been a pleasure to live in this place long enough to really get a sense of it.


Thanks to all who joined me on this journey, both at work and at home. Hope I've been able to capture what this felt like.
Viva Italia!
Love,
Billy.

I Bleed Orange

You really won't believe this one... Took a train ride about an hour outside Torino to a village called Ivrea to experience their Carnivale. Imagine thousands throwing millions of oranges at one another and you get the idea.
Click on the video link and you might see me get clocked in the head. Also, lunch with our new best pals and other looks shown. Unbelievable. I'm proud to tell you I'm now an honorary Scorpion. Google Historic Carnival of Ivrea and click on "The orange battles". On the right is a video link.

WE DID IT!

Walking out of the IBC tonight for the last time, I felt like the guy in the movie who's released from prison, and emerges blinking into the sunlight, unsure of where to go. Strange to think that not only will I never see this place again, It won't even exist. A few photos of closin' time. Note the sign outside the NY Times office, and the one of me, Gary and Jon. (Curly, Larry, and Moe.) Got to see the closing ceremony, which was great 'till Ricky Martin. Flight home Tues. pm, out to see the countryside tomorrow.
Wonder where the Olympics goes?
Into the crate shown.
As Ted Brown used to say: "Put the coffee on, Mama, I'm comin' home."

Last Day of School

Started today searching for the Russian sweat shirts Scott Hamilton said I could find for sale "On Via Roma past the statues of naked ladies." Never did find them, but a cool flea market was going on...Bought a Sestriere poster though.

Now I can catch a cold!

Last day approaches...shown is my autographed poster which should bring big bucks on Ebay! Also, my mushroom cloud drawing. Since these walls are about to be torn down, we can write on them.

The envelope, please!

It's the third windy, rainy day in a row in Torino. Snowing in the Alps, though. Hope it clears for the closing ceremony. Should have brought my Fenway poncho.

Time for round one of....Billy's Olympee Awards! And the winners are:
Best Guy Who Hired Me- Mark Levy
Most Unexpectedly Sweet Too Skinny Talent- Melissa Stark
Most Often Repeated Outfit- Josh Kafka for "Orange Vest".
Best Croccodile Hunter Impersonation- Peter Steep for: "Crikey, Mate!"
Best Writer- Jim Thompson...extra credit for growing up in Osterville, MA (!)
Best Exclamation Of Rage By Mixer- (tie) Gary Rotta for "It's coming apart in my hands!" and: "Turn off the Fu@#*in' automation!"
Best ad lib- Mason Seay for: "His entire family was murdered by a voice-over guy."
Best Euphemism For Breasts- Jon Connolly for " She's got guns"
Best peformance by announcer flooding Men's Room- ME!
Stay tuned for:
Wreched Ego Biathlon
Biggest Pant Load Director
Best Excessive Make-Up On Today Show Host
Brown Noser of the Games
Most Weight Gained in Commissary
Most Memorable Meaningless Copy Change I Was Called Back For At 3am
and Best Performance Hiding From Dick Ebersol
...When Billy's Olympee Awards...CONTINUE.

2 More Days!

Well, we might just make it. Just tomorrow's coverage, the closing ceremony Sunday, then Monday off and madcap party Monday night. I predict a quiet flight home Tuesday on the "Slave Ship", as I heard it so aptly described. But then again, maybe not so quiet as free drinks will be provided. I hope to start a Jack Daniel's IV drip upon boarding. Lots of people will stay in Europe to recuperate , many going direct to Amsterdam followed by rehab. After this, a weekend off will feel like a week's vacation. (Except for all that laundry...I'll have it all cleaned and burned.) Don't worry Family, I bought a duffle bag for your swag. Cash or Visa accepted.

Visited the Olympic Village again to get some OV souvenirs. They are much desired because few of us have credentials to get in. Happened upon the mascots and couldn't resist. On the right- ice. The left- snow. Note that contrary to Disney regulations, both their hands aren't visible. They'll hear from my lawyer!
The althletes can get just about anything they need here. Food, shopping, and blood doping tests.