Monday 18 March 2024

Software engineer enjoys the Dolce Vita, working remotely in Italy for American employers

There's a little snippet of a story in the newspapers today about Americans being tired of political strife in America and fleeing to live in Italy for a bit of the Dolce Vita.

The general drift of the story is that people are indeed tired of the crazy politics in America and it would appear that some Americans are tired of the prices in America compared to those in Italy.

To return to the software engineer enjoying the Dolce Vita. He comes from San Francisco. To outsiders, San Francisco is meant to be a nice place but I believe that crime has taken over due to the legalisation of drugs. But I might have got that slightly wrong.

Woman and her cat living in a hilltop village in Italy
American woman and her cat living in a hilltop village in Italy. Image: DALLE-E 3

Anyway, the software engineer's name is Phil Puleo, 47. He left San Francisco and his $3000 a month flat during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He now pays €850 a month for a larger apartment in Rovigo, Italy, in south-west of Venice.

He says that "It's walkable, safe and coffee costs €1.20 not the $7 I paid in the US."

The best thing for him is that he is still doing his old job but remotely. He is able to keep his American wages which must be very good for him now that he works in Italy with the Italian prices being much lower than American prices where he worked and lived in the past.

The only downside is that he is now a shift worker. He has to adjust for the time difference between America and Italy and he now works from 3 PM to 10 PM but perhaps that is not a downside! It seems pretty cushy to me.

Phil is not alone. Other popular destinations include Lake Garda, Florence and Rome. A high profile emigrant to Italy from America is Kristen Helmstetter. 

She emigrated to Italy with her family and swapped her Michigan lifestyle for a hilltop town in Italy five years ago. She cites the crazy American politics. 

And she wanted to show her daughter a different way of life. It's said that she is part of "a growing exodus of Americans taking citizenship in Italy to escape the political polarisation and toxic culture wars in their homeland." Those are the words of The Times journalist, Tom Kington. Kristen was able to get an Italian passport as she has ancestors from Italy.

Apparently there are between 16-24 million Americans living in America who can take advantage of an Italian law which offers citizenship to those who can show that they had an Italian ancestor alive in 1861 or later.

Now, what about cats! I've got to add them into the article somehow. My initial very strong feeling is that if you have a cat companion their lives are going to be much better in a hilltop town in Italy which will be sleepy, quiet, warmer, beautiful, less noisy et cetera et cetera.

You have to comply with the pet importation laws into Europe from America. I have a story of an American who takes his three cats from America to Europe on holiday! Brave man. Interesting attitude. Read about him by clicking on this link.


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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

5 bizarre cat news stories from the past 24 months



Here are five peculiar cat-related news stories from the past 24 months: 


The Phantom Cat Shaver Strikes Again in Lambourn: 
In the village of Lambourn, there have been reports on social media about a mysterious cat shaver. Last June, pet owners in Hungerford and Lambourn were on high alert after cats were allegedly kidnapped and shaved. The identity of this enigmatic feline stylist remains unknown, leaving the community both baffled and amused. Note: yes it might have amused but what about the cats? Were they traumatized by the experience?

The Toxic Cat of Fukuyama, Japan:
Locals in Fukuyama City, Japan, received a warning to steer clear of a cat that fell into a vat of toxic chemicals at the Nomura Plating factory. Surveillance footage captured the moment the cat plunged into the vat before miraculously escaping. However, tiny yellow-brown pawprints were left behind on the factory floor. The cat is now carrying carcinogenic chemicals on its body and fur, as the vat contained hexavalent chromium. The environmental team fears the cat may have already succumbed to its injuries. A bizarre and cautionary tale indeed! 🐱🚫 Note: this one is more sad that bizarre. Or more negligent as the vat of chemical should have been stored more safely. Poor cat. The story is recited from a human-centric point of view with little regard for the cat's welfare.


Cat Burglar Steals Underwear in Manchester:

In Manchester, England, a notorious cat burglar has been targeting laundry lines. Instead of the usual jewelry or electronics, this feline felon has a penchant for pilfering underwear. Residents have reported missing socks, bras, and even a pair of boxers. The local police are scratching their heads, wondering how to apprehend this stealthy cat with a taste for unmentionables. Note: not unusual. Cats allowed outside not uncommonly 'steal' stuff. They are expressing instincts. This is probably carrying infants back to the den. They are probably female cats. It is often items of clothing. Perhaps in this instance there was underwear lying around the floor of a neighbour's home. They are called 'kleptocats'.


Catnip Cultivation Ring Exposed in Oregon:

Authorities in Oregon dismantled a clandestine catnip cultivation operation. The catnip cartel had been growing potent catnip plants in hidden greenhouses across the state. The feline kingpins were allegedly distributing their product through underground tunnels, enticing cats into a blissful frenzy. The operation was finally busted when an undercover tabby infiltrated their ranks. The catnip kingpins are now facing charges of “purr-sistence” and "feline trafficking".


Cat Mayor Elected in Small Town:

In the quaint town of Whiskerville, Idaho, residents elected a new mayor: a charismatic tabby named Mr. Whiskers. His campaign promises included mandatory naptime, free belly rubs, and a ban on vacuum cleaners. Despite being unable to sign official documents, Mr. Whiskers has won the hearts of the townsfolk. His first act as mayor? Declaring every cardboard box a designated “kitty fort.” Meow-tastic governance at its finest! πŸŽ©πŸΎπŸ—³️. Note: there have been station-master cats as well. Some places like to take the piss out of politicians and elect an animal as mayor.

Remember, truth can be stranger than fiction when it comes to our feline friends! 😺

Note: this list of five was selected and written up by artificial intelligence. Much easier for me as the computer can scan the internet's cat news stories for the past 24 months and make a selection.

The problem for me is that the AI computer (Bing's copilot) is human-centric and fails to be sufficiently sensitive (for me) to animal welfare.

Some related posts:


Saturday 16 March 2024

Lodger shoots home owner 10 times arguing over 6 cats

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, USA - NEWS AND OPINION: I'll keep this concise and short. A woman allowed a man who had been evicted from his previous residence to become a lodger at her bungalow with his three cats. A kindly act which turned very nasty.

Lodger shoots home owner 10 times over argument concerning 6 cats!
The home where it happened. Image: Google Maps.

The man, 59-year-old Glenn White, started to acquire cats more cats. We are not told how but they were probably rescue cats. He brought three more cats into the home.

The woman found this to be too much and asked that the cats live outside.
“The victim and White have been arguing for the past couple of days about the cats and how the victim would like the cats to live outside the house instead of inside the house. On (March 8), the victim got tired of having all the cats inside the residence and told White she was going to place them outside in the lanai.” - Police report
A 'lanai' is a Hawaiian term for a porch.

Mr White became upset and arrived with a gun - Smith & Wesson SD40 - while she was searching for the cats to put them outside.

S&W SD40

He allegedly shot her 10 times in places that did not kill her such as "on her lower extremities, two on her right rib, and one on her left middle finger", according to the police.

White allegedly pointed the gun at her head and said that he was going to kill her. She begged to let her call the police. In the end he called the police!

He is now in jail waiting for his trail. She must be very well bandaged with four fingers on her left hand.

He was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon. In Britain it would have been 'grievous bodily harm'.

Moral: Investigate why a ledger was evicted from their previous residence and ask the person who did the evicting. Ask the landlord not the tenant. Get references etc. And specify in a formal agreement that no cats are allowed or one cat is allowed. It seems that this was a poor informal, verbal agreement. These are distinctly dodgy. As dodgy as Mr. White.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

How did Henry Bergh, the founder of the first SPCA in North America, spend his life?

This week, 136 years ago, the animals lost a great friend. On March 12, 1888, Henry Bergh, the founder of the first SPCA in North America, died. For two decades, Bergh had taken to the streets to protect animals. 

How did Henry Bergh, the founder of the first SPCA in North America spend his life?
Henry Bergh. Image believed to be in the public domain.

This is how he described his life as an animal advocate of his time. 

“Day after day, I am in slaughterhouses; or lying in wait at midnight with a squad of police near some dog pit; through the filthy markets and about the rotten docks; out into the crowded and dangerous streets; lifting a fallen horse to his feet, and perhaps sending the driver before a magistrate; penetrating dark and unwholesome buildings where I inspect collars and saddles for raw flesh; then lecturing in public schools to children, and again to adult Societies. Thus my whole life is spent.”

The above comes from Nathan Winograd's newsletter.

Below is from Bing's co-pilot. 

Henry Bergh, born on August 29, 1813, in New York City, led a remarkable life dedicated to animal welfare and the protection of children. Here are the key aspects of his impactful journey:

  1. Founding the ASPCA:

    • In April 1866, just three days after the first effective legislation against animal cruelty was passed in the United States by the New York State Legislature, Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
    • His mission was clear: to ensure that animals received kind and respectful treatment from humans and were protected under the law 2.
    • Bergh assumed the role of ASPCA president and provided initial funding for the organization alongside his wife.
  2. Championing Animal Rights:

    • During his stay in Europe, Bergh witnessed various cruelties committed upon animals, which deeply affected him.
    • In England, he met Lord Harrowby, the president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who emphasized the importance of Bergh’s mission.
    • Inspired by this encounter, Bergh dedicated the rest of his life to the cause of ending animal cruelty.
  3. Additional Advocacy Efforts:

    • Bergh’s impact extended beyond animals. He also played a crucial role in founding the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1874.
    • His commitment to humane treatment extended to both animals and children, emphasizing compassion and protection.
  4. Background and Career:

    • Henry Bergh hailed from a wealthy New York family. His father, Christian Bergh III, was a successful shipbuilder.
    • Bergh joined his father’s shipbuilding business, C. Bergh & Co., and inherited a substantial estate upon his father’s death in 1843.
    • He attended Columbia College in New York City but left before completing his degree, choosing instead to tour Europe for five years.
    • In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him secretary of the U.S. legation in Tsarist Russia, where he served in St. Petersburg as acting vice-consul/

Henry Bergh’s legacy as a pioneer in animal advocacy and child protection endures, shaping the compassionate treatment of both animals and vulnerable members of society. 🐾🌟

Should Alaska’s annual Iditarod sled dog race be banned?

Should Alaska’s annual Iditarod sled dog race be banned?
Image by DALL-E 3


The question of whether Alaska’s annual Iditarod sled dog race should be banned is a complex and contentious one. Let’s explore both sides of the argument:

Arguments in Favor of Banning the Iditarod:

  1. Animal Welfare Concerns: Critics argue that the race places an immense physical strain on the sled dogs. The harsh conditions, long distances, and extreme cold can lead to injuries, exhaustion, and even death. Advocates for banning the race emphasize the need to prioritize the well-being of these animals.

  2. Ethical Considerations: Some people view the Iditarod as an outdated tradition that no longer aligns with modern sensibilities. They believe that using dogs for such gruelling races is ethically questionable and that it perpetuates a harmful mindset about animals as mere tools.

  3. Changing Attitudes: As societal attitudes toward animal rights evolve, there is growing pressure to re-evaluate practices like the Iditarod. Bans on other animal-related events (such as circuses with animal acts) have set a precedent for reconsidering the treatment of animals in various contexts.

Arguments Against Banning the Iditarod:

  1. Historical and Cultural Significance: Proponents of the Iditarod emphasize its historical roots and cultural importance. The race commemorates the vital role sled dogs played in Alaska’s history, transporting supplies and people across vast wilderness areas.

  2. Musher Dedication: Many mushers (the sled dog drivers) have deep connections with their dogs and treat them well. They argue that the race provides an opportunity to showcase the bond between humans and animals, as well as the resilience of both.

  3. Regulation and Improvements: Supporters contend that the Iditarod has made significant improvements over the years. Stricter regulations, better veterinary care, and improved race conditions have been implemented to safeguard the dogs’ welfare.

In conclusion, the decision to ban or continue the Iditarod involves weighing tradition, cultural significance, animal welfare, and evolving societal values. It’s a nuanced debate, and finding a balanced solution that respects both history and ethics is essential. Ultimately, it’s up to policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to determine the race’s future. 🐾🏁

This article was written by Bing's Co-pilot and illustrated by its assistant DALLE. They are both AI computers and they are amazing. If you can't beat them join them is the motto nowadays. I didn't even read the article! Just copied and pasted it for good or bad.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. NOTE: THERE ARE  NO TYPOS IN THIS!!

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