Marian and JB used to have a company
named Dendritics. For over
a decade they made Gemscales, really neat pocket-sized scales for
weighing gemstones. JB was
the inventor and engineer and Marian was
in charge of production. They were dumb enough to actually manufacture
these in the USA, and made thousands and thousands, most of the
Gemscales on earth. They were also dumb enough to not have built
in obsolescence. So they saturated their market.
They finally smartened up, closed down production, got married (after
13 years) and had a honeymoon in Venice for the whole month of April
'02. JB's mother Zena financed a 3-bedroom apartment with a really great
kitchen, so they invited their friends from the States. Proving how hard
it is to pass up a free place to stay in Venice, many came, typically
for a week, with staggered schedules. At one point there were six people
in the apartment.
JB had bought a digital camera for photographing Marian's beautiful paintings
for a website he had made for her (mariandioguardi.com)
and brought it along. Somehow he became convinced that the spirit of
Venice resided in its windows, and began abusing the poor camera, as
he wandered aimlessly in Venice while Marian painted. It was a lovely
break from their previous lives, which had broken anyway.
From JB's camera came the Windows.
From Marian's film camera came the Clotheslines.
From Jen's pen came the Journal.
From our Amigos near and far came the Kudos.
So there you are. Now, enjoy the site. If you like it (or not), feel
free to send JB an email
.
Here's a draw your own conclusion ...
(A) The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than
the British or Americans.
(B) On the other hand, the French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer
heart attacks than the British or Americans.
(C) The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks
than the British or Americans.
(D) The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer
fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans.
(E) Conclusion: Eat & drink what you like. It's speaking English
that kills you.
