#alessandra uno

[kommandonuovidiavoli]

Hey Grangran!

I honestly was contemplating of asking this at first, but...

Do you have any teen/adult designs of the Delightful Children??? :]

I would LOVE to see those!!!💜💮

I scrambled to get something done but YEAH! I have something, related to the same time these two exist, 10 years after the adult AU!

Here they are:

Yes, they managed to grow up, FINALLY! Not sure if they still have their memories or got decommissioned, we'll see.

They're all 20, all still pretty close. Memories or not, they know they are family. They live in Father's old villa, which they inherited. As for what they're doing in their lives (please refer to this for some stuff):

David: studying dancing, especially ballet. He's pretty good and has participated in some plays already;

Constance: studying psychology at university, goes there and comes back everyday;

Lenny: studying science and biology at university, online courses;

Bruce: studying drawing in an online school and already working on a comic with Alessandra;

Alessandra: studying writing in an online school and already working on a comic with Bruce;

This is all I got so far!

OH! Another lil thing: they now all have the surname Uno. :3c

[fallen-gabrielle]

Woohoo! More Uno family chart memes!

[box-of-chaooos]

Decided to draw the dumb idea I had my fav here is probs Nigel, he does not give a shit

Bonus: aftermath

Constance with the stimming, get it connie

[cherryblossom1cedtea]

Did the “as pretty as…” trend with knd characters (Sector V + The Delightful Children)

“Nigel Uno is as pretty as a freshly polished monocle—sharp, bold, and undeniably commanding attention”

“Hoagie P. Gilligan is as pretty as a sky full of fluffy clouds on a carefree summer day—fun, comforting, and full of imagination”

“Kuki Sanban is as pretty as a field of vibrant wildflowers swaying under a golden sunset—bright, lively, and impossible to ignore”

“Wallabee Beatles is as pretty as a perfectly polished golden yo-yo, spinning with charm and just a touch of mischief”

“Abigail Lincoln is as pretty as a soulful jazz melody on a quiet night—cool, confident, and effortlessly captivating”

“Bruce is as pretty as a perfectly frosted cupcake—sweet on the surface but with a swirl of mystery underneath”

“Alyssandra is as pretty as a porcelain music box—delicate, poised, and hiding layers of complexity”

“Constance is as pretty as a glimmering icicle on a winter morning—elegant, sharp, and undeniably striking”

“David is as pretty as a perfectly carved chess piece—refined, strategic, and commanding quiet admiration”

“Lenny is as pretty as a sleek, polished marble statue—cool, composed, and with an air of quiet sophistication”

[fallen-gabrielle]

I also headcanon that Lenny is Ben’s favorite, not because he’s my personal favorite (he isn’t) but because the fandom seems to put him more on the front than the other delightful children. Or I’m just seeing these kind of posts.

I do have a whole backstory for each of the delightful children and Lenny’s explains why he’s Ben’s favorite.

Anyway, I made a few jokes about that as well.

Lenny is my favorite so now he’s father’s favorite as well

[waltfrasescazadordepalabras]

Hace unos años empecé a tomarle fotos imprevistas a las mamás de mis alumnos cuando los venían a buscar. Ninguna fue posada. Cuando imprimí las fotos, tooooodas y cada una de las mamás se encontraron mil defectos en las fotografías (¡mis arrugas!, mi panza no da más, ¡mi cabello que horrible!, mis canas, que gorda... etc. etc. etc. Mostramos las mismas fotos con tantos "defectos" a sus hijos, mezcladas con fotos de Alessandra Ambrossio, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, entre otros modelos de belleza "ideal" con la consigna ¿Quién te parece que es la mujer más linda entre todas? Cada uno de los niños eligió la foto de su mamá. Y cuando le cuestionamos el PORQUE de su elección, que era lo que le hacía la "más linda" a su mamá, las respuestas fueron varias. -'Porque su sonrisa es gigante' 4 años -'Mira sus ojos profe, son llenos de bueno (...)' 4 años -'Porque cuando se ríe es como cuando sale el sol' 4 años -'Porque sus brazos son largos... larguísimos… justito para que yo entre' 4 años. -'Porque en su cara hay arcoíris' -4 años -'Porque sus besos son unfinitos (y al preguntar qué significa 'UNfinito' dijo 'es cuando no importa si se porta mal o bien' siempre puede pedirle besos a su mamá, para mí' 4 años -'Porque cuando hace frío su piel siempre esta calentita'4 años -'Porque sus ojos son marrones, como los míos' 4 años -'Porque sus brazos pueden atajarme siempre que me siento triste' 4 años -'Porque su pelo es suavecito y su risa es simpática, me hace cosquillitas cuando se ríe' 4 años Y así es como Oscar Wilde tenía razón, la belleza esta, en definitiva, en el ojo del espectador 

[diceriadelluntore]

I Miei Libri del 2023

Leggere libri è il gioco più bello che l’umanità abbia inventato. Wisława Szymborska

1 - Benjamin Stevenson - Tutti nella mia famiglia hanno ucciso qualcuno

2 - Bernardo Zannoni - I miei stupidi intenti

3 - Michela Marzano - L'amore che mi resta

4 - Martin Griffin - L'impostore

5 - Eric Fouassier - L'ufficio degli affari occulti

6 - Wendy Doniger - L'anello della verità

7 - Peter Hopkirk - Il Grande Circo

8 - Carmine Pinto - Il Brigante e il Generale

9 - Susan Cain - Il dono della malinconia

10 - Dennis Duncan - Indice, Storia dell'

11 - Maria Grazia Calandrone - Dove non mi hai portata

12 - Eshkol Nevo - Tre Piani

13 - Marcus Du Sautoy - L'enigma dei numeri primi

14 - Pietro Trifone - Brutte, sporche e cattive

15 - Giuseppe Barbera - Agrumi. Una Storia del Mondo

16 - Gianrico Carofiglio - Della gentilezza e del coraggio

17 - Audrey Magee - La colonia

18 - Edith Wharton - L'età dell'innocenza

19 - Antti Tuomainen - Il fattore coniglio

20 - Geoff Dyer - Natura morta con custodia di sax

21 - Franco Lorenzoni - Educare controvento

22 - Toshikazu Kawaguchi - Finché il caffè è caldo

23 - Florian Illies - 1913

24 - Francesco Paolo De Ceglia - Vampyr

25 - Richard Osman - Il Club dei delitti del giovedì

26 - Giulio Boccaletti - Acqua

27 - Domenico Dara - Malinverno

28 - Alessandra Necci - Al cuore dell'Impero

29 - Andrew Verghese - Il patto dell'acqua

30 - J.F. Powers - Morte d'Urban

31 - Imma Eramo - Il Mondo Antico in 20 Stratagemmi

32 - Gianni Solla - Il ladro di quaderni

33 - Alice Cappagli - Niente caffè per Spinoza

34 - A.K. Blakemore - Le streghe di Manningtree

35 - A.J. West - La meccanica degli spiriti

36 - Eric Fouassier - Il fantasma del Vicario

37 - Beatrice Salvioni - La Malnata

Nel 2023, finalmente, ho superato le 10 mila pagine lette, arrivando a quota 11336. Era un piccolo limite personale, niente di competitivo, ma il fatto di aver cambiato metodo di lettura mi ha aiutato nell'intento. Quest'anno ho letto anche libri su consigli di amici di Tumblr, uno tra questi è stato un regalo graditissimo. Per quelle vie misteriose e magiche che i libri ti fanno seguire, a volte ho comprato, senza saperlo, libri che sono complementari per tematiche e trame. Obiettivo del prossimo anno è leggere un classico a trimestre. Se ci sono curiosità sui titoli, chiedete!

[nooradeservedbetter]

Sanremo Omegaverse raga scusatemi

Alessandra Sanremoso - omega nulla da fare

Alfa - omega raga non potete dire nulla.

Angelina Mango - alfa

Annalisa - alfa ti prEGO PER FAVORE

Big Mama - omega

Bnkr44 - raga non lo so mi ricordano me al liceo sono una banda un po' strana

Clara - beta nn so rick....

Dargen D'Amico - beta

Diodato - omega

Emma - alfa

Fiorella Mannoia - alfa

Fred de Palma - beta che fa finta di essere alfa

Gazzelle - omega

Geolier - alfa

Ghali - alfa

Il Tre - super omega inutile dirlo

Il Volo - tre alfa (derogatory) della peggior specie

Irama - omega ma la sua fanbase non ci crede

La Sad - i due ultratrentenni sono alfa, il diciannovenne invece è omega e la situazione ha del creepy

Loredana Bertè - alfa regina buh non so

Mahmood - omega

Maninni - super omega

Mr. Rain - omega

Negramaro - gli altri non so ma sangiorgi ha troppo ego per poter essere qualcosa di diverso da alfa

Renga Nek - nek é l'omega della coppia

Ricchi e Poveri - entrambi beta

Rose Villain - alfa raga ma l'avete vista

Sangiovanni - omega finché non arriva la twink death

Santi Francesi - uno alfa l'altro omega a voi la scelta di quale

The Kolors - non lo so raga troppo etero

BONUS:

Amadeus - omega che non vorrebbe esserlo

Fiorello - alfa

Marco Mengoni - alfa

Giorgia - beta che viva la sua vita perfettamente

Scusate raga.

[raidpirate52]

My Top 10 Codename: Kids Next Door Characters:

Wally Beetles (Numbuh 4)

Sector V (In order: Kuki (Numbuh 3), Abigail (Numbuh 5), Nigel (Numbuh 1) = Hoagie (Numbuh 2). I have Numbuh 4 separate cause he's my undisputed fav.

Sonia (Numbuh 83)

Lee (Numbuh 84)

The Six-Gum Gang (in order: Runt, Wilbur, Dixie, Goof, Lunk)

The Delightful Children from Down the Lane (in order: Bruce, Ashley/Alessandra, David, Lenny, Constance).

King Sandy

Chad Dickson (Numbuh 274)

Rachel McKenzie (Numbuh 362)

Monty Uno (Numbuh 0)

[gregor-samsung]

" Il riso è una contrazione del volto e nella contrazione l'uomo non ha il dominio di sé, è dominato da qualcosa che non è né la volontà né la ragione. E questo è il motivo per cui lo scultore antico non raffigurava il riso. L'uomo che non ha il dominio di sé (l'uomo al di fuori della ragione, al di fuori della volontà) non può essere considerato bello. Se la nostra epoca, contrariamente allo spirito dei grandi pittori, ha fatto del riso la forma privilegiata del volto umano, significa che l'assenza di volontà e di ragione è diventata lo stato ideale dell'uomo. Si potrebbe obiettare che la contrazione mostrataci dai ritratti fotografici è simulata, e dunque razionale e volontaria: Kennedy che ride davanti all'obiettivo non reagisce a una situazione comica, ma apre la bocca e scopre i denti con grande consapevolezza. Questo, però, dimostra soltanto che gli uomini d'oggi hanno innalzato la contrazione del riso a immagine ideale, dietro la quale hanno deciso di nascondersi. Rubens si dice: il riso è la più democratica di tutte le forme del volto: con i lineamenti immobili ci distinguiamo uno dall'altro, ma nella contrazione siamo tutti uguali. Un busto di Giulio Cesare che sghignazza è inconcepibile. Ma i presidenti americani se ne vanno nell'eternità nascosti dietro la contrazione democratica del riso. "

Milan Kundera, L'immortalità, traduzione di Alessandra Mura, Adelphi (collana gli Adelphi, n° 47), 2023²¹; pp. 343-344.

[Testo originale: Nesmrtelnost, 1988]

[operationfusionlog]

Character Profile#5: Nigel Uno/Numbuh 1

Name: Nigel Uno Aliases: Nigey (Lizzie), Nige ( Wally only) Codename: Numbuh 1 Age: 10 Height: 4'7 ¾ ft

Affiliation: Kids Next Door (KND) Primary Role: Keeper of the Book of KND, KND Supreme Commander ( Sector V) Current Assignment: KND Supreme Council member Base of Operations: Command Center, Downtown

Status: Active Mental Status: Critical

Distinctive Physical Characteristics:

Slanted cut on the right eye

Robotic right arm (elbow down)

Burn mark on the right cheek

Attire:

Standard gear includes a red turtle-neck sweater, black military vest with matching fingerless gloves, grayish green cargo shorts, white socks, and brown shoes, black square sunglasses, bandages wraps on bicep of the right arm and left lower leg

Specialized Gear: R.O.C.K.E.T. (Rapid Operational Compact Kinetic-Energy Transportation)

A custom gift from his former mentor Chad, the R.O.C.K.E.T. shoes were designed specifically for Nigel’s fast-paced missions. These sleek, high-powered shoes incorporate advanced 2x4 technology, featuring heel-activated thrusters that propel Nigel into swift flight. With a built-in stabilizer crafted from recycled go-kart parts and a reinforced sole designed from skateboard wheels, the R.O.C.K.E.T. shoes offer incredible speed, agility, and maneuverability. Perfect for quick escapes, reconnaissance, and dynamic aerial maneuvers, these specialized shoes allow Nigel to soar over obstacles and dodge enemy fire, making them a vital asset in the field and a symbol of his and Chad's enduring bond.

Known Relatives:

Mother: Mrs. Uno

Father: Monty Uno

Uncle: Benedict Uno (also notable rival)

Cousins: Numbuh 10, Bruce, Lenny, David, Alessandra. Constance

Grandfather: Grandfather

Great-Grandmother: One of The Annoyingly Cute Triplets

Great-Great-Grandmother: The Annoyingly Cute Triplets Mother

Operational Summary Psychological Profile:

Nigel has developed PTSD and chronic feelings of guilt following the grueling war with Fuse and the traumatic events that separated him from Wally. He shoulders the burden of leadership intensely, often blaming himself whenever anything goes wrong on a mission. This overwhelming sense of responsibility compels him to throw himself into work, where he meticulously plans, coordinates, and executes every detail to perfection. By focusing on his duties, he feels he can control outcomes and protect his team, though this often comes at a personal cost. Nigel’s relentless work ethic serves as both a coping mechanism and a self-imposed punishment; by taking on every task, he tries to compensate for what he perceives as past failures. His team notices this self-sacrifice, yet Nigel brushes off their concerns, insisting that he’s simply fulfilling his role. While his composure and dedication earn him deep respect, they also create emotional distance. During high-stress missions, he becomes more withdrawn, sometimes to the point of isolation, fearing that allowing anyone to share his burdens would only endanger them further.

Background & Skill Development:

Nigel’s unwavering focus on his KND responsibilities has allowed him to hone his leadership skills and tactical acumen, making him the organization’s backbone. Through his experience as both a front-line operative and strategist, he has developed expertise in warfare tactics, diplomacy, and crisis management, which were invaluable in organizing the resistance against Fuse’s forces. He has collaborated with top allies, including Lizzie and Rachel, who helped him recover emotionally after Wally’s disappearance. Despite his pain, Nigel’s ability to compartmentalize trauma has kept him effective in battle and in administration, although this approach sometimes results in lingering emotional strain that surfaces in high-pressure situations.

Operative Relationships:

Nigel maintains a highly professional yet caring rapport with his team. He is especially close to Hoagie and Wally. With Hoagie, he shares a mutual respect for each other’s intellect and work ethic, relying on him for counsel. With Wally, especially after his return, Nigel has formed a profound bond, grounded in shared trauma and mutual support. Though Nigel is stoic with most, Wally brings out his more vulnerable side; in private, Nigel often initiates moments of quiet comfort, sometimes even hugging or sitting close. This bond helps Nigel maintain emotional balance, and Wally’s presence has helped him rediscover parts of himself he thought he lost. Lizzie and Rachel have also played crucial roles in his healing process, supporting him through intense work periods and encouraging him to lean on others instead of bottling everything up.

Behavioral Observations:

Nigel’s outward discipline and poise make him a model leader, but his intense need to protect his team sometimes causes him to overextend himself. He is particularly vigilant during missions, double-checking plans and monitoring his teammates closely. This heightened caution, while valuable in high-stakes scenarios, can sometimes translate to overprotectiveness, especially regarding Wally and Hoagie, whom he feels a special duty to keep safe. Nigel’s tendency to internalize every failure or injury can strain his decision-making, making him cautious to a fault and prone to second-guessing himself in moments of doubt. His bond with Wally has started to provide him with an emotional release he rarely allows himself. In private, Nigel occasionally relaxes his guard, permitting Wally’s supportive presence to ease some of his anxieties. These moments of closeness are a reminder that Nigel doesn’t have to carry everything on his shoulders; he’s learning, albeit slowly, to trust that his friends want to support him, too.

Current Assignment Performance:

Nigel's role as Supreme Commander requires him to balance strategic planning with frontline oversight, ensuring the KND remains a formidable force against Fuse's threats. His meticulous attention to detail has made him indispensable, but it also comes with a heavy emotional burden. Nigel's perfectionism drives him to take on more responsibility than he can handle, often blaming himself for any failure, no matter how small. This self-imposed pressure can lead to indecision and over-analysis, slowing down his leadership at critical moments. Despite this, his team, especially Wally, provides crucial emotional support, helping Nigel realize he doesn't have to bear the weight alone. Wally’s quiet companionship offers comfort, reminding Nigel of the value of teamwork and trust. Hoagie and Lizzie also play pivotal roles in encouraging him to delegate more, while the team as a whole is beginning to understand the toll his internal struggles take on him. As Nigel learns to lean on those around him, he’s evolving as a leader, recognizing that true strength lies in trusting his team and sharing the load, not in carrying it all himself.

Mental and Emotional Condition Status: Guardedly stable, with intermittent signs of PTSD and depression.

Mental and Emotional Profile:

Nigel’s mental state is a constant balancing act between the trauma he’s experienced and his sense of duty. His self-doubt and guilt often intensify under high-stress situations, especially when a teammate is injured, and his paranoia has only heightened his cautiousness in the field. This makes him hyper-vigilant, particularly when he’s leading critical missions. Though he maintains a professional facade, the weight of his responsibilities has begun to take a toll, and he’s gradually learning to lean on his teammates for support. Wally’s presence, alongside the support from Lizzie, Rachel, and Hoagie, has become a crucial emotional anchor, allowing Nigel to remain functional despite the war's psychological aftermath. Abby and Lizzie, in particular, have been instrumental in making sure Nigel doesn’t overwork himself or neglect his own well-being. They frequently check in on him, urging him to take breaks, eat properly, and step back when things become overwhelming. Their concern for his health and their gentle reminders to focus on self-care are helping him realize that his mental and physical well-being are just as important as his role as Supreme Commander, slowly encouraging him to care for himself as he does his team.

Effects on Team Dynamics:

Nigel’s unwavering dedication has fostered a deep sense of loyalty and respect among his team, inspiring them with his resilience and commitment to their cause. His close relationships with Wally and Hoagie provide essential emotional stability within the team, and his ability to lead by example reassures his teammates of his competence and strength, especially during critical operations. However, his tendency to shoulder the burden of responsibility and self-blame often creates moments of tension, as his teammates become increasingly concerned for his mental well-being. While Nigel’s professional exterior remains intact, those closest to him—particularly Wally, Hoagie, and even Abby—recognize the strain he’s under. Wally, in particular, has become someone who not only provides support but also helps remind Nigel that he isn’t alone in carrying the weight of the KND’s mission. Over time, Nigel’s openness with Wally and Hoagie has begun to set an example for the rest of the team, encouraging a more open and supportive dynamic where teammates share their own struggles, which helps alleviate some of the pressure Nigel feels. Despite his best efforts to remain strong for everyone else, it’s clear to those who care about him that they must keep an eye out for him, ensuring he doesn’t overextend himself and allowing him the space to lean on others when necessary.

Coping Mechanisms and Current Standing:

Nigel’s primary method of coping is immersion in his responsibilities. He works tirelessly, using the KND's challenges to drown out the guilt and sadness he feels over past losses. This hyperfocus on work keeps him functional, yet it often prevents him from addressing his emotions. Instead, he redirects his pain into perfectionism, holding himself to impossible standards and becoming increasingly frustrated when things go wrong. He has internalized a belief that he must protect everyone at all costs, leading him to shoulder every setback or injury personally. Though Nigel has struggled to open up, the return of Wally has given him an unexpected source of comfort. With Wally’s understanding of shared trauma, Nigel has begun to allow himself small moments of vulnerability, leaning on him in quiet ways. This bond is gradually helping Nigel to release some of his bottled-up guilt, though he remains hesitant to fully unburden himself, feeling that doing so would be “weak” or selfish. The support of his close friends, like Hoagie, Lizzie, and Rachel, also encourages him to share the weight, reminding him that he’s not alone and that leadership doesn’t mean bearing everything by himself.

[kommandonuovidiavoli]

whats your alessandra headcanon design?

I have many, depending on the years!

BOOP! (Sector Z)

BOOP! (End of Sector ^)

BOOP! (Teen AU)

BOOP! (Adult AU)

BOOP! (Alessandra specifically)

and BOOP! (Unnamed Future AU)

[fallen-gabrielle]

Energy meme redraw

[box-of-chaooos]

7 am headcannon time.

Delightful Children style

So In a post I reblogged I mentioned about how I think father came to adopt the delightful children and delightfulize them. I’ll explain a little more on that because everyone had their own ideas on it and I’d like to share mine too.

Tw for mentions of neglect abuse and manipulation, it’s father and his delightful children what did you expect?

Sector z was formed by 5 children who where abused and neglected by their parents aka adults. They where thrown into an orphanage and quickly banded together over their experiences and became inseparable beginning to form their little group. Each of them where in and out of housing and different families all their lives. One of them getting adopted leaving them panicked. The family not ready to take on their new kids issues just threw them back into the orphanage. This happened A lot to the point that they where just not shown for adoption anymore. Wronged by adults they discovered the kids next door who fought adults so they joined asap. This way they where out that retched orphanage as much as possible and never had to be apart again since they where a team. They formed sector z adopting their code name numbers and for a good while where the best operatives there, young adult fighting kids with great skills.

Benedict on his mission to find kids to delightfulize went to the orphanage deciding this would be his best bet. Still under the orphanage and having to go back there every night Benedict took a liking to them he could tell they where different from the others there. He played nice. Very nice. He was kind to them he didn’t adopt them right away instead let them come over to his big mansion house to get acquainted. He bought them toys, chocolates, cloths, comics. When they stayed the night he’d read them story’s and run them lovely hot bubble baths. He took them to the park and out for the day buying them icecream when they went to the beach and played in the sand with them. They thought they’d really found the best father ever and they trusted him all just wanting the security of a good parent figure so they trusted him very fast. Benedict adopted them officially and took them all home, he’d found out about them being knd operatives and couldn’t have asked for better. He tricked them into going into the delightfulization chamber saying it was a new invention of his. Trusting him they went in and before they knew it they where delightful children.

They know their former knd operatives but it’s all blurred and hard to remember or focus on the memory enough to fight the delightfulization so it’s far far back in their heads unable to be accessed But they remember how adults wronged them and so when one shows any weakness they quickly overpower them. Showing they are superior to adults. Their abandonment issues where full swing once delightful which is why they stay together at all times. Their issues remain and they struggle massively with them but father punishes them when they show any sort of struggle. So he abuses and neglects them in the exact same way they where before but their powerless to him and suffer it. He’s nice to them sometimes with their big birthday parties and letting them have what ever they want when they want but that’s just because he’s rich enough to throw them it all and tell the butler to get it for them. They want icecream? Father gets the Butler gets them it. He just puts them in the hands of the maids and butlers to take care of.

I like to think after operation zero however and fighting with his own father again and long long talks with Monty and forced family vacations together he eventually starts to treat them right and make amends to be a good father to them, their still forever delihhfulized and evil little menaces with a taste for chaos but he loves them all the same. Buying them toys, comforting them in meltdown and night terrors patching their scrapes and reading stories to them before bed.

Had to end on a happy note I’m not letting them suffer forever! I might make a few more bits on each of their pasts in my personal headcannons and what not but idk. What do you think on my perspective of it?

[a-silent-bear]

MA ALLORA – DISSE ALICE – SE IL MONDO NON HA ASSOLUTAMENTE ALCUN SENSO, CHI CI IMPEDISCE DI INVENTARNE UNO.

[liberoisw199]

I preparativi erano durati alcuni mesi. Nell’epoca delle guide cartacee, dei soldi da cambiare, dei traveller-cheques, organizzare un viaggio oltremanica richiedeva un certo impegno. L’idea di partire senza avere una meta precisa, senza un posto dove dormire, cercando gli orari dei treni alla stazione era qualcosa di avventuroso. O almeno così sembrava a noi ragazzi di vent’anni che vedevamo Londra come il mito della libertà e della trasgressione. Che poi noi torinesi medioborghesi avevamo ben poco da trasgredire in una Londra già popolata di creste colorate di altezze impossibili, catene e abiti di pelle. I Sex Pistols spaccavano le chitarre e noi andavamo nei parchi a suonare i nostri quattro accordi melodici. Ma l’aria era carica di potenzialità inespresse, di possibilità infinite.

Chiesi una sigaretta a un signore e capii subito quanto fosse penoso il mio inglese: in una sola frase riuscii ad apostrofarlo con “hei tipo” e a dargli dell’omosessuale. Ma lui mi fece notare l’errore e non se la prese troppo.

E le ragazze: nel mio immaginario erano tutte come Patsy Kensit e ovviamente aspettavano solo un amante latino. La prima sera a Covent Garden mi seguirono due enormi ragazzi di colore e capii che era meglio fare un po’ attenzione.

E dire che quella storia era cominciata con i migliori auspici, pur nella fregatura. Eh si. Il mio amico del cuore, compagno di sempre, all’ultimo momento si era portato dietro la fidanzata. E questo menage-a-trois non mi faceva certo impazzire. Quindi per chiarire subito la situazione li mollai nel loro vagone e mi accodai a una bella ragazza bionda con zaino sulle spalle che poi si scopre tedesca. Che belli i treni con gli scompartimenti! Il viaggio fino a Parigi trascorse tra risate e chiacchiere, e la voglia pazzesca di baciarla e la timidezza insuperabile. E lei rideva e mi guardava. E certo era più disinibita di me, che stavo sempre a godere di sogni ad occhi aperti. Come diceva Pessoa: “manca sempre qualcosa. Un bicchiere, una brezza, una frase. E la vita duole quanto più la si gode e quanto più la si inventa”. Quanto mi piaceva quell’effetto da poeta un po’ inadatto, con le parole giuste e le citazioni che non andavano da nessuna parte. E il resto del mondo maschile era un’altra cosa.

Cercavo di imparare dai miei simili ma senza successo. E non mi piacevano neanche tanto.

Scena davanti a un pub inglese: lei è seduta con una birra in mano, sembra sola. Arriva un vichingo biondo, la saluta, dice quattro parole, e allo scoccare del trentesimo secondo ecco la frase: vuoi venire a letto con me? Cioè trenta secondi! Inarrivabili gli olandesi!

Londra si offriva in tutti i lavoretti possibili per italiani incompetenti: cameriere, aiuto cucina, chambermaid, preparazione hamburger…

Dopo quindici giorni i soldi stavano finendo e decisi di lavorare da Mc Donald. Tre giorni. Il terzo lo passai otto ore davanti a una piastra rovente di un metro quadro e mi chiesi cosa ci stavo a fare lì. Nel frattempo la convivenza in tre era diventata sempre più pesante… la nostra camera era in un condominio: un bagno al piano terra e uno all’ultimo piano. La corrente era a gettone e per risparmiare la sera si usano le candele. E il letto… era a castello con un materasso in più che si tirava fuori da sotto il letto e si metteva per terra. E io e Marco facevamo a turno per il posto nel letto di sotto. Quello di sopra era d’ufficio destinato ad Alessandra. Quando mi toccava il letto di sotto qualche volta mi svegliavo e notavo la rete sopra con una strana curvatura, come se ci fosse un doppio peso. E infatti c’era. E speravo di riaddormentarmi presto.

Forse era il momento di dichiarare conclusa l’avventura. Quando ti chiedi cosa ci stai a fare in un luogo o in una situazione è il momento di cambiare.

Ho sempre amato viaggiare da solo. Ti permette di entrare in contatto con tante persone, di comunicare, di conoscere. Di metterti alla prova.

Ricordo ogni emozione, ogni evento, mille aneddoti dei miei due “Inter rail”. E pur con tanti bellissimi viaggi fatti in seguito penso ogni tanto a quella foto, a quel gabbiano con la bandiera, a quel vento di libertà che ancora non sapevo sarebbe finito presto.

Foto mia no reblog please