Staff profile: Paolo

Paolo, webmaster and occasional writer

Home Country and one great thing about it: Italy. The food, the wine, the landscape. Sometimes even the people.

Quirks/Oddities:

Obsessed with Alex Chilton and the 70’s band Big Star. His favourite record is Starsailor by Tim Buckley, which everyone else finds unlistenable. Devoted reader of Nietzsche. Knows almost every line from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Can mime most of the ballets in it (with disastrous results).

Star Sign: Sewer rat

Favourite Quote(s):

"It’s not easy having a good time. Even smiling makes my face ache." - Frank’n’Further, Rocky Horror Picture Show

"Is it my fault that every time I hear Wagner I feel an irresistible urge to invade Poland?" - Woody Allen (from Manhattan Murder Mystery - a must-see movie)

"I’m not a number. I’m a free man!" - the Prisoner

Favourite 80’s fad:

Anything ever worn by Wham!, Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet. The 80’s: the decade that fashion forgot. And mullets.

Favourite smurf:

The one who’s always complaining about stuff - don’t know the name in english.

Likes:

Films: Kubrick, David Lynch, Orson Welles, RHPS, Tim Burton. TV: Old series such as The Prisoner and Twin Peaks. The Simpsons, Friends, That 70’s Show and the most cynical South Park stuff. Music: Anything from the Beatles to Motorpsycho. And beyond. Books: Too many to mention (Dostojevskij? Goethe? Valéry?). Cartoon comic strips: Calvin and Hobbes (the best comic strip ever, it makes me laugh my head off most of the times), Little Nemo, Bloom County, Corto Maltese. Cities: Berlin. Best city in the world (no contest). Guitars: Fender Telecaster Vintage - how I’d love to have one. Drinks: Strong red wine, gin (both plain and in any possible combination), black russian.

How his co-workers describe him in 3 words:

Omissis.

Handy travel hints:

Never ever look like a tourist. Don’t have the camera hanging from your neck, don’t carry maps/guides in your hands, don’t show off your wealth. I’ve been walking alone in the most dangerous areas of Naples and never had trouble.

Dream Vacation:

A trip on the trans-siberian railway. A visit to greek and roman ruins in Turkey and Syria.

Best or most bizzare vacation ever:

Every time I go to Berlin I have a very good time.