"More Time!!!! I Need More Time!!!!!" Lacristina's Profile

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The Univ. of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning

No Longer VT's Most Pathetic Home Page!

My first day back to work, after a trip to beloved Italy, visiting friends in Rome, Milan and Desenzano on Lago di Garda.

I was sad to leave - already trying to figure out how and when I could return.

And then, as if to show me that, yes, even Pittsburgh has its moment of extreme beauty, I saw this incredible sunrise as I drove past the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning.

I had to stop. It was better than this. But it's the best I could do with my camera. Beauty is everywhere (but the food is definitely better over there.)

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The Cathedral of Learning is not a religious building - it's called a cathedral only due to its shape. It's the main administration building and is filled with classrooms and offices. It has an unlocked stairway from the basement to floor 36 - 450 vertical feet (I've checked it with my altimeter). This makes it a pretty good aerobic training ground. Most weekday evenings and weekend mornings, you'll find folks, including me, huffing our way up (and sometimes down) the stairs. Some are training for mountains, some are cyclists - grounded by snow or darkness, some just there for the sheer pleasure of the torture.

My fastest time ever: 7:15. The fastest time ever by an iron-madman: 3:38. The same crazy guy, Daniel Chew, did it the most times in a row: 86 in 12 hours.

A good thing for mountaineers to remember is that there are hardly any mountains that you climb up that you don't have to climb down. Most would-be climbers soon learn that entirely different muscles are used for each process. Woe unto him or her that hasn't trained both ways!

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By the way - my travel slogan has nothing to do with reincarnation - though that is a lovely thought. Rather, it is the answer to the question (often asked in the Italy travel forum) "How many days does it take to see Rome?"

My friend Abarbieri tells me that "Roma, non basta una vita" was coined in 1962 by Silvio Negro, a famous writer. It was the title of his loving book on visiting his favorite city. Unfortunately, the book is out of print.

Santa Cristina?

That was the title of the email my VT and realworld friend effeti (Francesco) sent me.

Santa Cristina? Trust me, she's no relation, so a question mark is appropriate.

Francesco found the photo accompanyiing an article in an archeology magazine within a detailed report on the Byzantine jewels of Ravenna.

Intro Updated Jul 27, 2007
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Comments (156)

EllenH Feb 5, 2012 at 9:16 PM Report Abuse

Hope it was a great one. Wonderful gorgeous day cross country skiing. Hope you did something way fun. (knowing you...I am not worried)
aussiejen Feb 5, 2012 at 3:23 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday. Hope you're having a lovely day. xx
hopang Feb 5, 2012 at 1:07 AM Report Abuse

Hi Cristina, We wish you a very happy birthday. Hope you have a great day. Greetings from cold Sweden. ~ho & pang
pieter_jan_v Feb 5, 2012 at 12:58 AM Report Abuse

Congratulations, have a great Birthday. Greetings from the Netherlands. PJ
MalenaN Feb 4, 2012 at 11:12 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Christina! Have a great day!
riorich55 Dec 29, 2011 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

Hi Christiana, My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy in 2012. I will be checking out your pages.
AlbuqRay Nov 2, 2011 at 4:14 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Cristina! I bet the updated house will be really nice when they are done. Please give my regards to Ray. Take care.
effeti Jul 11, 2011 at 10:37 PM Report Abuse

Grazie, Cristina e Ray! Grazie.... Se foste stati a Verona, festeggiavate anche voi il mio mezzo secolo al Castello di Bevilacqua.... Un cameriere... tell me more! Comunque, a presto!
Nemorino Jun 7, 2011 at 3:13 PM Report Abuse

Yes, Calleja is a Frankfurt "discovery", i.e. he sang here several times before anyone else had even heard of him. Also he's a really nice person and has a fantastic memory, since he remembered my name the second time I spoke with him.
Xemx Feb 5, 2011 at 2:39 PM Report Abuse

Nawguralek gurnata sabiha b'dak kollu li tixtieq qalbek! In other words, Happy Birthday, Cristina!