Unsigned flowers, InTernational Conference & a particular parking place.

Unsigned Note

Weirdest thing about today (yesterday)? I received flowers, it was a first. I mean, okay I received flowers also on my graduation, but it was different...and it wasn't from a girl. It's kind of strange, don't you think? Let's go with order...

Today as planned, I left home early to go to attend classes and the conference, suddenly in the morning mom calls me to tell me that I received...flowers. It was such a big fuzz, she couldn't stop laughing <.<".

I was really surprised, I couldn't imagine who would send me those, and I thought about a prank at first. I was able to check them only when I got back home in the evening. There was a note, unsigned, saying: "I tuoi occhi mi fanno sciogliere... Guardami! Buon compleanno! <3 xoxo", which in english means: "Your eyes make me melt...Look at me! Happy Birthday! <3 xoxo". *blushes* Pretty intense. Even if the note wasn't signed I think I may guess who was it from. So...I don't know if you'll read this, but thank you mysterious person, it was an atypical but nice thought n_n.

Shaved. As promised :)

I suppose that by now you guys can guess yesterday was my birthday. I didn't want to publicize it much, but I had to thank those of you who greeted me, and gave me some little gift. Actually, considering facebook, I received well over one hundred greetings, but I am pretty sure that not even one tenth of those even knew when was my birthday if it hadn't been for facebook/skype's reminders. Well nothing wrong with that, I do the same. Except for some people I care about, because somehow I manage to remember their days, and I start waiting for them a week ahead. Even so, there have been also people that, without using any of the technological gimmicks, remembered about me; I want to say a special thank you to them, because even if I don't really care about bday's greetings or presents (many of those are just empty), it's nice to know that you're important for someone, even just a little, and that they don't forget about you :)

Dell'Ovo Castle from the conference's place

After having my warm and relaxing shower, I can say that today's been a really tiring day, with all the mess with the transports, the bad weather and the conference, but it was fruitful. The conference was really interesting, there weren't many students (beside me, Vic, Enri and Elvio around other  5?) but there were professors and expert from all the world, it was really technical but with that easygoing spirit that distinguishes us IT specialists from the other scientists. My thesis tutor professor was particularly on a roll.

The conference room from a side

The conference took place in one of the oldest rooms of our university. It was quite pompous, with marble walls and fine woods ceiling.

A part of the buffet: assorted "Babà"

There was also some really good food, from high quality mozzarella to first dishes, seconds, lots of different desserts. As drinks there were Coke, wine, many different fruit juices, tea & coffee. All you can eat. I didn't manage to take many pictures because...let's say I focused on keeping my mouth busy.
The breaks and buffet were a good chance to socialize with the experts from other countries, discuss about light or deep topics, with people that it would've been hard to meet otherwise.
Particuarly, I drank some tea with a japanese professor (an expert of GPS traces), if I am not wrong his name was Naohisa Takahashi, and since we shared the same passion for tea, we discussed about our preferences, and he suggested me some blends I never tried, and we picked together from those available (I brought some home with me). It was really great!

At the end of the conference, it was announced that next year the W2GIS will be held in Banff, Canada, from april 4th to april 7th. They showed images from that place, and we were all invited there. If it will be possible, we will gladly go. Oh and as last remark, the Canadian host stated that this year Naples set the level for food really high, so they'll have to try their best to be on par. As always, our food is the best.

An unexpected discovery in the parking lot.

I didn't say before that it was really hard to find a parking for our car due to the ZTL (Limited Transit Zone) and the America's cup race (too bad for the weather :/ ) that was taking place in front of the conference place. We parked in a really peculiar place, in fact we discovered with great amusement that inside it there was a Paintings exhibition and that from the parking place you could see and visit some historical finds. It was really different from the usual garages :) (check the pictures!).

And now...
I'll eat my tasty yogurt...
Listen to some good music...
And draw a little.
See y'all soon!