GIOVANNIANDFRANCO.COM

Has anyone seen profound lately?

It seems we live in a time of the search for the profound. So many of us are looking for “profoundness” in our lives; so many writers, speakers, etc are seeking to be profound, it does make you wonder. This search for meaning has become so ubiquitous – it gives you a headache.

 

I suspect when there is such a search for meaning, there is probably very little of it around. I suppose the real test is to be able to live well without meaning and still stay reasonably sane.  I guess that’s what faith is all about.

 

Giovanni from the monastery

Mozzarella pizza food fight at monastery???

Disturbing news just came across our desk about the outcome of Thanksgiving Day dinner at the monastery.  We have been aware for some time there is growing tension at the monastery between the monks and their corporate sponsor, pizza giant, Pizza digogo DiVinci.

 

Much of the tension seems to revolve around the total occupation at the monastery on producing the new miracle line of pizzas that the pizza giant feels is now falling behind schedule.  Add to that, the increased pressure caused by the need to qualify for the coveted “es” designation for the new miracle pizzas, and you have a monastery on the brink of rebellion.

The rumors of rebellion were made more relevant now that we have word that when the new mozzarella pizzas were served as the main entree at yesterday’s dinner, the monks began a vocal protest that broke out into a wild pizza food fight.

 

One source informed us that it may take weeks to clear off the mounds of mozzarella cheese on the walls of the dining room.  After the outbreak, the monks were ordered by Brother Veronica to stay in their living quarters until there is some resolution of the problem.  We also believe the pizza giant is furious at this outbreak and is considering withdrawing their financial support.

 

Again the principle of separation of “faith and Pizza’, raises its ugly head. We hope to hear from Giovanni soon, if he is able go get a letter to us.  More as it develops.

HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!
FROM ALL THE MONKS AT THE MONASTERY AND PIZZA digogo DiVINCI

First mozzarella miracle pizzas to be served today

The monastery press office announced that they will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.  We were also informed that the monk’s Thanksgiving Day dinner will include the first mozzarella cheese, miracle pizzas.  These are the first prototype pizzas produced by Pizza digogo DiVinci’s new recipes developed from Brother Veronica’s original formula.

We hope to have some official word from the monastery’s new public relations office by this weekend on the results of this first attempt.  It should be interesting to hear the results since, reportedly, the monks have grown weary of being the guinea pigs for the new product line.   

 

PIZZA GIANT SETTLES FOR LESSER GREEN PIZZA DESIGNATION

We have just learned that pizza giant, Pizza digogo DiVinci, will compromise on the coveted "ES" designation by accepting the lesser, but still unique, "es" award. This will put the cattle flatulence testing behind them and allow the pizza conglomerate to focus on developing the monastery miracle pizza products.

The monastery's public information office is expected to issue a press release later this afternoon with more details.

LETTERS FROM GIOVANNI #4

Dear John,

 

I am beginning to suspect that Giorgio is aware of my letter writing.  I cannot be sure of this but he now holds back when he talks business with me, something he has never done before.

 

I have not mentioned this yet since it may be premature, but I cannot help but notice the growing relationship between Giorgio and Brother Veronica.  Since we are sworn to a vow of silence with our “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding women monks, I must be very careful with this since a rumor of this type could cause quite a scandal.  I am torn between my vows and my duty to protect the order and it is very upsetting.

 

Today is my first day as public information monk for the order.  I will put out my first press release this afternoon and you can be sure that Pizza digogo will be watching.  The conglomerate is quite concerned with what it perceives as ridicule from the real world concerning its relationships with the monks and its pizza making activities.  I find it odd that they feel this way since we are actually dealing with the problems, rather than just arguing about them as you are prone to do in your world.

 

Meanwhile, our pizza research and development projects are all on schedule and we should see the miracle pizzas come to market in early spring.  You asked for an evaluation of our new health plan and its faith healing provisions.  I will give you an update in my next letter. 

 

I have to go now.  Brother Veronica wants to meet with me to discuss my first press release.  I am sure Giorgio will be there.  It should be very interesting.

 

I remain your friend and brother monk,

 

Giovanni

LETTERS FROM GIOVANNI #3

Dear John,

 

The night passed quickly and the morning looks bright and wholesome.  Our Pizza development staff was up early working on the exact recipe for the miracle pizzas.  It seemed simple at first, since the original recipe came from Brother Veronica we presumed it be could be used as is and the process could start.

 

Even in the fictitious world, nothing is that simple.  It seems the recipe demands required for international production need some tweaking in order to maintain the quality standards expected from this much heralded, new product.  Things are not going fast enough for Giorgio since he is the point man for the conglomerate. Much is expected from him and it is obvious that the pressure is taking its toll.

 

Lunch is early here and it is almost time for us to begin. As you might expect, we are served a lot of pizza varieties at our meals.  At first it seemed something to look forward to, but now most of the monks consider this a mixed blessing. For me it has become another sign of how Pizza digogo’s influence permeates every part of our everyday life.

 

I am sure there is a message here.  One has to be careful how much control you are willing to concede to a savior, particularly when you are as desperate as we were when Pizza digogo came to our rescue.  With the exception of Franco, most of us were all too willing to be rescued.  For that rescue we have paid a high price with much of our independence.  Franco was right when he proclaimed the separation of “faith and pizza” as a basic principle.

 

The problem for me was I could see no other solution and felt we had no other option.  The decision had already been made for us by the way we chose to previously live.  We were not prepared for the consequences of our actions.  Perhaps you have some parallels in your world.

 

It is time for lunch.  I remain your brother and fellow monk,

 

Giovanni

 

Letters from Giovanni #2

Dear John,

 

I am writing you during our evening hours before we prepare ourselves for tomorrow.  It is a good time and it reminds me of the way life was here before we became more like your world.

 

I completed my meeting with Brother Veronica, Giorgio, and Franco.  As always it was tedious and time consuming.  At present, we are consumed by Pizza digogo’s obsession with obtaining the coveted ES designation for its pizza line.  It’s hard to imagine or explain spending hours engaged in conversations dealing with the control of cattle flatulence.  But that is what we do.

 

I know many in your world think dealing with cattle flatulence is funny. It seems here in the fictitious world we take pollution more seriously that you do.  At least we do more than talk about it.  My greatest concern is that these serious social and justice issues will not stay focused on solutions and become power blocks vying for supremacy.  Once that happens, real progress becomes impossible, since the problems are no longer what it is about.  You probably know more about that than I do since in your world politics has become nothing more than who has the biggest club.  Nothing significant happens once the power disease takes hold.

 

Other issues are now cropping up.  Our new health plan goes well so far.  The faith healing option seems to be working. Other issues of some concern center around the relationship with Pizza digogo.  It works, but it seems, at best, tenuous to me. 

 

It grows late ant it is time to prepare spiritually for tomorrow.  I will share more thoughts with you later I remain your friend and brother monk,

 

Giovanni

LETTERS FROM GIOVANNI #1

To all:  I am now receiving personal letters from Giovanni. He has given me permission to make them public if I wish.  Since his personal reflections give us so much of the context of the world within the monastery, I felt I should share them with you.  For those who know what has been going on at the monastery the letters will have some basis for your interest.  For those who are new to this, a brief review of previous posts from the monastery should help.

 

LETTERS FROM GIOVANNI  #1

 

Dear John,

 

I need to make clear that the letters I will be writing you are not part of my official duties as the new spokesperson for the monastery.  I find as my duties and responsibilities have increased I have more of a need to have some means of outside communication that will reflect my personal feelings and provide me with an outlet for many of the emotions I need to deal with as the tension increases here.

 

As you know I became fictitious believing I could better face reality living in a fictitious monastery surrounded by fictitious people.  Little did I know that the problems of the real world would press in so hard here.  At times life here seems more like an alternate universe existing side by side with your world.

 

I am also aware that by crossing the line and trying to exist in both worlds at the same time, I run the risk of losing my fictitious status – something I do not want to do at this time, but nevertheless my need to communicate with you is worth the risk.

 

I came here hoping to find solitude, a state that no longer exists in your world. At first I was successful.  Franco and I found a comfortable niche working in the kitchen, and while the work was hard and mundane, it allowed me to have many mindless hours where the seed of solitude could sprout.  My conversations with Franco were a delight since he was the perfect foil for my thinking to press against.  Franco was generous and honest with his responses and I could feel a real sense of growth beginning to take hold.

 

Little did I know how fast that would all change.  The health insurance issue created the pending bankruptcy of the monastery and the seed of destruction found fertile soil.  The miracle pizzas, the appointment of Brother Veronica, and the merger with Pizza digogo completed the circle of the “new reality” I must now face.  Isn’t strange that the importance of money in the fictitious world is no different than in your world?  I suspect that since your real world money is now created so easily by governments there is little difference between our fictitious money and yours.  I had no idea how infectious ideas and events could transfer so easily from your world to ours.

 

I have a meeting that I must go to with Brother Veronica, Giorgio, the pizza rep, and Franco.  There is a whole story in this relationship, but I must save that for later.  Thank you as always for your patience, I remain your friend and fellow monk,

 

Giovanni

Giovanni to release statement soon

We have received word from a confidential source at the ICPM that Giovanni will release a statement regarding the present relationship between the monks and Pizza digogo.  We have reason to believe the Pizza conglomerate is very upset with the monk's attitude regarding the testing of their cattle herd for cattle flatulence. We have been told the herd may be releasing excessive ammonia and methane into the atmosphere. 

 

Pizza digogo has put its reputation on the line in applying for the distinguished and coveted "ES" designation for their entire pizza line.  Failure to qualify would be a serious blow to the reputation of this world wide pizza conglomerate. Passing the cattle flatulence test is the last hurdle to get over in order to qualify for the “green pizza” designation

 

The rift seems to be growing between the spiritual and pizza producing functions of the monastery.  Giovanni should give us some insight into this growing dispute tomorrow when we expect to receive his letter.