In my second year of University my father convinced me that I shouldn't take all science courses. (Thanks Dad!) I have no idea who suggested it, but I ended up in probably the most influential course of my undergraduate degree - Early Modern Italy, taught by Prof G Hanlon. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this one class changed, well, my life. Though I never did get a paper handed in on time, and I am still to this day a terrible academic writer, I can, without a doubt, say that Hanlon was the reason I came back to university after withdrawing. Having to leave his course at Christmas of my second year was one of the most difficult things I had to leave behind in Halifax. Being able to sign into the course 2 years later and complete it, well, it was one of the things I am most proud of in my life.
Part of why I enjoyed Genoa so very much stems from my course in Early Modern Italian history. I felt like I could actually smell the same damp scent that lingered in the cobble from the 16thc. The tower pictured about also brought a smile to my face. Though it was obviously built after my preferred era, it reminded me of the prints I had studied. So many of the cities used to be littered with watch towers allowing family to spy on family, guild to watch over guild. The tower above would have had one of the most spectacular views.
...
Thank you Greg. Thank you for encouraging my cynical side. Thanks for suffering through my terrible essays. Thanks for so many afternoon chats. Even after several years, you still rock my world. I only wish had the courage to walk up to you and say all of this properly. Maybe someday soon. Until then I simply say Thanks.
taken June 2010 - Genoa
