anorak:
1. British: A person obsessively interested in a thing or topic that doesn't
seem to warrant such attention.
(Urban Dictionary)
Francesca Mancuso
13 October 1978
Web developer
Vegetarian
Teetotaler
Non-smoker
Sweet teeth
Trieste, Italy
London, UK
Because it seems that having a blog is a must... But it's wise to have your very personal one password-protected and accessible only to close friends who cannot sue you, and a boring, public, impersonal one, where you talk about your interests, just for the hell of it :)
Online since January 14th 2009.
Loved stuff:
Web design, computer graphics, art, languages, music, books, manga, nature, life, food, laughters.
Loved sites:
Loved blogs:
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January 2009
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April 2009
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Francesca on Twitter
retrieving...
Last.fm tracks
retrieving...
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Clients, those weird, loved-hated creatures...
The whole dreadful experience becomes hilarious when you realize that you are not alone. Then you start laughing out loud at jokes about clients :)
The funny thing is, you have to love clients, because thanks to them you have a job. But at the same time, they become a nightmarish presence that seem to be there only to make your life impossible.
If you know what I am talking about, you are probably already smiling - or sighing :)
Some links I really like. Are there more you would recommend?
Clients from Hell
Clientcopia : Stupid Client Quotes...
Please design a logo for me. With pie charts. For free.
How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell - The Oatmeal
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Colours and Dreams - my illustrations blog
Build an other one of course :)
Don't worry, I still love this blog and blogger.com.
But I happened to have to work with Wordpress and I wanted to play with it a little more.
Also, I wanted to create an illustration blog with some of my favourite works from my DeviantArt account and my Glass no Kamen fanart.
So this is what I have been doing in the last week or two, and I am still working on it :)
Enjoy and any feedback is welcome!
Colours and Dreams - My illustrations blog
Labels: websites
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Site of my life - Maya no Garasu no Kamen
My health is getting better, yet I am so tired that my billions of exciting ideas remain all in my head!
I seem to enjoy sleeping more and more every day!
(And eating, of course. But I have always loved eating so it doesn't count)
Anyway, today I want to make a nerdy announcement.
About 1 month ago, after 6 years since I bought dreamsaddict.com, I moved its hosting from Windows to Linux!
And I even bought some database. I haven't used it yet though.
In the meantime, I am tidying up the code of all the web pages.
The plan is changing all my websites from html to php.
All of this will mean absolutely nothing to you, but it makes my life so much easier when I have to keep my sites updated. And it renovates my enthusiasm. I even bought a new laptop (at last!)
If only my days had 36 hours, all the broken links will be already fixed, all the sites in dreamsaddict.com would be already in php and all my fanlistings would be database-driven.
Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, was it? And look at the magnificent result :)
So, today I want to celebrate once more, the site that actually changed my life
Maya no Garasu no Kamen
Thanks to "Glass no Kamen" the manga, many years ago I found a strong motivation in self-teaching html and building a site to share all the info I could find with the fans from all over the world.
Thanks to the manga and the fan site I built, I happened in different ways to meet my best friends, to find amazing pen pals and to receive excellent works from stunning fanartists.
Thanks to the site I built, and all the encouraging messages I received from all over the world, I happened to believe in my dreams again.
So, since 99% of my blog visitors are actually Glass no Kamen fans, I want to thank you all for your precious support.
Your feedback, help and collaboration are priceless.
Thank you!
Labels: garasu no kamen, manga, websites
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Site(s) of the week(s) - Geek Sucks & There, I Fixed It
Especially when you spend all your time in Deviantart, Facebook and Twitter (d'oh!)
At least I have deleted all my Twitter accounts but one. Getting better and better :)
Two great links that I should thank work mates for telling me about.
Geek Sucks - Design and Development Inspiration Blog
There, I Fixed It: Epic Kludges + Jury Rigs
Sunday, 2 August 2009
The melancholy sweetness of Camera Obscura
Last year, while listening to random music on LastFm I fell in love with Belle and Sebastian. For a long time I only listened to them, and still now I am a big fan of them.
I learnt about the existence of this branch of indie pop influenced by chamber pop artists of the 1960s. And I started to be interested in other bands, similar to Belle and Sebastian, that were recommended by LastFm.
If you don't know Belle and Sebastian, well, now you've heard of them, and I will be very unhappy if you don't go and listen to some of their great music :)
They are already quite popular, and they deserve all the success in the world. Their lead singer and songwriter Stuart Murdoch is just a genius ♥ ♥ ♥
I have this feeling that I would be happy to live in Glasgow. Bands from there create an awesome sound!
Anyway, this blog post is not dedicated to Belle and Sebastian but to less famous, yet equally awesome Camera Obscura, an other Scottish band whose first album was produced by Stuart Murdoch. This last fact is mainly the reason why I happened to listen to their music the first time. It was love at first hearing, really!
I got to know their third album first: Let's get out of this country. After listening to it an awful lot of times, I decided to move to the other ones, and especially the newest one: My maudlin career. Seriously, they are more than talented!
Tracyanne Campbell's dreamy voice sings beautiful, retro yet timeless, innocent, sweet, melancholy tales about love. Sublime melodies, stunning string and horn arrangements.
You can't remain indifferent, even if you are not an hopeless romantic :)
I am not sure how to label their kind of music. Folk? Chamber pop? Indie pop? And by the way, do we really need to label everything?
I've just started knowing these artists.
This is not a proper review of their albums. It's rather a more than warm recommendation: you have to listen to their music!
I will see them live at the Sheperd's Bush Empire on November 3rd. I just can't wait!
Interesting links:
Camera Obscura - Official Site
Review of "My maudleen career" on For Folk's Sake
Metacritic - search for Camera Obscura: they got quite a good score! Most reviews are very favorable, and user comments are mostly positive.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Site(s) of the week(s) - Omegle, Oddee, Drum Set
Hope you missed me :)
I am hopefully back for good. Health hasn't been my best friend this year, but I hope now I can leave behind a lot of negative things and be back to my happier self :)
Oops. This is supposed to be an impersonal blog.
He he.
Anyway, even if I am very happy to support sites dedicated to a good cause, charity, environment and so on, I keep believing that we often need something useless, odd and mental to keep our spirits high.
Well, at least I do. And I am afraid I sort of rule here. Don't take it personal :)
So, 3 precious pointless links are on their way...
Hope they'll make your day :)
Drum Set
Among the most outrageously useless sites I have ever seen, still I am not telling you how much I enjoyed it. Just play some music with the virtual keyboard, try the sound of your own name, and feel sorry for me if you think it's really pathetic :)
Omegle
I actually think it's sad and interesting at the same time.
An anonymous chat with a random online user. Don't know if it's the first chat like that. Probably not. Which is even sadder.
I have never been a fan of chats, but I thought this deserves to be mentioned for its weirdness and absurdity.
Do people (in this moment almost 3000 online users) really need to chat to someone whose name (age, sex, nationality, appearance, whatever) they don't even know?
"Cause anything is better than posh isolation..."
(from a beautiful song by a talented chamber pop band he he)
W H A T ' S W R O N G W I T H P E O P L E ?
Oddee
Destined to become one of my favourite blogs ever.
"A blog with over 3 million visits a month, it features the odd, strange and bizarre things of our world. Be amazed!"
Labels: websites
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Site of the week - Allvoices
Which means I belong to the category...? He he. Don't ask.
I almost abandoned it, and switched to Twitter.
Right. I have 2 accounts on Twitter now.
Still I love sharing photos. So currently I am addicted to both Facebook and Twitter.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE?
Anyway. I've just received an email by someone at Allvoices asking me to join their community. I must confess that I am flattered! Someone came across my blog and asked me to join. So, obviously I joined.
Anyway... I am too tired tonight to understand completely how the whole thing works, but it's like a community of bloggers who write and discuss about topics. And I just love it!
Maybe I will dedicate a little less time to Social Networking crap. Maybe I will spend less energy in loooong emails to my best friends Ali and Cecy. Or maybe I will just sleep even fewer hours than usual.
Please have a look and let me know if you join! My username is... Guess what... dreamsaddict :)
Allvoices
Labels: websites
Monday, 8 June 2009
Site of the week - 64 Words for Aung San Suu Kyi
64 Words for Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, symbolises the struggle of Burma's people to be free. She has been detained for over 13 years by the Burmese regime for campaigning for human rights and democracy in Burma.
64 For Suu is the global hub for supporting Aung San Suu Kyi on her 64th birthday (June 19th 2009).
Please visit the website and leave your birthday message!
64 Words for Aung San Suu Kyi
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Site of the week - ToyVoyagers
ToyVoyagers - Travelling Toys - Little Things on Big Adventures.
Now be honest, it did make you smile :)
Labels: websites
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
The ultra-condensed book about happiness by Matthieu Ricard
Following are the ultra-condensed great lessons you can learn from the excellent book "Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill".
Do never forget them.
1. Who cares?
2. Who do you think you are?
3. Peace and love!
4. Rome wasn't built in a day.
5. Meditate, people, meditate.
Hehe. I will write more serious and boring posts about Ricard's philosophy one day.
But I thought this concise list would be of help :)
Labels: books, philosophy, websites
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Site of the week - Worldometers
And outrageously pointless.
On the other hand, I seem to be attracted by pointless stuff.
Enjoy :)
Worldometers
Labels: websites
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Site of the week - Dreamsaddict Design
**Edited: Oops, I forgot this is an impersonal blog. I took away the details of my private life hehe**
Today I decided to revive my tiny online portfolio: Dreamsaddict Design.
My good old, recently formatted laptop used to freeze every time I tried to open Photoshop, so I have only GIMP installed. I must say, I am impressed at how good this free software is. If only I knew how to use it as well as I know how to use Photoshop I could work with it so quickly :)
So, I didn't redesign the whole website; almost all the images are from one of the old layouts (my favourite one); I had to create only a few new images, and I modified (a lot) the CSS and some content.
Please, please, please test it and give me feedback!
Even IE6 works against me (oh well, it works against every developer!) and I am not sure why I cannot use it anymore, so if you have IE6 please test the site and send me your comments!
End of the shameless self-promotion corner :)
Labels: websites
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Site of the week - Passive-aggressive Notes
Funny ex-colleague Kat, suggested that I visit this website - and I really loved it.
Passive-aggressive (and just plain aggressive) notes - no, your mother doesn’t work here.
Labels: websites
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Site of the week - Matthieu Ricard
Is your working environment as friendly as the Artic circle?
Is food no longer a pleasure and still you find yourself overweight?
Do you keep wondering if there is a way to be truly happy?
If you answered no to this last question, it might be a good sign. You could be one of the few lucky human beings who are actually happy.
In that case, please write me :)
I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Otherwise, this website might be of interest.
Matthieu Ricard.
This man is a French Buddhist Monk who lives in Nepal. He wrote several books.
I heard of him thanks to my dearest Cecilia, who sent me his essay "Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill" as a (very appreciated) present.
I am still reading it, but I thought I would introduce this great philosopher and photographer to you. Have a look at his site!
Peace and love!
Labels: books, philosophy, websites
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Site of the week - Charity Caritas Italiana
Earthquake in Abruzzo, April 6th 2009
* 150 reported dead *edited: unfortunately the number almost doubled*
* 1500 injured
* 10,000 buildings affected
* 50,000 people affected
* The affected region is 50 miles North East of Rome.
* Epicentre at Tornimparte, Abruzzo.
* It's the older towns that really suffered, though there are cases of some modern buildings that have collapsed.
* International help from Russia / France / Greece has been offered.
* L'Aquila hospital suffered. First Aid was delivered to casualties in the street.
* Aftershock smaller tremours are making rescue dangerous.
* Map of the locations suffered in the earthquake here thanks to ANSA. Click the small map at the bottom of their page to see in detail.
Italian Earthquake Abruzzo Official Donations website is the Italian Charity Caritas Italiana.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Site of the week - Book-A-Minute Classics
Why is it that such a brilliant website doesn't have a decent design and, most important thing, hasn't been updated in a long time?
Yet, I chose it for the cool idea. It makes me laugh, and I love laughing :)
Book-A-Minute Classics - The Ultra-Condensed Classic Books.
If you are not a bookworm, you might not appreciate :)
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Site of the week - U Couldn't Make It Up
Worth having a look, it's too much fun. :)
U Couldn't Make It Up - A series of bizarre tales and encounters
Labels: websites
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Site of the week - The Kindness Offensive
Those guys rock! :) I am a big fan of them now.
The Kindness Offensive
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Site of the week - Industrious Clock
While searching for birthday presents for a friend, I finally found the mug I have been looking for since I first saw it months and months ago at a friend's house.
Now it's on my desk and makes my day :)

Anyway.
The site of the week is a site I first saw with when I was a university student.
I thought it was brilliant (and insane at the same time) :)
I've just remembered it after so many years and I am so happy to find that it's still online.
Industrious Clock
Labels: websites
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Site of the week - The First Worldwide Website Where Nothing Happens
It became immediately one of my very favourite sites ever.
Pure genius!!! No more words are needed...
The First Worldwide Website Where Nothing Happens.
Labels: websites
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Site of the week - Everyday people
Everyday people: Cartoons about women, and the people who love to annoy them by Cathy Thorne.
Available also in the blog version.
Kirsten and I so much identify with this one.
Have a lovely week everyone!!
Labels: websites
Monday, 2 February 2009
Garasu no Kamen 43 and the site of the week: Pimp That Snack
Special thanks to Enju, Shion and Kate :)
Now, I need to ask for help with the cover images of volume 43. I might use my mailing list :) Fans from all over the world, please help me!
Today I decided that once a week I want to talk about a website I like.
So, since my New Year's Resolution Number 1 is 'eating less', and as far as diets my will power is ridiculous, what site could be more appropriate than Pimp That Snack?
The level of obsession these people show is almost equal to mine.
Sublime. Indulge and enjoy.
Labels: garasu no kamen, manga, websites
Thursday, 22 January 2009
One of my favourite websites ever - Wish Tree
The idea is so simple, yet powerful in its simplicity: everybody has wishes to make.
Alex created a little cute place where people can record their wishes, deciding if they want to keep them private or public and support other people's wishes.
It doesn't have many fancy features as a social networking site, even though you can add people as friends to follow their wishes; you cannot even send private messages and even personal profiles are very basics. This is exactly how it has to be: we didn't need an other Facebook, and people who make wishes generally want to keep anonimity.
The design of this site is exquisite, the background colour can be changed by selecting one of the 8 available, the tag cloud is so originally used that it makes everything even more precious.
Could Dreamsaddict not fall in love with such a little web treasure?
Visit Wish Tree
Labels: websites









