Yesterday Allan was feeling grumpy, so I suggested we go out for coffee. We decided to go to Barnes and Noble. On the way there we passed an under-construction housing development, you know, the kind with McMansions on tiny lots. The big sign at the entrance to it boasted "TUSCANY." I rolled my eyes at the development's name. Hey, I grew up in a suburb with developments named Stonehenge, Quail Run and Cranmoor (Denise, help me out here).
"Tuscany" feeds on people's desire to reach a cultural ideal. Tuscany means great art, history, and food; Frances Mayes's Under the Tuscan Sun has brought the sensuous nature of the land to us. (Peter Mayle did the same thing for Provence). I've never been to Italy, but yes, I would love to eat my way around the country someday.
Tuscany evokes some pretty sweet mental pictures.
As we got closer to the entrance of the development, I was able to read the street sign, and as this post's title states, I burst out laughing. You'd think that a housing development called Tuscany would have streets such as "Siena Way" or "Firenze Drive," right?
Nope.
Ladies and gentleman, the gateway to "Tuscany" is Carducci Street.
I'm still laughing.
Not to look too much like an idiot... Why so funny? I figured he had to be mafia, but this is the most popular Carducci I found: http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/carducci.htm
Posted by: Heather | March 11, 2006 at 12:53
yeah, I don't get it either.
???
Posted by: barb | March 11, 2006 at 13:19
I guess I have a warped sense of humor. "Carducci" smacks of the mafia to me, just because of the way it sounds. "Tuscany" conjures up images of copper sunshine and long lunches.
So seeing the two together made me laugh.
Posted by: Alison | March 11, 2006 at 13:20
This Italian totally gets it too! Hee! Wonder when they'll put in Corleone Street?
Oh, and don't forget Stratford Manor and Colony Manor. Like THOSE people were really "to the manor born". Feh.
Posted by: Denise | March 11, 2006 at 13:37
Hmmmm...
I thought it was ironic - but for all the wrong reasons, I guess.
I thought it was a funny reference to Saturday Night Live's funny skits. Wasn't that Father Carducci?
Posted by: Michelle | March 11, 2006 at 13:41
Father Guido Sarducci. Mistress of Useless Pop Culture Minutiae here. Hee!
Posted by: Denise | March 11, 2006 at 17:20
:) And the namer of said street is laughing with you. *LOL* I'd love that job, naming streets, god knows I'd have fun with it.
Posted by: cj | March 11, 2006 at 17:30
Carducci was some famous Tuscan...are the other streets named after people too...like DiVinci Way and Medici Drive?
Posted by: Karan | March 11, 2006 at 19:27
Woo, Karan! I knew there had to be an explanation! Thanks. :)
I don't know about the other streets, since right now it's just the bare bones of the development.
Posted by: Alison | March 11, 2006 at 19:37
it's probably the name of the contractor. you'll know for sure if some of the other streets are named madison or dakota (after his kids).
Posted by: madame l. | March 12, 2006 at 00:55
When I lived in Leeds there was a new development in on of the villages to the south of the city. All the blocks were named after other areas in Leeds. Trouble is, they were the really awful estates that no one would ever aspire to living in.
Posted by: Katherine | March 12, 2006 at 05:54
I LOVE Tuscany! It really is one of the most beautiful places in the world. One of! I know there are many other beautiful places but I love love love Italy!
Posted by: Shoegirl | March 12, 2006 at 14:14
*tee hee*
we used to have a condo in Naples FL and if you want to see faux Italy at it's best (worst) go for a walk in Old Town Naples, which they have renamed Naples-by-the-sea. very pretentious.
Posted by: ally bean | March 13, 2006 at 07:37