We need bees! I refuse to pay more for anything (except gelato)…
June 28, 2008
June 23, 2008
I Have Arrived
I’m here, and it is fabulous. I have met the most interesting people (historians, fashion designers, etc.) and they are so kind and sophisticated and amazing.
It goes without saying that the food and wine are unbelievable. And, I took so many photos on the first day that I ran out of camera battery power. The pictures are surprisingly good and I can’t wait to share them with you.
In fact, the first weekend included all of the following and more:
- culinary delights;
- five-star luxury;
- armed escorts (NOT kidding);
- historical treasures;
- holy moly, the Vatican; and
- buns of steel.
I am learning that I only want to be responsible for myself here; it is challenging to organize others since none of us speak Italian or know the rail system. But, the Italians are sweet and help us as they can. Unfortunately for them, I’ve mastered maybe twenty words in Italian and use them enthusiastically. Sometimes, I count to ten while I walk down the street.
Yes, I am that girl.
More soon. Ciao for now! (I told you: I am that girl.)
June 14, 2008
An Ode to the Papas
My very own Papa will be on an airplane Sunday (boo), so we’re celebrating Father’s Day tonight. Happy Father’s Day, Papa! You are definitely the best (the boy child concurs, AND we’ve actually been told this by people who aren’t your children) and we lurve you. Safe trip.
What are you doing for the dad in your life?
Time Machine? Anyone?
Sorry to be delinquent in writing, but this trip is just around the corner. Not complaining, but there’s a lot to do to get ready. Aside from the obvious, like schoolwork (blah) and workwork (blah), there’s getting one’s hair done (did you know Italians LOVE blonds?) and packing and planning excursions. Tell you what: do these things for me (well, maybe not my hair) and I’ll take you, too.
What does the weekend hold for you?
June 2, 2008
This Is Just Weird
To each his own, but I don’t understand the urn AND the Pringles can.
June 1, 2008
Guess I Won’t Go There…
It appears they have a little trash problem in Naples, Italy. This is just the latest flare-up over garbage in the country. You know, not to be insensitive, since it’s all interrelated, but I’ll take garbage on the street over garbage in my cheese any day.
Since I have a limited amount of time in Italy, I plan to visit Rome, Bologna, Milan, Lake Como, Florence and Venice. Here is hoping the only trashy thing about any of those cities are the men who grab women’s bumbums.
May 31, 2008
On Cinema
So, I pretty much love going to the movies. Only catch is, I rarely do. You can imagine the thrill, then, of going twice in one weekend!
First, I saw the Sex and the City (SATC) movie last night. It was so sweet to see women just like my friends in their flouncy dresses and stilettos; they are my people. And only one word can describe the film for avid SATC fans: perfect. I’m not giving away any plot twists; just go see it. Oh, and to he who gave me poo about the series in general: I thought of even more things to refute your arguments, so you’d better watch out. 
Second, I saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall this afternoon. Watch the trailer, especially if you liked The 40 Year Old Virgin or Superbad. The movie was very cute, very funny and definitely worth the time. I especially loved that I’ve been to the resort in Hawaii where it was filmed. Not going to lie, though: slightly awkward to watch on a first date.
You see, the one thing both films had in common: full (male) frontal nudity.
Like I said, awkward!
May 25, 2008
It’s Good to Have a Hobby
Some people collect things. Build things. Travel the world to see things.
I, personally, like to learn relatively useless things.
In addition to trivia (sources: The Wall Street Journal and People magazine), I like 80s music. And instead of doing something productive, like learning Italian in advance of my trip, I like to memorize the words to power ballads on my way to work. Thanks to my iPod and iTrip, I can listen to songs again and again, because practice makes perfect.
Of course, my repotoire extends beyond power ballads. Recent accomplishments include “Baby Got Back” and “Bust a Move.” Actually, the latter is one of the hardest I’ve attempted lately.
But lest you think I’m living in the past, here’s what’s in rotation on my playlist now:
- “Mama’s Room” by Under the Influence of Giants. Never heard of them? Me either, until Erik and Sibora played this song at a party. I LOVE this song.
- “Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie. There’s a scene in the movie Catch and Release in which Jennifer Garner’s character makes her way along a California coastal highway while this song plays. In case you’ve never driven one, coastal highways are nothing but curves. That’s how this song makes me feel — like I’m going around some great curve.
- “What If You” by Joshua Radin. This song is so moving, it brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. Chalk it up to the idea that you can love someone so much that, if that’s wrong, you don’t want to be right.
- “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis. Ditto.
- “Crushcrushcrush” and “Misery Business” by Paramore. SO much fun to listen to loud. Beware: you may get a speeding ticket.
And under the totally shameful category:
- “A Groovy Kind of Love” and “Can’t Stop Loving You” by Phil Collins. When I worked on the Hill, we had TVs on our desks that got radio. I proclaimed “Can’t Stop Loving You” is my favorite Phil Collins song; I was in turn proclaimed a nerd.
- “I Drove All Night” by Celine Dion. Please don’t judge me; I’ve already confessed my love for Celine Dion music. I just wish I didn’t have to roll up the windows every time one of her songs came on the radio. It’s not the song itself that would horrify others; it’s the volume at which I sing along.
- “Gimme More” by Britney Spears. You, too, may have realized Britney’s new album is good. Really good, actually. You may have also realized you were a first year in college when she initially hit the airwaves — a decade ago.
What’s on your playlist these days?
Happy Long Weekend!
What is it about a long weekend that fills our hearts with joy? Obviously, the extra day off work. The anticipation, too, of barbeques and time outdoors and catching up with friends. The signal of summer and even longer vacations and even more time outdoors.
Whatever your plans include, enjoy!
May 20, 2008
Going, Going…Gone!
I cancelled my cable. I returned the receiver and remote. I am free.
Bold step, right? Some of you might wonder how I took it. To explain, I could share my tales of woe in dealing with Comcast. Show you how much money I’ll save each month with no cable bill. Point out how nicely my Wii fits next to the TV now that the Comcast receiver is gone.
But in the end, it came down to this: I don’t need cable, not because I don’t want to watch my favorite shows anymore, but because they’re all available online. I watched maybe four episodes of Grey’s Anatomy last night. They were commercial free; I just had to click to continue at 15-minute intervals. How easy is that?
And there’s more. I can hit YouTube for funny videos. g14 for original pieces. CNN.com for streaming news. And my parents’ DVR when I house sit!
What’s your boldest move lately?
