Archive for the ‘blogging’ Category
101 questions answered
As I’m a newcomer to the blogosphere, there are many, many memes (say that five times fast) I’ve missed. Saw this one on Jurgen Nation, a lovely site I happened upon today. Amazing photographer too, that gal. If you haven’t been, do check it out. After you read the incredibly interesting list of Q & A’s below of course.
1. How many keys are on your keychain? Three. My house, P’s house, and P’s parents’ house—Mamma made sure I have this.
2. What curse word do you use the most? Um, honestly, now it’s vaffanculo. I hardly curse at all in English anymore. Not nearly as much fun.
3. Do you own an iPod? Nope. Do you pity me? I’ll take donations. But as long as you’re at it, how about that fancy new iPhone?
4. What time is your alarm clock set for? 6:15. Post-holidays periods are rough adjusting, I tell you.
5. How many suitcases do you own? Too many and they’re all stored under my bed. They do come in handy, though, to store out of season clothes seeing as Italians don’t believe in closets.
6. Do you wear flip–flops even when it’s cold outside? Outside definitely not, but I do use them around the shower/tub area. Kinda like college with all these tile floors (although I have much nicer tiles).
7. Where do you buy your groceries from? From our local grocer Vincenzo and also at the market.
8. Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture? Take. I’m a taker.
9. What was the last movie you watched? The Manchurian Candidate. Two thumbs up and looking forward to getting the book finally, but only because I’ve wanted to read it for a long time. Normally I can’t read a book after I’ve seen a movie based on it, but for this I’d make an exception.
10. Do any of your friends have children? Many of them, yes, and many have more than one.
11. If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy? Plane tickets for either P and me to go to the US or for my family to come here.
12. Has anyone ever called you lazy? Not to my face.
13. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster? No, falling asleep has never been a problem. It’s the getting up part that frustrates.
14. What CD is currently in your CD player? Maroon 5.
15. Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? For the most part, regular, unless I’m eating a specialty cheeseburger from, say, The Coney, or a Screamer from Tony’s. That sounds way racier than it is, but it *is* quite spicy.
16. Has anyone told you a secret this week? I’ll never tell.
17. When was the last time someone hit on you? Hmm…probably an unsolicited email a couple months ago, which resulted in my matchmaking the culprit, er, would-be suitor, with my best friend (planning second in-person meeting shortly).
18. What did you have for dinner? Linguine with (white) clam sauce.
19. Do you wear hoodies often? Oh goodness, I just put one on before I started this meme! But it’s the only one I have, I swear. I do wear it quite a bit around the house though. It’s warm and cozy.
20. Can you whistle? Sure can, and so much more than just Dixie.
21. Have you ever participated in a protest? Not that I recall.
22. Who was the last person to call you? Mom.
23. What is your favorite ride at an amusement park? None. I used to work rides at an amusement park and that really ruined it for me. Especially the cleaning up the vomit part.
24. Do you think people talk about you behind your back? In a small southern Italian village? Goodness no!
25. What area code are you in right now? We don’t really do that here. But I guess you could say 0967.
26. Did you watch cartoons as a child? Yes, and I distinctly remembering looking *very* much forward to the Muppet Babies and going down in Fraggle Rock.
27. How big is your local mall? It’s sizeable, but nothing extraordinary.
28. How many siblings do you have? Just one brother.
29. Are you shy around the opposite sex? Not that I’ve noticed.
30. What is your biggest regret? Can’t think of anything off the top of my head, so it must not be very big, whatever it is.
31. When was the last time you laughed so hard your sides hurt? The other day when P called me “baby” in English when he was trying to get my attention. For anyone who doesn’t know, P speaks no English. This is what made it funny. To me anyway.
32. What movie do you know every line to? Top Gun, A Few Good Men, Say Anything, Meet the Parents, Billy Madison, Caddyshack. I’m sure there are others. I’m such a sponge sometimes.
33. Do you own any band t–shirts? OK, I was given one of Piero Pelù, an Italian rock star who has a house and many friends in my village, but I don’t own any of my own volition. I don’t think I ever have.
34. When was your last plane ride? June 2004, the last time I arrived here.
35. How many chairs are at your dining room table? 4, and because of a recent cleaning spree, all four are again useable.
36. Do you read for fun? Yes, and sometimes for torture, depending on the material.
37. Can you speak any languages other than English? I can! Finally! Well, mostly anyway. Hey, I get my point across. Oh, it’s Italian in case you haven’t figured it out. Now I’d like to learn French.
38. Do you do your own dishes? Unfortunately yes.
39. What color is your bedroom painted? Off white for now, but I’d like a subtle yellow.
40. Have you ever cried in public? Hmm. If I have, I’m sure I was wearing sunglasses.
41. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop? Left the desktop in America with Mom; now I just use a laptop.
42. Which do you make, wishes or plans? Many of both despite the words of a wise man known only as Joe O: Wish in one hand and sh*t in the other; see which gets full first.
43. Are you always trying to learn new things? You could say that. I’m a curious one.
44. Do you shower on a daily basis? One of the best things about living in Europe is that this is *so* not expected. In fact, it’s quite wasteful. Sponging works just fine. And it really helps once you figure out what a bidet is for.
45. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos? Not a one, no.
46. Do you believe that the guy should pay on the first date? I’ll say it: yes, yes I do. And he should open doors, hold them, and let the girl enter a room first as well. Must be that European influence again.
47. Can you skip rocks? It’s happened, but I can’t say a solid “yes” as I’m no pro.
48. Have you ever been to Jamaica? No. No plans either.
49. What to snack on at the movie theaters? From what I remember of movie theaters in the States, my favorites are popcorn, Raisinets, Twizzlers, and a Diet Coke—yes, the “diet” makes it all OK.
50. Who was your favorite teacher? Many for many different reasons, but starting from the earliest influence with names left out to protect the innocent—kindergarten, fourth grade, 8th grade place geography, writing teacher throughout high school, Trigonometry/Algebra II, 11th grade history, Biology III, 12th grade Double English. Then in college, my Virginia Woolf seminar prof, and in law school, my Crim Law II prof.
51. Have you ever dated someone out of your race? No, but I hardly dated period, so there you go. Ooh, but did/do I have boy (space) friends (of various races).
52. What is the weather like? Sunny and cool.
53. Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos? If P and I split up, why not? I’m very impressed by high levels of pain tolerance. That’s right after sense of humor. See Question 57.
54. Do you have an online journal? Only if this blog counts. Otherwise, I handwrite a journal.
55. What was your favorite class in high school? Probably Double English. Or Bio III–mostly for the fruitflies.
56. Do you enjoy traveling via airplanes? Enjoy? No I wouldn’t use that word, but I don’t hate it either.
57. What personality trait is a must–have in your preferred gender? My preferred gender? Oh, like in a mate? Sense of humor.
58. Have you ever been attracted to someone physically unattractive? Hard to say who is objectively physically unattractive. What about Conan O’Brien? Let’s just say I don’t always go for the most traditionally handsome guy if that’s what you’re getting at.
59. When was the last time you slept on the floor? Wow, I’m guessing it’s been years, but I used to do it all the time in my living room. Here, without carpet, it’s not very comfy. Or warm.
60. What is your favorite alcoholic drink? Jack and coke.
61. Does your closest Starbucks have a drive–thru? Hah! We ain’t got those.
62. Do you like your living arrangement? Very much so, but a cleaning lady would be nice.
63. What is your mother’s hometown? Reading, PA. Go Scarlet Knights!
64. How many hours of sleep do you need to function? I’m pretty sure it’s between 7 and 8. I used to function on 6, but, yeah, I’m old now.
65. Do you eat breakfast daily? More often than not.
66. What was the last thing to scare you? My blurry vision this past week.
67. Are your days full and fast–paced? Too funny. I live in southern Italy people.
68. Did you ever get in trouble for talking in class? Uh yeah, and the most recent time was in freaking law school. And I wasn’t even talking. And may that Civil Procedure professor burn in hell (which he’ll probably do even without my recommendation considering that he’s the devil incarnate). No, I don’t hold grudges. Why do you ask?
69. What is your favorite fruit? Oh so many. I don’t think there’s a fruit I don’t like. But, when pressed, I’ll take a banana over all others.
70. Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages? Not anymore. They’re not so obvious here.
71. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 31. Thanks for bringing that up.
72. Are you picky about spelling and grammar? Guilty, but I’m freer with grammar these days. See my response to Question 61 and my many sentences that end with prepositions. I think that one’s such a pompous rule.
73. Do you believe in life on other planets? I barely belief in life on this one. But, assuming we have life here, yes, I say there’s life elsewhere too.
74. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Never. See Question 23.
75. Who was the last person to piss you off? Oh probably the hiring commission that told me they couldn’t consider my application packet because it arrived a day late after I dragged myself out of bed at 6 a.m. even though I had the flu, made a 45-minute trip, and then waited another hour and a half just to see them.
76. Do you believe that God has a gender? Gender is a social construction, so no. Or else She’s just messing with us all.
77. What was the last thing you ate? A homemade chocolate muffin.
78. Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex? Depends on the people.
79. What did you dress up as for your first Halloween? The first one I remember is Casper the Friendly Ghost—probably because I tripped and got a bloody nose in my plastic, snap-string mask. But I’ve seen a picture of myself as Strawberry Shortcake, and I think I was younger in that one, so I’m going with her.
80. How did your parents pick your name? My mom chose it; Dad got to pick my brother’s (he’s named after Dad), so that was the deal. She was actually going to call me Melissa, but we had a dog named Missy at the time. My mother was always so smart and forward-thinking.
81. Do you like mustard? Goodness yes. French’s is best for ham and cheese sandwiches; spicy mustard (the spicier the better) with cheeses and Philly pretzels. I don’t, however, like ketchup and mustard mixed except on a McDonald’s cheeseburger, and only then just because I’m too lazy and too distrusting to request no mustard. I’m always afraid they’ll just give me the thing plain then. Oh, and this crap “senape” they have in Italy is just that–crap. You could say I have strong opinions on mustard.
82. What do you tell yourself when times get hard? Suck it up.
83. Would you ever sky dive? If pushed.
84. Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back? Yes.
85. What character from a movie most reminds you of yourself? Meg Ryan’s character in “You’ve Got Mail” but that may be just because I want her apartment and children’s bookstore. And her hair, although I’d probably never cut mine that short.
86. Have you ever bid for something on ebay? Yes, and from two continents.
87. Do you enjoy giving hugs? Hugs rock. Especially when my niece and nephew hug me down.
88. Would you consider yourself to be fashionable? Uh, no. But I don’t think I’m horribly unfashionable either. I stick with classics.
89. Do you own a digital camera? Yes! Woohoo!
90. If someone you had no interest in dating expressed interest in dating you, how would you feel? When I was single, it’d be horribly uncomfortable. Now I’d just be flattered.
91. What celebrities have you been compared to? Janeane Garofalo by someone who I think was trying to be rude, but I found it to be a wonderful compliment. I heart her.
92. Who is your favorite Star Wars character? I never got into Star Wars (or Star Trek, before you go jumping to conclusions), but if I had to pick, R2-D2.
93. Does it annoy you when someone says they’ll call but never do? Actually no. I’m understanding that way. Will you be my friend?
94. What books, if any, have made you cry? I know books have made me cry. I’m thinking Lovely Bones, maybe? The Secret Life of Bees? I think those, and I don’t know what else.
95. Do you think you’re attractive? I clean up OK.
96. What are you allergic to? I’m not really sure, but seasonal type stuff. No foods that I know of (yet).
97. Are you a jealous person? You’d think I’d wear green more often. Yes.
98. What’s your opinion on sex without emotional commitment? Not for me, especially since I’m all emotionally committed and stuff, but to each her own.
99. Do you ever feel guilty after eating meat? No, but I feel guilty that I don’t feel guilty.
100. If you were born the opposite sex, what would your name have been? My mom was thinking positively so she only picked out the girl’s name.
101. Is it lunchtime yet? It’s been here and gone my friend. Better luck tomorrow.
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[tags]memes, 101 questions[/tags]
de-lurking early and often
I just read about De-Lurking Week over at Miss Zoot’s place, and I find it a lovely idea.
Today begins De-Lurking Week in which you are encouraged to comment on blogs that you normally read but don’t often comment on. I, myself, am a frequent lurker, but I’ve been trying to de-lurk more lately, mostly because now as a blogger, I know how much comments mean to me.
Now, as Miss Zoot notes, please don’t feel pressured to write anything thought-provoking–even incomplete sentences count. It’s well known that the Spelling and Grammar Police go on vacation during De-Lurking Week, so something as simple as “Me no lurky more” is completely acceptable. Don’t be shy!
And I’m also going to follow Miss Zoot’s lead in donating $1 for each comment to this post and all successive posts this week to charity. Mine will be The American Lung Association in honor of my grandmother, a heavy smoker whose 83rd birthday would’ve been later this month.
Let’s de-lurk together.
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[tags]delurking week, national delurking week, de-lurking week, national de-lurking week, de-lurking, delurking[/tags]
Happy New Year! Buon Anno!
OK, let’s try this again.
I depressed even myself with the last post, but since then, I figured out why I couldn’t see my squares. Something to do with needing RPG coding to agree with Firefox (I sound at least a bit tech savvy, don’t I?). While I was in there fooling with my template, I decided to play around with my squares too.
So did anyone happen to notice that my squares are now textured?
And an added bonus! I’m going to try to make the best of a slow connection…and make it earn its keep by posting my darn pics. I’ve already been waiting for about an hour for these babies to get into Photobucket, but I’ve been keeping busy doing other things–like preparing for some sort of oral exam tomorrow for a translating/interpreting job.
Why yes, I do feel awful. And yes, I did call to tell the interviewers that. They don’t care. In their defense, it’s a job with a governmental branch, so this is like a pool of candidates sort of thing. I didn’t think they’d reschedule the whole shebang just for me, but it was worth a try.
But more on that tomorrow after I accidentally infect the interviewers at the health agency.
And, by the way, it’s now hailing outside. Yippee!
Now I present to you the last few hours of 2006 spent eating, drinking, and laughing in a hole in a medieval village in Italy. One of P’s friends used to have an enoteca (wine bar/shop) below one of the town’s bars, but now he just uses it for get-togethers like the one we had the other night.
I *love* the atmosphere here–it’s underground and yet so warm from the textured yellow walls and earthy accents. Don’t mind the “Terranova” bag, though. I didn’t think it was appropriate to ask the hostess to move it just for a picture (even if it was to be seen on the Internet).
To kick off the evening, a toast among the boys;
I’ve never seen an Italian woman join in these things.
Luckily I’m not really Italian.
Salute!
Then most of these boys left and it was just close friends and family around the table.
You can tell it’s early because there’s not even wine on the table.
But it arrived soon enough.
As did the antipasto:
tuna caught by Mario (guy in the blue sweater above on the left);
fresh pecorino cheese;
capicollo;
and, my favorite as you can tell from the portion size,
octopus salad.
And il vino flowed.
Then came the first dish–baked, stuffed cannelloni and shells.
And finally the traditional New Year’s Eve good luck dish–cotechino and lentils.
Please don’t ask what the cotechino is made of.
Then I’d be forced to look it up, and I know I don’t really want to know what I ingested.
Just know that I immediately felt the “luck” coming on.
Um, then a couple hours later, it was midnight.
Buon 2007!
And that’s all you’re going to get photographic evidence of.
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[tags]new year’s eve, calabria, cotechino, lentils [/tags]
And So Begins 2007…
I’m really trying to look at the positive here. But it’s getting difficult.
As I’m writing this, I’m not online and haven’t been for two days. Why? Because sometime on New Year’s Eve our phone service went out—which means no dial-up connection to the Internet either.
So, we’ve had no phone. For New Year’s Day. For all the calls and Happy New Years that we would’ve exchanged with family and friends (cell phone calls are expensive!). For connecting with the blogging world to which I’ve become so attached in this last month.
Incidentally, the first day of the new year ended up being the first day I didn’t post since I began my blog.
Is that a good start to 2007 or what?
On the positive side? It’s not just me without the phone; the entire village is without service. No, I’m not wishing misery on others. This is a sheer numbers game. The fact that the entire mountaintop can complain, means, theoretically, that Telecom should get to the problem sooner, right?
Humor me.
The other thing bringing me down as the new year rises is that I’m sick. Dreaded influenza sick. I thought it was just a little cold and then yesterday afternoon I got all achy and high feverish, which, according to page 93 of the issue of Family Circle my mom sent me, means real live flu and not just cold.
So, my friends, I’m achy and Internetless.
Happy 2007 y’all!
Of course since you’re reading this, we now have our phone back. Yes, the dial-up connection is so S to the LOW that I could handwrite this and mail it to everyone before it gets posted, but at least it’s something.
I also had plans of lightening the mood a bit with pics of our New Year’s Eve as we partied in ignorant bliss not knowing that we’d be cut off from the outside world for days, but dial-up says unh-uh. Not now.
And another thing–I’m not sure why I can’t see my cute little squares at the top of the page as everything on my template is exactly as I left it a few days ago when I *could* see the cute little squares, but I don’t have the energy to play right now.
I think it’s best if I just go watch The House of Carters or something. Those Crazy Carters are always good for a laugh (I learned yesterday).
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[tags]telecom italia[/tags]
Looking Back on 2006
I completed the following meme because:
(1) I saw it on some of the blogs I read and love, and I’m a copycat at heart;
(2) Since I only started blogging in December, this can fill you in on the rest of my year in just 39 (!) simple questions;
(3) I don’t have anything else remotely interesting to say today (not to insinuate that this is interesting, but at least it’s something).
Like to hear it? Here it goes.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before? Started a blog, got my first translating gig, made Thanksgiving dinner all by myself, jarred hot peppers stuffed with anchovies and capers, became an Italian citizen, watched Italy win the World Cup, improved my Italian immensely, and learned to follow along a conversation in Calabrian dialect.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I’ve never done resolutions, but maybe I will this year. Maybe I’ll make a resolution to do resolutions. Probably not though.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? In February, my favorite Wisconsinite (baby girl Dorothea) and, in June, P’s sister-in-law in Perugia (baby boy Matteo). Auguri!
4. Did anyone close to you die? Thank goodness, no. But holy crap, I’m really going to miss Peter Boyle, and not just because we shared a birthday. He reminded me so much of my own grandfather. Brilliant.
5. What countries did you visit? Only the one I’m in.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More assignments.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Wow, this is kinda sad but July 9, the day of the World Cup win and Headbutt Heard ‘Round the World. Nothing else comes to mind.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Losing the weight I gained in law school.
9. What was your biggest failure? Not sending out my niece and nephew’s Christmas gift on time. We’re going to do a combination Christmas/Valentine’s Day package, I think.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing serious this year, no. Now that you mention, though, I do feel a sore throat coming on. Thanks meme.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new laptop. I heart her. Hard.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My doggie Luna. She has taken extremely well to being kept on a leash except for our long runs. And she only barks and snaps at shady-looking men now, a trait of which I’m exceedingly proud.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Tie between most, if not all, members of the Bush administration. So tough to pick just one. And recently Donald Trump. What’s up the Comb Over’s bum anyway?
14. Where did most of your money go? Internet and phone bills (but so worth it).
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? My digital camera.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? Sei nell’Anima by Gianna Nannini or Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie–everyone (except me and P) had this as their ring tone this summer.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Well I’m thinner, but I’d say just about as happy and as economically challenged.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Walking with Luna.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying about the small stuff.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? P and I spent it together eating and watching inappropriate Christmas films.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006? With P and Luna over and over (blech), but definitely with I Filippi.
22. How many one-night stands? Of what?
23. What was your favorite TV program? Lost, Prison Break, Veronica Mars, and RIS: Delitti Imperfetti, like the Italian CSI.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don’t hate anyone, just strongly disagree with many.
25. What was the best book you read? Nice Work by David Lodge.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Gianna Nannini. She’s like the Italian, oh, Stevie Nicks or Carly Simon or something. The woman’s got pipes and touching lyrics to boot.
27. What did you want and get? See number 15.
28. What did you want and not get? I’m still waiting for Sky TV (that’s a whole lotta channels in English for those who don’t know), but that just may happen later today. Fingers crossed.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? I didn’t see anything brand spanking new (the cinema is not a normal activity here), but, as I’ve mentioned, I really liked The Italian Job, which I only saw recently.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? P brought me breakfast in bed (cappuccino and cornetto) and then made me dinner (not immediately thereafter). And I turned, ahem, 30.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If someone in my family or close circle of friends would have visited or if I would’ve been able to go home.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Fully American, i.e., function over fashion (as opposed to the spike heel boots, skinny jeans, and cropped faux-fur collared jackets that many Italians around me wear). Although I do manage to keep the baseball cap wearing to a minimum.
33. What kept you sane? The Internet, fellow expats, blogs, emails, and frequent phone calls.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Oh geez, I think it was this guy from RIS, Lorenzo Flaherty. Purrrr.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Iraq. Don’t get me started.
36. Who did you miss? My family, and in particular yard-saling on Saturday mornings with my mom, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew.
37. Who was the best new person you met? It’s a tie between two lovely ladies that made their ways to Calabria—Susanna (and her lovely family) and Lisa. Online I’ve “met” many interesting people, especially those at Expats in Italy.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. No matter where you go, there you are.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Two choices. First, trusty Gianna as mentioned above (my loose translation):
Sei nell’anima
E lì ti lascio per sempre
Sei in ogni parte di me
Ti sento scendere
Fra respiro e battito
You’re in my soul
And there I’ll leave you forever
You’re in every part of me
I feel you go down inside of me
Between breath and heartbeat.
The second is more a forward-looking answer than a looking back, but it fits nonetheless: I’d like to think the best of me is still hiding up my sleeve.
And how was your year?
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
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