Thursday, June 28, 2007

Worst Songs Ever


We built this city by Starship is by far one of the worst songs ever written. Apparently I am not alone as I have googled this song that I am being forced by work space radio to listen to. I mean really- At the moment I am sitting at my desk eating a pear and cottage cheese (although not together) and wondering how I am going to make it to 5 o'clock. The witching hour today as I am taking off early for a chiropractic appointment. My hub-a-dub is out o' town tonight and therefore while I appreciate the freedom, I have to go to a dinner party where I only know 1 person and I don't relish the idea of going solo. I really want to leave now, but I can't. I have to sit here at my desk like an autonotom and pretend to work!
DAMN THE MAN!

"The Man. Oh, you don't know The Man? The Man's everywhere: in the White House, down the hall, Miss Mullins; she's The Man! And The Man ruined the ozone, and he's burning down the Amazon and he kidnapped Shamu and put her in a chlorine tank! Okay! And there used to be a way to stick it to The Man, it was called rock 'n roll. But guess what? Oh no! The Man ruined that too with a little thing called MTV! So don't waste your time trying to make anything cool or pure or awesome 'cause The Man's just gonna call you a fat washed up loser and crush your soul. So do yourself a favor and just give up!"
-- 

Max: That was more of a yield at that stop sign.
Grover: I broke, thanks.
Max: No, it was more of a yield.

'tash disaster!


Every time summer rolls around I am so happy to tan my skin a glorious bronze colour but ever since I was preggers I have developed a darkening of the skin above my lip that gives me the look of having a nice 'tash - but it's not true.
I swear, I have looked closely, the beauty shop girl looked closely -it is like having a shadow over my lip --but I hate it. And if I forget to put on PROTECTION (sun protection that is) then it only gets worse. So either I cover my whole face and I have white a face like Morticia from the Adam's Family and a golden tan body or I have a 'tash shadow! What to do??

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

A Poem on the Underground Wall


A Poem on the Underground Wall by Simon & Garfunkel

The last train is nearly due,
The underground is closing soon,
And in the dark deserted station,
Restless in anticipation,
A man waits in the shadows.

His restless eyes leap and scratch,
At all that they can touch or catch,
And hidden deep within his pocket,
Safe within its silent socket,
He holds a colored crayon.

Now from the tunnel's stony womb,
The carriage rides to meet the groom,
And opens wide and welcome doors,
But he hesitates, then withdraws
Deeper in the shadows.

And the train is gone suddenly
On wheels clicking silently
Like a gently tapping litany,
And he holds his crayon rosary
Tighter in his hand.

Now from his pocket quick he flashes,
The crayon on the wall he slashes,
Deep upon the advertising,
A single worded poem comprised
Of four letters.

And his heart is laughing, screaming, pounding
The poem across the tracks rebounding
Shadowed by the exit light
His legs take their ascending flight
To seek the breast of darkness and be suckled by the night..........

kicking & screaming

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Lucky Dogs- a New Orleans tradition

I would like to include this review in my blog because honestly- I couldn't have written it better myself-

Editorial Review for Lucky Dogs – by Pableaux Johnson

The Scene
More a kitschy local institution than a traditional eatery, these weenie-shaped hot-dog carts prowl the French Quarter serving up gastrointestinal ballast for inebriated Bourbon Street tourists. During peak party times, every street corner seems to be occupied by a distinctive red and yellow Lucky Dog wagon manned by a somewhat surly sausage technician.

The Food
When you order a late-night meal from a giant metal frankfurter, there's very little room for mystery or confusion. The hot dogs and spicy smoked sausages are boiled for hours and topped with a simple range of nonperishable condiments: mustard, hot white onions and straight-outta-the-can chili. Not much for taste and definitely no match for NYC's Coney Island dogs, but the Lucky Dog mystique relies more on accessibility than flavor. The drunker you are, the better they taste.

Are You Experienced?


"Suffering, danger and poverty are all fine by me, but dirt and disease are two things I happen to hate".
I am not sure why people want to suffer whilst on holiday. I mean I suppose if my funds and vacation days were unlimited then I guess I might consider it - but probably not. I imagine a holiday to be just that -- something better than everyday - not worse. I don't want to be too hot, nor too cold. I want to eat food that I recognize at least what it is and 9 out of 10 times is delicious. I want to sleep on a comfy bed and not be eaten alive by bugs. Mostly I would like to lay in the sun and have a super sexy cabana boy bring me frozen margaritas and pina coladas all day... this is a vacation. Tromping around a hot, third world country just waiting until the dysentery hits is not my idea of fun..call me crazy?

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE

Have you ever all of sudden noticed that you are soooooo hungry. That is how I feel right now and out of the kindness of my heart I told my colleague that he could go to lunch before me. Now I am feeling a slight anger at myself for this kindness. This is however, a picture of the world's smallest cheesburger.

I like mine with lettuce and tomato,
Heinz Fifty-seven and French fried potatoes.
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer.
Well, good God Almighty, which way do I steer
For my cheeseburger in paradise.

DAMN THE MAN!

  • "In this life, there are nothing but possibilities." -Lucas


This is a quote from one of my favorite movies - that I unfortunately only own in Italian - and it loses something in the translation.... I was just recently reminded by a good friend of mine how wonderful this flick is. It's one of those movies that totally catches you off guard. For those of us who have slaved in retail with the same people day after day who pretty soon became friends out of lack of choice this movie will keep you rolling. And the soundtrack is fab-o!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Happy Dance



I really think I either have "soul" blood running through my veins or I have ADD! I mean I am so excited that it is Friday that I had to run into the bathroom and do a little dance (that i fondly call the Happy Dance) singing silently to myself "we're gonna party like it's 1999". I am definitely not normal.

IT'S FRIDAY IT'S FRIDAY

TGIF

'TGIF' is an acronym meaning "Thank God It's Friday" or "Thank Goodness It's Friday", an expression of relief that the work week is finally over and that even if the weekend is not full of leisure, at least the drudgery of the workplace is temporarily over.

Pau Hana

'Pa'u Hana' (pronounced "pow hana") is a Hawaiian phrase literally meaning, "finished work", but generally refers to the practice of leaving work early on Friday to start the weekend.

POETS day

another acronym meaning "Piss Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday", a term for Fridays, used in industries where it is common practice to finish work early at the end of the week. Variations on this are "Push Off Early Tomorrow's Saturday" and "Push Off Early Tomorrow's Sunday" (based on the old 6 day work week). Used in UK and Australia but appears less popular in U.S.A.


wash your damn hands!

During an hour's swimming at a municipal pool you will ingest 1/12 liter of urine.

In an average day your hands will have come into indirect contact with 15 penises (touching door handles, etc.)

An average person's yearly fast food intake will contain 12 pubic hairs.
In a year you will have swallowed 14 insects - while you slept!
Annually you will shake hands with 11 women who have recently masturbated and failed to wash their hands.

Annually you will shake hands with 6 men who have recently masturbated and failed to wash their hands.

In a lifetime 22 workmen will have examined the contents of your dirty linen basket.
At an average wedding reception you have a 1/100 chance of getting a cold sore from one of the guests.


Daily you will breath in 1 liter of other peoples' anal gases.

HAVE A GREAT DAY...

...and wash your damn hands!

MISANTHROPY

"you hate people"
"but I love gatherings - isn't it ironic??"

TIRED??


SLEEP DEPRIVATION

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. A person can be deprived of sleep by their own body and mind, as a consequence of some sleep disorders, or deliberately. Sleep deprivation has sometimes been used as an interrogation technique or as an instrument of torture. It has been reported that sleep deprivation affects tens of millions of adults each year.[1]. Sleep deprivation (in sleep deprivation therapy) has also been used as a treatment for depression.

This is the definition of sleep deprivation and I am sure that I am suffering. This morning I had the pleasure of being awoken by the cat who decided to jump on the dresser and knock all the brick a brack (of which I have a lot) on the floor. I proceed to push her out the room and shut the door controlling my homicidal urges. Then as soon as "I lay me down to sleep" I began to receive little kicks in my side. I know that Maddy is not doing it on purpose to deprive me from sleep but never the less I had to have talk with Babbo this morning about the fact that his single sleeping days are over. I don't really care where anyone sleeps as long as I get to sleep and right now I am apparently the only on who isnt. Enough is enough!!!!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Fun Fact


I just discovered as I was rocking out to some disco one hit wonder in the office that can boogey at my desk- the wheels of my chair on the laminated "faux" parquet makes an excellent pseudo dance floor for the office bound worker. Obviously, I can only shake the booty left and right but better than nothing!

BOOTY CALL................


For lot's of us the "booty call" is a relatively new thing... but not so. I have discovered in re-reading the lyrics of one of my most favorite songs that the booty call is as old as Ma Bell herself

" Whenever blue tear drops are falling
And my emotional stability is leaving me
There is something I can doI can get on the telephone and call you up baby, and Honey I know you'll be there to relieve me"[Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing -
MIDNIGHT LOVE album 1982]

I AM A GOLDEN GOD!

How could I have forgotten ALMOST FAMOUS????
One of the best movies of all times in the Clinton Gene Healey book of greatest films of all times!

Almost Famous is a 2000 film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and released in 2000. It tells a fictional story of a teenage journalist initially writing for Creem magazine and then later for Rolling Stone covering the rock band Stillwater, and his efforts to get his first cover story published. The film is semi-autobiographical, as Crowe himself was a teenage writer for Rolling Stone.

Despite very good reviews, the film was not a box-office success. The film received four Oscar nominations, one of which led to an award to Crowe for his screenplay. It was also awarded the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Roger Ebert hailed it as the best movie of the year. [1]

The film itself is based mostly on his experiences on tour with rock band The Allman Brothers Band in the early 1970s, in the Rolling Stone article he talks about how he lost his virginity, fell in love, and met his heroes, experiences that the main character William has in the movie.

The tagline for Almost Famous is "Experience It. Enjoy It. Just Don't Fall For It." (from Wikipedia)

What's going on............


What's going on............

So this morning I was allowed to sleep until 7AM - HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD
O:-)
Then of course there was the usual "mamma ahm on" (translation Mamma come on) and I was dragged out
of bed and into the kitchen to
  1. turn on the TV to cartoons
  2. try to interpret what my little changeling wants for breakfast
all without killing myself since at this point I am still blind as I have not had a chance to put on my contacts.
I then sneakily try to roll back into bed, but this never works--the enemy knows his adversary too well. I am again taken out of the bed by the hand to watch my son do his Jackson Pollack imitation with his yogurt (although the glee he finds in this strange activity melts away all my anxiety about having to clean it all up later).
Then I attempted to take a shower, I was almost finished-- I was putting the conditioner in my hair when I hear high pitched screaming and wailing..while I am concerned I figured that in addition to the whole neighborhood that Babbo (Daddy in Italian) surely heard the fruit of his loins screaming and would intervene at some point...No, that is not what happened. I see a little face, full of crocodile tears peeking around the corner of the shower curtain with a bottle of black pepper in his hands. Naturally, I assume we have some how managed to get pepper in our eyes (how he got the pepper is a mystery that no one will uncover). No, that's not it.. Then I thought I heard MEOW MEOW and so I inspected him for cuts from the cat - not an unusual occurance since Madison occasionally likes to growl in the cat's face or throw books at her (I have told him that this is "unacceptable behavior"). Nope, no signs of mauling...what could be causing all this commotion???? Then as I listened
closer I started to decifer "mio mio mio" which means "mine, mine, mine" but Madison uses to mean "for me, for me, for me" and I realized that the outstretched hands and hysterical crying meant he wanted me to put him in the shower with me. Ok, get the earplugs (for his constantly sick ears) take off the diaper and pop him in the shower. He marvels at the water coming from the shower head and giggles.
Fine, even though he has severely limited my shower space it's OK...until we have to get out. You would think I just ran over his dog (if he had one) he was so beside himself. Needless to say a tortilla wrap up with the towel, sitting on mamma's lap for a few
minutes watching "Einntain" (translation- Little Einsteins) and we were fine. However, at this point I was running late and realized that I would not be able to bring him to s'cool and make my chiropractor appointment. So, at this point Babbo was very nice and conceded to bring his offspring to s'cool... Made it to my appointment (only 5 minutes late- early by Italian standards) only to sit there for half an hour before being seen...Again this is quite normal and expected.
Which leads me to what I really wanted to talk about:

Chiropractors....hummm are they quacks or real professionals???? Don't know but I am trying them out. My chiropractor seems a bit wacky but also seems to know his shit and I am feeling a bit better (afterwards)..This morning I seriously felt like a sausage being thrown in a hot skillet. I was being flipped and twisted in all directions. I laughed, I cried I will be there on Monday. Gotta see it through. **For all of you that know me - and I assume that no one who doesn't know me would be reading this...the mongy arm - injured at birth has been a cross for me to bear for the last 32 years. And although the only thing it really kept me from was becoming a middle school cheerleader at EHS with all my girlfriends (at least I blame the obscure gymnastics that I attempted as the reason I did not become one of the elite tween girls with pom poms and short skirts) I would really like to have it "fixed" so I am going the chiropractic way for now.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

READ! READ! READ!

Here are some of my favorite books (not in order)
  1. A tree grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
  2. Harriet the Spy (Louise Fitzhugh)
  3. The Kite Runner (really moved me - Khaled Hosseini)
  4. Dear God, Are you there it's me Margaret (JUDY BLUME --sorry :-)
  5. Ramona the Brave (Beverly Cleary)
  6. Oh, the Places you'll Go (Dr. Seuss)
  7. My many colored days (Dr.Seuss)
  8. The Witching Hour (Ann Rice)
  9. Confederacy of Dunces (John Kennedy Toole)
  10. Catcher in the Rye (J.D.Salinger)
  11. The Golden Compass Series (Philip Pullman)
  12. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (Rebecca Wells)
Is it strange that the majority of these books are childrens books???

BED BUGS


For the last several months, or shall I say ever since he was able to crawl out of his crib, Madison has decided that he prefers sleeping in the big bed with mama. He is very good about pointing to the pillow and telling mama "nanna!" which in Italian means "night-night". However, while I do enjoy this mother-child bonding we seems to have a little problem now that summer has descended upon us. What could this problem be you ask? Well, it is actually two-fold. Number one is that my adoring cat CIN (pronounced Cheen) has now decided that with the regularity of Big Ben that she is going to Meow and Meow at 5:30am every morning until I get up. I am at a loss as to what she wants because I get up and follow her to the kitchen, fill up her food and water and open the door to the terrace where her litter box is, despite the fact that she has 24 hour access through the bathroom window. She looks up at me as if she is now satisfied -she neither eats nor drinks nor goes outside-she is just happy that she has woken me. I then proceed to stumble bleary eyed back to bed only to have the patting of little feet dig into my sides and hear "mamma mamma" to which I reply - "yes, maddy mamma's here" and then he proceeds to get up and try to get me up as well. So we get the early show at 5.30 and then a follow up at 6am. Needless to say my colleagues are wondering why I am falling asleep at the computer and where the mysterious bags under my eyes came from...they look at me sadly and say "allergies" and I reply weakly "must be".

HUMP DAY



Hump day

'Hump day' is a synonym for Wednesday. The idiom is based on the notion that if a worker has made it half-way through the week, struggling uphill from Monday, that the rest of the week is an easier slide toward Friday and the weekend; the end is in sight from the hump, the top of the hill..........even though we all like to imagine it means that lots of "humping" is going on on WEDNESDAYS!!!!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

TUESDAY JUNE 19TH 2007

Well, today is Tuesday and so far my week is going ok. Madison was sick all last week with fever and had an earache over the weekend. He went back to school today even though he was up from 3.30-5.30am and has now decided that he wants to sleep on the floor now. I mean I don't really care if he sleeps on the floor, it seems that the parquet is cooler.
Alessandro on his quest to have some place "to put his ass" this summer bought an inflatable swimming pool for his mother's garden (see picture above). It is quite nice as far as red neck pools are concerned. And it is nice to have a cool place to "put your ass" in this hot summer heat.
On another note, my very good friend is pregnant. Of course, I am super happy for her, yet just a bit jealous as I yearn to have a sibling for Maddy. One day, just not now.
Tonight I am going to eat Japanese with an old student of mine from my teaching days and am most pleased about that.... yummy, raw fish!!!! This weekend my friend is hosting a quite pool party at her mom's house in the country--should be fun, although I am not overly excited about showing off my muffins to strangers. Oh well, it reminds me of a song I once heard
"my baby's got love handles- something I can hang on to
my baby's got love handles- something I can hang on to
my baby's got love handles- something I can hang on toooooooooooo"

This morning I went to my first ever chiropractic appointment and I have to say that I am quite pleased and am hoping that he can cure me of my many aches and pains. Well that's pretty much it for Tuesday June 19th 2007.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

It's Champagne Thursday!


I have decided that Thursday is one of my most favorite days (out of the7 I have to choose from ). Why you ask? Well, I'll tell you ... it is the hope of a wonderful weekend that is just peaking around the corner. By the time Friday rolls around you sort of know how your weekend is going to unfold - either you have made plans or you know that really you are going to be puttering around the house thinking" God it's the weekend and I have nothing but housework in front of me." And for those of us who have kids, Saturday and Sunday morning are no different than the working days. We are up at the light of dawn anyway.... So on Thursdays I like to imagine that I am going to have a fabulous weekend full of fun, excitement, romance, passion, eating, drinking, dancing with a little bit of hot sex thrown in there. Now in reality usually none of this happends but on Thursday I have that optimistic attitude that the weekend is only a day away and anything could happen. So pop that champagne and celebrate what could be....

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

JOBS I HAVE HAD


JOBS I HAVE HAD
Chuck E. Cheese (BR)
The $10 Clothing Co. (BR)
Zack's Yogurt (BR)
Cacique (Greensboro, North Carolina's version of Victoria's Secret)
Rock-ola Cafe (Greensboro, NC)
THE GAP (Greenboro, NV)
Chase Manhattan Mortage Company (BR)
The Paperback Exhange (Florence Italy)
Glenwood Village Tea Room (Shreveport, LA)
Pettiette, Armand, Dunkelman, Woodley, Byrd & Cromwell, L.L.P. (Shreveport, LA)
San Lorenzo Fruit Market (Florence, Italy)
English Teacher - 3 years - various companies (Florence, Italy)
Ville in Italia (Florence, Italy)
In addition to babysitting off and on since I was 12 in all of the above places (except Shreveport)

DREAMGIRLS

I finally was able to rent this movie yesterday, although now that i have a child I am for some reason unable to watch a movie from the beginning to the end. So I end up watching it in fragments - not the best- but better than nothing. I like it but it is obviously nothing like the Broadway Musical. This was the first musical that I ever saw in New York City on my very first trip to New York for the 4th of July with my sister Catharine in 1986 (?) (plane ride alone - only the two of us) to meet our Papa Healey in New York. Needless to say that it was the best trip of my life. I was blown away - by New York, the music-- basically everything.
Dreamgirls is a period piece set in the 1960s and 1970s with a primarily African-American cast, Dreamgirls is adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical of the same name. The musical was loosely based on the history and evolution of American R&B music during the eras of doo-wop, soul, the Motown Sound, funk, and disco. Dreamgirls contains several allusions to the lives and careers of Motown Records act The Supremes, a connection the film version expands upon. Dreamgirls follows the lives of Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson, three young women who form an R&B singing trio from Detroit, Michigan called "The Dreamettes". Thanks to manipulative agent and record executive Curtis Taylor, Jr., the Dreamettes become famous as the backing group for soul singer James "Thunder" Early - (a.k.a. James Brown) Conflict arises when Curtis transforms "The Dreamettes" into the pop-friendly "Dreams," particularly when he has Deena replace Effie as both lead singer of the group and as his romantic interest.
So as you can imagine I was not as impressed by the movie because they (as usual and for reasons I can not imagine) changed things. And since I know the music by heart - have had the casette tape that I bought on that trip in 1986 of the orginal Broadway cast and have listened to it off and on for the last what is it...21 years...scary. In fact, I played it often to Madison when he was just a babe in arms because I wanted him to know the joy of Motown - just as I am introducing him to the Rolling Stones now as a toddler- he loves Gimme Shelter by the way.
Well, that's my two cents on this picture...also at the infamous Blockbuster I rented the new version of Charlotte's Web ---again why did they think they could alter a time honored story??? I like Julia Roberts as Charlotte and the voice of Wilbur is cute- but I didn't really believe Dakota Fanning as Fern - she is too cute to be Fern. Any thoughts???

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

An Outing to the Base!



Everyone to Camp Darby this weekend!!! This weekend starting on Friday the 15th of June there will be a festival for Italian & Americans (and anyone else who wants to come because I asked and it is open to all) starting at 19.00 on Friday and 18.00 on Saturday and Sunday. There will be rides for the kids, hot dogs and hamburgers and lots of other stuff to do. I also found out that there is a place called the Sea Pines Recreational Facilities on Camp Darby where you can rent fully equipped rooms (with kitchenettes) or campsites etc for those of you who like to ruff it for extremely reasonable rates. I am thinking of organizing a trip. It might be really fun. Camp Darby is just a few miles from extensive beaches in the resort town of Tirrenia and features its own guarded beach facility complete with a decent-sized parking lot, lifeguards, beach chairs and umbrellas, boats for rent, a Greek snack stand, hot showers and more. Apparently patrons who stay at the Sea Pines Lodge facilities on Camp Darby pay $3 per carload to use the facilities and safely tuck their vehicle into the guarded lot at the American beach.

To make reservations at the Sea Pines Recreational Facilities on
Camp Darby call (0039) 050-547 225. Information about accommodations, the American beach in Tirrenia and more is also available online at https://www.livorno.army.mil/mwr. (although I couldn't get this site to work).
Let me know if you are interested and we can plan a weekend trip.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Slow Food Slow Living

What's your hurry? Take a cue from Italy: apply the brakes once in a while and enjoy your food, your friends, your life.

Tuscan Dinner

Pair this Tuscan dinner with one of the region's Sangiovese-based wines--a violet-scented Chianti Classico, a Brunello or Rosso di Montalcino, or an elegant Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. If you leave room for dessert, enjoy almond biscotti with a splash of Vin Santo, the sweet Tuscan dessert wine.

For the recipes you will have to email me...

Young Turks......

I love this song and was listening to it this morning and letting Maddy Moo in on the secret of Rod...however, I never understood why it is called Young turks when the lyrics say Young Hearts?? Does anyone know??? I just got the answer---In English slang, a 'Young Turk' was a rebellious kind of teenager that would go against the grain. FUN FACT This was the first video played on MTV that contained breakdancing.

Billy left his home with a dollar in his pocket and a head full of dreams.
He said somehow, some way, its gotta get better than this.
Patti packed her bags, left a note for her momma, she was just seventeen,
There were tears in her eyes when she kissed her little sister goodbye.

They held each other tight as they drove on through the night they were so exited.
We got just one shot of life, lets take it while were still not afraid.
Because life is so brief and time is a thief when you're undecided.
And like a fistful of sand, it can slip right through your hands.

Young hearts be free tonight. time is on your side,
Dont let them put you down, dont let em push you around,
Dont let em ever change your point of view.

Paradise was closed so they headed for the coast in a blissful manner.
They took a two room apartment that was jumping evry night of the week.
Happiness was found in each others arms as expected, yeah
Billy pierced his ears, drove a pickup like a lunatic, ooh!

Young hearts be free tonight.time is on your side,
Dont let them put you down, dont let em push you around,
Dont let em ever change your point of view.

[instrumental verse]

Young hearts be free tonight.time is on your side.

Billy wrote a letter back home to pattis parents tryin to explain.
He said were both real sorry that it had to turn out this way.
But there aint no point in talking when theres nobody listning so we just ran away
Patti gave birth to a ten pound baby boy, yeah!

Young hearts be free tonight, time is on your side.
Young hearts be free tonight, time is on your side.
Young hearts be free tonight, time in on your side.

Young hearts gotta run free, be free, live free
Time is on, time is on your side
Time, time, time, time is on your side
Is on your side
Is on your side
Is on your side
Young heart be free tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, yeah

Thursday, June 7, 2007

TOP TEN MOVIES OF ALL TIME

Here is my list of TOP TEN MOVIES OF ALL TIMES (not necessarily in this order)
  1. Napolean Dynamite
  2. Gone with the Wind
  3. Kicking & Screaming (indie version not the Will Ferrell version although that one is good too)
  4. Finding Nemo
  5. Dangerous Beauty
  6. Jerry McGuire (even if now I have seen it so many times that I can't watch it)
  7. Coalminer's Daughter
  8. Radiofreccia (Italian Film)
  9. AMENDMENT -- Empire Records- thnx Eliza for reminding me!!
  10. Clerks (the original)

Good Morning! Good Morning!


Get up get up the sun is up the dew is on the buttercup, get up get up the sun is up early in the morning....this is in tribute to Jamie Dodds Cangelosi who would regularly sing this to me during our stint at STRONG RIVER CAMP AND FARM. To all of those who didn't have the pleasure of going to SRCF I am sorry. It was the best time of my life. And I am happy to say that my new lovely brother-in-law John Cole is also a veteran of this wonderful place. I just have to say that for those of you who have children from the ages of 6-14 I can highly recommend it. I already have plans for my son and my nephews to attend when they are of age...despite the fact that my sisters one week stint at this glorious place was a bit of a disaster- she's not the camping type. That's all for this morning. Back to the grind!! I will leave you with this

LIVING THE STRONG RIVER WAY

To laugh often and love much,
As Emerson taught us to say.
To find our joy in being a friend,
And living the Strong River Way.
From miles around the campers come,
And look forward to the day,
When schedules end and freedom begins,
For living the Strong River Way.

If you're up early morning, and you're ready to go,
There's a counselor who'll show you the way,
To use your time wisely, and live your day fully,
When living the Strong River Way.

You can jump on a wagon and go over to the farm,
Where there's fruit and veg picking galore,
Like blueberries, peaches, plums, and tomatoes,
So delicious and so many more.
There's squash and zucchini, potatoes and corn,
And okra and lady peas too.

There's eggplant and cabbage and watermelon sweet,
Just waiting to be picked by you.

If sport is your hobby, then you're in the right place,
And it matters not how well you play,

It's enjoyment that matters, not winning or losing,
When playing the Strong River Way.

There are horses to ride on, and fishing at daybreak,
And there's shuffleboard and tetherball too,
There's a game of touch rugby, and ping-pong for others,
But maybe softball or archery's for you.
The soccer's great fun, especially in the rain,
And the tennis courts are open all day,
And if you want to get cool, you can jump in the pool,
When living the Strong River Way.

If you're here for two weeks then you're in for a treat,
For the overnight canoe trip's such fun,
With canoes full of food and your bed for the night,
We leave dock in the afternoon sun.
By sunset we're sitting around a campfire bright,
And it's time for some stories of awe,
And the sky forms your roof with its myriad of stars,
Just perfect with your warm, sandy floor.

If the quieter life is what you desire,
Then arts and crafts is for you.
Make bracelets, and pictures on paper and bookmarks,
Try knitting or ceramics too.
There are plays to perform in, and books to get lost in,
Or sit down on the back porch and play chess,
Take a walk 'round with Nature, or bird watch
And savor early morning when the day's at its best.

And when the day's nearly over, and darkness draws in,
It's at "Brown Cow" that our perfect day ends,
Where we'll sing a few songs and play a few games,
And thank God for our newly made friends.
And when the last drops of chocolate milk are finally sipped,
And we've all said our "Good Nights" to Tay,
Then it's time to reflect on the beauty and goodness
Of our life and the Strong River Way.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Villa in Sicily

All the Healey's are off to Sicily this summer. From Mema (87) the oldest to Brooks (18 months) the smallest we will all be there - sans the newlyweds Carden & John. Papa Healey has been planning this for a year now and since he will be celebrating his 60th birthday while we are there I can understand why. I can't wait for one. I have been to the states for the last 3 years in Summer and I have finally put my foot down and am bringing the family here to Italy - well almost Italy - Sicily!!!
Information on the area:
Acireale is a seaport city in the north-east of the province of Catania, Sicily (Italy), at the foot of Mount Etna, with mineral waters.
The Cathedral of Acireale in an early 20th century photograph.
The Cathedral of Acireale in an early 20th century photograph.

It is famous for its neogothic cathedral, Saint Peter's Basilica, and its paintings, such as The Basilica di San Sebastiano whose shapes summarize the entire baroque movement in Sicily. The oldest academy in Sicily, the "Accademia dei Dafnici e degli Zelanti" is located here.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Little Einsteins are taking over my life!!!



"Little Einsteins is a new, interactive preschool franchise for three-to-six-year-olds that will encourage your child to “make music every day” and shout “We’ve got a mission!”

The Little Einsteins are a group of four lovable children who, with their musical flying ship known simply as Rocket, take preschoolers on musical adventures into the real world."


Alessandro has already decided that Annie is destined to be a porn star with brother Leo as the producer, Quincy is the next Willis, June will be a crack addict ! Needless to say that Madison is in love with them and every time he hears the theme song squeals out ROCKET and starts to pat his lap - if you are familiar you will know that this is how the kids give power to Rocket in order for him to BLAST OFF!!!!

A while back I was fortunate enough to find a toy that very much resembles Rocket that we like to bring with us everywhere...despite the fact that it is broken and has been since day one when Madison (as his his habit needed to test its durability and smashed it up.

It's actually quite humorous for us since they visit Italy often and try to speak Italian in a very American accent. Needless to say that Disney has stunned us once again with their version of baby crack and from all of us mothers out there- I thank you .

Bachelorette Party at OTEL in Florence

Pic #3 Daniella, Clinton and Heather

Talking about work.....

Speaking of work again-- I have to be at work for 10.30am and no matter how early I get there my two colleagues are always there before me. Now neither one of them has children or spouses and I find it quite irritating as it makes me look like a slacker even though I am there at lilke 10-10.15 almost every morning. Not to knock them at all, but HELLOOOOOOOOOOO what are they doing here so early. I mean come on.... anyway that was my tidbit in the 5 minutes that I have before I am actually getting paid to be here.

Monday, June 4, 2007



So see if you can pick out the fruit of my loins.......that's right the dragon a.k.a. godzilla on the bottom right. That is my pachupo and all I have to say is that it is clear he is "no mail man's son". He was made in his parents image. In fact, after a night of crazy up and down sleeping in mama's big bed, I hear him now awaking and not finding me in despair so I must go...........

Jobs

As I am sitting here feigning work I have come to the realization that I have a very small attention span and a hankering to be contrary. I mean I should be sitting here doing my work like my colleagues, but every now and again I feel the urge to
  • check my email
  • post a new blog
  • messenger with a friend
  • send an sms etcetcetc
I don't know why because I am actually quite a good worker and do a very good job, I suppose it is just my rebellious nature....do you ever wander what it would be like if you like in the town where Footloose was set??????

Here is a picture of my beautiful baby boy Madison "Maddy Moo" Magherini at the beach in Florida with his Aunt Jen.....

CARDENE TIES THE KNOT





Friday, June 1, 2007

Life in Florence

Well, here is the story of how I came to live in Florence 11, count 'em 11, years ago. I left the fair city of Baton Rouge as soon as I graduated from the once esteemed Baton Rouge Magnet High School for greener pastures in North Carolina. I spent two very bizarre years in Greensboro, NC only to later move onto Chapel Hill. After three strange roomates -- the first was a fencer who ate Chinese food in bed and constantly watched Japanese cartoons, the second being Elena....enough said for those who have heard the stories and before roomate number 3 - Julie I think her name was because she never spent one night in our room (was soon to be married to her B.F. and so was there all the time, in fact I think I met her only once...I had a sort of breakdown and wanted to leave school. My dearest friend Jason convinced me to not leave school -- to stick it out until the end of the year (which was only about 2 months). Well one day, shuffling along campus I saw the study abroad office! Right then and there I decided I wanted to go to Italy. (Previous to this decision I had taken 1 semester of Italian in hopes of returning there - went junior year of high school and enjoyed it immensely. )
I entered the office and said "what programs do you have in Italy?" and there began my adventure. To be continued...........ok where was I...short version. I ended up in Florence supposedly for a semester and here I am 11 years later. No really I met Alessandro (my husband) in a bar like the first week I was there, we got engaged 5 months later and married a year later. Two and a half years ago we had Madison and the rest is history.