Bridge and Tunnel

Tonight I leave Venice (and the cute owner of the B&B I have been staying at...so cute)...I have to be up at around 530am so I can catch my expensive water taxi to the airport for a flight that sadly leaves at 720am. Oh well such is life...I will be returning in full Eurotrash regalia though (leather coat, Ducati t-shirt, Italian jeans, Italian boots...maybe Italian underwear if I can find some...)

Ah...the adventure is over and I'm somewhat sad...like The Terminator said...I'll be back...

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Stairway to Heaven

Today I did the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life....something that I have thought since I was a little child but never really had the opportunity to do and never thought that I would really ever do...just a childhood dream that remarkably came true today...

I went inside the Leaning Tower of Pisa and walked all the way to the top...

It was totally worth the 17 euro I paid and I probably would have paid more if I had known it would have been that magnificent and spectacular. The entire climb I was grinning like a child knowing that I was going up inside this remarkable structure and that I was experiencing something that very few get to do. They take maybe 30 people up at a time and it's absolutely one of the most amazing things that I have ever done.

Can you tell that I got a rush out of that one???

I leave tomorrow for Venice so this is my last chance to snag some time in an Internet cafe (which are EVERYWHERE here) before I head out tomorrow. I must repack teh bag and start making my laundry list of things that I have bought for the customs agents. Four bottles of wine and one bottle of grappa are already on the list as well as the leather coat I just bought in San Lorenzo Square...sigh...I'm such a clothes whore...or leather whore....or just a whore...

Let's not go into the shoes...

La Passagiata

I don't know where exactly I am in Firenze (have to be Italian you know) but after a dinner at the Itlain equivalent of a "greasy spoon" I began to wander through the city and barely knowing how to get back to my B&B. I turned a corner and was hit by a wall of music from a quartet playing many classical standards and I was forced to stop and listen to them. It was one of those picture postcard moments that you want to hold onto forever becuase the feeling and sensation you get from it are too much to let go...at least for now...

Thankfully I am taking them home with me...in CD form at least...something to remember my first true night alone in Italy..

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Viva Italia...the story continues...

Wine tasting (five glasses in about 90 minutes)

Olive oil tasting

One round of practice on a figure skating spin with the Italian guide

A clear sky with more stars out than you can count

One last day of hiking (over 50 in total by the end of the trip)

One more week in Italy to go...

The adventure continues...

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Viva Italia!

I am not coming back...I'm going to get an apartment here and live forever...

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I'm in love...

Day 3 in Italy and I may not want to come back... :)

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Leaving on a jet plane

Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go

-- "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Peter, Paul, and Mary

One caveat....I don't hate to go!

Gotta Love the Europeans

Sometimes they know how to phrase things better than Americans...taken from Snopes.com and yes, this is a real picture and not doctored at all...

Written in the stars

Courtesy of my good friend AJ...

Your Solar Return will take place in NYC, on Sept 16 at 1:24pm. (I assume your flight does not leave until night.)

You're kicking the year off right w/ a trip, because the Sun and Mercury are conjunct in the ninth house of Travel, Higher Learning, and Foreign Place, People, and Languages. Couple that with Sag Rising, and that Sag rules the ninth house, and you have a good year for taking up a new subject or visitng new places or learning a foreign language.

Jupiter, which also rules the ninth, is in the tenth house of Career, so look for some lucky opportunities to pop up, which might be related to where you're going, what you're learning. The Moon and Uranus conjunct in the third mean your emotions might be a bit of a roller coaster and might surprise people. You've got them in Pisces, so you could be more psychic, intuitive, or feel a greater need to help others.

Your Solar Return is almost at the Full Moon, which you'll have it over you in Italy the next night! The third house rules siblings (does one of your parents have a younger partner who could provide one?) and, more likely applicable here, communications. Writing, speaking, which tie back into the learning a foreign language or seeing new faces and places.

Venus in the 11th house of Friends and Social Groups says you'll be a social butterfly and quite enjoy it. Mars in the fifth house of Romance, Pregnancy, and Gambling says romance could be hot and sexual, and if you fuck a woman, you'll get her pregnant. ;-)

The only downer is Pluto in the first house of Self. You could be moody at times, pondering deep psychological issues. But Pluto wants to help you get over them, so ultimately, it's all for the good. It will also make you intense and insightful.

And then in regards to someone that I am kinda sorta pursuing....

Hmm, nothing screams, "Run away!" or "Your One True Love." This will be what you make of it. Nice stuff include his Pluto conjunct your Sun, showing a karmic connection. But it's also close to your Mars, meaning there can be some earth-shaking fighting...and love-making.

His Uranus conjuncts your Moon-Pluto conjunction in Libra means you find him exciting and liberating, and he might liberate you to a new home. (BTW, the next six weeks or so are big for you and home, w/ your stacked natal 4th house being transited by lots of planets in Virgo and Libra. You'll probably stay in touch w/ home base while you're away in Europe, and maybe spruce up your pad and/or entertain there.)

His Mars in Aquarius trine your Mercury in Libra adds feisty communications, and his Venus in Gem trine your Merc adds loving words. This can work, but it'll b/c you want it to.

You're in the mood for romance, and maybe even feeling a little more pimp daddy than one would expect from a Virgo. In your Progressed Chart, planets are shifting from fourth house of home and family and mother into fifth house of romance, pregnancy, father, and brain children and other big projects. The next two months look to be big as the Progressed Moon conjuncts the Prog Vertex.

He's making a list....and checking it twice....

To Do List

With take-off scheduled for this Friday night, I have quite a bit still to do or acquire and I'm more than a little surprised:

1) Do laundry so I have clean clothes to wear Dropped off laundry this morning and borrow the jumbo sized suitcase from the roomies Packed and ready to go

2) Purchase a few protein bars to tide me over on the plane and train ride Bought four at Duane Reade last night....got a couple more just in case

3) Purchase Italian-English Dictionary Did this on my lunch hour...do you know how hard it is to find a small Italian to English dictionary with the word "fuck" in it??? and plane/train reading screw this...we'll check out the bookcase to see what needs a good re-read

4) Purchase SPF Sunscreen just in case it's VERY sunny and my Irish skin can't take it Took forever to find but I got it

5) Purchase tickets to go up into the Leaning Tower of Pisa Done this morning on the last possible day I could purchase tix for the date I could go there

6) Look into getting another large memory card for my digital camera Trading memory cards with my boss for the trip

7) Get some batteries so I can brush up on my Italian language CDs on the plane and train ride over I'm going to try to load them into my MP3 player instead.

8) Hire a male escort to "massage" me after the hiking tour I kid...I kid...

9) Investigate internet cafes in Florence to see if I can upload pics to clear out space on the memory card if needed They exist but will get some help from the B&B to point me in the right direction

10) Figure out how to get from the bus station in Venice to the train station Ugh....this part won't be easy....

11) Make sure my Blackberry will work over in Italy It will work. Won't be cheap but it will work...

12) Clean my bedroom I've started Well...maybe I'll finish....

13) Print out all of my B&B confirmations, directions, and phone numbers Check and double check. I'm ready to go!

14) Check into the lube/condoms thing that Brad told me about in a comment I have enough in supply now to last me...unless I turn into a raging whore while I'm gone....

15) See if I need to get some more Tylenol PM to help me out at night after a long hike 100 caplets is enough right???

16) Refill my diabetes prescriptions and make sure I take enough lancets and test strips for the glucose monitor Yep....all done....

17) Enjoy myself while I'm gone.....

Totally Useless Quiz Day

Meatball Pizza

Unusual and uncompromising. You're usually the first to discover a new trend. You appreciate a good meal and good company. You're an interesting blend of traditional and modern.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

What Your Underwear Says About You

You've washed your underwear so many times, you don't know what color it used to be. You're not afraid to lay around resting your hand in your pants.

The Underwear Oracle

Note, I was wearing teal boxers at the time

Your Birthdate: September 17

Your birth on the 17th day of the month suggests that you are very lucky financially, because this date indicates a solid business sense. Although you are probably very honest and ethical, this birthday enables you to be shrewd and successful in the world of business and commercial enterprise. You have excellent organizational, managerial, and administrative capabilities enabling you to handle large projects and significant amounts of money with relative ease. You are ambitious and highly goal-oriented, although you may be better at starting projects than you are at finishing them. A sensitivity in your nature, often repressed below the surface of awareness, makes it hard to give or receive affection.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Well that sucks

In a Past Life...

You Were: An Albino Assassin. Where You Lived: Germany. How You Died: Typhoid fever.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

Your IQ Is 130

Your Logical Intelligence is Genius Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Your Kissing Purity Score: 34% Pure

You're not one to kiss and tell... But word is, you kiss pretty well.

Kissing Purity Test

You are

What Rejected Crayon Are You?

You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable

You're a Romantic Kisser

For you, kissing is all about feeling the romance You love to kiss under the stars or by the sea The perfect kiss involves the perfect mood It's pretty common for kisses to sweep you off your feet

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

Your Summer Ride is a Beetle Convertible

Fun, funky, and a little bit euro. You love your summers to be full of style and sun!

What's Your Summer Ride?

Your Life Path Number Is 11

11 Your life path is greatly associated with spiritual awareness. As one of the two master numbers, the 11 yields understanding and knowledge beyond the grasp of others. The attitude toward life of those possessing this Life Path is somewhat extreme; extremely intuitive, avant-garde, idealistic, visionary, and cultured. These extremes make you an interesting, if unusual person, with much to offer society. The Life Path 11 person is deep-thinking, and you are no doubt interested in understanding many of life's mysteries and more intriguing facets. Your inventive mind and broad-minded views will permit you to succeed in life in any number of ventures. You can best serve society, however, in those endeavors utilizing your skills of counseling and guidance. Much of your idealism is people oriented and quite humanitarian in nature. You expect a great deal of yourself and of those to whom you are close. On the negative side, there is a lot of nervous tension associated with the 11 life path, and you can be a difficult person to deal with because of this. For this reason, relationships, at times, can be difficult. This is a Life Path that seems to feature broad mood swings between the elation and depression. You are likely to have trouble making decisions and getting your life in gear, so to speak. There is a tendency for the 11 to harbor feelings of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction with accomplishments and personal progress in life. Your grandiose schemes usually make sense, but you can get off the track and they can be very impractical. You have a very distinct side that lacks common sense, and you are quite often unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality. In this regard, you are perhaps more of a dreamer than a doer. When you do get on target, your ideas seem to have been inspired on high. Perhaps you are not a leader, but you are a visionary and a very talented idea person.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

You Are From Saturn

You're steady, organizes, and determined to achieve your dreams. You tend to play it conservative, going by the rules (at least the practical ones). You'll likely reach the top. And when you do, you'll be honorable and responsible. Focus on happiness. Don't let your goals distract you from fun! Don't be too set in your ways, and you'll be more of a success than you ever dreamed of.

What Planet Are You From?

You Should Try Street Luge

With speeds of up to 70 mph, Skateboarding laying down is not as tame as it seems.

What Extreme Sport Should You Try?

You Are a Newborn Soul

You are tolerant, accepting, and willing to give anyone a chance. On the flip side, you're easy to read and easily influenced by others. You have a fresh perspective on life, and you can be very creative. Noconformist and nontraditional, you've never met anyone who's like you. Inventive and artistic, you like to be a trendsetter. You have an upbeat spirit and you like almost everything. You make friends easily and often have long standing friendships. Implusive and trusting, you fall in love a little too easily. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

You Are the Very Gay Bert and Ernie!

Two grown puppets living together, sleeping in the same room? They've even got coordinating striped shirts!

What Gay Childhood Icon Are You?

The Subway Adventures of 646Guy

Comment made by 646Guy as he leaves the subway where a young couple hae been arguing since they got on the train:

"Tonight you two are either gonna break up or have the best make up sex ever. But do the rest of the people on the train a favor and decide now so you'll just shut up."

Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.

Under the Tuscan Sun

I haven't had a REAL vacation since 2000. Before that it was 1995. I need this vacation. I need it to recharge my batteries and figure out what the hell I am doing with my life. I need it so I can get away from everything and enjoy the world. I need it so I can come back to NYC full focused on what I need to do in my life. I need it just so I can get away and not have to deal with some of the people currently in my life.

I need it for me. I need to do something for me rather than doing stuff for other people. I need to give back to myself because, as of late, I've been giving too much of myself away to others.

Nine days and then two weeks abroad.

I need this.

Filed under "Odd IM Conversations"

646Guy: I’m changing my name.

 

646Guy:  in preparation for doing my own late night talk show

Momof3:  to?????

Momof3:  ok the name change, and what late night talk show??  i better be your really odd sidekick

646Guy:  The name of the show is "On the Edge"

646Guy:  and my new name is Kumquat Jones

646Guy:  so the full name of the show is "On the Edge with Kumquat Jones"

Momof3:  thank God!!  I was terrified you would go for the obvious and boring like   Vanilla Sherbert

Momof3:  or johnny Carson

646Guy:  and if you're going to be my sidekick you're name will be either be Poodle McClure or

Tootsie Sassafrass

Momof3:  oooo ooooo

Momof3:  can i call you KUM??? for short

646Guy:  no you cannot

Momof3:  i like tootsie

Momof3:  how about kummie

646Guy:  and I get to ask all of the really difficult, hard questions to celebrities that Letterman, Leno, and Oprah are too scared to ask

646Guy:  like, Leona Helmsley........why so mean?

Momof3:  ok like..fr instance

Momof3:  or tom cruise are you really that much of a asshole or is this just all a really stoooopid publicity stunt

646Guy:  Tom Cruise....you claim that psychiatry is voodoo....then what do you call Scientology.....a nice game of Tiddlywinks?

646Guy:  Oooh ooooh

646Guy:  Tom Cruise.....when you have sex with Katie Holmes....do you pretend she's Vin Diesel or Keanu Reeves

Momof3:  THIS is why i LOVE YOU!

646Guy:  Tina Turner......you claim that your ex husband Ike Turner physically and verbally abused you....

646Guy:  just admit it.....it was all hot S&M roleplay action

Momof3:  or donald trump how long have you had ALL the mirros in your house covered?

646Guy:  DOnald Trump.....did you know your hair looks like it was done by a dog groomer

646Guy:  do you consider it to be more of a poodle hairdo.....or llasa apso

Momof3:  oh now kumquat!!  we must be careful

Momof3:  we do NOT want to offend

Momof3:  the dog lovers

646Guy:  Tootsie.....when it's your show you can do what you want but this.....

646Guy:  THIS

646Guy:  THIS

646Guy:  This is ON THE EDGE WITH KUMQUAT JONES!!!

Momof3:  well, i was worried about all those dog people.....to have theire little darlings likened to donald trmp, now i only say this because we want our dear kumquat ON the edge, not pused over

it
646Guy:  THat's why I'm ON the edge

646Guy:  right there

646Guy:  dangling on it

646Guy:  DANGING, I say Tootsie

646Guy:  I"M DANGLING ON THE EDGE!

646Guy:  Oh yeah....

646Guy:  I'm on it

646Guy:  Oh yeah....

646Guy:  Edge

Momof3:  Oh kumquat, what are you dangling by

646Guy:  EDGE

Momof3:  and how are you holding on

646Guy:  Well it's better than you that just sits there like bibb lettuce

646Guy:  that's right

646Guy:  I said BIBB LETTUCE!!!!

646Guy:  Oh yeah....

Momof3:  oh please, i am much more like PARSLEY....a completely useless garnish...yet

somehow with out it, your plate looks lonely

646Guy:  and it tastes like shit

646Guy:  bibb lettuce

Momof3:  well dear kumquat, lets' just say i'm an aquired taste

646Guy:  Tootsie, let's just say I'm going to be a proper Kumquat Jones and not answer that

646Guy:  so let's welcome my next guest.....

646Guy:  she won 2 emmys for her work on Cheers and a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of Chicago

646Guy:  AND

646Guy:  She's a total fucking raving bitch who thinks she's the hottest thing on the face of the planet when her career really hasn't taken off

646Guy:  ladies and gentlemen.......Bebe Neuwirth!!!!!

646Guy:  Bebe.....you're a total fucking bitch and not that many people like you.

646Guy:  Oh....there's no question....just a statement

Momof3:  oooo no question...very edgy

Momof3:  wait, i don't have to be the band leader ......i'm jsut idiot sidekick who laughs at everything your brilliance says, right

646Guy:  absolutely

646Guy:  and you agree with me explicity

Momof3:  well, of course

646Guy:  and even better....you have another alter ego

Momof3:  your edgieness

646Guy:  Danger Girl1

646Guy:  Girl! I mean

646Guy:  and you get to do all of the fun wacky stunts

646Guy:  like throw a pie at the president

Momof3:  mmmmm can't i throw a banana at hillary clinton and sing HOLLA BACK girl to her instead

646Guy:  no

646Guy:  because it's a KUMQUAT pie

646Guy:  and you would have to throw kumquats

Momof3:  i'm not sure i want to be tackled by secret service....no wait never mind i would love to tdo that

646Guy:  i'll make sure they're all hot

Momof3:  because danger girl is just a little slutty

646Guy:  I am so not going to go there

Momof3:  tootsie is a perfect lady

646Guy:  danger girl is a whore

646Guy:  Danger Girl goes to kidnap our next guest.....here is he VIN DIESEL!!!

Momof3:  i have sooo always wanted my own evil twin

646Guy:  Vin....you have a very odd accent that until recently I wasn't able to really place

646Guy:  Then I was in the gay district in New York and I heard it everywhere

646Guy:  It was amazing

646Guy:  What do you think abotu that/

Momof3:  our vin??? say it ain't so?  damn you get all the really built ones

646Guy:  yes but Danger Girl gets to bring them all in

Momof3:  thank you dear, tootsie is horrified, but danger girl is such a happy camper

646Guy:  hehehehehe

646Guy:  well tootsie

646Guy:  I am heading off to bed

Momof3:  see ya sweetie...oh no, you need a really classic sign off line kumquat

646Guy:  yes I do

 

646Guy:  That's all we have for tonight.  Join Tootsie and me here tomorrow when my guests will be Senator JOhn McCain, the reigning Miss Universe, and Buffy St. Marie.....

646Guy:  This is Kumquat Jones telling you to take it to the edge

646Guy:  Good nighht

Momof3:  oh yessss that's it

Momof3:  good night dear

646Guy:  Good night Tootsie

 

So instead of getting the super expensive perfume, I've opted to go to the famous leather school and get the leather jacket/blazer that you see here. It will not be cheap by any stretch of the imagination but I'm determined to not do major shopping while on the hiking tour because I'd rather not have to lug things around with me and I know that the Italian postal system is notoriously slow and since I'm buying Xmas gifts over there...well maybe if it's supremely gorgeous and I'll never be going there again.....but this jacket is GORGEOUS....