December 31, 2003
Dick Clark
I am all dolled up, ready to meet some friends: Erin, her husband Pete, Kathy and Kathy's friend. We are going to Lisa's pub where we will have dinner and drinks. It should be very nice. The plan is to not stay out late-- leave that to the young'uns.
Posted by donna at 07:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
2003 New Year's Resolutions Retrospective and Mayfly Project
Donna's 2003 Resolutions
Once again we review the success and failure of last year's resolutions.
1. Join LAFitness. Exercise, move and breath, meet people!
FAILED! I did not join LAFitness or any other health spa. I did try to take long walks but that doesn't really go along with the true goal which was meeting people.
2. Keep room and office cleaned despite the fact there is no room for anything.
FAILED! This has always been an issue for me. My room continues to be a shamble. My biggest fear is that now Lisa and I are moving out and into a condo, we will become the female equivalent to the Collier Brothers. The only comfort I take is that I would most likely be Homer.
3. End the crazy cycle of Body Dismorphia.
FAILED! This ain't ever gonna happen. No matter what I do, I still see myself in parts as opposed to a whole. When I look in the mirror I see thighs and hips. The other day I was looking through pictures I had just gotten developed and there was a picture of me from Halloween dressed in a cute mod minidress and I couldn't get over how thin I looked. This can't be me--- this isn't how I see myself in the mirror!
4. When I catch a man looking at me in a bar or somewhere, I will hold his stare and smile. I will not look away quickly and wonder if there is a piece of food stuck to the corner of my mouth.
PARTIAL SUCCESS! Although I am still lacking for a significant other or even an insignificant other, I have made an honest effort to smile and be friendlier.
5. If the stocks I own recover, buy a townhouse and become even more unabhaengig.
SUCCESS! Okay, my stocks did recover for the month of November and then they went back in the toilet. Regardless this was my most successful resolution because I did, in fact, go out and find a condo and am in the midst of purchasing it.
6. Stop buying stupid things just because they are cheap. Realize that 50.00 is not too expensive for a pair of nice pants.
SUCCESS! Yes, this was also a success. I have really tried to cut down on my impulse bargain purchases and I can proudly say I did not buy a single pair of corduroy pants in fluorescent colors as I have in years past. I have saved my money and spent it on more wise purchases that may have been more expensive but at least they look pretty hanging in my closet.
7. Stop watching so much TV, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Get out more even if that means going out alone.
FAILED! I still don't go out much, especially on weekends. I suppose my lack of boyfriends owes a lot to the fact that I rarely venture from my house. Heck, I never leave my computer! Perhaps once I am living on my own I will find it easier to go out. We shall see.
8. Sit up straight and don't fold legs underneath or one on top of the other. Stop being a contortionist. I don't want varicose veins.
FAILED! I continue to cross my legs and am completely uncomfortable if my legs aren't contorted. Without a doubt I will have legs that look like the legs of my first grade teacher: fish belly white with a road map of green veins zig zagging past purple splotches and red and black dots. Attractive!
Meg's MayFly Project
Summarize the last year of your life in 20 words or less.
Here is my entry:
Overworked.
Lonely. EHarmony fiasco.
Disillusioned. MUST MOVE OUT.
Searching, Searching. FOUND.
Bank account dwindles. At least I have equity...
FREEDOM!
Posted by donna at 11:27 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 28, 2003
we are family
Spent yesterday afternoon with my Aunt Helen and cousins. It is nice to be surrounded by family and see how well others with the same genes turned out. Makes me feel hopeful. Two of my little cousins are following in my footsteps and are learning to juggle. I worked with them a little and they are getting good. Very soon they will be passing the balls just like circus folk! Didn't know I was a juggler, huh? It is true. Back when I was in high school I taught myself. The main reason behind learning was that I wanted to intimidate my Track & Field opponents by juggling shot puts. Sadly, I was never was able to attain that much strength. At any rate, I wanted to surprise everyone with the news that I was buying a condo. I walked in the door and everyone congratulated me on the purchase. Did Mom call ahead of me? No. They all read donnaville.
P.S. Note the countdown to settlement on the right column. I am not anxious. Not at all.
Posted by donna at 10:01 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 25, 2003
Ho Ho Ho Ho
MERRY CHRISTMAS
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
The loot: Heartland Valley Village Porcelain Lighted Church, Supergirl underwear, fleece pullover, exercise ball, knitting book, gold bracelet, Monkees Missing Links Vol 1 CD, Monkees 2nd Season DVD, stationary, and a Wonder Woman tin.
The plan: Lisa and I are off to see Washington cross the Delaware which has become our tradition. A group of guys, dressed in Revolutionary garb, reenact the crossing. The weather is so mild, I think they may make it across this year! Then we will have dinner. After dinner, Mom and Lisa will go see that Hobbit movie for which I just can't feign enthusiasm. While they are watching the movie, I will clean my room. :-) Christmas miracles do occur!
Posted by donna at 12:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 24, 2003
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve dinner consisted of mushroom soup, peirogis, aglio e olio, smelts, and poppy seed roll. Very yummy indeed. My mother gave Lisa and me 2 presents to unwrap. I now have a beautiful gold bracelet and THE MONKEES MISSING LINKS VOL 1 CD!!!!!!!!
Off I go to Mass. May you all have visions of sugar plums dancing in your heads as you wait for Santa's visit!
Posted by donna at 07:25 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 23, 2003
Prince Charming my ass
It was 2 years ago today that I boarded a plane and left Germany and H. The trip was a sort of last hurrah. Considering my purpose, it was a lovely trip filled with Weihnachtsmarkts and mugs of Glühwein. It was so nice to hold H's hand and be one of those elusive "couples." I try not to reminisce since I now realize that it was only special to me and that H never had any intentions. Five years of my life spent waiting for someone who never planned on catching up. At least I cut my losses. Since then, I devoted myself to moving on. The last 2 years were spent trying to replace him with a slightly different model. One who wasn't so frightened of commitment and Republicans. Only recently did I decide that instead of replacing him, I would take control of my life, make a home for myself and if a man happens to intersect with me, so be it. I am finished with waiting.
Posted by donna at 05:37 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Inspection done
So far so good. Only real big ticket item is the windows. Hopefully we can negotiate something. I gave the Mortgage Broker the signed papers and the check. All seems to be going well. Other than the stress I put on myself, this has been rather painless. Of course there is still much left to do (and checks to sign).
I will continue to move forward with a steady resolution and persistence. I will achieve my goal!
Posted by donna at 12:37 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Inspection
Off I go to the home inspection. My realtor suggested I bring daddy along. This will be just the 2nd time I have seen the house. I hope I still like it! My fingers are crossed that there is nothing overly wrong with the place.
Posted by donna at 08:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 22, 2003
mortgage brokering across the universe
Called banks and brokers. Got rates. Compared rates and fees. Tried negotiating. Tried pleading. Widdled it down to 2. They were practically identical. How to decide? Well Corina wore a really nice striped shirt and a CAPE! She also drives a Monte Carlo which I think is a really nice looking car. She is also tall and has a firm handshake. Laurie has very small hands and when we shook, I felt disturbed, as if I was shaking a child's hand. In my head, I heard Mike Myers say: "Carnies, small hands, smell like cabbage." And so that is how I made the decision. Laurie dressed like me and had large hands.
I feel good.
Posted by donna at 04:06 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 21, 2003
zeta jones
Lisa and I drove by our (hopefully) future residence. After we passed, I realized Lisa could have taken a picture of it with her new cell phone that is equipped with a digital camera. Wouldn't have done much good even had I remembered; she still hasn't figured how to get the images from the camera to the computer.
I remembered my dream last night. I was having a mad love affair with Mo Rocca who seems to be on every countdown show that's shown on cable. The mad love affair consisted of us sliding down a playground slide and playing tag-- but I knew he loved me with all his heart and when I awoke I was slightly disappointed that I was no longer plural. Even more so, I was rather surprised that my unconsious mind chose Mo Rocca as the object of my affection. Mo Rocca!?!
Posted by donna at 11:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
THE DONNA VILLA!!!!!
She accepted my bid!!! If all goes well, I HAVE A HOUSE! (Or rather a condominium).
I remember, years and years ago when my grandmother was still alive, we were sitting around her kitchen table talking. My grandmother said, "I am thinking, maybe I should get one of those Florida condoms."
"No Nanny, you mean CONDO-- condom is something else."
"Oh, dear. No wonder everyone looked at me strange when I was talking about it after church."
Posted by donna at 10:09 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 20, 2003
donna villa
Really liked the house yesterday. Submitted a bid today. My fingers are crossed that it will be accepted. Of course I am terribly nervous either way. If it is accepted, am I making the right decision? Am I in over my head? If it is not accepted, will I ever find another house that will compare? No wonder I have such a headache!
Posted by donna at 11:58 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 19, 2003
Hard Times
I had planned on taking the day off work but I was pulled in at last minute. They need me to teach a one-hour class this morning and then I am free. At 1:00 Lisa and I are going to look at a house that our real estate agent said "is the one!" Our hopes are so high that we're bringing mom with us to check it out.
The knitting class before last, we were given directions on knitting a hat. So this last knitting class, I walked in and threw the completed hat on the work table. A woman (the woman who couldn't figure how to measure 6 feet without standing on her chair) said, "We never learned how to finish the hat, how did you finish it?"
"Oh, I read the directions," I responded.
"You read the directions?"
"The directions were very clear."
"Bitch"
I believe she said it in a good-natured way. Maybe next class she will punch me in a good-natured way.
I am so tired this morning because I stayed up late last night to watch Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story. Lance Henriksen portrayed my man Charles Bronson and he did a very good job. He wore the mock turtleneck and blazer with just the right modicum of cool. Jill Clayburgh portrayed Jill Ireland which I thought was rather odd casting. Jill Ireland was beautiful in that Sharon Tate-way. You almost have to brace yourself before you look at them because their beauty will take your breath away. That physical presense just doesn't translate through Jill Clayburgh. Regardless, it was worth staying up to watch and battling the fatigue for today.
Posted by donna at 09:36 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 16, 2003
Floppy Records
Dawn Eden sent me pix of her Captain Zoom record and album cover-- I posted them on My Name is Zoom. Thanks Dawn!
Posted by donna at 11:15 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
in the dark ages
I had one of these: speak n spell
Posted by donna at 10:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 14, 2003
Papa Gene's Blues
retroCRUSH has a copy of Mike Nesmith's green wool hat. Lucky bastard. Of course, since I am now a knitter, (I think we can make it official since I have produced 2 scarves, 1 hat, and 1 pink coif courtesy of Knitty.com) I can knit one myself!
Posted by donna at 04:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 11, 2003
I'll tumble 4 you
Lisa and I were walking through Best Buy when I spotted the 2nd season DVD of the Monkees! "Li Li!" I cried, "It's the Monkees!" Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. An older man stood smiling at me. Bastard wants me to move, I thought. What, am I blocking the Baywatch DVDs?
"Donna?" he said. The man looked slightly familiar and I figured it was an old colleague. "I don't know if you remember me, I'm your old Coach Opp!"
It was him! Just grayer and without the Freddie Mercury mustache. Who exactly is this man? Well, from 1987 through 1992 Coach Opp was alternately my Health (a.k.a. sex education) teacher and my shot put and discus coach. Oh, the secret crush I harbored for him! I remember during Track and Field practice, he would send the throwers to the weight room and have us lift for an hour every other day. (You should see my prom picture, I am the only girl sporting 24-inch pythons). The one day he told Lisa it was time for her to bench press. As she laid down on the bench, he straddled her chest, clapped his hands together and yelled, “ARE YOU READY TO WORK!" Lisa was so very embarrassed, yet I could tell she was also slightly enthralled. Me, I was jealous!
"Uh, I need to bench press too, uh, can you spot me Coach?"
"No, Donna; you already bench pressed today!"
To this day Lisa likes to throw this incident in my face. Thankfully she doesn't mention the time I lost control of the discus and it went flying across the field and through the wide spread legs of Coach Opp. Gosh, he was mad. I don't blame him now in retrospect. At any rate, I was completely flustered seeing him there in Best Buy and I could feel my face heat up. We reminisced over the old days. I mentioned how I remember when he had to leave class because his wife was in labor. He told me his son is now 16-years-old! My feelings for ole Opp remain the same. A decade and a half later, he still reduces me to a pile of jelly. Once we said goodbye and walked away, Lisa looked at me and said, "Donna! You are completely broken out in hives!" Red splotches covered my cheeks and neck. Some things never change.
Posted by donna at 11:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 10, 2003
Santa Claus Naughty or Nice Rating
Donna
"Nice!" Matter of fact, one of the nicest years ever! Really helped the family and friends when they needed it. Is always polite. Extremely honest. What's more, adds a good sense of humor to situations, which is always a "nice" touch. Don't go overboard on the sweets though. Think of your teeth! And remember, faithful brushing always scores points on my list!
What can I say? Santa KNOWS!
Posted by donna at 09:45 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
December 09, 2003
Back in 1987, I loved a show called The Charmings. Not really sure what prompted me but this afternoon I ran a search and found this great Web site devoted to the show. Turns out I wasn't alone in my adoration. So, what was the Charmings about? Well, you see, Snow White and Prince Charming wake up after a thousand year cat nap to find they must adapt to living in present day (circa 1987) Los Angeles. It was a really cute show. Check it out! (Why aren't there any Web sites devoted to Misfits of Science!?!)
I also found a better online English --> German dictionary than the one I've been using. Dict.cc (Englisch/Deutsch Wörterbuch) not only translates the word but also will pronounce it for you!
Posted by donna at 04:08 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 07, 2003
It's great to be back home again
This morning, I sat by the hotel pool feeling the warm sun on my face. This evening, I dug my car out of a snowdrift.
Posted by donna at 10:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 02, 2003
Orlando I go
Tomorrow I catch a plane to Florida. No, I am not vacationing in Disney World; this trip is work-related. It is the yearly trade show which means 12 hours of standing on hard, concrete floors and nights filled with too much food and spirits. I can hardly wait.
Posted by donna at 12:16 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
