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Sonntag, Dezember 30, 2001

Valentino (1977)
I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of this movie!!! It cost me 15.00 on Half.com but it was worth it. You see, Valentino was one of my very favorite movies when I was 15 years old. I taped it on channel 17's "Up All Night" movies. I remember watching it over and over again. I loved Rudolf Nureyev, I loved the legend of Rudolf Valentino and I loved Mama Michelle's performance as Natascha Rambova! However, it was only recently that I realized that the film I loved so much was actually a butchered cut! The film I loved was only 1 1/2 in length whereas the original ran over 2 hours! Thus began my search for the original. After many months of searching I found it on Half.com and last night I put the video in and I watched it. At first it seemed that the only things that were cut were simple clips of transportation. In the version I saw the characters would just show up...in the original you would see them get in the car and drive.
At around 1/2 way through the movie there was an extensive nude scene that had been removed from my version. Believe it or not, there was full frontal male nudity! Affer rewinding that part a few dozen times, I tired and decided to continue with the rest of the movie. As shocked as I was with that love scene nothing prepared me for the following scene: A prison homosexual rape scene replete with Nureyev falling into a puddle of vomit. The finale of which is Nureyev being forced to pee himself! The rest of the movie is pretty much identical to the version I saw. Despite the more mature nature of the original version, I prefer the butchered channel 17 version best. Had I seen the original at age 15, I think I would have been marred for life. As it is now, I am still slightly disturbed by the prison scene, but at least I know what I had missed.
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Donnerstag, Dezember 27, 2001

Donna's Christmas Holiday II
More German Holiday Pictures posted. See Heiko! Isn't he cute?
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Donna's Christmas Holiday III
I posted Christmas Pictures. See Donna. See Lisa. See Lily. Isn't Lily cute?
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Nevermind. Lisa finally got a Christmas card today.
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Donna's Christmas Holiday
I posted the first in the series of Holiday Pictures! Check them out!!!
10:31 AM | link  | 


Mittwoch, Dezember 26, 2001

We had a very nice Christmas. It was just the 4 of us, five if you count Lily. We went to church and as we left the priest said, "See you at Easter!" Dad fried another turkey. Mom made tons of cookies and 2 sweet potato pies. In terms of gifts, Mom got me a very nice pair of gold stud earrings and a leather wallet. Lisa got me a Tom Jones CD and a pair of Gap pants. I did WELL! Lisa liked the mini Danelectro amp I got her, and Mom liked the 3 quart sauce pan and gray fleece sweatshirt. Dad actually accepted the wooden darts and 3 bottles of wine. Normally he refuses all gifts.

Lisa is very upset. She sent out 15 Christmas cards to her favorite relatives and friends, and she DIDN'T RECIEVE A SINGLE CHRISTMAS CARD BACK!!!!!! I told her that because of the tragedies that have happened to our country as well as the lagging economy, people are cutting back and only sending cards to people they really like this year. Maybe next year she will rate better on people's list.

Oh I didn't say that Lisa and I got Lily a little rawhide shoe for Christmas. She loves it.
8:26 AM | link  | 


Montag, Dezember 24, 2001

I am home. It is nice not having to crouch in the shower because the spicket is belly button level. (That is my only peeve with Germany, or at least my quarters when I am there) Yesterday (Sunday) I traveled home. Saturday I shopped and went to a Weihnachtsmarkt in Spandau. Friday we went grocery shopping and worked on Heiko's html.

The flight home, other than being long, was thankfully uneventful. It was upsetting leaving. I hate leaving, but what can I do? I think I will work half a day and then I will go Christmas shopping. Believe it or not, I haven't bought a single Christmas present!!!! Hopefully I will remedy that situation today.

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Freitag, Dezember 21, 2001

Yesterday we did Lübeck. It was about a 4 hour trip. They had a great Weihnachtsmarkt. We ate Marzipan (which Lübeck is known for) drank Glüwein and walked and walked. The weather was colder than a witches' tit but the dark gray clouds actually cleared and the blue sky was visible!
Today brought snow. I guess we will go shopping. It is just so nice and warm inside. One more full day and then I leave! Sad.
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Mittwoch, Dezember 19, 2001

Went to the National Gallery today. Paintings and sculptures- same old same old. Later we went to the Christmas Market near Alexanderplatx. Drank glühwein, ate mushrooms and garlic, Krakauwurst, and a chocolate covered apple! Tomorrow we go to Lübeck. Supposedly Lübeck is the place to go for Christmas atmosphere. Or so says Michael, Heiko's brother.
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Monday we went to a Christo and Jean-Claude exhibit and saw tons of packages. Then we went to the IMAX theatre and saw a 3D movie about Siegfrid and Roy!!! Yesterday, we visited our friend Andrea, her dog Lea, and her new Wohnung Apartment. For dinner we went and had Indian food. Today we may go to a Museum. The weather makes things difficult, it is so cold and rainy. I am eating tons of Nutella and bread... I am happy.
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Sonntag, Dezember 16, 2001

I am in Germany! Sitting next to Heiko, using his computer! Last night we went and had Thai food! It was yummy. We haven't done anything yet today. Well, Heiko made lunch- Gyros. They are different than what we consider Gyros at home- no pita, tomato, or lettuce! it was good nonetheless. I hate typing on a German keyboard because certain letters and punctuation marks are on different spots which is terriblz confusing --i.e. the Y and Z are switched as zou can see!
Heiko says: But I guess, Donna, you are exhibitonist. You told everybody about private things.
8:44 AM | link  | 


Freitag, Dezember 14, 2001

It is almost time that I leave for the airport. I am very excited to see Heiko and Germany again! My digital camera will be by my side and I will try to upload some pictures as well as a few blogs. We shall see! Auf Wiedersehen!
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Donnerstag, Dezember 13, 2001

I'm back from Chicago. It is so good to be home. The only thing I did with my free time in Chicago was drink with my colleague, Luke. We drank in the bar located on the first floor of the office building on Tuesday after work. Then last night we took a cab to Midway airport and it was there that I embarrassed myself beyond measure! We went to one of the many airport bars and ordered a beer. It was a nice way to pass the time waiting for our individual flights. As most women do, I sat in the chair with my legs crossed. After our first round of drinks were finished I said I would go and buy the second round. I stood up and the leg that I had crossed over the other leg while sitting- CRUMBLED! I just sank to the ground!!! You should have seen Luke's face....You should have seen the look on the neighbors' faces! It was a mixture of disgust, pity, and amusement. I got up and said: "My leg gave out, I think it was asleep and numb and it just gave out!" Luke, as any gentleman would, said: I can get the beer!
"No no no, I am not drunk, I am perfectly fine, my leg just gave out, let me do it, I must prove that I am ok!" With that I limped over to the bar and bought two Heineken. That 30 feet to the bar and back was the longest walk ever- I felt everyone's eyes on me. Despite all, I made it back to the table without falling.
Now I can't stop thinking about it and feeling so embarrassed! Falling over in front of a colleague! How perfectly unacceptable! Please know that I have never done anything like that before- my center of gravity NEVER exceeds my base! Well, that is until last night.
10:11 AM | link  | 


Montag, Dezember 10, 2001

I'm in Chicago. My room overlooks beautiful Rock N Roll MacDonald's! The first day of the Project Management course went well. Yesterday I spent with my cousin Sharon and her family. It was great fun- it's always nice to spend time with family.
Is Chicago safe? I really have no clue. I remember when I was here back in the summer of 1998 everything closed at 6pm. I wonder if I could catch a cab and actually do some shopping? Maybe stores are opened longer during the Christmas Season? Today I just ordered room service, talked with my friend Audgie (who was just involved in a car crash but who by the luck of God escaped any bodily injury), and watched Boston Public and Ally McBeal.

Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town
Chicago, Chicago, I will show you around - I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you'll lose the blues in Chicago
Chicago, the town that Billy Sunday couldn't shut down

Speaking of cousins earlier, I wish to add that I am happy to be associated with David Shanosky. :-) He is my very favorite cousin! I also think that it is time that he appear on the Donnacam again. So David, the door is open and the cam is on!
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Samstag, Dezember 08, 2001

Real Video: Euro Spot - Wirtschaft - SPIEGEL ONLINE <--click if you have a broadband connection. I love Krauts!
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Mom and I went shopping last night and today. I got everything I need for my trip to Germany. I even got a pair of flats. Heiko is about an inch taller than me, but when I wear shoes, I tower over him. That is the way I feel, at least. So I figure if I wear flats we can continue to enforce the social code that men must be taller. Is it a social code or just a quirk of my own personality? Jackie O towered over Ari. Cher towered over Sonny. Mrs Cunningham was taller than Howard. Why does it feel so wrong to me? I love being tall. I just wish Heiko was taller. I wish men on a whole were taller. At any rate, I have a new pair of flats and all will be fine.
I am going to Chicago tomorrow. My company is providing a 3-day Project Management course. I am going a day early so I can spend time with my other favorite cousin (Sharon) and her family-- [You see Mark, you are all my favorite cousins!] -- it should be fun.


8:18 PM | link  | 


Dienstag, Dezember 04, 2001

I have re-designed the website! How do you like it? Please let me know...btw I love flattery!
So I got back from Las Vegas Sunday evening. I must admit that I did something quite horrid at the airport and I am finding myself riddled with guilt. The line in the airport stretched over a mile and I am not exaggerating. I was with my colleague, Frank. As we walked to the end of the line, I noticed that a group of guys had not moved forward and let a large gap form in the line. I smiled at Frank and we took advantage of the situation- the guys noticed we had jumped the line and they groused a bit but like most people, they shied away from confrontation. I knew what we did was wrong, but I did it anyway. The longer I stood in the line, the sicker and guiltier I felt. I guess I could have given up the space and moved to the back of the line, but I didn't. **Bad Karma** In fact it came back to me almost immediately because in the plane I was seated in the middle seat...and next to a very bitchy blond woman. When the plane landed I let out a sigh of relief. But the bad karma wasn't through! My father had my flight time wrong and so no one came to pick me up.... I had to wait an hour for my sister to get me. Finally at home, my dog got sick and we had to take her to the pet emergency center. Little Lily is fine now, but it was a horrible scare. ( She had a belly ache, the runs, and she was limping ) At any rate, I hope I have paid for my bad ways and my bad luck is finished. We will see.
11:42 AM | link  |