Giovanni's Villa

Quicky Update

2009-08-22T08:18:15Z

Life has been really well sucky lately. I won't go into details right now but will when I have more time to post. Please send positive thoughts my way :)

Thanks

Dan/Gio

Polish Pottery

2009-07-05T19:25:51Z

While it's not a set of Gwen's wonderfuly pottery... My table set is now complete and I've taken a few quick shots to share with you all.

Dan/Gio

TDY

2009-07-03T20:24:50Z

I've grown to hate this word TDY. TDY stands for Temporary Duty and too me it means time alone without the man.

He's leaving Monday morning for a conference in the states (NOT THE WEST COAST) and I'll be alone for two weeks. In all honestly I have to admit I enjoy the first couple of days. I read, I watch movies, he's not so into and call friends to just shoot the breeze. But after a couple days I find myself sleeping with his pillow just to breathe him in... I find myself trying to do things as if he were here.. Only problem is he does the dishes and I HATE the dishes... I don't think I can explain this enough I truly hate the dishes I would do anything to get out of doing them. The truly sad fact thou is that I do them and cuss under my breath at my high maintenance self and get angry at the man for not being here too do them... Silly ehhh...

That’s all my friends just letting it out before Monday.. I now return you to your regularly scheduled bloggers.

Some Days

2009-06-18T19:24:43Z

This evening was one of those evenings where for some reason I've let my weight get to me. I know it's depressing me that I'm wearing the largest size clothes I've ever worn and then I stop and say to Dave I'm eating cause i'm depressed and it's making me feel better... WTF... I'm depressed cause I'm freakin fat and I'm eating to feel better... Gotta love my life.

Me

Inspections

2009-06-12T18:06:22Z

Earlier this week the inspectors showed up to inspect our programs and their still going to be here through tuesday. I need somthing stiff to drink right about now... I've working so hard and damn it all it's the stupid small things they find that I clearly know need done but overlooked for some odd reason.. Like labels on all the plants we just planted.

I'm off to bed to get some rest before I work tomorrow and yes I know it's a Saturday.

Gio just tired o' Gio

Pics of interest for my medieval artist friends :)

2009-06-08T20:08:17Z

I went to a wonderful city called Ghent this weekend and had the opportunity to visit one of it's castles. Here are some pics I thought might be of interest to some of my artist type friends :) If you know someone who you think might be interested in any of these items feel free to repost or let me know and I'll send them better pics :) the bottom most picture is part of a blade that was used to behead people . I thought those who do scribal work might find it interesting :)

have fun

2009-06-03T20:07:47Z

Have Fun this weekend I'll be thinking of you all and missing you.

gio

So I suck...

2009-05-22T19:26:44Z

I know I've not posted in some time to let everyone know I'm still alive. Work has been crazy, did I mention crazy? I'm taking a four day weekend to get some rest. When I get back from my mini vacation I'll try and catch the blog back up to speed. I know I suck for not reading/ writting. Forgive the Gio

My New Friend

2009-04-29T17:20:34Z

As I was sitting in the dinning room eating something most likely not so good for me, I saw a new friend out the window. I've named him Bob and three days later he's still there I think eating the algie thats growing on the post. It's an odd excitement I get these last few days as I scurry down the stairs in the morning to check on Bob.

Meet Bob

Local Area

2009-04-19T21:58:53Z

for the birthday I got a new camara. Here are some pics of spring in the local area from the camera.

KrazyFiberKat

2009-04-19T19:03:11Z

Happy birthday krazyfiberkat darling... I miss you and send you MUCH love.

Giovanni

and it's over

2009-04-05T10:19:20Z

After two and a half weeks the mom, grandma and her husband left at 4am this morning. It was wonderful getting to watch them explore Europe. I hope that someday thaty can do it again...

Now, who's next to visit.

Gio just Gio

The Mom is here...

2009-03-17T06:57:31Z

The mom made it safely to Germany on Saturday (with grandma in tow). I was teaching a class that morning so Dave took the shuttle to the airport 2.5 hours away and helped them get back to the house with their rental car. After teaching, I scurried home and barely beat them to the house!

They settled in, unpacked and then we were off to Luxemburg. Our evil goal keep um awake... After Luxemburg we went to a German eatery that's been in the family for over 200 years!

On Sunday I took them to the local little town of Bitburg where we visited the walk platz and bought fresh bread for lunch, and had Italian ice cream. Then we came come make sandwiches on our bread and watched movies. Not much of a point to touring Germany on a Sunday almost everything is closed. So overall it was a nice relaxing day.

On Monday I sent them off to Belgium.... I can't wait to hear what they thing of it when they get back.

P.S. The user pic I choose for this pic is one of the maid items they went to see in Belgium... Madona and Child

5 word thingy

2009-03-10T19:31:54Z

These are five things that Krazy Fiber Kat associates with me and what I have to say about them. If you comment, I will give you five things to comment on, and then you can pass it on.

Fun
Bridesmaid
traveler
Happy
Intelligent

Fun: For me this is the one word that I think I have the hardest time relating too. I've never really thought of myself as fun. I've more thought of myself as the tag along friend who everyone tolerates.

I do like to try and have fun but sometimes people misread my fun (sense of humor). If you want to know fun, meet Dave.

Bridesmaid: Where does one start? First and foremost I have come to the conclusion that sometimes it's best to just keep ones mouth shut as what you say may truly come and bite you in the arse! After an offhanded comment to the beautiful and CRAZY Krazy Fiber Kat about wanting to be a bridesmaid she surprised me some time latter with a call requesting I be hers... Long story short just because I'm gay does not mean I can do hair!!!

Traveler: If you asked me or most anyone who knew me five years ago, I think traveler would never have come up in conversation. I'm very lucky to have found a man with a passion for working overseas and who loves to explore... He drags me along thankfully. I thank the gods daily that I get too see so much of the wonderful world. BTW.. Thailand is still my all time favorite place... Yes Europe is a DREAM but Thailand is simply magical.

Happy: I was amused to see this word on the list it's one that has taken some time for me too come to terms with. I have a very hard time thinking of myself as a happy person. I always want more or to make things better... I think I try and act happy to please others but I truly have an internal struggle that makes happy hard to acknowledge within me.

Intelligent: What makes a person intelligent is the company one keeps.. The illusion of Intelligence comes from each of you :) For this I'm thankful!!!

Last Night's Drive Home

2009-03-07T10:49:04Z

Stuff I've been listening too... (alright I'm a Giant Dork)

2009-03-04T19:57:13Z

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10 countries...

2009-02-24T18:44:50Z

Wow I can hardly believe that this saturday I will visit my 10th European Country...

The nine I've visited are;

Germany
Luxembourg
Belgium
France
England
Italy
Ireland
Netherlands
Poland

The tenth will be: (drum roll please)

Czech Republic.

OFF THE HOOK

2009-02-16T13:48:45Z

I was just using the DVD-ROM on "the Book of Kells" and WOW, it breaks down everything.. The inks used where they would have been gotten from and so forth.

Not to mention how interactive it is. It classifies the illuminations into groups in one part. So if i want inspirations for snakes it will show me all the snakes. If I want a G it shows all the illuminated G's with references etc.

I think you all are gonna love this!

Oh and did i mention on each and everypage you can zoon in and out on any part... and the zooming in does not effect the quality of what you see!!!

Gio

Home again Home again Jiggity Jig…

2009-02-16T13:05:46Z

Dublin has been one of my favorite adventures thus far here in Europe. The city is rich in history and the people are super friendly.

Our first Day (evening in Dublin) we walked about the city and took a tour to get a focus on where we wanted to go…

Stop number three on the city tour was Trinity College, Upon realizing that indeed Trinity College was on the tour I quickly told the 6 other people in our group that the next morning Trinity College would be stop number one for us to tour. To my surprise everyone else wanted to go there as well so I was relieved to not be monopolizing their time with my wants.

On day two we made our way to the city center and boarded the bus to Trinity college. I was excited to get to go and see “the Book of Kells” Yes that’s right the Book of Kells!!!

I could hardly contain myself. We wondered the yards of Trinity College as any good tourist would and eventually found ourselves at the Old Library where the book is housed. As we made our way in we heard a bit of rumbling from people about the book not being on display. We found the rumblings to be true, apparently there was an issue with the display case for the Book of Kells and sadly it could not be safely kept on display at this time. They however were offering in its place an artist’s copy of the book. We choose not to see the artist copy.

I did however buy something most wonderful at the Trinity College Library, A DVD-ROM copy of all 340 folios of the manuscript. The DVD-ROM is the first digitized version of the Book of Kells to have been authorized by Trinity College. I was very excited to find this.

“I am going to mail (loan) my copy of the DVD-ROM to mrq_laurellen so that she can share it will you all, in what ever fashion she deems most approriate. Maybe a class on the styles used or something of the sort.

mrq_laurellen would you please write me off the list so I can arrange this with you!

From Trinity College we made our way to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Wow is all I can say. I’ll post pictures in the next couple of days as it was truly worth the visit and the history was such a rich tapestry. I never wanted to leave the Cathedral, every corner I turned was something new to explore/ learn about.

More to come…

Happy Valentines

2009-02-12T20:22:16Z

I am off to Dublin, Ireland for Valentines... I hope each of you have a Wonderful Valentines filled with much love.

Love,

Gio

I'm just saying...

2009-02-09T20:39:49Z

I'm just saying god bless the person that invented Zinggers.

signoregio @ 2009-02-06T21:04:00

2009-02-06T20:06:21Z

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

My wonderful friend Cynthia sent this to me. For those of you who feel the same as I do on Gay and Lesbian rights it's a Wonderful Video that hits home.

One day I hope we all can live in love as equals....

5 years 3 months and 26 days committed to the person who completes me. In the words of "Ever After" ""My Perfect Match""

Dan

Update

2009-01-25T18:27:07Z

It's been awhile since I've posted anything of substance, while I would like to blame being lazy to the lack of posts I fear I cannot. Simply put life has been rather boring as of late.

Between working extra long hours and weekends for accreditations and lacking the motivation to get out and simply do we’ve been spending a lot of time at home.

Dave and I hit our five year mark in October and while it’s not always been the easiest relationship none are, I can’t imagine life without the petulant one. My mind sometimes even places him in life events of the past we were not together for. Isn’t love a funny thing.

My mom and Grandmother will be coming in March and staying till mid April. I’m looking forward to seeing them and am very excited that mom will get to see Europe. We have yet to course out their vacation but I know Venice is on the list as well as some of the more local 15 minute drive countries.

I don’t think if we had not moved here that mom would have ever had this opportunity so I’m darn thankful she can come and that grandma is helping her with the trip.

Well I’m fighting a cold that is going around so I will keep this short.

To all my friends and family… Although we may be so far away… you’re always close to me in my heart.

Gio just Gio

Dan

I'm such a lemming

2009-01-18T07:11:20Z

Thoth

Enthusiastic, enterprising, courageous, likes to take risks.

Colors: male: rose, female: white
Compatible Signs: Bastet, Isis
Dates: Apr 1 -Apr 19, Nov 8 - Nov 17

Role: God of wisdom, scribes, and writing
Appearance: An ibis-headed man, or a baboon. Often seen with the moon on his head in either of these forms.
Sacred animals: ibis, baboon

What is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign?
Designed by CyberWarlock of Warlock's Quizzles and Quandaries

Oh Dear I'm in....

2009-01-18T07:08:47Z

Oh dear...I am in!!!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
- What I create will be just for you.
- It'll be done this year.
- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to put this in your journal as well. We all can make stuff!