Tentative Italy itinerary - opinions?
Feb 19th, 2002, 08:46 AM
#21
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I too imagined GG to be a gay man. His writing style screams it and the fact that he's from SF just emphasizes the fact. Isn't it funny how we imagine someone just from their posts? I'm guessing there might be some disappointed men today. Looks like we lost another one to the other team.
Feb 19th, 2002, 09:25 AM
#23
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This is too funny! In retrospect I guess I have posted about theater & dance in London, Paris & Spain. As for writing style, perhaps I should try more of a Dashiell Hammett style:
"A cold Parisian wind blew along the Seine as I put the cigarette out under my boot. The hard stone of Notre Dame glowed in the late winter sun but couldn’t warm the cold inside of me. Stopping in the first bar I could find on the place de la Bastille I planned to loose myself in the bottom of a bourbon bottle.
She broke my heart that day when she left me standing alone on the Quai d’ Orsay but I never let her know it. Proud, yes, but a kind of pride that tears the soul and ruins a 2 week vacation. Returning to my hotel in a seedy side street off Pigalle, I went to my cold-water room and dreamed of the days when we roamed Montmarte together. Then Sacre Cour shined bright, but now my sights are set in the gutter."
"A cold Parisian wind blew along the Seine as I put the cigarette out under my boot. The hard stone of Notre Dame glowed in the late winter sun but couldn’t warm the cold inside of me. Stopping in the first bar I could find on the place de la Bastille I planned to loose myself in the bottom of a bourbon bottle.
She broke my heart that day when she left me standing alone on the Quai d’ Orsay but I never let her know it. Proud, yes, but a kind of pride that tears the soul and ruins a 2 week vacation. Returning to my hotel in a seedy side street off Pigalle, I went to my cold-water room and dreamed of the days when we roamed Montmarte together. Then Sacre Cour shined bright, but now my sights are set in the gutter."
Feb 19th, 2002, 10:21 AM
#25
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Gee, I guess I was mistaken all this time as well. I enjoyed reading some posts from GG while planning my trip to Spain in October, but for whatever reason pictured a woman writing. Now that I know otherwise, I must ask - are you single? A fellow SF resident wants to know!
Feb 19th, 2002, 11:10 AM
#26
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Who would have thought I'd be so popular! Yes, I'm single, straight, & live in Baja Noe (a made up real estate term for the Noe/Mission border). I work in healthcare finance for a large hospital on the peninsula (not a professional writer). I better not say any more because I've seen how fast 'singles' posts get pulled on this site. LOL!
Feb 19th, 2002, 04:44 PM
#30
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Oh please! This is a man who screams "I've been living in San Francisco a little too long" and hasn't realized yet that he's lost touch with the average woman looking for a man.
My guess is that GG is a confirmed bachelor in his 50's. Just a tad too feminine in his style for my taste.
My guess is that GG is a confirmed bachelor in his 50's. Just a tad too feminine in his style for my taste.
Feb 28th, 2002, 10:15 AM
#33
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I'd disappear if I were him! Somebody puts a little of themselves out there and they are total fodder for the personal attacks and critiques. Flamboyant? Please! He has a clear, imaginative writing style. Frankly, nobody offered him up to you for a boyfriend or a travel partner. Who wants to be critiqued as such?
Feb 28th, 2002, 12:16 PM
#34
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Nope, haven't disapeared. I was out of town & then the site was down. I prefer not to be thought of as pompus or have people infer reasons for my traveling solo much of the time. It's internet, however, and there are always those who choose to 'guess' about others they don't know and/or to post comments that are intentionally or unintentionally insulting.
I must admit that I was more surprised at the 'pompus' references than to those about sexual orientation. The fact that I enjoy the arts, cooking, and other things that others may consider un-masculine doesn't make me less secure (nor does it make me 'out of touch' or a 'confirmed batchelor').
Less as a defense than a chance to see why some viewed me as pompus, I re-read my posts and can only see one that I could imagine was taken that way. My 2/19 post started with "Who would have thought I'd be so popular?" Since we're on the internet I guess you didn't see my tongue planted firmly in cheek. Someone asking if I wanted male companionship, another asking if I was single - this is not what I expect or have experienced on this board and I was trying to joke about it.
My next mistake was assuming that some in the SF Bay Area might be curious about where I lived. Sure, maybe no one cares but I always wonder when someone says they're from SF, what part they live in. The Mission/Noe area isn't swank so it's not like I was trying to show off.
OK, here's the part that may have looked 'pompous', I think. I talked about working for a hospital and gave a couple of hints for the locals without giving the hospital name. I didn't mean to imply that because it's a large hospital it's somehow superior. I explained that I'm in healthcare finance because I didn't want to give the impression I was a physician or other clinician. I said I wasn't a professional writer because someone earlier had asked if I was. I don't think it should have come across that somehow I felt that my job was more important or presigious than a professional writer. In fact I'd love to be a professional writer.
OK, enough non-travel related stuff. I've got no reason to hide here and I continue to enjoy the information shared. Ciao.
I must admit that I was more surprised at the 'pompus' references than to those about sexual orientation. The fact that I enjoy the arts, cooking, and other things that others may consider un-masculine doesn't make me less secure (nor does it make me 'out of touch' or a 'confirmed batchelor').
Less as a defense than a chance to see why some viewed me as pompus, I re-read my posts and can only see one that I could imagine was taken that way. My 2/19 post started with "Who would have thought I'd be so popular?" Since we're on the internet I guess you didn't see my tongue planted firmly in cheek. Someone asking if I wanted male companionship, another asking if I was single - this is not what I expect or have experienced on this board and I was trying to joke about it.
My next mistake was assuming that some in the SF Bay Area might be curious about where I lived. Sure, maybe no one cares but I always wonder when someone says they're from SF, what part they live in. The Mission/Noe area isn't swank so it's not like I was trying to show off.
OK, here's the part that may have looked 'pompous', I think. I talked about working for a hospital and gave a couple of hints for the locals without giving the hospital name. I didn't mean to imply that because it's a large hospital it's somehow superior. I explained that I'm in healthcare finance because I didn't want to give the impression I was a physician or other clinician. I said I wasn't a professional writer because someone earlier had asked if I was. I don't think it should have come across that somehow I felt that my job was more important or presigious than a professional writer. In fact I'd love to be a professional writer.
OK, enough non-travel related stuff. I've got no reason to hide here and I continue to enjoy the information shared. Ciao.
Feb 28th, 2002, 06:16 PM
#35
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Not sure what to write after reading all of that explosive exhange. Too bad.
However, I was drawn into the message because I love the North and have been to all of the cities that GG has on his itinerary. You'll love Sienna (and it's wonderful restaurants). Perugia is nice but young (lots of students). Assisi is beautiful picture perfect. Verona is a nice shopping destination but with terrific history and views. Como is one of my all-time favorites.......you will not be disappointed with the itinerary. I agree with one of the posts that a car would give you lots more of the small towns, Chianti country, etc., etc. but it doesn't fit the budget so save that for another time.
Have fun....and for the record, I never thought your exchanges were pompous. You merely answered questions and are capable of descriptive writing. Keep a journal when you go to Italy and perhaps you can turn it into a tour guide and become rich and famous.
I LOVE SF. It is my favorite city in the US.
Have fun.
However, I was drawn into the message because I love the North and have been to all of the cities that GG has on his itinerary. You'll love Sienna (and it's wonderful restaurants). Perugia is nice but young (lots of students). Assisi is beautiful picture perfect. Verona is a nice shopping destination but with terrific history and views. Como is one of my all-time favorites.......you will not be disappointed with the itinerary. I agree with one of the posts that a car would give you lots more of the small towns, Chianti country, etc., etc. but it doesn't fit the budget so save that for another time.
Have fun....and for the record, I never thought your exchanges were pompous. You merely answered questions and are capable of descriptive writing. Keep a journal when you go to Italy and perhaps you can turn it into a tour guide and become rich and famous.
I LOVE SF. It is my favorite city in the US.
Have fun.
Feb 28th, 2002, 06:21 PM
#36
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Forgot to add that the Cinque Terre is not to be missed. Yes, the crowds stink but if you walk the trails between the towns instead of taking the train, you will experience the beauty of those coastal towns from many angles that most of the tourists choose not to do. There are some challenging trails so wear the appropriate clothing but don't miss this part of the north. It is so breathtakingly beautiful. The other distinct advantage of the trail hike is that you can eat and then hike, eat and then hike.....it makes a difference when you consume quarts of gelato.
Mar 1st, 2002, 08:14 AM
#37
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Why do we always see posts from GG asking questions for his various European travels, but he never has time to help any with inquiries about his home town of San Francisco. I've never once seen him bother to ask one post about SF. Why boast that you're from SF, but not share any insight with other travelers?
