Dare di Ringraziamenti

After a hellacious mini-week, mostly trying to avoid my new boss's belly button protruding through his ever so tight button-down shirt (my eyes, MY EYES!) while holding my breath to steer clear of the cat urine smell emerging from his direction, I'm off to Florence!

Now before you get all on me for going back, I'm traveling this time with 4 of my friends and we're all staying in the same room, well suite. I don't even know if I'll see Gianluca while I'm there. He actually helped to get our hotel sorted and said that we could meet for drinks on Thursday but who knows. (He also has a girlfriend now but we're friends and I have no feelings towards him- my how things have changed in a year!)

I'm planning on having a blast with Blake and Harris, who are flipping hilarious if I haven't mentioned that before, as well as Blake's roommate Prissy and her friend from NYC - they're already in Italy and meeting us for 2 nights. Should be good times and plenty of antics. And of course, plenty of wine!

Arrivederci!

Isn't it Ironic?

Yesterday I found a great blog, Model Behavior. I was scanning her archives and found one on an Italian playboy she palled around with when she lived in Milan. It reminded me of my own Italian...although he was never really mine, but I digress. I was leaving work and skype popped up that Gianluca was online. I didn't think anything of it and got on the tube to go to my flat. I called Mandy to wish her a happy birthday and while I was talking to her, a message from Gianluca popped up on my laptop. We chatted for a while and when he didn't answer me after I asked him how things were going with him, I went about my business of getting ready for bed. (The old me would have been furious!)

Turns out that if you have two (of the same) skype accounts on at the same time there is a glitch. Needless to say, this morning I found his responses on my work computer. So while I was thinking he didn't respond to me (as a friend mine you), in essence, I didn't respond to him. Whoops! But how random that I find a blog about a torrid affair with a womanizing Italian and it reminds me of Gianluca and he contacts me on that day! Ironic, no? Maybe I'll look him up while I'm in Tuscany for Thanksgiving. We'll see.

The universe never ceases to amaze me. It also gives me hope that after all this time, I no longer have no feelings towards Gianluca and someday (soon I hope) the same will be true with Kanger.

Progress

One would think that with me being preoccupied in London, I wouldn't still be distracted by Gianluca. On the contrary and in order to torture myself, I continued to keep him as one of my contacts on my instant messenger. The instant messenger that he introduced me to and that my friends followed suit. I never contact him when he's online, but the fact that I know he's stirring around chatting away to someone else makes me ill. After careful consideration on how his online status effects my mood, I deleted him. It's definite progress. Just wish my heart had a delete button, too.

Salt in the wound

Tomorrow I leave for Milan for business. Already it's painful. I thought I wouldn't be visiting "that" country until I had at least all of him out of my system, but work calls. So now I have to hear his accent, be around his culture, eat his food....I think I'm having a delayed reaction to the situation. The fucked up situation. Usually when something happens, I cry like a baby but this time the tears have taken a month and a half and now they are beginning to fall. It's just hard.
_________________________________________

That's not to say that I'm not going out in London and having fun. Because I am. I went out on Friday with some friends and when they wanted to turn in at midnight (lame) I journeyed on with my new found guy friends. They were local Londoners and I quickly learned that they were also Trustifarians. Eaton College prep school. Oxford and Cambridge University educated. Multilingual. Holiday on the French Riviera. But they were young. All of 22. And when they guessed my age they were kind but a few years off. They partied like they were 22 as well. Asking me to get up on the table and "show my boobies". One guy was part Swedish, like me...um but you know he actually spoke the language... and kept trying to shove his hands down the back of my jeans and fondle my cleavage but I luckily kept him at bay. He did manage to dart his tongue into my mouth...if only for a second. I went to find his friend that looked like a smaller version of Wentworth Miller (but with jacked teeth) to escape and he was speaking French to three guys who didn't seem to like girls if you know what I mean. Shame. I decided it was time to go home. Two of the original guys hopped in my cab with me since my hotel was near their flat. When we pulled up to my drive, I double patted each of them simultaneously on the knee and said "I had fun boys" and turned to get out of the cab, leaving them speechless. I think they were expecting me to give them money for the cab fare but since they had no manners earlier with the cover charge, I got even! I'll never see them again but they were good for showing me some cool pubs and clubs!

It speaks to me

Yesterday is gone
Yesterday is dead

Get it through your head and walk away
Yesterday is gone
Aint’ no use hanging on to a memory that only causes you pain

-lyrics from Ray LaMontagne's “Gone Away from Me”

Now if only I could live by these words....

What. Is. This. Day?

I arrived to work with anticipation of seeing Norwegy, who is not back from his holiday of skiing in Norway apparently. My new haircut received many compliments and so the day went something like this:

Saw Gareth, awkward but handled well. I was able to avoid him somewhat by not going using the front door to the office which he sits right next to.

So while walking through the other entrance, I was stopped by Paul, who I have had all of 3 conversations with, after I said my cordial hello. He asked if I wanted to go to lunch and me being caught off guard-simply because he is not my type and I am not remotely attracted to him- told him I had a lunch meeting and perhaps we could do it later in the week. I was totally going to blow him off but then thought about it and remembered that Karma is a bitch and I should at least give him a chance...plus you can never have too many friends. So I later went back by his desk and told him I looked at my calendar and that Wednesday was free. I then proceeded to avoid his entrance and Gareth's entrance the rest of the day. It would have worked brilliantly except that the restroom is in between and my bladder suffered royally!

I've kept my coworkers updated on what was going down. Everyone had a good laugh, at my expense mind you and we all laughed except for Metro. He got quiet and thought I was leading Paul on. But I told him that I didn't want to jump to conclusions that Paul was interested in my romantically and that lunch was harmless.

Let me introduce you to Metro: When I was first introduced I thought he was gay. He is tan all year round, gets his eyebrows threaded, wears three piece sharp but over the top suits, brings hair products with him every time he goes to the bathroom, is part German and part Italian, gets waxed Brazilian style...yes down there and actually everywhere! Works out for 2 hours a day. You get the picture so when I heard him talking about his live in girlfriend, I classified him as metrosexual. Therefore: Metro. And totally not my type. He has more product than me and that is a lot!

So when he was getting pissed at me for going to lunch, I was a little confused. Until this email banter went on (note: his english needs a little work):

Metro: So when do you go to this meeting (as this is not an date) with the guy !
TC: The meeting is on Wednesday….mister smarty pants!
M: Any reason for me to be jealous!!!!!!!!!
TC: Of course not…you’re still my pseudo boyfriend! (We had all joked that I would tell Paul that Metro was my boyfriend) Remember I am going as friends… I’ll be sure to tell him if it seems he wants to be romantic…etc.
M:I think English men can’t get romantic any who, but ok
TC: Ha! They have no game or what? I’ve only have experience with American and lame Italian men….
M: Don’t say that you hurt my feelings, lame you should try me before you say that!
TC: Your name isn’t Gianluca, is it? He put what they say about Italian men being great lovers to shame…just for the record…but I’m sure you would give the myth justice!
M:Not sure is this an insult or compliment!!!!!
TC: Just an insult to Gianluca…compliment to you…I’m sure you would prove the saying!
M:I’m getting red now.
TC: Why?
M: Your compliments. Did you ever thought about it????
TC: I’m just saying I’m sure you aren’t lame like your Italian friend Gianluca is all…so yes…please take it as a compliment…!!! I’m sure your girlfriend is very lucky!
M: Still did not answered my question!!!
TC: I’m confused…which question? About the compliments?
M: If you ever thought about it in secretly, About you and me how it would be,
TC: I would but you have a girlfriend (that you live with) so you are put in the not available category…otherwise I would…
M: Ok good to know, I like it. Just wanted to know if you thought about it or imagined it.
TC: I’m taking it you have?.....
M: Many times!
TC: Nice...
M: You could say that!!!!!
TC: Now I'm turning red.
M: Do you give me your phone number and I send you a text tonight
TC: after thinking about it and how I work with him and can't very well give him a bogus number...I gave it to him.
M: Ok going home now I send you a kiss, would love to give you a real one but would probably look a little weird. For them

WTF??????

How do I kibosh this gently?

So while replaying the day in my head while waiting to order dinner at the grocery store, I get picked up by a South African. Totally way to old for me and again not my type but he asked if I wanted to go for drinks. I thought "Hey can my day get any more random?" a la Chandler Bing. So we had a drink at a nearby pub. He was actually very interesting and nice and a widower! He wants to take me to a rugby game and the theater on Saturday. When he asked what my hotel room was to make plans for the weekend, I totally made up a room...hello I'm not stupid but also gave him my email address-the one without my last name on it. So we shall see...I need to think about that one .We will call him Olivier.

So yeah. All of these guys and not a single one I'm attracted to or see my self hugging let alone kissing. But it is nice to feel attractive to someone! Geez...I was starting to think I was a Leper!

Update: So Oliveier emailed me the following...less than 2 hours from our departure...Do I go?

Hi Miss Longhorn
it was a pleasure to meet you, you are a breath of fresh air.I hope you will join me Saturday for rugby and/or the theater
The ball is in your court look forward to hearing from you
regards olivier

He then emailed me again to give me his number...whoa there eager beaver!

Confession

After all of the scary things that went on while I was home, it really put things into perspective. I also wanted to start 2007 with a fresh, clean slate and I did something. Something you guys told me NOT to do. And I wasn't going to tell you but this blog is like my journal and it needs to be said.

I wrote him (back).

Now hear me out. It was starting to eat away at me (read: depress me) that he was thinking like that. That I was this pathetic girl and he was an Italian god. That he had such a big head and was so full of himself that I had to set the record straight and in turn make myself feel better about the situation. I sent the email to his personal account...no read reciepts to drive me nuts.

To: Gianluca
From: TexasCinderella
Subject:
In response to your email, I actually didn't go to Florence looking for you to become my boyfriend. I was looking for more of a weekend fling, but no one has ever left immediately after sex and in a way I felt slightly cheap and used. In America, if you spend the night with someone that doesn't make you girlfriend/boyfriend. I guess in Italy it does and that's fine, I just didn't understand.

If I could do that weekend over I would have communicated to you that I didn't want a boyfriend before I went (in order to ease the pressure you felt while I was in town) and that I just wanted to be friends-which I sincerely hope we can continue to be.....

Hope you had a good Christmas and a happy new year!

Now I know the bit about the friend thing is throwing you off. But I had to be civil due to the fact that I "technically" work with him. I'm not going to contact him or email him. The slate has been wiped clean. I am however still smarting from all of it and still can't grasp that all that went down ACTUALLY happened. I'm a little mad a myself for not confronting him about what was going on while I was there but there isn't anything I can do about it now. The damage is done.

It's going to take time to heal this pain/emptiness I feel right now. My next "relationship" will be approached very differently and cautiously.
---------------------------------------------------------------
*It does help the process that I have gorgeous British eye candy to look at everywhere I go in this city.

*I'm also looking forward to seeing shy but hot Norwegy tomorrow as well!

The response

I was about to leave work when I got this email:

Dear Texas Cinderella,
I read your email some days ago, and I received your messages on my mobile...
...the truth is that I needed some time to think about that weekend before reply.

I spent a great time with you, but I honestly didn't feel like your boyfriend, therefore sometime I took some "strange" decisions (not to sleep with you (spend the night), and not to dedicate 24 hours a day).
It was a great pleasure to take you around in Florence, but I hope you will try to understand me: I haven't come back with my girlfriend, but maybe I'm not ready to have a new one, and maybe my mind is still flying who-know-where...

Kisses,
Gianluca.

I have all of these feelings inside that I don't know what to do with. Did he not read the part of my email that said "no strings attached"? I didn't ask him to be my boyfriend that weekend but to spend a little more time with someone that flew down to hang out with him. Is it too much to ask for someone to stay a little longer than 20 minutes after sex than to flee because they didn't want to wake up next to me? I mean is it in there culture that if you spend the night you are girlfriend and boyfriend? In America, it's called "Shacking" with the perks of morning sex. Part of me wants to set him straight. Part of me doesn't.

Now that I'm thinking about it, when we were in Houston together and we were cuddling and I asked for a t-shirt to sleep in, he was like, "Are you spending the night?". I was like "Yeah, it's 3:30am and not safe for me to be driving around" and we just messed around mother fucker.

Then there is the whole concept that he and his sister lived in the SAME room growing up until 4 years ago when she got married and moved out. He told me he missed her not being in the room with him. WTF?

I think I would have taken his response better if he told me he did indeed have a girlfriend.

UPDATE: I've decided to NOT reply to his email to set him straight...I'll chalk it up to bad timing.

Hypothetical

What if say you got a read receipt on Thursday saying that a certain Italian asshole had read your email, in which you just wanted one little answer (a week and A DAY after you sent it) and didn't grace you with a response. And what if that actually didn't bother you until Saturday after you had half a bottle of wine and two rum and Diet Cokes. And what if you were not in your right frame of mind and decided it would be a great idea to text said asshole:

Did you get my email? you think i'll get some sort of reply....i deserve that much don't you?

And then after thinking about what you just sent, you decided that you were tired of being Mr. Nice Guy and sent another text so that it would hit home with him and he would text you back:

Or che cazzo fucking voui? (Translation: why are you being a fucking dick?)

And what if you woke up on Sunday cursing yourself for doing this and ended up NOT receiving a response.

And what if you erased his number from your phone and promised yourself to never do that ever again?

Would you feel better or more frustrated that the bastard hasn't written you an email OR texted you back and you now have the fear that you will never know the whole story of what went on that weekend-behind your back? Would you get the feeling that it's not even worth his time to get back to you? After you slept with him AND spent money to fly down to see him, that he could just cast you aside like last week's garbage?

Or would your self esteem and self worth continue to plummet?


UPDATE: And what if you were texting with your friend Mandy on Saturday night as well and found out today that she replied back to all of your text messages even though you didn't get a single one on your flipping international phone? Would you want to rip your hair out? Would crazy thoughts that the asshole could possibly have responded and given you some sort of closure flood your mind? Would the fact that you don't have missing text messages in your inbox drive you nuts?

I retract my last statement

On my mom handling my trip to Italy really well. Seems she has had a delayed reaction to the whole thing. I spoke with her this morning and she told me how she isn't sleeping well because she is afraid I am preggers. And that I should be the one to tell my dad. And she can't believe I "treated" myself that way...i.e. sleeping with someone that isn't my boyfriend. WTF? She told me all of this while I was at work and in an open concept environment therefore my righteous anger could not be satisfied on telling her off. I told her I had to go and hung up.

This is why I always regret telling her things. She throws whatever it is back in my face. And as if I didn't feel bad enough about the whole italy fiasco she has to put salt in my bleeding wounds. Argh!

The mom knows

I had to break down and tell her. I kept thinking something bad was going to happen to my parents all week to the point where I would wake up in a cold sweat and pray that nothing would indeed happen. This was spurred by her thinking I was down about being in London instead of Gianluca. She took it so much better than I thought.

TC: I have something I need to tell you...
Mom: ummm.....yeeeesssss??? What did you do?
TC: Well you know i turned 28 last week and I'm a grown up and I'm talking to you right now and I'm alive, right?
Mom: Yes...What is it TC?
TC: I went to Italy last weekend and that is why I was so vague [last weekend].
Mom: ------
TC: And I didn't lie I just kept it from you guys because I didn't want you to worry.
Mom: okay...have you kept other things from me?
TC: No, this was the first thing and I couldn't sleep all this week and so I needed to get it off my chest.
Mom: You aren't going to be pregnant are you? YOuaren'tpregnantareyou???
TC: Noooooo. I'm not talking to you about that but I'm a very careful person.
Mom: Well I'm just disappointed that you are having casual sex.
TC: I didn't have sex with him when he was in Houston in July (because condoms were not present) and I've been talking to him for the past 6 months so I hardly call it a one night stand...[I call it a wham bam thank you but I'm going to my girlfriend's house now stand-but I digress]
Mom: Well as long as you aren't pregnant.
TC: Again, I'm not... (please do not let me be preggers with the asshole's child!)
Mom: I can't find my makeup bag.
TC: Mom?
Mom: Right sorry. So will you sleep better now?
TC: Yes!

She totally ADD'd out and was totally cool about it. I finally was able to get my frustration out about how I thought it was going to go another way and now he is out of my system and why am I still alone while everyone else is paired off...The typical poor pitiful me routine. She made me feel better and told me to enjoy life now and not to worry about finding someone and that the right person would find me.

It's just easier said than done....

Where Disappointment and Regret Collide

I've gotten mixed reviews on if I should or shouldn't send this email, but after thinking about it, I decided it needs to be done. I may or may not get an answer back but at least he won't think I'm an American doormat.

Drumroll, please....

The email:

Gianluca,

Thank you so much for showing me around your beautiful city. Florence is amazing and all of the places you took me to eat were delicious! I had a really good time and I’m glad we were able to meet again. I would have never had the opportunity to see Florence in that much detail and I really thank you.

That being said, I walked away from Florence a little puzzled. I actually wasn’t going to write this email but I didn’t want you to think of me as the stupid, gullible American.

A couple weeks ago when you said you would be free for me, I figured we would spend more than the time we ended spending together. Several times, I got the feeling that while your body was present, your mind was away and you seemed distant. I realize there was a little language barrier and our real personalities could not fully show through- I saw a little more of yours when you were on the phone with your friends- but I kept getting the feeling at times that you were forced to be around me. I find it odd that after “certain things happened” between us, you had several excuses of why you couldn’t stay the night.

I’m actually more confused of Saturday afternoon. I understand that you had errands to run, but did you really have to buy furniture for hours on the one weekend I was in town to see you?

Perhaps you got back together with your girlfriend. Or perhaps you misread my intentions of going to Florence to just have a great time with a great guy- no strings attached- and wanted to distance yourself. (My philosophy is: You only live once).

Perhaps so many things…but whatever sincere insight you can provide me into what was going on with you would be appreciated. However hurtful or painful the answers may be, anything will be better than this feeling I have that I repulsed or offended you in some way.

I’m not seeing this as the glass half full or the glass half empty, I really enjoyed the time you afforded me. I just want to feel a little better than the way I left Italy feeling…

Texas Cinderella

empty

Where do I even begin? Let’s start with Friday shall we? I haven't edited this but I need your advice on what to do and I just had to get it out...promise I will edit later. I apologize for it being so rough. and the tenses not matching.

Friday:

Arrive a little late to Florence and run around my hotel room trying to get ready by 8pm, cut myself shaving, slap on makeup, fix my hair. Then Gianluca called and asked "Half eight, right?". Fine, it gave me a little longer to go back and fix my makeup and fix my hair and fix my bleeding legs. I put on a black wrap sweater that accentuated my cleavage and my Armani exchange jeans that I can now fit into thanks to the London diet of crap. I looked hot, if I do say so myself and I was ready to make my debut to Gianluca again.

He called me from the lobby that he was there and I walked down. We gave each other the euro-both sides of the cheek-kiss. Side note: I detected a bit of halitosis’s. No problem. He was looking HOT and irresistible. We walked to a restaurant and I have to admit that in the first five minutes it was little awkward. His English was not as great as I remember. Don't get me wrong it is very good but getting a sense of humor across and personality was hard. On both parts.

So the restaurant was great (Agua de due) and the conversation okay. I kept consuming the delicious red wine and we talked about work... our key tie to each other. It was kind of like I was asking all of the questions and not getting any reciprication at all. But I chalked it up to the language barrier. We decided to go to some bars and he was a little more touchy feely with me at that time.He was gazed into my eyes and told me how beautiful I was, blah blah blah. I was drunk by this point and we made out in the bar and he was like, "I think we should go back to the hotel now" and I was like one more bar...shoot I'm not that easy! (On a side note it had been a VERY long time since the last "encounter" with my exboyfriend and I could wait a little longer).

We went to another bar with live music and started kissing again. We finished our drinks and decidef to head back to my hotel. We kissed and groped each other the whole way. My head was spinning from the alcohol but I remember getting into my room and he started to take off his own clothes...I flipping hate that shit. I was like no...but the clothes were off so fast and I grabbed a condom...I went prepared. And basically it was over before it ever began. He was spent but I managed to "wake" him up 20 minutes later for round 2. We were cuddled together and he was drifting to sleep so I decided to take my contacts out and get back into bed for a night of spooning. Five minutes later he told me he had to go home. That he was tired and the he needed to sleep in his own bed. It was around 2:30am. I was like what the fuck? You're kidding right? No he wasn't. There was pillow talk in Houston. No pillow talk in Florence. And I flipping paid for 2 people in a room for him to stay. He told me he was free for me this weekend two weeks ago. Whatever...I was drunk, I let him go and he said he would call me at around 1pm on Saturday.

SATURDAY

I set my alarm around for noon so that i would have enough time to get ready and meet Gianluca for 1pm. I didn't hear from him by 1pm so i went exploring on my own and figured i would tell him where i was and he could just meet me. Well my phone didn't ring until 2:30 and he said he wouldn't be able to meet me until 5pm because he was outside of florence shopping for furniture. For his parents house. That he has lived in for the past 30 years. ANd Saturday of all days he just had to go "shopping". Shady occurence number 2. I was pissed and told him I thought we were going to spend the day together and he was like we are at 5pm. I was sooo frustrated and getting hit on by all sorts of italian men but i pushed on and explored the city on my own. I took fabulous pics and will upload them soon.

I go back to my hotel and get ready for my 5pm time slot. He shows up we peck on the lips and we walk. The is a city center that everyone just strolls around and that is what we did. In my boots. My feet were killer. While on the stroll we run into his ex-girlfriend from 3 years ago. He doesn't introduce me. I just stand there. Awesome. She finally leaves and we wonder some more. And we were close to my hotel so we go up so I can switch my shoes. He puts the moves on me and we are making out on the couch. Now remember how aunt flow appeared. Well she dissappeared on Friday night and reappeared on Saturday but only for a second. So he was trying to go that way and I was like let me check something. There was no sign of it anywhere and we could continue. He looked at me like he didn't want to touch me with a ten foot pole and there was no foreplay to the wham bam thank you ma'm on the couch.

We had reservations at 8:30pm and on the way to the restaurant he makes and takes several phone calls. He is laughing, his voice is changing to reflect feeling. A personality is there. But again the language barrier is not showing that through. On one of these calls I SWEAR i translated "later tonight" but I will never know. We have dinner the conversation is actally flowing. We talked about favorite movies and music. There is wine. He tells me that he is really happy that I came to florence to visit. I say i'm glad he was free and that his girlfriend and him broker up. I verify that they did in fact break up and he says of course, she would be looking for me while I was with you. Actually you could have totally hung out with her too with the amount of time spent with me..but i say nothing. Oh i forgot to mention that we go halvsies on everything. Strange maybe that is the culture there. We go to a bar around the corner and are tlaking and enjoying ourselves and in my buzzed state i'm like your staying over tonight right? he was like no i can't because i have to get up early for church and i have a headache. WTF??? I got pouty. He was like don't see it as the glass half empty see it as half full. I wanted to be like see this american money and shove it up your ass. But i refrained. Just pouted and asked what time he would see me on Sunday. He said 2pm because he had to eat lunch. I had to leave at the airport at 3:30pm and said here's a crazy thought why don't we eat lunch together. he walked me to my hotel and kissed me goodnight on the street and was determined not to come up for even 10 minutes. I go to my room and am a little emotional about all of this. What is going on?

SUNDAY

He comes by at 1pm and he is very distant. Like he is not all there. And he doesn't say a single word unless I asked him questions and there were plenty of opportunities for him to ask me questions. but no. We finally find a place to eat adn he comments that i don't eat enough. Maybe when I'm stressed because of YOU i loose my appetite. I blame it on the london food and how my stomach is smaller because of it. slightly true actually. So we walk around and finally it is time for me to go and as we are walking he tells me not to be sad. and i'm like i'm not sad. He tells me we will keep in touch and that he is glad I came. yeah really looked like it. We kiss goodbye. there is no tongue. He regulates this. His mouth is a fortress. and we look at each other and I know I will never see him again and we will probably never talk.

I am pissed. I spent a total of 16 hours out of the 48 hours I was there with him. And if he had a girlfriend why couldn't he have just said so instead of making all of the ridiculous excuses. Also there was no riding on the Vespa. He didn't have an extra helmet. Strange? yes. I want to write him and email and be like that just isn't right what you did. I thought you were sincere but now i know. i am beside myself. What do i do? I know in my gut there was a girlfriend somewhere in there. and if not and i send him soemthing and he is just plain wierd then i look like a lunatic. I feel empty inside. I need answers or at least tell him he was in the wrong. Help!!

Un biglietto

I have a ticket. To Italy. For next weekend. To see Gianluca. Crazy? Yes. But very excited about it. I leave December 1st...the day after my 28th birthday. Un regalo to myself if you will.

I'm treating it as a fling type weekend and if it leads to something more...so be it. I'm not getting my hopes up...but let's face it- Texas Cinderella needs to "complete all tasks" as Gianluca says.

Oh and he drives a flipping Vespa. It's going to be my very own "Roman Holiday"-weather permitting- but in Florence!

I am a little concerned, however, that when I arrive in Italy I will face a billboard a la "Natonal Lampoon's: European Vacation" of myself in the buff from G and my web cam chats. All my friends tease me that I am secretly famous over there. We shall see....;)