It’s that time again. I’m trying to decide which car I want and it’s never been as difficult as now. Last time, I just knew that I wanted a newer version of the car I already had. So I got another A4. I figured I would do the same thing again but then Audi redesigned the A4. And I wasn’t too happy with the results. So I looked at other brands but I didn’t find anything I liked. Then I found out they were releasing the A4 Cabriolet. And it looks great! Somehow the redesigned body works in the convertible version.

Then came the disappointing news: they’re only releasing an automatic version in the US market. Oh no! How could that be? I have never driven an automatic car in my life. Ok, I tried once and hated it. I love driving a stick. Could I actually switch? That’s almost like eating meat again. But the car is so cute. What’s a girl to do?

My friend Alexandre, seeing as how I love quizes, sent me a link to a “Just How Geek Are You?” quiz.

You’ve vacationed some place sunny at some point in your life.
You drink beer.
You date.
You say things like “in YO FACE!” during table tennis.

You are not a geek, buddy, no way, no how. In fact, you are the Anti-Geek.

Inspired by my “girl-next-door” (yeah right!) friend Tuna, I also took the “What’s Your Type” test. I sound like an outdated power-suited 80s yuppie. Is that who I really am? Argh!

You are a Go Getter

Ambitious, focused, dedicated — you’re a true Go-Getter. Though you once may have been president of your high school class or editor of the college newspaper, these days you’re likely to be found on your cell phone or making an appointment in your Palm Pilot. A short-skirted “Ally McBeal” business suit is your uniform of choice, which lots of men find quite sexy. Your sights are set on career, fame, and fortune, and you may not think you have time for a risky investment like love. Naturally, you attract guys who love a challenge — they’re desperate to close the deal and show you that you’re wrong. They can probably relate to your insatiable desire to succeed, but want to prove that love is just one more thing at which you can excel.

Your stars are sending you straight into the arms of a SCORPIO. Your man’s water sign reveals that he’s strongly intuitive and in tune with your emotions. But be careful — his symbol is a scorpion, which represents his secretive nature and his ability to be vengeful when threatened. As a Scorpio, he’s a bundle of contradictions. He has the ability to demonstrate both the best and worst qualities that characterize human nature. Generally, he’s intense and passionate, yet he can be stubborn and competitive. He uses his intuition fearlessly, and he tends to explore philosophy and religion. Although it’s difficult for him to trust others, when he meets the right one (i.e., YOU), the result is deep and powerful. You should be excited to be a perfect match for a man with such dedication, drive, and persistence. Your Scorpio will be known and respected for his imagination and idealism.

How to Catch him:

Be careful: This Scorpio has lots of testosterone! He’s a man who likes to have control. A man of mystery, he possesses a sexual magnetism that’s hard to resist. Some tips to keep in mind when dealing with a Scorpio: He’s unpredictable and can turn on you quickly. In order to avoid that situation, listen to him carefully — he knows when you’re faking. Scorpio men are extremely curious, so make sure you include all the sordid details of your stories, or he may deem you boring. Be careful what you say to a Scorpio in the heat of an argument. He’s proud and doesn’t take criticism well. Also, he loves social events. So take him out, show him off, and have fun!

Famous Scorpio men include:
Bill Gates
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ethan Hawke
Matthew McConaughey
Not in a million years!

Not really my type…

Ok, now we’re talking!

What Do You Want in a Man?
You don’t need a doting guy in order to feel satisfied. In fact, although you might prefer a guy who’ll occasionally pamper you with gifts or affection, you don’t need your ideal man to be a true romantic. (Two famous men who might fit your romance profile are Mark Wahlberg and Jack Nicholson.) Heck, you might even find sappy or romantic acts cheesy rather than desirable. Or perhaps you look at men with a realistic eye and recognize that the passionate, expressive qualities many women crave are rarely found outside the movies. Whether you’re romantic or not, your open-minded, practical outlook will significantly increase your chances of meeting Mr. Right!

Maturity
Love might be a serious game, but it should still be fun. Too much sophistication can kill the romance. But we didn’t have to tell you that. It sounds like you always go for the kind of guy who knows how to cut loose and just be himself. Practicality and maturity are respectable qualities, sure, and no man should be completely without them, but they’ve never been high on your list of important ingredients for an exciting night out. Based on your answers, we think your perfect guy — someone like Jerry Seinfeld or Cuba Gooding Jr., perhaps? — should know how to have a great time without acting too childish or outrageous. Whether he adds a little bit of danger to your life or just has a great sense of humor, your ideal man would still be young enough at heart to let the kid in him emerge.

Lifestyle
Love doesn’t come cheap, but it doesn’t have to be all that expensive, either. It sounds like you’re not very concerned about your ideal man’s financial situation. Of course, we all dream of living well, but it’s a mistake to mix your expectations of love with your hopes for a first-class lifestyle. Based on your answers, it seems like money isn’t a real romantic concern for you. On the airplane of love, you’re just as happy traveling coach as first class. (Two TV guys who live up to your financial expectations — or lack thereof — are Chandler and Ross from “Friends.”) Being detached from materialist concerns is a healthy, realistic attitude and should help make you happy. It means that when Mr. Right crosses your path, you’ll be sure to recognize him and not worry about the size of his wallet.

Looks
You seem to know instinctively that love is blind, so why rule out any potential suitors? Sure, you probably prefer a looker (who doesn’t?!), but you don’t have strict standards by which you measure a potential date’s physical appearance. Nicolas Cage? Ben Stiller? Just your style. Not only does this tendency reflect your innate good nature, but it also indicates that you’ll be more apt to find your ideal man, since you’re not someone who shuts the door on anyone who couldn’t make a magazine cover. Of course, just because you’re willing to look past the surface doesn’t mean that your guy will be anything less than stunning. Whoever he is and whatever he looks like, you’ll find him because your mind and heart are open.

I feel the need to state that, while the descriptions seem pretty accurate, the examples suck! I don’t find any of these guys the least bit attractive. I hope they were just using them to illustrate personality traits.

Ha ha ha ha ha

Are You A Sex Goddess?

A brilliant bolt of lightning descends! SHAZAAM! The oracle has spoken!

The smoke clears to reveal that inside you is a divine being,

PERSEPHONE, Goddess of the Night,

a woman in touch with her deepest inner desires.

As the most sexual of all the female deities, you are very comfortable in the bedroom. Your skill at pleasing a man is unmatched, and you know exactly what you need for your own pleasure. As a woman of passion, you’re very comfortable with expressing your desires to anyone. You are a proud and confident woman who exudes sensuality. You cherish the intimacy of physical attraction and know what it takes to win a man. As a woman deeply in touch with your sexuality, you definitely know how to thoroughly enjoy yourself! Your polished bedroom performance always keeps them coming back for more. When everything is going right, a light shines down from the heavens. Behold, the skies proclaim, here lies a goddess!

VP19 Candy Hearts Valentine Fun Pack

PK Press. Peaceable Kingdom Press 2006, Paperback, 21 pages, $10.00

When you reach into the candy heart bag, there’s no doubt you’re coming up with a fire red heart that reads “Hot Stuff.” It’s not so much a label as it’s your style — turning heads, getting numbers and raising room temperatures a few degrees when you walk through the door.

You’d love someone who could match your flame-throwing ways, but so far, everyone just melts like wax when you turn on the heat.

Got a romantic fireside dinner planned for you and your very own hottie? Better keep a hose nearby because sparks could start flying.

And if you’re still on the prowl, waiting to find someone who can hold their own against your undeniable sense of romance and action, keep a close watch. They’re sure to come around soon when they see your “Hot Stuff” coming their way.

I wish! Which candy heart are you?

Awesome news and not so good news

Ever since I moved from Brazil, I haven’t really been able to travel for fun that much. That’s because I feel guilty if I don’t use my vacation time to go see my family so I always just go back home. That means I don’t get to see too many places. And I love to travel! So I thought I would suggest to my parents that we meet somewhere different for Christmas this year. I thought that their response to the idea was less than enthusiastic but I knew that my sister was on my side. And then, surprise! My mom calls me up last night and says: “How about Barcelona”? Yep, that’s where I’ll be spending Christmas this year. I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted to go there and so did my sister. It will be awesome. I’ve already started tallying up all my vacation to see whether I have enough time off to also spend some time in London. I want to move there eventually but haven’t been there since I was a teenager so I need to make sure I still like it. And then maybe I could go visit my ex in Dublin. Hmm, but what about Germany? Oh wait; I only have 2, maybe 3 weeks off. Oh no, what will I do?

The not so good news? Now I can’t go to Rochester like I had promised Tuna. Rochester or Barcelona? Rochester or Barcelona? Rochester or Barcelona? I think she’ll understand…

What Zodiac sign should you be?

A Scorpio!
It’s sooo you!

(ha ha ha)

The planets are very complex. Maybe your astrologer will disagree, and maybe a few tendencies will vary, but overall you’re a SCORPIO. You’re just like a water sign, which comes out in the way you’re so in tune with your emotions and your intuitions. Your symbol is a scorpion, which represents your secretive nature and your ability to emit a powerful poison when vengeful. A bundle of contradictions, you have the ability to demonstrate both the best and worst qualities that characterize human nature. Generally, you are intense and passionate, yet stubborn and competitive. You use your intuition fearlessly, and you have a tendency to explore the nature of existence through the study of philosophy and religion. Although it is difficult for you to trust others, whenever you finally do, the result is deep and powerful. On the downside, however, you must work hard to suppress your jealousy. Your dedication, drive, and persistence will guarantee you success, and you are known and respected for your imagination and idealism.

What Zodiac Sign Should You Be?

Emode’s Handwriting Analysis

Left Margin
Looks like you’re always ahead of yourself! Your wide left margin indicates that you put the past far behind you. Are you running away from something or just embracing the future? Either way, you manage to jump into new things without looking back.

Right Margin
What’s it like living in the future? Your narrow right margin reveals that you’ve got no time for today. Ambitious, spontaneous, and adaptable, you forge ahead without any hesitation.

Dots
Hold your horses! A high dot that’s offset to the right indicates an adventurous, sometimes impatient, but always spontaneous person.

Baseline
You’re riding high on life! Writing that hovers above the line indicates enthusiasm and a spirited personality. You most likely look to the future and enjoy imagining what will be, rather than dwelling on what is. Creativity and adaptability are two of your strongest traits. Let them be your guide, and you’re bound to do well.

Evenness
Don’t forget to breathe. An extremely straight baseline shows that you’re a person who keeps emotions under strict control. You strive to impose order on everything you do. This quality makes you great at setting and achieving goals. But be careful. Don’t get so focused that you forget to stop and smell the roses.

Slant Lines
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can! Upward slanting baselines indicate eagerness and optimism. You’re an ambitious person and a positive thinker.

Crossbars
Quick! What’s 2 plus 2? T bars that connect to other letters point to a sharp intellect and a resourceful person.

Slant Letters
Calm, cool, collected. You don’t let your feelings get the better of you. Most likely, you’re a person who exercises strict control over everything you do. You think before speaking, ponder before acting, and consider all possibilities before making a decision. You know how to cut loose at the right moments, but you rarely do anything spontaneously.

What Color Is Your Aura?

We don’t need a psychic to tell us that you’re giving off a Crimson vibe. Your ruby-red aura reveals your passionate, sensual nature — you’re all about earthly pleasure. Whether you’re getting a great massage or having a sumptuous dinner, you delight in experiences that fully engage your senses. (Crimson is, after all, the color of roses, wine, and velvet.) That’s why it’s the material things that really float your boat. If you can taste it, touch it, smell it, or see it right here, right now, you’re all over it. After all, you’re firmly rooted in reality, preferring to live in the present rather than the future. And you probably have a quick temper, too — most folks with red auras do. But you cool down quickly, turning your outspoken energy and stamina to projects with fast, concrete results. A hot-blooded go-getter like you is always in favor of instant gratification.

What Color Is Your Aura?

And I always thought that 9 was my lucky number

Seven
Hello, you enthusiastic thing. Well, Number 7, whether dining at the latest five-star restaurant, browsing a bazaar, or hitting the opening night of the latest hot spot, your lust for life is contagious. Like the lucky number itself, friends and strangers alike count themselves fortunate to have met you because you’re a walking carnival. Whether it’s a four-alarm dance party or a night out with friends, the fun cup runneth over and getteth all over everyone. Your ache for excitement can take you from the slopes of Switzerland to the coral of Cozumel (though you might pass up a free trip to either of these spots to throw darts at a map and do your own exploring). It’s tough to keep up with the Enthusiast. Especially since words like “commitment” and “intimacy” are like garlic to your vampire-style of partying. You’re all about diversion. Just be sure your high-test lifestyle isn’t producing a smoke screen to cover deeper issues in your life. If you can keep your appetites in check and learn to contemplate life instead of consume it, your journey will be much more fulfilling. Developing discipline may be hardest for Number 7s, but the reward will be some of the best songs, plays, performances, books, and comedy routines ever produced. Want proof, you have to look no further than fellow lucky 7 stars, Madonna, Liz Taylor, and Robin Williams.

Find out yours.

I like this description I found about Scorpios on the MTVIndia site. It has some bad stuff but not as many bad things as one usually finds when reading about a Scorpio. By the way, don’t ask me why I was at that site. I don’t even know.

Good stuff about your Scorpio:
They’re also called the sex-pots of the zodiac. Intense, successful and electrifying, Scorpios have magnetic personalities, so don’t be surprised you’re attracted to one. Scorpios have a lot of willpower. They never settle for second best. And life with a Scorpio will be life lived to the fullest, because that’s the way they like to go. Scorpios are passionate and loyal. They’re quite serious, but will manage to be really charming in social company. Scorpios are also known to have natural, in-built healing powers. (Good people to have round when you got a big zit and a big date simultaneously.)

Bad stuff about your Scorpio:
Temper temper temper! Scorpio eyebrows usually meet, metaphorically if not really. They have an ego the size of Australia and if they feel slighted, Scorpios will plot, scheme and be very, very devious about getting their revenge. They’re demanding – but they’d never ask you to do more than what they’d do themselves (which can be a whole new weird place to be). Scorpios can also be quite suspicious, so watch out for the green eyed monster.

At work:
Because they work hard, intelligently and are great with teams, there’s nothing really that a Scorpio won’t be successful at. Their detachment and intensity make them good surgeons, their concentration could help them be scientists or researchers. Their natural suspiciousness make them great detectives. As writers they excel. They also make very charismatic leaders.

How to seduce your Scorpio:
This is a tough one. The best thing to do would be dress up real nice and throw yourself in the way because Scorpios like to be the ones to seduce. A nice little chase though does great things for their egos. Scorpio’s serious side is attracted to the fun loving. An intelligent sense of humour, wit and wisdom is a great combination anyway, but for a Scorpio, it’s irresistible. Scorpios cannot resist intrigue and mystery. If you come across as difficult to figure out and a little enigmatic, your Scorpio will be falling over him/herself for the chance to be the one to truly ‘understand’ you.
Their colours are dark red or maroon, which are sexy colours for both guys and girls. Their gem is opal. Iron and steel are their metals, so a nice piece of modern art inspired furniture ought to impress them. Geraniums are their flower. Scorpio herbs include honeysuckle and aloe. Maybe get an aloe based lotion and offer a massage.

Google! DayPop! This is my blogchalk: Portuguese, United States, Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Daniela, Female, 26-30!

You can rollover the icon to find out what all this means and then click on it to get your own blogchalk.

Casanova?

Your type is the Casanova

You’re on the market for a sweet-talking, smooth-moving, good-looking Casanova. This stud knows exactly what to do and say in any situation. He’s quite the charmer. Put him in a room, and everyone flocks to him. He’s quick-witted, incredibly stylish, and runs with the right crowd. Does this guy ever have to wait in line? No way. Does he look like he just stepped out of GQ magazine? Always. This super-suave guy is not only fun to be around,but he’s part of the coolest scene. Whether it’s a top-notch restaurant or the hottest new club, your man is there. He’s a real ladies man. When you’re around him, you feel like you’re the center of the universe. This hip, hot guy has got the slick moves and smart lines that keep you coming back for more!

I’m not sure I agree. I think I would have preferred any of these over the Casanova: the Artiste, The Renaissance Man, The Goof Ball, the Brain…

Who is your type?

Thursday night, I met up with my friend Jason and we went bar hopping. I don’t know all the cool places in the city anymore and Jason lives in Berkeley so we were pretty pathetic in our choices. We started out at the XYZ Bar, which was actually really nice despite the fact that it’s part of a hotel. I guess that a place can still be cool if it’s in a W hotel. We then headed over to Foreign Cinema, which is also pretty cool, but it was completely dead. We ended the night at Casanova Lounge, which used to be one of my usual hangouts in the city.

I have known Jason for years. A couple of years ago, we made a pact that if we were both single by a certain age (still TBD, we can’t seem to agree on the right age. I picked 50, he was thinking 40), that we will get married. We then decided to change our pact. We realized that all our friends are divorced and that it seems much hipper these days to be young and divorced than young and single. So we’re thinking of heading over to Vegas and getting married and then getting divorced shortly thereafter. What do you guys think?