Who’s That (Café) Girl?
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m the oldest of seven children raised in a large Irish/Italian family – Catholic, of course. My parents were considered a “mixed marriage” back in the 50s, with family roots originating in Co. Mayo on my dad’s side and Naples on mom’s side. So I am one part hot blooded Latin and one part wild eyed Celt.
I grew up in a close knit Italian neighborhood — think Moonstruck but in Cleveland, Ohio — where we were the only kids in our Italian grade school whose last name didn’t end in a vowel. We were mostly a fair skinned, blue-eyed lot, so we really stuck out. My Italian grandmother (Vincenza) who lived with us used to say that the combination made the “most beautiful babies”. But then again, she would.
My friend John Patrick Gallagher from Dublin likes to say, “Tis true, Cat but they grow up to be crazier than shite house rats.” And in some ways, I think he’s right.
When I was a little girl, Grandma V also used to say to me, “All you need is a place to hang your hat.” And I have been a gypsy ever since — studying, living, working all over the place. Some of my more superstitious Italian friends might have considered that more of a curse than a blessing, forever destined to wander incessantly (CWC) – currently without country, or (NFA) – no fixed address. But my grandmother was a wise judge of character and I think she had me pegged from an early age.
A friend who lived most of her life as an ex-pat used to say, “Home is where friends like you are.” She had just moved back to Greece from South Africa and we were catching up over lunch at a seaside taverna in Piraeus. It’s one of those magical moments that take up permanent residence in your memory – just as a favorite painting or photograph would in your home. The sun, the sea, the calamari and conversation and of course the retsina. With friends on six continents, I’m never really far from “home”.
I sell color for a living. What does that mean? Well the best way to describe it is when you go to a home improvement store and you choose a paint color – those little color chips (let downs of color), my company produces those. I guess you could consider it a color sample but with a very high degree of color accuracy. We produce them for the automotive industry, cosmetic and of course architectural coatings. It’s a very specialized business.
I have the Bermuda Triangle of sales territories with customers in Scandinavia, Western and Southern Europe, and South Africa. It’s the perfect job for a gypsy like me.
Previously I had been in corporate communications for large companies and ad agencies and made the switch to sales 15 years ago. I had found that after 10 years I could no longer take the confines of a cubicle. Now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else except maybe writing this blog.
I have a Journalism degree which I put to use at that time, as a writer for hire. But that kind of writing is “work”. This blog is strictly for fun. I hope you have as much fun reading it as I do writing it.
And on that note that’s all she wrote – at least for now.
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Cafe Girl looks like a great blog,
Thanks Don, I appreciate the comment!
It’s your new subscriber! How long have you been doing this? Can I get the past chronicles? I love it cuz!
Thanks Kev! I’m glad you like the blog. Go to the READ ME section (right hand side of the home page) you’ll see a drop down section listing the months and how many posts I wrote for each month. Click on a month and you’ll be able to see all the posts.
Your cuzzy kevin was telling me about this. I had to check out what Danny’ s sis was doing now.
Hi Dan!
Thanks for checking out the CG Chronicles. I know Kev gets a real kick out of them. It’s been ages…I hope you’re well. Take care of yourself…Danny’s sister. 🙂
I love the latest posting…
Hello Beth,
I would be pleased to talk to you about republishing my blog on VibrantNation.
Hi Cafe Girl. You posted on my blog today (Irish and French are related – that’s why I can’t pronounce either…)
I found it interesting that you are “one part hot blooded Latin and one part wild eyed Celt.”
My birth mother family is Celtic – and kind of wild-eyed (including me) and my other half is possibly something Mediterranean. (I have also got the hot blood and I talk a lot and wave my hands).
My adopted family – all proper English – used to make fun of me for it.
Think we are related?
I like your blog. I will list it in my blogroll. I am just getting started with blogging. I have a lot to learn. but at least I have started.
Thanks for the comments. I enjoyed reading it
Hello Deeper Colors – even though you’ve just started blogging, I think you’re great at it. I really enjoy your writing. I have subscribed to your blog because I like the variety of topics you cover. And I was only on the Home Page. Will have to dig deeper for all those colors. Looks like we have a lot in common….right up to the blue eyes. 🙂 CG
From deepercolors again. I also have the blue eyes.
Hey there. Nice blog. I like your grandmother’s saying. “All you need is a place to hang your hat.” Maybe we can add to that “…and good internet connection.” all the best, Nina
You’re absolutely right about a good internet connection…the lack of one in this hotel just ruined what could have been a romantic rendez-vous here in Germany. Signals crossed…oh well, c’est la vie. Thanks for the comment CG
Hey Cafe, you seem to be a lovely person….wanted to let you know that we just started a new blog on tango history…each day we post an event that
happened that day in tango history…it can be the birth of a famous singer,
composer of poet, the debut of a film or the recording of a famous tango song…
you can even search tango principles according to their sun sign
Can you help spread the word by letting your friends know about it or placing
a link on your blog…there is no advertising or money involved…we’re
not selling anything, we simply love tango and in particular tango history…we
welcome any suggestions…..
If you come to Rome, please let us know…we would be glad to welcome you
and show you around; my wife and I love meeting and being with people and you seem particularlu special…thanks, have a
nice day…well here is the link http://todayintango.wordpress.com/
Oscar Wright and Maria Teresa Ruocco
66 via ovidio
00195 Rome, italy
Hm 06-45437139
Cel: 340-646-7159
Web Site: http://www.zentangodeoscarwright.com
Hello Oscar, I just sent a note to your email address. Thank you for your kind words about my blog posts! They are much appreciated! Cat
A note on being and ex pat….everyday, I admire and respect the United States more; arqueably the great empire of all time…however, everyday I love italy more; there is a special magic here that exists no other place…the history, the art, the beauty; it seems to be in people as they walk on the streets…in other places it seems to be in museums !
There’s no place like home – no matter where that is. 🙂
yes, paraphrasing Judy Garland in OZ, “there is no place like home, there is no place like home, there is no place like home”…!TOTO!”
Enjoyable and honest
Celtic and something Mediterranean. Good combination. 🙂
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Merci, ma chere!
Hey Cafe…thanks for “liking” my post on Castillo…can we have a talk on skype sometime…my skype name is “oswright”…that way you can tell me about all of the exciting things that you are doing
Cafe…it was absolutely FANTASTIC to speak with you….like really !!!!!
Same for me Zen, same for me.
A ittle something to go with your coffee this New Years Eve.
http://subtlekate.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/awarded/
Hello Cat
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blog award. I hope you like it. You certainly deserve it.
http://lostupabove.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/versatile-blogger-award-7-x-7-link-award/
Thank you so much for nominating The Chronicles. I really appreciate it! Cat
[…] 4. Catherine Larose ★★★★★ https://cafegirlchronicles.wordpress.com/about/ […]
Hello! I have nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award because I think your blog is amazing! Please go to this page on my site to see the rules and to get the widget: http://desertmusepublishing.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/kreativ-blogger-award-passing-it-on/
Happy Blogging! 😀
Thank you Ann!
Nice to meet You 🙂
Totally my kind of site you have 🙂
best to you
Cat xx
Cathy!!! Friend me on Facebook! Michael Massa :). Where have you been??? Are you still on Facebook?!
Hi Michael,
How are you my friend? I’m no longer on FB. I can’t seem to keep up with all of these social networking sites. You can always stay in touch via email.
Are you still blogging? I haven’t seen anything from you in a while.
Top of the day to you, Cat !
It was a pleasure meeting you at Connie and Dave’s wedding . You have provided my young ladies and I with a different perspective on colour .
I wish you continued success in your endeavours and enjoyment in your travels . Keep colouring the world ! 🎨
Warmest Regards
Gary and Family
Gary!
It was a pleasure meeting you and you lovely family at the wedding. And I hope our paths cross again soon. Thank you for checking out my blog. I haven’t been back on in months. And now I’m thinking I should “pick up the pen” again and start back writing.
Warmest Regards Returned to you Evelyn and the girls.
Catherine
[…] guest editorial from my daughter. This time it’s from her blog, the Cafe Girl Chronicles. I’d wish she’d go back to writing instead of pushing me. […]