A Personal Introduction...
Self-portrait Polaroids--June 2000
Lifeguarding in college 1968--trying to get that figure back...UGH!
After years of devoting my life to my staffing and consulting business in San Jose, California, I finally decided to find time for me.  I am a well educated and traveled Business Consultant (Human Resources and Marketing) of Hispanic-Germanic descent, born and bred in the Midwest (USA), speak 3 languages fluently, and spent 3 years at the University of Madrid in Spain.  Having been an ex-athlete and now more sedentary, this Boomer is booming in places she shouldn't; but...what the Heck!, I'm sophisticated, yet love to get crazy:  rock, blues, classical concerts...dancing, chess, backgammon, Scrabble wars, museums, theater, and exploring the Web for a better understanding of global communities.

I'm 5'7", auburn hair, brown eyes, full figured, and known for my smile and infectious laugh.  I'm single (never married...except to my business...no children), compassionate, passionate, with diverse cultural interests, and outgoing.  My hobbies also include online board games, cooking (California Nouvelle, ethnic dishes, and good ol' lamb or pork roasts and potatoes), and writing (essays, poetry, and currently working on a novel).

Having grown up in a very musical family, I played several instruments as a child and was always listening to a variety of classical, jazz, Latin, show tunes, and good ol' rock & roll around the house. While living in Spain, I became enchanted by the passion of Flamenco and the exotic and erotic melodies of Morocco. From this wonderful variety of experiences, my favorites are: SANTANA! The Stones, Clapton, Hiroshima, Vivaldi, Mozart, DeFalla, Rigo Starr (an African jazz musician, not Ringo!)...I could go on and on...music is so wonderful! Rap, heavy metal and droning, wannabe alternative music just don't do it for me, though.

My Turn Ons
Kindness * Intelligence * Wit * Romance * A sense of style (not necessarily the latest fashion) * A great smile * Eyes with character * Integrity * Education--either formal or self-actuated * Passion in life and love* A sense of self

My Turn Offs
Smokers * Lack of personal hygiene * Braggadocios * Drug abusers * Cruelty--physical or emotional * Insincerity/Lack of integrity * Racism and ethnic slurs * Lack of communication *  Whiners * Blamers * Pro-Bush
50th birthday--A Cultured Pearl - 1998

Email me at femmefataleca@yahoo.com
24th Birthday with Spanish shawl, 1972
Self-portrait--August 2000
Living in Spain was a blast.  I spent my junior year there, during a time of university unrest under Franco's Fascist regime; but all in all, it was a great experience, living with a Spanish family, studying art history in the Prado, hitchhiking and driving around all over Spain and Europe.  My Spanish, which was already fairly fluent, became even better, with Madrilenos wondering just what part of Spain I was from...and, OH!  The Food!

After graduating college, I returned for graduate school.  This photo was taken upon that return, as I was thrilled to bump into one of my favorite artists, Salvador Dali', while walking around the "Pueblo Espanol", a touristic enclave within the city of Barcelona.  Yes...he was as eccentric in real life as his paintings.
Two years of grad school studies were blended with lots of trips--to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Morocco.  I still have my old Spanish army backpack that I bought at the Rastro (flea market) in Madrid, with country patches eagerly sewn on it during long, boring train rides.  It goes to all my rock concerts with me when we sit on the lawn at the amphitheater.  There were many friends, parties, adventures...and love...wonderful memories.  Now, with the help of the Internet, I'm trying to reestablish contact with some of my dearest friends there.

 
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VIVA ESPANA
August 1999
At the Monterey Aquarium
May 2000
Mardi Gras party--2000
Overlooking the Bay of Biscay in the Basque Region of Spain
January 1972
Snapped these while driving along the Coastal Highway at Big Sur
Fellow student, Ellie, and I hitchhiking thru Germany at Christmas time:  got a ride from a US Army laundry truck
December 1968

Passport photo taken May 1968

Thanks for stopping by my site! 
from my lips to yours

* kiss *
Hermit Crab Haiku

Ocean tide retreats:
hermit crab in fragile shell
on sands of courage


Copyright 2001 by femmefataleca
1979 - Kissed by a whale.  Oh, MY!!!!

 
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Spoofing the gendarmes in Paris with fellow student, Janan - 1968
University of Madrid Student Mug Shot - 1970
After 6 days aboard perhaps the tiniest, all-student cruise ship  allowed to sail the Atlantic, we arrived in Paris, France on our way to Spain.  Those 6 days, crossing the ocean in August of 1968, were memorable, in that we hurled and partied with college students from the States and Europe (after getting over seasickness, that is).  They were also historical:  while we sailed and had fun, the sobering news that Czechoslovakia was invaded by the Soviets and my home town, Chicago, was under Marshall Law, due to the Democratic Convention riots, changed meaning of the trip.  How ironic that liberties were suspended and tyranny was stomping on citizens in both countries at the same time. I wept.
Life in California...
My home office...where nimble fingers fly across the keyboard...with a view out onto my Japanese garden atrium
Defiant Thistle Haiku

Pink thistle returns
standing tall on rising cliffs
chiseled by the sea


Copyright 2001 by femmefataleca
Coastal Slumber

Oh, golden coin!  Molten hues abound
as you retreat 'cross western sky
to rest your weary head, cloaking your glow
in pink and heather-toned coverlets, disappearing
beyond broad shoulders seen on the horizon.

Let me return as you awake, to bathe
in the shower of your warmth, born anew,
midst the iridescent glitter of the sea
and live from your radiant glow,
only to dream once again with you.

Copyright 1999 by femmefataleca