[caption id="attachment_8587" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="This photo does indeed relate to the winning nickname.* You&#39;ll see."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/26/and-the-winner-for-name-that-italian-is/p1000909/" rel="attachment wp-att-8587"><img class="size-medium wp-image-8587 " title="P1000909" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/P1000909-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[/caption]

Last week, I asked for your help in choosing a new nickname for the Man from a Land Far, Far Away.

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At first, the nickname of "The Man from a Land Far, Far Away" was mysterious and intriguing, but after writing it over and over, it quickly evolved into too wordy.  And with my not-so-subtle references to all things Italian, it was obvious that this Far, Far Away Land was Italia.  There was no need to keep up with the charade any longer.

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Mamma Mia!  Thank you for all of your comments and suggestions last week!  You can see them all <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/18/name-that-italian/" target="_blank">here. </a> </strong>

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My personal favorite was L'Uomo -- "The Man".  I think it stays true to "The Man from a Land Far, Far Away", but shortened and with a sexy twist.

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However, I previously turned over all voting right to "The Man", and he thumbed his nose at "L'Uomo".  Something about it being too generic in Italia.  And I guess he's the one who would know.

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After much chuckling and "smiling with his heart" (you really must go back and read <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/18/name-that-italian/comment-page-1/#comment-5188" target="_blank"><strong>his sweet comment</strong></a>), The Man from a Land Far, Far Away has decided on his new nickname.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>May I have a drumroll, please?</strong></span>

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>The Man from a Land Far, Far Away will now be referred to as . . . .</strong></span>

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<span style="color: #800000; font-size: xx-large;"><strong>Romeo.</strong></span>

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<span style="font-size: xx-large; color: #800000;">♥</span>

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Please note that the Italian pronunciation is "Ro-MAY-o", unlike the American pronunciation "RO-mee-o.  This satisfies my need for a sexy twist.

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In addition, I have been granted permission to use "mio Romeo" or "Romeo mio" to clarify that he's MY Romeo and not Juliet's.

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Thank you to SierraNJ for submitting the winning nickname!

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #993300;"><strong>And now I need to share a little known secret whose woo-woo factor is pretty big.</strong></span>

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Over the past decade of singlehood, I have periodically resorted to swimming in the polluted sea that is known as Match.com.  Bleck.  Each time, I went in with an open mind, a willing heart, and a cleverly constructed profile.  My headline?  "Romeo, Where the Heck Art Thou?"

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No wonder I didn't find him floating amongst the online sludge.  He was waiting for me in the pristine hills of Tuscany all along.

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* Romeo Mio took the above photo in Verona at the site that is reported to be the balcony of Guilietta, the woman who inspired Shakespeare's Juliet.  Don't believe me?  Please visit <a href="http://www.tourism.verona.it/_vti_g2_cen3.aspx?rpstry=27_" target="_blank"><strong>here.</strong>  </a>

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Chapter Two of Diary of a Late Bloomer begins January 1, 2012.  Chapter One was The Year of Living Curiously.  What will Chapter Two bring?  Details coming on Sunday!

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