Some time in the next week or so, I plan to launch a business that will irrevocably link my name to this blog, so I figured it was finally time to just nut up and reveal my true identity. It would have come out eventually if I ever got a book published, but sooner seems just as good as later. Anyway...
My name is Amanda. I write scurrilous shit on the Internet. And I happen to have a last name.
That last name is DEL BUONO.
With a space. Not a dash. Not allruntogetherinonewordforyourstupiddatabase.
Not Del Bruno. Not Del Bueno. But DEL BUONO.
In English, it's pronounced DEL. BO. NO.
I really wish the checkers at Safeway would just give up and call me AMANDA, but I'll never correct you if you get it wrong.
I've had this name for almost 13 years and I rather adore it: Amanda Del Buono. I love writing it. I love how when I sign my kids into daycare at the community center, I always have the prettiest last name on the page, even if no one can ever pronounce it correctly.
In Italian, DEL BUONO means, "of the good" or "from goodness." I prefer to think it means that Dave came from good stock; he's got a good bloodline for breeding purposes.
Which only seems perfect for a name that links itself so easily to the bone...
When I first started dating David, lo those many years ago, I only thought the name beautiful. Lovely. Unique. The kind of name I'd practice writing in my diary over and over again because it did go so conveniently well beside the name Amanda. It wasn't until my mother asked who I was dating that it even occurred to me that it was the slightest bit bent.
"David Del Buono?" I can still see her standing in front of the oven, curiously cocking her head to the side at me. She covered her mouth and laughed. "Like boner?"
"Yeah," I remember telling her. "Don't mock it or someday your grand kids will have that last name."
Needless to say, the man lived up to his name.
Oh come on hurry up and launch the business already! I am so curious.
Posted by: Rebecca | December 01, 2009 at 08:50 PM
I used to wish the checkers at Safeway would just not try to figure out my last name (it's Woodcock, and yes it's pronounced just like it looks.) I get a lot of "Thank you Miss Wood... ...cock" .
I also get a lot of "Seriously??" responses.
It's a great source of amusement.
Posted by: Holly | December 01, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I love that your mom immediately honed in on the 'boner' thing. Awesome!
And new business? EXCITING!!
Posted by: Jen | December 02, 2009 at 04:51 AM
I'll never forget your last name. I lost a bet to Rhi over it and was forced to buy her a damn pretzel. It was a good pretzel though so I'm not too upset about it.
Also? I still can't bring myself to change my name and I've been married over 3 years now. I guess this means I don't like his name as much as my own.
Posted by: Carrisa | December 02, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Greathead, my sister's married last name is Greathead top that one!
Posted by: megan | December 02, 2009 at 09:18 AM
I, too, am super curious about this new business that you are launching!
Posted by: Erin | December 02, 2009 at 10:52 AM
It's always strange to learn the last name of someone you've from a blog you've been reading forever. You feel like you know them so well and then bam! They have a last name! This whole piece of them was missing before.
Posted by: doahleigh | December 02, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I have always loved your last name, but I am partial to Italian names anyway. Unfortunately, I had to get rid of my flowery Italian surname when I got married and now I have a dumpy sounding last name. Maybe I will use my maiden name as a pen name?
Can't wait to hear about the new business!!
Posted by: Deneen Sedlack | December 02, 2009 at 09:04 PM
It's a pleasure to meet you...and by the way, I know exactly two things about your mother (she feeds people and she immediately noticed your boyfriend's last name sounded like boner) and I LOVE the woman. Just for the record.
Posted by: Melissa | December 02, 2009 at 10:56 PM
I think it 's also a great romance writer name. Cool.
Posted by: lolismum | December 03, 2009 at 08:54 AM
And p.s.-- I bestowed an award on you this morning! Come see!
Posted by: Leah Rubin | December 04, 2009 at 08:52 AM
I like Del Buono. It's fun to say. My last name is so boring.
Posted by: Amber | December 04, 2009 at 01:19 PM
thanks so much for yet another great post... always educative... keep it up anyways
Posted by: Acai Optimum | April 02, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Amanda! I met you at WCC 2009 in Portland. Are you coming back this year? I'd love to see you and chitchat!
Valerie Willman
Posted by: Valerie Willman | July 16, 2010 at 08:09 AM
Del Buono is much nicer sounding than Westmont.
Posted by: Sarah | October 26, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I appreciate your comments very much and want to thank you. Your blog is so great, and can i buy some ad from you blog? If so, just email me and tell me the ad type and charge? Thanks so much
Posted by: air jordans | October 29, 2010 at 08:54 PM