Paul's Corner

I think that's a healthy philosophy Paul. Focus on adding muscle not removing fat. It just happens in the process.

Well it's about 1:00 in WV. This is my official Happy New Year! Have one!

"You can live an ordinary life or an extraordinary life. It's up to you.":
Family friend of James Brolin (I think)

Caryn and Michela's New Year's Resolution (according to Paul's philosophy):
Watch "Strictly Ballroom" every day.

Clearly this will help us along the path to self-improvement. (inner conflict) don't do it, don't do it, not gonna do it, not gonna put the movie in, don't let me do it, oh god don't look at the heinie, it's hard, not gonna do it, gonna do it, OH DAMN WE DID IT

Now, for a self-appraisal... yep, it's working so far. We won't say what it is exactly we just did, but we bet you can guess. Here, we'll give you a hint - it starts with "Watched", ends with "Ballroom", and has "Strictly" in the middle.

My god, we can recite/comment on the entire movie by now. Here's an example: "Oh, OH! Here it comes! Wait for it, wait for it... RIGHT THERE! The hip-shakey thingie! SO HOT! Woo-HOO!"

Forgive us, the champagne must've gone to our heads. Thanks for the ideas, Paul. More comments to come in response to your thoughts, tomorrow when we are a little more sober. Hope you enjoyed the parody. :)

-Michela and Caryn

Dear Caryn and Michela,

Wow, Caryn, why didn't you invited your adopted grandpa (my hubbie) and me to your house for New Year's? We would have whooped it up with you while watching our fave movie too! We old foggies went out for an early dinner, and then decided to go home and watch the craziness in Times Square at midnight...however, I fell asleep well before midnight, and would you believe it, the New Year came in anyway?

I think you and Michela might have had a bit too much champagne, but thank goodness, it did not diminish your love of, (I'll say it with much reverence), "Strictly Ballroom."

When watching Paul, we seniors show much more decorum...we only "swoon"...(faint from the experience!)

There will be a lot of swooning going on when "Strictly Ballroom" will be shown in our brand new Theatre (970 seats)on the huuuuuuuuuge
screen, where it belongs, (35mm) sometime soon in the New Year. Wish you all lived closer!

Paul, you say you hope to trim down...when you do,
could you send me your secret? At my age, the scale moves only one way...up! Good luck!

I'll say it again...HNY, with love!

Grandma

Did I say "foggies" in my previous post?
I mean "foogies" but sometimes the first one works well too!

Your Foggie Grandma Mildred

When I grow up I want to be a foggie!! Foogies arent nearly as cool. Luv ya Grandma!!

Oh, be still my heart!!!...Paul, I luv you too!!!..you wanna be "adopted" also? I'll include Andrea and the girls...they'd love Florida! (Don't call me, I'll call you.)

Love,

Grandma Mildred, who just came out of her fog(gie)!

Well Paul my deaf daughter's first words she picked out for the new year were... -ACCOMPLISH-to succed, to do, a goal that you want to attain. ACHIEVE- to gain that goal, ADAPT, to make fit sometimes by modification.ACRE, a broad expanse quantiy to make fit often by modification, APPLAUSE- feeling of self approval. She is nine. These were her words in our studing sign language at last night.(no coaxing on my part) a last word ...APPRECIATE- to grasp the quality, the nature. What's the saying ..out of the mouths of babes...Sometimes she seems so much wiser. She pick out these word all by herself.

Suz

P.S her sentence for this year is I BELIEVE.

My new year so far has consisted of deep conversations about:
a)Whether N.Korea is actually a threat
b)Who the top ten comic book heroes are and why
c)Whether God meant "Thou Shalt Not Kill" or "Thou Shalt Not Commit Murder"
and finally,
d)Does Truth exist if it cannot actually be comprehended by man? Digressing, can a completely and utterly true statement be made about anything?

So yeah, it's all off to a good start. And just a reminder to everyone, the Hopi ceremonial cycle of Soyal runs until Jan.6th, so no shouting and no digging! And teach your children why they should respect their elders!

There's another good question: Why should children respect their elders? How would you explain it to your kids?

Happy New Year kids!

Happy New Year's Day to one and all. Yes, I know a little late and most likely a dollar short. So why should starting this new year be any different as the last few.
Spent the evening shelling walnuts and watching movies with DH. Guess that's the way my next year will go. No big party here, just a nice quiet night at home.
Paul; I think you have hit the nail on the head with this resolution thing. I've got too much to do the 1st 4 months of 2003 to worry about sticking to a resolution. New tax year, getting small things done on the house so we can tackle the BIG projects after April 15th. My loving husband and I can't even seem to keep resolves going for 3 weeks. ( We cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom and we were going to keep it that way- done before the kids got here for Thanksgiving- looks like world war three took place in it this morning.) There's only the 2 of us and a cat, and we can't seem to get a handle on anything.
Going to watch the Rose Parade when it come on and then it is outside to gather more pecans that have fallen out of the tree. Already have picked up 50 pounds and probably have another 100 or so on the ground and in the tree.
Best wishes to all for 2003, resolutions or not, hope you succeed at all your endeavors whatever they may be. Eat those black-eyed peas everyone, the farmers need all the help they can get.
I too am working toward better eating habits and trying to get in more walking. It's not easy specially at my age, which increases friday.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2003
Hugs all around,
Sherrlyn

Well, I spent NYE drunk of my butt... and wishing I was at home with my candles lit and Strictly Ballroom on my DVD player... My thing that I am goin to do this year is... um... I can't really think of anything... I guess I should quit smoking... I love my cigs... but I think they cause cancer or something (mental note: look up harmful tobacco statistics)... but Paul you are an inspiration, I hope that you do well with your weight loss (which is hard to do).... Happy New Years Everyone!!!

Amy A.

That's supposed to be off my butt... I was real drunk... :)

Paul, I totally get what you say about the new years resolutions. I gave them up a long time ago, because they don't work and I don't keep them anyway, so why make them? I make adjustements and changes to my life when they come up and when they make sense, not when some calendar date tells me to. The freedom that you built into your affirmation action plan is fantastic!!! and I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the process of growing and nurturing yourself!!!

Grandma, I am sooooooo lost on this foogie/foggy word play. Would you care to enlighten me? PLEASE :) Must I beg and growl??? I can do it, but I'd much rather not do it (at least not in public ... LOL). I did not watch the ball drop in Time Squares either, quite frankly, I find that boring and don't get it, did like the fireworks around the world much more and of course saw the ones from Berlin, although had I been home, I wouldn't have gone there either, I like the local thing much more, where you go out on the street, meet your friends, neighbours and families and everyone shoots up the fireworks all over the place, it's usually freezing cold, but everyone toasts the New Year with champagne on the street with whoever happens to be out there. Okay, nobody has to get that one either, but it is kind of fun, less staged and much more spontaneous.

So far the new year has been fantastic!!! I'm beginning to feel like a normal human being again, my friend Paula decided yesterday that my flu and cold had to stay in 2002 and was not allowed to continue on into 2003, I like the powers that she seems to have that I didn't know about :) I know where I'm going to go when I get sick again.... and I think I should check on my friend's dog today, since she's the only one who got drunk last night (I think). We let the dog drink champagne with us ... and she liked it, but her eyes looked a little funny later on in the evening. Poor Frannie!

Off to visiting one of the four cats I'm taking care off over term break, if only they didn't live all over the Twin Cities...

Well happy new year guys. It's here and a very greyday in Atlanta. So very typical. I got the following from my friend in the keys..I think you'll like it.
Subject: I can't believe we made it....
> >
> >
> >
> >If you lived as a child in the 40's, 50's,
> >60's or 70's.
> >
> > Looking back, it's hard to believe that
> > we have lived as long as we have...
> >
> > As children, we would ride in cars with
> > no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the
> > back of a pickup truck on a warm day was
> > always a special treat.
> >
> > Our baby cribs were covered with bright
> > colored lead-based paint. We had no
> > childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors,
> > or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes,
> > we had no helmets.
> >
> > (Not to mention hitchhiking to town as a
> > young kid!)
> >
> > We drank water from the garden hose and
> > not from a bottle. Horrors.
> >
> >
> >
> > We would spend hours building our go-kart
> > out of scraps and then rode down the hill,
> > only to find out we forgot the brakes. After
> > running into the bushes a few times we learned
> > to solve the problem.
> >
> > We would leave home in the morning and play
> > all day, as long as we were back when the
> > streetlights came on. No one was able to reach
> > us all day.
> >
> > No cell phones. Unthinkable. We played dodge ball
> > and sometimes the ball would really hurt. We
> > got cut and broke bones and broke teeth, and
> > there were no law suits from these accidents.
> > They were accidents. No one was to blame,
> > but us. Remember accidents?
> >
> > We had fights and punched each other and
> > got black and blue and learned to get over it.
> >
> > We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank
> > sugar soda but we were never overweight...we
> > were always outside playing. We shared one
> > grape soda with four friends, from one bottle
> > and no one died from this.
> >
> > We did not have Playstations, Nintendo 64,
> > X-Boxes, video games at all, 99 channels on
> > cable, video tape movies, surround sound,
> > personal cell phones, Personal Computers,
> > Internet chat rooms ... we had friends. We
> > went outside and found them. We rode bikes
> > or walked to a friend's home and knocked on
> > the door, or rung the bell or just walked in
> > and talked to them.
> >
> > Imagine such a thing. Without asking a
> > parent! By ourselves! Out there in the
> > cold cruel world! Without a guardian.
> > How did we do it?
> >
> >
> >
> > We made up games with sticks and tennis
> > balls and ate worms and although we were
> > told it would happen, we did not put out
> > very many eyes, nor did the worms live
> > inside us forever.
> >
> > Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team and
they
had
> > to deal with disappointment.....
> >
> > Some students
> > weren't as smart as others so they failed a
> > grade and were held back to repeat the same
> > grade.....Horrors. Tests were not adjusted for
> > any reason.
> >
> > Our actions were our own. Consequences were
> > expected. No one to hide behind. The idea of
> > a parent bailing us out if we broke a law was
> > unheard of. They actually sided with the law,
> > imagine that!
> >
> > This generation has produced some of the best
> > risk-takers and problem solvers and inventors,
> > ever. The past 50 years has been an explosion of
> > innovation and new ideas. We had freedom,
> > failure, success and responsibility, and we
> > learned how to deal with it all.
> >
> > And you're one of them.
> >
> > Congratulations!
> >
> > Please pass this on to others who have had the
> > luck to grow up as kids.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because
you
> >stop laughing.

And one more...I thought this one was great...it's not just for women per se...WE ALL have "dusting" of sorts we can waste our time on.

Dusting (I think this is so wonderful):

"A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture."

I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING! I used to spend
at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect -"in case
someone came over". Then I realized one day that no one came over; they were all out
living life and having fun!

Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home. They are
more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away
living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed,
ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim
and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends
to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your
eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not
kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make
more dust!

Share this with all the wonderful women/men in your life!
I JUST DID.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of
life you have lived.

Take it as a proverb...I think it says a lot for the new year. Focus on what you can do to enjoy and make your life better. No self imposed limits..just keep reaching and trying...

Love to all and Happy New Year.

Tim

Hey Suz. How old is your daughter? She picked some great words and an awesome sentence. I hope 2003 is especially good to her as well as your whole family.

Sarah, that's some heavy thinking. I take it you were doing some heavy drinking! I like your distinction between whether God meant "Thou Shalt Not Kill" or "Thou Shalt Not Commit Murder". That never occured to me, but I've often wondered about the "Thou shalt not bear false witness." commandment. Not every lie incriminates someone for something they didn't do. Does that mean the commandment doesn't apply to every lie?

Evelynn! You got the dog drunk? Can dogs take ibuprophen? On the word thing: actually, if Grandma was describing herself as "a person with old-fashioned ideas.", she was calling herself an old fogy or fogey (there are two possible spellings), She accidentally called herself "foggie" a word that has a few definitions, one of them being "something that confuses or obsures." Get it? Ain't the English language great!

I tried to drink all of my beer last night, but I hate a hangover and now I have three Beck's Dark taking up space in my tiny fridge. I guess I could go ahead and put them out of their misery. After all, beer doesn't improve with age. However, I chose not to. Maybe I'll ship them to Australia. And at the risk of sounding defensive, I use the calendar. It doesn't use me. From past experience, I've found that I'm more successful at making a whole-hearted commitment to a lifestyle change if I establish a date to begin. That's just me and I'm sure others know best what works for them. Like Nike says "Just Do It!" right?

Thanks for sharing those Tim, especially the dust one. You could make sculpture from the stuff I've got going on most of the surfaces around me. I have priorities! And cleaning anything more than the dishes and bathroom, is pretty low on my list of things to do. I do enjoy a cleaner home though. I wish I could hire a maid!

Paul, I must say that I disagree with you on New Year's Resolutions. They are not pointless, and I BELIEVE IN THEM! The only reason not to believe in them is if you can't make them work, and that's something each individual has to do for him or herself.

The end of the year is a chance to reflect (once again, good 'ole self-assessment!) and figure out what you need to do better in the coming year. If you never did this, you'd never get any better! And nobody said a New Year's Resolution had to be giving up or losing anything. The best resolutions are just the opposite - resolving to do or gain something.

The problem that most people have with New Year's Resolutions is that they don't take them seriously enough. To really have a good resolution that you can stick to, you need the following elements:
1) Make a small number of resolutions. One or two max. Otherwise, there are too many to keep track of and too many to break. And often if you break one, you figure "oh, what the hell" and break them all.
2) They must be reasonable. Obviously.
3) They must be measurable. For example, a resolution "To be happier." won't work because how do you know if you're happier? You can't measure happiness.
4) They must be specific. What is "happiness" anyway? It could be any number of things that make you happy.
5) They must be tangible. What can you DO to make youself happier? If going for a walk makes you happy, then resolve to go walking three times a week. That way, at the end of every week you can look back and see if you've done it.
6) They must be flexible. Not an "all-or-nothing" attitude. That way, if you slip up once, you still can salvage your dignity and your resolution. For example, if you went walking only twice one week, go four times the next week.
7) They must be pro-active. Not "I will not do this," but rather "I WILL do this." That way, you don't get caught in the mind set Paul was talking about where the more you think about not doing something, the more you want to do it. (Which is a proven psychological phenomenon, by the way. Here's an example: Don't think about a pink elephant. I bet you thought of one, didn't you!) If you want to lose weight, don't think "I will not eat cake," but rather "I will eat vegetables at every meal," or "I will chose the lower-fat option on the menu."

Here's an example of my own:
Resolution: take more dance classes.
Last year: did swing class series.
This year: do both rhumba and waltz class.
And there you have it. It's simple, reasonable, measurable, specific, tangible, flexible (I may miss one or two classes in the 8-week series without breaking the resolution), and pro-active.

The two instances I can think of where Paul's overboard strategy will work are alcohol and chocolate. Eat or drink yourself sick one day, and you won't want to touch the stuff for a good couple weeks afterwards! ;)

Paul, your "affirmative action plan" is a good idea, but it does suffer from a number of flaws, for the reasons denumerated above. How do you know what you've learned, and how can you tell if you're applying it in 2003 in order to evolve? I would suggest writing down a few things you've learned, and then what they have taught you to do differently. That way you can asses if you really are keeping your promise to yourself.

I do commend you for "owning the responsibility... of continuing [your] growth." Just make sure that next New Year's you can look back and say "Yes, I did that. I kept my promise to myself." To be able to do that gives one a lot of pride and dignity. We all deserve a little of that, don't we?

Love,
Caryn

P.S. BTW, not to be nitpicky, but the "every action has an equal and opposite reaction" is Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, 150 years or so before Einstein.

And it's true. For everything you resolve to do, you have to give up the opposite. I will have to give up what I did the past 8 weeks from 9-10pm on Wednesdays (usually sitting around) in order to go to dance class. If you resolve to choose the lower-fat option on the menu, you are giving up the higher-fat option. Just keep in mind that the "equal and opposite reaction" is not always bad.

Tim - I loved your thoughts on dusting. Very poetic, very true. My mom used to stress whenever we had friends over that they would see the house "in such a state". I always thought "what 'state'? It's always like this!" Finally I convinced her that guests didn't care - in fact, didn't notice - how clean or dirty it was. Guests come to be with YOU, not to be with your clean floor.

The one exception I would make is that if you live with a roommate, you do have to keep a certain level of cleanliness and personal hygeine just out of respect for him or her. My roomies are awesome about this. I'm really lucky.

Grandma - We love you, foggy-minded old fogey and all. ;) You and grandpa are invited over anytime. I'm serious. If ever you're in Ithaca (or Boston, during the school-year), let me know and I'll throw a party in your honour, including a viewing of SB. I love to cook and throw parties (just not wild drinking parties because then your house gets trashed). In fact, that invitation goes for everybody!

Tim Hord, excellent post. I'm sharing this one with friends and copying it to put on the refrig. My friends would call me anal when it came to cleaning. I want you to know that under their influences, I have resolved this problem. I now live life and don't fret over small things like dust. I feel more comfortable walking into someone's house that looks lived in and not picture perfect.Was I keeping my house picture perfect for me because I was afraid how people might judge me? Or maybe a control thing? My house was clean and everything was under control....but...I'm was miserable because I missed a beautiful day out at Lake Berriessa. The lake or clean, the lake or clean? Do I tell friends that now is not a good time to come over (because secretly my house is a mess). Hell no! My door is always open! I love entertaining and would feed the whole block. During the summers my husband would always come home to people visiting, playing cards, dominos, swimming, ect..I realized life is better living it than trying to play catch-up.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

I like to scatter love, people's feelings and thier happiness is important to me.

Evelyn. Hey hope the dog with the hang over feels better. P.S. don't give him/her anything but a asprin, my dog takes one a day for her joints. Of course the dosage depends on the dogs weight. My dog is a mixed Newf (about the size of a large Colly).

Caryn, I have to agree with you on the New Years Resolutions. To sum it up..BELIEVE.. the ability of something. Could you imagine if we all gave up the ability to believe in our selves? We have to set realistic goals in order to attain them and the main point is to give something back to yourselves. A gift to yourself...

Paul, I have to admit I could have caught flys with my mouth so wide open when reading your post. Sorry I don't mean to be so harsh. At first I was dissapointed..then I read on. I can see your point of view. Doesn't mean I agree with it. We all have our methods of weaving though life and different tactics work for different people. Its sounds like your trying to protect yourself from let down. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. It's what works for you is what counts. My daughter signs a beautiful song..I believe I can fly.. She sets goals and learns from them.
Life is a lesson and what you make it.

Suz

Good for you Suz. My mother always made me clean house with her on Saturday. I deeply resented it because this was the last possible day on which I would ever choose to clean anything. Now I've internalized this resistence. I'm telling myself to clean out the car but instead I hear my mother telling me to and I don't do it. It's just a theory.

When making plans I always consider the beagle factor: will my dog be able to go with me and will he have a good time? Usually if it's an activity my dog would enjoy, I'm bound to like it too.

Caryn, thankyou for your view on resolutions. My affirmation only has flaws according to your idea of resolutions. According to my idea it has no flaws. I dont need to quantify or qualify what it is I have learnt and how it is that I apply it nor if it is successful or not - that would imply a degree of judgement. It would also imply that I dont know 'me'. As Evelyn pointed out, there is freedom within my affirmative action plan. This allows me to be sponteneous, to be flexible and to be fully open to change.

As for ensuring I keep my promise to myself - which is why according to your 7 point plan one must keep resolutions accountable - I dont make resolutions, there fore I dont make those kinds of promises - for the reason I outlined in my post. I am at ease with trusting myself to know what it is I am, what I have learnt and how I am becoming. Re-read my post, you seem to have missed the point. You certainly do not have to agree with me. What works for me may not work for anyone else.

Thankyou for clearing up Newtons Law - it's a bit slack of me to have not checked it out properly.

Now I hate to be nit picky - but the law is about balance and harmony. When you choose one reaction or action you dont give the other up, you actually get the other as well. It is a force that cant be split apart, the opposite reaction/action happens, you cannot avoid it - its law. It's how you deal with the forces at play upon you that directs the outcome of your enjoyment of the meal, the dance class or of life.

Tim, I remember when I would walk to school or ride to a friends house. Spend the whole day playing out in the woods and come back scratched, bruised and sometimes bloody but happy and safe. My kids dont do any of that. I wish they could know that freedom but the world now is a bit different - more cars, less woods. The innocence of those times are lost - especially in the city.
I guess that is life and that is what we have to deal with now. I will show my wife your two posts. She often stresses about the state of the house which only serves to stress her. She does the majority of the cleaning as I am at work so I understand where she is coming from. But it is not worth stressing over. It is what it is - a home with messy kids and animals, lots of laughing and joy and quite a bit of dust.

Sarah, I will think hard and too long on your question before replying. Ah Heck no I wont. Truth is subjective - isnt it?? There fore my truth is different to yours. There are some truths that we all agree on like if you put your hand in the fire you will burn it (if held in long enough) - although maybe some people burn quicker than others so again the truth may differ as will the length of time you hold your hand tin the flmaes. So is a collective truth a truth, a fact or a law???? What is the truth that man cannot comprehend? As far as I know, man cant comprehend itself and thats a truth, or is it a fact? It could certainly be a law - mans understanding of what is truth will be equal and opposite to his/her/it's comprehension of itself.

Oh and children should respect their elders for two reasons: one because our elders repect themselves - lead by example and two because our elders respect children.

Susans, your daughter sounds pretty clued in!! I believe too!!!

Dear Paul. . .
I am sending this correspondence to three addresses - two snail mail and one email - in the hope that this will ultimately reach you.
While visiting my sister in New York this past November, she rented several movies, one of which was "Strictly Ballroom". She and I, as well as her twin 15 year-old sons, thoroughly enjoyed the film. When I returned home, I told my family that they needed to see it. My son, who is a college student majoring in motion picture direction, said he had already seen it at his girlfriend’s suggestion because it is also a Baz Luhrmann film and Moulin Rouge is one of their favorites. My son has since given the DVD to me as a Christmas gift and I insisted on showing it to my extended family on Christmas. Everyone just loved it! Throughout the holiday season, I have been recommending this movie to friends, family, and even clients.
With all this exposure to "Strictly Ballroom", I had to wonder 1) why did I not know of its existence for TEN years and 2) what has become of Paul Mercurio who demonstrated his extraordinary dance skill and had such intense stage presence? When in need, go to the INTERNET! There I found your Website and your posted comments. Having read through your site, I sensed you were a little troubled with your life’s direction. Between the lines, there surfaces a strong sense of family (which in these days is wonderful) but there is also a certain restlessness.
My personal philosophy of life is to make people feel good about themselves. I apply this in my own profession, which is as an interior designer for Marshall Field’s in one of their Michigan studios. How much more personal can one get when a client invites you into their home to do your job? I need to be a keen observer of human behavior and have developed this skill to a science. I thought perhaps as you search for a new agent, you could benefit from a few of my observations. I list them here for your consideration.
What do YOU really want to do with your life?
Do you want to continue to dance (selfishly, I do hope so)?
With Baz Luhrmann riding high after Moulin Rouge, can you partner with him on a project?
Could you live away from Australia for even short periods of time?
If you could, would you consider a Broadway show?
Should you seek an agent that could offer you global opportunities?
You are a person of exceptional talent - not that this talent does not take hard work to maintain. This talent gives great joy to those who watch you and if it gives you great joy too, then you should pursue it with passion and resolve! I hope that I have not been too presumptuous in writing this to you. I do believe in serendipity to a certain extent. Because I have been overwhelmed with thoughts concerning your well being for some time, I felt compelled to communicate. Please know this is offered in the spirit of kindest regards.
I wish you and your family a joyous 2003! Linda

Paul,

Thanks for responding. Clearly we are talking about two different things, on two different levels. You're talking about a Life Plan; I'm talking about a New Year's Resolution (which can be part of a life plan, but obviously isn't on the same scale.)

One must judge a Resolution in order for it to be a proveable promise. However, you're right that your Plan is much more flexible and open to interpretation, so it's more forgiving and less judgemental. I'm sorry I called it flawed, that was just me trying to superimpose your idea of a plan on my idea of a resolution. Clearly it was a bad parallel. Only you can really know yourself and know how to apply this Plan to your life.

I think I balked at your initial post because, to me, the first part implied that you didn't believe in yourself... that you didn't believe in your ability to keep a promise to yourself. That made me sad. I thought maybe you (and others) were just going about resolutions the wrong way, because I certaintly believe in you and your ability to do that to which you put your mind! So, if it's this Plan - instead of a Resolution - that works for you, then I'm sure you'll do it. Let us know how it goes. :)

While I respect your view and see how it works for you, I still don't agree with you fully because I know it won't work for me. I need more tangible goals. Whereas you don't make concrete resolutions because you'll break them, I don't make intangible plans because I'm sure I won't follow them (unless by accident). We're just different in that way.

Also, I stick by my view of Newton's Law and how it applies to this discussion. He was talking about matter, energy, and how they displace each other. When you jump out of a boat, the energy you put into propelling yourself forward will also displace the boat backwards. I'm talking about time and choices, and how one choice will displace the other. When I choose to go to class, it's displacing what else I might have done in that frame of time. See what I mean?

Caryn

One more thing, about the way kids play today. It reminds me of that song in the musical - can't remember which one, but perhaps it's "Bye Bye Birdie":

Kids! What's the matter with kids today?
Kids! Who can uderstand anything they say?
Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way?
What's the matter with kids... to... daaaaaay??

Yes, it's hard when you live in a dangerous city to romp in the fields, but there were dangerous cities when Paul and Tim were growing up, too! And isn't that part of the reason why you moved to the country, Paul?

What kids need today is grown-ups to show them (us!) the way we should play. And to teach us non-violence. I think the real sad thing today is that parents are often too busy to spend that time with their kids. Not that it's the parent's fault per se, it's the work-a-holic society that leaves us with no time.

I'm lucky that my mom was there for me when I got home from school (and my dad soon thereafter), and that we live in a safe place where I can go romping through the fields behind our house. I only hope that my kids will be as lucky as I am.

I'm glad to read the two of you hashing this out. You have lovely minds though she may have a firmer hold in the physics dept. I could be wrong.

And I agree we should lead by example and respect children. When I was little, children were treated like second class citizens and women were treated like children (often still are).

Goodnight Millie!

I am not taking sides here, just giving my humble opinion. It is my OPINION that everyone reacts differently in any given situation (as we have seen with this debate between Paul and Caryn).

Perhaps the psychologists are right in that everything stems from your childhood. I understand where you are coming from Caryn, since I have known you almost my whole life. But, I also understand Paul's statements.

I have grown up with more dissapointment and hell than I wish to remember. I haven't made a NYR in a long while. When I was a little girl I used to wish for things(to have a better life, to be beautiful, to have my parents love eachother)... the funny thing is these wishes never came to me on New Years. Just when I was most desperate for hope. Perhaps so much dissapointment in life has robbed me of my belief in resolutions, or perhaps I make mini-resolutions every day; so what's the point of New Years ones? While attempting to crawl out of the depression of my life, I have been thinking a lot about my life and how I act in situations. My reactions are very different from many people's; my reactions are to ensure my survival. Somewhere deep down inside, I know that more dissapointment would do more damage than good.

Caryn, the other day you asked me what my NYR was, and I had to stop and think. I just told you the first thing that came to mind. That thing is what I do every day just to keep myself alive. It isn't really a NYR then, but me growing all the time. In my opinion structure is good for you Caryn, you thrive under it (you're my dependable old pug) :) And I know you will keep the promises to yourself.

As my mother says: "live your own life, and let others live theirs." and "try to look at it from other perspectives."

So girl- I know i'm not as smart as you, and i'm a hell of a lot smaller than you... but i'm pulling some seniority here. (I was born first... haha.) :) Go write your 20 page paper before I bust out a can of whoop-ass on you (and then you'll have to take me to the hospital) :)

I love you, and thanks for making my life worth living! Don't change sweetie. mwwwaaaa!

for the rest of you, have a nice night!

~Michela

hey everyone! Happy late new years! I was in Atlanta for New years and just got back tonight and there were so many posts to read. thanx! It sounds like everyone had a wonderful New year!!

Paul and Carlyn- I believe in what you, Paul are saying about New Years Resolutions, IF I can't stop a habit or promise myself something,on any other time of the year then way try to do it on New Years when I know it will be broken. But also what Carlyn said about New years being the best time to resolve or gain something was so right there at what I was thinking . I didnt make resolutions this year, because I already know what I need to do this year and its not because its New Years, its because I know I need to do it. Im starting a new semester on January 6th at school and the classes will be harder than last semester, im always worrying about the that when I need to just stop worrying and go with it. You could say thats a resolution but if we didn't have New years I'd still be saying that to myself because I need to say it!!! I have to have that support of myself and to be able to promise myself that I will and can do it even its a new years or a new day. Everyday should be like a resolution, we should always try and be better people no matter what, to always go with what feels right =)

Evelyn- I hope your friends dog is feeling better, even though im 16 and don't drink yet my friend's mom let my friend and I have some champagne for New Years, only one glass, I thought it was good, it did give me some what of a headache but that may of been because of the fact we didn't get to sleep till around four =).

Tim- Thank you so so much for those thoughts, I loved reading them! It really makes you think!! im going to show it to my mom because I know she'd like to read it too! thanks again!! ;)

Okay, to all of you concerned about my friend's dog, she's doing just fine!!!! The only effect it had on her is that she slept in this morning, which made my friend very happy. No throwing up, blanace problems etc. I'll respond to some of the other exchanges tomorrow when I got some sleep.

Tim, I like your posts very much, and will share them with some of my friends and family. The one about the dusting made me laugh very hard, b/c that's one thing I unfortunately have to do a lot. I'm highly allergic to dust, so I must remove it, but otherwise, I like the homey, not totally straightened out feeling too, rather than overdoing the neat and proper tidy state of my apartment--I hope the universe does not transmit this to my grandma (No I'm not talking about my newly adopted grandma) or else she might come an haunt me ... :) I love her, but her standards of neatness and tidiness were unreal and that's the part I didn't like about her visits. She'd checked out my room and no matter how hard I tried to straighten it out, it was never good enough, she even checked out my school note books and if there was even one ink blotch in there, she'd make me copy the entire damn note book over until it was as neat as she expected it to be. Definitely anal, repulsive etc. and not how I want to live or do live in fact, there are much more important things as is the point of your posts.
More later, sweet dreams or a fantastic day to you.

2003 - wOw!! I'm ready -- 2002 was just fine, but always look forward to the new year....

ah peaches...good stuff...and i'll honor the Hopi ...no shouting and no digging until after jan 6th..

Good morning, Whitney!

Caryn, thank you for your sweet invitation to visit you either in New York or Boston..(love that town!) The closest we get is Connecticut and New Jersey in the summer, when we visit with our daughters and their families. We don't stay long, just enough to get re-acquainted with some of our grandchildren before they go off to camp.

Too bad we can't have a "Strictly Ballroom" Lovers
convention, preferable at Radio City Music Hall, so SB could be shown on one of the world's largest screens, and maybe Paul and I would be co-emcees. (no, I haven't been drinking...don't touch the stuff.)

Evelyn, I was relieved to know that I was not the Grandma you were talking about. I would hate to alienate any of my "adopted" brood!

Tim, yes, I had read about the children of the 40s
50s, etc., and heartily agree, especially the 40s, which was my time. It is good to be reminded, but to yearn for those times...no, these times are amazing, if we could eradicate the troubles of the world in which we live today. Case in point..just being able to communicate on this site so freely with so many, so intimately, is a marvel in itself!

Paul, you and the other "youngsters" on this site are so eloquent, so worldly, so passionate in your views, so kind, concerned, and respectful to each other and to your elders (me) that it is a pleasure to be among you...actually, you have no choice...if "Strictly Ballroom" is involved, here I am, warts and all!

Linda, welcome! Yes, "Strictly Ballroom" has brought us together, and now, because of the sudden interest in Baz Luhrmann's projects, it has again attracted a whole new generation of admirers...without Paul's magnificent talent in acting and dancing, it would not have become the international hit that it became right after
its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival back in 1992.

Paul's performance and his interaction with Tara Morice, his co-star, make this film unforgettable, and addictive. It can be deemed a true classic! It is my all-time favorite musical-drama, and I go back a long time!

Luhrmann may not like it, but many critics have stated that "Strictly Ballroom" is the best of his Red Curtain Trilogy...no argument there!

Love, Grandma :)

...AND LET'S HEAR IT FOR CAT CONNOR, WHOSE TALENTS BROUGHT THIS SITE TO THE INTERNET, IN PAUL'S HONOR!!!

HIP, HIP, HURRAY, CAT, AND THANKS...LOVE YOU!!!

XXXXXX Grandma (again)

Good morning Grandma!

Yes, this is a lively bunch Millie and it's fun just to read the posts. You sure know your SB info! It would be cool to see it on the biggest screen possible. And I wouldn't doubt that it was the best movie from the collection because Paul absolutely kicked ass in it!!!!!!! It's undeniable!

You mentioned a get together for SB, have you ever looked for a site on "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymore and Chris Reeve? They actually do have conventions. You should check it out.

No shouting or digging until after Jan 6th? I can do that and honor the Hopi with Uncle Peaches and bluedog.

As Grandma pointed out, you made this possible Cat. Participating is fun and interesting! Thank you.

Happy New Year to you Kelli. Atlanta sounds like fun! Champagne gives me a headache too!

Did you get some good rest Evelyn? I'm glad the dog's ok. I'm glad you're not a slave to cleaning like your grandma was. I liked the way my grandmother kept house. She drew the line at cobwebs. Though I cleaned house for her the last few years of her life, I didn't realize how much she did until after her death. And as I mentioned, she didn't make it the highest of her priorities. Being a housewife she was just naturally on it as it needed doing.

Hey Paul. Linda Thomas had some good thoughts and questions. I also have wondered if you should go for Broadway. I guess it would take you away from home initially, but maybe you can find a way to minimize this. The world is your oyster Paul! What do you really want to do with your life?

Dear Paul,

Happy New Year (well, belated). Speaking of resolutions, mine is to be more independent. Last year, I did not move out of my house, but, this year, I'm going to save up for an apartment and for a new car.

Paul, do you think it's fair for the child who's in their 20's pay a boarder's fee to their parents while living under their roof? It frustrates me sometimes when I think my dreams of independency is going to shatter. Sometimes I feel like a slave whos freedom was taken away. What I said two sentences ago are my true feelings of how I still live with my parents and pay a boarder's fee.

I have another New Years Resolution: start my office career. Right now, I'm in a position called bussing. I work for the ABC Commisary Restaurant at MGM. Wiping down the tables and sweeping are ok, but when it comes to trash runs, I hate it!! It would be nice to work in the office at Disney. I just hope they accept my training. If not, I'll keep on trying. Paul, wheneven you don't get accepted in the role for the movie, try again for the auditions, whether the same part or for a different movie. I believe that you will have a good year. With your acting abilities, you're still my #1 fan.

Today is January 2 already. Wow. Next year will be leap year which means 366 days. Hope you are ready for it. You know, it's pretty cool that Australia ring in the New Year first.

On December 29th, I worked til 11, got home by midnignt, got up in the morning, December 30th, at 4:30 to go back to work by 6:30. Thankfully though that I didn't get cranky at work. Then, December 31st, I worked from 4 until 1:30. I tried to stay dry, but in Florida there was rain and I got drenched even when I wore a trash bag to protect my body from being soak. Let my tell you, one of the wettest New Year's in my life.

Were there any days, during the filming of Joseph, where you were so tired and cranky? And do you ever keep in contact with any of the main actors from the Joseph movie? Especially Leslie Anne Warren?

Well, Paul, be commenting later. Hope you'll comment back.

Your fan,

Sara

susan d -- thanks for the kick.

sarah (UP) -- comic book heroes...wish i had been there for that conversation. hope wonder woman was in the list somewhere, maybe tucked between superman, batman, capt. marvel??

paul -- sounds like we sort of agree on resolutions if you read my brief post in last thread -- better to gain something/affirm. i gave up meat for lent when i was 14 and gave up lent for lent when i was 15. i figured, why do i need this rite to help me...and, well, if something is worth giving up for 40 days, isn't it worth giving up for good?? so, no more red meat since. wish my thinking was as black and white now as it was then sometimes. seemed when i was younger and made up my mind to do something, that was it. it was done. now i'm a "tomorrow is another day" kind of gal, which can be good and bad.

but, i also agree with caryn that they shouldn't be looked down on as the first lie either...they could be the first truth of the new year for some people. and caryn, i, coincidentally, did the exact same thing with dance classes last year as you. woohoo. yay us.

ciao for now.

You are not fooling yourself regarding your approach to New Year's resolutions.

Your comment:

"I am owning the responsibilty of being me, of making and meeting my goals, of continueing my growth and fulfilling the promise of my creative soul."

That's a *great* attitude.

Continue to be well.

Peace to you and yours,

Joan P.

Erie, CO (USA)

I must confess that I've only been restricting my food options for two days and already, I've gotten urges for food I wasn't even eating, like hot dogs and soda pop. There's something to Paul's observation that we want what we tell ourselves we can't have, almost compulsively!

I have to laugh at my mind the way it operates. It's a survivor, a manipulator. But I beat it when I gave up cigarettes. Once I figured out how to control my thoughts by redirecting them I had the upper hand. My brain isn't me, just another organ (though a very important one).

I did an upper body workout today and 40 minutes of aerobics. Yes, it's a pain in the ass but, it feels good to get back into my free weights. I did the workout in 59 minutes; you're supposed to try and do it in 46. The brevity of the training appeals to me. I can do anything for 46 minutes!!!!

I'm taking the required "before picture" tomorrow, but you guys won't see it. Maybe I'll post the "after" one.

Goodnight Grandma
Love, Whitney

Hey Guys:
So glad you enjoyed the two posts. I thought they were great. Re: NYR, I can only say I revert back to my first career. Accounting. As a C.P.A., I was responsible in a few jobs as a Controller to prepare budgets for the next year but also to during the next year prepare a flexible budget. What that meant was set a goal and then as things changed during the year re-assess and project again. So NYR's? Nope I just re-assess all year long. Like I started my weight control in December. By the way, I've lost 12 pounds thus far and I'm doing my treadmill every other day. Not bad huh? I fully expect to be down a couple of pant sizes by the end of the month. I had my review at the salon today. The owner thinks I'm about to break a barrier. He told me my skill was exceptional and the only thing holding me back was how hard I was on myself sometimes. So I told him next time I appear to do that to Thump me on the head. And he's sending me to New Yorkfor a couple of classes. New York is always a great getaway from Alanta. Although abroad would be a preference...we'll see.
Grandma...like you said, I wouldn't want to give up the internet to go back in time. Otherwise, we'd never have the pleasure to meet each other and "talk" to Paul. How cool is that? Living in a city though, makes you wish for a simpler life..but living in the country is not possible unless you have a great deal of funds stashed away..there simply are not jobs out there. Can't think of anywhere else in Georgia I could tolerate other than Atlanta...if not here it would have to be another state and preferably another country.
Paul I hope your wife enjoys the posts. They are meant with the best of intentions. To reflect on the past with amusement and great remembrance and to remember that our future definitely will involve dust but what we do with it can definitely impact our lives.
I love posting here and talking to you guys and for that I too wish to thank Cat. Thank you. This is exhilarating, empowering and fun.
Happy 2003!!
Tim

Texas--
Oh yeah, Wonder Woman was something like #5 or 4, because she is not only the daughter of a God, but also she can take a beat down for an hour and then hit you with one blow and kill you. But I don't know jack about comic books, this was all them. I just argued that you don't need a "good" alignment to be a hero, you can have a "neutral" alignment and still be one (this is more going by D&D standards, though). Interestingly enough, the number 1 comic book hero (according to some magazine) is the Silver Surfer, having no other weakness than not being able to come back to Earth. I dunno, don't ask me.

And thank you to everyone helping to celebrate Soyal; the situation among the Hopi in Hotevilla (the last traditional Hopi village) was dire and desperate a few years ago, I can imagine it must be all but gone now. According to the Hopi, this means dire things for the planet and the (very accurate) fufillment of the worst of the prophecies. Interesting stuff to research, I highly recommend it and some reading on the Mayans. But I digress.
Yeah. Okay, I guess that was it. Later!

Tim, BIG pat on the back for your success on your weight loss and sticking to it. It was reflected in your post. You sound very proud of yourself and justly so. Best of luck on your classes. Hey let us know if ya need a thump.

Whitney, I'd give you a kick but you beat me to it. You go girl! Lets see... I had a beer during our domino's game so I'm due to do some aerobics. You have inspired me. Hey where's my kick? Gee does this mean I have to wait till tomorrow?:)

Texas,Evelyn,Paul and others here's your kick..

Paul, My daughter Samantha wants me to tell you that she really liked your movie and she watches it over and over, she says that you are really good at dancing and she loves to dance too. She wants to say Hi. She was happy you liked her sentence for this year.It put a big smile on her face. She also was surprise that you answer the most of the posts and that you take time for this web sight. Her question to you is..Was it hard dancing in the movie SB and doing ballroom dancing steps? She also wonders how you got to be in the movie?

Suz and Sami

Good Morning Grandma!

Before I step on my elliptical trainer I want to give a double virtual kick in the butt to Suz, texas, Tim, Evelyn, and of course, Paul. Did I leave any kicks out?

Tim that's great!! How wonderful that you're getting more recognition! There's nothing like some time spent in NYC to give you some extra confidence (I drove there once and now I'm fearless behind the wheel!). And of course the training will do even more to get you closer to your goal of kicking ass in Cosmotology.

You know this NYR thing has never been very important to me. I quit making them years ago. I'm like you, I just happen to be working on something and I felt I could use the resolution to strengthen my personal comittment. Congratulations on sticking with your routine!

Uncle Peaches, what were the worst of the Hopi prophecies? Thanks for keeping me informed.

Au, au, au --stop kicking me!!! :)))) okay, not, --I am going to the gymn after having had some herbal immune system boosting tea! I really did miss it while being sick and this reminds me of a long overdue THANK YOU to all of you wishing me that I'd shake this bout with the flu quickly, so THANK YOU!

Another few delayed responses: Suz, you have one hell of a daughter!!! When you posted her chosen words and the sentence the other day, it just blew my mind, chin dropping somewhere down to my knees and leaving me speechless. Will you give her a hug from me and keep nurturing that beautiful soul she has?

Kelli, I haven't forgotten about getting you more input about Baylor, just haven't heard from my friend, who's most likely in Europe over term break. When I get her response I will send it to your email if that's okay, rather than posting it here.

Whitney, thanks for explaning the foggy/foogey word play, it does make sense now and sure, the way things are spelled multiply in English, gets to be confusing at times to us, the non-native speakers/writers/spellers of English. And did I get enough rest the other night? Hmmm, rest, yep, sleep, nope, YOU GUYS KEPT ME UP PRETTY MUCH ALL NIGHT :), giving me so much to think about and triggering all sorts of thoughts and memories, but it was good thinking even though still not exactly sorted out in my mind. Caryn, your posts reminded me in many ways of who I was when I was in my early twenties. I wanted very clear structures, goals (okay, not in all areas of my life, but in a lot of them) because it felt safe, it was what I was used to, had grown up with and I think that these boundaries helped me to explore certain areas of me in a clear, "safe" environment but I was always chasing after something out there that wasn't me, that I felt I was expected to be though. The entire stuff with the resolutions, which for me would work as a perfect means for self-judging/ self-criticism and a tool to pull myself down--hence I reject them for myself and the whole positive affirmation / assessment adjustment, which very strongly appeals to me is still working in my mind, but here are a few thoughts. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I took some time out to write about all the things I was thankful for and over the Xmas Holidays I sat down and wrote down things that I love, two days later things that I value and then a day later things I spend money, time and energy on. It really helps me see 'me' who I am, who I have become and am becoming and of course in the whole writing exercise it was & is important not to be judgmental or judge what you write down. I do want to go back and look at this soon to see how much of how I spend my money, time and energy overlaps (or not) with what I love and value and then begin to make adjustments if I choose to do that or feel the need for it. In some way this sounds perhaps like making resolutions, but I don't think it is for me, because I make resolutions based on a notion of who I think I need or should be, thus not accepting who I am now, and in that way the resolution is focused and based on something I am not. In the reassessment it comes more out of who I am, it comes out of my soul and in that way I feel I'm essentially part of the process, moving along with it and I'm doing it for me not for an idealized version of me. This is perhaps getting a bit too technical or clinical...but both of these writing "exercises" have helped me to focus on the positive away from the negative that I very often chose to focus on.

Tim, congratulations on the weight loss and for sticking to your exercise plan. Whitney, congrats on starting yours!!! and here's another round of electronic kicks to all of you/us, and a double one for you, Suz, one for today and one for tomorrow. Don't all these electronic kicks begin to count as work outs??? Okay, off to the gym, yeah!!!!! I really am looking forward to this and I'm not kidding about it. I really missed it!!!!

Whitney: Yes, many movie buffs have conventions.

I almost went to a "Gone With The Wind" convention in Atlanta, (Hi, Tim!) years ago, when I was still teaching, and our kids were in high school. I even got as far as calling the airlines to find out about a reservation, but got cold feet, and decided not to go. (I guess I changed my mind when my husband said, incredulously, "Are you kidding????") I took the hint...(I guess that's one of the reasons we are still married for 50 years!) Instead, for GWTW's 50th anniversary, my principal allowed me to take my class, with mothers as chaperones, to see GWTW at
Radio City on the big screen. The principal went along too!

The next day I had a GWTW-theme luncheon in my classroom, and we tried to serve Southern food, and the kids dressed up to look like Scarlett and Rhett. I had a Scarlett look-alike contest, and the winner was a wonderfully talented, delightfully funny black girl, who won the contest, by exclaiming in her best Southern accent, "Fiddle-dee-dee, I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Today, I write about that experience, but "Strictly Ballroom" has replaced GWTW as my #1
favorite film classic.

It's no longer Rhett Butler, it's Scott Hastings, and it's not Scarlett O'Hara, but "Fran...just Fran!"

Sue, I don't know how old your child is, but SB has been recommended as a teaching tool in the classroom...just find www.teachwithmovies.org and
click on "S" It is recommended for children from ages 8 and up. Has I remained a teacher (I've been retired for 12 years) I would have said, "Gone With the Wind" blow away, here comes "Strictly Ballroom"!

Tim, you wanna have a dieting buddy? I suddenly turned over a new leaf, and am going to try harder for the New Year. No resolution, just common sense. At my age it's hard to diet and have success, but I'm on my indoor bike for 20 minutes each day to start. I have arthritis, and cannot walk for exercise. I will be 70 this month, and I want to look better on stage and in the real world! My variety show is in early March...I hope my costumes fit!

I thank you, Tim, for inspiring me, and by living in Atlanta. You helped me bring back those memories...By the way, did you ever try to find "Tara"?.. (the GWTW mansion, not Morice, our wonderful "Fran".)

Don't bother looking...in the book it was in
Clayton Country, Georgia, but in the real world, it was a wooden set on the back lot of MGM in Burbank, California!

Love ya' all,

Grandma

Whitney: Yes, many movie buffs have conventions.

I almost went to a "Gone With The Wind" convention in Atlanta, (Hi, Tim!) years ago, when I was still teaching, and our kids were in high school. I even got as far as calling the airlines to find out about a reservation, but got cold feet, and decided not to go. (I guess I changed my mind when my husband said, incredulously, "Are you kidding????") I took the hint...(I guess that's one of the reasons we are still married for 50 years!) Instead, for GWTW's 50th anniversary, my principal allowed me to take my class, with mothers as chaperones, to see GWTW at
Radio City on the big screen. The principal went along too!

The next day I had a GWTW-theme luncheon in my classroom, and we tried to serve Southern food, and the kids dressed up to look like Scarlett and Rhett. I had a Scarlett look-alike contest, and the winner was a wonderfully talented, delightfully funny black girl, who won the contest, by exclaiming in her best Southern accent, "Fiddle-dee-dee, I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Today, I write about that experience, but "Strictly Ballroom" has replaced GWTW as my #1
favorite film classic.

It's no longer Rhett Butler, it's Scott Hastings, and it's not Scarlett O'Hara, but "Fran...just Fran!"

Sue, I don't know how old your child is, but SB has been recommended as a teaching tool in the classroom...just find www.teachwithmovies.org and
click on "S" It is recommended for children from ages 8 and up. Has I remained a teacher (I've been retired for 12 years) I would have said, "Gone With the Wind" blow away, here comes "Strictly Ballroom"!

Tim, you wanna have a dieting buddy? I suddenly turned over a new leaf, and am going to try harder for the New Year. No resolution, just common sense. At my age it's hard to diet and have success, but I'm on my indoor bike for 20 minutes each day to start. I have arthritis, and cannot walk for exercise. I will be 70 this month, and I want to look better on stage and in the real world! My variety show is in early March...I hope my costumes fit!

I thank you, Tim, for inspiring me, and by living in Atlanta. You helped me bring back those memories...By the way, did you ever try to find "Tara"?.. (the GWTW mansion, not Morice, our wonderful "Fran".)

Don't bother looking...in the book it was in
Clayton Country, Georgia, but in the real world, it was a wooden set on the back lot of MGM in Burbank, California!

Love ya' all,

Grandma

Whitney: Yes, many movie buffs have conventions.

I almost went to a "Gone With The Wind" convention in Atlanta, (Hi, Tim!) years ago, when I was still teaching, and our kids were in high school. I even got as far as calling the airlines to find out about a reservation, but got cold feet, and decided not to go. (I guess I changed my mind when my husband said, incredulously, "Are you kidding????") I took the hint...(I guess that's one of the reasons we are still married for 50 years!) Instead, for GWTW's 50th anniversary, my principal allowed me to take my class, with mothers as chaperones, to see GWTW at
Radio City on the big screen. The principal went along too!

The next day I had a GWTW-theme luncheon in my classroom, and we tried to serve Southern food, and the kids dressed up to look like Scarlett and Rhett. I had a Scarlett look-alike contest, and the winner was a wonderfully talented, delightfully funny black girl, who won the contest, by exclaiming in her best Southern accent, "Fiddle-dee-dee, I won't think about that now, I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Today, I write about that experience, but "Strictly Ballroom" has replaced GWTW as my #1
favorite film classic.

It's no longer Rhett Butler, it's Scott Hastings, and it's not Scarlett O'Hara, but "Fran...just Fran!"

Sue, I don't know how old your child is, but SB has been recommended as a teaching tool in the classroom...just find www.teachwithmovies.org and
click on "S" It is recommended for children from ages 8 and up. Has I remained a teacher (I've been retired for 12 years) I would have said, "Gone With the Wind" blow away, here comes "Strictly Ballroom"!

Tim, you wanna have a dieting buddy? I suddenly turned over a new leaf, and am going to try harder for the New Year. No resolution, just common sense. At my age it's hard to diet and have success, but I'm on my indoor bike for 20 minutes each day to start. I have arthritis, and cannot walk for exercise. I will be 70 this month, and I want to look better on stage and in the real world! My variety show is in early March...I hope my costumes fit!

I thank you, Tim, for inspiring me, and by living in Atlanta. You helped me bring back those memories...By the way, did you ever try to find "Tara"?.. (the GWTW mansion, not Morice, our wonderful "Fran".)

Don't bother looking...in the book it was in
Clayton Country, Georgia, but in the real world, it was a wooden set on the back lot of MGM in Burbank, California!

Love ya' all,

Grandma

Fiddle-dee-dee, my post certainly did get screwed up, didn't it? I beg your pardon..I only wrote one..how in the ----did I end up with 3?

Embarrassed Grandma

Evelyn- Thanks so much!! thats perfectly fine for you to email me!! =)this week Im thinking of becoming a dental hygenist since I use to want to be that when I was little, lol who knows! Thank you again!!

Susan- Your daughter sounds so delightful!! tell her I give her my best wishes of a happy 2003! Keep watching SB!!! XXOO

Whitney- I know what you mean about the food you can't have. After the holidays I try to go back to my normal eating habits but for those couple of weeks in january im always left full because for the holidays I had gotten use to eating so much! its hard but I always get over it!! 'Wink'

Grandma- My other grandma loves GWTW so much! I have so many memories of going to her house and curling up on her sofa and watching it with her and my cousins! it was great! the same way for the Sound of music! I guess I'll get older and show everyone Strictly Ballroom, and they'll love to come over and watch it at my house!! ;)

Love to everyone!!!
Kelli

Millie, check out a Web site called www.wonderfulbuys.com. Last year I bought my refurbished Orbitrek (elliptical trainer) from them for $99 and they paid shipping! I think you'd love it! I do. It won't hurt your fanny like a stationary bike. Do you have access to any weight equipment?

Evelyn, I'll have to make those lists myself. They sound like a good tool for self-assessment. Though I'm sure you won't want to take it this far, you've reminded me of a book I stumbled onto at the public library years ago. It was called "Self Watching" I believe and it was either written by or based on, the behavioural theories of Benjamin Franklin. It seems he believed that you could better change undesirable behaviour by keeping a close eye on the activities of your life. He kept track of all sorts of information. Personally I think he could have benefited from some of our modern medicines for OCD, but your lists sound enlightening and edifying.

Hi guys!Hi Paul!
Yep, I'm new here and I don't know what to begin with:)Well, I'm glad that Paul has such devoted and unique fans!You should be grateful for that Paul;)And your fans should be thankful for having such talented idol!
I heard about your crisis and some problems concerning your future developement....Well, what can I say?I'm only 22:)But all I know is that YOU WILL SURVIVE (can you hear Gloria Gaynor singing now?:)and that ALL WILL PASS!
Therefore, keep on moving, don't stop (these words come from a Soul II Soul song:)- STAY POSITIVE!
I will keep my fingers crossed for whatever you do!
Kisses,
Agnieszka.

For all of you GWTW fans, there really is a "Tara". It is North of Alexandria, Louisiana, been there, lovely bed and breakfast now, but it was used as a model for the interior and exterior setting for the Stage set. They have a lot of photos and sketches that were drawn. The scene where Scarlet shoots the Union Soldier, actually took place in this old mansion. Supposedly the blood stain is still under the carpet on the staircase.
I'll go thru my travel expenses and forward the correct address and name of the plantation. It is off the beaten path, we were only the 6th visitors the day we toured the home.
Hope all are enjoying this the 3rd day of January, DH left a very cute BD card on my pillow last night before he left for work, then fixed me breakfast this morning. Yes, I had to come to work and am corresponding with all of you during my lunch break.
Must get back to the bookkeeping so I can work on more taxes. I'm not sure we are ever going to get thru with 2001 returns.
Tim: I was a child of the 50's and 60's and lived on the farm, I can relate.
Hugs all around,
Sherrlyn

Welcome Agnieszka! Where are you? How did you get such a unique name?

You're so right about Paul being talented! It's easy to idolize him. Read some of his threads and you'll see what a sensitive and intelligent thinker he is: good looks, talent and a mind too. I guess that's why his blog attracts such a wide variety of cool people.

Okay, to show what my project for the new year will be (cuz I don't have any weight to lose, although i could concentrate on getting a job.....heh heh heh), I'm gonna post the first of it here. I'm studying Sindarin, the language of the grey-elves in LOTRings, and for those of you out there who enjoy the elven-speak, mae govannen!
Here goes:

Anirim cuil
Pathran meleth
Pathran miphil
Am thir nin
Ar am camin nin
An-ithil, taur a corn,
Vi menel daw

Anirim pen,
Sui lin,
I henio ardhon
An-dol idhren
A henin
Sui laeg nin

Tirim pen
I u tirio
An nin

***Note, of course the accents won't show up on here, so it's typographically incorrect, but screw it******

And the French version, pour les personnes francophone:

Je souhaite un vie
Remple d'amour
Remple des baises
Sur mon visage
Et mes mains
Avec la luna, trop bleme
Dans le ciel nuit

Je souhaite un personne,
Comme toi,
Qui comprends le monde
Avec un tete lucide
Et des yeux
A percant des miens

Je cherche pour un personne
Qui est jamais
Chercher a-moi

So I say we all make new year's projects and see how they turn out and share with everyone! Good compromise?

HEY GUYS
Yes GWTW was suppose to be in the far away country from Atlanta called Clayton county. Well of course as only Ms Mitchell knew so well herself it was a long ride out to Clayton from downtown. Now of course it is metro and actually the airport is located on the NE tip of Clayton county. Also Clayton county is one of the more undesired places to live in Atlanta. South Atlanta is not really a place many people seek out. I lived in Burbank and I'd much prefer to live there and be able to see Tara on the backlot of MGM. I lived a few blocks from Disney and Warner Bros. I could walk to the Starbucks and watch people in line for the Tonight Show. Ahhhhh, those were the days. The OLD CAR night at the Big Boy. People would bring their classics to the drive-in Big Boy and order food and stuff and everone could walk around and admire the cars and sit in them..Mine is the 1959 Chevrolet Impala. What I wouldn't give for one of those. I have a 72Convertible VW Bug. It needs a new top. That 59 Chevrolet though..OH it is so HOT.
Someone was writing about Somewhere in Time. One of my all time favorites. I love that kind of time travel movie. Very similar to the one with Lindsay Wagner where she travelled back in time when she put on this old dress she found in her attic. Then when she decided to stay in the past, she left paintings for her husband to see in his time of her and her family...chill bumps.
As I'm typing please forgive typos, I've got my four month old princess cuddled up in my left elbow, so my left hand is somewhat restricted.
I had a great, great day at the salon. Over $700 and most of it 3 clients. I love that...make em over and rake it in. One of them wanted me to do something about her chin..kidding of course and I said...you know they say I'm a beautician not a magician.
Oh and by the way..I got a message from CAT. She asked what we would be interested in with regard to letting us post pictures of our selves. I just told her we'd like to be able to post our pictures. She said whatever it is she'd have to put it in herself. Let her know if you'd really like to do it, she's ready and willing.
I'm seeing a light...when I get out of this hole, I'm taking two trips..1 to London and 1 to Australia.
Tim

I confess Tim, it was me that loves "Somewhere in Time". I can't resist a supernatural thriller with a paradox. What's the name of the Lindsey Wagoner movie? It sounds interesting.

I did my aerobics today. Glad you had a good day too! Hope everyone else did as well.

Butt kicks all 'round!!!!!!!!!!

Goodnight Grandma!

Thanks for the kicks everyone. I was a good girl today and did the aerobics.

Grandma Mildred, thank you for the web sight. I'm going to check it out as soon as I log off of here. Sami says thank you for think of her. She is excited about visting the web sight.

Kelli,Thanks for the best wishes of 2003. The best to you too from Sami and I.

Evelyn, thanks for the hugs:)Sami sends one back.

Paul, Evelyn,Tim and Texas here's a big kick.
Whitney you get a little one, we don't want to put you into overdrive:)

Suz

Susan, so glad that Sami has interest in the site
www.teachwithmovies.org It is an awesome site for teachers, parents, and kids of all ages..that includes all of your lovely people on this site!

When the home page opens, go to "Alpabetical" and when that comes up, click on "S" for "Strictly Ballroom"..you will see many movies, so look carefully! There are tons of other movies, including the children's classics, all reviewed!

Paul, the site is so complimentary to you, especially. You have inspired many people of all ages to take up dancing, which changed their lives!

"Strictly Ballroom" also heightened my interest in Australia Every time I hear an accent anywhere, I think, is that person from Australia or England?? I have studied Australia on the Internet, and even in tourist guide books.

Last spring, when Tara Morice opened in the Australia premiere of a prestigeous American play, "Spinning Into Butter" at the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney, my husband and I looked into the prospect of going to Australia, seeing Tara in her play, going backstage and meeting her, and then going on tour! Our children wanted to give us that trip as our 50th anniversary present.

We had to drop that idea when we found out that the plane trip from Florida to Australia was over 22 hours, one way...not a good idea, healthwise, for us oldsters. (Tim, I can understand why you would like to go to Australia, also.)

I would love to exchange photos with everyone on this site...I am fearless,and promise not to dye my hair, Tim, in order to keep up with all you "youngsters"...I have earned every wrinkle, every double chin, and every gray hair!

Have a good weekend, everyone! Elliott and I have a Saturday rehearsal for the show...the first week in March (the grand opening) will be coming up fast!

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! :)

Love, Grandma

Excuse me, here I am again: I really don't want to dominate the posts today (Saturday morning) but I just found something in our south Florida morning newspaper that may be of interest to the twenty-year-olds, like Sara.

Sara, your post about how you are expected to pay a boarder's fee to your parents interested me. I am not going to make a judgment on this one...every situation is unique!

I did read a letter written to an advice columnist, from a twenty-year-old young woman
who was having a problem similar to yours. The columnist advised her to get this book:

"Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties" by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner.

I don't know if this book will address the issues that you mentioned, but maybe it's worth a try!

Love, and best wishes,

Grandma Mildred

thanx whitney and susan d for your encouragement.

i'm flying back to nyc today (car's in the shop down here in nashville. i'll fly back next week to pick it up and drive home with the dog). i'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. i will miss mom, but am grateful her health is so well i am able to return home. she's gonna bawl when i leave. mom's are funny.

hopefully when i get back in my nyc routine, i will have more time to read every post. i know by skimming them, i'm missing the meat. sorry guys.

enjoy your weekend everyone. talk to you soon.

Hey well its Saturday morning, Yesterday I slept till 12 trying to catch up on lost sleep I had over new years but today Im feeling much more rested!! ;) I hope everyone is too!

Paul, I have something to ask you, you remember Steven Grace the actor/dancer who played "Luke" in SB? well I was watching the commentary on SB and they said he also dances in Moulin Rouge. I was shocked because I had thought that before. When I was little and use to watch SB Luke and Kylie were some of my favorite characters besides Scott and Fran. I just wanted to see ifu know of any movies or other dances he has been in. I hope your enjoying the warmth in Australia. Take Care ;)

Texas, Have a safe and happy trip!! =)

Grandma, I love reading your posts, and I want to here more about your show it sounds so interesting! I had an interest in Autralia too ever since SB and then...well this may sound sorta silly but the Croc hunter as well!! lol I loved to watch his show and see the "Outback"!! he is so funny! well Grandma I hope you are doing wonderfully!!! have a good week!

Susan, no problem! yourdaughter sounds so smart, what grade is she in?? hope you and Sami are having a wonderful week!!

Love to everyone!! XXOO's
Kelli

happy new year!!

Kelli, my daughter is in 4th grade, my son is in 5th. They are very close in age and are like twins. My son was 10 months old when I found out I was carring my daughter.(don't ever listen to that old wives tale you can't get pregnant when nursing). My children are living proof that it's not true!:)

Grandma Mildren, Have you seen the movie "Shall We Dance". I haven't and was wondering if I should rent it. I found it listed on the www.teachwithmovie.org.

Paul,Evelyn,Tim and Texas...KICK
Whitney..your litte one...kick.

Suz

Hi Grandma. I'm sad to hear that you can't travel long distances by air. Would you be able to take a cruise?

The book you mentioned sounds interesting. I no doubt, could have used some direction at that point in my life (and every other). I thought I'd read every self-help book ever written, but I somehow missed that one.

Have a safe trip back to NYC, texas. I know what you mean about preferring your own bed. I hope this isn't too personal, but what ails your mom? I'm glad to hear she's feeling better.

Thanks for the mini kick Suz. I did 35 minutes on my elliptical trainer and 20 minutes this evening on my favorite nature trail (doggy likes this one). I also did my lower body workout (36 minutes), took my "before" picture and regisered for the BFL Challenge. I'm the picture of determination!

Though it isn't a part of the Hiltonhead Metabolism diet, tomorrow is my free day in the Body For Life Challenge. I don't have to exercise and I can eat anything I want! I'm going to my favorite steak house with my little sister.

Butt kicks all 'round!!!!!!!!!!

Goodnight Grandma.

Susan, "Shall We Dance" is a Japanese film that was well received internationally but it has subtitles that for many may be annoying.

It is interesting, enough, but not for children. It is the story of a rather dull Japanese accountant who in order to put some spice in his life decides one night to take dancing lessons at a dance studio he spots from the train that he takes home each night.

One critic said it was "reminiscent" of "Strictly Ballroom." What an insult! No way does this film resemble our SB!

Kelli, one day I will post a very short overview of my variety show, "Follies 2003: Love Is In The Air". We had a good rehearsal today, running through the show (39 acts) in l hr. 45 min., no intermission! All I can say is, there are four acts that come from the music of our "Strictly Ballroom". I produced and directed Follies '97, '99, 2000 and now this, and I am happy to say, all of these programs were different, and all well received with complete ticket sellouts each time! I understand that ticket sales are very brisk this time too. We hope to open in our brand new renovated Theatre, if it ever gets finished in time...we've already been postponed from January to March.

Goodnight, Whitney!

Love,

Grandma

Lindsay Wagner's movie is The two Worlds of Jennie Logan (1979).It was a made for TV flick and can be found on ebay. Some blockbusters have it.
Grandma...I can't wait to visit Australia. I was working on finding a job there last year. The fee to get in and requirements are some what tedious and expensive. My age hurt me most. Made me feel OLD. You get points OFF if you're over 35.
Anyway, in anticipation of a possible relocation, I took diction lessons with a Hollywood Coach. I have the supporting computer program to keep using at home. So, I can "speak" Australian. I also worked on standard American english as well. Being stuck in Atlanta for so long and not travelling is a killer on the voice box. You pick up these awful slurs...so I practice my standard english everyday and am pretty much accent-less. As are my kids. I hated it as a child when you would go somewhere and they "IMMEDIATELY" know where you were from or at least assumed. I remember in NY when I was 10, my cousin was with us and she ordered chicken at KFC and everyone behind the counter just busted our laughing and kept asking her to say her order again. Even then I wasn't horrible, but ever since, I was determined to be just American and not Southern.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend. My day went well..it's over. Tomorrow...work on the house..gee I can't wait.
Take care everyone...keep on pushing toward those goals. I AM!
Tim

Thanks for getting that movie title for me Tim. I'll have to check it out.

What's the name of the program for standard English? My twang is mighty bad! Actually, my accent is minimal compared to many around me, however, when I was in Chicago recently one person thought I sounded extremely "southern".

My parents almost moved us to Australia when I was 10. They sent a letter inquiring about taxes. Whoever read the letter, thought they had written the word "taxis" and told my parents that "The taxis run from one end of the street to the other.". Needless to say, we decided to stay here and I'm glad we did, because I would have missed my grandmother!

Susan, your daughter seems so much wiser than her years, a very smart girl!. Im so glad that she has a brother that is close to her. My brother and I are 3 years apart and have a similar relationship, is wonderful to have that, hope all is well!

Grandma, your variety show sounds very interesting and I bet it will be wonderful too see. I wish I had seen the others that you had done before, it sounds like something I would have enjoyed! I bet lots of people who saw it loved it! Im glad that you had a good rehearshal =). do you direct also? I can't wait to hear your overview of it. take care Grandma!!

Hope everyone is doing great!! lots of love!!
Kelli

Shall We Dance did indeed come out after Strictly. I remember seeing it advertised and thinking imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Strictly was very popular in Japan and an interesting fact for those that may not of known - it was called "Dancing Hero"

Tim a belated congrats on the commitment to working out and trimming up!!

What is the deal with the kicks??? I am not sure my over sensitive ( not oversized!) butt needs any!!

I'm at work - Sunday! Very quiet. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.......What was the meaning of life again???

The meaning of life = to propagate one's genes.

Working on Sunday! That sucks!

So you arent as big as your posts led me to believe? And here I was pulling for you! Well, no more virtual kicks in the butt for you.

Caryn! You're suppose to be working on that paper girl! You couldn't help yourself could you?

(sheepish grin) :)
nope

thanks for getting me back on track, whit!

No problem. Nose to the grindstone and all that stuff!!!

Hey Paul,

Just a quick question about your last post: If your butt is not over-sized, then what is making it so over-sensitive? Just curious.

It just occurred to me how ridiculous I sound talking about your butt as it's own entity. Well, judging by some of the posts on these boards, it certaintly does seem to have forged its own fame and attracted its own admirers... lol! :)

Anyway, remember that there's no shame in soliciting a little help from friends. As the Beatles said, "Oooh, I get by with a little help from my friends." So, here's a kick in the butt for our "Dancing Hero". Not that you have to take it... remember our earlier discussion of following your heart and not the advice of others because only you know what's best for you. But I mean that kick only in the friendliest of ways, should you choose to accept it.

Now, somebody give ME some more kicks to keep chugging through the night at this 20 page paper!! (Thank you, Whit! :)

Bed-less in Boston,
Caryn

I am sick and tired of being the butt of other peoples jokes!! I think it's high time people Butted out and left me out of these posts. I am not sensitive butt I am sick of being the one left behind in Paul's wake!

Best wishes to you all

P. Butt
ps stop kicking me because I am feeling droopy. I am trying to give myself a lift and reading these posts hasnt helped. Spreading the word is good butt not at my expansiveness!!

oops!!! Must have sat on the key board!!!!

No, Whitney, it's not "nose to the grindstone and all that stuff", it's "what about a life lived in fear, and all that stuff..." (Scott to Fran, secretly, in the shadows of the back porch of Fran's house.)

I would never be able to quote from "Shall We Dance"..first off, seeing it once is enough, and secondly, I don't intend to learn Japanese at my age!

Hummmm.."Dancing Hero" Paul? Not bad, certainly rings true!

Love,

Grandma

Dear P. Butt,

HAHA... LOL!!!!! Bravo. It's high time you spoke your mind. (Or is it low time you spoke your butt??)

BUT, whew, talk about over-sensitive! I do remind you that it was Paul who brought you up. (Or is it let you down?) You should take the issue up with him. (While he raises the issue with you...)

Seriously, though, butt. Try not to get too (black and) blue with all these kicks. I mean, the very cleverness of your response goes to show that there's more to you and Paul than that which made you famous as a body part. :)

Happy expansiveness to you and yours,
Caryn

Caryn, here's your kick in the butt to keep you chugging though the night.

Grandma Mildren, Thanks for the info on shall we dance. Sounds like Sami will have to wait for it later in life.

Dancing Hero, Here's a kick if you need or want it
(optional). Not intended to hurt. You can kick me back if ya want . So you heard of Shall We Dance. Did you watch it? Was it good enough movie to recommend? Your views?

Tim, Two Worlds of Jenny Logan, I remember that movie now. I liked it.

Kelli, Sami and I says hi.Sami says your delightful.

Kicks for Texas,Tim, Evelyn
little kick for Whitney. Don't forget your water!

Sami says hi to everyone.

Suz

You are absolutley right Caryn, there is more to me than meets the eye, so kick Paul in the butt so he might get up off of me and let the world once again gaze on my magnificence with awe and inspiration.

Lets face it, if it wasnt for me he wouldnt be able to sit on his laurels!!

Let the Butt stop here.

P Butt

ps everyone give Paul a big kick - in the shins!

Dear Paul,

While we're on the subject, Cole Porter, the famous composer and lyricist once wrote:

"....I get no kick from champagne,
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all,
So tell me, why should it be true,
That I (we) get a kick out of you?"

Adoringly, (at my age, oh, my!)

Grandma

arggggggggggggh!

let's put this behind and move on...(lol)

Whitney: You can find the American training at American Accent training.com, I think...just do a search for "American Accent Training." They send you C.D.'s and and you work with them over the phone as often as you can afford...
Grandma..I meant to comment about your grey hair. I have clients with grey hair and it's all in the mind. These (women in particular) have chosen to wear styles that are very upbeat. A little spikey with some pomade. They do not get a roll and set every week. As a result...they feel and look as young as everyone else. They haven't stuck themselves in one generation..they've moved on.
Paul. I think everyone is off to kicking everybody in the ass to keep them motivated. I don't think you need that. You mentioned an expansive behind as quoted from your wife several pages ago. Only she has a point of reference on that. Even if we did see Exit to Eden. You can call it kicks or whatever I just like to give people some form of motivation. A high five on excellent achievement or a standing ovation at weight watchers when someone hits their goal...damn hard to do. I for one just want to stay motivated and looking in the mirror is enough for that. I'm focusing really hard on where I want to be by June. My wife and I have talked and we're going to start planning a vacation for our family. We both had those "vacations" to remember as children. My oldest son will be 12 this year. I've got to get on the ball and give him that inspirational trip. For me it was when we went to New York as a child. I went back several times as a teenager to the city to watch plays with my buddies. God I loved that place. I was never the same again. So we're going to plan a trip to Europe...starting with London spend some time there and then go to Australia. Expensive YES...but it'd be worth a second mortgage on our home if it opens my childrens eyes to the world and makes them realize that there truly is a whole lot of world out there to explore and live in than just suburban Atlanta. After that I will feel that I've "opened their minds" maybe they will also feel they can do anything. I'm working on it. I feel great today...How about you guys???
Paul!!! Stick with it man...I'm very thankful to you for inspiring me. You have SO MANY people that feel the same way. Get out of the droops...you've done so much more than I'll ever be able to accomplish creatively. I hope my script is sold one day. It's actually very good. I know it is.

Have a successful and incredible day you guys. (or tomorrow)

Tim

Tim, I commend you on recognizing the importance of travel with your kids. They're very lucky. My parents did this for my brother and I. We don't have a lot of money, so sometimes it meant morgaging the house multiple times or not getting a new car (we're still driving our '87 Honda Civic... one of these days it's going to fall apart while driving down the road!)

One of the trips we took was a sabbatical to Australia. Yep, I lived for a year in Tassie, and did grade 9 at The Friends' School in Hobart. That's where I learned to row, in fact! Ahhh, I miss Australia. And yes, I do love Vegemite now. Bring a jar with me to the dining hall sometimes. lol.

I even had an Australian accent when I came back. Didn't last long, though. Sometime I wonder if that's why I like 'Strine accents so much. So sexy. The Tassie accent isn't as exaggerated as some others. One of my good friends is from Perth. That's where you're from, right Paul? He sounds exactly like you.

Anyway, that's also why I was so excited when I read somewhere that Tara Morice is from Hobart. Grandma, do you know what she's up to these days? Where can we find info on her?

Happy trails to you,
Caryn

Good morning Grandma! Working to achieve a goal does often require a "nose to the grindstone" philosophy from my experience, but that doesn't mean it's done in or out of fear: just common sense. Anything worth having is worth working for, etc.

Thanks for the kick Suz. And thanks for the reminder on the water. You're very thoughtful. It's even more important when we exercise. I have a little sign that tells me to drink it. Tell Sami hello for me and give her a long hug, but give yourself a little kick. You didn't think you wouldn't get one back did you?

Caryn's right Paul. You brought this whole "butt" thing up. I'm mentally kicking you in the shins (as you requested) while I write this. It's unfortunate that my encouragements and comments aren't reaching you. Maybe I've said something that offended. I thought I was helping somehow, but I guess I'm not, so I'll be quiet. I do hope you'll talk more about your search for an agent as well as your brewery project, when you have some news in the future.

I will continue to give occassional "virtual butt kicks" to those who want them. They never had anything to do with Paul's awesome ass anyway: just a playful way to encourage each other to "take care of business".

I'm grateful for all the support that people on this site have shown me. Your kind words have helped, really, and when I reach my current goal, I'll celebrate it with you, because that's what gives meaning to life for me: sharing.

Sincerely,
Whitney

p.s. Butt kicks all 'round!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Tim. We posted at the same time so I'm writing a second short note to tell you that I agree with your travel philosophy. I'm sure your kids will never forget these trip and they will surely shape their minds. You're a good dad!

Please keep tellng me about your exercise success. It really helps to know someone else is sticking to it. Let's trade before and after pictures through email when we reach our goals.

And thanks for the info on the diction program. I have a friend in Japan who wants me to come and teach English for a Summer. Though I speak proper English, I wouldn't want to transmit my country accent and the disadvantages that it could come with.

I would love to read your spec script. Is there anyway you could email me a copy? I promise to keep it top secret.

OOh gosh you guys I feel kicked!! Paul's butt needs to stop taking crap from Paul. don't let him sit around all day!! ;) Paul, you should play P.butt that song that was very popular in the US around the early 90's! cough'! lol. and no seating on the keyboard!!! that had me laughing!!!=)

Susan, tell Sami she sounds very delightful as well!! hope you two have a wonderful week!

Carlyn, Im jealous! you went to school in Australia! I love accents too!! =)

love to all!
Kelli

You guys are toooooo funny, I'm laughing very hard and now I'm almost tempted to welcome "Paul's butt" to this forum, but I wouldn't want to risk all the bruises and kicks I might get as the result of it .... and yes, I did indeed exercise Friday and Saturday and will do some today. Feels really good!!!! and not having gained weight over the holidays, but done the opposite, even better :-))))))

Paul, how is working in computer sales going for you? I hope you are not finding it too dreary.

Thank you Sami for your hug. I hope you are having a great day!

Tim, can I tag along on your family trip? It sounds wonderful. The south of England (W. Sussex) is where I spent many of my family holidays, learned some good English in the process, used to pronounce things properly and now after 10+ years in the US, my British friends pronounced me "ruined." I kind of tend to agree with them. These family holidays to the UK have definitely had a huge impact on who I am and who I have become, a really cool gift parents can give their kids.

Caryn, how's that paper coming along? I've motivated myself to working on the last dissertation chapter this weekend and am liking it and am hoping to be done with it by Jan. 20. That might be pushing it a bit, since I decided I had to do a whole lot more research, but hey, I'm going to do my best. :-) Keep working on it!.

Whitney, what does "proper English" mean for you?

Love to all.
Evelyn

Hi, Caryn,

In answer to your inquiry, here is some recent information on Tara Morice, who, at almost 39 years old can be considered one of Australia's finest actresses, and a classic beauty to boot, (in my opinion.)

Her work since "Strictly Ballroom" can be found on this Internet site: www.imdb.com Just type in "Tara Morice". The site has all her work in film and television, but nothing about what she has done recently, since 2001. (You can also find Paul's work on the same site.)

Lately, she has done the narration of an important documentary on the life of Annette Kellerman, Australia's famous Olympic swim champ,
actress, and one of Australia's most famous persons. The story of Annette Kellerman was made into a lavish MGM musical, starring Esther Williams, called "Million Dollar Mermaid." The documentary is called "The Original Mermaid" and is having its Australian premiere at the Australian National Maritime Museum on Febr. 13th, 2003. Wow, would I love to be there, even as fly on the wall!

Then, Tara also narrated a series for Australia's ABC TV station called "Deadly Rivals" which I believe has already been shown.

The last film she made, in 2000, was called "Hildegarde" (The Duck Down Under) that is a family oriented film. It tells the story of a young widow (Tara) and her 3 teen children, who must cope not only with the loss of the husband and father, but the theft of their pet duck, Hildegarde.

"Hildegarde" was shown at a Children's Film Festival in Berlin, and I think in Melbourne, too, Paul. It has not gone into general release.
Sue, I think Sami would love this one!

Tara appeared in "Moulin Rouge", in a 5 second part that was listed on the last credits as "Prostitute"...outrageous! I spotted her right away...it was her beautiful eyes that gave her away, in spite of all the heavy makeup and costuming she had to endure!

I don't know what she has done recently. I do know that her "partner" and father of her 7 year old daughter, is Craig Pearce, the screenwriter for SB, "Romeo and Juliet", and "Moulin Rouge".

Tara and Paul were absolutely breathtaking together in "Strictly Ballroom." I know we will always cherish those moments!

Love,

Grandma

Hi Evelyn. I guess I should have used the term Standard English. I don't have a personalized definition. The dictionary provides a nice one:"The English that with respect to spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary is substantially uniform though not devoid of regional differences, that is well established by usage in the formal and informal speech and writing of the educated, and that is widely recognized as acceptable wherever English is spoken and understood."

Good night Grandma.

Whitney,You sound like I have dissapointed you somehow. You have not offened me at all and I have enjoyed reading yor posts. You, like everyone, here inspire me by your efforts, commitment and comments - keep em coming - they do reach me.

As far as working in a computer store goes - I am grateful to have the opportunity to earn something - however it does not cover the weekly bills so it depresses the shit out of me! I enjoy dealing with people but find it stressful at times when a client asks the inevitable question and follows up with the what are you doing here?? etc etc etc They then want ot talk film/tv stuff and forget about buying a computer!! As my wife wisely pointed out last night - this is a temporary measure, it lengthens our ability to eat. It is not final, it is not my life forever but I hate to say it, somewhere in the back of my head that little dark voice of fear whispers quietly and incessantly....... In the meantime I will keep on dog paddling!!!!!!!!!!!11

There's no shame in being a computer salesman, especially if you set out to be the best damn computer salesman you can be. Acting skills should help you with that, and you'll be brushing up on those skills while you're at it. Here I've got a challenge for you, Paul: can you create a computer salesman character and act him so well that people don't recognize you??

Of course, being a computer salesman is not your dream, and I wish you much success with acting in the future. However, in the meantime, we wish you all the best in computer sales right now. Make those costumers walk out saying "Damn, he was the most couteous and knowledgeable salesman I've ever had!" instead of "Damn, I just met Paul Mercurio!"

Grandma, thanks for the info!!!

One paper down, two more papers and three exams to go....

Caryn

Thank you Paul.

I have a funny story for y'all (not related to any posts here... I just read it today):

A member of Parliament once interrupted another member by calling him a "shining wit" ...and then apologized for making a spoonerism!

If you don't know what a spoonerism is, see here: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=spoonerism

Paul, I thank what you are doing is very honorable. You are making money for your family, something that everyone must do at some point. ;) keep on dog paddling, it'll pay off! ;) And for the people who ask about your movie/TV career you could say "yes I am in the movie/TV business now would you like to buy a computer that alot of the latest "movie/Film" people have?" lol I know i'd buy a computer from you! and to Carlyn's great comments about walking out of the store having met you they will remember afterwards how great a person and devoted you are, just from meeting with you Im sure, and thats worth alot to have! Good Luck!!!

no doubt in my mind - it's temporary, just like your wife said....

we've all dog paddled in some shape or form... yours is just more public....

you know your craft and with a new agent and the release of SB again...the movie industry will come looking for you all over again....

cheering you on....bluedog

Kelli,

I didn't point this out earlier because I was hoping you'd notice it yourself, but you haven't. My name is Caryn, not Carlyn. Minor detail.

Thanks,
Caryn

Good morning Grandma.

I saw the movie The Hot Chick last night. It was funny in a National Lampoon sort of way. We really did laugh ourselves silly. Bear in mind, I enjoyed Zoolander too.

Do more than show them the features Paul. According to the Screenwriter's Bible, you want to explain the benefits. That's what sells the object. How will the custumer benefit from making the purchase. It would be cool if you could use an SB DVD to sell laptops with players. Then you could explain to folks how they would benefit by getting to watch you on their laptops!!!

Have a good day everybody.

Good idea about the DVD, Whit! I mean, how could anyone resist the benefit of getting to watch SB anytime, anywhere? ;) I myself asked for a laptop computer for Christmas so that I could watch DVD's (and write papers!!). And I'll bet y'all can guess which DVD I've been watching on it!

If use the SB DVD, Paul, I think you should show the part where Scott and Fran do the rhumba behind the curtain (chapter 7 on the DVD). That's my favourite part. It's so intense the way you stare into each other's eyes the entire time.

Paul, Whitney had a maaaaaaaaaavelous idea to show "Strictly Ballroom" DVD version, on any laptop that you are selling!

I own the DVD version, and I love to play it on my computer, for one is really upclose and personal, and I get the urge to give you and Tara hugs and kisses...however, Tara's pimples are usually so prominent (in the beginning) one must be careful!

If you were selling me a laptop using "Strictly Ballroom" in your demonstrations, I would buy a dozen!!! (Yeah, yeah, in your dreams again, Grannie...)

Great idea, Whitney!

Love,

Grandma

Paul, anything I/we can do to make dog paddling easier or less stressful or less frustrating for you? Here's a hug of support for you and thanks for sharing how this experience in your life is going, sorry it is so hard on you and I hope that in hindsight you will understand the Why part of it.

Whitney, you sure love your dictionaries, dont' you? so do I by the way and I have lots of them.

Congrats Caryn on one paper down and good luck with the rest of them.

Grandma Mildred, I always meant to ask you, what subject(s) did you teach when you were a teacher?

Have a great day everyone!!!

PAUL:

OK...you gotta read this. Everything is relative so just try to relate it to your life in some way. I've already mentioned my past. I was a "professional...executive type...h