Paul's Corner

I whole heartedly agree with you there, Paul, embracing the positive and the unkown of our journey and trusting that we will land an our feet somehow, no matter what--just not always easy to live this in the day to day activities of life. Just spent the afternoon and evening with a friend who is pretty much terrified about what is ahead for her, as she lost her job here and she is now moving to London to get married and everything is up in the air for her and she is totally freaked out and it seems that everything caved in around her, at least that's what she feels right now. I tried to encourage her as much as I could and to see the positive in what lies ahead of her, many opportunities, yeah, challenges as well. I wish I could be there more for her, but I'm heading over to Europe on Tuesday, by the time I get back, she's about to move over there. Okay, I'm feeling a bit bummed about "losing" the one real friend I've made since moving here last August. I really hope that she will embrace the possibilities that this new phase of her life brings her and I wish her well in her marriage and new British life.

Staying positive in challenging situations and in general is such a profound source of energy, fear drains it.

Food for thought, Paul. Thank you. Your beautiful words always inspire me.

Evelyn, you and your friend certainly have a challenge ahead of you. Your friend, with her life changing events, and you, with your adjustment to losing a good friend. Life's not easy, hey? But what can you do? You just have to close your eyes sometimes and go along for the ride. I've had so many changes in my life, I sit here now and wonder how I made it this far without giving up. There have been more downs than ups, but luckily, I'm in an "up" part of my journey right now. The only problem is, I lost so much time worrying and being depressed about things I had no control over, and things worked themselves out eventually. Not the way I had envisioned the outcome, but hey, I'm still standing. I'll be thinking of you and your friend...

Hello out to everyone. Lots of new faces here. Haven't seen too many oldies pop in. Peter? Mary? Inn? Tim? Hope Grandma Mil is having a glorious time visiting her family. Keep in touch everybody. I miss you.

Be well.
Sally C.

Wow Paul that is very insightful and very true. May we all have to courage to walk into the future without fear, and in its place with a feeling of faith and positivity. To do this, we are attracting the positive this universe holds into our lives ;) xxxooo

Paul,
Good to see that you still have some time to reflect on the philosophical aspects of being!

I'm looking forward to seeing the show. Perhaps I'll be inspired to do a little cooking over winter.

Best of luck to you. I hope the work situation continues to flourish.

He of the purle suite.

He of the purle suite cooks? :-) How are you, Peter?

Sally, I'm glad you are on the up swing as well, me too. Lately, life has thrown me interesting curve balls--painful, challenging, stressful, sure, had plenty of practice staring down fear, sometimes it won, sometimes I did :), but I'm still standing and I saw that I learned quite a bit and am emotionally stronger and better equiped to deal with, well some stuff anyway. And that was empowering!

Okay, I'm all packed, ready to hit the road for Germany, Italy and Switzerland, looking forward to my visit home.
Love to all!

Upps, didn't post my name with it, the above entry was from me. Evelyn

I sort of stumbled on this site while trying to find info on the "Easter Egg" hidden on the Stricly Ballroom DVD (I found the info I was looking for here, by the way! Thanks!) I'll certainly be coming back. This site really has a warmth and personality you don't often see out there in internet land. :-) Thanks for letting me pop in!

Hi All,

I do admit the unkown is the most terrifying thing for me.

To sustain that spark of hope in the spirit is to the most challenging. What next? And, do I still dare to dream of possibilities and work toward them facing the reality that, despite the efforts I put forth, the future remains in the end unkown always.

We only have so much control over destiny. And sometimes it just controls us. Is that the way it is meant to be?

Is it the end of world when we don't succeed? So do we solier on and develope courage and overcome fear again and again depite our successes and failures? And should we continue to feel the fear and attempt to take risks in our lives in the hope of success in the end. The unkown is meant to stiffle that.

Or as my grand uncle used to say when I would go visit him for cake and coffee, "We're just ants! Ants I tell ya! Ants! What kind of pound cake did you bring? I hope its not chocolate I'm allergic."

Otherwise the weather is getting warmer each day here. The humidity is awful. My "Ant self" decided after crawling out of bed this morning to go for a jog. I thought I was going to pass out.

I hope Millie and Ellie had a wonderful trip and I hope they give us a full report of their little adventures or maybe big adventures.

take care everyone!

love to all and the purle suit,

Paul, thanks for sharing these thoughts.

It is good to stand back every so often and see fear for what it is. Sometimes I think you can be in its grip and not realise it. To name it is to diminish it in some way.

It's great to think of you being so busy! Good luck as always with future opportunities.

Millie, welcome home!! I hope your holiday was everything you had hoped for.

Hi Sally! I hope all is well with you.

Evelyn, it's nice to think that you will be closer to me for a while! I wish you a safe and happy journey.

Kelly, I hope things are going well for you.

Hello to all my friends here and welcome to all the new faces.

Love to you all,
Mary

Hi from the other side of the Atlantic.
Mary, I did wave to you from the airplane as we flew over Ireland. Must pack again, since my sister and I are leaving for Italy around midnight, hopefully I won't be too tired to drive part of the night :-) doing really well with jetlag this time, which translates as not noticing it hardly at all.

Love to all, be well and have fun! Evelyn

Hi, everyone, Ellie and I are home since Monday
night.

We're still walking on air since our one week visit with our children and family in Israel. It was a long, hard trip, but well worth the effort.

We found everyone well, growning up fast (it's 6 years since we saw everyone, and generally everyone was looking gorgeous in our eyes, and so happy to see us!) Everyone except the very small ones speak English, so we had no difficulty
communicating!

We stayed in the hotel where all the children and my sister's family came to see us, but made one trip out of Jerusalem to visit my sister and husband, who had been ill. My sister prepared an Israeli lunch of chicken wings, salads, schnitzel, and hummus and pita!

We made a visit to our daughter's apartment, and
with 6 children still home, everything was in place, and the children help. I brought DVDs of our previous trip in 1996, and the kids were hysterical to see themselves as little kids! I also took footage of this visit, and promised to send it to them. Things seem peaceful in Jerusaslem where we stayed, and where our daughter and family live. Her older children live in the suburbs, but we managed to see them all! They all came to spend the Sabbath with us, from Friday night to Saturday evening. It was a treat for them, to stay in a hotel and enjoy the ambiance of a nice hotel with delicious meals!

It was a trip to remember, and to boot, one grandson's wife gave birth to twins, a boy and girl, the night before we left!

The girl, born first, was 4 lbs., and the boy was 3 lbs. Twins were expected but not until June.

The babies are still in the preemie ward, but are thriving, and with luck, will be home in a couple of weeks. We now have 7 great-grandchildren, and the family is growing...must be the air, filled with blessings!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma

Grand Ma Mill and Ellie, great to hear you are back safe and sound and that you had a great time! What a wonderful treat for you and your family! How is Ellie now after the car incident?

Peter, if you cook any good winter stews etc I hope you will share them with us here! I will eventually put all my Food Trail recipes on the recipe section and I must say I am pretty excited about some of the cooking I have come up with - yes it has all been edible!

I look forward to your thoughts Evelyn as I know you have cooked some of my recipes. When I finally finish all this work and slow down a little I am planning a dinner party. I will be inviting around a few friends and then cook a five course dinner made up of all the new recipes I have come up with for the show. Yes I want to shop off a little but more so cook them for my gorgeous wife!

Julie the future will always remain unknown. To dream throws a light out upon the path and reveals the very beginnings of those possibilities, encouraging, exciting and inspiring us to go forward one step at a time.

Dear Paul,

Thank you for your warm welcome! Ellie was fine during the trip, even though the plane ride from Florida to London was over 8 hours, and the second part, from London to Tel Aviv, Israel, was another 5 hours, with a 2 hour stop over to change planes! Ellie didn't complain about his back once during the visit, because we were too busy hanging out with our kids!

Also, even though the food in Israel, (Mediterranean, of course) was ample and beautifully presented in the hotels, resturants, and in the homes, I managed not to gain an ounce, because we were busy walking a bit more than I was supposed to with my bum knee, but who cared? I carried a cane just in case, but never had to really use it...the family said it made me look more distinguished than handicapped!

At home now, I bought hummus (chickpea spread) but haven't found the large, freshly baked pitas that we found in Israel!

Paul, "Dancing With The Stars" (American version) is opening on television this Wednesday, and should it be as successful as your Australian version, it should boost the popularity of your show also!

By the way, we met a lovely Australian woman last year who was visiting her cousins in our community.

We fell in love with her accent, her red hair, her dancing blue eyes, her demeanor, and her interest in movies, theatre, music. She came to our apartment to see where I put my shows together. We stayed in touch through the email.

Well, she was visiting Israel also the same time, and we almost got together, but she is a psychologist, and was attending conferences in Jerusalem, and was staying across town in another hotel, and we could not meet because of her schedule.

She lives in Melbourne, and her trip took her from Melbourne, to Sydney, to Bankok, to Israel...she too, has family in Israel, but time and space doesn't matter as long as the end of the journey is pure joy!

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Paul, methinks if you didn't get involved in dancing and acting you would have been a chef, and a great one at that! :D

Ok ladies and gents, don't get offended if Paul and the other aussies near him get a little crabby soon. ;)

Australian scientists stunned by crab invasion Thu May 26, 1:08 PM ET

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) - A 50,000-strong swarm of spider crabs gathered off a Melbourne beach this week, covering a stretch of seafloor the size of a football field and likely "scaring the hell" out of local fish, marine scientists said.

Museum Victoria scientists Mark Norman and Julian Finn said they filmed the mass gathering, which was up to a meter (3.3 feet) deep in places, with crabs piled 10 high.

Spider crabs are about 20 centimeters (nine inches) long with legs extending up to 40 centimeters.

Norman told The Age newspaper on Thursday the reason for the mass swarming was unknown, but it was likely related to breeding.

The crabs are normally found in small groups in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay and the Bass Strait, but few people have encountered an invasion of this scale, he said.

"We got some earlier warning from divers that they were here en masse, but we had no idea it was going to be so big," he said.

"It was like something out of a science-fiction movie... as far as you could see there were crabs," he said, adding that the crustaceans were "scaring the hell out of local fish".

The swarm began gathering early this week but by Thursday was thinning out, he said.

"This has been observed elsewhere in the world, like the Mediterranean ... it's not a rare event, but it's rare that you encounter it."

Norman would not say exactly where the swarm was located, only that it was in four meters of water off a beach in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.

So...we should be expecting crab recipes???:)

Michelle

Paul, all your talk of cooking and fine food makes my pizza for dinner look really, really, really lame! I'm gonna have to drink some wine this evening to make up for it. BTW what is your favorite wine? I'd be curious to try it.

Grandma Mil - so glad you had a great trip. I thought about you often. I can't imagine not seeing some of my family for that long. I can't hardly go a day without talking to my sister. Also thanks for the pics. They were fun to see.

Greetings to everyone else on the Corner. I have 3 school days left, so I'm busy wrapping up the year. We had a student that decided to end the year with a threat written on the bathroom wall. Put us on alert. All students will be searched as they enter the building for the rest of the year. I'm not worried - more precaution than anything. I will be happy to see June 5th tho!

Take care all!

Jill

Hi all.

Paul I like your message. I have been traveling an unknown path for awhile. It has been an awesome journey. Ever since I started my MBA last year doors have been opening. I finally returned to an Atlanta client this past week. I had spent 7 months in Birmingham Alabama. So I can definitely say I've served my tour of duty.
The changes in my life have been positive because I am making them that way. I do it by making choices that I can live with. And most importantly choices that affect my family in a positive way and depend on my family's input. Now things are so much happier.
I think cooking/brewing and other food related subjects are definitely your other niche. I believe it you really sunk your teeth into the pleasure of food and providing it to others with your recipes and beers you would be a resounding success in that as well.
Auntie Mil--
I'm so happy you had a wonderful and safe trip. Twin great grandchildren. That must truly be awesome. My wife and I actually were kidding around about being grandparents someday. Garrett is 14 and starting high school this year. God time flies fast. It sounds as though you had a memorable time. Maybe you can put some pics on the site. I would love to see them as I'm sure everyone else would.
I love hummus. Our friends from Lebanon made hummus and rolled grape leaves and pita and some
other foods one night and tobuli? I can't spell it. Any way it was delicious.
It's so good to know everyone is doing well.
I'm back in Atlanta now, so maybe I can check in more often for a change.

love to all

Tim

Even though this is only my second post, I'm still really enjoying reading and writing here on the board. Just wanted to write a little note about that documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" that Grandma Millie wrote about in a previous post. It is amazing. So incredibly charming, filled with dancing and positivity. I highly recommend it and think everyone should go see it!

hello PC Friends,

I gave some to Paul's post. My journey of life, of course, has ups and downs. I'm a planner and I've been trying very hard to work on this because when "things" don't go as planned, I don't always understand why. So, I'll term myself as an organizer!!

I have found that having a family of three girls hasn't allowed me the time that I used to have to write in a journal. I'm sure that I'll incorporate it somehow when things in my house calm down a bit and when I'm adjusted more thoroughly to my larger family. It's important to me that I don't forget who I am. I have found that my heart is always growing and I'm still learning lessons!

Okay, that's my story for now and I'm sticking to it. It's an evolving process, one that I sometimes look to and sometimes, I'm afraid of.

HUGS!
Abeth

Abeth the best way to break loose of such a habit of controlling your environment is to do something that you never thought you could do and do it on the spot. In other words don't plan on it. For instance, if you go to a water park and you are not the type who likes to get on some of the larger water slides, do it anyway without even thinking about it. This will teach yourself to be open to new things and more accepting of change. At least that's what I have learned in my 30 odd years. I know that sounds stupid but it's sort of like what James Dean said back when he was shooting Giant. There was quite a crowd of people around the set watching him and it made him so nervous that he opened his pants and took a piss right there in front of them. He figured if he could do this, he could do anything.

Tea-Funny you should mention about James Dean being so bold! I just watched a special about him a few weeks. Thank you for the helpful suggestions....I've already begun to do things that I would have felt "funny" doing. One was, riding my daughter's scooter-they loved it, the neighborhood kids loved and most of all-I had a blast. I gave myself permission to be childlike and to do something that was out of my "norm"! I guess God saw fit to bless me with three girls so that I would learn how to live a better and more quality life-I'm learning from them.

HUGS!
Abeth

(Yes, REALLY!) Hallo, everyone! Paul, it is wonderful to see you so busy and about! Glad to hear the BP is under control, and that you're still imbibing your favourite bevvies, eh?

As to your post, it's really interesting to come across older writings and to see how they STILL fit, isn't it? I kept a journal, as much as possible, when the boys were teeny, and to read through a Day In The Life of THAT person, phew! I can't believe I made it "out" alive (they are 7 & 8 now...snif!) nonetheless a bit smarter even on the other side!

Hugs to everyone everywhere! It's just beginning summer here, so we're looking forward to lighter meals and clothes, while you get to pile on the woolies and stews. But, here in upstate NY, it doesn't last long!

Lovelovelove & Hugs galore,
Dhi
(Who was actually THROWN by a goat yesterday. I --seriously--have whiplash, the little devil. Didn't like his hooves being trimmed and I landed on my arse with him still clenched between my legs (now PETER! Stop laughing! It hurts! ;-) The sheep thought it was hysterical too. Little ingrates.)

Dhiana, Goat clenching, huh? Enough said about that. Why would I laugh? (wicked, silly grin)

Paul, Yes, I can feel some winter stews coming on, but with me cooking, I fear for the safety of my family!
But seriously, winter stews seem to fit in well with this locality and they're so easy (and safe).
One of my winter favourites is chillie beef & beans - simple and delicious.
I'm also fond of lambshank stew with plenty of carrots.
All this talk of food is making me hungry. I should have breakfast!

A special hello to Gran Millie, Evelyn, Tim, Sally C., Mary & Michelle, plus Dhiana the goat clencher.

Peter

Hi everyone,

I was reading the posts this morning and I am dissapointed that Peter did not recognize me in his closing. Shame on you Peter, and your Purle suit!

Well it's raining in Florida and humid. It's funny to think that down under it's getting into the winter season.

Take care all!

I've been away for a bit so I thought I'd drop in and say hi. Grandma Mil, glad you had such a good time, makes that flight all worth it, it did for me.
Hello Paul, good to hear things are going well for you. I'd love to try some of those tasty dishes. About writing, I've been keeping writing books since I was 16. When I read back over them, sometimes I'd like to burn them. I get so embarassed over the things I thought. My father kept journals and it was nice to have them after he was gone.
Hello Sally, Julie, Dhiana, Michelle, Abeth (you go girl..ride that scooter!)Peter, Tim, Jen, and everyone!
Special Hi to Mary and Evelyn. Mary thanks again for the gift and Evelyn I hope you are well and having fun in Germany.
Love to all.
Peace

Sorry Julie.
I was trying to be fickle. My poor overworked brain often exceeds maximum capacity and I forget somtimes. Too many things requesting my attention!

I wish that it was raining here. There's widespread drought downunder, and it's bloody winter. It should be pouring down!
The place looks pretty sad in spots.

I'm sending a special hello to you Julie, Inn and everyone else at PC (just in case I forget again).

Cheers

Julie!
That should have read: "wasn't trying to be fickle"!!!

Abeth, good for you. God does tend to mold us through others, eh?

Gee, Peter, first you forget to say hi to Julie, then, you say you are trying to be fickle, and then, you yell at her! You are a crabby aussie aren't you?! ;p

Hey Pete , I think you need to knock the knockers socks off with an amazing crab hot pot !!! Surely Paul you've got a Merc's match for something crabby.
Paul - What's the bet we see in the next 5 months a CRAB INVASION sci fi script being pushed by Channel 10 drama !!!
GRandma Millie - such a fantastic read about your trip
lifted my heart !
On our philosophical bent - embracing change and accepting it as inevitable is one of the buddhist quests I believe. Once you can do that there it helps fear and trying to control, expectation , disappointment and so on.
I'm trying to grapple with the idea of whether I want antoher baby or not ( biological clock, financial position, not too sure partner - in consideration ) I think
I'm leaving it to the universe to work out for me .
cheers Manda

Well I am in big trouble for forgetting to say hello to someone very special...so Monika please forgive me. A super, super special hello to my dear Monika and also to our Katalina de la Latte. I should be taken out and flogged...any takers?
Inn

Hello Paul and everyone.

Watched the American version of DWTS last night and was rather disappointed. I thought the Aussie version much better, even though I didn't know any of the stars except you, Paul. Doubt if I will make an effort to see it again, but I'm not saying I won't watch it if I'm desperate for something mindless.

Inn,

I used to keep a journal when I was younger, but I moved around so much that a lot of stuff got lost. I have a few things that crack me up when I read them. Such lofty expectations I had then! I keep telling myself I'm going to buy a notebook and start writing down things for my grandkids and I want to start working on a family tree. I don't know a lot of my distant relatives and I don't want that to happen for my daughter and her family. Thanks for putting the bug in my ear!

Hi Peter,

What are the winters like in Oz? You say there's a drought now. How long has it been since it rained? Would be nice if the purle suit had super powers, eh?

Dhi, good to see you pop in. Long time, no? And Tim and Abeth, Michelle too.

Big wave across the pond to Mary and Monika. Hey to Evelyn, JULIE and Grandma Mil. Hi to Delta lady. Did you see DWTS?

Welcome to all the newbies. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Be well.

Sally C.

Thanks Peter. Don't worry I was being sarcastic. I forgive your "fickleness".

I tried many times to keep a journal but I don't have the dissipline to keep it up. But keeping a journal during difficult times helps sort things out.

Take care all!

Hello PC Friends,

AMANDA-Saw your post....how many children do you have now? I just had my third and now my family "feels" complete. I have all girls (don't say it, I know...weddings to plan!) We didn't want any regrets for NOT having the third baby. And, she's a joy, pleasant, beautiful-could I go on and on?

HUGS!
Abeth

Hey all. I'm sitting here on my last day of school (with students) for the year!!!!!!!! What a great day. The students are finishing a project and watching The Twilight Zone. We watched an episode earlier in the year and they loved it. I can't believe the year is done. I also can't believe my baby Maggie is now a 1st grader. Talk about walking into the unknown with that. I've been working on my fear of the future. Two women on my breast cancer board were just diagnosed with a reoccurance, so that freaks me out. I do my best everyday to not let fear take over and hide the bright sunlight of hope and future.

(((hugs))) to all. I won't name names, so I don't leave anyone out!

Jill

Oh forgot to add, my good friend and I are getting together tonight to have some appletinis (did I spell that right???) I got glasses and rimming sugar! I'll stop in later to let you all know how I'm doing - hee hee!

Jill

Hi Everyone!
I haven't posted much lately. Guess it's the winter blah's.

Paul
Congratulation on all your hard work, with all your new jobs and beer business. I was passing through the wine section at the market and noticed a Kangaroo on one of the labels. After looking a little more closely I found that there are a number of wines coming from Austrailia. Maybe your product can make it here too.

I just watched the American version of "Dancing with the Stars", last night. I didn't really know how the show worked until I watched it. There were six stars, paired with a professional ballroom dancer. Three did the Cha Cha and three did the Waltz. The only "star" I recognized was Evander Holyfeld. I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks. Any chance you might be a judge here in the States?

My daughter had her baby last week. Her name is Sidney Elizabeth. A big baby at 8lbs 14oz. I am going back in two weeks for a visit. My daughter and I agreed that one week was long enough for us to be under the same roof.

Grande Mil
How are you doing? I see in the weather programs that the hurricanes are coming, but I am sure you will be just as fine as last year riding out these storms.

We have been having our own storms here lately, wind, thunder & lightning, heavy down pours. Haven't had to water the lawn hardly at all. They are saying that the fire danger will be high this summer due to the lack of rain and snow in the mountains.

Thats about all from the Pacific Northwest.

Take care and love to all
Marge

Grandma Mil here, acknowledging all my chickies who ask about Ellie and me.

We returned to Florida after a marvelous week with our children in Israel, and five days later I developed a heart irregularity called "atril fibrillation" and spent 2 1/2 days in the hospital getting the old ticker regulated.

I am now under Coumadin (a blood thinner) and another joy, Amiodarone, which regulates the rhythm of the heart. It makes me slighty slow and lethargic, but the meds will be regulated I am sure next week.

Our visit was a joy, and I have pictures to prove it, but the trip going and coming was a nightmare, in length and in service from the airlines. Maybe the heart condition was brought on by the stress of the trip and also the realization that it will be another stretch of time until we see our children again, but who knows?

Jill, glad you're almost through for the summer. Yes, the kiddies grow up fast, as we know. Our brood in Israel has grown so in the six years, some marrying, (they marry young over there) and having families of their own. We now are the great-grandparents of 7, for twins (girl and boy) were born the night before we left to our grandson and his wife.

Our eldest granddaughter has 4, her brother has one little girl, and now the eldest brother is the twin's father. The babies came a bit early, but are thriving in the preemie ward. The girl was named after Ellie's mother, (Esther) who was such a lovely and wonderful mother-in-law to me years ago.

Marge, good to hear from you. Not only did I watch "Dancing With The Stars" but taped it to use in my future programs, all the time wishing it was Paul that was among the judges. I was wondering why almost all the judges had English accents, and then realized when the credits ran that it was a BBC program!

We are bracing for another bad hurricane season, but when things get bad, I'll pull out my Israeli
pictures....

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Okay two appletinis later and I'm feeling happy! Won't post much because I don't want to fall into the "I love you guys" trap! Love this tingle tho!

Jill

Well Jill if there is any trap to get trapped in, that's the one ;)

I haven't been on this site before, but I just wanted to post that I love "Strictly Ballroom" and am actually in Sydney until Tuesday and after being at ABC studios and hearing you were a judge for "Strictly Dancing,"I thought it would be cool if I had a chance to meet you. It would definitely make my memories of Australia worth while.

Okay it's now the next morning and I really, really wish I didn't have to be at work OR that I had stopped at the two drinks. I wish my classroom had a bed in it!

Jill

Gran Mil
I am so glad you had a wonderful visit with your family in Iseral. I don't care much for flying either. That's why I always take the direct flight to DC.
Is there a pace maker in your future? My Grandmother had one for 10+ years. It was replaced occasionally but she made it until 93.

As to the American version of DWTS, produced by BBC (go figure) I was not impressed with the dancers either. I think they were afraid to turn themselves loose and enjoy the dancing. Still, I'm looking forward to the next show.

Horse show this weekend. Don't know if we'll run or not. The grounds might be too wet, which makes it too dangerous.

Take care & love to all
Marge

Paul! I have to hank you for introducing me to the concept of a fruity beer. I tried my first. It's a apricot ale, and it's delicious! I really am enjoying it; so, I can only imagine how wonderful your Peach Ale must be! Also, I was so excited when I stopped off at the liquor store to get my sis some Fosters (her favorite) and right there next to the Fosters there was Coopers Pale Ale. I rememeber you mentioning this in your post so I tried it and I also enjoyed it very much. It's so keen to think that you *Paul Mercurio* has turned me on to this new idea of drinking these wonderful beers. :)

Paul, thank you for your words! They are very important for all in many moments and I tought about they so much. I try, day by day, change my life, my thoughts for to be my happy in the future! In the last days I did something very important: the first step for anything important to me and I remember your words: no have fear!
Thank you and have a good week!

Caroline

Hey all

It;s been a while, I know. I have great news to report (for a change). Clay was promoted fcrom the freshman baseball team to the Junior Varsity team (jv). Not bad for a freshman. He has hit 2 home runs so far. He just ended his high school season and is just beginning his summer league, now. He had the highest batting average on his team 398, and the most RBI's. (runs batted in). Nat bad for a freshman. He is getting into training to get in shape for football. He hopes to make the Varsity team. I wish him luck but don't really want him playing against the big boys, altough he is now 205 lbs and 5' 10". So I guess he himslef is a big boy.

Paige graduates 6th grade on Monday, June 13. I feel old. Tom bought her Hilary Duff concert tickets for a graduation present. NICE. Front row. She is getting good grades except math. She is doing well.

I have lost 27 lbs!! I am eating more in the day instead of one big meal, I spread it out throught the day. But I think the big thing was that my doctor put me on Lexapro for my anxiaty, and I have to say, it has cleared the fog and taken alot of the paranoid feeling I was having all my life away. I am not so depressed and I am eating less for comfort. Also, I don't feel so deprived of affection. Or feel I need to have so much of it to be happy. Tom is happy about that as he is not and affectionate person. I feel like the same pwerson, just dealing with things alot better. I don't yell anymore at the kids when I get mad. I say the same things, just in a much calmer voice. It's funny.

I actually feel like I could be happy one day. Not just have happy moments in a day. Only time will tell.

WE are almost to the point were we are ready to sell our house. Exciting!

I just got over pneumonia a coule weeks agoand now because I missed a week, I am on the verge of getting fired for absences. Even with a doctor note stating I was to sick to work. Go figure. But I am not uspet about it. Everything is meant to be. it is already predestined. What should happen, will happen. So to, this shall pass.

Hello to everyone!!!

Paul, glad you are doing so fabulous in your carreer. I think there a few of us that said it was coming. WE believed in you .... All the way.
You know, no matter how great you are, Andrea gets half the credit. You men would be nothing without all of us gals. :) You know it's true!

Back to how fabulous I look. I am sexy!!
I have not weighed in the 270's in 8 years. I l=feel great. My clothes are getting baggy and my hubby is getting to like it! He is proud of me and happy. I look like I weigh abouit 220, from everyone says. Noone could believe I weighed 305. I am a very thick girl and heavy boned. Heavier than I look. ( I wore a bikini at 160lbs and looked good)I am hoping to get back there were I was 20 years ago when I first met Tom. Not that everything would be back to the same spot, but hopefully in the same vasinity!

Marge, congrats on the grandbaby. My son was 8 lbs 14oz, too. Congrats!

hey Mary, Inn, Peter, MIl, Monika. Diane, Dhina, Tim, Jill, Tea and to everyone else, too.

gotta go, we bought a new coiuch today with dual recliners and massagers in each. only $500.00. What a steal! All becasue of alittle rip that THEY already had sewed up. No biggie I can fix it better if I wanted. But it is not noticable so I don't care. Anyway, he wants to watch the rest of the pistons game together, did you get that, together. something he never wanted to do at 305lbs. hummmm. what a difference 27 pounds makes..

Love to all.

I have missed you all so much.

Kelly

Hi!

This is my first ever posting to Paul's Corner and can I say how fantastic this website is!! Those who have been involved in creating it should be fully praised for what is just an awesome effort! Keep up the excellent work!

To Paul, thanks for being one of the judges in DWTS here in New Zealand! You absolutely rock! I have not missed an episode yet! It is so awesome to see you coming to our screens in this country! (even if it only on DWTS!) Can I ask if you actually have future plans with television or movie work in NZ? If so do keep all us here in NZ posted! :)

Keep up the great work you do! You truly are a man to aspire to. You continue to persevere and take any challenges head on. I wish nothing but the greatest in life for you and your family! I hope you do come back to judge the 2nd series of DWTS (if there is one!) here in NZ! But we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more appearances from you here in NZ!

Kia Ora.

Gwen

Kelly what wonderful news all the way around (except for the job thing - that sucks!) I'm very happy for you. You deserve to be happy and feel great about all that is around you. Reading your post made my day.

((hugs)) to all

Jill

Hello PC Friends,

KELLY-Could I suggest some more descriptive words for how you're feeling with the Lexapro....how about clear, concise, and consistent? And, your patience and tolerance level has increased. And, you're finally not too much to the left, not too much to the right-middle of the road is perfect! Keep up the great job!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Kelly
So glad to hear from you and all the possitive vibes. I also need to lose some pounds. I think loosing weight is as hard as someone who is trying to quit smoking.

Go girl! Keep up the good work

Love to all
Marge

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian woman was found to be carrying 51 live tropical fish after custom officials were alerted by "flipping" noises coming from beneath her skirt as she arrived at Melbourne airport.

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On closer inspection, officers discovered the woman had strapped on an apron of plastic water-filled bags containing the fish, the Australian Customs Service said in a statement on Tuesday.

"During the search, customs officers became suspicious after hearing 'flipping' noises coming from the vicinity of her waist," said the statement.

The 43-year-old woman arrived in Melbourne on a flight from Singapore last Friday. Customs are still trying to determine what type of fish she brought into the country and have not yet charged her with an offence.

She could face charges for breaking quarantine and customs laws for bringing in the fish without giving a declaration.

A search of the woman's home in Melbourne found another five fish.

Strike that, she was coming into Melbourne from Singapore. What does Melbourne have against fish? Full story here.

Phuck Cat you're fast; thanks!

Kelly! Hello! It sounds like you are doing wonderful. I am so very happy for you on your weight loss, god that is so hard, which I think everyone can attest too. You continue to be good to yourself, treat yourself right, give yourself lots of big hugs and lots of kisses (right on the mirror if you have too you can always clean it right!) Lots of love in your direction coming your way, brace for it! (((KELLY)))

To Kelly:

Congrats Kelly! With all due respect to other opinions, I think losing weight is harder than quitting smoking because you can't go cold turkey. You have to learn to moderate. It's very difficult. Be patient with yourself Kelly. Remember that happiness is a choice, and pray for His help.

Hello PC Friends,

Tonight, my little 3 year old (soon to be 4) is having a graduation ceremony at her little daycare/school. She's supposed to sing a solo, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". I ain't gonna hold my breath just in case she gets a case of the Shys.

Speaking of notebooks....I keep a written journal for all of my girls for the first year of their life. And, it's not one of those fill in the blank jobs-it's purely pen to paper. I tell them all kinds of stuff but never anything negative, such as world events. I totally keep the focus on them as a baby. I'll give it to them when they grow up or maybe when they are teenagers (you know the age where they think you hate them and are against them!)

Okay, there's my two cents contribution for the day!

HUGS!
Abeth

Come to the US and visit me, Paul!

xoxox

HI guys

I;m ok, im visiting my family in florida, and it's pretty hot right now with 82F degrees outside, but thank God most of american houses have AC.

Paul, I did wonderfully in my class, I still dont' know what my grade in the Stric. Ball. summary was, but I think it was ok cos i got an A in the class.

ok everybody, time to go,
take care and enjoy the summer for those who have summer and enjoy the winter for those who have winter,
Selena

Hello All,

I was in the wine section of the supermarket last night and a guy walked passed me wearing a black t-shirt with the word "Australia" written in huge red bold letters. It reminded me that it had been awhile since I posted on here.

Work has been busy. The hotel is still generating a lot of business despite the slower season. Money has been good and I was able to purchase some new clothes for the trip to Greece that I'll be taking with my husband next week (he has a conference in Crete). It was nice to treat myself after all these years of sacrificing here and there especially the wardrobe area. I am also experiencing how it is when you dont necessarily run after the cheapest bargain in town. When I was in Macy's last week I purchased a dress that would be perfect to wear in the evening on my trip. WHen I went to pay for it, the lady behind the counter rang it up, looked at the price on the register, then turned to me and said "you know this one's not on sale" I responded, "I know." Then she gave me a look as though I decided to sell my soul to the devil. "Well just to make sure you know". A few days later the same thing happened in the supermarket when I decided to purchase a $12 bottle Paul Michelle hair conditioner. The lady at the register looked at me when the price rang up, held up the bottle in her hand and said, "You know this bottle costs $12". She made the anouncement as though she was making sure I UNDERSTOOD that I was selling my soul to the devil. I said to her, "Yes I know. I can afford it". She looked at me as though it was craziest thing she ever heard. The people in line gave me a look of facination as though I decided to purchase a dead beaver.

So I'm frazzled on my days off preparing for the trip (that I waited to do at the last minute), buying every travel size item imaginable from toothpaste tubes to shower gels to dental floss, travel size Alka-seltzer, Asperine, hairdryer (now I have to find an adaptor for it) and a gazzilion little plastic bottles to put some of my other skin care products that don't come in travel size packaging. And I purchased a case to put all these wonderland migit size bottles in. I found out in my test run this afternoon that there wasn't enough room in the travel case. It's a hopeless effort to fit every item in my medicine cabinet into a little toiletry bag.

...and so is life.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Take care,

Julie have a fantastic trip. Sounds like lots of fun! More fun then I'm having sitting here sweating from painting! As for the spending money - they were probably all jealous that they couldn't or just won't spend that much. I know I woulda been! My next big slurge is going to be on a portable DVD player - mostly for the 16 hour trip to Ohio we are taking in a few weeks. Do we need it? No, but hey it will be fun!

Hi to all! Paul hope life is wonderful.

Jill

Hello everyone,

just a quick hello to you all. Italy was fabulous and I'm in love with the country all over again :-), Switzerland was nice as well, then I had a great weekend with Monika visiting from the Netherlands and yesterday I did some serious gardening, which I find very relaxing. No complaints :)

Paul, the short answer to you question is, I loved all of your recipes that I've made so far, some of them I "messed with" a bit, changing some of the ingredients, esp. some herbs or seasonings, but mostly I follow them. Last weekend I cooked some of my own recipes for Monika and she liked them, well, I did too, actually and so did my sister and Mum!

Okay, I'm off to some reading, it's raining here today, seems like the perfect thing to do.

Julie, have fun in Greece!

Love to all!
Evelyn

Hello to everyone in the Corner! Hope life is being good to each of you.

Kelly, reading your post did me good! I am so glad that things are going so well for you. I wish you continued happiness with everything that matters to you. You deserve it so much. Love to you.

Tim, continued happiness and success to you too. I'm really happy for you.

Julie, have a wonderful time in Greece. I'm not surprised that you are doing so well at work. It seemed to fit you from the start.

Evelyn, I can only imagine the excitement of you & Monika getting together! I'm glad your trip is going well.

Sally, big wave back to you! I hope things are good for you.

Hello & love to all my good friends here & welcome to all the new faces.

Love & best wishes to you Paul as always.

Mary

Thanks for the Bon Voyages Evelyn,Mary, Jill and Millie!

Evelyn, hopefully I will have as good as a trip as you did in Italy and Switzerland.

Jill, painting is a grueling task I know first hand when my husband and I bought our little 1950's bungalo house we painted it inside and out. I don't know if I have the stregnth to do it again in my lifetime!

Mary, I give you all my best. Hope all is green in Ireland this summer so far.

Yes painting is hard work. Boy did I sweat. BUT the pay-off is fantastic. It looks exactly as I had hoped! Very happy with it. Now one down, two to go. We'll see whether I get the third one done this summer or not.

Jill

Hi Julie, just another thought, re. that hairdryer, did you check that it works at a higher voltage (210-220) as well? The adapter alone won’t do it …

Happy painting Jill, been there, done that, and I know how hard of a work it is, esp. the ceilings. Glad you like it though the way it turned out!!!

Evelyn

pizza and beer-just to comment on those-

(poem comments later, that needs more thought:
3 beers imbibed so far = not fair to comment!)

BUT
i could live on these two things but what is a "beer dinner"? now that sounds quite wonderful!
:)

love the site too-new here!

k

Paul! This is a desperate request! Please post a new post to take my mind off the mind fuck I'm in this week. I would really appreciate it luv.

Tea

Hello PC Friends,

TEA-That request sounds serious!!

PAUL-Sounds like you need to get right on with it before Tea loses it!!

HUGS!
Abeth

I've kept a diary for almost 20 years and I find that it's a wonderful place to not only air out your thoughts, but also to reflect on new possibilities.

I joined this blog about 2 weeks ago and have seen "Strictly Ballroom" several times on cable. I am awaiting the "Life's Burning Desire" video also.

Your thoughts have inspired me to restart my ballet training and I have taken to the barre again. Sure wish you would issue a dance or exercise video!

Keep posting! You are doing wonders for me!

My life has turned in a badly written (oxymoron I know) soap opera. I'm the girl who is best friends with the boy who she really likes a lot. But the boy is in love with a girl who is the villian/vixen of the show. I'm helping the boy, who was fired recently because he had an outburst of the villian/vixen, bring the girl down. That is only part of it.

The other part of it, is my son, had a complete mental breakdown when I got back from Vegas on Monday. Causing me to go to a therapist to curb my drinking "habit". Also, we went to a therapist for him, to get his rage/temper in control.

However, after calling in sick for three days and fishing with my son (catching one and gutting it and frying it up in a pan for him), my son seems right as rain...

allowing (deep breath)

for me to actual believe that I really feel/am the only person in this world that can raise him safely.

I also overspent in Vegas and owe my dad about 2K.

I had fun though.

It was quite a week. I pray to God that is it though. I'm ready for harmony, calm waters....

Anyway, Paul's blog always serves as a terrific escape.

Oh and Hi Abeth!

Tea

by the way, "bring the vixen/villian" down, because every since this boy left here last Friday this vixen/villian first lobbied to get him fired, tried to get him arrested, and is now spreading lies about him and his actions. There is so much more to the story but I just can't bare to write it. I'm up to it in my neck.

"for to trust in the unknown
is to take power back from fear"

That is very powerful.

I am new here and to come and read something so wonderful right on the top of the page is a very amazing thing...

But how can one "trust" the "unknown"? That is the question and that is the exact point where fear can take root...when the question is out there hanging...hmmm...

I assume the answer would be faith but it seems there is something more-cannot quite put my thoughts together on it clearly though...

Well anyway, a great big hi to Paul and everyone here! :)

Reading on...

krinkle

Pre-apologies if my post shows up a bunch of times-hopefully the extras can be taken off easily-I think I may have hit the post button one (or more) too many times.

Ssorry!

Krinkle

krinklekrinkle@hotmail.com

Hello PC Friends,

I got to thinking more about Paul's post. Writing has always been good for me especially when I've been forced to deal with some feelings or situations that are new to me. I'm going through something now that I have written about and am now realizing the heart of the matter of what is really going on. It's hard facing the inner "demons". This situation may take some time to resolve. It's terribly uncomfortable but I'll manage to somehow get it resolved. Like everything else, this is a process. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to go about it not affecting my life. I'm forced to take a hard look at myself as a person and as a wife. While it's too personal to write about-I know that at some point I'll have had enough emotional pain and will be willing to take responsibility for changing.

HUGS!
Abeth

Just make sure when you are writing stuff down you are not buying into your own bullshit.

by the way, I'm over that bad patch. After dealing with it for a few days, I realized this guy really is a drama King and I've said good riddance to him. I have in turn, started a clean slate with the girl, having no ill will toward her.

But I would still love to hear from Paul soon! :)

TEA-I've had to cut loose a couple of friends this past year;wasn't easy. I continue to call it a "necessary evil".

Hopefully the Drama King has found new audience far away from you.

HUGS!
Abeth

Hi Abeth! Yes, it is a necessary evil, isn't it? And it's a shame to because I really thought he was a super guy.

Sheesh, I'm bored today. I'm at work, I have plenty to do, but it's so damn dull.

Tea

TEA-In what part of the world do you live? I'm slightly bored myself at work today. It's gorgeous out and I can't wait to pick up my 3 girls for our girls' evening. My husband is doing a fishing tournament this evening until midnight. So, it's Happy Meals, play outside with the girls and baby, feed, bathe and put the baby to bed and then time to catch fireflies!! Funny how the term "Weekend Warrior" has evolved in my life. It used to be all about going out years ago and now it's about staying home!!

HUGS!
Abeth

I live in Colorado. It's beautiful but I hate the cold and I want to move somewhere where it stays warm all year long, like Arizona.

I know what you mean about weekend warrior. 2 days is just not enough to get everything I need to get done, done.

It sounds like you have a wonderful relationship with your daughters. That's great Abeth. Thank god, for our kids, huh? (they may drive us crazy but were nothing without them ;) )

Where do you live?

Hugs back,
Tea

Hi to Paul, Andrea, and all of their pals! My name is Corina & I stumbled upon PC by accident today. Late last night I caught SB and thought, “Hey, there’s that guy from “Exit to Eden” and “Joseph” (because, as ya’ll know, the target demographics for both those movies are identical)! I also thought, “Hey, he’s a real good dancer, wonder if he ever studied dance?!” (I know…. DUH!)

So I did some research and found some biographical info (…”Blame it on Elvis. It was the lusty gyrations of The King in Jailhouse…”) and photos showing his vast dance training and experience. Initially, all I could find were photos from SDC of Paul in makeup and a blond wig and I thought, “oh, man, he’s one of those gay, artsy, ‘love me because I’m beautiful types…. Yuck.” Now, I’m not anti-gay, but I am anti- the rest of that stuff, so I was fixin’ to move on.

(OK, sidebar: if you haven’t noticed by the way I “talk,” I’m from the “Great State of Texas.” Actually, I’m a transplant, so it took me a few years to discover the unwritten law that anytime you say the name “Texas,” it must be preceded by the superlative, “Great State of,” FYI!) OK, back to my original ramblings.

Anyway, it’s about that time that I stumbled into the PC archives; I believe it was March 2004 and I trolled thru the thread on fame. I noticed the differing personalities of the different writers and how Paul welcomed and embraced a new member who made some teasing remarks about his, um, posterior. Of course, then there was the personal blog from Paul’s arse, which caused me to basically laugh my own off!

Anyway, too late to make a long story short, but after further reading I learned about Andrea, the girls, Paul’s openness and honesty, the fact that not only is he a creative dancer, but also a creative speller, etc. The genuine kindness and acceptance by the folks at PC and “no,” Paul isn’t a “love me because I’m beautiful” guy. He’s more like “we’ve all got something beautiful of our own to contribute.” (OK, that sounded so corny) Well, anyway, you definitely sound like someone my husband and I would have over for beers and a cook-out. (Remember, I’m in Texas, that’s a compliment).

I checked out the Mercs link, the beer sounds awesome! My husband and I lived in Madrid for 3 years and just thinking of drinking beer and eating tapas, ‘delicioso!’ But, I think the trip would have been a tad long, no matter how good the beer. I hope the Café Hobson Beer and Tapas night went well for ya’ll!

Well, that’s all for this volume of War and Peace! Peace to all!

TEA-I live in Baltimore, Maryland. I saw on the news that y'all had plenty hail!!

My baby has begun teething so I really, really was a weekend warrior. Wish us luck this evening that she rests more peacefully. I can't give her Motrin until she is 6 months old-only Tylenol for now.

I don't have a computer at home-only at work so I wasn't able to get back on here until this morning.

HUGS!
Abeth

Hello Paul, yesterday I rent your movie (Strictly Ballroom). And I laughed and I cryed. My mother never watch it, she love it! She loves dancing movies. I've watched it before. And now I'm a fan.
(thanks J. Lo for her latest movie Shall we dance)

We hope many others dancing movies comes in future.

Hugs from Brazil

Maycon