Paul's Corner

Wow Paul you have given me so much to think about, I'll have to come back to comment with my thoughts (it's almost like homework, but FUN homework :) )
But I would first like to say, I am really excited for you with this t.v. movie. I know it's going to be a wonderful experience for you and you're going to do wonderful! I hope I can see it someday. :)
Take care, have a good trip and please remember how much you are loved (by us and your family) xxxxoooo

Tea

p.s. I can't spell worth beans either but I rather be creative and deep (like you) than a perfect speller.

I completely understand what you say about loving someone as opposed to being "in love". After being married for 10 years (well as of July 3rd!) I wouldn't say I'm "in love" anymore. I love my husband with every breath in my, but we've moved from the giddy brand new in love love to a complete and utter commitment that goes far beyond just being in love. Just being in love would not have gotten us through all we've been through. We needed to be at a different place. I went to a wedding recently with a friend of mine. We talked some about the changes our marriages have gone through. Mostly how we don't yell and scream fight like we used to with our husbands. We both agreed that over the years much of what used to anger us and become so small that there isn't any point to fighting about it.

Anyway justing giving my thoughts. My husband just set up a babysitter and dinner reservations and took me out without me knowing it was going to happen. Then he gave me my totally unpractible (okay there's my spelling!) diamond bracelet for our 10th anniversary. It was a fantastic time. I can't imagine spending an evening like that with anyone but him. I just wish, too, that real life didn't get in the way of more times like that!

Good luck on the movie!!! You'll do great I know you will. Just remember we're all there with you cheering you on. And screaming and yelling with excitement at your fabulous performance!

Take care and enjoy.

Jill

Glad you are having so much fun, Paul and by the way parts of your post sort of made me chuckle or laugh out loud. Your fabulous sense of humor is infectious!!!

Loving someone enough … mmmmmm … can you actually quantify love? I often wonder what do these phrases mean ‘I loved him/her too much’ or ‘… too little’ or ‘… not enough’ Isn’t a lot of this tied to guilt somehow, or to not being satisfied with the way things are, the way I do things (of course this could be a good motivator in some way, too)? Anyway, while I was home recently I struggled a bit with “what does it mean to love someone when they absolutely drive you mad and up a wall???” Granted, pulling away emotionally and closing myself off and feeling guilty for not being loving and loving enough to accept them as they are and for who they are, isn’t helping a whole lot. Selfless love, is that really such an amiable goal as I was taught as a child? Probably, but not when set as the highest kind of love to strive for??? Okay, like Tea, I’m going to ponder all of this some more. Love for sure isn't just one thing, it changes, has different purposes and isn’t something to be taken for granted but treasured!, needs rekindling and nurturing if it’s supposed to stay alive and grow.

I absolutely second it that thick bath towels is the way to go.
Going on a date also is the way to go-should strategize about that and make it happen :-) no, I’m not desperate, but it would be fun!!!
Creative spelling and dictionaries, not knowing how to find a word in the dictionary, I laughed so hard, BECAUSE it is so true! A tip, for the desperate moments: type it in your word processing program with auto spell check turned on and it will do the work for you, then post it … but then we’d miss out on the wonderfully creative spelling which is so very endearing!!!

Oh almost forgot, have fun shooting the movie and just be yourself and you’ll be awesome!!!

Paul,

I was the one who talked about your creative spelling (you're welcome). I totally agree on the dictionary thing. I think someone should come up with a "Creative Speller's Dictionary," or perhaps an "Creative Approximation Spelling Tool (CAST)."

That is so cool that you and Andrea were both on the same wave length regarding nurturing your husband/wife relationship. It's so easy to get caught up in all your othe roles: being mum and dad, caretaker and breadwinner of the home, etc. and to forget to tend to the primary relationship in your lives, that which all others depend upon. I hope ya'll plan more "dates" when you get back.

Falling or being in love is that passionate young lover stuff. It is not the forever kind of love. That is why so many marriages end in divorce. Love is a choice. Some days we are easier to love than others, as is our spouse. Some days we "dig" our spouse more than others. And some days we "crave" our sweetie more than others. No one ever gets divorced during the highs, they just fail to wait for the next wave, KWIM? I'm glad to hear you and Andrea are still "surfing." (Our 13th anniversary is October, lucky 13! LOL)

May your gig go well. Do your best and have fun! Too bad those of us in the US won't get to see it, perhaps it'll do so well it'll come out on DVD?! Peace to all!

Jill,

I'm new, but I'd love to comment on your husband's romantic night. I don't know about you, but I almost think the fact that your DH arranged for the babysitter and made all the arrangements is more romantic than the bracelet!! Although, the bracelet does sound beautiful. Once in a blue moon, it's nice to throw "practical" out the window. And great point on "giddy love" versus commitment.

Evelyn: I have the funniest story about the spell check on the Word on my computer. I was trying to spell hors d'oeuvres and it pretty much let me spell it however I wanted. It even let me spell it "horse devours". I found that hysterical. I ended up going to www.dictionary.com and that was a little helpful.

You're so right about love needing to be nurtured and allowed to grow. And I third the thick bath towels. They feel sooo luxurious. :-)

Corina, welcome and thank you for your posts!

The movie is an Australian made US movie of the week type of thing so you guys in the states will most likely see it there before we do here!

Hello PC Friends,

PAUL-How funny and odd that your post is about wife and love. I'm going through and working through a marriage situation myself-but-it's nothing that I've said to my husband yet. You are to be commended for being so open, honest courageous. Also, please enjoy yourself on this upcoming movie.

CORINA-I, too, will be married for 13 years in October but mine is the 18th.

HUGS!
Abeth

Hi Paul,
My husband and I have been married for 19 years and we keep the romance alive by having a weekly date night every Saturday night. Nothing really expensive - just a movie and dinner at a local place. We also try to take a nightly walk. At these times we can discuss our daily lives, hopes, and dreams.
Looking forward to your new movie. Hope it airs in LA. Glad you are working on this new project.
I understand that one of the artistic directors from the Australian Ballet died recently. I wonder if he was one of your instructors. Please give thought to doing more dance choreography because that's truly a lasting legacy.
Leilani

there are many levels of "love" in a long term relationship - expecting heart pounding breathless love 100% of the time will just leave you disappointed and frustrated. It does come and go and you do need to take the time to rekindle! good for you paul!

underneath it all is love-a different form but still love and still as important, maybe more so-it is part of growing up and growing wise

:)

corina! you are so right-divorce sometimes happens when people fail to wait out for the next wave :) perfect!

paul-what is the title of the movie so we can watch out for it here in the US?

and thick towels yes! got some "hotel" quality onces last year they are so luscious.

K

My parents are still really in love with each other. My mom won't even let my dad spend time alone with his grandchildren for any real lengthy time. She won't let him close his office door, and stay on the computer for as long as he wants. They suffered through a very turbulent marriage in those early years (through my childhood until I was about 20). Now, they lack the energy to fight. Years ago, they still spoke of divorce. Crazy kids.

Paul, is it possible that Andrea is such a low maintence lady that she does not provide you a feeling of being really needed? This may be what you are experiencing. Sorry to stick my nose in your relationship but maybe you want her to be a little more possesive of you? Perhaps this is what you feel you're missing. Andrea sounds like a classy lady though, extremly put together. I admire her.

Good to see you back, Paul.

Looks like lots of good things are coming your way.

Good luck on your movie shoot. You'll have to let us know more about it so we won't miss it. So happy to hear we'll be able to see it here in the States. It's been too long.

Funny how love changes, don't you think? So many different phases and so many different kinds. All that matters is that womever you love, as long as you get some back, you are blessed.

Thin towels? Are you mad? The bigger, the thicker, the more I like them.

We'll miss you while you're away, but you'll always be in our thoughts.

Hello out to everyone.

Be well.

Sally

Dont ya love irony?! Last night I realised I was not ready to get on a plane and go to the city where I am shooting the movie. I needed another day at home to tie up a couple of loose ends and to actually have a little time out - last weekend was the first weekend at home in 9 weeks and it was busy!!!! Any way I called the airline to change my flight to the next day (I was going up early than I needed to anyway)and was put on hold for 20 mins (20mins I really didnt need to lose considering how I was feeling about needing time out) finally I spoke to a consultant who informed me that as I was not giving 24 hour notice there was nothing they could do and I was stuck with the original booking! Oh well it was worth a try.

Got to the airport this morning to find utter chaos. Big storms up north where I was going and flights have been cancelled left right and centre including mine! After queing for an hour I got to a customer service representitive (dont you just love all of these new fangled politically correct descriptors?) And yes you guessed it I was put on a plane tomorrow!!! In fact the very same flight I was hoping to change to the night before. IRONY. It cost me $150 in cab fares and three hours travel time.

I am home now and am contemplating doing some vacuuming, followed by a walk to the butcher to buy some lovely osso bucco, some beautiful fresh green beans and a bottle of stout. I reckon I am going to cook up a lovely dinner of garlic mash potato, green beans and stout veal osso bucco and have a warming cab sav with it. I may even eat it sitting in front of the fire whilst watching a cooking show on the teley. Now that is my idea of heaven - well one of them anyway - the girls are away so I will enjoy being in my home quietly, not something I get to do often.

I will miss the girls though all four of them!

Paul,
Eating a divine meal you've prepared yourself whilst watching someone else cook another supposedly divine meal? I'm missing something. I think that would just confuse my palette. Especially if I'm eating veal and the person on the TV is preparing seafood or tripe.

What a mess at the airport. Irony indeed. Of course you won't get any of your money back because they're not responsible for "acts of god or nature." I'm sorry you lost money, but quite glad that you got an evening to wind down. DH is out of town tonite and my little ones are down for the night (I think Texas is 13 hrs behind you) so I have some extra time tonight to catch up on email, have my quiet time, etc. I'm too much of a people person to do it often, but once in a blue moon w/purple polka dots it's nice to enjoy some alone time, so I congratulate you on your evening home alone.

("OH, NO! It's Paul Mercurio in Home Alone 4! Andrea and the girls are out of town and Paul's flight gets cancelled... what kind of mischief will Paul get into? Find out when this absurd movie comes out opposite Scream 500 at the end of this summer!!)

Whew, glad I got that out of my system. Have a safe flight tomorrow, a safe shoot, and break a leg (or what was that thing you're supposed to say to dancers? something that begins with a "b"? like Bachooks?) Whatever. Peace.

Corina

Corina, I think it's chookas.

Speaking of storms, just spent the evening in the basement due to tornado producing storm systems and it's a little too close for comfort when you hear that a tornado was seen about 10 miles from where you live heading directly towards your town. Well, all seems to be okay as far as I can tell, but sitting in that closet, watching the different warnings splash all over TV (until that was knocked out by the storm), listening to all the different rumblings of the storm, a whole slew of bizarre thoughts whirled through my mind most of them taking me by surprise. And why does that damn tornado siren have to go off at the precise moment you are on the way to the loo and really have to go??? :-)

Cooking is fun and today I was particularly pleased with my dish, veggies stir fried with garlic herb BIG shrimp, simple but flavorful. Best part is that the herbs I started from seeds earlier this spring are finally big enough to use and somehow they taste so much better than anything I ever bought. Fruit of ones labor, I guess.

Anyway, here’s to calm weather, safe journeys, successes, quiet moments, good food and loving relationships.

Evelyn

the tomatoes I grow in my garden cannot be beaten by any other tomatoes for flavour, mouth feel nor happiness. That is the way it is! Grow your own and grow your happiness I say!

Hello PC Friends,

TOMATOES-My husband grows the best!! He also has a raspberry bush of which my girls promptly eat as soon as they ripe!! He grows other stuff in his garden of which he is very proud.

HUGS!
Abeth

Paul why is it every time I read your blog, I get really hungry (hehe) :) xxxxoooo

Austrialia rocks!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050630/hl_afp/afpentertainmentpeople_050630084029

Thousands evacuated in post-drought Australia rain By Paul Tait
Thu Jun 30, 7:56 AM ET

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Two people were missing and about 3,300 people evacuated from rising floodwaters in eastern Australia on Thursday after storms lashed areas which had been suffering under the nation's worst drought in a century.

In the New South Wales state farming town of Lismore, about 600 km (370 miles) north of Sydney, 3,000 people began leaving their homes before floodwaters in the nearby Wilson River hit an expected peak of more than 10 meters (33 feet) late on Thursday.

Strong winds and flash flooding from storms overnight also caused widespread damage in neighboring Queensland state.

A search for a man and woman missing after their car was swept from a flooded causeway in Coomera on the Gold Coast tourist hub was suspended late on Thursday.

Lifeguards on jetskis had earlier joined police in searching for the couple, feared drowned.

Several other people were rescued from stranded cars and some homes were damaged but there were no injuries, officials said.

State Emergency Services spokesman Phil Campbell said at least another 325 people had been evacuated in small towns north of Lismore on the Tweed river near the border with Queensland.

Just two weeks ago farmers were dancing in the rain after downpours delivered the first heavy showers in more than four years to large areas of drought-ravaged eastern Australia. Australia is the world's second-largest wheat exporter after the United States and a major supplier to Asia and the Middle East.

"Drought is not broken by one rainfall event but this is a wonderful start," National Farmers Federation President Peter Corish told reporters.

Rain which began earlier in June allowed farmers to plant winter crops after many had endured three months with barely a drop of rain.

Inland areas of New South Wales that had been dustbowls sprang to life as green seedlings began to appear but the heavy rain was now preventing some farmers from tending to their newly planted crops.

Further south, heavy rain began to fall near Goulbourn, one of the areas worst hit by the drought and which had been close to running out of drinking water.

"It's certainly been helpful but it hasn't been drought-breaking rain by any means," Goulbourn water official Matt O'Rourke told Nine Network television.

Lismore Mayor Merv King said the evacuations were ordered as a precaution even though 10-meter high banks were built in the area after floods in 2001.

Officials said about 500 mm of rain had fallen in the past 48 hours around Lismore and there were fears the floodwaters could overflow the banks.

"Better to be prepared than sorry," King said, adding that roads had been cut around the town and that an evacuation center had been set up at a local university.

"People should be very careful if they are using the roads and if they haven't got a good reason for going out, stay at home," King said.

About 46,000 people live in and around Lismore, where the main agricultural products are macadamia nuts, cattle and fruit and vegetables.

Flood warnings were issued for towns north and south of Lismore, while emergency services worked to clear up after storms lashed Queensland's popular Gold Coast, triggering small landslides and flooding dozens of homes and businesses.

Officials said the Gold Coast airport had been closed by flooding, which had also cut the main road north to the Queensland capital Brisbane.

Tea,

Does this mean poor Paul got grounded again? I know nothing about Australia, what part of Australia Paul lives in, which airport he was flying out of, etc.

Hey, thanks for sharing that link about Tom Cruise. DH and I were just talking about that interview not 10 min. ago. TC's timing is impeccable! His arrogance is going to cause his new movie to bomb and he's going to take Spielburg down with him. Having dealt with PPD personally, I was very upset and offended with how he spoke about Brooke Shields, and frankly, it's none of his bleeping business!

I love the organization's name of SANE! How appropriate! I agree, Australia rocks (and Cruise crocks)!

Hi everyone!

Paul
Air travel. When I left to fly back to Maryland to see my new granddaughter, the plane was delayed so they could check the fron wheel of the aircraft. Then they decided it was not safe and had us all go to another gate, which was about the other end of the terminal. I later found out from a passenger why the wheel was damaged. When they landed from Anchorage the plane took a terrible bounce, therefore damaging the from wheel assembly. I did not get in until 10:30PM. My daughter had to pick me up as Jeff was in Pennsylvania, traveling with the president. I really felt bad that she had to get the kids up and bring them with her. But we all survived.

I met the most amazing young man on the flight. He is 10 years old, and loves to read. He is a history buff. We talked about the American History and it was just amazing on how well read he was and knew so much. We had a very serious discussion about the View Nam war and it was as if I was talking to a well knowledgable adult. He was just amazing. They were on a tour of the all the memorials in DC. I told him that when he visited the memorials and saw a Veteran to go up and shake their hand and say "Thank you". We exchanged address information and I have been invited to visit them in Alaska. It's something to think about. I could tell that his parents are still "in love", and commented about it. They shared a movie together and held hands with her head on his shoulder. They have been married for 14 years.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS.
I had a wonderful time visiting my daughter and my new granddaughter, Sidney Elizabeth. She is God awful gorgeous. She has so much black hair that she looks older that she is. She was 5 weeks old yesturday, (June 30th). She weighed 7lbs, 14oz. and had gained a pound at her 2-week checkup. She has the darkest blue eyes I have ever seen. They almost look purple. Alana and I discussed how long I should stay and we both agreed, that one week was long enough for us to be under the same roof together, what with a new baby and Logan, who will be 3 July 11th. But she wanted me to come while the baby was still a 'baby'. I didn't get to see Logan until he was 3 months old.

Towels:
I usually get the best fluffy ones too. Also I try to find towels that do no have that pesky stitching on each end for a border. The first time you wash and dry them, this strip shrinks and will not stretch out no matter how much you try.

Being in love and loving someone. I was very much in love once, with someone I never married for reasons I won't go into. I didn't fall in love with my husband, but I did love him very much. We shared a loving relationship together until he died of cancer in 2000. We were married for 32 years. I miss him very much, but I also am enjoying my freedom. I just turned 66 on June 25th. I celebrated by going to my neighbors surprise birthday party.

Welcome to all the 'Newby's' and all the oldies.

Take care and love to all
Marge

Paul
What is the name of the movie you are shooting? When will it be releaed?

Next week is the final show of DWTS here in the US. It's gotten more exciting each week. At first, I was a little bored with the program. There is one professional dancer whose name Alec Mazo. What a hunkk!! Sorry Paul! LOL He is 27 and immigrated from Russia when he was small. I think his mother had a dance studio. I would really like to see him in the professional dance competitions that he will be in in the future. His 'star' partner is named Alec something and is in one of the soaps here. She was at first uncomfortable where he was placing his hands, as she was just recently married. She had her husband come in and watch the practices and he okay with it. Each week she has bloomed and let herself go and is one of the two finalists, along with John O'Hurly and his professional partner Charlotte. I am looking forward to next week. Anyone else been watching?

Take care,
Marge

Imagine you're 100 years old, laying on your deathbed. You're looking back over your life. What do you like?
What do you wish you could improve?
What are you grateful for?
What do you think about Andrea?
What are your favorite parts of her? (Don't get funny - the evidence of children provides the obvious answers)
What parts have changed in her because of your influence?
Do you recognize her sacrifices?
Does she recognize yours?
Were they worth it?
Is she bored out of her mind?
Are you?
What is her perspective?
What decisions do you think you'll make from this point forward?
Is being in love that important? It's exciting maybe, but important?
Do you both need excitement?
What excites you about her?
What excites her about you?

In love = obscession? Lust? A thrill? maybe.

Love = caring? history? familiarization?acceptance? forgiveness? recognized beauty? remembering a moment or a lifetime?...

What is important to you?

I'm glad you're thinking about it. It shows you're not taking things for granted. Or have you been and now you have regrets? Regrets are the past crippling you in the present. Move forward in the right direction.

Congratulations on the various job opportunities I am hearing about! That's wonderful! A sense of accomplishment is always rewarding in one's pursuit of happiness.

Yes, Paul, do let us know the name of the movie when you get a chance;we will be waiting not-so-patiently.
Well, I turned 50 6/23, and so far it sucks. Fainted Tuesday and figured time to maybe cut back on my bp meds. Doctor says maybe, BUT stuck me in the hospital overnight. EKG fine, heart monitor, that was fine, bp not bad, then did cat scan, traveled to another hospital at discharge for an EEG, results were cat scan normal, EEG "possible" seizure activity, so now I can't drive, have to do an ambulatory EEG at the end of the week. Can go back to work if I feel ok, which I do except for the black eye I got when I fainted, and a slightly stiff neck which came from watching tv at hospital from the chair,lol.The eye doesn't hurt really, just kind of swollen and looks like I put Goth makeup on with a trowel.
While I was in hosppital, I had to laugh when one of the news shows was asking the question "Is Tom Cruise nuts?" And the EEG technician and I were discussing that,too. He can believe anything he wants to, but does NOT have the right to advise anyone on medical matters!!!
Although at the moment, and after reading all the side effects associated with the meds I'm taking (lightheadedness and fainting!!!),I'm ready to salute the medical profession with a single digit, if you get my drift.
Thanks for letting me vent guys!
Hope you made the new flight Paul, and hope the weather cooperates for the rest of the shoot.
hugs and smiles,
Sally

Strange this article would come out the same day!

Prophecies uncertain on Apostles' future
Katrina Strickland
July 05, 2005
THERE are visible cracks in most of the sea stacks that remain at Victoria's famed Twelve Apostles, but the experts cannot predict when or if any of them will fall.

The ranger in charge of the shipwreck coast, Alex Green, said geotechnical analysis was only done on the areas of the coastline that the public used, namely the clifftops. A report done in August 2003 deemed these to be safe, he said.

"We watch the public viewing areas very closing to ensure visitors are safe," Mr Green said yesterday.

"We don't monitor the stacks because they are removed from public access and thus don't pose a public threat."

Nevertheless, he took a closer look at the eight remaining stacks yesterday.

They all had cracks similar to those on the stack which collapsed on Sunday morning, he said. But that did not mean another would fall soon.

"Three months ago, one of our rangers was talking to the media and said that none of them would fall in our lifetime," Mr Green said, chuckling. "He's a bit red-faced today. The truth is we don't know. It could be tomorrow, next year, 100 years or 1000 years. It's a natural process."

Phil O'Brien, a geologist with Geoscience Australia, agreed that it was impossible to predict when another one would collapse.

"There's not much you can do short of setting them in concrete posts, which rather misses the point," he said.

"It should be about enjoying the coastline, not keeping the numbers up."

Which brings up the thorny question: exactly how many apostles are there? It was a hot topic yesterday, with some members of the public disputing the official line that there had been nine stacks, and there was now eight.

"It depends on your definition of a sea stack," Mr Green said. "From the viewing platform, you used to be able to see nine, now eight. From the air you can see more. It used to be 14, now it's 13. Historically, there were as many as 20 to 30 along the coast."

The Twelve Apostles were originally called the Sow and the Piglets, but the name was changed to the Apostles in the 1960s, then eventually to the Twelve Apostles in reference to the Bible, not the stack numbers.

As for tourists, there was no downturn yesterday, and Mr Green does not expect any. When an archway on the nearby London Bridge collapsed 15 years ago, it led to a doubling of tourists in the subsequent year.

Julie Strickland, acting manager for Shipwreck Coast Tourism, agreed it could only have a "positive effect".

I should have read the article a bit better. This was written after the discovery of one of the Apostles falling.

Corina, Paul lives in Melbourne. I have no idea where he flies out of though. I just have noticed recently there is quite a lot of info coming out of Austraila lately. It's such an interesting place, isn't it?

Tea

Tea,

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing Paul did get out OK since we haven't heard about another missed flight. He mentioned having to take a taxi and 3 hrs travel time (round trip) so whatever airport he flies out of is about 1 1/2 hours from Melbourne.

Yes, I agree, lots of interesting stuff coming out of Australia, thanks for keeping us posted. The article on sea stacks was interesting, although I'm not entirely sure what sea stacks are, I suppose I can google and find a picture. Perhaps you can post the link to the picture of the "fallen apostle?" OK, that just felt wrong to type those words, how about a link to the picture of the fallen sea stack, instead? LOL

Thanks,
Corina

New dolphin species discovered in Australia 56 minutes ago

SYDNEY (AFP) - The first new dophin species to be identified in 30 years has been found in Australian waters, researchers announced.

The shy Australian snubfin dolphin lives in shallow coastal waters in northern Australia and possibly Papua New Guinea, said scientists Isabel Beasley and Peter Arnold.

The snubfin was initially thought to have been an Irrawady dolphin, usually found in Asia and Australia, but DNA tests proved that it was a different species, said Beasley of James Cook University in Townsville.

The dolphin has been given the scientific name of Orcaella heinsohni in honour of earlier research in the 1960s and 70s by the university's George Heinsohn.

Because the snubfins live in coastal waters "they are susceptible to many human threats including accidental catch in shark and fishing nets as well as effects of coastal development," Beasley said.

"Human threats on Irrawaddy dolphins in Southeast Asia are even more severe. Five Southeast Asian dolphin populations were recently classified as 'critically endangered' by the World Conservation Union.

"This means the total population is less than 50 individuals so there is a high chance of local extinction in the near future," she said.

Arnold, of the Museum of Tropical Queensland, told AFP they had no figures yet for the snubfin population, which he said was the first new species discovered in 30 years.

Thank you to the posters who recommended "What the Bleep do we Know?" (I can't find the post with your names....I'm sorry.) But, wow! What a very cool movie! I had never heard of it before, but I'm very glad I got the chance to see it. Thanks!
http://tessaegg.blogspot.com/

Grandma Mil here, it's been a while since I've posted.

Welcome to the newbies, Tea, Tessa, Corina, Kirsten, and welcome back Marge and Deltalady!

Things have slowed down since Paul has been away, but it's wonderful to know he is busy filming, and we oldies are so happy that after some rough times, he is back where he belongs, professionally!

Marge: Glad you got to visit with your family.
Congratulations on your new granddaughter! Yes, grandchildren are very special. We were in Israel
in May, visiting our eldest daughter, Paula, and her large family. We now have 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (all in Israel, except for 3 grandchildren living in the U.S.) Our Israeli daughter (Paula) just turned 50 years old, and is a grandmother herself...where did the years go?

Deltalady, hope you are feeling better! You've had your share of health challenges...enough already!

Tea, I was very interested in the fact that you are an Aussie. I have been writing to friends in Australia, found since Strictly Ballroom, which, everyone knows, is my favorite of all time, and I've been around a long time and a movie buff since childhood!

In retirement with my husband and living in a large Florida retirement community, I am the producer of a monthy video concert, called the "Sights and Sounds of Music" now in its 10th year. It is a 90 minute program, with clips from all the classic movies, ballet, opera, documentaries, etc. Last night I did the July show, and told my audience that I had a wonderful list of DVDs that I would be showing them in the coming year. I also do a monthly film night, and when I read them the list of my new DVD's the comments were "ohh, ahh" and it was actually funny to hear these lovely people, and they laughed too!

Among my DVd list are three Australian films, which have a common thread among them--the
struggle of the heroines to overcome their physical and emotional limitations.

The movies are: My Brillant Career, Strictly Ballrom, and Muriel's Wedding. If anyone is interested in a marvelous essay on the topic, I would be glad to send it to anyone...I did not write the essay...wish I did!

My Brilliant Career was the first movie that Judy Davis appeared in, and the first directed by
Gillian Armstrong, a woman director. Both went on the greater things, but this first film is so gorgeously filmed and acted, and in DVD, is absolutely breathtaking! It is a period picture, set in the Australian ranch and farm country, in the late 1800s..romantic and spellbinding!

Of course, we all adore Strictly Ballroom, which brought us all together, thanks to Cat and Paul.

Tara Morice did a marvelous acting job, going from the ugly ducking to the gorgeous swan, just by taking off her glasses, and taking dance
lessons from our Paul!

Muriel's Wedding is a thought provoking film also, depicting a young woman who is lonely in her dysfunctional family, and finds refuge in her
room, listening to ABBA music, and hoping she can change and get married..to anyone!

Gotta go, take care everyone, hurricane season is here in Florida, and we watch the weather forecasts a big closer lately!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Hello to everyone, old and new.

We've been so busy at my house this summer, it's hard to pop in to post. First, we had my grandchildren's birthday party, they just turned 10, but you would think they were already 15 and my head is spinning trying to keep up with them. But I'm not complaining. They keep me young. Then we had 2 weddings, a funeral, a christening, and finally a pig roast for the 4th of July, using up every weekend since the end of May. Of course, we're big movie buffs, too, and there are so many good films out, with more coming, that we'd like to see. Can't keep up...

Congratulations Marge on your new grandchild. You must be so happy.

I know Millie has a large brood, and I think she'll agree, the more the merrier when it comes to family. Hope the heart problem you had a little while ago is under control?

I LOVE "Muriel's Wedding". It's one of my favorite Aussie films, along with SB and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".

Sally, hope you're feeling better. What a scare that was. Thinking of you.

Paul, you're in my thoughts. So glad you're busy. I think we should take up a collection and get you a laptop. Then you could be "wired" where ever you go! (That doesn't sound right, does it? ;o) )

Tea, love your posts from OZ. Very interesting.

Take care all.

Be well.

Sally C.

Sally, good to hear from you again! Yes, I had a heart irregularity (atrial fibrillation) 5 days after we returned from Israel. We are grateful that the attack happened at home, near my doctors, instead of in Israel, London, or on the plane itself. I went to the hospital (for 2 days) in an ambulance, the first time in my life, and got excellent care!

Amost 6 weeks later, I am doing well with medication, and am back to all my activities. I'm even planning another Follies for 2007, God willing, and maybe there will be another FIF in the making...who knows?

The seniors in our community of seniors (9,000 of them) get to see all the current films on our big Theatre screen for $1.00 a ticket. That's fine, but the crop of good films has been so poor lately..the other day we saw "The Pacifier" thinking that being it was a Walt Disney feature, what could be bad?

If I were a young mother, I definitely would not allow my children to see that fiasco. It was full of bathroom humor, violence, and a story line that was quite silly. Only the last scene, a school production of The Sound Of Music had any merit!

We also saw Mad Hot Ballroom (excellent, and compared to SB in some ads), and Bewitched with Nicole Kidman, which we enjoyed, only because she is such a beauty to grace the big screen! She
certainly is better off away from Tom Cruise. I think I know the reason they divorced:

He was such a shrimp next to her, and she later confessed that she can now wear high heels!

(Last night in my video concert I played a long clip of the career of Clark Gable, which started with a very young Judy Garland singing to his picture, "You Made Me Love You". I told the audience no one, not even Brad (the Pitts) Tom Cruise, or any of the babyfaced male stars of today could ever match Gable's magnetism on screen. No wonder people of my generation love the old classics, and I am more than thrilled to show them on DVD!)

Tea, I have a lovely email and phone relationship with two young Australian women.

One lives in Sydney, and works for the Ensemble Theatre, and is an actress, choreographer and singer, beside her duties at the Ensemble. I call her on occasion at work, and she is so gracious, and I just love to talk to her, with her Aussie accent!

The other friend is a psychologist living in Melbourne. My husband and I met her when she came to visit her older cousins in our village here in Florida.

We fell in love with her demeanor, her Aussie accent, (naturally) and her flaming red hair!

We almost met her in Israel when we were there in May, for she was visiting and touring also, but our schedules did not allow any extra time.

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Hello PC Friends,

MILLIE MY DEAR-I was wondering where you were-glad to see you posting!

I am now envious of those who have posted that have a "personal" connection with Aussie's (spelling?).

I found a website which has Aussie slang terms. If anyone wants it-email me.

It's one hot and humid day here in Baltimore-so I'm staying inside to keep as cool as possible-but-I'm already "cool"-ha, ha!

HUGS!
Abeth

PC Friends,

I forgot to include my email address:

abeth19@hotmail.com

HUGS!
Abeth

I'm not from Austriala but for some reason the news has been reporting lots of things from that region. I'm only posting these bits because I think they are interesting and since Paul is in Austriala I figured it may be interesting to his fans to know what is going on out there. I would love though to live in Austriala or at least visit. My son is obsessed with Austraila. I am not really obsessed with it but being a fan of Paul's it definitely intrigues me. My son is obsessed with it because of an Aussie who has created a website called dragon tales. The website is: dragon-tails.com.

Just wanted to make that clear.

About SB I have to write some things on it since it is the movie that brought me here.

Did anyone notice that Scott's interest in Fran started when she took off her glasses? That's when they started to dance together. I know that sounds negative like that popular term, guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses but actually that's not what it was. It was much more romantic than that. It was the fact that Fran let her guard down and she had to, to really become a good dancer, which also opened her up to her dance partner, Scott. I loved that.

Family. I loved the sense of family that was portrayed in this movie.

The end where that song (Paul mentioned he wasn't crazy about being ass. with it everywhere he went) was not really Paul and Fran's song - it was his parents song. Scott's courage set them free, free to love and trust one another again.

I loved Scott's parents in this show because they were so sweet and so much the victims of the past. The whole theme of the story of course was said over and over: to live in fear is a life half lived, and that couldn't have been more true for Scott's parents.

It was such a great movie, I only wish the character of the creator of the movie was as sweet and magical as the movie itself was --- and it was because of the performances from Paul, Tara, Pat and the rest....

And Grandma Mil thanks for the welcome. Yes, Paul is away working and that is great, because then I don't get stuck here for long periods of time (like the first week I discovered this place) and neglect my work.

Paul, is such a sweetheart and obviously has many friendly sweethearts here in Paul's corner. ;)

Also, when I say my son is "obsessed" (I know that's a loaded word on a fan site) I just want to make clear that he has a little bit of autism. I know that sounds silly like how can anyone have a little bit of autism. What it's called is Aspagers (hatchet job for the word) and although I haven't had the diagnoses (tried but not given) me and his teachers believe that he is struggling with it. It's hard to tell because they call it "a spectrum" for Autism and you can be on the spectrum and have full blown autism and then just a bit which is aspergers but Geoff is just somewhere south of that too. I still need to pursue getting him properly diagnosed because it'll open doors for him, but time is just such a beast to deal with in my life I can't tell you how frustrated I am! Anyway, autistic kids get obsessed with things. That's pretty much their MO when it comes right down to it. Alright I've hogged the floor long enough. I will let go the hankie and pass it along for awhile before I grab hold of it again. :) (((lots of love to all)))
Tea

Grandma Mil,
I wanted to thank you for acknowledging my presence. I have written before but I don't think what I wrote had much impact. Probably due to the fact they were not exactly gripping examples of english literature. :)

I like that Paul is questioning himself in this post. It's admirable.

I also enjoy the global sharing that goes on here at Paul's corner. It always feels positive.

Thank you again Grandma Mil. It's nice to be acknowledged.

I'm sure you are already, but just in case you're not, keep your eye on the Florida weather. Looks like you might have a little excitement down there soon with the storms coming. Be safe. I'll be thinking of you.

Kirsten

Dear Kirsten,

I want you to know that your presence is noted, and the reason I'm the only one to acknowledge it lately is because lots of our original PCers have not been posting lately, but believe me, if
it wasn't summer, with people busy with their work, families, vacations, camp, summer school, etc., you would be receiving more greetings!

Abeth, Marge and Sally are here also to help keep things going while Paul is away, so please don't be discouraged!

In season, this is a wonderful place to be!

Over the years we have bonded with Paul as our mentor, and we actually had a "Strictly Ballroom Convention" last February, here in Florida, where 9 of the PCers came to meet me and my husband, and EACH OTHER for the first time!

It was a wonderful and unforgettable weekend, and we have loads of pictures and video to prove it! The last event of the weekend was the performance of "Follies 2005" which I produced and directed for our community. The show had a large cast of seniors, and it was presented in our big Theatre, and in three performances, over 2,000 people attended and we got great reviews!

The people attending from PC came from Ireland,
Holland, Illinois, California, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and even Florida! They were booked into a lovely Marriott hotel near our home.

The motto that came out of that fabulous weekend was: "They came as strangers, and left as friends."

Talk has it that maybe another get-together is possible in the future.(I am planning another
Follies in 2007!)

The code word is "FIF", which means "Florida in February, Friends in Florida, or Follies in February."

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Hello PC Friends,

After reading My Dear Millie's post-I realize that I haven't acknowledged any of our newbies. I had been away while I was pregnant last year (yes, I turned into an antisocial being!)but I'm back. And, happy to report, back to being me.

I normally welcomed the newbies in the past and I should get back to doing it.

Welcome to all newbies! Please do keep posting. I certainly love reading the posts.

TEA-We have a show here called "Dragon Tales". Is the show that you're speaking have characters whose names are Cassie, Ord, Weezy, Zak? If it is-my oldest daughter was nuts about this show. I took her to see it live. I've gots lots of hours of this show on dvd's. I even had a Dragon Tales party once.

HUGS!
Abeth

No, but I know the show you're talking about. Actually, dragon tails is a comic ran from a young man in Austriala. My son just today (like 20 minutes ago) called me and asked if I had checked out the site. (I pretend to be a great fan for his enjoyment) ;)

((hugs))

Hello PC Friends,

Although I live in Baltimore, we are expecting the "leftovers" from Tropical Storm Cindy. Mainly alot of rain!

But, what do I care....tomorrow night I'm shipping my two oldest daughters to their grandmother, my husband is doing a night fishing tournament and Bethany (the baby) will be in bed by 8 pm. I'm gonna have a party with me, myself, and I....that means watch a movie ("Be Cool", the sequel to "Get Shorty") and drink my fake coffee!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Lucky!!!!

First: Towels. By all means, the bigger and thicker, the better. And don't listen to the people who make fabric softener - wash towels separately and without the softener. And if you like them dried in a spot of sunshine (as I do), finish them in the dryer to beat the stiffness out of them. But not sheets - sheets dried in the sun then put crispy on the bed are the BEST.

Second: Tomatoes. Nothing beats home grown. For an interesting experiment, grow them upside-down in a hanging basket. Yes, punch a hole in the bottom of the basket and plant the tomato upside down. You'll be amazed.

Last but not least, Love. Can we ever love enough? Isn't it enough to just love? Romance and love aren't the same thing. I decided after the birth of our third child if my husband could still love me after watching THAT and stick around for the rest of the child rearing - wow, that's true love! Forget candlelit dinners and wine - it's the everyday manifestations, the little things, the rhythm of life together that count, the fact that you go to bed together at night and you love the smell of her skin and the soft murmurings of "what did the kids get into today?" and laughter over a joke you've shared for the last 20 years.

Glad to know you're doing well and enjoying life and family, Paul.

Hello All,

I just got back yesterday from Europe and I'm glad to be home. France and Greece were great. The weather was fantastic and I ate more in two weeks than I have ever in my lifetime. And plus the wine. Hopefully I'll deflate over the week-end. When I have more time I'll talk about my trip a little bit more.

Welcome all the newbies and hello to the oldbies. Hopefully I'll have time in the next few days to catch up with the posts. But in any case, I send my best wishes to everyone.

Paul, feel blessed that you have found your soulmate. I can imagine it is a beautiful thing.

take care all,

Super Hot Ballroom -- Kelly Wins!
Friday July 08, 2005 1:00PM PT

Dancing With the Stars
Apparently, nobody puts Kelly Monaco in a corner. Even a crash tutorial by Dirty Dancing lift legend Patrick Swayze (+184%) couldn't save Dancing With the Stars (+435%) favorite John O'Hurley (+1,050%) from the soap star's sultry steps. Interest in Monaco (+524%) and ABC's surprise summer hit climbed steadily over a six-week run, culminating in a confetti-filled finale where the General Hospital hottie was crowned dancing queen. The series' debut outperformed even American Idol's first season - virtually guaranteeing another promenade for celebrity B-listers. (Though we do hope insipid co-host Lisa Canning, garnering absolutely no Buzz, is left a wallflower.)

Of course, a former Playboy spread didn't hurt the winner's Buzz either, as searches for "Kelly Monaco pictures" (+583%) outpaced even her freestyle acrobatics. And partnering with a former Playmate proves great for a guy's Buzz: Searches spiked for "Alec Mazo info," "Alec Mazo pictures," and "Alec Mazo dance studio."

Though he may have fallen a step behind in the finale, the erstwhile J. Peterman still sparkled in search. Perhaps it was his cozy demeanor with partner Charlotte Jorgenson that prompted searchers to look for "John O'Hurley's wife," or his nimble grace that made us all wonder "John O'Hurley's age." No matter -- what started out as just another summer TV trifle skyrocketed both finalists into the Search stratosphere. And let's not overlook NKOTB darling Joey McIntyre who quickstepped his way to a 384% uptick in Buzz.

And finally, if you can't dance with them, you can at least dance like them. Your top 10 dance style searches: Belly Dancing
Dirty Dancing
Break Dancing
Ballroom Dancing
Salsa Dancing
Line Dancing
Krump Dancing
Irish Dancing
Swing Dancing
Folk Dancing

On Buzz's wish list for fall... Dancing With the Stars 2, starring Donnie Wahlberg, Susan Lucci, and Newman.

Sorry you had so many flight problems, Paul. If you were flying either American or Qantas to or from LAX, I could have helped you out!

Just received my copy of "Life's Burning Desire" yesterday from Ronin Films. That rhumba dance was hotter than the "Strictly Ballroom" one and the pas de deaux with your wife was truly beautiful. You need to keep dancing and choreographing, Paul. Look at Barysnikov and Nureyev. They kept on dancing and creating well into their fifties!

Leilani

Grandma Mil,
Thanks for your kind welcome. Yours is the one name I recognize from the 2004 blogs, which is where I stumbled into from "Google-land." I'm glad your health is presently well and under control. Sounds like you had an enjoyable trip.

I look forward to "meeting" and recognizing the other more established PC posters.

Anyone have a clue what the TV movie that Paul is working on is about? All I know is it's made for TV, filmed in Australia, and will show in the US, and I believe he had a lead role, that's it. Any dancing? Etc.?

Dear Paul, just today I saw this article and I will translate in my room. Don't fell preocupations, doubts, fears, because you don't merit this and I don't wish you unhappy. I and your fans wish to see you very happy. No is important the choice, the way, we wish to see you very, very happy! My heart will be always with you! Now, I haven't more words, but I will look for in a dictionary, unfortunately, in many moments I haven't words, I need to learn more english.
Caroline

First off, let me assure all of you that the present hurricane, Dennis, did not affect us, but it is raising havoc on the west side of Florida and the gulf coast, while we live in south Florida. We only have some hard rain and some gentle wind. My heart goes out to those that are again affected by these horrible storms!

Last year we also were not hit directly, but close, and the folks west and north were really hit, and still not back to normal. The hurricane season just started in June, and we already in the throes of large storms.

The hurricane season doesn't end until November, so there will be many, many more anxious months ahead.

Corina, hang in there, you'll be hearing from the rest of the "gang" in the near future.

Yes, I am doing okay since I was hospitalized almost 6 weeks ago. I had an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) and now it is under control with medication. It is very common in older folks.

Luckily Ellie and I were back home from our strenuous trip to Israel when I had the attack.

It could have happened in Israel (it didn't) or on the plane or in the airports where we had to get connecting flights. In other words, the trip was long and tiring, but the visit with our family marvelous and memorable!

Caroline, I'm proud of you and your use of English in your writing, for English, either written or spoken, is one of the most difficult languages to learn.

I definitely see an improvement, so keep up the good work!

Whenever I watched "Dancing With The Stars" here in the USA, I thought of Paul and his judging of the same type of program in Australia. All the Aussies that write here and saw his programs were very impressed by his work!

I didn't care for the judges in the USA or the winners, Kelly Monaco and her partner. She gained a lot of support, you should pardon the pun, after she hung on to her costume strap after it broke... was it a "wardrobe malfunction", or a ploy to gain attention? I wonder!

John and his partner should have won. He, with his elegant demeanor and style and his smooth performance, was outstanding considering his age and the difficulty of the dances.

Shalom (means peace, goodbye, etc., in Hebrew) and love,

Grandma Mil

Hello, all!
No news on the latest eeg, might be weeks the tech said, obviously an emergency, right? ;) Feeling fine.
I agree with you, Grandma Mil about the USA DWTS.
John and Charlotte were smooth and elegant, and showed they could have a good time,too!
Kelly stumbled at least twice that I saw in her so-called perfect 10 performance. She didn't dance most of the time so much as writhe, and I became very tired of her leaning way back move. Her hair pulled straight back made her look about 12, and adding that to her baring but not flattering costumes, I can only say she won because of her soap fan base.
Those judges seemed so enamored of Rachel, who certainly did try and did improve, I think she could have come out and fallen down and got a 9,lol!
I am getting weary of reality shows, and have only watched a few.
I will not be watching DWTS next season, unless some total fave shows up as a contestant.
I'll go back to watching Paul show them how it's done!
hugs and smiles,
Sally

Dear Sir,

Every time I see your surname, I am confused and think of Romeo's friend...I do sincerely hope you do not meet such a flamboyant end!

"I reckon in marriage you have moments of being "in love" but I don’t think it is a state that one can spend their entire marriage in."
This is an interesting question, and brave of you to honestly consider it. The thing is, we are effectively lied to- pure biologists will tell you 'love' as in the warm, excited feelings is nature's way of getting us together to procreate and continue the species. I find that a little cold- but I cannot deny it as a truth. My second relationship was more sparks and fireworks to start with- and that died too soon. Now on my third, and it is a feeling of true comfort, and knowing I could tell him anything, discuss anything. I am slowly once more coming to rely on another, too.
It’s not all crazy 'wow' factor- but a relationship built purely on that does not last. If you love your family, then you do- you would know if you did not. Being 'in love' is more a case of these wilder feelings that literature and creative/ artistic romances tell us can happen. But that's because it’s a lot simpler, stylistically, to create a shape of a climax in these tales- the one eventually wins the other- ta-daaa! Roll the credits- than to show a steady, deep and knowing life-time love.
The use of ‘in’ rather suggests a submersion, even going so far as to be a 'waving or drowing?' question. That frankly smacks to me of lack of self-knowledge and control- something frightening and 'out there' that can take us over- and who'd be happy with that all their lives? Where’s the stable base in there to help people move on together, stronger together? It sounds like you've gone beyond 'in' and you 'are' love with your family. This is no bad thing. Be as honest with them as you are elsewhere- hidden frustrations help not.

Hmmm... Not knowing how to spell a word? I think that's what a thesaurus is useful for- or you can get these really neat 'sounds like' dictionaries- have you seen them? They are funny, as you look in the part the word sounds like, and it translates the phonetic to the actual!

Here's another thought for you for rumination: why can't life be like a cat in the sun?

Ai ai ai.

I saw again your first film on the goggle-box last night- it's a great, warm-hearted little number. I remember seeing it years ago as a girl and thinking how intense and handsome you were- and you still burn up the camera years later on another viewing. Good job!

Stay well, stay safe and blessings reign on you and yours.

Grandma Mil and Deltalady,
I agree wholeheartedly. My husband and I noticed the same thing about Kelly. Her backwards calisthenics down the steps were to be admired, as were the rest of her athletics, but there was very little dancing on her part. It does take skill to be lifted in dance, but other than that she did no dancing.

My husband felt it was "fixed" because she is an ABC soap star and DWTS is an ABC show. So obviously her strong soap base, along with any Playboy fans, were ringing the phones off the hooks. That's the only reason she made it to the finals!

And for that final dance to have earned a perfect score...? That was simply absurd. Did anyone notice her last lift end in a fall? Her left arm slapped down onto the stage floor? She recovered quickly by lifting her chest and arching her back and she got away with it! Yuck! Those judges were a joke. Leave it to we Americans to take something so lovely and to mess it up and cheapen it so badly! OK, off my soap box! (No pun intended)

Anyway, John O'Hurley and Charlotte were exquisite and exemplify what ballroom dancing should be about. With training John and Charlotte could have been unstoppable in a more serious arena. I hope there are new judges next season. (I wonder if Paul and his family would like to come to the US next summer for holiday and to judge? LOL)

Hello everyone, Manda from Sydney here,
"Poco" is on now not " Sesame Street" so I can type again !!!
Okay now I need to know is it just a blog thing or is it something in the air ! How come there are heart problems popping up everywhere in the physical and emotional sense !!! I'm re- examing my 12 year relationship , I still love Joe , I just really don't like him very much at the moment . Out of work actors tend to be hard to deal with generally though.I'm not convinced that leaving would be the answer especially on how it would affect my 3 year old Cleo . I've been in her situation and don't intend to inflict it on her.

Wanted to say hello to Corina ( you funny thing ) and TEA , Julie , Kirsten and Grandma Mil. Sorry if I've missed anyone but I start to get lost after reading and catching up .

GRANDMA MIL - I graduated from Ensemble Studios in 1990 and still have quite a lot to do with the theatre ( my partner Joe performed in a show recently and another friend Kate has been directing there a bit )would you let me know the person's name ?I love " its such a small world connetions " . If you don't want to post , you're welcome to email me amandabrown@bigpond.com.
I sing, dance, act and have choreographed.

In fact, I wanted to say how everyone is wanting to know the name of Paul's movie so they don't miss it .
Well - If it's anything like the one I did "Nowhere to Land" or Joe's " The Junction Boys " it will be played probably 3 times a day for a month at least ! In the US that is .

LONDON - hoping nobody close to anyone was hurt .
My brother who has been working in London was back in Sydney for a few weeks . He was flying out the next day to go back but his girlfriend was still in the city .
Their apartment is above Edgeware station that was one of the one's hit but everyone he knows was okay !!

Tornado's , storms , bombs - it's a wild old world at the moment.
I can't remember who wrote about the tornado but I had such Wizard of Oz picturings ( should be in CAST I think ).
Sydney is finally wintery with a bit of rain ( not much and not enough) but is setting the tone for me to take Cleo to Disney Princesses on Ice- can't wait !!

Grandma - their was an Aussie 1980s musical movie called StarStruck that might be interesting to add to your film listings just for the mad costumes and the choreography. It might be a bit obscure to find over there but it is a really quirky very Sydney thing.

Stay well all - cheers
lov Manda B ps if you have an Australia questions , I might be able to help ( maybe ? )

Hello PC Friends,

GIZMO-Life like a cat laying in the sun??? I've got two of them and at times think about what they think about living in a box (house), being toted around, having their tails grabbed by my girls. I think it's quite amusing when they go out in the morning and scope the "territory". Yes, I'd like to be a cat. Ever watch "Aristocats"? There's a song in it called "Everybody wants to be a cat"!

AMANDA-My questions for you are what part of Aus. do you live and where is it exactly? And, do you all have soap opera shows?

MY DEAR MILLIE-You'd think that when you retired, life would take on a certain calmness-well hell, you moved to Florida and have nothing but excitement with the hurricanes!! Please do stay safe!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Abeth, thank you for your concern about our being in the hurricane belt summer after summer..so far we have "dodged the bullet" but the season has just started, and too many close hurricanes have occurred already!

However, there is excitement in retirement (at least for Ellie and me) that is fruitful and enjoyable, for I run a monthly movie night right through the summer, and throughout the year, among other things. New auditions for "Follies 2007" will begin in March. Is there any interest in another FIF?

Recently I acquired 2 more great Aussie movies, now in DVD, to keep company with my DVD of Strictly Ballroom. They are: My Brilliant Career, and Muriel's Wedding. Muriel's Wedding is available at Blockbuster, but Brillant Career has to be found by asking around, or going into Amazon.com in their used and price-reduced department.

I got a new, still wrapped My Brilliant Career for much less than a brand new one from Amazon, and it is a movie that all romantics and lovers of Australian film will adore!

It was the first movie that Judy Davis made, and, of course, she is today a top actress in Australia and America. She recently starred in the TV movie playing Judy Garland.

The seniors in our community just adore great stories, for the films today are really too violent and more like the comptuer games the kids love.

No wonder the producers in Hollywood are complaining that people are staying away, and the so-called block busters are not paying off!

Amanda, you are an authentic Aussie, and we all welcome you! If we have any questions, may we bother you? Since Strictly Ballroom I have been fortunate to be able to write to new Australian friends, and I'm just sorry that so many miles separate us, but thank goodness for email, the telephone, and digital cameras!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

I watched Strictly Ballroom for the first time on Saturday. What was I doing back on 1992 to have missed such a great movie? I have since bought the DVD and watched it several times.

The connection between Soctt and Fran has me spellbound. I love the way their love is understated in words and yet their passion for each other is clear in the way the dance together.

Isn't it amazing that even as one "grows up" those childish romantic notions stick to one like glue?

I had been wondering whether I had missed out on something, somehow. I love my husband dearly, but once the treadmill of life starts turning there is not much room for romance and all too much time for reality.

And then I read your comments. What an amazing coincidence that you had been writing on just this subject. Your advice has been just what I needed. So thanks.

Yes, Alison, that movie does seem to do the trick. That's how most of us ended up here ;)

Hi all,

Had a conversation about brad pitt with my friends recently. well really, they did most of the bantering about how gorgeous and fabulous he looks.i showed them strictly ballroom to prove that there is one man hotter than him in the world and most agreed,paul is hot hot ;-). on the much discussed topic of 'being in love with' and 'loving' someone,I think that loving someone is much less stressful than the 'being in love' ones.When I was a bit younger,Im pretty sure i had two 'being in love'relationships,both crashing and burning without warning or anticipation.looking back,i think they were just major crushes because, in my opinion,if they were were anything more they would developed on to the 'loving relationship' stage which to me equates to firmer understanding and a consolidated sense of loyalty between partners.paul,you seem to really love your family and it's always nice to see people appreciate their marriages and who aren't disheartened because the initial 'spark' blossoms into a healthier relationship,one which is based on soul-mate ship more than anything else.
(yea, just read this letter over and I know it reads really cheesily!)oh well,I am only a new comer I suppose!

Hello everyone & welcome to all the new posters. Glad to meet you and looking forward to hearing more from you!

Don’t have anything particular to say, just wanted to say “hello to everyone” I’m taking a short break from big time cleaning (sort of on the magnitude of the annual cleaning some people do every 5 – 10 years :-) ) and reading Don Quixote (why does it have to be nearly 1000 pages long and why did Cervantes feel he had to constantly put THAT much detail into every bit of the story??? It is mostly a rather funny story though!

Okay, break’s over. Love to you all!

Crap, I keep forgetting to put my name with posts lately. I wonder why that is??? I'm going to blame it on the heat and humidity ... :-)

Hey, in the Strictly Ballroom fan club a lot of fans are saying they'd like to see a sequel. If you could have your say, what would you want in a sequel? I hope you guys answer. I'm not thinking of writing a script or anything, but I am curious. :)

Tea

Tea, I don't think I want a sequel to SB. It is so good on its own and most sequels just don't do it for me. I like the kind of open ending to SB as it is and I guess in a sequel one might just have to give the ending a specific bent which I think would be unfortunate. Just my thoughts on your question. :-)

Evelyn

Well think of it like this. Fran and Scott's kids and of course their relationship (something like Scott's parents but of course it could be more romantic and sweet)

I am only thinking this I think because I'm so tired of the remakes that Hollywood keeps coming out with. Just this weekend, they've released Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory. It has got good reviews but talk about been there done that already! Sheesh!

Tea, I guess there is an advantage to not having grown up in the English-speaking context/culture and therefore not knowing the original movies. The re-makes are new to me (for the most part) and I don't have to / can't compare them to the earlier versions. :-) But I do see your point. There are some remakes that are remakes for me as well.

Now, as to Fran and Scott's kids ... hmmm, why exactly do you think they have kids? :-) and how can they be more romantic and more sweet? :-) That I want to hear! LOL
Speaking of movies, I've worked enough the past 3 days, I'm going to go see a movie this evening.

Happy weekend to all! Evelyn

Ok, so I have read through the last few years of bloggs. To be honest I was quite cynical when first looking up this website. What was I expecting? Certainly not comments from Paul and definitley none with so much honesty (please do not be offended).

But what did I discover? A thinker, a philosopher, a loving husband and father and a caring friend.

Some thoughts (not mine)

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Goodnight, dear void.

Mmmm, great quote Alison. Something that is famous, because it is so true. I wish it were easier to be so selfless! I guess that keeps us living and trying to be everything that we can be, so eventually we'll reflect some of the processes of the years.

Hi Gran Mil, I'm glad to hear you're doing ok, and still traveling the world. =) And surviving Florida, of course, in these humid summer days.

It's been forever since I've been on here, but it's such a nice chatty little post this time--so deep and fun that I wanted to say hi. I always come to read the posts, become inspired, then feel I couldn't say anything quite so exquisitely, and content myself with reading. I've been so busy, now that summer isn't a long long vacation. ...and so life goes on.

Here's an interesting quote from the French film, Ladies and Gentlemen: "Life is a deep sleep, of which love is the dream."

Home is so beautiful...beaches and mountains and endless ocean...I never want to go back to LA freeways. Enjoy beauty while we can!

Dear Maile,

Glad to see you're back on PC, and I'll let you tell the newbies on PC where you live and now spending your summer vacation!

I agree that the freeways of Los Angeles are not for mortal man, but what can one do if one has to go to work and school there?

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

I always find cutting up pumpkin such a mission and eventually resort to sticking a knife in it and slamming it down as hard as I can on the chopping board. It eventually splits in half!

I am making a roast veggie salad followed by apple sponge cake and custard. Hopefully it tastes as good as it sounds.

Happy eating everybody.

Alison, you mean there is any other way of splitting a pumkin or a huge watermelon? :-) Your meal sounds lovely. I hope it turned out to be as good as it sounds.

Happy Birthday to Mary in Ireland! I hope you are having a wonderful day. Just like you and Michelle summoned the guy in the purle suit in Florida in February, I feel like summoning you to make a visit here. I miss you both actually and the guy in the purle suit!! and all the other FIF-ers!

Hello dearest Grandma, how are you doing?

...doing okay, dear Evelyn, still dodging hurricanes here in Florida. "Dennis" avoided us altogether, and is now battering the Caymens.

Out of desperation at the lack of anything decent playing in the movies Friday afternoon, Ellie and I took a chance on "Wedding Crashers."

We and the small audience were howling with laughter at the antics of the actors, who were so deliciously cast. It stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, and Vaughn is really a funny guy, the first time we've seen him.

The actress Jane Seymour that starred on TV as "Dr.Quinn, Medicine Woman" played a raunchy older woman (yes, older women can be raunchy.) That came as a surprise, as she always was so demure and lovely, and at 54 years old is now a character actress.

Evelyn, your website for FIF is still marvelous, and I still forward pictures from it to some pen pals.

Mary, Happy Birthday, best wishes to you!

When people ask me how Ellie and I are doing, I
quote my pianist from "Follies", who always says "keeping busy!"

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Evelynn, if I had time (which I admit worn out I do not have much of for myself) I would write a synopsis. Because I really believe in my heart that a sequel to Strictly could be wonderful and be immensely successful.

Paul, I bought Exit to Eden yesterday.I'm finally climbing out of the $$$ hold that I put myself in when I took my sis to Vegas and could afford myself a present. I watched it last night. I also watched the featurette of the making of the movie. You were in there for a minute (not long enough as far as I'm concerned) and I never realized that the C in your last name is a K sound.

Also, I realized then last night that I am a huge fan of this movie not only because of **you** (xxxooo) but because of Rosie O'Donnell who I also adore. Did you know she blogs too? Her blog is at www.rosie.com.

I'm a little bit of a spitfire on her blog at times because poor Rosie has been given a lot of bad press. I know she had a mouth on her but I really believe in my heart that she is a good person with good intentions. I stick up for whenever I get the chance but getting the feeling she'd rather I keep my trap shut I'm practicing tolerance. :)

Tea

Tea

Tea, no dancer or actor today could ever recapture the magic of Paul and Tara together.

Everyone wants a sequel, but a sequel is never as good as the original, except in the case of "The Godfather."

I read some time ago that Baz Luhrmann was thinking of bringing "Strictly Ballroom" to the Broadway stage.

With his track record since the success of "Strictly Ballroom", he should give it up.

He never received an Oscar for "Moulin Rouge", although his wife, Catherine Martin, won 2 of them, for set design and costume design.

"Strictly Ballroom" first went to the Cannes Film Festival and received rave reviews, and a standing ovation back in 1992 when it was first shown, and Baz received honors from the British and Australian Film Industry, equivalent to the American Academy Awards.

Tara was nominated for best actress as "Fran".

She lost to Emma Thompson who won for "Howard's End".

Luhrmann's opera, "La Boheme" lasted 9 months on Broadway, and his idea of filming "Alexander" had to be dropped because Oliver Stone got it to the screens first, and IT bombed!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Hi Grandma Mil,

I agree that trying to "match" the same magical quality could be difficult but certainly if it could encompass about 80% of it, it would be worthwhile. And mind you, I say this while seeing trailers for, "The Dukes of Hazard" as of late.

;)

I mean when I think of a sequel I think of Fran and Scott as of course 40ish with teenage kids learning ballroom, competing with good subplots and romance.

With DWTS on t.v. right now, I think it'd be a pretty good investment.

But I'm going by feeling and imagination...

Shalom and love,
Traci

Hi to my PC friends,

Been "out of pocket" a few days. First my son was sick and now my daughter has strep throat, yippee. (Just kidding about the yippee part).

"Sequels? We don't need no stinkin' sequels?" Let me know if you don't get the reference.

Seriously, Tea, I know the feeling of wanting more of Scott and Fran, when a movie and characters are so good, you're left wanting more, in fact, the sign of a good movie is one that leaves the audience wanting more (or is that the sign of a good stripper, like Gypsy Rose Lee?)

Anyway, I think the illusion and fantasy of what the characters might have been is much more fulfilling than what would actually end up on tape, KWIM? Kind of like when a movie is almost never as good as the book it's based on. I'd much rather fantasize about what happened after the curtain went down then be confined to someone else's vision. JMHO

And ya'll, don't get me started on Dukes of Hazard... that is going to be the smuttiest, dirtiest, sleaziest tanker of the year. Shame on them. I'd rather watch paint dry or watch my kids argue over whose turn it is to get on the computer (back, you savages, it's my turn!) LOL

Hurricane Emily is ruining my vacation. In case ya'll didn't know, I'm from the great state of TX (remember it's mandatory to precede my state's name with "the great state of") and we're headed south to visit my sister and to hit the beaches in about a week. Well "them there beaches is going to be covered in seaweed and jelly fish!" Good jellyfishing for SpongeBob, bad swimming for me and my family. Oh well, at least I won't be here!

OK, it's 2am here, now, and I'm babbling. I shall quit whining and say a prayer for those who are more than inconvenienced; those whose lives are actually at risk. Grandma Mil I know you're safe this week, I will pray for you as the next one heads to my old stomping grounds of FL. G'nite and peace to all.

Hi Corina :)

I would love to see Paul revive that role as well as Tara Morice. They both still look wonderful. They would not have to do the extradionary physical effort they did in the movie that's what "their daughters/or sons" would provide. But of course they could still dance and still provide the love and romance that they did the first time around and that we all fell in love with. Shoot even more so! Look how sweet and wonderful Paul is to provide this connection to him! xxxooo
Tea

By the way, I was awake at 2 am last night. Cleaning the house. I am angered by some of the goingons here at work, and whenever I get angry I clean.

So, now I'm totally exhausted.

I wonder where Peter, Kelly, and the rest are? It's odd they haven't come by huh. I don't understand that because I get on all the time to check in and stuff.

Chow!

Hi guys,

Hi auntie Mil...

Finally made it back for a comment or two. Glad to see your posting and thanks for the birthday card. We won't discuss the numbers, since I let my hair go gray it's a little to intense to say how old I am and look in the mirror at the same time. And, my hair is not as beautiful as yours. You have the most beautiful white hair.

Goodonya Paul...Glad to hear you are making a movie and staying busy. Isn't wonderful to get a check?? Awesome. I had to speed read thru the posts..I too would very much like to know the name of the movie and hopefully we'll get to see it in the states. Keep those home fires burning, since I've been traveling for the past 9 months, I know what you mean about the "in love" stuff. My wife and I have really done a 180 from a couple of years ago..you remember and I'm sure Auntie Mil. It is something you work on, and we enjoy it very much now. When I am home on the weekends it's like you say totally chaotic. But we make reservations somewhere or arrange for some private time while I'm home. One thing we do every day that I am home is get up at 5am, have coffee and just talk. It's wonderful. I am with my soulmate and I love her as I do myself. Which NOW, I do.

Tea..I caught your comments on autism. My 14 year old son has autism. He is considered high funtioning. It is one of the most unexplainable disorders. He starts High School this fall, of course it's a special class. They are working with him vocational skills and personal skills. That's basically his curriculum for the next 4 years. He's a delightful young man, the hormones are raging and that's almost too much to bear considering he doesn't really know "boundaries" when it comes to dinner table talk. Oh my god..he has really thrown us for a loop sometimes. But we just have to change the subject and move on. At the same time he is fascinated by all things animated or "Walt Disney" classics. He reads the stories to my daughter who is 3 and watches the movies with her over and over and over again. Reading..that's a wild one. He has great comprehension and an incredible vocabulary. But he can't do multiplication. He draws like a 4 year old. But he loves to do it. His actual penmanship is strange, but the autistic program director at our school said it was atypical of a child with autism. Having said that it is amazing that he loves to write childrens stories which are often very very good. At first when we found out when he was a baby we cried. How could our perfect, beautiful baby have this. But now, we look at it like, we're going to empower him to enjoy his life his way. And if he's happy, then we've done our job.

Great to meet you.

love and peace to everyone.

Tim

Tea,

I agree, Paul is a sweetie to have this little corner and to touch base with us and share his thoughts and some of his life with us. And I would love to see him dance some more. Does Andrea still dance? Maybe they can post a short clip of the two of them dancing. Maybe he gets to dance in his new movie? :-)

Hey, how do I get you angry enuff to fly to TX and come clean my house? LOL I'm sorry things are hard for you at work, I hope they get better or that you receive an extra serving of peace to endure it.

Peace,
Corina

Hello PC Friends,

TEA-I saw on the Guestbook that you have a website. I tried pulling it up and couldn't. I'd like to see it.

TIM-Good to hear you posting. You cracked me with the dinner conversation from your son! I could only imagine what's being said. You are a good parent to allow your son be who he is.

It has been decently quiet on here. I think that many are probably on vacation. While others just are happy to take a peek. And, sometimes, people just don't have much to say. That's not a bad thing. I stopped for a time because I was going through a pregnancy that was "demanding" to say the least. I turned into such an antisocial person. I couldn't wait for it to be over. Once I was back to myself, I started visiting here again.

HUGS!
Abeth

Hola a todos,hola Paul,

i´ve been missed for a long long time.so many things happened in my life lately...but still happy.Madrid is the warmest city in Europe...terrible...i can´t even think about going out home.

un besooooo
isabel

I do have a blog. It's at: tracisblob.blogspot.com It's where I get creative mostly. I like to write stories and poems and would be writing all the time if I didn't have to be a slave to the system. :) Please check it out and drop me an email if you'd like on what ya think :)
Corina, I may have some great (God willing) or bad news on the work life which will do wonders for my spirit --- today I though have to endure. And thanks to this place and a few others, it helps a lot!!!

Tim, you could honestly be talking about my son in that post. I really mean it. Your son sounds just like my son. It's uncanny! Could I have your email so maybe we can communicate more about this. I would like to get your ideas on some things.
I spent the evening (until 1 a.m.) playing video games with him. It's the only time we really get to spend with each other. I'm becoming a pro at Mario Kart and I'm getting to be pretty good at Smash Down Mario.

Love to all of you :) xxxxooo

Who else has blogs here? I would love to read some of the ones that all of the PCers have!

Hi Tea.
My email should post with the post...

At any rate...timhord30093@yahoo.com

By the way where do you live? I live in Atlanta..but lately I'm out of town so much it's hard to say where I'm at the most.

I'd love to talk. We've (my wife and I) have 14 years of experience with this. It's great to share stories.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

peace and love

tim

Posted by: Evelyn on July 16, 2005 02:55 AMfrom IP: 69.24.177.141
Well think of it like this. Fran and Scott's kids and of course their relationship (something like Scott's parents but of course it could be more romantic and sweet)

-----------------------
Yikes! I hope you don't mean anything incestuous!
But iff you want to follow that route: how about a child from SB's leading couple and one from Liz Holt (she was Scott's first partner, the peroxide blonde, yes?). You can chose if they are both good, and personalities clash, or if one is better than the other, or if they are love-to-hate rivals with sexual frission between them, but no romance between them, no coming-together (a more daring proposition)

The problem is, as others have said, the Law of Dimishing Sequels- rare indeed is the sequel that's as good as the first film. This doesn't include triologies intended as trilogies. E.g. not including 'Lord of the Rings', but it does include 'The Matrix' sequels.

TEA-I just emailed you from my work email address.

HUGS!
Abeth

Gizmo, --trying to maintain my good reputation here! :-)--I didn’t post this, that was Tea’s idea about the kids. I only asked her why she put kids into Fran and Scott’s “future” if there were one. And definitely nothing incestuous intended on my part.

Tim, it’s sooooooo good to hear from you and to hear you so upbeat. I do remember it well when you first came her how down you were. I’m REALLY proud of you for hanging in there and making your marriage and family life work. All the very best to you, your wife and your kids!

Isabel, I hope you can find a way to stay cool. I remember how hot Spain can be in July and August from whenever it was that I was in Spain during those months. It’s pretty hot here too and VERY humid which I don’t like at all.

Hugs to all!
Evelyn

Aw, gee, darling Tim, thank you on the compliment on my white hair! You will only look distinguished if you let your hair turn a bit white (in the far future.)

Most of the senior women around here dye their hair. Some are in their 90's and are brunettes!

Others, in their 70s and 80s go for the honey blonde look, and if that makes them happy, more power to them.

The men don't have to worry...a lot of senior men are balding anyway! My Ellie still has a head of thick, salt and pepper hair, so there!

Tim, Evelyn said it so well. When we first all meet, you were in a bad place, but with your
strength of character and the love for your family, you, with determination and patience, (and wonderful Paul to guide the way) were able to turn everything around, and we are so proud of you!

Tim, during FIF last February, my fabulous nine were discussing, in our home, how the idea of a get-together first started, and dear Linda from Michigan remembered that it was YOU! You knew about the Follies and you wrote that wouldn't it be a hoot to come to Florida and see it! Then, Mary said she would attend, then Monika, and before we knew it I was making room reservations for our PCers, and everyone wanted to come, and 9 finally did!

There is another "Follies" planned for February 2007 (hint, hint). I haven't started auditions yet, but that time will come fast enough!

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Well another working week is nearly over and I have a new job. Working from home. I am looking forward to having more "me" time, as well as being able to keep up to date with all the household bits.

I have been a little troubled this week. Paul is right - we all have mountains to climb. When I read some of the other bloggs here, however my troubles are very small in comparison. I suppose a mountain is still a mountain though, big or small, and has to be conquered.

I have a question. If someone is constantly striving for perfection but knowing all along it will never be achieved (people are not perfect) - how does that someone stay positive in the face of failure?

Looking forward to Paul being back. A month is too long to be left to my own thoughts.

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend.

Hi, I have FABULOUS news. I have just received word that I have been offered a new position at a great company. I am so happy! I will be posting more about it on my blog...and hope you guys check it out. Abeth thanks so much for the email I'll be emailing you back (as soon as I have finished basking joyously in my good fortune)and I will be emailing you too Tim on some thoughts and questions regarding our sons.

Love to all!
Tea

That's awesome Tea! Hearty congrats.

Congrats Alison and Tea on your new positions. I hope you are both basking in these achievements and may you be happy there!

Alison, I'll think about your question on perfection and how you can be happy in the face of SUPPOSED lack of perfection. I face that a lot myself as a self-proclaimed perfectionist, learning to find that healthy middle ground amidst conflicting emotions and expectations. I think I'll sleep on that question first.

Dearest Grandma, you are absolutely gorgeous in all your natural beauty and so is Ellie!!!

Love to all,
Evelyn

Tea, congratulations on your promotion, and to Alison also!

I tried getting into your blog, Tea, but it didn't work...I thought I was having a "senior moment" (a gentle name for losing it), but someone else mentioned they didn't get it either. We'll just have to be patient!

Shucks, Evelyn, Grannie and Gramps appreciate your kind words about our appearance. I mentioned before that I wear makeup every waking moment, in case a talent agent is lurking around the bushes or over at the garbage bin!

A good weekend to all my old "chickies" and to the new ones.

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Hello PC Friends,

TEA & ALISON-Wonderful news, best of luck and congrats regarding the new jobs!

MY DEAR MILLIE-I found my way into Tea's blog by going to GOOGLE and entering the website.

ALISON-Good question. I suppose living by your own "yard stick" may be a way to help with the perfection that you seek. I'm not "perfect" at all times living this way. I also try to keep my expectations low enough so that when I do meet and go above and beyond-I have that really, really good feeling of being "perfect". Instead of thinking in terms of "failure" try changing the perspective to "that didn't work, let me try something else". These are just some of my thoughts. And, who are really trying to be perfect for-us or for the world?

HUGS!
Abeth

Hey all! I'd be one of the more regulars that haven't been posting. I'm a teacher, so summer is my time to just have fun and relax. We took a week long trip to Ohio. My husbands grandma turned 90, so everyone came home to celebrate. The car trip there was 15 hours. We did it in one day and the kids handled it great! We got a portable DVD player, gameboys and Leappads. It was really fun. The kids got to see their cousins which they never see (2 live in Oregon and two live in California - we are in Minnesota). My son Matthew was the life of the party. Something I think he'll ALWAYS be!

I actually stopped coming here because I cut ties with the breast cancer board I posted on. When I came back from Ohio I was catching up with some posts there and they had attacked some poor woman. They sounded like a bunch of high school girls - giggling and laughing all the while. Broke my heart. It was time to move on from that board anyway. I need to take cancer as much out of my life as I can, so leaving that board is the best thing for me. BUT that also took me away from here! I'll stop in more often now.

It has been good to see what everyone is up to. Sounds like you're all doing well. Grandma Mil - it's great to see you posting and you too Tim! Millie stay safe during the hurricanes. I hope no more hit Florida!

Well hugs to all and forgive my absence!

Jill

Oh was going to add to Paul - I'm glad you haven't posted in a while because it means your out there working, living and loving! Although I miss your thoughts.

Jill

Dear Jill,

Good to hear from you again, and glad you're back in familiar, friendly, and loving territory on PC!

Your visit with your family sounded so wonderful, and I am sure the kids bonded with their cousins and the older folks too! Fifteen hours is a loooong trip, but I'm sure you broke it up with the pit stops, etc.

As a former teacher, I know how precious the summer is, and then, *poof* it's time to think ahead, and start setting up the homerooms again!

It's 14 years since I retired, and I still remember my teaching days, but now I have my senior-peers to talk to about the old movies which they adore!

Tuesday, I showed a 52 year old musical "Call Me Madam" with Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor and Vera Ellen, with music by Irving Berlin.

It was in DVD on our new huge screen in our multimedia auditorium, and the audience ate it up! I am going to show "Strictly Ballroom" in the fall, for the 6th time, and people are still interested!

Paul is away on a film project, and he said he would be gone a month, and I think his return is imminent. We all hope the project will bring new
opportunites for him!

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Hello to everyone in PC!

Evelyn & Millie, belated thanks for your lovely birthday wishes. I had a wonderful day. Thanks for thinking of me.

Evelyn, the summoning of the Purle Suit...already it sounds like the stuff of legends!

That day really was special. Being with all of you by the sea is a memory I will always treasure.

Kelly, hope you are doing okay and that life is being good to you.

Sally, special hello to you. Hope all is well with you.

Tim, great to hear from you. Wishing you the best as always.

Here's hoping Paul is up to his eyes in creative happiness!

Sending love and best wishes to all my friends here and to all PCers, old and new.

Mary

Hello! Thank you Alison, Abeth, Grandma Mil and Evelyn for the congrats! :)

And Congrats to you too Alison. I was so overcome with emotion last week that I swear I thought I was going to drop face first on the floor here (which is a short/government looking carpet) and fall asleep. Oh my god, I was sooooo tired! Whew. Thank goodness I am coming back to my normal self.

You know it's just as well you don't read my blog it's pretty boring and at times confusing. I just use it as a means to hold onto me while slaving away here (which will change thank god!)

Hi Jill :) Hi Mary :)

Hello All!

It's been awhile since I've posted. Sorry for dissapearing. I'm enjoyig my first day off in six days. I celebrated by going to the gym, eating lunch at my favorite organic fast food restaurant, and of course posting on Paul's corner.

Right now the City of Fort Lauderdale is hooking up my antiquated nieghborhood to the sewage system. So for the past hour my water has been disconnected and I'm waiting anxiously for it to turn on again. Hopefully they won't run into any problems during the hook up and I won't loose water connection for longer than anticipated. (I just heard a strange noise from my sink in the bathroom. I turned the faucet on and water exploded everywhere. I'm not sure if I should jump for joy or curse.)

Work's been busy and my nest egg has shown some promise of being steady. I'm turning thirty one next month and besides social security I have not been able to save for retirement until now. The company that I work for allows it's massage therapists (even though we work on a part time basis) to join their 401k program. Not knowing much about this stuff (not knowing anything at all which is really embarassing) I decided to read up at Borders on what it means to invest money, what the difference is between a mutual fund, a traditional IRA, a ROTH IRA, Indexes and what nots.

In the mists of it all a man approached me in the bookstore and asked me outright if I were single. I assumed looking at the man's age that he's tried years of beating around the bush and that even saying "hello" is wasting too many compounded nanoseconds of time that, added up over the course of years could be used to watch a re-run of Everybody Loves Raymond. I answered him just as briefly telling him that I've been married six years. He then handed my a business card and said, "In case things don't work out I've got a boat and I'd love to take you to the islands for a week-end". Suprised by his answer curiosity got my goat, "If things don't work out! I'm married, been married six years."

"Well" he said, "You know the divorced rate is fifty percent. So despite that you're married I still have a pretty good chance going out with you. Let's say the odds aren't in your favor which could be very possible because fifty percent is pretty high, and six months from now you leave the guy you're with and you find my business card on the bottom of your purse somewhere and you call me up and say, 'Hey remember me from the bookstore.'

I told him that he could be right and I asked him what he thought his chances were if I placed his business card in the trash can before I left. He then walked away. Maybe I was a little too harsh.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Take care,

Julie, you should have laughed and said, "Can I bring my husband along." That would have showed him.

Hello,
I've been peeking in for several weeks now, and thought it was time I introduced myself. Sooo..I'm Janelle from Olympia, WA. I've been married 17 years to someone who can still surprise me and knows just how to get me laughing till I snort. That goes a long way toward feeling "in love", at least part of the time. I have 2 boys (almost 9yo and almost 6yo) that I homeschool. I'm also a nurse sometimes. I work a handful of shifts per month to keep my toes wet, and make a little money. OK, and to get me out of the house! I love my nursing liscence!

I think I found this site while googling around for stuff about SB. I know I must have seen it years ago, but just recently caught it on Encore, Tivo'd it, and have watched it nearly every day since! How many movies can you watch over and over (and over) and still smile at the end. Love this movie!

Oh, and the sequel to SB fully exists in the alternate universe that is my imagination. Anything in the real world I'm sure would disappoint.

I'll be here lurking, maybe occasionally posting. Nice to meet you.

Dearest Julie, it's 5:00 a.m., and I just got the biggest laugh of the day at reading about your retort to that demented guy that tried to pick you up with a business card!

I've been around a long time but never heard of THAT one! Your answer was just brilliant, I'm proud of you!

Janelle, welcome, and hope you pop in often when time allows. Yes, SB is addicting. I just ran it again on my new l9" flat screen computer monitor..rather close and personal, and still so beautiful in its DVD format.

I run a film evening in our retirement community, have shown SB 5 times since 2001, and people are still oohing and ahhing when I tell them I'll be showing it again on our new 16x9 ft. screen in the fall in our multimedia auditorium.

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Julie, good for you!! Great reaction, too. Made me laugh and feel a bit better. Monday night my neighbor hit on me, he was pretty drunk too which made it just ickier, so it was all these lewd “compliments” and lots of swearing and cussing, constantly getting too close and touching me. Euwww! Well, I left, unfortunately not with a good response. When I told my sister about it, she told me next time I see him to hand him a phone number and tell him to pay for it, and no, I’m not volunteering! There’s a part of me that wishes I could actually do it with the biggest, brightest smile on my face, but another part in me thinks it’s a bit harsh.

Janelle, welcome!!!

Hi back to you Mary!

Alison, I promised you an answer. I have to say that Abeth has a VERY good point about changing your expectations of yourself to something you can achieve and to be happy with that and be proud if you achieve more. However, I also know that it’s sometimes not the expectations I have of myself but the ones that were or are put on me by others that make it tricky and to break away from these high expectations that a) I internalized as a child, that my parents/grandparents etc. placed on me, b) friends or colleagues put on me, I find much more difficult to keep my sense of me intact and not to get caught in this web of expectations of “perfection” without losing myself in the process. What works for me is to draw away to a quieter place, most often more mentally than physically, to meditate and affirm in myself that I am doing my best and that that is more than good enough. It is my life and I need to live it according to my standards and not too much externally driven. Surrounding myself with supportive and understanding people that will affirm me as well is just about as important, because when I struggle with my own expectations of “perfection” I loose sight of what is important and healthy. Hope I didn't go around too much in circles right now.

Love to everyone!

Thanks Evelyn and Abeth for your comments on my question. They were great!

Best wishes and love to you all. :)