Paul's Corner

I hope Phil has some answers for you, Paul. I failed math in school, but your 1+1=11 makes sense to me. *g*

Hang in there is all I can offer.

Be well.

Sally C.

Paul, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your post. I suffer from funks too. I'm struggling a bit with one now. I took Friday off hoping to get some important work done at home and I was pulled in 5 different directions. Then, yesterday again, I did not have any time to take care of Tea and was pulled in 10 different directions. I went to bed last night feeling deprived and used and abused. I thought to create a poem comparing myself with a household utensil. One that is used daily and is needed but never fully appreciated. ha! But who has time for poetry these days :(

Anyway, I admire your post and I am thankful for it :)

Tea

Paul,

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. All I can say is that I pray you the wisdom to discover what’s causing your funk and the insight to recognize it.

I send you peace.

Sue L-K

Just a quick hello to everyone at PC. I've been so very busy dealing with everything.

I understand your funk,Paul. Feel it and live with it myself. Just now starting to pull myself out of it. It's one of the reason's I don't post often..not wanting to 'spread the funk' as you put it.

Paul, I just wanted you to know that I caught you on the I Robot "Behind the Scenes". You should trust your wife when she says you look great. I thought you looked very 'buff', and I didn't notice any thinning on top.

By the way my hubby has a distinguished glow on top of his head and I find him irresistable! :)

Some silly levity from my hubby: (forgive me if you've heard it before, and of course no offense intended)

When a man starts to thin in the front, he's a thinker...

When a man starts to thin in the back, he's sexy...

When he thins from front to back, he just thinks he's sexy.

Sorry, I know it was a groaner. But I thought it might crack a smile or two.

Just my way of trying to spread the laughter instead of the funk.

Take care all

Hello Mary K. I have to tell ya I have not been able to keep up with the posts (in the last thread at least) and to respond to the fact that you are my neighbor. I too live and love to live in this beautiful state. I grew up here (although I did live a decade in California). This is my home and I have ansestry (sp) here and everything. So, hello neighbor! :)

Evelynn I am NOT keeping your secret. I was going to surprise you on your birthday but now I am just going to have to surprise everyone else in what 2 days huh sweetheart? lol :)

Paul, you are so handsome and kind and gentle and sweet I have to bring it up again, can we PUHLEAZE clone you. I know it may be a little concerning for you and your wife and your daughters and your mum to see a bunch of you walking around with us ladies (and some men) but hey share the love man! xxxxxooooo

Love to all of you darlings and much happiness and good vibes to our dear Millie in Florida. Millie please post haste and let us know Wilma has not got the best of you. And after getting to know you these past few months (which has been pure joy) she has a challenge on her hands if she even tries!

Tea

Hey Paul,

I have noticed in my life and friends lives that Funks often show up when everything is going great.

Most of the time I am so busy solving problems, helping this person, doing business. I don't have time to be down. Just too busy.

I like to think about it in evolutionary terms. When your running from tigers, or are starving to death, it is not the right moment to think about ‘Why am I here, what should I do with the rest of my life’ cause if you do it then/ your lunch!

So the best time to pull up the big question, “Am I happy, what is Happiness?” Is when it’s pretty safe. No tigers, the refrigerator is full and not too many bills.

The questions are important, and need to be thought about! Answering them is arbitrary. There is no right answer, just one that works for you.

In my life I spent time criticizing myself, for feelings, for not being self sufficient enough, for feeling lonely. Only to find out much later that the things I liked least, about me, turned out to be some of my best qualities. They made me human.

I know it sounds silly, a lot of important things, turn out to be silly!

Good luck and thanks for lessening.

If you’re ever in Hawaii, come to the island of Kauai.

Brian Curll

This is a touchy subject. One which you might not be actually looking for advice on, but more like just thinking out loud with. I feel very fortunate that you feel safe with us in that way. Or maybe you take us all with a grain of salt..it's all good.

I just want to say, that early on in each of our lives, and then slowly but surely, as we continue to grow, many life events mold us. Then all of a sudden we are all grown up and much may not have been dealt with, with an adult mind, but rather the mind at which these events occured.

If you think that was confusing, then you got my point.

Sometimes we need somebody who has a deep understanding of how these events may affect us, to help us sort it all out, put it in the correct perspective and help us to heal and move on.

The other fact I have become aware of is the fact that many people actually have a chemical imbalance that could keep pulling one back into a funk even when we don't see apparent reasons for it.

I think that alcoholism and drug addiction come from these places.

NOW...I'm not saying any of this DIRECTLY to anyone....I guess it's just me talking out loud this time.....

Your search is ongoing, grasshopper....You'll get there! You're heart seems too pure not to find the truth to your pain, eventually.

In the meantime, as we have been, we will continue to be here for you.

Again, I make no assumptions about your path or your experiences. Please don't think I do. Just babbling on and on here...thanks for letting me!!

Love,

MaryS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN!!! :)

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Evelyn, happy birthday to you !!!!!!!!

Dear Evelyn,
Happy happy birthday !!!!
I will celebrate it here with a bottle of Bailey's :) Have a wonderful day with lots of presents !!

Love,
Monika

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVELYN!!

Special wishes from Ireland for a wonderful day and a year of good things to come.

Hi everyone! We're having an amazing time together. It's everything and more than we could possibly have hoped for. Michelle arrived Sunday morning and lots of talking and laughing and talking since then.

We hope to head down to the West next week. Really looking forward to Michelle being there and getting to see the places that are so special to me.

Squeaky is holding court in the kitchen as we speak. He's unusually self-assured in such a foreign environment, although he did turn his nose up at the food on the plane, so we should have seen this coming. We regret having to report that we have had to resort to locking him in a drawer after dark, as he's prone to making furtive international calls after his evening pint.

Millie, Julie & Beth Ellen, we are thinking of you over here and hoping that all is well. Please stay safe.

Hi Peter! Caught some very athletic dancers on the TV the other night and thought of you. By the way, we were speaking to Michael Flatley and are you aware that he is feeling very threatened by your dancing prowess? The mirror ball factor is beyond his reach (apparently). Not everyone can cut that you know. Hope all is well downunder.

Inn, we haven't been to your pub yet, but we're heading into town this Friday and they may just get a visit from us. Eitherways, we promise to have a pint for you and for all in PC.

Paul, how can we thank you enough for being the catalyst for bringing us together.You will always have a special place in our hearts for this wonderful friendship and all those we have been lucky enough to find in your special Corner. Thank you.

Cat, needless to say, none of this would have been possible without you. Thanks for the opportunity we found here, to make the world seem such a smaller place.

Love to all,
Mary & Michelle

Hello PC Friends,

Of course, I must weigh in on this blog. While I would love to be in the Happy Box 100% of the time-it's not realistic. Unhappy events happen and I'd have to feel the "pain". Experiencing the funks allow us to really appreciate the time we spend in the Happy Box.

There is a song by a band called "Extreme" and they sing a song; here's a line from it:

IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE HERE-GET THE FUNK OUT!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Evelyn, I'm wishing you a very happy birthday. I hope your day is (was) fantastic. You must be almost twenty-one by now.
Best wishes, dear lady.

Mary & Michelle, the thought of the two of you together in the same place and at the same time kind of scares me a little! Is the world ready?
Please explain: what do the words "athletic" and "dancer" have to do with me?
Say hello to Michael for me. Tell him that's OK. I'll just stay downunder and everything will be cool.

Paul, there are just too many people that are driven to give their own opinion on our own personal existence. It's as if we're their property.
I believe that they just can't help themselves. Ego and insecurity are likely to be the motivation. I like to feel as though I can tell them to take their stuff and funk off.

When I get down, I think of how much further down it is possible to be, and that I can also be up at the same time. Not everything has to be down at once. There is always something good to keep me up. Heh, I know it all becomes obscured sometimes, but it's always there, waiting for us.
I personally hope that the Universe deals you a good hand. You are extremely deserving of this.

I wholeheartedly support Mary & Michelle in thanking you and giving you (and Cat, of course) credit for creating so many worthwhile friendships. Thank you, Paul.

Peter

Peter, seeing as how Michelle made it through Customs without a hitch, I'd say Yes...the world is most definitely ready for us. Now that's she's here with me, there's nothing stopping us from world domination.On a small scale of course.

Re 'athletic' & 'dancer' reference...why try to deny what you know to be true? An enigma your dancing ability is. An enigma it will remain. While your modesty is admirable, it's really quite unnecessary at this stage. Just accept the reality of your talent and be done with it.

Evelyn, hope you are having a wonderful day!

Mary & Michelle

Hello all,

Been a bit since I have popped in and I am suprised to see the Funk as Paul calls it is a world wide bit of ICK. I am in one, have been for a few weeks and getting pretty darn tired of it, the heck of it is, trying to get out. Wish I had a magic stick.

As for the thinning on top, men, Paul, are incredibly sexy as they begin to "mature" and a thinning on top and a thickening of the body is all about maturity and that is a good thing, no one wants to be be Peter Pan and never grow up right? Now I admit I have not seen a current picture or program of you, but I am sure you are as stunning as ever, so no worries.

As for the rest of the chickies and gramma Mil, hope you all are well. I Am going to get off and keep from spreading my funk, or putting my foot in my mouth and embarassing myself.

Until next time...........cheers

And Paul........feel better, we here love you as you are... funk and all

Michelle #3

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to find out if there was a sequel to SB and stumbled across this site. I skimmed through many of the postings and was surprised how many thoughtful people post here about philosophical issues and real-life dilemmas. I was also suprised that Paul is so honest about his life here. This is from the perspective of someone who gets tired of hearing Hollywood gossip.

There are so many reasons for Funk. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have seasonal funk as we are approaching winter. There is the loss of purpose funk and the loss of passion funk. My quickest funk breaker is chocolate. I find that learning something new is a good longterm funk breaker. Just reading some of the postings here about how people have formed friendships that enabled them to travel to other countries and meet new people is uplifting. Travel is a great funk breaker! Lindsay

Thank you guys for all you great wishes!!! It was a long work day, but I did take time out to have dinner with a friend and her kids, which was quite fun! I will throw myself a party one of these days, soon I hope! and of course you are all invited!!!
Tea, proud of you that you figured out the "riddles" re. my birthday, I also could have given you another riddle, involving Norway and Sweden and 100 years to date, but let's not go there. :-)
Peter, me almost 21, but of course :-))))) Thank you for the compliment! I must say I like that better than the 47 I got from another friend.... granted he was teasing me too. And you obviously aren't alone in your belief of my youth. Friday, I ordered some wine with dinner and I was carded. I smiled at the waiter while I got my ID out, then said to him "Thank you for the compiment" handed him my ID, he looked at the date and went "Oooopppppssss." I found that incredibly funny, esp. his face.

Mary, Michelle and Mr. Squeaky, I envy you all (except for Mr. Squeaky being stuffed into some drawer over night, that's kind of mean!!! how about plan B, leave him in a pub and let him drink all the Guiness in the world and if he's conscious enough to make any international phone calls, it won't be at your expense. Have fun taking over the world, just don't go too hitleresque with it, okay?

The Funk ... I thought about the same thing someone posted above, that sometimes when things go too smoothly, I end up in the funk from some sort of boredom or not feeling challenged, but then there are other types of funk, like the one when people don't respect and cross lines or don't allow me to be and tell me I'm not entitled to my feelings and frustration and should just let God take care of me and take over and I should sit passively watching by. Had an argument about this with Mum on Sunday, I know she means well, but sometimes I just want to see and feel her human side and not her constant hiding behind God or transferring everything onto him. Put me into some funk, but mostly I was saddened and disappointed. Oh well, that's life!

Welcome Lindsay! Hello to everyone and yes,

Paul and Cat, thank you again for this space and all the wonderful friendships, the honesty, the laughter, the joy, the blessings that go around! Hope your funk is lifting, Paul!

Grandma Mil, the Queen of Funk is here, at last!

Talk about downers here in Florida...Hurricane Wilma damaged our part of Florida, the worst storm to hit our area in 50 years!

We lost power and water for three days...the elevators in our retirement community were not working, and all the seniors on the fourth floor were in serious danger. No power, no phone, no computer, no drinking water, no flushing you-know-what.

Luckily, Ellie and I decided 14 years ago that we wanted a ground apartment, so we could get out and around. Getting around however, was no bargain.

Gorgeous Floridian trees are strewn across streets and yards, uprooted where once they were magnificent. To drive is dangerous, for live wires on the street are everywhere. People are lined up in long lines waiting for gas, ice, and drinking water which is limited.

(FEMA failed again, and George Bush is coming to Florida this afternoon for another photo opportunity. Air Force One uses thousands of gallons of gas which could better be used by the deprived people waiting in line.)

The only connection to the world was our battery operated radio, and food was crackers and water, if one could get into the crowded supermarkets that were running on emergency generators. If one had a cell phone, one had to talk quickly, for there was no way of recharging the battery unless one could do it from the car, if there was gas enough!

Ellie and I are fine now, and thousands also have their power back, but millions do not, but we have been assured that everyone will be okay by November 15th!

Last night we thought we would be in that category, and talk about a funk! Then, at midnight, the good Lord said, "Let there be light in Grandma and Grandpa's place" and here we are, and we are now funkless and thankful.

Julie and her hubby were okay as of the other day, but I was not able to reach Beth Ellen.

Michelle and Mary, hugs to you both! Every time Ellie and I go to that Italian restaurant that we took you to that first evening in Florida, we think of you together now. Was that wonderful weekend a part of this year, only 9 months ago?
So much has happened since!

Peter, good to read your posts...it's been too long! Linday, welcome, you'll love this place!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Hi Grandma! What a mess, eh? I'm so glad you and Ellie were among the first to get power back and let us know you were o.k.! I am still waiting to hear from friends and relatives in the Stuart area. I think they were expecting a CAT1 and it ended up hitting at a level 2. They had boarded up the homes and seemed to be well prepared. I'm sure they are just without power in the area. I hope to hear from them soon.

This puts FUNK into perspective. I guess it's all about who, when and how life decides to dump the funk on us...that determines how we will or will not be able to deal.

I'm in a funk due to family pain and reactions to long term damages to the psychi that my kids and I have sufferred. It just makes me sad that we come into this world pretty near to perfect and slowly but surely, we have to be tested over and over and over again. It's a hard lesson and a hard row to hoe. But I don't like the alternative, so I will keep on tilling the soil.

I agree, that people like all of you, with Cat's help in getting us all together, is a great respite from all the madness...just think of none of us had never seen SB...

Paul, it's all about you boy! lol

Hello PC Friends,

MY DEAREST MILLIE-Survival of The Fittest should be Florida's mantra. Goodness-did Florida do something to piss of Mother Nature and now she's spreading her "joy"? I don't mean to make "light" of the situation but humor is a great medicine to help get through the pain. I wish you and the State of Florida much luck in getting back to normal. It has been my practice not to discuss any type of politics but I'm right on board with you regarding Bush.

ALL-Have a lovely weekend. I will certainly try. I've been having a rough time of it lately.

HUGS!
Abeth

hiya paul! :D
i'm so happy to have come across this site and to read your blog- thanks so much for sharing, you've written some contemplative entries that have spurred me to reflect about my own life so far- hopefully i might get some time to post some stuff here too! :)
i've always admired you as an actor and as a dancer and your preserverance with your career is just.. *hails you* you are so strong! wub your stuff!
you came to my class's attention when we had to study strictly ballroom.. and that was when i was like "*bursting with admirance* ok, i'll see if he has a site". so, a while ago, i found your blog (have been lurking tehe:P ) and have given my class this address and some read it and were like, "wow, you're a great, great person!" go, the internet! so now you sortof have a little army of supporters :)
therefore, my friend victoria and i wanted to ask if you have a fanmail address where we're going to send a few surprises! :P
oh and btw we are melbournites!! so we're planning to storm into a dancing with the stars episode armed with banners!
cos who else better to support? :)

This quote I always find helpful.
"Lessen your desires and be content with what you have. Then, nothing at all can trouble you."
by Venerable Master Hsuan Hua

Hello All,

I'm finally back on the internet today. I got power back last friday but the DSL wasn't working. I"m glad to see that Grandma Millie is ok. I haven't forgotten you I'll give you a call today!

Everything is ok in my part of Fort Lauderdale. A lot of down trees and power lines. Luckily nothing serious happened to our property except for the top of our oak tree which fell in the driveway luckily not causing any damage but just blocked our cars in the garage. My neighbor across the street happen to have seen it when it fell and he told me later on that he thought that the end of the world was near and started panicking. I rolled my eyes.

The aftermath proved to be interesting and luckily we were prepared with lots of water and a camping stove. This is the first time I experienced not having running water in the house and taking sponge baths proved to be an ominous task. Especially since the temperature dropped into the seventies and dumping a bowl of cool water over my head first thing in the morning was like some chinese torture.

Walking the dog in the neighborhood had also become another challenge in itself. It had nothing to do with down trees or powerlines (luckily our powerlines were a lot sturdier than the last storm) but the people out on their lawns clearing small branches coming up to me to talk, "Sorry about your tree", and then they would tell me the story of their life from when they were five up to the hurricane. A thirty minute walk would last two hours.

We finally had tree removed on Friday and we could finally get out cars out of the garage. The electricity came back on later that afternoon. The week-end however proved to me another interesting adventure with friends, who haven't gotten their power turned on yet, coming over to do laundry, take a hot shower and share the story of their life from when they were five to the hurricane.

Hopefully things will stay normal for awhile and my life will not turn into a Barbara Walters Special.

JULIE-After reading your post-I was in smiles! Glad to hear that you're alive and kicking after the hurricane-can't remember the name now because there have been so many. Let me tell you about the time I was 5 and hurricane so & so hit Maryland......chuckle!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Hello All

I am happy all of you affected by those doggone hurricanes are safe and well and re electrified!! I am so sorry it is happening. I will not complain about the rain that seems to be never ending here in the Pacific NorthWest.

I May be in the afore mentioned seasonal funk, but like the rain here it lasts 9 months out of the year......Here I would like to insert a LOL, but wont, since I fell very seriously about it....at least today. I do appreciate the funks as I can then appreciate more greatfully NOT being in one!!

So until next time to all of you my PC friends, Be Happy, Well and Funk Free!!!

Paul and Cat...........thanks.

Paul, don't become overly fearful but do take precautions!!!
xxoo
Tea

Australia Receives Threat of Terror Attack By ROD McGUIRK, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 58 minutes ago

CANBERRA, Australia - Australian authorities have received specific intelligence that terrorists are planning an attack on the country, Prime Minister John Howard said Wednesday.

Speaking in a nationally televised press conference in Canberra, Howard refused to give any details of the threat, which he said authorities received this week.

But he said he would introduce a minor amendment to counterterrorism laws in the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon and the Senate would be recalled Thursday to pass it into law.

"The reason for this amendment is that the government has received specific intelligence and police information this week which gives cause for serious concern about a potential terrorist threat," Howard said. "We have been given advice that if this amendment is enacted as soon as possible, the capacity of the authorities to respond will be strengthened."

Australia is a staunch U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism and has sent troops to both Iraq and Afghanistan. The government has denied its support of U.S. foreign policy has increased the risk of attacks, although the terrorist network al-Qaida has repeatedly named Australia as a target.

The amendment would substitute the word "the" with "a" before the phrase "terrorist act" and is part of a larger package of reforms under negotiation with the state governments.

Howard later released a statement explaining that the amendment meant prosecutors would not have to identify a specific terrorist act when prosecuting someone for planning an attack.

"It will be sufficient for the prosecution to prove that the particular conduct was related to 'a' terrorist act," Howard said.

His announcement came a day after the nation's top spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, warned in its annual general report to Parliament of a threat of homegrown terrorists.

Howard said the law was being changed against the backdrop of the spy agency's assessment that attacks without warning in Australia were feasible.

There has never been a major terror attack on Australian soil, but bombings have repeatedly hit the country's diplomatic outposts and its citizens abroad — most notably in Indonesia, where Canberra's embassy in Jakarta was hit by a 2004 suicide minivan bomb and suicide bombings in the tourist island of Bali killed dozens of Australians in 2002 and October of this year.

Howard's government is trying to push new anti-terror laws through Parliament before Christmas.

The controversial legislation would enable authorities to hold terror suspects without charge for two weeks and monitor them with electronic tracking devices for up to a year.

Hello all. Grandma Mil I am happy to hear you are safe. It is a hard part of Floridian life, but I must admit I feel the pull to move there. The winter weather just might be reward enough for putting up with the hurricanes. That is easy for me to say as I have never lived through a hurricane!
Mary and Michelle, I am so happy you are together. I hope you visit my pub. Collect a coaster for me! Tell Squeaky to lay off the pints, those phone calls are expensive.
Ev you already had my birthday wishes so I will say I hope you are happy no matter what day it is.
Hi Monika! Hi Peter.
Dearest Paul, I know those funky feelings. I get them often. I think it is a matter of patience. Just keep on doing your best. Sometimes the only thing that I can think of is I have to go on because I am simply not a quitter. I give a deep sigh and keep on trudging. Be happy, we are all ok.
love to all. Inn

whats a funk,,,name here is fred am 47 been seeing Paul since that movie :) when you talk about your bro I get so very very sad,,,Its hard to understand how a really depressed person thinks and wonders how other can help,,,,,,,,name here is Fred and just want to say thank you Paul...I enjoy your honesty,,,,,be an honor to talk to you ,,,,,,,in a good way,,,,

Hello Paul..
Im Kindda New here so i dont really know if you will sse it or if it will help.
no relation to your post, I think you are Amazing!!! Reallly in everything you do ( Dancing, Acting and such..) and I understand your funk. Iven if everything is great in your house and in your life - sometimes that Funk comes fron atoher palces - fron inside... i will sure be happy to help you but i dont really know that much.. im studing this funk case and i can help you with it..
I just dont know how beacuse in order to help you i need to ear more deatels from you...
anyway i wish you the best of luck and happines!
yours truly,
Tania - c

Hi Paul,

How's it going? October is over. Did this new month bring any new wisdom? I know this is a tough one for you. Try not to go too far inside. This is the world you are in and you bring much to it from my experience!

I know it can seem less than worthwhile, if life is not bringing much to you, but nonetheless, you bring value to those you touch. Maybe that is why you are here...maybe not for yourself, but for others. That's a difficult concept, I agree.

I've heard a saying: "In the the world, but not of it".

I know we are HERE, we can't deny that...but how much OF the world must we be?

I think we should absorb what is helpful and let the rest wash over us. Some experiences might stick, and maybe they are supposed to. Maybe it will come back to us someday and we will know why it rolled over us. Sometimes it's a wave that knocks us on our butts, and sometimes, it's a gentle breeze, that we choose to ignore.

I thought of you today and hoped that you were in good spririts and that things are gentle and soothing around you and not too turbulant.

Keep the faith.

Love,

Mary

OOPS! I forgot to say hello to all the rest of you fine people! LOL. How rude of me.
I've had a very challenging work week. Alot of politics. Not to mention, I fell while simply raking leaves on Monday and broke my nose! Oye!! I did the most perfect face plant into the landscaping rocks. I'm lucky I still have teeth in the front of my mouth! See? Not everyone is a graceful dancer like our mate, Paul. :)
It's healing well, didn't need to be reset. Well, not yet, anyway. Hey, I'm Italian..it might not make much of a difference..
I am still waiting to hear the results of the xray I had taken on Wed. Slow response from the old M.D. I wasn't even going to go to the Dr., except that, while I was in the most intense pain, I made the mistake of playing around with one of those blood pressure monitors in a drug store and my bp seemed high. I've NEVER had high bp. That sucked! So I went to the Dr. the next day. My bp is actually just fine. Dr said it was from the pain and taking some advil for the pain.

Ain't it fun???

Anyway. Love, Joy, and Peace to all of you!

MaryS

Dear Mary S.,

Sorry to hear about your fall, and the injury to your nose. Take it easy, and find someone else to rake the leaves! BTW, my doctor told me long ago that those blood pressure machines in the grocery stores, etc., are not accurate, also the home wrist BP machines are no good either!

We have almost recovered from Hurricane Wilma, and at the end of November, the hurricane season is over, (I hope) and we have until June to start worrying again. We had a loss of our beautiful trees, and it makes our community look like a war zone.

The cleanup continues, but there are no more lines for gasoline, and by the middle of November, most all of our county will have its electricity back, although many people will be homeless because of damage to their homes.

I wish I could wave a magic wand, and fix everything! (Where are the billionaires in our country, especially the Wal-Mart family who made its fortune on the backs of us common folk. One swipe of their pen, and millions affected by the hurricanes could have resources to start anew.)

Inn, I hope you won't let a hurricane scare you away from moving to Florida. In the 14 years that we have been in retirement, this is the first time we were so threatened, and it is 50 years that Broward County was actually HIT! (No damage up around northern Florida, especially around Orlando, can you believe that?)

Paul, Paul, come out wherever you are!!

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Paul...Thank you for opening up a topic that so many can relate to. It's good to know that others climb into that funky hole from time to time even when things are going OK. And, you, darling, are quite fabulous as you mature - just like a fine wine.

Dear Millie...So glad you proved your mettle once again! You and Ellie are survivors for sure. My company's Naples location got its roof blown off!

Happy belated birthday to Evelyn! May this coming year bring you some stellar opportunities.

Mary and Michelle...Glad you are having a joyous time together in Ireland.

Inn...Waiting for GOF to be released next week. Hope to see it in IMAX. It must have been quite challenging to condense the book. We will see if they managed to keep the thread in tact.

Good news from me: The legislation I have working on for 2 1/2 years was FINALLY voted out of committee 17-0!! Now onto the House floor, then to the Senate, and then to the Gov. I think this is my FUNK! Just want closure on this thing. The wheels of government move sooo slowly, it is wonder any laws ever get passed.

Love to all,
Linda

Hi All,

Well here it is the day I dread all year and I was thinking back over the Blog we had a month or so ago, and I felt like talking to someone...who better than all of you?

Today, my daughter would have been 19 years old, and I am missing her terribly. Odd how it seems worse some years. In 17 days it will be 18 years since we lost her, and after all this time it still lays me very low.

I was thinking about this whole funk thing again, and I think maybe it is why mine has been so bad these last weeks. Of course I am sure it is not soley responsible, but I feel certain I can attribute much of it to....what... tragedy imprinted in my brain.....is that why it creeps up when I am least expecting it??

Anyway, I am not here to bring anyone down, just feeling it and absorbing it, and this time trying really hard to still be friends with my grief rather than lashing out blindly at it, or anything else.

Thanks for letting me share. I hope you are all well.

MIchelle #3

MICHELLE #3-I'm sorry for your loss. I wish there were better words for me to say to you. Except-you are a strong and courageous woman. Your daughter would be very proud of you. I hope that you continue to do well and cherish the memories and time with her.

MANY,MANY, MANY HUGS TO YOU.
Abeth

Hello Paul & Everyone:

Right now any funk I may have been having is gone.
I try not to let anything bother me. Well, yesterday would have been my 50th anniversary. I missed it by two years. I said to myself, why not celebrate it anyway? See, I feel that my husband is always with me.

My daughter, Joanne, treated me to see Momma Mia on Broadway. She knows how much I love the musical theatre. It was great, a lot of energy.
By the way Paul, I wish I'd be able to see you there some time soon. I did see the Full Monty a few years back. Enjoyed it. Rumor has it that your fellow Aussie, Hugh Jackman, will be reprising his role in The Boy from OZ in Australia. He is a favorite of mine (a triple threat) and I seen this show 3 times.

After the show, we found a fun place to get something to eat. It was an old time diner and all the waiters and waitresses proformed to Karioke music. A talented bunch. A good time was had by all.

Mary S: I'm Italian too.

Try to think happy thoughts.
Juliet S.

Michelle #3 thinking of you. This must be a tough day! Many hugs and comforting thoughts to you and your family!!!

MaryS, sorry about your nose, sounds painful and I'm sure you are noticing how many times we actually move our lovely noses during a day. I hope you aren't too black and blue in the middle of your face and are healing fast!!!

Linda, I'm trying to work out if "voting something out of committee" is a good thing or not, but as you sound happy about it, congratulations to you! It seems your hard work is paying off and best of luck with the next rounds of getting this legislature passed!!!

I'm feeling rather frustrated and stressed at the moment, but I am going to keep my head above the water and place one foot in front of the other and smile my way through another week at work, granted, the smile is a bit more put on than genuine ....

Love to you all!

Australia foils major attack By Joanne Collins
50 minutes ago

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian authorities believe they have foiled a major terrorist attack, arresting 17 people on Tuesday during raids in the country's two biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

The arrests come less than a week after Prime Minister John Howard said Australia received intelligence about a "terrorist threat" and urgently amended anti-terror laws making it easier for police to arrest suspects.

"Intelligence was received that a group was making arrangements to stockpile chemicals and other materials capable of making explosives," New South Wales state Premier Morris Iemma told a news conference in Sydney.

"Police believe that the group was planning a terrorist attack in Australia," Iemma said.

Victorian state Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said the target of any possible attack was not known, but ruled out a threat to the Commonwealth Games -- due to be held in Melbourne in March and opened by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

"We believe they were planning an operation, we weren't exactly sure when nor, more importantly, what they planned to damage or do harm to," Nixon told Australian radio.

Australian media last week reported that possible targets for extremists under police surveillance were the Sydney Opera House, harbour bridge, two Sydney oil refineries, the Australian stock exchange in Melbourne and Melbourne's main rail station.

Australia, a staunch U.S. ally with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has never suffered a major peacetime attack on home soil. The country has been on medium security alert since shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Four Australians are awaiting trial in Sydney and Melbourne on terror charges, linked to supporting and training with banned groups such as al Qaeda.

CHARGES

Police raided 23 houses in Sydney and Melbourne early on Tuesday as part of the country's largest ever counter-terrorism operation involving hundreds of police, following a 16-month investigation.

"We believe ... we've disrupted a large-scale operation which, had it been allowed to go through to fruition, we certainly believe would have been catastrophic," New South Wales state Police Commissioner Ken Moroney told Australian television.

Police confiscated a number of items in the raids, including chemicals that if combined would be "volatile," said Moroney.

Several searches were still under way, police told Reuters.

Police said eight people were arrested in Sydney and nine in Melbourne. Those arrested have been charged with offences including acts in preparation of a terrorist attack, being a member of a terrorist group and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. One man has been charged with directing a terrorist group.

Police have not identified any of those arrested, but one of them included outspoken Muslim cleric Abu Bakr, his lawyer Rob Stary told reporters.

Bakr has voiced his support for al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, defended Muslims fighting U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but denied any involvement in terror activities.

The Australia Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), last week acknowledged for the first time that Australia had home-grown extremists, some of whom had received terror training overseas.

Media reports have said ASIO is believed to have concerns over up to 800 Muslims in Australia who have voiced support for politically motivated violence, while up to 80 people resident in Australia were known to have trained with militant organizations in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

(Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in Canberra)

Dear Chickies,

I just read the online version of the Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au).

The news about the arrest of the terrorists in Melbourne and Sydney was very prominent but
there is the story of Australia's TV Channel Seven, which showed the third series of Australia's "Dancing With The Stars."

It is very popular in Australia, and in its second season!

Our Paul is still one of the judges, and Sonia Kruger (Tina Sparkle) is one of the hosts...right on Paul!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Fabulous news Grandma Mil! That should help him a bit out of his funk!

Hello everyone. Thanks for all the kind words. The "schnazola" (sp?) is healing fine. It never even bruised! Just the surface scratches and a bunch of swelling. All is going down now and despite two calls to the medical office, I have not received the results of the xray yet. I really don't care. It's a bit painful, but I'm none the worse for it. Just had to put my runway modeling on hold for that week. j/k

It's truely amazing and never ceases to amaze me, how kind and thoughtful you all are.

Michelle#3. Please stay strong. I am also still mourning the loss of my loved one, almost 25 years later. I do think much of my life was given away as a result of these events. Given to a life of emptiness that still lingers.

Thank God, life doesn't give up on US. We still go on to learn, to love and to laugh! Sometimes even at ourselves.

We just need to make sure that when laughing through the tears, we don't forget who we really are and why we were put here.

Life is a journey and we are still on it!

Take care all!

Hey, that's me up there. I figured you knew that by the talk of the nose incident. haha..

Thanks for posting that for me Cat! I swear, I had my name and email addy's on there. I think I left the site and went back at some point and I must have goofed it up. Sorry! :)

Evelyn...Keep your good spirits! I know your Karma has something wonderful in store. In this downtime have you been working on something creative? You know what a flair you have. Great art sometimes comes from life's challenges. And, yes, getting a bill voted out of committee is good and having it a unanimous decision is super! But it takes soooo long and as a volunteer I get soooo tired. Oh well...

Linda

I'm new here. Hello everyone. I was going to reply earlier but I'm a bit shy. Does Paul even read the messages here?

Grandma Mil,
You mentioned something about "Dancing with the Stars" and the fact that Paul and Sonia Kruger (Tina Sparkle) from "Strictly Ballroom" is in the show. You forgot to mention Todd McKenney is also in DWTS as one of the judges (who played Nathan Starkey, Tina's original dancing partner).

paul, how bout this...APPRECIATE all that is good in your life. let go of whatever it is you are unhappy with, whatever it may be, and appreciate all that you have going good for you in your life right now. sometimes you have to settle. so settle and be at peace with yourself

Vivienne, thanks for mentioning Nathan Starkey...and here I thought he had gone into the
landscaping business, but there he is, a judge on DWTS!

Yes, Paul does read the posts, and in due time I am sure he will be back on PC.

Linda, I was so happy to learn that the bill is out of committee, and hope the matter can be resolved sometime soon. Your patience is remarkable, and your advice to our Evelyn was wonderful. Miss you all!

Juliet, I too, love Mamma Mia, and ABBA's music.

"Dancing Queen" reminds me of Tara Morice in SB!

If you also love ABBA you must see "Muriel's Wedding" an Aussie film that came out in the early 1990's right after SB. Toni Collete starred, and she became an instant star, even though she had to gain 40 lbs. for the role.
Luckily, she shed the pounds quickly!

She is currently in "In Her Shoes" and she has crossed over into American films.

Shalom and Love,

Gran Mil

Grandma Mil,

I love ABBA music too and I can't wait to see that special with Dicko.

Have you heard Madonna's new song 'Hung Up'? She got the background music from Abba's "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)".

I agree, Tara Morice... Dancing Queen in SB.

~Viv

Hi Grandma Mil,
I love Muriel's Wedding too. It's on my list of movies to watch this weekend. It's a freebie on my cable lineup right now. I haven't seen it for years and always remembered really enjoying it.
Those Aussie's sure have a way. So cute. I wish you know who would give us a new movie. j/k... ;)
It's almost about time for me to watch SB again. I thought I had burned myself out on it after watching it so many times, but after a bit of a break, it's calling my name again.
Hope you all have a great weekend. I'm working tomorrow till midnight..boooooring...
My nose healed up well from the fall, and the xray showed I didn't have a broken bone. I'd like to know what all the little "extra" bones are that I'm feeling around the bridge area are then. They say maybe just some cartilage. I had a ton of lab work getting ready for my physical and everything was very normal. Yay! I may live a long life afterall. I better stop making excuses not to enjoy it to the fullest!
Talk to you all again soon.

Love

Hi Everyone!

I haven't posted for some time. Looks like everyone is surviving their funks.

Has anyone out there been watching a new American program called "Ballroom Bootcamp" It's hillarious! They take three average people who have never danced or think they can't dance and pair them up with a professional. They then have 5 weeks to get ready for the compitetion with another professional partner. It's on every Friday night here in Washington. The winner receives a trophy with a pair of combat boots on a wooden stand. I think it is harder for the men to get ready for this, as they have to lead in the final dance.

I am looking forward to January, when they start a new series of DWS here.

My cousin moved into my basement apartment after 40 years in the same house. The more she lives here, the more she is enjoying her new digs. as she doesn't have to climb stairs now.

My new Grandaughter, Sidney Elizabeth, is 5-1/2 months old now and I am going back there for Christmas.

I have a new mission. I adopted a neighborhood family when I found out that they were having trouble. Seems that Rick the husband/father was involved in an headon collision last February. He sustained three skull fractures and two broken vertebrea (sp) in his neck. He is finally getting healthy again. He and his wife have 4 kids, 2, 4, 6, & 8. They have had no income since the accident. I have been able to help them get into the food bank program and some other emergency services. I am having them for Thanksgiving, as their families are in Florida and Texas.

It kind of helps having them around when my daughter and her family are so far away.

Guess I have rambled on long enough.

Take care,
Love to all
Marge

Hello, This is my second post here. A few people mentioned Muriel's Wedding which is a great movie. I also enjoyed Danny Deckchair which is available here in the U.S. even though it is relatively unknown. It has that great Aussie humor and is a good funk breaker on a rainy day. Lindsay

Australia seeks more palatable name for kangaroo steaks Mon Nov 14,10:05 AM ET

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia has launched a competition to find a new way of describing kangaroo meat which will be less offensive to diners sensitive about eating the national symbol.

Organisers point out that a slice of cow or pig on a plate is called by the more palatable euphemisms of beef or pork, and want to find a similarly savoury name for cute kangaroos.

Kangaroo meat sales have grown 50-fold in the past decade to create a 200 million dollar a year industry, with Europe a major export market for the low-fat red meat and Russians lapping it up in sausages.

But Australians have been reluctant to eat an animal so closely linked to the national identity, and most kangaroo meat consumed locally is in the form of pet food.

The competition to find a new name for the meat has the support of the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia.

"We don't eat cow or pig -- the industry for a long time has been saying why do we eat kangaroo?" said chief executive John Kelly.

The organisers said there were more than 300 words for kangaroo and its meat in Aboriginal dialects and suggested entrants give one of those words a "sexy twist".

Hundreds of names have already been put forward, including "Skippy" (the name of a favourite TV kangaroo character), "Yummy" and "Kanga" -- none of which stand a chance of success, the Australian newspaper reported.

The industry's national quota for culling kangaroos in 2005 is 3.9 million animals, a number described by some wildlife activists as a cruel slaughter but defended by the industry as necessary to keep down booming kangaroo populations.

***
How about Winnie's Roo?

hhehe ... no?! You think the kids will cry if they think they're eating Winnie's best friend?

HELLO PR FRIENDS,

Talk about a funk....I just had to change Bethany's (my ten month old) daycare for a 4th time!! Long stories short: I haven't had much luck on finding a good fit in an environment where she can be stimulated and exercised. It seems every where she goes-they just think that a baby should sit one spot all day and not do baby things. She will start at another one tomorrow. I felt good about this one. The lady is very warm and cozy. She has a whole floor dedicated to just daycare. I emphasized over and over that Bethany needs to be mobile. I spent an hour yesterday at her new daycare.

I really need to pay attention to my gut instinct and not just dis any uncomfortable feelings that I get about the daycares. I'm doing her a terrible disservice. She's a wonderful, active, "noisy", nosy, funny and beautiful baby. She deserves a loving atmosphere.

Please say a little prayer that the new daycare is a good fit for her. And, as for my funk, I do believe it's turned into a cold!!

HUGS!
Abeth