Paul's Corner

Paul, I do agree with you, but sometimes it's sooooooooo hard not to get absorbed by the negative side of things, by the pain one is experiencing and it's easier to blame others than to make the effort to move through the disappointment and find the positive in the experience. And you never know, there might be other things going on in her life that contribute to the negative, critical response you described. Just a thought.
Being on the receiving end of unfair criticism of course isn't easy for you either. I've gotten a lot of that at my current job lately and it's tough not to be affected by it--actually it is affecting me big time, but I'm keeping my head above water, it's under three weeks now on my count down before I can remove myself from a very poisened atmosphere. And in 6 - 8 weeks, I'm moving. As of a few hours ago, I have a place to live in St. Louis, where I'm moving to. I was down there this weekend, apartment hunting and had a blast :-) now I have to schedule the moving truck and all that other lovely stuff that comes with long-distance moves.

Hope you are all well!

Paul,

I have learned over the last five years how to not blame someone else for where I find myself, no matter how much blame COULD be assigned, or how much I WANT to assign. You have taught me (perhaps many of us) how to look for the positive, without ignoring the negative. That was something I've always had trouble with, what to do with the negative. It just needs to be filed away like income tax returns. Nothing you can do about them but pay what you owe, and move on.

Now fuel prices may be something else again. I have a tech job that puts me at various locations around the state, and tonight I was in a store that also sells gas (petrol), and wouldn't you know it, they ran dry while I was there. It was truly frightening with irate customers storming the front counter, demanding "their" gas, which seemed to not exist, at least at this store.

As American as I am, I have to say I think the oil barons are the scourge of this land, they're the only ones not hurting in all this.

But . . . not to focus on the negative, I got my job done in record time tonight, and my kids cleaned up the kitchen tonight, so I get home early AND find a clean kitchen to boot!

I'm glad to hear you're still kicking over there, my son (only 17, and dying to try one of your beers) wants to know how Mercs Own is going. He figures by the time he's old enough to drink, he'll have found a way to get to Australia. We thought he'd be going to a TaeKwonDo tournament in Sydney in June, but his school cheesed out. Oh, well. If it's meant to happen, we'll find the way.

-Melanie

hi paul!
i am a fan of yours and love reading your blog! i was inspired by you to take up jazz dancing, had a couple of lessons already, and its really fun, thanks! as for the show you just blogged about, what show is that? is it "so you wanna dance"? at least that's the only dance reality tv being shown in singapore.
-ange

Paul,
I can do nothing but agree.
You have to ask yourself why she took this challenge on in the first place.
I guess that there are lots of different kinds of people in the world, including those who choose to blame others for their lack of adaptability.
BTW, the judging panel does a terrific job. They add a further dimension to the show, for sure.

Best wishes, Peter.

Mary, time heals all. I will valiantly move forward and lament the loss no more.
Best wishes to you over there on the Emerald Isle.

The purle one.

Dear Paul,

Kate obviously did not have the innate skills to
react graciously to her loss. It will not advance her career elsewhere, with that childish display in front of millions, (and to berate the judges, to boot...what nerve!)

She obviously never learned how to take disappointments with style and grace (especially
in public) and pick herself up and try to do better the next time.

You've done it, with admirable tenacity, and that's one of the reasons we love and admire you so.

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

I haven't seen it Paul. But something similar happened on the English version of Dancing with the Stars (which is called Strictly Come Dancing). I shan't mention who it was but they won the first series but after a month or so they got big headed and thought they could win again in an Xmas special, they didn't. Nowadays dancing is never mentioned by this person which is a shame because they were so good at it.

So yes, it is a shame that after doing such good positive things, Kate's being negative.

Wish we could get it over here in the U.K.

Hope you're well, and keep up the good work!
Lots of Love
Clair. XXXX

Its a shame that Kate did that. Life isn't about winning but about attitude definitely!

I just want to give a shout out to Grandma Millie who has a great attitude which makes her a winner... and you too Paul!

I have said this before the larger the ego a person has the easier it is to hit...
it sounds like the show did her a favor. Next time, maybe she want be so vunerable.

Tea

Since dancing myself as long as forever, I've seen this happen with professionals and students, (let's not go into stage moms) and I think your points are valid. We have Dancing with the Stars here in the USA, and most shows show a good experience and fun for all (as well as the hard work behind the scenes).

We also had a movie last summer about the ballroom program in New York City (Mad Hot Ballroom) and they emphasized to the kids participating that even if they didn't win the competitions, they still come away with the experience and all they've learned in class and from each other. And we now have the Antonio Banderas movie "Take the Lead"--when I saw it, everyone actually sat through the dancing shown during the credits and when the credits were done, there was a strong applause. The movie shows how the New York ballroom program started and again emphasizes on what everyone comes away with win or lose.

When she settles down, she'll see the other side of her experience, even it it's 20 years from now. ;)

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

I don't know anything about the show but from I gather-this chick did herself a disservice. She'll need time to gain credibility and acknowledge her actions. People tend to be more forgiving when an individual takes ownership, admits that they acted like a "schmuck" and have grown.

We've all, one at one point in our lives, have acted in an unflattering way. Maybe, cut the chick some slack-she could have been having a bad hair day!! I know-I just had on on Friday!!

HUGS!
Abeth

Paul must be a busy man lately! I hope everyone is off to a nice Spring. Life is throwing some challenges at me. Family issue with a child. Keep me in your thoughts.
Thanks

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

MARY-I hope all works out with your family issues. Post when you can.

HUGS!
Abeth

Hang in there MaryS and I hope the challenges make you stronger and that you come through with flying colors. I'm sure you will. I'll keep you in my thoughts and am sending you a big hug.

Hello everyone!
Evelyn

abeth and Evelyn: how wonderful for you to offer your sweet and kind thoughts to me. And all of you: As I sit here wondering, "what's it all about Alfie", I think of you folks as a bright spot in a world of sometimes darkness. I know I don't really know you, but I feel more warmth from you than I sometimes do in a year from people around me. What a blessing you all are.

I know I mentioned many moons ago, that my kids and I lost their dad when they were very little. Unfortunately, we three have let this tragedy define most of our lives. If I had known to get professional help and not depend on my own comittment as a mother, and my faith to get us through, I would have gotten help for all of us.

I think when people come from a background of emotional deficit, it makes it so hard to ever build a good foundation or life structure to live on. Now we all seem to be experiencing the aftermath of so many years of sorrow and pain. My son is going through some hard times. Making poor, sorrow and anger based choices that will in turn affect his life for years in the future. It breaks my heart and I do take responsibility, even though he's an adult now, for his pain. I wish I could just stop the cycle. It's in God's hands and I just pray my son knows how much I love him. He didnt' direct anything towards me. It's all stuff that is causing misery for him and his wife and child. Long story, but very sad.

I do appreciate you keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. I do believe in the power of positive thoughts and prayers.

We will prevail.

thank you all so much. You are all simply wonderful people to know.

Dear MaryS,

I just want you to know that your story touched me, as it has with others.

Please know that we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Shalom and love,

Gran Mil

Dear MaryS, you are in a tough spot. First of all, you can't change the past, you did back then what you thought best and it was, you made the best possible choices you were able to do at that time within the circumstances you found yourself in. Granted, with the knowledge you have now, you can go to that "I wish I had done things differently" spot, but you can't and please don't torture yourself with that. You did the best you were able to do at that time. Of course, today, you can support your son in a different way, because of where you are now and what knowledge you have gained in the meantime, but those are two different things.
It sounds that your son needs to allow himself to heal, but that is a choice he needs to make for himself. It's painful to watch when someone you love makes these anger and pain based choices, but until they are ready to deal with the pain and release it, you can only surround them with love and hope that it reaches them through their pain. I'm glad you are reaching out for support for yourself, because in order to give and support you need to be supported as well.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and sending you love and joy to fill you up and heal.

Evelyn

Thank you so much again, for the support. I truely feel blessed.

Hopefully my future posts will be uplifting and not sad. I guess this is all part of why we're here. Thank God, you are all a part of it for me!

:)

Just a few more words I have to say.

Evelyn and Grandma: I just read your posts again. I do feel love and support from you and it does bring comfort.

Evelyn: Your post is so awesome. We think alike, as all of us seem to do here. I think we are all kindred spirits here in Paul's small community. It's so weird and mysterious how this site works for all of us. All from a little independant movie and the beautiful man staring in it! What a miracle huh? Evelyn, thank you so much for putting your wonderful energy into my world at this time of trial and tribulation. I won't ever forget it.

Grandma, you are such a giving person. I just love the wisdom you share so often with all of us. You are such a sweetheart. Having a sweet heart is a rare thing. I love it!

Again, thank you to Paul and Cat for keeping this site going. It's working in so many ways to make us all better people in the world.

Paul,

Congratulations for DWTS winning a logie.
You obviously played no small part in the overall popularity and success of the show.
It's a pity that you couldn't be there on the night to enjoy sharing in the celebration, but I imagine that there will be more celebrations than one.

To Mary in Ireland and Michelle in the windy city, wishing you pair a warm greeting. I guess you're starting to defrost by now, given the season in the Northern hemisphere.

Peter

Hi Paul
Congrats on the Logie for DWTS.
I'm so pleased it's come together, you deserve all the luck in the world, you're such a lovely person.
Watched Strictly Ballroom again, your dancing takes my breath away.
Am practising my Ballroom steps at the moment, I hope that one day I can dance even half as well as you.

Lots and Lots of Love.
Clair. XXXXXXX

Congratulations to DWTS and Paul! I wish I could have seen the show here in the U.S. I would have LOVED to watch your comentaries.

Hope the string of positive events keeps going and going and going!

Congratulations, Paul. I guess the Logie is is complement to our Emmy here in the States.

It would have been nice to see the programs and hear your commentary.

Wishing you continued success.

Gidday guys!!!Thankyou for your thoughts and congrats on the logie - I am rather proud of being a part of a show that has won an award. I have featured in four shows now that have won awards and for two of them I was nominated for an award - didnt get one though. But I reckon I must be doing something right and well!

I have been very busy lately and thus ingnoring the site!! Well never ignored just too busy to get on but always thinking about you all.

I am currently in New Zealand being a judge on their DWTS. I have bought a notebook computer so I hope to spend the time sitting on the plane doing some catch up posts to bring every one up to date with what is going on with me.

Stand by to be whisked off your feet at speed with the next post!!!!!!

Paul, you crack me up! and I am going to search for a seat belt, I kind of want to stay put with my feet firmly on the ground for a while, since I took care of "being swept of my feet" myself. A week and a half ago, during my last week of teaching at MSU, I managed to twist/sprained my ankle while teaching, totally lost my balance, left supercool skid marks on the floor and fell flat on my back. That's my legacy now with my students :-) not what I was going for, but hey, it works. So now you know it "teaching is a dangerous profession!" I really am going to miss my students, and when I get too blue, I tell myself that there are wonderful students waiting for me at SLU :-)

And before I forget, congratulations, Paul on the Logie, the nominations & have a blast in NZ.
I should go call my Mum, it's Mother's Day after all! Congratulations to all the Mum's on this site.

Love to you all!

Paul, many congratulations on the award & on the ongoing success of DWTS. Best wishes also for all your other ventures. Long may the busyness continue for you!

Evelyn, best wishes to you also for the new & exciting stage of your journey at SLU. I just know wonderful things await you there too.

Peter, thanks for the warm wishes. As always, my best to you too and to Michelle in Chicago. Yes, Spring has definitely arrived up here. There's something nice about knowing you're holding the balance down there with Autumn. Everything is in its place and all is well. Love to you in that place down under.

Hello to all my friends here. I hope all is well in your worlds and that life is flowing in the best possible way.

Love to you all,
Mary

Congrads on the latest and greatest awards and recognitions! You have certainly earned your Big Kahoona title from this fan.

Hope everyone is doing well and I'm looking forward to Paul's next post. I do have a need to be knocked off my feet these days.

take care all,

Julie

ps: and a shout out to Grand Dame Millie!

...and a shout out to you, Julie darling!

How do you like this rain? (I think we're in for an interesting summer, Julie...)

Ellie and I have to make it to our multimedia theater tonight between the raindrops so I can show my monthly movie, "Selena" on DVD. Even if a handful of people show up because of the rain, the show must go on, right Paul??

Shalom and Love to all,

Gran Mil

Hey guys,

I just wanted to say for Paul that there is this website, www.poetry.com, where you can post your poems and enter competitions for cash prizes for free.
I've read some of the winning poems and some of them weren't even that good (to me anyway). The one's I've read on this website are as good as any of them, and I'm guessing you have other ones stowed away aswell.
Anyway, it would be a good way to make some extra money, a cool achievement and worth a shot?

Love and prayers,
All the best, take care

Hi Paul.
We saw you in your new ad last night on TV. Well done. You seem to be popping up everywhere of late!
Gosh the kids have grown (it certainly has been a while).

So, the burning question is: how is your cholesterol level going?

Peter

Nadia that poetry website has been under serious scrunity since it's been online since 1999 or 1998. It's had lots of bad press. If you google it you'll see what I mean.