Paul's Corner

Happy birthday, Paul! I hope you enjoyed your day! :o)

Happy Birthday Paul!!

I've been lurking here for a number of years and want to unearth myself to wish you a very happy 44th.

While I'm out in the open now I'd like to say hi to all of the regulars I've become attached to here as well. Hi!

Self-saucing? What does that actually mean? Conjures up images of a person ladeling sauce all over him-/herself and drops flying everywhere. Mind you, I just came back from a talk and presentation at the art museum about Oskar Fischinger who did some amazing animations/short films in the 1920s-40s using his drawings from the so-called degenerate art/expressionism and even in the paintings things move and come flying of the canvas-or so it seems. Very interesting--anyhow, that was an interesting circle of thought, self saucing to Oskar Fischinger :-)

Okay, on to no egg on your face, Paul!
Happy Birthday and may you find vibrant joy, positive energy, happiness ahead of you, celebrate the beauty life offerst to you and may your path reveal itself daily for you.
Happy 44th & many blessings to you and your family!
Evelyn

Go ahead! Sauce away! It's your birthday!!!!

Many happy returns Paul!!

Yes, the 40"s are the new 20's. All the thoughts and feelings but hopefully the good sense to not indulge in all of them! I'm 42 myself. Don't think I'd want to be 20 again. Geez! Maybe I'd have made different choices and really screwed up big. So... he's to the "40's" and all the other wonderful age groups represented here...so much yet to learned and experienced!!!

Cheers!

Margie

Hi Paul, Happy Birthday to you. How dose it feel being a year older? Has any of your fellow DWTS cast mates wished you happy birthday yet? I bet theyv'e all sung to you already. Hope you have a great day.
Best wishes to my fav judge and dancer.
Becky.
PS. Here's a hudge birthday hug from me.

Happy Birthday Paul :) I wish you a wonderful birthday and a wonderful 44th year ahead. I'm certain wonderful things are in store for you.

Love, Tea

Happy Birthday Paul!

I must say, at 21 (and after spending all yesterday standing on my head hammering off horseshoes) I am certainly not bouncing around so congratulations!

I hope you and your family have a great year! Best wishes with all your plans :)

Happy birthday, I hope that I'm in as goods as condition when I'm your age (no hope mother of five and 37)
Hope to keep seeing you give kick assing good performances for years to come

Happy belated birthday, Paul!

I am sending you a present. I put it in an empty tequila bottle (wistful sigh) with the qift inside. I tried a full bottle, so you would
have something to celebrate your gift with, but it didn't work. The feathers kept getting wet.

Anyway, I set it adrift in the Pacific around 4. ... wait .. I think it was the Pacific ocean. ... waves, sand, water, rocks ...
that's the ocean right? Sorry to be so fuzzy today. Got a little hangover from drinking tequila last night. That's the last time I'll
use a full bottle for messages.

Your present is in a clear bottle with a red ribbon tied in a bow around the middle. It has a Jose Cuervo label and a gift tag addressed to you. When I launched it, the bottle took off fast, like it hit a strong current. With that in mind, I expect your gift will arrive in Australia within the week. You may want to wander down to the beach in a few days to see if it arrived. Please let me know when you get it.

One last thing. I am on a crusade to change the tempo of the Happy Birthday song. I am not an expert by any means, but the speed the song is sung today reminds me of a dirge. Who wants to blow out birthday candles after hearing that? We need to take action now, before the June babies are imprinted with the dirge verson. So everyone, the next time you are trapped in an office celebration and HB is on its way, start first and sing it at a peppy tempo. Don't worry about being in tune. Your co-workers sing much
crappier than you. We suggest you use a march tempo. Soon your co-workers will be singing at the pace you set.

Still a little uncertain about participating? Remember this: The quicker we finsh HB, the sooner we can get at the cake.

Now back to Paul's birthday. Let's lift our tequila shots and toast the prosperity Paul and Andrea will have this year.

At this point I would sing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow", but I don't know you well enough.)

Happy Birthday Paul! (Incidentally I have a son called Paul Joseph).

Watched Strictly Ballroom (after not having seen it for a few years) last night and Googled you today - what a coincidence, on your birthday!

Have a great day.
Sandie

Paul--

Glad to read you were giving class--bravo!--it's a great thing to dance and perform, but also to share what you know with dancers, especially the young ones coming up! Have you and your wife given workshops/master classes together?

As I go to get ready to teach mine, I wish you the best birthday and another grand year!

Melody

(As soon as you start moving to music, it becomes timeless. You'll still wow them at 64!)

Dear Paul,

Happy Birthday! This day it is your, but the gift is our, because you are our better gift.
I am 28 years old and I'm finishing journalism in the university. When I had 14 years old, in Strictly Ballroom, you show me the better of the dance and this was very important to me, because the dance was always everyting to me. And now, I wish to be a dancer too, when I to finish journalism. I do, I have 28 years old, but it is not late to be happy.

Caroline from Brasil

Happy Happy Birthday, Paul!

I just happened to be watching Strictly Ballroom this afternoon, and decided to log on and see what more I could find out about one of my very favorite dancers/actors. Imagine my surprise to see that today is your birthday! Hope you have had an incredible day and that your upcoming year is filled with only wonderful things.
Thank you for everything! Christy in Scottsdale, Arizona :-)

Mister Sir: Before I can congratulate you for plie' ing the stuffing out of your dance students today, I need to know their ages.

That way I can adjust the admiration level of my message accordingly. You don't have to be specific. Just give me a clue, like whether juice boxes were present.

Evelyn, I though you would have been up on the self saucing idea as you are a cook! A self saucing chocolate cake is a cake or pudding etc that when you tip it out of the tin it is cooked in and on to the plate all the sauce that was in the bottom of the tin pours out on top of the cake and it there fore self sauces. I have never made one but I felt putting up this post I was kind of self saucing for birthday wishes - get it?

Thank you all for avoiding the egg on my face now I just have to get the sauce out of my hair :)

Tussah I will go down the beach and keep an eye out for the bottle and yes perhaps getting empty bottles would be a better idea than buying full ones and drinking them.

Becky, no none of the judes wished me a happy birthday as I didnt tell them it was my birthday and I dont think they read this site.

Grand Ma Mill thank you for your birthday wishes and thoughts!

Oh those things ... Thanks for the explanation, Paul. Cook-yes, native speaker of English-no and lately I've baked several German cakes from German recipes and hence the little things linguistically get me and not just in cooking vocab. The only self-saucing "cake" I've ever made is the Spanish flan or mango-flan where the caramel sauce pours out and over the flan after you flip it from the glas pan. Oh this is good, today is the "official" opening of Ana's Birthday season,and what better way to celebrate that than to make her a Spanish flan. Hope she doesn't get homesick ...

Happy dancing and happy celebrating 44:1 (By Ana's and my logic, you are entitled to have your birthday season for another 5 months and celebrate as much as you like, your birthday season starts on the first day of the month your birthday falls into ... [basically this came into being as we wanted an "excuse" to celebrate all year long]).
Evelyn

Happy Birthday to you, Paul and many happy returns.

I had my birthday two weeks ago and now am officially able to call myself a senior citizen when I go to the movies!

I find that my mind is still young but the old body isn't what it used to be. Every morning brings more aches and pains, but at least I'm still alive and one more day closer to retirement. *g*

I will raise a glass in your honor tonight and wish you all the best for the coming year.

Be well.
Sally C.

Happy Birthday Paul!
Welcome to the double-four year (I am in this club). Thus far, I'd say it's slightly better than 43, but I must admit to dreading 45. It just seems so much older. Perhaps it just sounds older. In any event, I don't want any part of it.
Glad to hear you're dancing the pants off of the young folk. Of course, if you keep this up, you're going to be required to perform.
;)
Best,
Eldee

Something from the last thread--Becky sent me the picture of the bust of Paul. It is below, with her comments:

Hi Paul, Here’s the photo I wanted you to see. I hope you like it better than poor David Graham’s Paso Doble. That score was shocking!

http://paulmercurio.net/fan/fangraphics/beckybust.jpg

Belated Birthday wishes to you Paul. You and my husband's best friend share the same birthday and you were both in my thoughts yesterday, but — as usual — I'm a day late and a dollar short. Anyway, I hope it was a great day and that the year ahead is full of delights!

Henson's "Puppet-Up" is in Melbourne now. I believe their first show is tomorrow night (your time). Oie, it's so hard keeping track of two time zones. Let me know if you and Andrea can make it to the show. I'll see if Allan can get you comps.

Good night to you and all!

Mister Sir: Thanks for the vivid self-saucing description.

Since you are familiar with (ESSC), do you know the ratio of cake mixture and icing remaining in the used baking untensils per the traditional baking style, with the remaining amounts in the exotic preparation of self-saucing cakes.

As you know, any deviation below the standard tongue surface measurement of 15,000 bpsi per sample is unacceptable. (bpsi = buds per square inch)

I believe you are familiar with the findings published by the 2005 Congress for Traditional Baking in its newsletter "Cream the Butter" regarding this matter.

As reported in that official document: "Whatever gain one may receive through pan reduction using ESSM (exotic self-saucing method), the accompanying amount of yummy from said cookware is severely impacted.

Therefore we must recommend using the traditional prepartion method. We warn you that the traditional method will leave more pans to wash, but that is insignificant compared to the demonic wrath spewing from your children and spouse if they could not lick a shimmering mixing spoon.

Look for a continuation of this topic in our newsletter. We'll talk to a current ESSM baker who uses the procress to create works of art out of cupcakes. We'll also talk to a former ESSM baker who promises to share the crummy side of ESSM, and how it turned him into a miserable sous chef by the age of 19.
###

PAUL

I posted the following on the previous thread but it never hurts to type it again:

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Paul,
Happy Birthday to you!

Now, here's the kicker-I'm singing this the best Marilyn Monroe voice that I have!!

Got sauced?

HUGS!
Abeth

I don't know if you saw it, but I sent a birthday wish to you on the tail end of the "Things I've Learnt" thread. I was quit pleased with myself as I usually miss birthdays by a day or two (or the day of if a card was supposed to have been mailed across the country and should be arriving that day). I took time and day differences into consideration and sent out the message on my March 30th -- your March 31st. It should have been waiting for you to wake up to. (Yes, I'm still patting myself on the back for this one.)

Unfortunately, I was too early for this birthday thread and therefore probably got overlooked altogether. (Oh d***)

Happy Birthday none-the-less -- belated as it is now. :( ;)

Marian

Paul – a few years ago I read a quote – “I like men to act like men – strong and childish”. I immediately thought of my brother (birthday March 28th) and my Grandfather (April 4th) and concluded that the author MUST have had an Aries in mind when she said that!!!

So… Happy Birthday Aries “Man” – here’s to another strong (and childish) year!

Happy Birthday Paul!

May this be the best of years.

I will make a toast in your honor at Waxy's this week-end unless I get interrupted by one of the "yachties" that have some outrageous story to tell.

cheers,

Julie

Dearest, dearest Paul:

I wish you Happy Birthday week, because one day is never enough.

I have just completed your wonderfully long epic poem, "Trenchman oh Trenchman: A Siren's Song." As soon as my personal assistant returned it to the bookstore shelf, we raced to my limo and demanded my chauffer break the speed limit so I could get home quickly and have PA write this message.

A poet. A poet! Paul, I knew you only as lead actor starring in the long-running hit, "The Five Mercurios, Minus Any Who Have Left for College." Once your play went to Brussels, I lost touch. It is so difficult to find good help who can keep track of things like addresses and children. Sometimes life is such a brutal beast.

My new PA has informed me that your play has been running 20 years. Amazing how you can say those same lines night after night, and twice on Sunday with the same intensity. I know it must take a certain level of brain power.

But darling, more! Your modern dance intrepretation of a kumquat on "Food Trial" was brilliant! You should have heard the awe in his voice when my butler, Percel, shared the news. He has promised he will record Food Trial the next time the dance comes on. I know your future citrus tributes will be just as delicious.

While brunching with Cookie the other day at Verge, he mentioned you were introducing a new line of shoes. Dare I say it using the common venacular: "I was gobsmacked." You are the renassiance man. Acting, dancing, writing and now designing a line of construction boots! Those construction people have been crying out for style for so long. They must worship you as a god.

My PA is complaining that it is her break time, so I must let you go. I do not want to go through the hassle of slavery charges that I did last year when I wouldn't let my housekeeper out of the closet for a few days. (Long story - later maybe.)

So for now, good bye, by beloved fair-haired favorite,

Fizzy
(dictated but not read)

abeth, when I first saw Paul's post I thought he meant the other kind of self-saucing ...which is always fun and usually happens on birthdays. :)

(Hope all is well w/you)

Rosie, I don't think childish is really a great term to describe someone like Paul .. playful I think may be better :) Or maybe it's just me ...
Tea

Tea – I think you misunderstood me, as I don’t know Paul, I wouldn’t presume to call him “childish” (or anything else for that matter). I was actually describing my brother and grandfather who are/were also Aries men and fit that description to a “tea” (no pun intended ;) ).

When I first read the quote I took “childish” to mean playful, open, inquisitive, honest, daring, stubborn, etc…, all the things that make children so charming (and exhausting!). My brother Mark (43) and my grandfather Wilson who was 94 and going strong (living alone in his own home) when he broke his pelvis (hopping over a box!) and succumbed to pneumonia last July, are/were the men in the world I admire most, and for just those qualities.

My son Brian (April 13th) is also an Aries and I see their “strong and childish” qualities in him already – and I couldn’t be more pleased!!!

Only Paul (or his family) could say whether he fits that description or not - but if he does, I'd say he/they are pretty lucky!

Paul, I might be getting ahead of what may be your next post, but how's your birthday celebration going?

I hope it kicked off a great year with lots of love, health, and happiness for you and the family.

(In the meantime, I face turning 53 in a few weeks myself. If anyone would have told me I'd still be dancing and teaching at this time there would have been no way I would have believed it!!!)

Melody

Happy 44th! I just had my 56th ten days earlier (3/21). I still feel like the same person I have always been, only wiser.

I just saw the movie "Joseph" and had to look you up, and it turned out that it was your birthday that day! Strange, eh? Did you enjoy making that film? I always think of the Biblical Joseph and how he believed God was still with him, that he wasn't forgotten, even in his horrible circumstances. It gives me hope.

I admire you for sticking to your guns, concerning dance and Hollywood, etc. That takes a lot of strength of character.

Have you seen the movie "Billy Elliot"? It is one of my favorite movies. Every time I see it, it makes me cry. Billy's dad was willing to sacrifice so much for him, as was his brother.

I admire you for thinking of your family first. I hope things go well for you and your family.

Becky H.

Hello everyone,

Wow what a virtual birthday party for you Paul! Happy belated birthday to you. When I heard you would be saucing yourself, I pictured your life as a fine marinara sauce, simmering it's way to perfection! Or a wonderful steak marinating in the wisdom of your years. Why do I picture you as food? ;)

I think it is because you have fed my senses with your fabulous flare.

I hope you are ready for a wonderful year!

I haven't been here for a week or more. Work is consuming me and not all in a good way. I need a looooong relaxing vaction. I have the time, I just need to take it!

Happy belated birthday and Happy dancing.
God bless,
from K in California

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, PAUL!
A little late but no less sincere.
Hope you had a great day, and may I say, lucky dance students!
smiles and birthday hugs,
deltalady aka Sally

Diane, Andrea and I would love to go to the show if Alan can get us a comp that would be wonderful if it isnt too lte. I will look up how long they are on for. Is Alan away for long?? I hope all is going great for you with your business and your health!

Happy belated birthday Paul. I will raise a glass of fine California grape to you. Cheers!

Tracie

I thought you guys might get a chuckle out of this (I know I did)!

CHICAGO Apr 3, 2007 (AP)— A woman is suing her dance partner, claiming he dropped her on her head after flipping her into the air at an office party.

Lacey Hindman, 22, was a victim of "negligent dancing," says her lawyer, David M. Baum.

"NEGLIGENT DANCING"!!! Hope no one here is guilty - although I'm pretty sure I am ;)

Rosie--I looked up that story in the Chicago Trib archives from Tuesday--wow!

Similar incident--we were having tech rehearsal for West Side Story years back and the actors portraying Bernardo and Anita had to finish in a shoulder lift at the end of "America"--my heart stopped as Anita flew over his shoulder into the seats (we were in the round). Luckily she only suffered a bruised skull.

If anyone would like to check out the story Rosie mentioned, here's the URL: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403jitterbug,1,3944846.story

Have a great day all!

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

I'm part of the Aries trend!

I'll be 39 on the 19th. I've been telling people for months that I'm 39-may as well get used to it for I may not get used to telling people when I'm 40!

I've been doing okay. It's when I'm alone that I have many thoughts of my mother. My birthday will be hard because she always called at the time I was born and sing to me. I'm getting filled up just thinking about it.

Thanks for everyone's support.

HUGS!
abeth

Greetings Paul. Just want you to know that I truly appreciated your thoughts/feelings on turning 44. The event is looming before me and I've been feeling off-balance of late. Of course, I have no choice but to embrace it ... life, afterall, has been kind and I don't feel anywhere near what the world thinks 44 is. I hope we both have many more birthdays and are dancing right up 'til the end. May good things keep coming your way. Thanks and keep sharing, you're making a difference.
Pia

Rosie, I've had a rotten week due to an allergy flair-up (which began a nasty chain reaction health-wise), but your post about the "negligent dancing" got me laughing. Not that its funny anyone got hurt, but just the terminology and the fact that it happened at an office party.

Melody, I'm glad your "Anita" was not seriously injured!

Many years ago during a production of "Oklahoma!" we had a dancer nearly go into the orchestra pit during curtain calls. It had been decided they would do a lift over pit, with her head and upper body literally hanging over the open pit. One night the male dancer didn't get his hands set properly before the lift and she nearly went completely over. Quite scarey for us all- and thankfully no one was hurt. It makes me thankful I decided to stick with singing and acting. LOL

Happy weekend (and Easter) to all!

Sarah--wow--nothing like ending with a close call! Thankfully it turned out all right.

Abeth, my first birthday without my mother was sad. She would always send a card in the mail even though we'd get together within the family, and it was so strange not to have her card with the others I received. Will think of you--I'm actually two days after you on the 21st.

Whether it's Easter, or Passover, or just enjoying seasonal changes, good weekend to Paul and all the PCs!

Sarah/Melody – I’m glad you enjoyed my little “newsflash” ;) and hope you (Sarah) are feeling better – maybe our little “snow storm” dampened some of those nasty allergens (I hope)!

Your posts got me thinking of all the nasty little “negligent dancing” incidents that I fell prey to (and PERPETRATED!) over the years. This little trip down memory lane just served to underscore my belief that dancing is PAINFUL!!! I honestly can’t remember a single production in which I wasn’t seriously injured at one point or another – broken ankles and ribs, sprains, torn ligaments, pulled muscles, etc… Ah, the glamour of it all ;) !!! Looking back at it – I was actually in the WORST shape, when I was in the BEST shape!

I may not be able to do 8 shows a week anymore, but at least I can bend my knees!!!

Rosie--your post gave me a good chuckle--hear you loud and clear!

As the song from "A Chorus Line" says--what we did for love--maybe it's more what we DIDN'T!

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you.

What kind of dance instruction were you teaching, ballet, tap, ballroom, etc.?

I recently saw a map of Australia at night. It was breathtaking. I guess I don't comprehend how big Australia is. What was really facinating to me was where the cites showed, mostly along the coast, and all the darkness in the interior. Occassionally, there would be a wee little light out in the middle of no where.

Take care and Love to all,
Marge

Rosie, that snow was quite humorous. I woke up at 7:30 yesterday (Saturday) morning and went "what the...?" It was all melted by last night though. As much as I hate the thought, I may need to seek an allergist. I am feeling better now that I'm taking 3 allergy meds instead of 1, but I hate taking that much in one day. Blech!

Bending ones knees is definitely a good thing! I'm plagued by arthritis (hereditary, overweight, and just a plain clutz) and have a fear that one day I won't be able to bend mine. I don't need to dance to hurt myself... I do a good enough job on my own just walking. LOL We won't discuss how gracefully I descend stairs. ;o)

Hi Paul
How wonderful to hear you are teaching dance and sharing your amazing talent with others again. I have just found your web site and am amazed in this fine country of ours that someone like you is not working constantly in the arts, and has had to selll computers -un believable. saw you dance with the SDC - wow !
I hope the wonderful things you have planned come to fruition - your positive outlook and choice to be a happy person is a lesson for us all. You know 40's are the new 30's !Debbie

Just want to say happy birthday to a person who was born on the same day as me! Had this idea for many years, but only now actually did something about it.About me: I was born in Sibiria,raised in Moscow,became Canadian in 1992, and now live in USA, I am a woman and English is my second language,{russian is first}.My hobby is astrology and I was always curious to see what differences and similarities people born on the same day have.And just by reading briefly your letters I found that fears are my "travelling companions" too and for many years I am trying to analize them and if I can't get rid of them completely, then to have them at least under control,these fears come from our natal horoscopes and probably given to us as lessons to belearned in this lifetime.Good luck to you Paul in everything that you are trying to achieve in life. Elena

Helloooooooo. Where did everybody goooooooo?

Someone left the lights on.

While I am not specifically writing to extend belated birthday greetings, let me congratulate Paul on his birthday since that is so recent.

I was motivated to write, instead, because of the power of his performance in, and as, Joseph. His presence is still quite moving. I just rewatched the movie again on DVD and it confirmed my sense, formed when it was originally broadcast on TV, that some scenes, particularly the one in which Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, are among the most powerful of any in cinema.

So consider this a blog applause, more belated than the birthday greeting. I look forward to screening the movie again and again over time, just as I go back to books that have made a strong impression and taught me something.

I guess everyone is busy with their "real world" goings ons, Merripennie. :o) I know I've had a stressful week, but some good came out of it. I finally got the nerve to speak to my supervisor's manager and aired some things that had been bothering me - and found that I'm not the only one. Plus, I put in a request for a change of shifts and was approved. That will reduce a ton of stress. Unfortunately it won't come to fruition until the 27th.

Otherwise I'm waiting for Spring to arrive. I think its decided to bypass those of us on the East Coast of the US. We've had rain all weekend, and unseasonable cold.

I hope all is well with everyone! :o)

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

Just popping in to say hello. Things are going better for me.

Hope all is well with the friends here!!

hugs,
abeth

Hi everyone--

Sarah--sounds like you're getting what we had last week in Chicago. We woke up to icy-snowy rain on Tuesday that just kept pouring down and barely any temperatures above freezing most of the week. I hope you're not in any of the flood zones reported on the news this morning.

Abeth, I'm happy to hear you're better. Hang in there! :)

On a sad note, Paul and PC friends, you may have seen that there was a horrible shooting at Virginia Tech University here in the States. Last count was 30 students dead. Very heartbreaking for the school and their families.

Melody

Melody, I reside in VA and heard about the VA Tech shooting while I was having blood drawn after my doctor's appointment today. At that point they only confirmed 21 dead. So very, very sad. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those gone forever.

On a different note, has anyone ever wondered at why we go to the doctor? I was referred to a neurologist to see if we can find a solution for my migraines. I was suffering from one when I arrived at the appointment this morning... it was worse when I left the appointment. During the examination he had to shine a very bright light in each of my eyes, and I am very light sensitive when suffering a migraine - he knew it was going to bother me and apologized. However, I don't think he expected it to intensify my migraine. I was in tears by the time he was done. So now I'm on a higher dose of daily meds, a different "rescue" medicine, and I have a CT Scan scheduled for the 25th. I'm starting to look forward to my 40s because my 30s sure aren't doing much for me. LOL

Sarah (and for all PC women), there is a good website written by women medical professionals, www.womentowomen.com, which has great information on women's health issues, and they write from the medical as well as alternative treatment fields. Maybe they might have a suggestion on migranes if you check their archive articles.

The count ended at 32, with the shooter (who shot himself) adds to 33. Over 20 more were seriously wounded. So very, very heartbreaking.

On a lighter note, I've been watching Dancing with the Stars the past few weeks. This is my first season watching it because they moved the program to Monday and Tuesday evenings, so I can watch it. I've found it fun, and wonder what Paul would make of all of this.

Personally, though, when it comes to the Latin, I can't get into some of the dancing they're doing because of the music they choose. Some of it has no Latin base, or a Paso Doble done to something not even remote to Spanish themes--their movement doesn't make any sense to me because the music lacks the character. If you're going to do a Samba, why not use a Samba and really bring in the mood??? Same for Tango--all that beautiful Argentine Milonga available, and they use the theme to Star Wars?!

Otherwise, bravo to their hard work!

Hi Everyone,

Yes, it has been a busy couple of weeks for me also. We had such beautiful weather here in Oklahoma, USA for so many weeks that I broke down and planted my vegetable garden earlier than I'd planned. All that cold weather in Chicago came down and we spent almost two weeks fighting freezing temps by night and hail storms/severe thunder storms by day. Many seeds were unearthed and had to be replaced. Most tomato and pepper plants survived, but not all. Lost some herbs also. Hopefully the worst is behind us as it has moved northeast.

Thomas, I so agree with your assessment of the Joseph movie. I received the movie for Christmas-- after discovering it in October -- and have watched it many times since. Paul did such a good job that I forget it's "Paul" on the screen and just lose myself in "Joseph". I had the opportunity to see some other versions of the Joseph story last month. Paul's/TBN's version was by FAR the best -- so human and yet so much honor and integrity!!! Fabulous!!!

Sarah, I have a girlfriend who has troubles with migraines, as did her mom and grandma before her. She has found almost complete relief by using Arbonne's progesterone cream on a monthly cycle as related to her menstral cycle. I use the cream for other reasons and can recommend it without reserve. It might help you.

Melody, I agree with your assessment of this season's DWtS. That Star Wars piece left me with my mouth hanging open in shock. The orchestra did a wonderful job, it wasn't their fault, but that music choice REALLY did not work for me! Unfortunately I have had to stop watching because I broke our TV antenna when working with the connections. I can't get that station better than a moderate snow storm with fuzzy figures on the screen. :(

So much for thinking I would just check in to see what everyone ELSE is doing. ;)

Marian

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

SARAH-I get those migraines sometimes and I take a medication that melts on your tongue.

VIRGINIA TECH-This is just so tragic. Like 911-there are some things that happen and I just can't find a way to wrap my brain around such horrific scenerios. So, so many lives have changed in an instant. It's difficult to read and watch. There are just not enough deep and emotional comforting words. My hope is that for all of those who have been directly affected have good family and friends to catch them and help them.

hugs,
sarah

I haven't watched the US DWTS since season 1. As I like to joke, I live in a cave. (An expensive cave...) Where I live you can't get reception with an antennae (too far out from the signals), and cable is not available. The only option is satellite TV, and I'm just too broke for that. ;o)

Marian, I'm a bit leary of using progesterone cream as I already have hormonal issues - and I'm still of childbearing age. I appreciate the suggestion, though. :o) Right now I take a medication daily (at bedtime) to help thwart the onset of the migraines, and since December we've increased the dose twice. Now we've added a very high dose of ibuprofen as my rescue drug. Interesting enough ibuprofen is the only thing that used to help my non-migraine headaches in the past. So we will see. So far, day #2 of the migraine and I still feel like ick.

Another reason I'd love the migraine to go away is so I could watch a movie. Joseph has been brought up again and it is one of my favorite's that Paul has done. Unfortunately the glaring of the TV will not be condusive to my head throbbing. (I can only take the computer in small doses.) So I will put Joseph on my list of things to watch this weekend. :o)

Happy Belated Birthday Paul! I apologize for missing the day, I am sure I have a valid reason in my files somewhere, but I havent gotten around to pulling it out. I am turning 49 on May 1 and when anyone tells me I am over-the-hill, I agree with them - but then I remind them that downhill is much faster and easier than uphill :). Over the hill and gaining speed -- thats us ya'll!!

I enjoy your saucy explanations, but I have to admit I have to get my Aussie to English dictionary sometimes. No worries, its worth it.

Have a great year!!

Cindy

Testing to see if comments are back on.

Thanks, Cat for checking--I tried to leave a little birthday message for Abeth, and I kept getting a security message.

So, happy (belated) birthday Abeth--hang in there, and hoping Paul is starting off another great year after his 44th!

Melody

Hi ya guys and Paul, Seeing as the topic of conversation is birthday's I'd like to say that on Thursay this week it's my birthday!. Yes, turing another year older is kinda exciting. I'm turning 22. I hope to get some great presies and my birthday cake is gonna be a boston mud cake. I'm a serious chocoholic and I'm shocking when it comes to consuming large amounts of chocolate at one time. Chat to you soon.
love Becky.

Happy, very belated, Birthday Paul!

Becky, What is a Boston Mud Cake? Where can I get my hands on one? I'll Google it and see if I can get a recipe!!! (I feel a definate chocolate binge coming on!!!!)

Hey Gang – just returned from three glorious, fun filled days in the Big Apple. I went with two great pals (a couple of gorgeous Aussie gals) for a little “break”, and came home completely exhausted, but totally re-invigorated (NYC always has that effect on me!).

We had a cool pad on the upper-east side, did some touristy things I had NEVER done before (well, when you’re working there you just DON’T, do you? TOTALLY un-cool!!!), and saw two shows, “Hairspray” which was fun, fun, fun, and “Grey Gardens” which is the BEST (hands down) show I have EVER seen!!!

Ughhh – back to reality – you know, people (who don’t live here) think of D.C. as a “big” city, but after a few days in New York, it looks like just another sleepy southern town.

Calling All Aussies: HELP

The only Boston Mud Cake recipe I found online(yahoo!answers.com) had a thumbs down symbol for a rating. I found Chocolate Mud, White Chocolate Mud, Mississippi Mud, and Alabama Mud, but no other Boston Mud Cake recipes. There were lots of listings for Aussie restaurants and charters that offer it on their menus. I even found a picture from an Aussie mail order company (I'm drooling still). But there was only the one poorly rated recipe. Can anyone give me an web address that has a good one?

Thanks

Marian,
Checkout allrecipes.com for some good ratings. I've got a no-fail chocolate truffle recipe that'll one day get the catering popularity going. Or here: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/recipes/

Happy Belated Birthday to Paul. Thank you for inspiring us with your dancing, your films, and your love of life. All the best.

Rosie, I am so jealous that you were in NYC. ::pouts:: I haven't been back since I moved in March 2005. I miss my friends and I miss the city. (Even if several of my old haunts have been shut/torn down.)

All this talk of mud cakes is making me curious. I may have to do some searching myself... not that I'm much of a baker but I'm willing to try if its not too difficult. :o)

Here is what I found on the net in terms of Boston Mud Pie recipe. No guarantee on how good it is or even if it is any good ...

from: http://recipesecrets.net/forums/ingredient-forum/1300-chocolate-recipes-3.html

Boston Mud Pie

Ingredients:

1st Layer:
1 cup crushed pecans
1 cup flour
1 stick margarine
Line bottom of 9x13 pan with mixture. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

2nd Layer:
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1 cup cool whip
1 cup powdered sugar
Mix and spread over 1st layer

3rd Layer:
1 package each, vanilla and chocolate instant pudding (small size)
mixed with 3 cups milk.

Beat until thick and spread over 2nd layer.

Top Layer
Frost with remaining cool whip (use large size which is minus 1 cup previously used). You can garnish with grated chocolate. Refrigerate. This will hold up for several days and seems to improve.

Happy Boston Mud Pie making/eating and birthday celebrations!
Evelyn

Hi all--

While I'm not sure if Paul would bless a recipe including Cool Whip instead of real whipped cream, I can vouch for any pie that includes cream cheese, Cool Whip, and chocolate pudding mix. They can be sinfully delicious pleasures!

Cool Whip has a chocolate cream cheese pie that's one of our family favorites, but one must use Oreo cookie crumbs for the crust not plain chocolate cookies.

Melody

Hey, can we change this Mud Pie topic soon? I am drooling all over my keyboard...

Recent medical science states that chocolate is good for the heart...in moderation. Moderation means an ounce a day...ARE THEY KIDDING?

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Thank you all. I'll keep hunting the web, Esther, and I'll try the one you sent, Evelyn.

If anyone has a family favorite Boston Mudcake recipe that can be shared, PLEASE will you post it?

Sarah, I'm not a Baker by any means either, but I do enjoy baking now and again. It's cooking that stalls me out. I have no imagination for spicing and have ruined many a dish when I've tried. Never again will I add oregano to chili or an entire 2-pound-package of carrots to a beef roast to slow-cook all day long :0 (even the meat and potatoes tasted like carrots - had to throw the whole thing out as even the dogs wouldn't touch it). Cook by number, that's me. ;)

See Y'all later.

Cook by number! funny, Marian! and I can't stand cool whip! I use real cream if I make deserts/cakes/sauces etc.
Well, re. cool whip, if someone made a dish with cool whip in it, I'd eat it and would do my best not to flinch too noticeably (think big grin here...)

Evelyn

Marian, I will usually start out with a recipe and then make it my own. I am known in my family for my chili - basically because none of them can eat it. Its too spicy for them. LOL They all adore my lasagna and it began as a recipe in a Betty Crocker Cookbook. I just tweaked it until it fit how I wanted it to taste. My gran (my mom's mom) was the family baker for the most part. I used to help her make cookies when I was younger. Its probably why I don't make them now. She also made, IMHO, the best brownies in the world. But I'm biased. My mom makes amazing fruitcake, and I don't like fruitcake so its got to be good for me to admit that. (She makes a variety of fruitcakes, my favorite is a dark one.) Mom also loves to cook, so something tells me I come by my aptitude in the kitchen somewhat naturally. :o)

Evelyn, I can tolerate cool-whip if its mixed in something but I must agree with you that I prefer fresh whipped cream. Yes, it takes a few minutes longer to prepare it, but nothing beats the flavor. :o)

I did some searching last night on this Boston Mud Cake myself and it definitely seems elusive. I have a friend who lives in Australia. I think its time to drop her an email and see if she can dig up a recipe for me.

Now if I only had a small piece of chocolate in the house... goodness knows I'm craving it! LOL

As we're on the subject of chocolate, our manager's wife made an awesome chocolate cake with a rich milk chocolate icing that we just about devoured before lunch. The cake was wonderful, but that icing was fantastic--not sugary sweet, but rich and creamy.

We keep telling him that she should consider opening her own bakeshop--she would do quite well.

I don't mind Cool Whip as long as it's served with something else or mixed into something else, like cream cheese or pudding. My cousin used their key lime recipe with cream cheese and Cool Whip and it turn out a very light tasting pie. I also like it with pumpkin pie--just a dollup will do.

Melody

Ok guys,to stop all this confusion about what a Boston mud cake is, I can tell you that it's like a chocolate cake but it has chocolate sauce in the middle and chocolate icing on top. You can but it from a shop here in oz called the cheesecake shop. I hope that gives you an idea of what this serioulsy yummy cake actualy is. It's like Paul Merurio dancing the Paso Doble.

Becky:

That seriously yummy cake would be like Paul Mercurio dancing the Paso Doble if his partner was Tara Morice!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

I believe I have had this thing called a Boston Mud Cake. I was sick for days. It was worth it.

Hmmmm--is that anything like a chocolate molton cake? We have a restaurant here in downtown Chicago called Grande Lux Cafe and they have all these sinful treats. This cake is an individual serving about 5" in diameter, with chocolate sauce in the center that pours out (like hot lava) when you cut it open with your fork. They serve it with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce on top.

Triple chocolate high, not to mention a major sugar kick!! Definitely Paul dancing Paso Doble (or that moment he slides across the floor on his knees and all hell breaks lose on the dance floor!).

Another comment on Paul in the SB Paso Doble--one thing he does beautifully from a Flamenco perspective is that lunge down to his knee next to Tara standing muy espanola with her arms coming up en floreo (that's what we call the circular hand movement).

You can't get more Spanish than that. There is a beautiful Spanish dance photo, maybe from the 1920s or 1930s that really captures this pose. Makes me wonder if it's the inspiration behind that moment for "Scott and Fran" . . .

Chao from chocolate heaven!

Melody

Glad to hear you are doing well Abeth!

Belated happy birthday to you Becky!!

Yum chocolate mud cake! Personally I am a baked cheesecake man - New York baked cheese cake with the pastry sides - YUM. I have been eyeing off a piece of this cheese cake at a cafe that my wife and I walk to every couple of days (it's about a 42 min walk there and 22 min walk home depending on the route we take)I cant bring myself to order a slice as I figure it will blow the good work of my walk out of the water. One day I will buy a slice - agh the anticipation!

I don't check in for a day and it seems that we may have figured out the lure of the mud cake. ;o) I was wondering if it was similar to a lava cake. (Oh gosh, now I want one... but I certainly don't need one.) However, my good friend who resides in Australia did send me a recipe to share with everyone. Its not for a mud cake that oozes chocolate, but it sounds darn good!

Mud Cake Recipe

200g butter, chopped
200g good quality dark cooking chocolate
30g (1/4 cup) cocoa powder, sifted
2tbsp espresso instant coffee powder
60ml (1/4 cup) water
1 tsp vanilla essence
220g caster sugar
115g self-raising flour
3 eggs at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 160C. Brush a deep round 22cm cake tin with melted butter and line with non-stick baking powder.
Combine butter, chocolate, coffee powder, cocoa, water and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Use a balloon whisk to whisk over low heat until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and set aside for 10 min or until mixture is lukewarm.
Using electric beaters, whisk sugar and eggs in a large mixing bowl until pale and creamy. Add chocolate mixture and whisk until well combined. Add flour and whisk until combined.
Poor mix into prepared cake tin and bake in a preheated oven for 55 min or until moist crumbs cling to a skewer inserted into the center. Don't worry if the surface has cracked a little. Remove from oven and set aside for 15 min before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For those in North America, she provided some of the conversions but you'll have to do the rest. ;o) You should be able to find them online (or for the butter and chocolate you could use a food scale).

Paul, I'm fond of NY Style Cheesecake as well. My mom has made those too. There are times I think there isn't anything she won't try to cook or bake. She amazes me. :o)

Thank you Paul for your birthday wishes. Your a sweetie. I'm a fan of chocolate marble cheesecake it's so good. You should buy yourself some of that cheesecake you've been craving. You could go dancing after with your wife.

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

Just wanted to say have a lovely weekend!

I must add my 2 cents about the mud thing going on here-my jeans simply do not have room to add anything else!! In fact-my jeans would consider it an unindentified foreign object!!

HUGS!
abeth

Abeth--

You sound more up. Hope your day was great.

I also like NY cheesecake--we had a restaurant that did its own baking and they had a fabulous NY cheesecake with fresh strawberries. I learned of it like any dancer would by going there with cast members after a rehearsal. So sad they retired the business--wonder where their recipes went!!

Ah the old days when you could easily burn cheesecake off by dancing hard the next day! Now it's like Paul said--you don't because it easily blows off the good work you do!!

Good weekend all!!

Melody

I tasted a new Shiraz from Argentina and it was out of this world. The name is also fun...Pasadoble. When I saw the the name I jokenly asked the wine rep who was doing the tasting at International Market if it was related to the movie SB. He said no but after telling him about the movie he promised to go rent it over the week-end.

I'm trying one of Paul's recipes tonight. I will post my results on the recipe corner.Its the Salmon one.

much love to everyone,

Julie

ps: I'm going to Waxy's tonight. Should be interesting David's going to show everyone his new teeth. But the important question on my mind is when is Waxy's going to import Murcurio's Own?

Funny! I was just sitting here at work passing the time with the perfect escape! It's so quiet that I brought my laptop and SB to pass the time in a way that I can enjoy!

Thanks Paul!

Hope everyone is well and happy. We almost hit 80 degrees here in Colorado today. Spring has sprung.

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone.

MaryS, I wish I could watch SB (or any of my fave DVDs) at work. Sadly it would be frowned upon. :o(

Abeth, you comment on the mud cake being a "foreign object" in your jeans had me in stitches. LOL

I hope all are enjoying a lovely weekend. My dad arrived safely in VA shortly after 7p this evening after his 14 hour drive from FL. He'll be staying until probably October or November. Its nice to have family around. :o)

LOL. I was waiting for that. It's a swing shift coverage during off business hours. I'm the only one here in my group and it's not frowned upon in these circumstances. If I was 8-5 and everyone was here, now that would be a very different story. I knew that sounded weird. We don't customer face here. It's all phones. Technical support for the computer servers that run the major businesses in the U.S. Fun fun fun, eh? Cubicle world. I don't have to buy fancy clothes either. It's a pretty casual environment, albeit, one of the fortune 500 companies. Enough of my ramblings. lol. I finished the movie without any pesky customers calling in through the whole movie! lol. I'm bad. ;)

Y'know what I loved about that Paso Doble finale in "Strictly Ballroom"? The other dancers are wearing what look like disco and bikini outfits covered in glitter and all their steps look like silly little prancing to me. (Alas, I know so little about the quality of ballroom dancing.) Then Scott and Fran take the floor and you can tell not only do they sizzle, but it looks like they're having fun as well. Looks like you need the heart as well as the heat to do what you love.

I found my truffle recipe. Don't be put off by the cream cheese. It forms a stronger base than basic cream so it's easier to shape into balls.

Easy Chocolate Truffles
(8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted (use a *very* good quality)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.

These are very good for the creative mind. I've done some things like:
-Add 3 tbsp of peanut butter to mixture
-Stir in 1 tbsp mint liquor
-Roll truffles in cocoa powder
-Dip in melted dark and white chocolate. Makes a beautiful contrast in a bowl.

I showed a friend of mine a scene from SB and he commented how "Scott" looked a little like Neo from The Matrix, only buffer. I tried to imagine Scott Hasting busting Neo’s kung fu chops with his tango moves and found it most amusing.

Paul, may I just comment on your performance in "Joseph" as well? Stunning. I think it's the best biblical drama since "The Ten Commandments".

Hello Paul,

In my city, Garopaba, I am writing for a site. Please, go in www.garopabaonline.com.br, with news from Garopaba.

Caroline from Brasil

Mary S., I too work in cubical world on the phones. I work for a company that is owned by one of the wealthiest men in the world (no, it isn't microsoft). Two of our most famous "mascots" or "icons" are a gecko and a caveman. Give up? ;o) Rarely are we slow enough during any of our shifts that we could watch an entire film. Although there have been times when the systems have gone down that I would have gladly watched a movie. :o)

Esther, I think even *I* could make those truffles! :o) Mmm, chocolate. I think I'm gaining weight just coming to read Paul's Corner lately.

I too had noticed the difference in costuming and dance steps during the Paso Doble. I think (and I could be wrong) it was done somewhat intentionally so that Scott and Fran would stand out a bit more, and to show that they were doing something completely foreign to dancesport at that time.