Paul's Corner

Pull one's finger out of what?

If its coming out of the cake batter, then NOW!!! (Yummy!!!)

Paul--If you're asking, it's probably already too late! :)

On your post about flamenco artist Joaquin Cortes--I did watch him last night, as so did a flamenco colleague of mine. You hit the nail right on the head--I told my colleague that Joaquin must be hanging out with Michael Flatley (of formerly Riverdance and Lord of the Dance)--both are just too full of themselves.

When Joaquin made it big (about 10 years ago), his show came through Chicago. His uncle was part of the tour and, quite honestly, his uncle's dancing blew Joaquin off the stage because it was true to the heritage and spirit of flamenco. Obviously, Joaquin has not matured in his attitude or his approach.

Marian--sweet comment!

Melody

Pulling your finger out, in the literal sense of that phrase or in the idiomatic sense of "to apply pressure on someone to get going on something"?

Sometimes, last week (or more generally, some time in the past) is the right answer, even if you can't do anything about that part, only to move on and get things done, just a bit later than the "ideal moment" whatever that may be. So I wouldn't rule that out entirel, but it really does depend on the context and the specific situation, and that applies to all the time frames you mentioned, Paul.

Paul - If your finger’s in a dike, the answer is NEVER (glub, glub) ;)

Melody – couldn’t agree more on the Cortez performance – I thought it was SHOCKING! Of course, I’m not a flamenco dancer, but I am a tap dancer (which, by the way, is going to be my epitaph – “YES, she REALLY was a TAP DANCER” – since people find that IMPOSSIBLE to believe, or just hopelessly SILLY) and watching his footwork (or lack thereof) was, well, embarrassing!

Rosie--Actually, there was too much footwork and let's see how many turns (flamenco style pirouettes) we can do in one second.

Joaquin performed what we call a "patada por bulerias"--but there was no true feeling to what he performed. The percussionist covered any footwork sounds Joaquin's minimalist style of tocaneo (footwork) he did. There was no marcaje (mar kah' hey, which are floor marking patterns), no armwork, he flung up for one "Irish style" heel click.

(I should note that with flamenco footwork, we do not allow our bodies to go up and down with the movement which is a technique done by the gypsies believed to have come from India. And we're heavier, more into the floor than tap technique.)

Quite honestly, you get a better feel for flamenco from Antonio Vargas' paso doble in SB. Antonio does what we call "se parada bien" or gives a strong finish.

Melody

Ok Paul, what did you stick you finger in? ;o)

Melody, your Michael Flatley comment nearly sent me and the laptop on the floor. heeheehee...

Best to pull your finger out before you get burned, Paul.

*Big wave to all on the corner as she does a drive by*

Sally C.

Hi,
I feel really great today and I just checked your website to see what you all have been up to.

Thanks for a nice welcome at PC. We'll be dropping in from time to time.

Re: finger issue:) Can't answer the question at the moment English is my second language (I'm Polish) so occasionally I have to digest the idiomatic phrase before I can tell the truth of how I feel about it. The only answer that comes to my mind is that for different people different answers will ring true. But it's nice to know what they think.

Paul, it's great you wish to have a reading done. Just tell me - is Paul Joseph Mercurio your full name as given at birth or do you have any other middle names on your birth certificate? I need to know that as the reading will not be accurate. The birth name is the real you - shall we say 'the cake', and it always stays with you no matter what names you adopt. Other names, nicknames, changes of names etc. are like overlays - 'icing on the cake'. And also let me know how you would like to receive your reading. I can send it to you by email, shall we say next week.

And about the dancing, I love dancing and flamenco is my favourite, and yeah I agree with Melody - that the bouncing while dancing in flamenco looks more villagey which can be nice, but not my preference. I once went to Menorca in Spain and I saw a wonderful flamenco show by a group entertainting holiday makers I was fascinated how perfected their moves were and how gracefully they dance to varied styles of that kind of dance. I myself practice belly dance (various styles including fusion belly dance) and we love performing - our next production is scheduled for Jan next year.

See ya soon.
Beata

Melody – yeah, what you said ;) – it’s difficult to articulate the flaws in a performance when you don’t know the “proper” lingo. My problem with all those pirouettes, (besides the fact that they looked “sloppy”) was the “off-balance” turn-out at the end; I thought he was going to fall over!

There are actually two schools of thought in tap technique, the light, “rise and fall”, on your toes technique (Astaire, Kelly) and the “into the floor”, no arms, “heel-heavy” style (Hines, Glover). I was trained in the former, but actually have come to appreciate the later more as I mature.

Paul,

Others have said it (and perhaps I have also), but I want to say it again.... Thank you for this site. It adds dimension to you as a person for all to see. So, so often celebrities work too hard to come across with great equanimity and end up hiding who they really are. They appear to be one-dimensional. You've allowed us to see depth in you through your joys and your struggles.

We may not always agree philosophically, you and I, but I have often come away pondering something that you or another has said which didn't fit with what I believe. I have learned quite a bit about how others view the workings of the universe and the Judeo-Christian God. Perhaps your site has made me less prone to snap judgements of those different from me.

Anyway, I come to Paul's Corner to learn more about PAUL (and Grandma Mil, Melody, Evelyn, Abeth, Esther, and all the rest of you lovely ladies and the few gents I see around here -- and the RECIPES!!!). Thank you for allowing this glimpse into your world and your life.

Marian
Oklahoma, USA

Marian, we are honored to share. Paul's SB work inspired yet another piece of mine:

“Nocturnal Heartbeat”

Screams, snaps, steadfast clicking shoes
Strained smiles through clenched teeth
Tango in perfect lines
Waltz with smooth steps
Never dare to look beyond
Never dare to dream for more

Leotards and sequined shoes
Bubble over like spilled champagne
Leave you with a sour hangover
And sick of endless routines

A crack in the wall; the shaft of light
The whisper and lisp of a timid voice
Two edgy feet click three times
Behind a bright red door
And coke-bottle glasses
A woman unfurls her tapering fingers
Her feet tap impatiently to a new rhythm
“Where did that come from?”

Late afternoon and your breath is still warm
Hands clasp hers just once more
Stomach wound up from laughter
From dizzy endless circles
Feeling like a child again
More alive than ever before

Music vibrates down to the floor
The crowd claps a shower of applause
They love watching you dance
Sweaty palms and thundering heartbeats
You’re quivering
It has no other name
It is called Freedom

I sit here in my sleepy room
Of fuzzy green carpet and cotton pajamas
The CD whizzes to another track
The brass trumpet’s shrill blast
Jolts me awake with a hora song
“Mazel Tov!!”
I remember satin snow-white gowns
Confetti bits, flashbulbs, and clapping hands
I kick off my patent leather pumps
Unafraid to dance

Esther--what a great poem--I especially like the ending.

OK, PC friends and SB fans--I'm sure Paul is very aware of this being he was there "in the moment", but when Fran/Tara initially does her footwork and repeats it, notice anything about the two takes?

Melody

Melody, don't make me dig out my DVD. Of course my initial "gut" response would be "they weren't shot on the same day?" LOL Oh and this is from memory - the sound of the steps don't sound the same. (Am I right? Do I get a gold star?)

Esther, another great poem! Although I did have to re-read one of the lines. (If you could see the blush on my face right now!) I initially read "The crack in the wall..." as "The crack of a whip..." How embarassing! I must be more tired than I thought. Perhaps I should go to bed...

Too funny, Sarah!!!

Well, that evil mother did crack the whip an awful lot over the people within her influence!!!

Marian/Sarah--I don't know if she was all that evil, just obsessed (as I hear "it was his year, it was his year" in my head as I type)--must admit Pat Thomson did a fantastic job in her portrayal. :)

Melody

Dear Esther,

Brava! Your conjured up so many wonderful moments
in my favorite all-time film, and I go waaaay back!

As the host of a movie night, I have shown "Strictly Ballroom" at least once a year since 2001, and my senior audiences never seem to tire of it!

"Strictly Ballroom" is part of the Australian
educational system syllabus and is shown to thousands of Australian children each year!

(Check out www.teachwithmovies.org) If I was still teaching today, it would be part of my lesson plan, for sure!

Pat Thompson, who played "Shirley" Scott's mother,
died suddenly after SB was finished, and before the opening at the Cannes Film Festival. She never saw it lauded and applauded!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

ey,guys!i´ve been many months without posting anything.I just want to say hi!.and hi paul!

I saw Pat just before the film openned and she was a broken women. I was getting off my motorscycle to attend a class at Sydney Dance Company and she happened to walk by. We hugged and had a chat but she was fairly pained and explained to me that her son had been killed in a motorcycle accident recently. I saw in that moment that she had a broken heart and I was saddened but not surprised when I heard that she had died later from a heart attack. I dont think she recovered from the loss of her son.

RIP Pat and your Son.

Wow. That's so sad. I didn't think she looked too good in the movie either. Not strong and healthy. Too bad she never got to see what a cult following the movie has and how she was an integral part of that.

I sometimes am amazed at what an impression the movie made on me and still continues to have. I just watched it again recently and continue to watch it every few months or so. Sometimes I just get a craving and have to make time to get in the mood and watch it again. I just love it so much still.

Oh well, I ramble on.

Yes, RIP....