Paul's Corner

I agree! Very funny and witty! Although I have to confess, that when I watched it with Jim on New Year's Eve, I fell asleep, not because of the movie, but because of 4 months of sleep deprivation. I watched it (again) a few days later during the day and couldn't stop laughing.

Paul and PCs--

I actually saw Hairspray in the show twice, and after the 2nd time rented the original the musical was based on.

Must admit initially I couldn't get past the idea of John Travolta in drag (thinking of him strutting down the street at the beginning of Sat Night Fever), but it rises high, and got me to rise with it.

Definitely a feel good movie-----like SB!! :)

Melody
Freeeeeeeeezing in Chicago!

My brain is still frozen--the original Hairspray was not a musical--wanted to correct myself here.

Cheers! :)

Hi everyone

Musicals are great, but so are movies where the soundtrack is an intrinsic part of the story and hearing the songs later always make you smile.

Four movies that come to mind - when I left the theatre on a high after seeing them for the first time - are SB (of course), Cosi, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Chariots of Fire.

Recently I have really enjoyed both of the High School Musicals movies after being introduced to them by my children - (yes, you are allowed to lol at that)

Love to all
Michele L

Well, Paul and PCs, to continue on movies that are uplifting, I happened to come across a screen capture of Joseph on You Tube--someone mounted the whole movie (19 parts) on their website.

I have just watched all 19 parts. It's a blessing for me as I could not find the movie in any of the local Blockbusters (video rental) and I haven't seen it in so long.

Great job, Paul! So moving and acted with such care. Bravo!

Haven't seen it yet, but will. I agree with John Travolta being a bit much, but I get it. Couldn't be happier for an unknown getting an awesome break such as Nikki did for this role!

I do love a good musical, especially when dancing is also involved! :)

Speaking of music, I'm really enjoying sitting here listening to Crowded House on Austin City Limits. Last week one of my favorite bands, Kings of Leon performed on the program. I am so glad that there is still some quality t.v. out there.

Hi

Yes, you're right Mary S, "Joseph" is marvelous, beautifully acted and really moving.

Melody, there is nothing better to listen to than Crowded House - I have been a huge fan since they were Split Enz

Love to all
Michele L

Hairspray? I would like to believe that the idea for the Broadway hit and the present movie, was hatched in our rec room in the 1970s when Scott Wittman, the lyricist, then a teenager, would visit our daughters, as part of the high school drama society where they starred in their high school musicals.

Scott Wittman was a tall, lanky high school senior, very talented, and after high school we did not know what happened to him until we learned he, as an adult, wrote the lyrics, and his partner, Marc Shaiman, wrote the music to "Hairspray, The Musical" and later the movie too.

I am sure that he would remember his friends from high school, and the "Mil" and "El" that opened their home to the young, aspiring high school actors and actresses.

I would love to contact Scott Wittman someday and tell him I have been elevated from a stage mother to the object of an Australian documentary, now in the hands of Tribeca Film Festival for consideration.

When people ask me, "did your 3 daughters ever go into show biz?, I answer: "No, two of them worked in the 9 West SHOE business, one went to Israel, became religious and went into SHUL (synagogue) business, and it's the old lady (me) that went into SHOW business!"

Who would have thought???

Paul, Tara told me that in her documentary, "My Biggest Fan" "Strictly Ballroom" plays a pivotal part of how it all started 6 years ago, so hoping
that it will conjour up all sorts of wonderful memories in Australia of your debut performances.

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Grandma Mil,

You're such a hoot! You once again just sent a bolt of energy through me and now I can begin my day with the inspiration that a darling woman, whom I don't know per say, sends from across the country!

You are awesome.

Aw, shucks, Mary, I am blushing, and wish I could kiss you and hug you for your kind remarks.

It just happens that today is my 75th birthday, and that is quite a milestone, but not unusual for
our retirement community, where the median age is now the middle 80s, so I am still the "kid" on the block! (One friend is 100 and her son is throwing a big bash for her in February.)

Our twin daughters said to go out to a nice, expensive restaurant and send the bill to them as their present. Well, Ellie and I do not ordinarily go to expensive restaurants, for we have to watch our weight, and even in the cheaper places we always seem to gain a pound or two, and it takes weeks to get it off! Ah, the pleasures of being 75! We'll figure it out, who can resist a
free meal??

My cast of "Follies" gave me presents and a balloon and sang to me at rehearsal yesterday.

Tara called and sang "Happy Birthday" at 5:00 a.m. this morning which is 9:00 p.m. in Australia.

Anyway,I was fully dressed with my makeup on, just in case a talent agent was lurking outside in the bushes...all in all, it was a birthday to remember!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Happy 75th Birthday to you, Grandma Millie! (although I really don't believe that you're 75, it's just not possible! give it a few more years and I may just begin believing it ... )
Hugs,
Evelyn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDA MIL!

Only 75? You're still a teenager in comparison nowadays! Have a nice light dinner and a date with your hubby! A nice piece of fish and some veggies? Most restaurants serve lighter meals along with all the rich and gooey foods. If I ever get a kiss and a hug from you in person, you'll get one right back!

I really enjoyed the entry regarding your involvement with the Hairspray musical!

Love you!

Happy Birthday Dear Millie!!!

Just stopping in to wish you the best year ever! I'll never forget walking up to you in the airport and seeing your beautiful face for the first time. (Well, Ellie's not lacking in the looks department either, is he?)

You've brought more joy to my life than you can imagine, and I'll always have a special place in my heart for that wonderful weekend in Florida we shared. You made us all feel so welcome and loved. It was the best!

I wish you happiness as you make your way into this new and exciting year of your life. Enjoy every minute of it!

All my love,
Michelle (in Chicago)

Happy Birthday to you, dearest Millie!!

I would like to add my love & best wishes to all those here, for the most wonderful day today and the most special of years ahead. May that year bring you much joy and deserved recognition for all the amazing work that you do in bringing people together in music and dance and in celebration of life.

Like Michelle, I too remember that incredible first meeting at the airport gates and all the wonder and excitement of those four days we all spent together. I will never forget how welcome you made us all feel and how easy it was to feel like family, all connected through our love and admiration for Paul. Watching SB in your beautiful auditorium is a memory I will treasure forever!

Have the happiest of days over there, with your handsome Capitaine, Millie.

Lots of love to you and to all at PC.

Mary

Grandma Mil--Sto lat as we say in Polish (may you have 100 years!).

What a great story on Hairspray. I'm sure Scott Whitman would find your story great fun.

Wishing you a great birthday dinner with Ellie. Please tell Ellie that my brother is doing well physically, though a little sore. (The car was finally totalled by the insurance company.) Thank him again for his prayers.

Keep us posted on MBF and Tara in Miami. I'm hoping all works out that I can come down--would love to meet you.

(Michelle--nice to see another from Chi-town--hope you're doing well with this cold, although we sure have had worse than this!)

Happy Birthday G. Mil! This is your day and this is your year--can't wait for your showbiz premiere.

Happy Bithday Grandma Mil from North Qld (sunny once more after days of torrential rain and a cyclone)

Wishing you a year of joy because you bring joy to so many other lives

Love Michele L

Dear Paul,

I apologize for going off the topic of "Hairspray"
with my birthday doings, but I know you won't mind if I just acknowledge the wonderful remarks:

Thank you all for your kind wishes! Years ago we were able to click on an underlined name and get the email addresses of the PC people. That's how I was able to contact everyone and eventually host that "Stricly Ballroom" Convention that was held in Febr. 2005, where Michelle from Chicago,
Mary from Ireland and Evelyn from Minnesota (then)
were able to come to Florida and meet Ellie and me
and everyone else that came. (9 in all)

Very strong friendships were forged that weekend, and Michelle and Mary have traveled back and forth
from Chicago to Ireland.

Melody, glad that Ellie's prayers worked and that Frank is doing better! I will let you know somehow when Tara expects to come to Florida for the premiere of MBF, hopefully sometime in April.

MaryS, your suggestions for my birthday meal were not taken, unfortunately. I suddenly had a desire for ribs, which I hadn't had in years...I paid the price..an extra pound on, but my goodness, were they good! (I just got back from the gym after pedaling my brains out for 45 minutes on the recumbant bike...never again...unless it's for my birthday next year..)

Thanks also to Liz and Michele L: Michele, you and Paul may be the first to see "My Biggest Fan" in Australia sometime in the near future, because SBS owns it and also is the International distributor.

Now, can anyone tell me how to contact our PC newbies without posting email addresses on the Internet? The underlined names are no longer available..HELP..Evelyn???

Also: WHERE IS OUR CAT?

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hi all

If anyone has not seen this on YouTube, then paste the following into YouTube's address bar:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gAtZvS-N2xI

It was recorded earlier this year as part of the celebrations for 50 years of television in Australia and the result is mighty damm fine.

Love Michele L

Michele L that was fabulous! I had to look at it twice, and yes, it was our Paul doing the famous slide, as if time had stood still! Bravo, Paul!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

That was fun, thanks Michele L!

Paul, that was awesome! Ole!

(Considering they also have Tina Sparkle and Nathan Sparky, it would have been grand had they asked Tara to dance with Paul, but the DWTS dancers did quite well with him.)

Thanks, Michele L for posting that!

How fun!!!!

I was smiling so big that my eyes got all blurry! Paul, that was so cool! You are just so darn adorable, whether that's the most masculine way to describe you or not. Your so damn handsome!

What a slide!!!!

Thank you Michele L!

p.s.

Millie, don't worry about the pound, although, I'm sure you sweat it off on the bike. It's usually just from the extra salt you pick up when eating out and in a couple of days, with water intake, it makes it's way out of your system. No? I'm glad you enjoyed the ribs! Fish shmish, eh? ;)

I am always telling my mom to let's get her a recumbant bike. They're just the best in my opinion. She has bad knees, but if she did it at a comfortable speed, it would be good for her. It's just the getting on and off that might present problems for her! :)

Fish, shmish is right, MaryL! Gimme those old time
ribs...I now regret it the day after, but I'm eating very light today, for tomorrow is another day..

I also have bad knees, and the recumbant bike works for me.

I try to do 30 minutes at least 3 times a week, and I think it is the best for this condition. I also do not do steps anywhere, the doctor said!

I walk like a drunken sailor, but Ellie is there to hold my hand and help me along, bless him. The miracle is I am not in any pain...yet! Ah, the blessings of getting "older"!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Yes, the recumbant bike is really good for people who shouldn't put all the weight on the knees that a regular stationary bike puts on them. I found a really nice one I want to get for my mom, at kmart, for only 129.99. I want to get it for her for Mother's Day. She's also getting ready to have cataract surgery on Feb 5th and it's a big stress for her, but she doesn't want to stop driving. So I've been trying to help her with that too. I live over 1000 miles from her and it's times like this that I wish I lived closer to her. Thank goodness for unlimited long distance on my phone. I have over 4 weeks of vacation saved up and I still can't go to California, because I have my two old cats who are on medications and I can't find a person who would be able to give them the medications without the stress killing my cats. They get very stressed out when I leave them and when a stranger comes into the house they run and hide under a bed. So the person would really have a time of it trying to give medications to them. If I left them at the vet for a week or two it would cost money that I don't have and that would also stress them out enough to kill them. So I have a real dilema. My mom is more important than my cats, but I also cannot and do not want to kill my cats, who have been my only companions for the past 13 years. I hate to be in a position like this.

I've told my mom all about you. You have another fan now! :)

MaryS--

Can you travel with them to your mother's? I know from my own dear cat, Samantha (now passed for 10 years), I had her at the vet over a vacation and the poor thing gave the staff such a hard time, and when I brought her home she wouldn't come near me for a week! She actually walked around my apartment complaining (if you can imagine cat mumbling). She was 19 years old at the time.

It might be worth it in the end to bring them with you.

Thanks very much Melody,

Getting them on an airplane, to land and "live" in a strange environment for a week or so and then be caged again for the flight home would be the nail in the coffin. Either way would, I think. The only way would be to leave them in their own home and have a caregiver administer the meds, but in the past, when they weren't even on medications, by the time I returned home, they looked like they had aged a year or two. Now that they're older and more feeble, I don't even want to take that chance anymore. We're just stuck for now, until I can come with an idea that will work. They are brothers whom I've had since they were 7 weeks old. The two of them are doing quite well right now, but it's a daily chore of treatments to keep them well. Some days the two of them are like kitties running around and acting spunky. Other days it looks like another of the 9 lives is being ticked off. Oh boy.

I hear you MaryS--very tough call. The vet told me to consider keeping her at home with someone to take care of her if I needed to do that again. When I came for her, she wouldn't even come to me--she remained back in the small kennel she was in hissiing at us--I felt so awful.

All the best to you, your "little guys" and mom.

Paul--on the 50th anniversary Paso--your own chor??
Just watched it again. Really cool!

I'm late to the party (again)! Happy belated birthday, Grandma Mil! I'm glad you had a yummy rib dinner! :o)

I have no problem posting an email address for you if you would like one. (I can do Cat's little trick and put "spam" in the middle of it to trick any bots that are trolling.)

I was a huge fan of the original film "Hairspray" but oddly did not see the musical when it opened on Broadway, even though I lived in NYC at the time. I adore the new musical film version and think the casting was spot on. (Travolta was just an inspired choice!)

I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry I'm not around much. I'm getting accustomed to new meds, and my university course has started. So all together I'm a bit out of it. Hopefully I'll be back to my usual self soon. :o)

Mary S -

All the best to your mum and to your two wonderful feline companions. Hope it all works out well. You will be in my thoughts.

Love Michele L

Michele L, thanks for posting the YouTube link. I just finished watching the clip. As I'm on dial-up it took a small eternity to load, but its interesting the things you notice when watching in slow motion. LOL One thing I didn't catch in slow-mo was one of the girls in the "group dance" falling - it looked like she recovered pretty fast though.

So Paul, how bad did the knees hurt after sliding on them twice that night? ;o)

Mary S, before I forget (again) all the best to your mom. I hope you work out something for your kitties as well. (((HUG)))

Thanks so much for the kind thoughts. You're all so very sweet and thoughtful. I've pretty much been on the phone all day with my mom, who wasn't feeling well today. I'm exhausted. Calling Kaiser from across the country and navigating through an automated phone tree was for the birds, but it was too much for her. She's going to see her Dr. tomorrow morning just to make sure she's ok. Whew! I don't think I could do the HMO thing. For me, I'd rather have the freedom of seeing who I want, when I want. In my opinions, HMO's work when you're well. When your sick, it can get tricky.

Night all.

Sarah, glad to see you posting again.

Try sending your email address like you said. (I really don't understand the technicalities, but I'll learn.)

This way if I need to get in touch privately it will be a cinch, for if anyone is planning to come to Florida and meet Tara (and Ellie and me) for the premiere of MBF it will be easy to make plans.

MaryS, hope you can work out the problem with your cats. I would think that having someone come in and feed them would be the best, but if one has to administer meds to hiding cats, well, that would be a quite a problem.

Send my regards to your Mom, and tell her I hope she feels better soon!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

I'm sure Paul's knees felt fine regardless after doing his trademark slide. It was great to see something current of Paul dancing with so much energy and that he hasn't lost a step. Hopefully they're will be a way to see the food trail one day in the U.S.

Happy Belated Birthday Millie!

much love to everyone,

Julie

HELLO PC FRIENDS,

MY DEAREST MILLIE-A huge hug and happy birthday!!

HAIRSPRAY-The setting actually takes place in Baltimore, Maryland-which is where I live. Ah, just my small claim to fame!!

hugs,
abeth

Grandma Mil--this email is already posted on the net as I use it for dance contacts/queries.

melody-vasquez@excite.com

Sarah--I hope the new meds work well for you.

Abeth--nice to see you're back. :)

MaryS, I hope things will work out. Good mention on HMOs. Mine now only covers in network doctors and hospitals. Before it would cover at least 70% of out of network. Luckily I'm in Chicago where most hospitals and many doctors are affiliated with it. But my current doctor's husband (also a doctor) dropped out of the network due to a misunderstanding and she told me that more doctors are starting to drop out of my HMO which can make it difficult for referrals.

Always something, huh? ;)

Melody, I sent you an email with the email address you gave me in your post: melody-vasquez@excite.com

I get the message that my email is not deliverable at that address. I hope you can look into that, for I wrote you a doozy..(with a picture.)

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that my mom is o.k.! She saw her Dr. this morning. He blood pressure was good, and the Dr. thinks she's doing very well. She'll go ahead with her eye surgery in a couple of weeks and she should be driving again by late spring, if all goes well. She's a force to be reckon with!

Millie, I want a picture too!
marilyn.struppa@sun.com

I would love to figure out a way to visit Florida for the special event! To meet you would be a dream come true.

Grandma Mil--

I don't know why that didn't work unless they were having server problems at the domain.

I just did a test from my other email and it came through. Please give it another try when you have a chance. :)

Look forward to seeing it. Thanks mucho!! :)

Dear Melody and MaryS,

Thanks for your email addresses!

You should be hearing from me soon!

Melody, I saw I made a mistake in your address, so that's why my first email to you was not delivered. I must have had an intellectual overload...

Shalom and love,
Grandma Mil

Oh Grandma Millie,

I just can't tell you what it feels like to now have a face attached to you! I feel like I've known you for a long time and now whenever I think of you, I'll have a picture in my mind of you and Ellie! Thank you!

You're right, Tara is gorgeous. I really see "Fran" in her face still! :)

MaryS--a special prayer to your mom, you and all your family. Be glad she is a force to be reckoned with--that's what keeps us going. It certainly does my Aunt Helen! And my mother, too, before her time came. But until it did, she just kept on "keeping on"! :)

Grandma Mil, I already sent you back a note, but it was so nice of you to share your picture. Mary is right that Tara is gorgeous. I'm still in awe on how all this worked out between you! Bravo!

Back into the deepfreeze here in Chicago. Maybe we'll make the 30s (F) this weekend! I'll see how many brave the cold for our classes tomorrow night. May flamenco beats keep us warm!

Melody, thanks for the good wishes on the meds.

Grandma Mil, I got to thinking and one of my main email addresses has the spam filter set to very high so I don't mind posting it here: katsmig@mindspring.com. Just put something in the subject line so I know it is from you and not just something to be deleted with the other "junk." :o)

Years ago (when I still lived in FL) I worked in the medical billing field and had a lot of daily contact with HMOs, and even had one for my health insurance. At that time I thought they were great, but now I feel differently. I prefer to have a PPO, and am thankful my employer gives us the option between having a HMO and a PPO. (I pay a bit more out of pocket for the PPO, but for the long-term benefits I'll take it any day.)

Sarah, thank you for mentioning that a spam blocker would take care of unknown emails!

My "junk" interceptor works just fine, and now I would have no qualms about my email address on line. ellmill@gate.net

I've already heard privately from Melody and MaryS. What a pleasure! Melody sent me some gorgeous pictures of herself in a flamenco stance,
and of her dance studio..ole!

Julie, talk to you soon!

Tara informed me this a.m. that she is waiting for
certain contracts to come through. The "wai-ting" is so hard, but once it happens it is a step closer towards making it possible for her to come to Florida for the premiere of "My Biggest Fan", hopefully in April.

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Thanks for the video of Paul doing the slide, Michele.

For you SB fans out there here is a question:

How did Paul do the very very long slide at the start of the Pasa Doble with Fran?

Liz--

If you check back in the PC archives, there is a discussion (with Paul's own comments) about a year or so (I think more in 2006 than 2007).

Compared to all entrances I've seen in film and on stage (including film dancing greats Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly), Paul's slide is the most exciting entraces ever.

Truly awesome!

Hey all

Happy b-day MIl!!!

So sad about Heath Ledger.

Love to all
Kelly

Truly awesome entrance by Paul I agree and the ending too. I will look at the archives to see the discussion. Thanks for the lead, Melody.

The slide at the DWTS is amazing and Paul has so much energy in his moves, but it is all focused and precise. I cannot describe it well...it just is. Maybe you as a dancer can describe it better. Like when he moves an arm, it's not just moving an arm, it becomes poetry through movement. Hard to describe.

Yes, on Paul's slide...I made the error of repeating a blurb that I read, stating that they had Paul use a skateboard, which Paul corrected me on, and now seeing him years later perform the same move on t.v., I would never need proof! I should have known that such a stellar athlete could pull this off on his own, but I thought maybe having to repeat the move over and over again, might need a little boost from props. I would never question the strength in that body again! Paul, you're like a fine wine, you only get better!

Kelly, I too was just so sad to hear about Heath Ledger. Gosh, I really really enjoyed him in every role he ever played. I wasn't aware that he and his fiance' had split last year. I hope this didn't contribute to what could be an accident. Who knows what deamons had a hold of him. Such a very sad loss. I'm still very sad about hearing this news. It bothered me all day.

Melody and all, thank you all so much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers directed towards my mom and family. She is such a force in my life. She raised me and my four brothers and sisters as a single mom and it was quite a feat. We were a wild breed for sure. My father passed away less than a year ago. He was not a very good father, but he loved us and we loved him. We just were not raised most of our lives around him. So I am clinging for dear life to my sweet, wonderful, mother.

Sarah, I too am so glad to have a choice between an HMO and private PPO. I see what my sister, suffering from cancer, is going through due to insurance costs and prescription costs and it's a sin! She seems to think that some meds which would help with the emotional affects from interferon, are not a priority because of the cost. What is WRONG with this picture!

Goodnight, you princes of Maine. You kings of New England. Cider House Rules quote. I love that movie and it's showing on cable again now, so excuse me. :)

Liz--When watching the You Tube (50th anniversary) video, you can easily see how beautifully trained Paul is as a dancer. Were he in Chicago, he would be working, although with his entrepreneurial spirit would already have his own company with highlighted performances at the Harris Theatre in Millenium Park! And probably his own restaurant, microbrewry, maybe a food and wine column in Chicago Magazine, a radio spot in WNPR (public radio 91.5), and his own food show on WTTW Channel 11 (PBS)!

Very sad on Heath Ledger. May he rest in peace and may God comfort his family and friends.

Very sad to hear of Heath Ledger: he is a great actor, esp in 10 Things I Hate About You. Aussie actors are really talented.

We would like to have Paul here in OR!!! He will love it here as he can start his own dance company, we love beer, and he would be having his own food show and restaurant, and his own poetry readings--or we can share, Melody. He can be based in Chicago AND Portland and spend cold winters down in Australia

Hi everyone

Mary S - I love Cinder House Rules too - wonderful movie - another one that really makes me smile ( and cry)

OK - Hope this link works - it is something about Paul's upcoming show "Mercurio's Menu" - hurry up February in Australia

http://victorharbor.yourguide.com.au/articles/1103592.html?src=topstories

Love Michele L

This may be a long shot, but I just wanted Paul to see if he is interested in teaching dance here.

http://web.reed.edu/dean_of_faculty/facsearch/positions/Dance.html

Michele L, thanks for posting the article. Nice picture of Paul on the yatch(?), too.

Paul, wishing you the best on your new show. May it be fantabulous!

Liz--certainly worth a try. I can't imagine any university or studio turning down Paul as a guest instructor or artist-in-residence. Great opportunity.

One little clarification on Paul "working"--I think everyone knows that I meant he would have steady work in Chicago between concerts, classes, workshops, choreography, or anything more he'd want to do dance or in theatre. :)

Thanks Michele for the article and picture. You're so lucky to have access to Paul's current shows.
I wish Paul has the time to visit here in the US and teach a master class...I'm sure our dance companies will be scrambling...Melody, you and Paul can teach a master class if only he can be here. Ole!
Can't wait for Mercurio's Menu to be shown.

I'm glad you ladies thought about the fact that both Chicago and OR get awful cold in the winter months. Paul might not be ready for that. ;o) How must he feel to have "us" planning a career for him. LOL

Grandma Mil, Mary S, and Melody it was nice to hear from you all by email.

Now I'm off to bed. This hasn't been one of my better weeks, but I'm doing my best not to complain.

(Cider House Rules is a favorite of mine too - the book and the film.)

Bravo to you, Paul, for your accomplishment with your food show, and thanks to Michele L for sending that wonderful link! Obviously, "This Could be the Start of Something Big" which it is already!

Liz, I didn't realize that you lived in Oregon. My cousin, Heidi Duckler, is an unusual choreographer and works out of Reed College in Portland. If you and Melody Google her, you will read about her style of choreography...very interesting and innovative!

Tara Morice who appeared with Heath Ledger in the
Australian movie "Candy" in 2006, wrote she still can't believe that he is gone, he was such a fine
young actor.

"Candy", believe it or not, was a story of two young people who became addicted to drugs. Abbie
Cornish played his girlfriend, and Tara played an
Aunt.

I have been privately corresponding with Melody, MaryS, and Sarah, and what a joy! The same thing happened way back in 2005, where I corresponded with 9 from PC, and it turned into a "Strictly Ballroom Convention" here in Florida, and I am still in touch with them. Evelyn and Julie were part of that unforgetable event!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hi Paul

Hope you're well.

Just seen the 'knee-slide' clip on YouTube and...well I'm speechless! WOW!
Your dancing is still amazing!

Lots of love and best wishes to you.
Take care.

Love Clair. X

Hello dear people,

Yes, I have enjoyed the emails too! I feel so lucky to have made such nice friendships with the wonderful people here on the Corner!

I am still so vary haunted be the death of Heath Ledger. I just saw WONDERFUL, Daniel Day Lewis interrupt an interview about his being nominated for an Oscar, to practically break down about it. It made me cry for the first time since I heard the news. I just had such a deep feeling about Heath and his acting style and there was something about his spirit that I just really felt drawn to. He was special. From the interview I read with Christopher Plummer, who was in the middle of filming his most recent movie with Heath, he was very happy, hopeful and had such inspiration about what he was currently doing and what was coming up in his life. In my opinion, he was ill with the flu or phneumonia and was in his final breaths when the housekeeper heard him "snoring". His medications for sleep interfered with him breathing. Such a shame! That's just my feeling about it. The movie that was in the process of filming may have to be canceled. That has to be devastating to all of involved. Just so very sad.

I agree that Aussies bring so much talent to the entertainment and arts fields!

Paul, what's up?
Thanks for the link Michele L. I'll be looking at it!

g'night all you dear sweet people!

Hello Paul and Everyone! It's been a while since I visited. I loved 'hairspray' it was a 'feel good movie'.. nice to know the stereotypical chubby character got the guy in the end. It's very sad re: Heath Ledger, he still had so much to offer. Ok now, I have to bite the bullet and see how this goes. If you don't ask you won't know.. so here goes.....

PAUL, do you see yourself ACTING in a 10 Minute Play?.. let me explain, I am a playwright as I think I have mentioned. 8 of my plays are going to performed for 6 nights: opening night is Easter Friday 21st MARCH, then Easter Sat 22nd MARCH then wed 26th, thurs 27th, frid 28th and sat 29th. I had a dream the other night, where you starred in the 9th one. 7 of the plays have directors and a cast now, there's one play I need two females for, but the 9th play is one that got a reading in LA by an improv theatre group. I live in country NSW and Mark Wilson has been here for consecutive years for our local 'dancing with OUR stars' fundraising event. I guess I should just keep dreaming.. I know you're busy and this may not be of interest to you. The play will be 10 minutes. As far as payment.. we can discuss it. If you are curious and want to look at the script, let me know. Not sure how rehearsal would go as the other cast members would be here, but where there's a will, there will be a way.
I guess it didn't hurt to ask. All the best to everyone. BTW the night will be called 'fancy a quickie?' and the play is titled 'the dentist'. and yes.. you would be HIM lol .......
Dona xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Don't know if any of your remember me, it's been a while. It's been a crazy life.

I had to laugh over the hairspray comments. John Travolta is hilarious! A little disturbing, but funny nonetheless.

Hope everyone is doing great. Paul, missed reading your inspiring thoughts. Nice to be back.

Don't know if any of your remember me, it's been a while. It's been a crazy life.

I had to laugh over the hairspray comments. John Travolta is hilarious! A little disturbing, but funny nonetheless.

Hope everyone is doing great. Paul, missed reading your inspiring thoughts. Nice to be back.

Thanks for the link Michele L!
What a great picture of Paul on the Fleurieu Peninsula .

Paul, how relaxed you look and so very exotic in your tropical shirt. I hope you were enjoying yourself. You would certainly have more than 500, 000 viewers if your U.S. fans could view your program!

We (I) feel so left out. :(

Yes, its been nice to chat via email with several of you. Just beware that I can be horrible with answering my emails (ask Rosie!). :o)

Michelle E, nice to have you back. That's a big move from NS to LA, CA!

Thank god, the universe and all that is for you paul. I only recently stumbled across paulmercurio.net and every moment of my day is spent wishing i could be perusing your infinitely insightful and engaging blog material. By the way paul, you are correct, hairspray is a great movie, however is missing one key component. Your devastatingly sexiness. Forever yours, lewis.

On Hairspray--Nikki Blonsky did a great job. What a way to jumpstart a career!

Will try rent Hairspray. There is an older version with Ricki Lake--I though it was a good movie too.

I watched SB again--this is just a great story. Will not get tired of watching it. I wish there is DVD version with Paul and Tara's commentary. The current one has the director and stylist/prop person talking without enthusiasm along with the movie. Who has the copyright for this movie? Is it still in place years after it was made? Can we have Paul make a commentary along with Fran for the 15th or 20th anniversary edition. Also the lost sequences in the final dance would be good to see, which were edited out for the backstage fight scenes.

Just wanted to add re Paul's slide: it was magnificent. Also the way he effortlessly lifts the ladies as if they're weightless without losing a beat. He is so strong. In the movie Dirty Dancing they were obsessed about the lift throughout the movie, but see in this clip how well Paul does those.

Prepare to be astonished:
http://australianscreen.com.au/titles/astonish-me-graeme-murphy/clip2/

Sorry for the multi post:

Grandma Mil, it must be a cosmic coincidence that you are Heidi Duckler's cousin. It just occurred to me to forward the notice re the faculty spot to Paul as he seems to be the perfect fit. I hope he gets to see it before the DEADLINE of January 29, 2008. I will be glad to deliver anything you want to fax. Here it goes:

http://web.reed.edu/dean_of_faculty/facsearch/positions/Dance.html

ok, I'm pretty much speechless, but I guess I can get one word out....

WOW!

Hello all! I have not been able to visit the site in a while and have just enjoyed reading and catching up. Happy (late) Birthday Grandma Mil! I, too, enjoyed the movie "Hairspray." My sister and I went to the movie theater to see it for a girls night out and laughed till we cried in some parts. It is nice to have movies like that to transport you to another place and time where all you have to do is relax and have fun. I loved John Travolta and Christopher Walken! I have also enjoyed the links posted and was astonished by the clip. I have never had the opportunity to be in an audience at a dance before so I enjoyed watching that clip as well as the others posted on this site. The strength and grace are amazing to watch. I can only imagine what kind of work goes in to acheiving those results. I had to go back and watch SB again after watching the clip posted with "the slide". Love that movie!
Take care everyone!
Jill

Hi everyone

Thanks Liz for the wonderful astonishment.

The school year begins tomorrow in Qld and so it is back to work for me and back to the classroom for my children - and back to early rising every day and rush, rush, rush. Oh well, must not whinge too long or too loudly.

Once again, a big thank you to Liz

Hope everyone has a great week during the last days of January

Love Michele L

Hi everyone

Thanks Liz for the wonderful astonishment.

The school year begins tomorrow in Qld and so it is back to work for me and back to the classroom for my children - and back to early rising every day and rush, rush, rush. Oh well, must not whinge too long or too loudly.

Once again, a big thank you to Liz

Hope everyone has a great week during the last days of January

Love Michele L

Hi everyone

Thanks Liz for the wonderful astonishment.

The school year begins tomorrow in Qld and so it is back to work for me and back to the classroom for my children - and back to early rising every day and rush, rush, rush. Oh well, must not whinge too long or too loudly.

Once again, a big thank you to Liz

Hope everyone has a great week during the last days of January

Love Michele L

Many apologies to everyone that that last message posted 3 times - my computer went crazy for reasons known only to the technology gods

Love Michele L

Just seen the Ballet clip and................WOW!
Absolutely amazing, astoinishing, breath taking!

Liz--thanks for mounting that so we can see it.

As I said earlier, Paul is beautifully trained, and from this clip (as well as the 50th anniversary clip), you see how focused he is into his dance, he is the dance--there is no doubt that his partners aren't fully confident that he will be there for them, which is what you need in lifts. There's intuition between these two.

I said earlier, had Paul been in Chicago, he would always be working.

Bravo, Paul!

So many facets to Paul. Will never run out of material to talk about re Paul as he is always creating. All us PCs just prepare to be astonished with whatever arises from this great talent. Signing off as having ice storm, no pwr.

I was thinking last night had Paul been in Chicago, he may not have done SB!

Trust the universe to have us in the right place at the right time. :)

Yes Melody if Paul were in Chicago we probably will not be blogging here right now. The universe is both orderly and random but I see where you have to be at the right place at the right time for something to happen.

I read MaryS saying the US PCs feel left out as we can't see Mercurio's Menu. If we can analyze the dust in the planet Mars, there must be a way to see it via internet, podcast, YouTube etc. A google search gave me the element mercury from the chemistry periodic table (search mercury, menu, table...So many words for mercury.Kwik mercure Quecksilber mercurio Mercúrio mercurio Kvicksilver)

Let us get ready for our virtual premiere for the show. Who wants to be the host?

Well, I learned something new. I never knew that quicksilver was another name for mercury.

I agree. Paul, does the station have a website we could catch replays of your program? Would like to see what's cooking. :)

(hmmmmm, Paul Quicksilver . . . nah . . . scratch that!)

You all make me laugh. I need that right now. I've been insanely busy with my studies, but I'm happy to announce that my first paper was turned in on time - and hopefully in the correct format. (Its a format I'm not familiar with.)

Melody, your comment where you said Paul "is the dance" made me laugh. It reminds me of a line (or two) in the film Miss Congeniality where Sandra Bullock's character says something like, "I'm the job. You're the job, right?" That's another favorite film of mine too.

I'll crawl back into my hole now. More assignments to work on...

Good luck in school, Sarah. You have to watch SB to get this line:

"What's so funny??!!!. Tu bailas paso doble? Show...Show.

Glad we're making you laugh.

I still love the way abuelita open's Scott's shirt and looks at Fran while saying "bonito cuerpo nina"--Grandma YaYa certainly knew best!

Ah, how I wish I could find time to watch SB right now!

You naughty girls. ;)

Been a very nutty week. Will write later. Just popped in to say hello!

night night

Come to think of it Grandma Yaya's character is the source of the life lived in fear is a life half lived idea. She is the character that turns the film and the only character that curses in the film and takes off Scott's shirt. Grandma Yaya is a radical.

Just running by to let you guys know that I am still ALIVE

Love Hairspray Paul, it makes me happy too! ;o)

Saw it on Broadway with Paul Vogt and really couldn't imagine Travolta pulling it off - but rom his first "Hey Hon" (which is pure Bawlmore - an accent I have known and made fun of my entire life - being a DC SNOB! ;op ), I was hooked!

BTW, when we saw this in the theatre, (after MUCH arm twisting to get DH and DS to go see a "musical"), I leaned over to my DS as the lights went down and said, "Now, open your mind and open your heart". Well, this was apparently THE singularly LAMEST thing he had EVER hear in his ENTIRE life and it RUINED the movie for him. LOL

That's what we're here for right? To provide living proof to our children that "they" are cool and "we" are lame! ;o)

Got my fingers crossed for you Mil (and it's dang hard to type this way)!

Good for you Sarah, and although I haven't written, I did send you a funny lately, right? ;o) (The 70's really WERE that ORANGE!)

Peace all.

Rosie, I did get the funny... and immediately told myself to email you. You see how far that email got, right? LOL

I'm hanging in there too, friends. I have some major assignments for class coming up, and I'm going to begin tackling them tomorrow. I got the easy stuff done today, so I would be able to concentrate on harder things. :o) At least I am attempting to keep my priorities straight.

Dear Rosie,

Just a little bit longer on the finger (and toes, by me) crossing.

I just heard from Tara. She was rushing to complete the documentary, "My Biggest Fan" in its entirety, and make the deadline for the Sydney Film Festival.

The Tribeca Film Festival in New York City has it
already, and we hope to hear something by March.

Sending it in is one thing, getting accepted is another! I am almost spastic with waiting!

Tara says "fingers crossed" so everyone...one, two, three..do it for the Gipper..oh, excuse me,
for Tara and the Grandma!!!!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hello Tara and Grandma Mil, Sure will keep fingers crossed re MBF. I will be one of your biggest fans, ALREADY AM. "I have this idea.." always runs in my head.

For the PCs, good day. Here's an interesting link while waiting for Paul's Mercurio's Menu.
(Turn to page 2 of the recipe book--you need adobe reader)

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/LinkView/2B75BE17B80A83F5CA25711C001BCAC5000C7A01CF2DEC1CCA25732E007F16E1

This link is better as you don't have to open the booklet. Shalom to G. Mil, Ole to Melody, More Funnies to Rosie and Sarah:

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfa.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/9053357c2122662aca25738300030c63/$FILE/ATTEKOBT/FoodTrail_recipebook.pdf

Thanks for the link Liz. Its nice to have a recipe download from The Food Trail.

Julie :)

P.S. Millie I have my fingers crossed to! I'm sure it will go through. Send my best to Tara.

Turn to Page 2 to see a great picture of Paul cooking. Just wanted to share this with the PCs.

Hi Paul, Just wanting to know if you and your fellow DWTS cast mates are going to see Mark Wilson sing on It takes two next Tuesday night. I hope he wins. He's a great judge just like you and Helen and Todd are. Well may be Todd needs to be nice more often. I'll be watching it on Tv.
I'll chat to you again soon. Becky.
P.S. By the way are there any Canadians here?

Liz--

Thanks for posting the link to the Food Trail recipe book. Imagine Paul experimenting and presenting all that. Paul looks great--very obvious that he's enjoys cooking.

What a "fan-tabulous" project!

Hi everyone

Liz - thanks for the wonderful Food Trail link.

Sarah - hope your studies are coming along at a great pace

Just finished watching the latest episode of our "Deal or No Deal" where Mark Wilson - Paul's fellow DWTS judge - was playing for one of the viewers. Mark said his theme for the night was taken from SB - " A life lived in fear is a life half lived" - and here is what happened:

http://au.tv.yahoo.com/b/deal-or-no-deal/1051/episode-2mark-wilson

I think he chose his theme well

Love Michele

How funny!!! I borrowed this very movie from the local rental store the other day and just watched it this morning, before ever seeing this thread!! I borrowed it because my young daughter LOVES Zac Efron, who plays Link.

This movie was so fun !! I caught myself shimmying in my seat and grinning like a fool quite a number of times. ;) I'm sure to watch it a couple more times before the return date this weekend.

Imagine my surprise when I came to PC for a visit and found this topic!

"Vivir com miedo es como vivir a medias"
I will never forget this.

Today, I'm in a great mood and in high spirits, as I haven't been quite to this extent and nothing in particular happened to make this happen, that's the best part of it.
There's something to be said about a positive outlook on life...

now I'm blissfully off to bed! :)

Okay, for all of you who think Paul is a great dancer, well you ain't seen nothing yet - enjoy ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY53UfnsSjY

Early Happy Valentine to Paul and Andrea!!!XOXO

Also to Scott and Tara!!!

Hi all! I got my mark on the paper I had to write: 73 out of a possible 75! Woo hoo! That's a 97%!!! For someone who hasn't been in college for 8 years, I'm pretty darn proud to be holding an "A" average right now. :o)

I heard a rather funny song on Broadway's Best (Sirius Satellite Radio) the other night. I believe it was the opening number for the Tony Awards the year that Hairspray was nominated for best musical... anyway, it was a spoof on "Welcome to the Sixties" ("Welcome to the Tony's") and although it was funny, I would have definitely loved to see it when it originally aired. (It poked so much fun at the theatre community and that fact that there is not a big heterosexual following.)

Grandma Mil, my fingers are still crossed! :o)

Dear Sarah,

Congratulations on your grade! I know what it is to have to go back to the classroom after many years. I did so to get my teaching degree and certification when I was in my early 40s.

It wasn't easy, but here I am 35 years later, retired from teaching, and into a new phase of life, quite unexpected and unbelievable! So, hang in there, the best is yet to come!

Keep those fingers crossed! Tara sent "My Biggest
Fan" to two film festivals already, and we are waiting to hear if it has been accepted. These things take time.

She just finished the narration, and no one does it better than she!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hello Grandma Mil. Waiting for MBF and am really inspired by what you and Tara are doing. A life lived in fear is a life half-lived indeed. I just realized I have been blogging since Oct and have seen my life changed--I found a great job that I see as a great fit; quit the old one, I joined an outdoors club, I reconnected with old friends, all with the help of my closest friend and partner. He has been very helpful. I am grateful for the inspiration from Paul and the PCs--just did not realize how much of that kindness and resilience of spirit has been shared and then somehow recreated in my life. Thanks Paul and the PCs.

P.S. Me and E. are planning to do a mountain hike in the summer, but are preparing to train and be ready for the climb. Just to say thank you for the inspiration from Grandma Mil and Grandma Yaya. Grandma Mil you inspire us to be brave and do the things we fear. And Paul most of all.

Liz, Grandma YaYa could inspire ME also!

She could dance the pasa doble, I can only do the foxtrot with Ellie; she makes costumes for Fran, I find sewing a button a big bother; she got Scott to remove his shirt, and pound on his chest..I would get arrested!

I thank you for your remarks. In her documentary,
Tara is talking to me during one of the interviews saying, "It was once said that if you met your idol in real life you would be disappointed".

I replied with an emphatic "wrong, wrong" and Tara
sweetly laughed at my answer!

How fortunate Ellie and I are to have met her, and share those special moments with her and her daughter; we wanted to adopt them both!

I wouldn't mind adopting all the PCers; after all,
they don't call me Grandma Mil for nothing. "Ask any of the chickies in my pen, they'll tell you I'm the Biggest Mother Hen..."

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Hello Everyone. Hope you all had a nice weekend. Mine is just beginning. Today was a wash. I have two more days though. I cram my 40 hour week into 4 days. Made a nice dinner and sitting here watching the Grammy's. Not much to say. Work is stressful right now and my brain is dulled purposely for survival. Glad to see everyone is doing well and using their brains and talents to achieve dreams!

Peace and Love to all of you!

Sarah--congratulations on your grade! Excellent news!

Grandma Mil--I look forward to your posts about MBF and Tara updates. This is really nice that you've brought the PCs into this special moment for you and Tara. Really exciting!

Had a good weekend, although we were in the deep freeze yesterday in Chicago. My brother arranged a nice 50 birthday party for my sister-in-law and he managed with the help of my niece and nephew and other family members to keep it a secret, so Karen had no idea!

He'll go back to court this Thursday for that accident he was in the day after Christmas. The last court date, the other driver didn't show, and Frank was lost (the court was held in a temporary location), and he arrived late to court, so they had a continuance. So let's hope Valentine's Day gives Frank some luck and this will be dismissed, especially if the other driver doesn't show again. We're just glad the injury was minor, although both vehicles ended up being totalled by the insurance company.

Happy Valentine's to Paul and Andrea, and all PCs!

Hi all,

For the next four days my husband will be out of town so I did the usual routine today and bought two pre-made salad dinners and lunches so I don't have to cook the next few days :), and tonight I'll finally get to watch the TV (not like there is anything on that I like these days but I'll check out the BBC to see if there is some salvation). The one thing I forgot to is purchase a Romance novel so I can read it until one in the morning. Talking about Romance novels I found out that my favorite author Dara Joy will be getting back with her publisher after settling a dispute they had and start publishing again. The one thing I've learned is that if there is a favorite author you like if you can purchase two of their books at a time because you never know when they publisher may stop print for whatever reason.

I also did a few updates on my photography exhibit online "South Florida Backyard".

http://www.flickr.com/photos/florida_plants/

Best to all!

Julie

Julie, your collection is beautiful, and even in black and white the beauty of Florida's plants and flowers come through..even in February!

I was especially interested in the color photo of of "Pangy Frany". I wonder if it is a play on words.

The beautiful colored flowers of the Southern Hempisphere, including Australia, are called "frangipani". They are in white, pink, etc.

When Liz wanted to insult Fran when Fran was running away from Scott and pushed herself between Liz and Ken, Liz said angrily, "watch it, FRANgipani!"

Later, when Fran, with tears of anger in her eyes, tells Scott that "you really are a gutless wonder" he replies, "it's hard for me too, Fran" she says, "Hard? How hard do you think it's been for me to get you to dance with me in the first place? Frangipannidelasqueegymop. Wash the coffee cups, Fran. How's your skin Fran?"

In other word "frangipanni" the beautiful flower, was used as an insult to our Fran but not for long. She later blossomed in the paso doble!

When I sent Tara a recent article with a picture of Daniel Day Lewis and Marion Cotillard winning
the BAFTA Awards (British Academy Awards) for best actors, I remembered that Tara was also nominated by BAFTA in 1993 for the role of "Fran". She said it was a thrilling and unforgetable event!

Even though Emma Thompson won for "Howard's End", it was Tara who was nominated for " Fran", her first role.

There are millions of people around the world that would rather see "Strictly Ballroom" multiple times than "Howard's End" once!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Thank you Millie for your nice comments.

Actually "Pangy Franny" wasn't a play on words but a result of my ignorance. A good friend of mine who is a Florida Native thought that might be the spelling but I should have checked online anyway. I looked on the internet this morning and you are right Pangifrani is the correct spelling. Thanks for clarifying that.

This year for my photography I'll be focusing primarily on the "South Florida Backyard" project and I hope to eventually create a more professional looking online gallery of the work.

I wonder to if Liz's line about the Frangipani was intentional in SB to symbolize Fran's blossoming at the end of the movie. Maybe Paul knows?

All my best,

Julie

I think Fran certainly blossoms throughout the movie, and shows Scott how we need to trust in ourselves. Fran trusted herself to ask him to partner her and teaches us all what her grandmother said on how a life lived in fear is a life half-lived.

Even Liz in the end comes their way, due to all the backstage stabbing and intrigue. She gets that music back on and Scott and Fran wows everyone.

I personally like the coming together of Scott's parents--finally!

I think Fran certainly blossoms throughout the movie, and shows Scott how we need to trust in ourselves. Fran trusted herself to ask him to partner her and teaches us all what her grandmother said on how a life lived in fear is a life half-lived.

Even Liz in the end comes their way, due to all the backstage stabbing and intrigue. She gets that music back on and Scott and Fran wows everyone.

I personally like the coming together of Scott's parents--finally!

Sorry for the double post guys!

SB is the movie to see on Valentine's Day, especially the rustling curtain dance. Melody, I like your description of Fran as she transforms in the film from Ms. Frangipani Dela Squeegee Mop to Mrs. Scott Hastings.

Happy Valentine, Scott and Fran, Mil and Elli, Paul and Andrea...all the PCs

Actually Fran is not the one that changes in the film; she was strong and beautiful as she was. It was Scott that was transformed.

Hi everyone

Congratulations to Sarah and Julie on their achievements. We are such a talented mob here.

Raining heavily here in north Qld for Valentine's Day and lots of frangipani still in bloom (I have three trees in my yard that were planted by my grandfather)

I've just enjoyed reading about Paul among the grape vines

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/14/11308_news.html

Looking foward to the 23rd of February when the show begins

Love Michele L

Michele--thanks for posting the article on Paul's forthcoming show.

Let's hope we can find streaming excerpts on the web!

How exciting--Paul and his new show, Tara and Grandma Mil with MBF! Very special times.

Michele, thanks for the article. Looks like a great show where Paul gets to know the people and the place. So rare nowadays where you can really eat locally: grow, raise, harvest, cook, then eat what you create. It's like the Globtrotter Show but with food and best of all with Paul in it!!!Agree with Michele--Show us a streaming excerpt!!!Show...Show!!!--Grandma Yaya.

Error: Agree with Melody about the excerpt. I always look forward to Melody's posting from Chicago--see Paul wear a warm shirt, vs us freezing. Thanks to Michele L. for the link.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. I thought I'd pop in real quick before the day ended. (5 until midnight here in Colorado)

Hope you all got some extra lovin' today or maybe even gave more than you thought you had.

g'night!

Exactly a year ago on Valentine's Day, Tara and
film crew were here, and it was decided that Ellie and I should go out for a "romantic lunch" and it would be filmed for MBF, Tara's treat.

The van with the tech crew was parked in front of the restaurant which was upscale, called "La Vie En Rose" and featured French food, (which Ellie always hated!)

Tara suggested that Ellie and I kiss at the front door before entering...well, we did, and then we had to do it again for the first "take" wasn't quite good enough. (Try smooching for a camera, folks, only Paul and Tara could do that comfortably.)

We were then ushered inside to a small little private room and lo and behold, the camera man had his camera outside the window and was filming us!

The whole scene reminded me of "Funny Girl" when
Omar Sharif tried to seduce Barbra Striesand in that elegant private dining room with the big, red, chaise lounge...dinner, anyone??

The room Ellie and I were in was big enough only for the two of us and the table...the waitress had to stand just a bit inside! (Omar Sharif didn't get lucky either!)

Tara had given us $100.00, but our complete bill came to $50.00, so we gave the "change" back to her.

I will ask Tara if that whole scene made it into
MBF. Comedy, for sure..Tara always wanted MBF to be warm, uplifing, and joyous!

As the song goes, "I Could Write A Book" and it could be MBF Part 2!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

I was checking in to see what was new around here. Thanks for the link to that article Michelle. Finally the Food Trail is becoming more alive for us in the U.S.

Looking good there Paul!

Best to everyone,

Julie

hi,poul! We are two girls from Serbia. We like you wery much. sorry for bad english,but we better speak then writting!enyway,you have all ours commpliments for styling,look and movies,escpecially for movie Exit to eden!
:-)))) we hope for your answer... well,by until then.. kissseessss

hi,poul! We are two girls from Serbia. We like you wery much. sorry for bad english,but we better speak then writting!enyway,you have all ours commpliments for styling,look and movies,escpecially for movie Exit to eden!
:-)))) we hope for your answer... well,by until then.. kissseessss

hi,poul! We are two girls from Serbia. We like you wery much. sorry for bad english,but we better speak then writting!enyway,you have all ours commpliments for styling,look and movies,escpecially for movie Exit to eden!
:-)))) we hope for your answer... well,by until then.. kissseessss

Well, I guess we can say happy anniversary, Grandma Mil and Ellie! What a fun year you both had, especially with all the anticipation!

A follow-up on my brother's accident from late last year--the court dismissed everything as the other party didn't show, but the guy has up to a year if he wishes to pursue anything further. I'm just glad he wasn't hit from the driver's side. He would not have made it considering the intensity of the impact.

On a sad note, we had a shooting at Northern Illinois University, which is about an hour from Chicago. Many young people from the Chicago area attend this college and I have a dance colleague who is a retired professor from their Fine Arts School.

She was on her way to ballet class at the university when the shooting occurred. The school when into lock down. She was pulling into the parking area as ambulances were arriving. So far five students that were shot didn't make it, and at least 16 are injured. The gunman killed himself immediately. He was a former student in their grad school

Please keep these students and their families in your thoughts and prayers. (My friend is all right--she remained to help console students and lent other assistance.)

Melody
Chicago

Sorry to hear of the news at the university. Am glad that your brother recovered from the accident and that your friend from Northern Illinois Univ is safe. Events like these make me think how vulnerable we all are. Interesting to hear of Grandma Mil and Ellie's onscreen kiss...waiting for MBF and Mercurio's Menu.

The region that Paul is in where grapes are grown. Must be nice this time of year.

We're back to freezing in Chicago-brrrh!

Saw a great flamenco show last night. Paco Pena who is originally from Cordoba, Spain, but now based in London. He's a phenominal guitar player and always brings in a good show. They held curtain for 20 minutes, but the show was certainly worth the wait.

The campus at Northern University is still closed for classes, but they brought back the teachers and counsellors to prepare for grief counselling.

Graduates from the Northern dance program performed over the weekend here in Chicago (this was already planned prior to the shooting). Their director commented on what happened before the show began. She mentioned that when they were rehearsing, it felt a bit frivolous to be dancing with what happened, but she also said, "I hope this concert shows the beauty that NIU has to offer."

They really danced their hearts out Friday evening.

When something tragic and incomprehensible happens as in No Illinois Univ, people seem to turn to art, poetry and dance to try make sense of life again. Just as when Grandma Mil showed SB to a stunned audience on the actual night of 9/11.

Antonio Vargas, Tara's dad in the movie, tours the US too--I saw on his website; would like to see him on tour. He is Australian, isn't he? Did he teach Paul and Tara the paso doble steps in the movie?

As for Paul Quicksilver, he must be busy filming and traveling...we are eager to see his show or at least a clip of it.

Liz and PCs

I've held back discussing this, but since Liz mentioned Antonio Vargas coming to the States . . .

He does tour through the US. He stopped here in Chicago in 2002, was supposed to have come in 2003 but something fell through with the person managing it, and then returned in 2004. We managed to get him through Chicago as one of our dancers knew him from Germany when he was there teaching and she attended his classes.

We saw him perform here at our Hot House (I've also performed there several times--it's on haitus now, but we're hoping it will find a new home). I took Antonio's workshop in 2002 and he's a good instructor, challenging rhythms, and yes, we bombarded him on questions about SB!!!! :)

I saw him last in 2004. He didn't do a formal workshop, but took over classes for one of our teachers while she was out of town. I came in after him to teach my own class and we had a chance to talk and he gave me his card. He hasn't returned to Chicago since then.

What was surprising for us was he has this gruff gypsy demeanor in the film (he speaks perfect Andalucian-style Spanish) but his actual manner of talking is very British. He was born in Morocco of Spanish heritage and then raised in London. We were stunned by the accent.

He's not very tall, which you can see in SB, but don't let that fool you--quite a dynamo! Plays various musical instruments as well. He sang and played guitar for us in class while we danced. It was fun.

And, yes, Antonio was **very complimentary** of Paul!! (Of course, do we even need to ask???)

Melody, what a neat experience to meet Antonio Vargus. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us :)

Julie

Melody, so great that you danced and taught with Antonio Vargas! I can only imagine how great that is..you all make it look so easy, after watching SB I thought it was easy to do..but no... You have been taught and trained in this great tradition of dancing. Did you start dancing when you were little? Just like Paul, I think he started at nine, Scott Hastings started at 5 in the movie. Did you just decide one day to be a dancer? Was it the same for Antonio Vargas?

Just wanted to clarify--I didn't teach with Antonio--we just happened to be at the same studio that afternoon. (He had concluded his class and I came in to start mine.) I did participate in the 2002 workshop he gave. There was barely any room in the studio!!

I get the impression that Antonio started young as well. He had relatives that had been flamenco dancers. He has great musicality which shows in his phrasing and rhythms. If he didn't dance, he would have been a musician.

For myself, seeing dancing in film and TV when I was young inspired me. I was turning six and my father asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up and I said I wanted to dance. For my birthday, he took me to a local dance studio. They told him what I needed to wear and we went to Leo's nearby. We came back and I was in my first class.

I didn't have consistent training due to things happening in my family, but dancing kept calling me back. I certainly wasn't aware when I stepped into that first dance class that it would become a lifetime call. :)

Hi everyone! :o)

Melody, I read your post about the shooting right after it happened. It reminded me so much of what took place at VA Tech last year. Its so horrible when these events happen, and all you can do is pray for the families and friends of those involved.

Quite like you knew you always wanted to dance, Melody, I think I always knew I wanted to sing. Although it wasn't until I was in high school that I found my love of acting to go with it. Now I'm doing something to take it all to the next level, and keeping my fingers crossed it will all come out the way I have it planned.

My course is still going well, although I have two major assignments that have still yet to be graded. That is a bit frustrating, but there is nothing I can do about that. The session is nearly over, so I'm just hoping to keep the A I've carried all this time. :o)

I hope everyone is doing well.

Hi everyone

Thank you Melody for the lovely story about Antonio Vargas

Sarah, good luck - I'm sure lots of more A's on the way

Here is Paul looking very cute with a yabby

http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv-reviews/mercurios-menu/2008/02/22/1203467359157.html

Love to everyone - hope you all have a great week

Michele L

Michele--

Thanks for posting that on Paul--it helps us in the US see what and how Paul is doing since we're not able to watch the program here in the States.

I take it a yabby is a form of lobster??

I'm glad this is going well for him. Congrats, Paul!

Warming up a little in Chicago this weekend--just washed my card and did some major vacuuming inside!

That is I washed my car--that was a slip of a finger there.

Wishing Paul and PCs a great week!

That's one lucky lobster to have met Paul in person. Hope it did not end up in the steamer.

Adorable article on Paul. Paul, you look slim and trim! That looks more like a langostino or what we call crawdads here in the U.S. that he is holding. They're also referred to as crayfish. Paul? Comment? Am I close?

Grandma Millie, I finally have La Vie En Rose to watch today. So happy for Marion Cotillard. She was so simply humble receiving her Oscar.

I also rented Once. It was a very sweet movie and made indie for around 100K. It goes to show that a dream can come true! I love the soundtrack title song.

Hope everyone is well and happy! I am on the last day of my weekend. It was a good one.

Love to you all.

MaryS, Ellie and I were sure Marion Cotillard would win the Oscar! When we saw "La Vie En Rose"
3 times, we were convinced that she would the winner, no contest!

The makeup artist for "La Vie" also won an Oscar for best makeup...you saw how gorgeous Marion is in real life...she was made up to look like the sickly Edith Piaf!

Paul looks so trim and happy, it is a pleasure to see him!

Tara has sent the press kit of MBF to the SBS TV Network. Michele L, when it is shown on Australian
TV, hope all our Aussies will have a chance to see it, and report back!

Tara is planning to return to Florida for the premiere in our village in April, fingers crossed!

The weather has been so warm here, that part of our county had electical failures! We were not affected...I can still use the computer!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

Grandma Mil, it got that hot down there that you had power outages? Oh my goodness. I know my mom was complaining about how hot its already getting (she's in Pinellas County) and it isn't even officially Spring yet.

Melody, you had a warm spell in Chicago? Lucky you! Our temps have been like a yo-yo, warm one day and cold the next! It was 52F when I left work tonight, but the fog was extremely heavy on the road. I'm almost afraid to look and see what tomorrow's high is supposed to be. LOL

Things are going well here. I'm feeling good this week, and I'm continuing my quest to keep a positive outlook. Right now the management is reviewing our "year-end reviews" that are done by our supervisors to determine merit raises. I'm keeping my fingers crossed since I didn't get one last year. It is much needed, and would be greatly appreciated to get one this year. :o)

I hope everyone else is doing well. :o)

Mary S, I did some research on what we in the US would call a yabby. The internet is a wonderful tool. You can look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yabby, but I can also just tell you that a yabby is a crustacean (actually 2 different ones), basically a crayfish. :o)

Wow. La Vie En Rose broke my heart. I'm depressed now. Yes, it was FABULOUS and I don't believe anyone could have lived the role as Marion did. It's wonderful when the Oscar goes to the RIGHT person. It's going to take a long while to shake that movie off, not that I would want to. But it kills me when a life is destroyed by one's self. I can still feel the pain so intensely. I had goose bumps for the last 15 minutes of the movie!

Yay! Crayfish. I thought it was one of those, but I think they're all basically the same thing...and that is yummy, although, I've never, and don't think I ever would, do the whole pulling the head off and sucking the juice out thing. That's gross. LOL.

"I've never, and don't think I ever would, do the whole pulling the head off and sucking the juice out thing. That's gross. LOL."
Mary S. I had to do that!! Louisiana was the first state in the US that I lived in and that was supposedly one of the (many!) weird customs and rituals I had to undergo as a foreigner to become acclimated to the US. Now one could argue to what extent Louisiana really is representative of the US, but let's not go there, at least not today. :-) But man, now I'm hungry for a good old Cajun crawfish Etouffé, or a crawfish boil ... February is just the month for that. don't think I will find it anywhere in MO though where the weather is yo-yoing annoyingly well, the other day we had a 65 degree F temp. drop in 3 hours. That one sucked big time!!!

Sarah--it was a little warmer over the weekend, but Monday switched up on us and more snow! Our area was only 4", but others were up to 6". I'm glad we have a clear, sunny day today. I have classes tonight--hope we're all dancing well this evening! :)

Grandma Mil/MaryS--I saw Vie en Rose last year as it made its rounds through Chicago. I didn't know what it was about--I saw the poster at the theatre when I saw "Once" and thought it would be interesting to return the following evening. I was not disappointed--amazing performance. As soon as I came home I started searching for info on the net--embarassed to say I didn't know who Edith Piaf was!

But more so, the performance of Marion Cotillard was so moving and incredible. I am so happy she won best actress. So well deserved.

Evelyn, one of my co-workers grandfather was from New Orleans and she just loves Cajun food (cooks as well, learned from her mother).

Sarah--it was a little warmer over the weekend, but Monday switched up on us and more snow! Our area was only 4", but others were up to 6". I'm glad we have a clear, sunny day today. I have classes tonight--hope we're all dancing well this evening! :)

Grandma Mil/MaryS--I saw Vie en Rose last year as it made its rounds through Chicago. I didn't know what it was about--I saw the poster at the theatre when I saw "Once" and thought it would be interesting to return the following evening. I was not disappointed--amazing performance. As soon as I came home I started searching for info on the net--embarassed to say I didn't know who Edith Piaf was!

But more so, the performance of Marion Cotillard was so moving and incredible. I am so happy she won best actress. So well deserved.

Evelyn, one of my co-workers grandfather was from New Orleans and she just loves Cajun food (cooks as well, learned from her mother).

Sorry for the double post--the computer just had a mind of its own today!!

The Sydney Morning Heralds said Paul's show was to air February 24th. Did any of you Aussie's see it? Do tell all!!!!

Found a link to the show: but no contact number for fans. Maybe alll of us can clamor for the show to be shown here..the show aims to promote tourism to the regions Paul visits. Who else but us freezing in the northern hemisphere would likely go? I think they are forgetting a large audience in the US and Canada.

Here's the link:

http://www.mercuriosmenu.com/

Paul, tu comer yabbies? Show! Show! --Grandma Yaya.

Hi Paul and all the chickies too :)
Today was an early spring day. It was so lovely out, I took two long walks. When they weather is nice like this, it's like a lull-abye to the spirit. So wonderful! As the years go bye, winter is hard to get through. It's so oppressive, even though it's beautiful in it's own way too.
I recognize many names. I stopped posting last year, because I gave up alcohol. It'll be a year in May. I miss it, but sadly I'm better off with out it. I like it too much and lean on it too much when it's in my life, sadly. So, while I was off the sauce I also stopped surfing the net so much and started getting in more exercise and I actually worked, *shock*
I haven't seen Hairspray. I will definitely watch it. I liked the one in the 80's so I'm sure I'll like this one too.

Liz--thanks for posting the link to Mercurio's Menu. At least we can get an idea. Paul's "looking good" (I believe that is a line from SB, where Scott looks at Fran during rehearsal . . . )

Tea, welcome back and a big Ole to you!

Spring is coming! Today we hit about 73 degrees here in the Denver area. Tomorrow it's supposed to snow! That's a real sign of Springtime in the Rockies!

Evelyn, it's so cool that you delved into the culture of New Orleans. My husband was born and raised in Biloxi MS, and I really love it there. I couldn't live there, but it sure is a force to be reckoned with. I love Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" show on the Travel Channel. He experiences each of his visits to different countries in a way that not many can do.

Tea, welcome back. So interesting was your comment about the "sauce". At first I was like, "hey, so only drinkers surf the net and visit Paul's site?" and then I realized I had just finished a glass of wine. I wonder what that says... something to ponder.

Well, it's my Friday. I'm free to enjoy some "me time" for the next three days. I hope you are all enjoying your time alone or together with those that you love (including yourself).

Love to you all!

Welcome Tea and hope your weekend goes well, MaryS. Melody and the PCs I wanted to share this quote from Paul (He is touring, filming and vacationing with his family as the article says.)

"Happiness is a choice--the way to happiness is to figure out who you want to be and how you want to be..." --Paul

For the PCs here's a great pic and article:
Prepare to be astonished..(you're all getting used to this astonishment thing.)

http://jetstarmag.com/2008/03/01/star-struck-13/

Liz--thanks for finding this article.

Paul's one special guy and I'm happy he's getting good notice on his new program.

As for dancers with cigarettes and chocolate, here in Chicago we can range from cigarettes and coffee (be it Starbucks or Caribou, which is beginning to give Starbucks a run), or pizza and chocolate.

I was more the latter two, although now it's far less pizza but still chocolate! As for the coffee, I'm a tea drinker myself! :)

Thanks for the article Liz. This is really a good run for Paul. It seems to me that this last year or so has really turned a corner for Paul. I'd say he has absolutely no time to work digging roads or building houses or doing any of the odd jobs that he has had to do during his down times. Thank God that good times are being had by Paul and his family, although I bet he is unfortunately unable to spend as much time with them lately. Isn't is so weird how things work that way? I'm sure Andrea and the girls are happy that Paul is working! Paul seems very grounded as of late!

Seen Harold and Maude..the film? You and whole family will love it.

Liz, thanks for posting the link to the article. I enjoyed reading it.

I'm not supposed to be typing, so I must keep this short. I'm on doctor's orders until Friday for "no typing" due to a little tumble I took at work on Friday. I know the restriction is for work, but no need to cause problems at home, right?

Now I'm off to bed, and hopefully to sleep. :o)

Sarah, feel better soon.

Thanks, Melody. I got word that the x-rays of my arm came back fine, and there are no breaks or hairline fractures. That doesn't explain why the pain is not lessening even with the anti-inflammatory/muscle relaxer the doctor has me on, as well as a pain reliever. So, I have a message in to her for that. Besides the pain, the worse part is that I'm not sleeping because its my left arm and I tend to sleep on my left side. So I'm insanely tired. Calgon, take me away! ;o)

Not strictly shy

PAUL Mercurio isn't shy about nuding up at the beach but does he get it all off when he visits Australia's first legal nude beach today on Seven at 5.30pm?

Mercurio's Menu is his latest regional travel and cooking show after last year's Food Trail.

Mercurio has a friendly and watchable style that should be used more at Seven but maybe he's too busy judging the NZ version of Dancing With The Stars.

With Priscilla Presley about to start dancing on the US version, we can only dream of similar nutty casting for the next Aussie DWTS. How about John Howard, Judy Moran, Sophie Monk, Ben Cousins and Summer Heights High's Mr G?

THE ABOVE IS FROM A RECENT ARTICLE WRITTEN ABOUT PAUL'S LATEST SHOW. UNFORTUNATELY WE IN QLD DON'T GET IT ON TV - THE ONLY AUSTRALIAN STATE TO MISS OUT I THINK. HOW FAIR IS THAT? (EVEN IF WE DO NOT SEE PAUL NUDE - NICE THOUGHT ANY WAY)

SARAH - PLEASE STAY WELL

LOVE TO ALL
MICHELE L

Michele--you can't watch in Queensland?? How is that??

Maybe we'll be fortunate and someone will post some video on YouTube!

Or maybe Cat can post something here?

Speaking of Cat, hope all is well! We repeatedly thank you for this website, and do so again. :)

Hi Melody

Although we all get most of the same programmes all acroos Australia, the stations do allow for some local content and this is one of those times unfortunately - in Paul's time slot, we get a local programme about travellling around Qld. It's a nice show but I would prefer Paul

love Michele

That happens here. We have local programming that will vary with the national broadcasts on our major network stations, including PBS.

Let's hope someone copies a portion to YouTube. Because of YouTube I was able to watch Joseph. Bless the person who was good enough to mount all the sequences online!

Hi Melody, I hope you are not surviving on coffee and chocolates alone as most dancers do, or is it pizza and chocolate. Sarah, get well soon so you can type and blog back. Michele, so sorry that you're not able to see Paul's show. I see in the list that he will be in Queensland; is Queensland in the tropical part of Australia? Your continent is so big and beautiful. I hope you get to see him in person. We are curious to see the people, food and places with Paul with his "easy, cheerful, engaging style" to lead the tour. The reviewers all like him. We just have not heard from the viewers--there is no feedback blog for viewers in Australia. I hope they start posting here so we can at least know about the show secondhand. Too bad we can't see it...yet. Waiting for the show and for Grandma Mil to premiere her movie. I like the pictures with the goats and sheep; looks like places to visit (in person or TV) with us in the last part of winter here. Are you enjoying the last days of summer?

Happy 55th wedding anniversary to Grandma Millie and Grandpa Ellie!! (I hope my math is right on this one :))

Yes, your math is correct my dear Evelyn and thank you for your anniversary wishes; Ellie and I can hardly believe it, for we always ask each other, where did the time go?

When we were married on March 8th, 1953. He was 22 and in the Marine Corps, drafted during the Korean War, and after basic training was sent to our small town in Nebraska (Hastings) that had a huge naval ammunition depot build during World War 2. He worked in the PX for he was an accountant.

I was barely 19 when we first met. He had called
my mother for he was interested in meeting Jewish
families in that small town; there were only about
15 religious families in a population of 20,000.

My mother invited him for a Sabbath dinner, and
I almost swooned on seeing him, so handsome in his
uniform. He must have enjoyed my mother's Sabbath menu of chopped liver and roasted chicken, for he
called again the next week, and then the next, and then the next...within the year we were married in March, and our wedding was filmed by a cousin; I sent part of it to Tara for MBF, especially the wedding dance.

She repeated the word for "destined to be" which
is the Hebrew word, "bashert".

Yesterday at rehearsal the cast gave us flowers,
presents, best wishes and hugs, and a friend told
us to smooch, and he took 3 pictures of that! (We haven't forgotten how.)

We truly have been blessed with a large family: 3 daughters, twelve grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren, and marvelous friends like those on PC and those in Wynmoor who are my faithful fans at my programs.

Then, of course, we are looking forward to our dear Tara finishing MBF. Paul, Liz, and Michele L, it will be shown on Australian TV Network, SBS...SOON! Last minute hitches with getting rights for some of the music has to be
cleared up. Hard to believe at this stage of our lives such an event will finally be coming to fruition!

Tara is still planning to bring MBF to our village in April for the premiere. It already has been sent to Tribeca Film Festival, and we're awaiting word on that, due soon. She also entered it in the Sydney Film Festival.

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

What a great story Grandma Mil! I think Ellie was smitten by you back in 1953 but! not sure the chopped liver and roast chicken did it. It was meant to be...bashert like you said. It was inevitable. Happy Anniversary 55th! Looking forward to your premiere in Australia and the US.

I have become a sort of web scavenger and dug up Paul's appearances on the web; he's quite busy in Australia and NZ, but no word from him on Paul's Corner. I'm sure all the PCs are patiently waiting too.

Here's a segment of the DWTSNZ, but you have to watch the other people too, 10 min segment with
Paul in the interview; worth watching for Pauls's contribution, but you have to put up with the other people's loud yet somewhat meaningless comments. Probably worth watching for Paul's in it.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tvone_minisite_four_column_skin/2008_dwts_videos

Happy anniversary Grandma Mil and Ellie! What a wonderful story. I'm sure it was more than the chicken and liver, Grandma Mil, that Ellie continued to come over! :)

Liz, thanks for the video link.

We danced really hard yesterday--the students did well. We'll have a dance workshop with the grandniece of the famous Flamenco dancer, Carmen Amaya this coming week. My feet may divorce me yet!

I then went to check out a small theatre for our next concert. It may work for us. I decided to have a smaller recital for the students in late summer and continue to prepare the advanced students for the more formal concert next spring.

Grandma Mil, please let us know about Tara coming to see you in April. I'm keep my fingers crossed that I can come out for it and get to meet you and Ellie and any PCs that fly in. :)

I have to share my good news with the world! I just got a phone call from my lawyer and finally after some serious hassles and difficulties, US Immigration services approved my permanent residency application. I don't have the green card yet, but will get it in a week or two. Yippee!! after 3 years of not being able to leave the US I can't wait to go home at the end of May for a visit (ans some research). I'm so happy right now I'm almost crying! :-) The only thing that's going to spoil that just a bit, is the next lawyer bill, but hey, it will be the last one ...

I have to share my good news with the world! I just got a phone call from my lawyer and finally after some serious hassles and difficulties, US Immigration services approved my permanent residency application. I don't have the green card yet, but will get it in a week or two. Yippee!! after 3 years of not being able to leave the US I can't wait to go home at the end of May for a visit (ans some research). I'm so happy right now I'm almost crying! :-) The only thing that's going to spoil that just a bit, is the next lawyer bill, but hey, it will be the last one ...

I guess the computer likewise is happy and posted it twice :) sorry about that!

Congrats Evelyn!!!

And Happy Anniversary Mil and Ellie

I will start a new post soon! I have just been very busy and not home much shooting Mercurio's Menu and Dancing with the Stars in New Zealand

SORRY

Thanks Paul! and I'm glad that you are busy, beats the opposite, doesn't it? Hope you get to enjoy some at home time soon!

Such great news being spread on the corner! Glad everyone is doing well. Sarah, hope you are feeling better.

Grandma, please! My virgin ears!! ;) All this talk about smooching. lol. You two are just too adorable!!! Happy Anniversary sweet hearts. I loved the story.

Liz, keep scavenging the web! We love it.

Congrats Evelyn!

Love the article clip Michele!

Hope I didn't miss anyone. Love to you all!

Paul, I'm so happy that you are keeping busy!

Hi everyone

So much great news

Grandma Mil and Evelyn - congratulations on both lots of lovely news

Liz - thanks for the great link

Hi to you Paul in NZ - hope its fun down there and not too cold

Have a terrific week everyone

Michele L

I also want to send my best wishes to Millie and Ellie on their anniversary. Millie I enjoyed reading your post.

Also I wanted to thank Liz for posting the link to the Dancing with Stars interview. I enjoyed watching it this morning while having my breakfast.

My part of the world has been a little bit challenging these days. My mother in law passed away last week and I had to go to Europe last minute for the funeral she had battled Cancer for two years and was 66. This has been the third funeral I've been to since September starting with my grandmother. I also got a call from my mother yesterday and she told me that as a result of a thyroid test she took the doctors found a tumor on her thyroid and it could be cancer but they wont know until they do a test in the next few weeks. And the cherry on top of the cake my Greyhound Ginger may only have a few months left to live as a result of a severe heart condition.

I guess it was inevitable that a bit of depression has kicked in after all of this. Its not so much the losing of these individuals in my life, as much as I miss them, but a reminder of what they heck I'm doing with my own life as a result. If I were gone tomorrow what do I want to leave behind what would have been the most imporstant to me? I've tried to think of the only thing in my life that I have wanted to achieve and that one thing is writing, whether a book, an idea for a tv show or a movie, a play whatever I just want to accomplish that one thing, to complete one project at least. My job has been flexible enough to allow me the time the past few years to do so but instead of taking advantage of the opportunity the flexibility had given me I lost focus. So this morning I have made a decision that I'm going to give it my best shot this time and to complete something even if it doesn't go anywhere in the end, and whether or not my ideas are silly or whatever.

On a postive note I've discovered a new series that's truly wonderful, Alexander McCall Smith's "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency". Its clever, funny, and heart warming.

my best to everyone and much love,

Julie

Paul, so glad things are going great! We'll be waiting to hear more from you! Hip! Hip!

Julie, my condolences on your losses and the news about your mother and Ginger. Please don't get down on yourself for losing focus. (After losing my mother I didn't want to dance, then I went into the other extreme and turned into a dancing demon!)

The important thing is to start your writing, even if it's only written in your heart and soul.

My thoughts are with you! :)

Julie, I'm so sorry for your many losses and my absolute best wishes to you in this challenging time and I'm hoping for a good turn of events for your Mum's health.

Take care of yourself and do whatever you need to to get through this challenging time.

Thank you for your comments Evelyn and Melody. I have to admit that we have a good supportive community here as well as a fan site.

I got a call from my Mom yesterday and she said that a blood test she took to see if her thyroid was working came back with very good results which was important. She now goes for what they call a nuclear injection into the growth but so far she's confident which brought my spirits up a bit.

I was watering the plants in my yard this morning and had one of those by the fence chats with my neighbor Guy. I told him that after dealing with all these recent events in my life I've been questioning where my life was going and what I wanted leave behind one day. His response came from something that I call Waxy's Wisdom,

"Well, I'm going to leave a big mess", he smiled.

One thing is for certain I can always count on Guy to answer those big questions.

take care all!

Julie

So glad you are busy on tour and visiting many places in Australia and New Zealand. Hope you get to spend time with your family too The PCs are able to track you on your travels: we have links to Mercurio's Menu and DWTSNZ!!!!We are all cheering for you!!!

Melody, you must be busy for the dance concert with your students. Ole!

Congrats Evelyn!!!

Julie, I am very sorry for your loss. Losing focus is part of the creative process, allows the brain to dig up hidden ideas without you actively doing it...I think Paul, the writers in this group, the artists and dancers all use the creative down time and time with no purpose in order to create new ideas. I do not think that the time being unproductive is actually lost as creativity cannot be forced.

Connecting to Liz's thoughts on downtown, sometimes we receive downtime because we get so crazed and wouldn't allow for it otherwise! :)

We've been working in a workshop this week with guest artist Omayra Amaya, grandniece of famed dancer Carmen Amaya. We're working on a dance rhythm that became obscure decades ago that's finding a resurgence in Spain--it's been great, but ouch! my feet from all that pounding!

Good weekend Paul and PCs!

I appreciate everyone's warm get well wishes. The pain in my arm and wrist is gone, for the most part. I still have a twinge every now and then, but I think that is partially due to not being able to strictly follow the doctor's orders through last weekend. (I'll explain.)

Grandma Mil, I know its belated, but happy anniversary to you and Ellie!

Evelyn, I'm so happy you've received your permanent residency. They certainly don't make it easy.

Julie, you have my condolences on your recent losses. I have faith that you will find your focus again and be able to write.

As for me... the good news is that my course is finished and I ended with an A. As for why I was not able to follow my doctor's orders last weekend: Friday night I went out to dinner after work with friends. It was my birthday, and there were 2 other birthdays in our section within the coming week so we all wanted to celebrate together. It was a nice evening. Saturday started out ok, e