Paul's Corner

Paul, Ellie and I would love to contribute, but the site that was brought up was very confusing;
maybe someone could take the lead and show this old Granny how to contribute to your cause, there were so many mentioned!

Your interest and participation is a "mitvah" (blessing) Paul, the best of luck in whatever you do!

Tara is on the verge of making plane reservations
for the premiere of MBF in Florida in late September..be still my heart!

Shalom and love,

Grandma

Glad to support your cause and also spread the word to the other PCs.

Question re the site as difficult to contribute without giving a lot of pers info.

Can we send our contributions to your office instead?

Will check with other PCs how to do this.

I tried to contribute but it wouldn't accept my card. I'll try again later in case it was server communication (I'm working with a firewall here).

Go Paul!

Hello everyone,

I was able to make a contribution without any glitches. Simply choose the amount and country code for your currency and add it to the cart. From there it will take your personal information and payment method. Once you have filled in the form and given your payment method, you can submit the payment and leave a personal comment, if you wish.

Paul, thank you for reaching out to your loyal fans around the world, for this very worthy cause. You continue to use your life in such positive ways!

On another note, you were so squirmy on the morning show appearance. I sat there giggling at you!! Adorable, that's you!!

Have a great day everyone! :)

On retry was able to get in the site too. Make sure you put in "My Choice" as the designated walker. You will be guided through the steps and the disclosure policy. Also in the comment line, you can add a personal line and do note that you are sponsoring Paul Mercurio. There will be a receipt emailed to you.

Spread the word.

The best to you, Paul!

Hi everyone--

I tried it again with the same card and it wouldn't approve. So I tried with my debit card (which is also a Visa) and it did accept that!

What a great opportunity to travel through the world--I hope they have good weather so they're not deterred in any way.

The very best to Paul, Olivia and all the walkers!

If there is a way to do it by mail I would contribute but if not best of luck with the walk Paul. I think its a great thing you're doing. I've known three people who have died of some form of cancer in the past three years including my mother in law who past away a month ago at a young age, and a the daughter of a friend of mine who past away at 13 years of age.

Julie

Thank you so much to all of you for your feed back and support - it is much appreciated.

Thank you Julie for your thoughts. There is no way to do it by mail but the fact that you will be thinking of me on this journey and of others who go through the journey of cancer is an important support in itself.

Adorable hey? I will accept that :)

Here's a chuckle for all of you--

I received a call from my bank asking me to verify that I tried to charge four transactions online. They wanted to make sure that no one stole my card or hacked in. :)

Two were in US $$ and two were in Australian $$.

When it didn't take once, I tried again. I thought the system would convert the Aus $ to US, but they denied the transaction. Then I tried later in US $ and still, the bank would not approve my transaction.

Oh well, my debit card worked, so it's on its way!

And with that I say 'night all!

Oh my goodness Melody! The darn internet...sometimes it's not your friend. Glad your donation made it!

Yes, it's been just about a year since my sister was diagnosed with a very deadly form of cancer. She is still on interferon treatment, which is a horrible thing. She is so amazing though. She continues to LIVE her life to the best of her abilities, does not feel sorry for herself and is more active than I am!! She and so many others suffering from cancer are such heroes.

Patrick Swayze is now added to the list. I hated to see a picture of him smoking. I'm sure with the diagnosis he has, he feels he has nothing to lose. I really hate to say that. It's the old thing of cancer being accepted as a death sentence. I know that the mental and spiritual attitude is so important, and I'm sure raises the odds against the disease getting you. I'm sure this is what is helping my sister. She in no way acts like anything has control over her attitude. We are wishing for the best each day, but also leaving it up to whomever is ultimately in charge.

This may post twice....speaking of the internet...but wanted to add that we are also doing all that is possible to influence the outcome to a GREAT one!

Hi everyone

Hope life is treating you all kindly.

Paul, you and the others involved in the walk are doing a wonderful thing. Cancer has certainly robbed my family and friends. It's inspiring how all of us here from the Corner have rallied around so quickly. We might rail against technology when it fails but when it works it can cross the globe in minutes.

And got to see my first and maybe only episode of Mercurio's Menu last Tuesday at 2pm since I have a week's holiday. Adoreable, cute, interesting, clever - oh, and the menus and locations are good too.

Everyone have a grat week

Michele L

Just quickly dropping by as I need to get myself into bed.

Paul, the walk is a wonderful thing! I will definitely support you in more than just my thoughts! :o)

Hello Paul. Your show brings people to the sources of food around them. In keeping with the locavore/localvore concept (as in local, not as in crazy). A lot of people are trying to eat food from a 100 mile radius of where they live, and you certainly have been showing people how to do that with your show. How more local can you get if you are actually running with the chickens and dancing with the turkeys that you share with others on the table.

http://blog.oup.com/2007/11/locavore/

PC Update:

Here's a summary of Paul's recent adventures:

http://jetstarmag.com/2008/04/01/retail-therapy-11/

Liz--

Thanks for these posts. We need to promote our local farmers and producers as much as possible, not just the global economy. It's great that Paul is helping to promote his homeland while introducing new food ideas, recipes, etc.

I received an email from The Great Walk--keeping contributors posted on their progress. (I finally made the connection with "The Great Wall" . . . )

Back to raining in Chicago with flood warnings and maybe some snow showers--April always has been a mixed up month for us. We either have remnants of winter or a quick blast of summer!

happy walking/hiking to you Paul on such a wonderful mission! I wish everyone who is participating great joy, physical strength and endurance and of course lots of support for the cancer research!

Hello Paul,
I wish you all the best for your projects especially for your walk in China this month. Hope it will be a big success and a lot of money will be collected to fight against this terrible disease. I lost my grandfather because of cancer and my father was suffering from a very special type of cancer, but fortunately his 2 year fight against was successful!
And now, I just have to say this, but probably you will be bored when you read another e-mail about „Strictly Ballroom“. I admit, I am a pretty late, but I did not know the film till we flow back from our first Australian vacation on Easter Weekend (we were traveling only 3 weeks from Sydney to Adelaide and it was sooo great!!!!). Unfortunately the plane was landing before I could finish watching the film. So the first action back in Germany was to buy the DVD and watch the film till the end. I just want to say THANK YOU for acting and dancing so gorgeous with your partner Tara, who is brilliant too (you really suit to each other in the film) , thanks also to Baz Luhrmann for making the film with wonderful shots, which picture the emotions in an incredible way. The film keeps an old girl dreaming and makes grey days a little brighter :o)!
Just was finding some information about you in the net and were surprised about your multi talented personality. How is the brewing going?
All the best to you and your family!
Anja from Germany

Paul,
I was just thinking about my brother-in-law who passed away 4/24/03. I am getting ready for work and remembering 5 years ago taking care of him in his last days. He died of lung cancer at the age of 43, never smoked a day, lived a good life, and was an extrodinary man. I thought, I haven't checked PC in a while and when I read your post, it seemed like one of those meant to be moments. I will come back tonight after work and contribute happily to the cause and I thank God there are people such as you who generously give their time to help others. I will give in honor of Mark and I hope that while you are walking in all the unpleasantries that were described that you will think of him once during that walk and know that you are doing a good thing. He was a great dad, husband, brother, and friend.
Bless you,
Jill

Paul,
It is wonderful to see someone of your massive talent and profile giving back to the less fortunate than yourself with Great Walk.

Just a thought in addition to your 'dollar per viewer' idea - do you think that there may be some ways to perhaps value add to the flow of donations? Maybe as well as the dollar from the MM viewers, you could scale it up - you could do some dancing on camera at periodic breaks in the walk for increased donations, and people could bid according to what type of dance you do? It would be striking with the backdrop of the Great Wall. Just a thought - great way to showcase your other talents (aside from acting, tv and philanthopy) and also raise money for a truly great cause!

That might also show those fat cats at Seven in Queensland - it is a disgrace that they havent put you before the news

Stay fantastic Paul!!
Phil

Paul,
It is wonderful to see someone of your massive talent and profile giving back to the less fortunate than yourself with Great Walk.

Just a thought in addition to your 'dollar per viewer' idea - do you think that there may be some ways to perhaps value add to the flow of donations? Maybe as well as the dollar from the MM viewers, you could scale it up - you could do some dancing on camera at periodic breaks in the walk for increased donations, and people could bid according to what type of dance you do? It would be striking with the backdrop of the Great Wall. Just a thought - great way to showcase your other talents (aside from acting, tv and philanthopy) and also raise money for a truly great cause!

That might also show those fat cats at Seven in Queensland - it is a disgrace that they havent put you before the news

Stay fantastic Paul!!
Phil

I just had to share this story with the corner from what began as heart breaking to finding a little happiness again.

When I was at the check out line at the supermarket and I heard a lady crying so I looked in the direction where it was coming from and I saw this lady whom I don't know personally but has worked in this supermarket as long as I've been a customer there about five years now. She was talking to this older lady about seventy or so who said to her on the verge of tears that she has been praying for her every day to "pull through this". It didn't take long to realize from her headscarf on her head and the baseball cap she was wearing over it what was going on. I sat in my car for a few minutes crying behind the stearing wheel thinking how unfair for this woman who probably wasn't even forty years old to have cancer and thinking how in almost every corner of my life someone is facing this disease. Being pretty upset I decided it was best to maybe change my mind a little so I drove to International Market thinking I would buy some over priced imported pasta to ease my nerves but instead I recieved an unexpected invitation to a wine tasting party hosted by the owners for two days time.

I've known the owners the Pastura family for six years now, Italian Americans from Philly who settled in fort lauderdale twenty five years ago. Their business caters to the Yacht community, a group that has made Fort Lauderdale into probably the most international communities in Florida. They have every type of cheese you can imagine from every county that produces and will import to the U.S and they also the make certain delicacies that would be hard to find anywhere else in the country like South African Beef Jerky (Mr. Pastura hates it but there's this South African Yacht guy who comes in to buy it every week he told me). The owners invited me to a wine tasting party they had last night and my husband and I ate the most delicious appetizers including fried ravioli, mini crap cakes and buffulo mazzarella with cherry tomatoes and bazil on a stick. We also met this Belgium man named Derick who used to be the personal chef for Gorbechev and has traveled the world learning how to cook. Today he works as the head chef on a mega yacht. He told me that one boss he had a few years ago wanted him to learn how to make authetic Pailla and he flew him to Spain for three days to learn from a restaurant owner he knew over there. He also traveled through France for three months on a motor bike on a wine and food tasting mission to learn about French cuisine and wine. He said the best part of the trip was smelling flowers all day from the road and then tasting wine after.

Last nights experience cheered me up never thinking that a food experience between the tasting and the stories would bring positive energies back into my life. If the Food Trail ever comes to Fort Lauderdale I can always introduce Paul to Derick and the Pasturas (and I also heard about this delly that just opened in North Fort Lauderdale that only sells sausages. Some Irish guy at Waxy's told me about it last week-end supposenly he says they have the best Bangers and he travels up there every week).

My best to everyone and as we remember those who are challenged with their health we also cannot forget the good life. Paul I'll be thinking of you on that walk best of luck with it and don't break a leg ;)

Julie

Hi Paul and hello to everyone.
Thank this wonderful idea of Paul to help people. Impressive a person with so much talent, so many predicates, helping those in need. It is very contagious. I would like to contribute, but the link does not open here in Brazil. I wish success for the enterprise and also by Mercurio `s Menu.
Kisses for all.

Hi Paul and hello to everyone.
Thank this wonderful idea of Paul to help people. Impressive a person with so much talent, so many predicates, helping those in need. It is very contagious. I would like to contribute, but the link does not open here in Brazil. I wish success for the enterprise and also by Mercurio `s Menu.
Kisses for all.

Waking up to an earthquake was an interesting experience this morning. My first thought was "Oh no my cat is having another seizure" as it felt as if something was steadily banging against my bed, but as there was no cat, it hit me--this is an earthquake. I was soooo relieved that Freyja wasn't having another seizure and this was "just" an earthquake!
This has been a rough week for me and kitty cat. She had a seizure Tuesday morning, then we went to vet ER, Thursday morning I found out that her kidneys aren't functioning fully anymore, so we had to go back to the vet, so that I can learn to inject fluids under her skin for a week (have yet to try that today, wish me luck! she flat out refused to take her antibiotics this morning), and then an earthquake. Poor little thing, I know she's 17, but I just can't handle another loss right now. This past year has been pretty tough as is, with lots of painful losses and challenges. I really do want a break for a while and some calmer, happy experiences. I'm tired of constantly getting sick from stress and exhaustion.

Hope you are all well and have a lovely weekend planned!

Happy to support a great cause!

Much love from your young fans in Oxford, England (by way of California) who get together and drool over your movies on a regular basis. Now we can drool over what a good person you are too.

Evelyn, I came here to see if anyone posted about the earthquake. I'm glad to learn that you and your kitty are ok.

I found out about the earthquake when I arrived at work. We received an email that we had restrictions on our binding authority for earthquake coverage in parts of Indiana, Illinois, and I believe Kentucky for one of our companies. I hope any other PCers in those areas affected are ok.

Its been quite a week for me as well, but I'm happy to report that I came out feeling better than I did at the beginning. Wednesday was the worst of it when I nearly lost my job, but I am still employed and determined not to be dismissed from a job for the first time in my life.

I hope everyone is well. Enjoy the weekend!

Evelyn--I hope your cat is better soon.

I did feel the earthquake--about 4:30 a.m. There was a quivering feeling for about two seconds. I thought a bus or truck went down our street, which would be rather unusual in our neighborhood!

Nothing more than that, thankfully. Some of my friends didn't even feel it!

I will be going to DC for my cousin's wedding. I'll leave on the 2nd of May and return the Sunday on the 4th.

(Sarah, I'll email you and see if we can meet?)

Wondering how Paul's doing on the Great Walk! :)

Dear Evelyn,

I'm sending what positive energy I can muster, your way. I too have two old kitties who are brothers and woh I've had since they were about 7 weeks old. They are now about 14 and both on meds. A seizure would be so frightening to see. It just simply breaks your heart to see anything or anyone you love, sick or suffering. We simply hate even thinking about it especially if we have to prepare to let go. I think about it often with my two boys and am trying to prepare my heart and my mind.

This weekend my security was threatened as my home sliding glass door was completely shattered to the floor. A couple of weeks ago I found the outside pane of the double paned window with a tiny bullet hole in it. At that time the outside pane was shattered and I've been working on getting it replaced, but they told me the door should be secure until then. There's a plastic layer in the glass that is supposed to prevent the glass from actually falling apart, so it was felt that the door was "helped" into breaking out. I had the police at the house and am looking into getting a home alarm system now, which I never thought I could live with. I hate them. Right now it's covered in a sheet of plywood which is going to have to hold until Friday when the door is replaced. I have no money to deal with emergencies and this really drove that fact home. Of course insurance is involved but even the deductible is something that isn't in the budget.

We sure do get our brains, bodies and hearts challenged in this life don't we.

Evelyn, I hope the shots go well. One of my cats may be heading towards diabetes if not have it already, so I may be doing shots someday also. My vet says, "there's nothing to it" but I question whether I could do it! I have enough fun "pilling my cats twice a day! Oye.

Hang in there. We're here for you!

Dear Evelyn,

I'm sending what positive energy I can muster, your way. I too have two old kitties who are brothers and woh I've had since they were about 7 weeks old. They are now about 14 and both on meds. A seizure would be so frightening to see. It just simply breaks your heart to see anything or anyone you love, sick or suffering. We simply hate even thinking about it especially if we have to prepare to let go. I think about it often with my two boys and am trying to prepare my heart and my mind.

This weekend my security was threatened as my home sliding glass door was completely shattered to the floor. A couple of weeks ago I found the outside pane of the double paned window with a tiny bullet hole in it. At that time the outside pane was shattered and I've been working on getting it replaced, but they told me the door should be secure until then. There's a plastic layer in the glass that is supposed to prevent the glass from actually falling apart, so it was felt that the door was "helped" into breaking out. I had the police at the house and am looking into getting a home alarm system now, which I never thought I could live with. I hate them. Right now it's covered in a sheet of plywood which is going to have to hold until Friday when the door is replaced. I have no money to deal with emergencies and this really drove that fact home. Of course insurance is involved but even the deductible is something that isn't in the budget.

We sure do get our brains, bodies and hearts challenged in this life don't we.

Evelyn, I hope the shots go well. One of my cats may be heading towards diabetes if not have it already, so I may be doing shots someday also. My vet says, "there's nothing to it" but I question whether I could do it! I have enough fun "pilling my cats twice a day! Oye.

Hang in there. We're here for you!

Talking about pilling cats, my vet's father (who started the clinic) was filling in one day and I told him it was a little difficult getting Samantha to take her thyroid tablets (they were really small, but getting her to remain still was hard). He gave me a syringe (w/o the needle) and told me to chop up the pill into some water, draw it into the syringe and then "shoot" the contents into her mouth, then let her run off.

Well, it worked! She was willing to tolerate that opposed to regular pilling. Of course, when I was on vacation and I boarded her at the vets, they couldn't understand why she wouldn't accept the regular pilling method. I forgot to tell them that this is how I did it. My vet looked at me and asked why--I told him his father showed the trick to me. He was "no wonder she kept hissing at us!"

MaryS, good luck with your door and alarm system. Better safe than sorry, although I heard alarm systems can be a little tricky.

Oh yes! I use the syringe method also. I crush the pill, mix with a tiny bit of water and then add a couple of drops of lactulose, which I have to give one of the cats for constipation! LOL. TMI!! When they get bored with that, I give it to them wrapped in a tiny dollop of cream cheese. But I have to switch it up allot. They seem to do best with me just pilling them, even though they hate it. I really have been very lucky getting them to take their thyroid meds. I agree that traveling is the hardest, because I have nobody to pill them and they would NEVER go to the kennel, even at my most dear vet. They've been indoors for the 14 years that I've had them. They are so good and sweet. I love them so much. The pills have been in their lives for almost 2 years now and that's about how long it's been since I've been able to travel. It's a bummer but they are worth it.

The door is getting fixed on Friday and I met with ADT for an alarm system today and think I'm going ahead with that. You're right, better safe than sorry.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

Back home from shooting my food show and about to go on the great walk in a day. Good to be home but it is also weird as the family get into a groove with out me and though I know they love me when I come home I upset that groove and it is difficult. That is what happens when you go away for a time.

I am tired from the last three months of travel and work - I have enjoyed it but now as it is finished I need to come down from it and find that balance of being at home and so do my family.

It will happen but not without it's rough spots.

Got to go one is coming on now :)

Thanks guys, for your encouragement and support! Kitty has perked up enough to really fight me on the injections. I can't even get near her with the needle now--right now I wish I really had about 6 arms to do what I'm supposed to do with the drip bag, the clamp the other thing that controls the fluid flow, pulling up the cat skin, injecting the needle and holding her in a comfortable position in place, can't they just let the cat drink the fluids?!?

Mary S. I hope your home will be safe and no more shattered glass from whichever cause!

Paul, good luck on the walk & for you and your family, may your transition to being back together in one place not be too rough! I know what you mean about that though, it's the same for me when I go home, even though that's just a visit, I find it difficult to be the daughter tied into a specific family life style without the freedom and independence I have in my own life. But we work it out, because we want to, don't we?

Paul, I thought you already left for the Walk! :)

I recall similar problems with my ex. He was working nights and I was working days and when we were around together it was a bit wierd because we were so used to being on our own schedules. (That's not what broke us up, however . . .)

Wishing you the best on the Great Walk. I've received some updates from Olivia and they include video so we can see what's happening.

Evelyn, when cats get better, that's when the real fun begins. I guess it's like anyone, once you're better the last thing you want is to be bogged down by medication and such.

Nice weather in Chicago this week. I wonder who will show up to class tonight?! ;)

Best wishes to you on your walk.

Hello to all the PCs--You can sponsor Paul as a walker more than one time!

Best health to Paul and your family.
Get well soon to the ailing cats, and hello to Cat, our webmaster.

Walk, don't run, up the Great Wall, Paul!!!

Paul, best of luck on the walk!

I'm still alive and well. Its been a bit crazy here lately, and I have a couple of busy weekends coming up. (Plus, I'm not entirely sure what day my father is arriving for his summer stay. *sigh*) But things are going well. The entire outside of my house is done, now only the inside repairs remain. I hope this means I'll be back in my own house within the next couple weeks. :o)

That's great Sarah--I hope all the repairs are done soon and that your insurance covers as much as possible.

Liz, that's a great idea--sponsoring Paul more than once.

Glad you like the idea, Melody. ALL THE PCS AND MM VIEWERS CAN SUPPORT PAUL ON THE WALK MANY TIMES OVER. It is as easy as using a credit card, but for a good cause. This is one instance where we have the chance to give, rather than buy one more thing online.

The ff is a very personal essay by Paul on one of his passions.

http://www.beerandbrewer.com/content/view/37/65

Let's support Paul's Walk on The Great Wall!!!

Melody, my insurance has already cut the check and it was for more than my contractor estimated. So there may actually be some left over. :o)

I do hope the walk is going well!

Ah travel! I am delayed at the airport with the flight being delayed from 10.20 to 11 to 11.20 to 12 and now to 2...stay tuned for more delays....

I now have about 39 sponsors so thank you to every one who took the time to sponsor me I really do appreciate it!!

I should really start another post but as I am at the airport I wont;

News is: New Zealand Dancing With The Stars is all finished and went really well. The right person won it and the final was great. Monty - the ex rugby league boxer came second and I think really embodied what the whole show is about - finding the dancer within and fearlessly letting it out. Temepara (the lovely winner) did this also but I think ultimately it is harder for a guy to do this - simpley they were both terrific!

Mercurio's Menu has finished shooting - so yes I am unemployed once again and for how long I dont know. The ratings for the show are still going very well so I feel confident in that we will do another series the questions is more a when than an if although you never know about the if part until the ink is dry on the contract I will let you know. I enjoyed the journey and am glad that I got through the shooting of the show and going to NZ every week - I can work hard when I need to - mosat of the last 8 weeks has been seven day working weeks something I havent done for a while. Funny this business isnt it? You either have too much time off and then too much time on.

I am looking forward to my walking the wall experience. There is much about it that hasnt been filled in regarding schedule etc so it is a bit like going on a mystery tour. I bought a little digital camera this morning so I will make sure I take plenty of photos and chronicle the trip here in another post (I will have to remember how to put pics on the site?)

Kids didnt want me to go this morning I think they need a good Dad fix and mind you I need a good Kids and Wife fix! If we do go into another series I will need some time at home to get recipes together and to get back to the gym as I amy have put on a kilo or two with all the travel and the travel food that goes with it not to mention the beers after a hard days work!!

mmmmmm will have to work out a work out routine for when I am on the road! A little hard when you are exhausted but needed.

Just saw my post above which I didnt think posted successfully - I think I sounded tired and emotional which I was :) Feeling better now.

Happiness to all!

Definitely happy walking and exploring, Paul and of course safe travels.

Kitty is doing better, she even gained 10% of her body weight back in one week (granted since she'd gone down to 4 pounds that's only 0.4 lbs... but a good start) the hear murmur was almost gone too and she's interested in her surroundings and more playful. This has lifted my spirits too, even though she isn't out of the woods yet and may never fully get out of there, and now I must go off to sleep :)

Sarah, as much as a tree falling on your house must 'suck', getting more money from the insurance company that the repairs cost, must at least make that experience sweet(er).

Looks like you really miss spending time with your family and sound rushed to have to travel away again. Last few mos quite intense: for us PCs hard to keep up with all the new stuff. Glad your show has strong ratings and that there will be more to come. I like your approach to dance in DWTSNZ as you were more about the dancer as a storyteller, going back to the primitive roots of dance. Olivia (we're on a first name basis now ;) has been emailing us about the walk. Your part is the hardest and steepest we were told and that the weather can get very hot. No mention of significant altitude change. Hope you get some rest before the Great Walk. Can you do Mercurio's Menu -- The China Episode?

Hey Liz--what a great idea-MM--the China Episode!

Paul I would think with all the running with chickens and now the Great Walk you needn't be worried about any kilos coming on!

Here's to some family down time when you return from China. In the meantime, we're in your corner rooting you and Olivia's team onward and upward! :)

Sarah--that is great news. It seems it worked out well and to your advantage.

Evelyn--I'm glad Kitty is much better. Your heart just breaks for them, no different than with other family friends.

Happy weekend all!

Paul – congratulations on your very worthwhile undertaking and I hope it raises not only loads of money but much awareness also.

As for gaining weight, maybe you should consider taking up ballroom dancing! ;o) According to the stars on DWTS America they have all lost 20-40 lbs since starting the show! (My metric is terrible – like 9-18 kilos?). LOL – I don’t know what they were doing before, but for those of us who danced for years it’s a miracle we didn’t just disappear at some point!!!

Sarah, we may be the world’s WORST correspondents - I’ve found my soul mate! LOL

Stay well all.

It finally arrived today in the mail, my very own oh so not green green card :) I'm officially a permanent resident of the US now--long way coming and tough going, I'm only 4 months short of having lived here for 17 years :) OK, so the processing didn't take that long, but at times it sure felt that way. I shouldn't complain, as nearly 2 years is relatively quick processing at this point in time. But I must say, it was kind of anticlimactic or a let down to just open an envelope and pulling it out. Planning on celebrating this on at least 2 continents in the next few weeks! If you happen to be near St. Louis in the next few weeks, or in Heidelberg at the end of May or in Munich in June and July, let me know and we'll go celebrate! :)

Happy hiking to Paul!!!

Good for you Paul! Glad you're energized now and ready for the walk. I was thinking, with the talk of our animals, what it's like for them to accept an "outsider". For a little bit, they his or growl and then soon, they are all snuggled up and sleeping together again. I'm sure you and the family are snuggling physically and emotionally again by now.

Have a great walk and hopefully you will get a little down time to just laze out soon!

Looking forward to your walk on The Great Wall. Thank you for being such a creative presence and being authentic and sharing your thoughts and adventures with the PCs. I know you are waiting for the lull after all these activities. Wishing you well. As MaryS says may you hiss and growl your way back into the home den...May you be safe in your journey.

Here's the latest photo on Paul's Walk:

http://live.greatwalktobeijing.com/index.php?act=walker&wID=7287

Congratulations, Evelyn!

Thank you Melody!

Evelyn, congratulations on receiving your green card (even if it isn't actually green). :o) I'm also glad your kitty is doing better.

Rosie, we definitely are horrible correspondents. LOL

Melody, we still on for this coming weekend? I haven't heard from you lately.

Good news in my neck of the woods: it appears the only thing left to be done at my house is the painting of the repairs to the kitchen ceiling. This makes me very happy, and means I will most likely be able to move back into my house entirely this weekend. (I already took a load of stuff down tonight that I won't need this week.) The bad news is that my dad will most likely arrive here before I get to vacate these premises. LOL

Liz, thanks for the link. Its great to have someone who can keep us updated as you do.

I've been sending good wishes to Paul for his walk.

Dear Paul,

I got an acknowledgement from the Olivia Newton John website, and all the pictures of the Walk.

What an undertaking, and what a "mitzvah" (great deed) that you and the others did; it was so grueling, but I can understand the high and sense of accomplishment that everyone must have had at the finish line

Thank you for your participation. Hope you can now
get home and relax a bit, and get on with your projects!

Melody and Sarah, hope you are able to meet
in person! I know how special that first time will be; Evelyn and 8 others from PC met for the first time in 2005 here in Florida during my "Follies 2005" weekend, and strong friendships were forged.

Now we know that the power of a special film and
its stars can bring people together..in person!

Tara Morice has booked her flight and hopes to be
in Florida in late September for the world premiere of "My Biggest Fan" on our big Theatre screen. She will get the red carpet treatment!

Our whole community is already abuzz...it's "only"
5 months from now, and I have to stop twitching with anticipation at this early date!

Shalom and love,

Grandma

P.S. I think I just had a senior moment with my last post!!!!

Julie was also part of the SB group that came in 2005. She lives nearby in Florida, and we speak and even meet, time allowing.

She was the only one of the SB PCers to meet Tara
backstage at the "Follies" in Febr. 2007, and when
Tara comes again, she will hopefully be ready with her camera to take some great shots that perhaps Cat could eventually post on PC.

Shalom and love,

Grandma

Yes the camera is ready and I hope to do a black and white photojournal of the opening of "My Biggest Fan". It was a great thrill and a surreal moment to meet Tara back stage and have her sign my DVD cover of SB and talk to her.

I never imagined that I would actually have a connection in person and on the web with the two people who stared in the film that keeps inspiring me years later. The best though has been the opportunity to get to know them as people as opposed to just getting an autograph, a thank you for being a fan and thats the end of it in five seconds. I am thankful to have been able to connect in a positive way with Paul and Tara.

As I have said before, Millie keeps inspiring. In my opinion Tara'a project has brought to light an important saying, its never to late to live your dreams. Millie is living the dream as a director, actor and now film star. As Millie reminds me on occasion there are always opportunities to start over and to never think its too late to follow where your heart wants to go.

Thanks Liz for the link to the walk. I believe I can say for most of the PC's we enjoyed seeing Paul work up a sweat ;)

Dearest Grandma, I"m very excited that these plans are coming to fruition.

Dear little Freyja took a radical turn for the worse last night, so I had to put her to sleep this morning-I'm glad she didn't have to suffer long! But being dumped on Sunday by the boyfriend and loosing my best pal on Wednesday is really rough! I know I'm going to pull through this, I am a strong person, but first I must grieve.

Evelyn--while it's good you have your *green* card, so sad to hear about these other incidents.

((Hug))

Julie, that must have been very special for you to meet Tara. I hope I can fly down and witness this wonderful event. After hearing about it from Grandma Mil, it would be so nice to see! :)

Sarah--I sent you another e-mail. I had to change my hotel. Please check and let me know what you think. Still in Alexandria, but near to the DC Yellow Line Huntington station. I hope that works for you.

And of course, go Paul go!! It's grand that Liz is posting the links to see him. (I should also check my email and see if there are anymore notes from Olivia.)

Happy mid-week all!

I had this dream/thought that the blog is not a real blog and that Melody, G. Mil, Julie, Rosie, Sarah, Evelyn, and MaryS are all one person talking through many different characters and that I am actually talking to a ghost writer and not blogging to any one person!? But it has to be a very good writer to come up with such interesting, authentic personalities...

Looking forward to the VA reunion of Sarah and Melody--for real.

Evelyn, I am sorry for your loss. You were doing your best for Freya all these time. Also sorry to hear of your relationship. Congrats on the green card!

Grandma Mil, looking forward to you and Tara and the PCs reuniting. Will see if I can go to FL in the fall.

Paul, I hope you are back home and resting and will soon post pics of you on the Great Wall. You have always gone out of your way to help those who are most vulnerable.

Sarah/Melody - I'm such an idiot - I moved my office upstairs and got a new computer - I've been getting "some" emails so I thought all was right with it. Had to go downstairs to get an email addy off the old computer this morning and found about a THOUSAND emails that hadn't made it upstairs and Sarah yours was one! OY VEY!

I responded to you Sarah, but count me in - just let me know when/where/time and I'll be there!

More proof for our Liz that at least "one" more of us is "real" LOL ;o)

I'm sorry Evelyn to hear about your cat and the break-up.

The other day I had a client come in for a facial at the hotel she's about sixty years old and her retirement job these days believe it or not is doing pychic readings online. After rolling my eyes she said something that I thought applied very well to getting through bad times. It is inevitable and not avoidable to experience a lot of grief in life, that's just how life is. Surprisingly I found this comforting in a way that there will be times we have to go through grief that its a part of life and its not the end of the world but a part of a continues cycle of ups and downs, and even when I have experience the most tragic of times that I thought I would never be able to move on that light at the end of the tunnel still manages to make it and new possibilities and nice surprises happen again.

all my best Evelyne and to everyone,

Julie

Just a little note for Sarah--I responded to your email. I also forwarded the original message that didn't make it. I hope they both come through this time! :)

Rosie, it will be nice to have you join in!

I have a new digital camera. Maybe we can link some photos on PC to share with all of you! (That's provided I actually learn what I'm doing with this thing . . . )

Evelyn, I am so sorry you had to put your dear kitty down. I know in time you'll move past this, but take your time to grieve.

Melody and Rosie, new emails have been sent to you both. There should be two for both of you, so Rosie check those computers!

Melody, I have a digital camera, and I know how to use it! LOL

Evelyn congrats on finally becoming a US citizen and I am sorry about your cat. About being dumped by the boyfriend...all I can say is after the years I have known you here on the corner any one dumping you is either crazy or not worth it!

Ohhhhh Evelyn. I am so sad for the loss of your kitty. I can imagine how much you are missing her. She left knowing that you were her friend who tried to help her. She may show up as a beautiful butterfly who crosses your path one day or a warm and gorgeous sunset. I believe these things are gentle reminders of loves lost. As far are the BF, sometimes those who leave our lives were only meant to be around long enough for us to learn something new about ourselves. I know you will find someone again who will teach you new things.

Life is so stressful for me these days. Work, family, home...all is under construction and I'm not much of a carpenter. Keep me in your prayers or just good vibes. I really need it. I continue to remind myself to be grateful.

Paul, I am looking forward so much to what we hear from you in the next few months. New things coming ours and your way!

Liz, I really got a kick out of your dream!! What a concept, huh? We've all been virtual friends here for such a long time. Some have met, some have not. I have never had the wonderful pleasure of meeting any of you great people but would so love to. I feel like you are all some of my favorite people in the whole wide world! :) I am so glad to have had a Saturday about 4 years ago, that I fell upon a fabulous little campy movie called Strictly Ballroom, having fallen in love with a dear young man named Paul Mercurio, and being absolutely inspired by dance and in the mix, falling upon all of you!!! What a blessing.

Have a great weekend everyone! You are all in my thoughts, and my heart is full from being able to come here to hear about all of your adventures. I wish good things to all of you.

P.S. Liz! Thanks for reminding me that I am REAL!!! That's going to be my weekend energizer!! :)

Let me pinch myself to make sure I'm real and not dreaming... *ouch* ;o) Liz, your dreams sound as interesting as my own. :o)

I don't have the picture ready to post yet (I'm not on my computer since it is packed to be moved back down to my house), but I can tell you that Rosie and Melody are both real as well. I had a wonderful time with them both last night. It was worth getting home reallllllllllly late. (But for the record, it only took me 1 hour, 8 minutes... a drive that would usually take anywhere from 1.5-2 hours.)

Right now I'm just taking a quick break to eat some lunch, then it is back to relocating my things to my residence. I'm so happy to be moving back to my house! :o)

Gald to hear that you are REAL MaryS!!!Waiting to hear the details of the VA meeting of Sarah, Rosie and Melody. Can't wait to see the pics.
It must be good to be able to move back to your home, Sarah. Evelyn, with Paul's comment about having known you all these years, I agree that person is prob not worth it.

Tried the mussel recipe from MM. Tasted really good with the garlic and olive oil in place of butter. The recipe says "start with a good white wine". It is really important to start drinking the wine before you start cooking, and then placing 1/2 cup of the wine into the pot to cook the mussels. Or I may have misunderstood the instructions about the wine, but it turned out very good.

Gald to hear that you are REAL MaryS!!!Waiting to hear the details of the VA meeting of Sarah, Rosie and Melody. Can't wait to see the pics.
It must be good to be able to move back to your home, Sarah. Evelyn, with Paul's comment about having known you all these years, I agree that person is prob not worth it.

Tried the mussel recipe from MM. Tasted really good with the garlic and olive oil in place of butter. The recipe says "start with a good white wine". It is really important to start drinking the wine before you start cooking, and then placing 1/2 cup of the wine into the pot to cook the mussels. Or I may have misunderstood the instructions about the wine, but it turned out very good.

I was just thinking about what MaryS said about how she got started being part of the PCs. Just like you I watched SB and was inspired by the audacity of Scott and Fran. I then learned more about Paul and that he is much more than just Scott and he is very talented and caring person. Tara Morice too is very inspiring--I will apply to be the next biggest fan, well maybe in the first 100 biggest fans. It is hard to really get to know a person--but we are so lucky as Paul has revealed a lot of himself through his writings and his works and sharing what he goes through. Glad to be able to follow such a group of creative people in the PC family.

Thank you guys for your encouragement and support! Obviously, there's a lot on my mind and sure I can rationalize why he pushed me away again (someone seriously needs to heal from his divorce a few years ago!!! and get over his anxiety to be with someone no matter what!), right now he really doesn't deserve me! Needless to say, I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about this summer. I was so excited about finally after 3 years to be able to go home, a little worried about reverse culture shock, but at least he and I were going to be together, I could visit my family and friends whom I haven't seen either and develop our relationship further (Long distance relationships really are hard, even when they are temporary). Now I will be spending 2 months working in the same city where he currently lives, a city I don't know, in a part of Germany that's kind of alien to me, where I don't know anyone. I know I need to make that emotional switch to be open to other new experiences, but I'm not quite there yet. Still need to face the loneliness and sadness that has hit me with the two recent losses.
It's amazing how much a cat can fill a place and how very empty it is when it's just me there at the moment. But one step at a time will get me to the end of the tunnel, even if it may take a while.
Be well everyone and hug and kiss the people and pets etc. in your life, as it's amazing how quickly it all can be taken from you!

Ps. Paul thanks for making me laugh with the "anyone dumping me is either crazy or not worth it" hmm, I may have to go with crazy AND not worth it. Wish my feelings for him would go away, but they are still pretty strong.

Sarah, how is the new-old house? Moved everything back in?

How was the Sarah/Rosie/Melody real life meeting?

Hi Folks!

I happen to go on the website of the walk that Liz provided for us and boy I didn't realize how long this journey was. I can only imagine how much weight all these hikers are going to loose!

I have a new grouping of photo's on my flickr page called "Don't Forget Paris" that I'll have on for a month or so highlighting my trip to Paris two years ago.

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

all my best to everyone!

Julie

I finally got the photo from Friday night's little PC get together in northern VA uploaded. You can view it by following this link: PC in VA

I met both Rosie and Melody at Melody's hotel after my day at work. Our meeting time was set for 8:00p. That gave me time to drive up from Fredericksburg, and Melody time to get settled from the airport. Rosie drove us to downtown Alexandria and we ate at a really lovely restaurant... and talked... and talked... and talked. LOL It was really wonderful to sit and talk with these two ladies and feel as if I already knew them, and hear more about their experiences and find more similarities between us. (I even learned that Rosie and I have a common acquaintance in the theatre world.) Even after we returned to Melody's hotel and were trying to say goodnight, we still sat in the car and yapped longer. It was truly a fun night. I'd love to do it again. :o)

Argh, the link in the post didn't work, but if you click on my name the link should work.

so who is who in the picture? Thanks for sharing it, Sarah!
I do remember how amazing and fun it was in 2005 when I met several people from PC in real life. Truly amazing!!! I'm actually going to meet Linda (who hasn't posted here in ages) this week, when I will be in MI for a conference. We've done that every year since meeting in FL that year. And maybe I will see Monika from the Netherlands when I'm in Europe this summer.

I'm really glad the three of you were able to meet!

Sarah, I like your photo best!! While I'll try to get mine on board, they're very similar.

Evelyn--from left to right, Sarah, Rosie, Melody.

My cousin's wedding was great--the weather could not have been more perfect for an outdoor wedding.

It was a fun weekend, and meeting Sarah and Rosie was really great. We could not stop talking!!!

I hope people can see this as I saw a new post from Paul, but didn't want to post this after his intriguing poem.

Gosh I HATE that picture of "me" (okay I hate ALL pictures of me)! But, we had a wicked good time eh girls?

Rosie, I know what you mean--are any of us ever that satisfied with photos? :)

It was a good time. I heard at the wedding that two others went to Old Alexandria Friday night and took the ghost tour.

Maybe next time!