Paul's Corner

Lost her a week and a half ago. A very loving and very valued member of the family.

A bright, happy and vibrant personality - she collapsed one morning and died several hours later - terribly unexpected, thankfully quick and painless.

We miss her.

This photo does show Lady's loving, happy nature quite well. She was a beauty! I'm so sorry for your loss; hugs to you all!

She will leave a whole in the fabric of your family, irreplaceable, but maybe one day you will give another dog a loving home in her place. I'm sure she would want that. You all will know when the time for that is, if it is to be.

I am sorry about Lady being gone and the whole family missing her. She lived a long life and when her time came it was fast. Was she the same dog in one of your JetBlue article, I will have to look that one up in the blogs--I have been posting long enough to keep track of all the links. I'll look for it.

Was this lady on the last part of the article, pls scroll down to the end, it looks like her with you on the article:

http://www.jetstarmagazine.com/story/somethings-cooking/293/

Awe what a lover. She looks so hugable and lovable. I'm so sorry that she's gone Paul. It will take time to stop missing her. In fact, I don't think you'll ever stop missing her. What a blessing to have shared those years with her. So sorry.

Dear Paul and all, I have been lurking but not writing lately; had my eyelids done 2 weeks ago and slowly, slowly getting back to "normal".

Paul, the sight of you dear Lady startled me for a moment. She so resembles the companion dog that our daughter Leah received to assist her in daily
living...Leah, out of the blue, came down with
multiple sclerosis last year.

It was quite a shock; Leah, 49 years old, and a twin, was a physically active person, in running, swimming and biking marathons. She has two college kids, and was divorced years ago.

Now she cannot walk without assistance, and Linus,
her Golden Retriever, is her living cane. Leah attended training school for almost a month with Linus and he "graduated" with high honors, and we
just adore him; Leah has a special harness that she puts on Linus that she holds for balance...with that harness she almost walks normally, and she can go on with her life. She drives, works, and travels with Linus, and by law
can go anyhere with him...he's been in the best restaurants, and even in first class on a plane trip!

We all feel your sadness; Ellie and I personally
hope and pray that Linus will serve our Leah for many years.

Ellie and I are grateful for Leah's upbeat attitude, and to Linus for helping her. We
call him our granddog; I always say that Ellie is
his grandpaw. Linus knows 100 commands..some people can't manage that!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Grandma Mil, Linus Levine and Lady Mercurio are great friends to have and are truly part of the family. Glad to hear you are healing and that Leah has Linus as her topdog. Meanwhile I am busy procrastinating; here's the latest scoop on Paul
href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0908/S00075.htm"Paul in NZ Beerfest Draws Record Entries

I forgot how to write HTML: so here is the link for the NZ Beervana with Paul.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0908/S00075.htm

Paul,

It has been 9 years since we lost our German Shepard mix, Max, and I still cry. I thought having more dogs I would not miss him as much or feel as guilty for not being able to save him. I will always hold him in my heart and miss him. It still hurts to the bone sometimes. That is normal and I think healthy.

I said before that I think our animals are still with us and I think when I think of them out of the blue for no reason, that they are there with me, I just cant see thier spirit. It helps me feel better to believe that.

I hope your family does heal quickly, but not to quickly, you need to take time to process eveything each and every day. I hope the girls are doing fine. Remember not to get another pet until you are comfortable with Lady being gone. The new dog will pick up on it. Lady deserves to be remembered and cherrished for as long as it takes for your family to properly mourn.

I know I make it sound so formal and serious but I have taken the loss of my animals harder than the loss of extended family sometimes. Animals give us unconditional and unending love no matter what we have done or what we have said. They love us forever.

You were lucky to have had each other as long as you did. I pray your family heals as completely and as quickly as possible, if at all possible.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love to the family,
Kelly

Paul, I am sorry to read of your family's loss. Our pets become family and their passing can be as painful as that of any human family member.

Sorry for my silence. Gloria and I were in Quebec (Nominingue in the Laurentides and then Montreal) for six days. We just got home a couple hours ago. Now I'm ready for bed. zzzz...

Paul, I am sad for you that you lost a loving friend. Pets become more than animals to us. They become family members, friends. I have loved and lost many animal friends over the years, but it doesn't get easier. I have three elderly cats whose time is limited and I cherish them. Sorry for your loss.

Yep that is Lady. I was looking for that photo! Sadly I dont have it as it was taken for the magazine shoot and they dont give you them. I do have the magazine at home somewhere.

Thanks for your thoughts! I am very glad to hear Leah is doing well and that she has Linus in her life.

Thanks, Paul; we had some terrible moments for 2 days...Linus was sick and Leah had to rush him to
a big veterinary facility an hour from her home in
New Jersey.

We feared the worst; this large, powerful, gentle dog turned weak, wobbly, and stopped eating.
After a day of tests it was thought that Linus had glaucoma, and was blind.

Treatment began, and as of today (Friday) he was home, and Leah said he seemed better, and was playing with his favorite ball but was rather thin, but his appetite was improving.

Linus was trained to be a service dog for people
like our daughter Leah, who has multiple sclerosis for a year now. The trainers of these dogs were very upset. This is the first case of a dog from their place that had become ill.

They offered Leah a new dog for free, and Linus would go back to them. Leah is going to wait; it will be a hard decision...we love Linus..will keep
our fingers crossed.

Now, good news; Melody is having her flamenco
concert Saturday night and Sunday afternoon...in
Chicago! Melody, if we could be there we would; I informed our grandson who goes to the University of Chicage, to take his girl friend and represent us!

Brava,brava to you, Melody! I am sending you the best wishes used in grand opera: "toi, toi, toi" and means good luck and good fortune!

Shalom, and toi, toi, toi to all the PCers.

Love,

Grandma Mil

Oh man, all the best to Linus and Leah!

And go Melody!!!

G. Mil wishing Linus gets better; Leah must be worried. Linus knows 100 commands--wish he can be ordered to get better.

I echo the sentiments about our dear dear friends spoken here. Our pet companions do not have "issues" like humans and love unconditionally. As much as I love animals, an early childhood experience and then a couple of other sad experiences made me so timid about having a pet when I became an adult. I finally did get my two sweet cats almost 15 years ago, and as you know, only a few months ago, lost Aspen. I had not cried so hard since my husband died suddenly in an accident at the young age of 29, leaving me and two small children alone in the world. I didn't want to ever feel that pain again. But now that some time has past, I can say that it was all worth it and more, to share the years I had with my little sweetheart, Aspen. He loved me so very much and he knew how much I loved him. Now it's his brother Boogie and me going on. Boogie has been smothered with so much love as to make his adjustment easier. He's old and not in perfect health, but he's enjoying his life still.

A man and his dog is a very special relationship and I'm sure Lady was an intricate part of the family for sure!

Millie, I sure hope that Linus is o.k.! Do they know what happen? My son's dog had parvo some years ago. He is gone now, but as ill as he became, with a ton of TLC, my son and wife did get him well and he lived on for many healthy years, although he became kind of a "baby" after being that ill. He was adorable and always "milked" his experience for extra love, which we were all more than happy to shower him with. I hope Linus is getting a lot of pampering and will be up to par asap.

Take care everyone and have a good weekend.

GMIl,

Cant they keep Linus and get a new guide dog? Is it a matter of money? You can't just give your pet away like that it would be so hard!! OMG
I swear had it not been for my pets I think I would have gone mad the last few years.

If it is a cost thing, How much is a guide dog, maybe we can take up a collection for her, here on the corner. I am not working and am in serious finacial strain but I could throw like $20 or $30 in the pot twords a new one so she can keep Linus also!

Tom has finally stopped yelling at me to get rid of a couple of our 4 dogs as he has realized that he would go before they would go. I know, so harsh right, but he is unsympathetic to me and not comforting at all, he was raised by a marine, so the dogs are were I get my affection. So either he goes and I keep the dogs or the dogs go and I resent him soooooooo much that it destroys the marraige anyway.

It would be hard I don't know what I would do.

My pets are everything to me, I will never love them more than Tom or the kids, but they are defensless and they didnt ask to be part of our home, we brought them here and bred them and I take that serious.

Anyway,,,, enough of that. I love my hubby and I am sure I will not be forced to make that decision. GOOD THING

Love to all,

Kelly

Hi Paul. Not sure if you remember me, from North Lake Senior High when you lived in Coolbelup we became friends when you first moved there. I no wlive in Mornington and my mother inlaw works where your daughter is going to school.
If interested no hassles would love to talk some day so get my number from my website. Cheers.
Pete

Dear Kelly,

Thank you for your offer to help Leah and Linus; you have a loving and generous heart!

To date, Monday morning, Linus is doing well, slowly but surely. When all the blood work comes back a determination will be made whether it would be wise for Leah to keep him as her service dog.

If not, the breeder will give Leah another Golden
Retriever at no cost. Linus would probably be
put up for adoption.

Thank you again!

Shalom and love,

Grandma Mil

G. Mil I am happy that Linus is better and that he does not have to work as a guide dog and still have a good home.

The friend of Paul, as you are in PCLand, we are curious to know how Paul was like in high school--we would love for you to share a story but with his permission of course.

Melody, how are you doing after your dance festival? Would love to see pictures and you may be on FBook but I disenrolled as I have too many friends friending me to link to and I just got overwhelmed.

G. Mil I am happy that Linus is better and that he does not have to work as a guide dog and still have a good home.

The friend of Paul, as you are in PCLand, we are curious to know how Paul was like in high school--we would love for you to share a story but with his permission of course.

Melody, how are you doing after your dance festival? Would love to see pictures and you may be on FBook but I disenrolled as I have too many friends friending me to link to and I just got overwhelmed.

So sorry to hear of your loss Paul, hug to you.

Hello Friends,

Paul, I was sorry to hear of your loss. I've lost cats before and can understand. I have two cats, Marty and Miranda. They are like family members and I believe they love us, too!

Look who came out of the woodwork! Hi old friend, abeth! I hope you are well and happy. Tell us what you've been up to ok? I too had two cats and lost my baby boy of 14 years a few months ago. Aspen is still missed so horribly that when I think of him, I become aware that I am still pining for him. :(

PCs who will be in New Zealand, Paul will be in Beervana 2009--the lucky ones who can make it to the beerfest:

http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/69273/beer-reviews-a-taste-summer

Hello Paul and Cat, one of the other judges is from OR! (Widmer Bros)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/2749063/Week-of-discovery-brews-at-festival

Correction: David Logdson is part of Wy east, an Indian name for Mt Hood, and specializes in fermentation art/science. Not from Widmer as I noted above; here is the link:

http://www.wyeastlab.com/au_industryinvolvement.cfm

Wow!! I was very busy with final preparations for our concert and so much to catch up on!!

First of all, to Paul and his family, very sorry you lost your loving family member in Lady. She strongly resembles Cheyenne, the dog on my brother's in-law side that may see her own time soon. So hard to lose our pets because they are beyond "pets" and do become true family to us. Hug to all of you. :)

Paul, don't give up entirely on the possibility of future choreography--dance steps are always tapping on our shoulder, even if only in our hearts.

On the lighter side, wishing Paul and family all the best with their new home.

Evelyn! No more head concerns--please! Wishing continued good health.

MaryS, good thoughts to your sister and your family.

Grandma Mil was very kind to mention our concert this past weekend. It turned out well and we're very happy with the success as well as the good dancing that prevailed. Everyone outdid themselves! I'll post some of our pictures on Facebook and will mount the link soon for you to see.

Happy week to all PCs and hugs, too!!

Hey all,

I just ordered my school books! WOOT!! WOOT!!

I start next Monday, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ITS REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN, IM GOING TO COLLEGE!!!!!

Hey Abeth, Hows it going?

Love to all,
Kelly

Welcome back, Abeth! Study hard--all the best!

OK, PCs, here are some show pictures from my Facebook album.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2194058&l=b3934124f1&id=723484024

I'm so happy for everyone! ¡Bravo la compañia!

Oh-oh--my fingers skipped right over Kelly's name--

Amended--Kelly, study hard--all the best!

Sorry, PCs, mentally danced-out over here!

Thanks Cat for the Sunny's Paul appearance article with great photo; so the PCs are caught up with the latest and also do not forget the NZ Beervana if you are in NZ.

Thanks Melody! I've been illness, injury and surgery free for 20 days, which after July feels like a record and a major accomplishment! :) Hoping to make that last until 2 months and 2 days from now (when I have the next 'head' surgery scheduled).

That is so great for Paul!! Thanks Cat for posting that for us. (Nice headshot, too.)

Evelyn, so glad you're doing better--don't count those coming days as they'll be here soon enough. Go for all you've got!

Take care, PCs!

PCs in Wellington, New Zealand, you are lucky:

YOU CAN GO TO SEE PAUL AT THE NZ BEERFEST!

The above is a link that will give you more info on Paul in NZ; so click on the above link if you want to know more.

PCs, Paul in Mundoo Island MM with great dance moves by Paul

See the Jack Russell Terrier herd cows and share dinnner with Paul and his guests

Thanks PCs do keep watching Paul's video as it has jumped to the Most Viewed List in the Travel Category and it is only one day old. (You can look at the stats on YouTube)

Keep Viewing PCs!

Thanks Cat for placing the video on the front page!!!

I'll have to rewatch the video at home so I can hear it. How cool that it's the most viewed in the travel category--way to go!!

(And, of course, nice arabesque solte on the bridge there, Paul!)

Thanks for the video!

nice moves Paul, I love your sense of humor on the show, I sure wish we could get it in the states. The scene were you are talking to the dog in the car and wind was blowing your hair way back away from your face you looks just like you did in SB. It was eary. Were can I get some of that wind to take me back to the 90's???

Hows Selby?

Love to all

Kelly

NZ Interview--listen to Paul in this interview-- news on his book and his plans for a brewery cafe...how being part of SDC was a rebelious move to be able to dance his own steps...Paul as his usual candid self

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/20090815

NZ News:

http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=10562

(Hello Cat will post here for now until you decide if it goes elsewhere in the blog)

The interview is interesting; the interviewer may not be as experienced or did not do in depth research before the interview--well she is not Terry Gross (the great interviewer from NPR) but Paul gave candid answers despite her frequent interruptions.
Still listen to this interview as Paul is in it.

Sorry for my negative review of the interviewer; I was not used to the shock interview style (i found it annoying) yet Paul stayed true to himself and said what he meant. I like that he is firm about what he really means.

What do you think? PCs both active and the lurkers. Weigh in on this. See link above.

NZ PCs it is your chance to see Paul live at Beervana. Now.

Impressive lineup of appearances by Paul; do not miss the interview, you can listen to it here.

And of course, Beervana

RADIO NZ INTERVIEW!

ATTAIN NIRVANA in BEERVANA

Liz, thanks for posting the interview with Paul--I truly appreciate Paul's candidness and I liked his comment at the end about being nurturing. All PCs will enjoy hearing Paul and his openess.

I also caught up with the MM video Cat posted (thanks to Liz)--that would be a fun tour--maybe if I ever make it to Australia--would be nice to include. First I'd have to survive the flight. I barely make it across the Atlantic to Europe! I just can't sit that long, let alone sleep on a plane!

conclude comment particularly android adaptation contends response

webmate years policymakers led bush ces

Hi Paul,

sorry for not being here for awhile I thought I'd stop by the corner to see how everything is going. My sympathies for Lady I'm sure its been tough loosing her, when I lost my dog about a year ago it was a very trying time in my life. At least she gave you a decade of great joy and those memories will live a lifetime.

all my best,

Julie

Hello Julie welcome back. You and Paul have both lost a loved member of the family.

Melody, I also like the part about nurturing and nourishment. The part where he has marched to his own drum, danced against convention, danced when it was not a what a man was supposed to do, that part I like the best.

Here's more serious beer tasting from Paul

Seriously Enjoying Beer

Seriously Enjoying Beer Repeat

Jeez you guys are quick with the press and interview stuff!!! Thanks Liz and Cat!
I arrived to judge on the Saturday. ON Sunday starting at 9am and finishing at 6.45pm I tasted and judges 68 beers!
On Monday I tasted 55 and on Tuesday only 52!

Believe it or not it is hard work - enjoyable but demanding good concentration. I have been doing interviews for both TV, Radio and print and drinking lots of good beers (note to self need to go on immediate diet when I get home) LOL

Awards tomorrow night which I will host and then 2 days of beer functions and tastings including judging dishes from Wellingtons ten best resturants matched with ten great beers (note to self must go on diet starting when you get on plane to go home)

I am enjoying myself! Tomorrow I am cooking my recipe for beer marinated prawns skewered on asparagus spears live on the TV morning show. The recipe is on Mercurio's Menu if you want to give it go!
Got to go a taste some more beer ( note to self...........

It is so fun to watch and listen to you when you are enjoying what you are doing. 58 beers in 10 hours, that's a beer every 10 minutes. Can you still walk straight? So that is the path to Nirvana. Have fun!!!

I got the numbers wrong: 68 not 58 so that is a beer every 8 minutes...is that the path to Nirvana.

I dont think he drinks a full beer each time probobly just a sip or two from each, with a cracker in between to cleanse the pallet. Still one hell of a good time!

Kelly

I'd still be under the table from day one! LOL

Go Paul!

(Welcome back Julie!)

The staggering path to Nirvana.

Also the legend of the Buddha states that he woke up enlightened after a life of partying and orgies and then he sought the path...

Or Nirvana could be simpler, enjoying the taste of food and good beer--you become fully alive and then you are in Nirvana.

The staggering path to Nirvana.

Also the legend of the Buddha states that he woke up enlightened after a life of partying and orgies and then he sought the path...

Or Nirvana could be simpler, enjoying the taste of food and good beer--you become fully alive and then you are in Nirvana.

PCs log in to TV One NZ to watch Paul soon (9 am NZ time = approx 6 pm PST, 9pm EST)-- ADVANCE NOTICE TO ALL PCS

NZ TV ONE with PAUL

Pls try this link instead:

PAUL ON TV

Correction: the show will be available for viewing 12 to 24 hrs from the time it was first shown.

Also the NZ time I calculated is off: use a time zone calulator for your time zone. 9am NZ = 2 pm PST, 5 pm EST.

Sorry guys.

Liz, are you sure you aren't the one who had about as many beers as Paul says he gets to judge/try? LOL.
I was thinking earlier, this evening is a perfect evening to knock off with a beer on the balcony. So I shall! It's been an already way too long week and it's only Wednesday (but it is the first week of the semester which is always insane, but it feels more insane than normal...)

Glad you are enjoying yourself so much Paul!!! It comes through and hope you enjoy that diet just as much afterwards, grin ...

now where is that beer again? ah, fridge ... off to find beer!

Cheers to you Evelyn and Paul. What are you having? How come the semester has begun? already?

I read about those beer and food parings and I tried Black Butte Porter (which is a stout) with a chocolate brownie and that was good.

Still PCs try the TV ONE NZ link later today as the show will be on by then.

At last see Paul on TV

NZ Good Morning with Paul

Liz, this evening it was a Franziskaner Weißbier aus München. :) Yumm! Now if I had heeded the advice and actually eaten something with the beer ... I just noticed how little I actually ate today (and yesterday and the day before ... like I said, the madness of the beginning of a new semester) Methinks I will sleep esp. well tonight. :D
[SLU always starts around Aug. 24th, that's why it has already begun. That way we won't push the end of the semester right up to Christmas.]
Is that my bed, I hear calling? I think it is :)

For those wondering what's up with Liz's link, sadly, the video is not viewable outside NZ. WAIL!

Hello Cat, O Webmaster, thanks for editing and fixing stuff behind the scenes.

I think the link works but the download takes around 60 sec with a dark screen that takes forever but it will then load--Would like to see how other PCs do.

Thanks for front page layout--more PCs will find the links rather than here in the PC Corner.

I had no problems with the NZ Good morning prawn cooking clip. Thanks for posting it Liz!

NZ TV News placed the Sparky The Jack Russell clip in this video of Paul in a great and funny interview; see for yourself

Paul NZ TV News

Thanks Cat for the archives on the front page!

Quake in NZ
Paul causes the beer world to shake and there is also a real quake with no damage reported. Be safe! It was not just the beer and Paul--the ground shook for real

Also the PCs would like to greet Mrs. Mercurio a Happy Birthday as Paul mentioned in the Good Morning NZ show. Happy Birthday, Andrea!

Quake in NZ

Happy Birthday, Andrea!!!

Update for the PCs -- Paul's Book will be out soon in the bookstores--see Mercurio's Menu section see link right hand corner above--the book will hit the bookshelves in November SEE BOOK COVER in the MERCURIO'S MENU section. So much to keep up with for the PCs.

International PCs -- we need to know how to order the book for shipping or will it be at Amazon etc or will MM ship it for us?

Here is the info in the library catalogue; you can have your bookstore order it for you -- that may be one way to get it or have your library purchase a copy for their collection or you can go to a booksigning in Australia and have it signed by Paul in person, that would be much better.
Mercurio's Menu The Book

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4603199?lookfor=Mercurio {format:Book}&offset=3&max=88

Thanks Cat for leading us to the Aussie bookdealers that will likely get the book for us!!! Thanks a lot!

I'm gone a few days and so many new things posted!

Wow! I'll be catching up tonight. Back to work for now!

Oh, and my niece, Nina, turned 17 today. Those 17 years went by way too fast! :)

Paul News:

http://thelocaltaphouse.blogspot.com/2009/07/paul-mercurios-beer-chilli-feast.html

Wow--that would be awesome. Only to be in Australia for the feast!

So, Paul, how is the new house coming along?

I hope PCs are having a good week. Less than a week to vacation for me!