Paul's Corner

In hindsight, I've had perfect moments that I was too blind to see at the time.

Thanks for the reminder to look.

Perfect. Even imperfection is perfection. I know this to my core, but it doesn't make being human any easier. I guess the difficulty is also perfection.

Thank you Paul. Very good!

Nothing to add; how can you improve on something that's perfect?

Thought about Rita your friend who was a dancer and broke her hip. Reminded me to do weightbearing exercise and take Ca plus Vit D.

And I stumbled on beer as helpful for preventing osteoporosis from a study by UC Davis(really good school, has an enology program, one of its kind in the US)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/08/drinking-beer-prevent-weak-bones

Wonderful, sorry UC PCs missed the booksigning

http://www.beaumarisbooks.com.au/Paul-Mercurio.php

Your shows are really fun to watch. Are you acting in the show as yourself or you are just being yourself? The MM show has a playful quality to it fun to watch.

Also any tips on pairing chocolate with beer, as beer is a traditionally guy thing and pairing the 2 makes it more interesting for us, but this is just a stereotype. There was a beer and chocolate pairing dinner event that was very exclusive and sold out and you have to be in the in crowd to get a ticket. Well I was in the out crowd, so is this really a good concept, beer and chocolate like wine and cheese?

Evelyn, Sarah, and Melody I just realized you had a snowstorm (massive) that hit the east coast. I hope you are all ok.

Wow, I come back after the weekend and find Paul's really moved ahead on his posts--so I'm going to seem a bit retro here.

Mary, again you, your sister and your family are in my thoughts and I certainly understand how hard it is to let go. Hold all your moments dear in your hearts.

Which leads to Paul's most recent comments on perfect moments. I know I've certainly been distracted to only realize later how perfect something was when I wasn't "looking" or preoccupied with my own view of perfect. Spot on as always, Paul.

Also hoping your dad's partner, Rita, will heal quickly. I knew that Rita's (Moreno) voice was dubbed in WWS, but I always believed "La Moreno" did her own dancing. Will pull out my DVD and re-check the mambo and "America" dances. I will say this, Ms. Tanner's partner, George Chakiris "Bernardo", was awesome in his own right, and how fortunate she was to partner him on film.

We're OK in Chicago--so far--with the snow. The storm on the east coast by passed us. But there is a new front coming and they're saying up to 1 foot of snow, which will start later tonight.

Thanks for your thought, Liz!!

Liz, thanks for thinking about us, though St. Louis really is midwestern, until the snow hits, then it suddenly turns very Southern! :) So far so good, but the snow is falling, not sure how much we will get. The FR snow storm missed us mostly too, just a little bit of snow then. Made for interesting 15 KM race course conditions Saturday morning, esp. the inclines were rather icy and slick. Proud of myself as I've never run 15 KM in one go before and the conditions weren't the easiest ones. I"m proud I finished the race and am sufficiently sore today, Maybe some yogilates and stretches are called for this evening?

Perfection-that's a tough one, though I've experienced it too esp. when I manage to move myself into that deep inner peace. It's so serene in that place, the weight of the world falls away, the stillness is awesome.

No more snow!!! I'm getting cabin fever from all the white stuff. We got another 2 feet (minimum) over the weekend and now we're expecting another 7-14 inches between Tuesday and Wednesday. Can Spring arrive already?

Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike weather-telling groundhogs?

Liz, people who meet me often say that I am exactly like the person on the show - so - I am not acting on the show I am being as who I am and as honest I am am able to be. In short you are pretty much getting the real me. Of course I am also performning in the sense that I am aware there is a camea often 6 inches from my face so there is a bit of show man ship going on but nothing more (and possibly in fact less)than what goes on at home sans camera but with family!

In short I am being not acting.

Ah beer and chocolate a very lucious and sometimes unctious experience!!!! examples:

chocolate, stout and chili icecream
sticky date pudding with a stout and chocolate caramel sauce
Belgian triple ale brownies
mexican chicken mole with Saison ale
Chocolate and brown ale creamy risotto
cherry ale pannacotta with a white chocolate sauce

I could go on but I thing you will get the picture!

I am very glad to say Rita's operation had gone very well and she seems to be doing very well. It is early days yet but so far so good. Thankyou to all who sent the good vibes to her!

dopplebock chocolate cookies
stout and chocolate cheese cake
jalapenos stuffed with a chocolate creme fresh and dipped in a beer batter then fried
.......I cant stop now!

blue cheese souffle with a chimay blue chocolate sauce......

With all of Paul's chocolate suggestions, I'll be down for a chocolate bar during lunch!

As I said several posts ago, after looking through Paul's MM recipes, and even these chocolate suggestions, I'm soooooooo limited in my food experiences!

Speaking of Paul's book, I was looking at the pot stickers as I wanted to see how similar they are to our Polish pierogi.

(I always wondered what came first the pot sticker or the pierogi . . . but I did find out that the Mongols brought the pot stickers to Poland during their invasions hundreds of years ago and they evolved in Poland into pierogi.)

Hope to buckle down and try out Paul's recipes ASAP!!

It is you just being that makes the show fun to watch. Great show Paul and great non acting! Off camera with your family you say there is more, so we are actually seeing a muted version of you on the show?!

Just like you Melody I did not know that there is so much to beer and chocolate, I had the idea that the people in the pairing dinner passed choc bars and truffles around and drank beer from bottles, I did not know you can have meals made from beer and chocolate. Notice how Paul sneaked in the chili and the jalapenos and blue cheese.

Thanks Paul! looking forward to your beer (and chocolate) cookbook!

Congrats to Evelyn on the run and in the winter too, so impressive.

Sarah glad to hear that you are getting better and can't wait to get out from under the snowpile.

So Melody how easy it is to go on a culinary adventure in Chicago? Piroghis and wontons and chocolate are not hard to find in Chicago, or even make, as the cookbook shows--I would like to make the panacotta as it seems simple with gelatin and cream.

Thanks again to Paul for showing us how to be adventurous with food and taste and not to be scared about trying new ways of making dishes and enjoying it with family and friends.

Liz, we have quite a culinary experience available in Chicago--I admit that I'm not always the most adventurous when it comes to trying out new places--the fault is really mine. :)

We have a good PBS show called "Check, Please!" where three Chicagoland people check out each other's favorite places. That has helped me and friends get out and try new places we didn't even know exist!

The other reason I came back was to say thumbs up on Paul being the real deal in his programs. Besides the food and recipes he explores, what makes the episodes I've seen meaningful is Paul just being himself. Paul would be a great addition to our PBS Saturday line up of food shows. (hint hint PBS!!)

so we did get snow after all and this morning I already shoveled for an hour and I'm not done yet. GRRR! OK not as much snow as Sarah is getting, but enough to make driving difficult, esp. since St. Louis is horrible about plowing so all the 'side' streets are snow packed and icy and you would think people would slow down and keep bigger distances between cars ... NO, apparently this means speed even more and get on people's backs. OK, I managed to get to work without getting hit. I feel that's a huge accomplishment. Hope the same will be true on the way home.

Thanks Liz! You can either "blame or thank" my boyfriend for getting me into winter races and into running in the first place. during the race, I fluctuate between both, but I do love running with him. during the race, I see him at the start line and then when he waits for me at the finish line :) He has more race running experience than I do. This was only my third race ... and each has been getting longer. But I'm signed up to run my first half-marathon in April ... so I need to keep after adding mileage to my runs.

Evelyn, I hear you about plows! My road only gets plowed by the locals with tractors most of the time. Our main road is generally one of the last to be plowed, but according to my neighbors it was plowed yesterday. (I'm shocked.)

The first flakes in this storm began falling in my area just before 6:00p. It was just light showers, there probably isn't much more than an inch or two of new snow out there right now. However, it's supposed to start getting really heavy around 9:00a and continue on until early evening. The best part? The winds are going to pick up as well and be 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. My neighbors predict we'll lose power again. *sigh* Wasn't 25 hours, 40 minutes without power enough for one week? (And parts of my town are still without power.)

I enjoyed reading the chocolate parings. Sadly I won't be able to even consider the smallest taste for months and months... a year for any paired with alcohol. Ah well, the decisions we make to be healthy.

and a good decision you made too!

Paul for us PCs trying to follow your shows, is the NZ show coming soon? Or is this something that is a secret for now and you will have press releases later? NZ TV One lets us view the shows online not too long (usu same day) after it is aired that is why I am so happy you have shows in NZ. But you don't have to tell us yet if you will announce it later. Best wishes to you!
Your shows are great to watch bec you yourself are having a good time. It sort of unfolds as you tour and visit the growers, farmers, brewers, and fishermen and then create a new dish. It's being in the moment and letting the present just be. And the rest just follows without effort. Here's to more shows!!!

Echoing in after Evelyn, we managed to get up to 12" of snow. I shovelled my back parking space twice yesterday evening. The first was to remove the snow that fell, and the second to remove what was starting to drift in from the winds. My neighbor was cleaning his car off and the snow he was removing blew immediately into my face as I was working on my car!

Only to then find more snow drifted in this morning so 6:30 a.m., out again to shovel and brush off the car. (The rest of our building is done by our maintenance man.) Were it not for teaching later this evening, I would have left the car in its space and dealt with it later.

Sarah it looks like your area is in for another whammy--this is so reminiscent of our snows 1978-79. We received about 20" and then another 20" hit back to back.

I will say this--the snow crews in Chicago did a great job--the main streets were easy to drive on this morning. My hat's off to them working all night.

So, Paul and down under PCs, how's the weather this summer?

Those are heavy snows Melody; so far this winter we haven't had snow; rain only and not very cold; it is the El Nino as the TV weatherman said. But your class goes on and you keep dancing, ole! Sarah is getting the most snow in VA.

Paul gave me a great idea for Valentine dinner with the chocolate pairing--and we can do this dishes at home ourselves! Thanks Paul for the tips--the list is just fun to say and repeat, almost like poetry. Reminds me of the movie Babette's Feast where a woman who is a chef who escaped the French Revolution cooks a meal in a remote fishing town...this is an old movie but is very good.

Thanks to Cat for uploading more Mercurio's Menu videos--she even put up Byron Bay along with Queensland. That is a lot of work. Thanks Cat. I will post the link next or you can go to the Home Page.

Makes me want to run away to Byron Bay and start over as a hippie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvuazHymZWY&feature=channel

Paul, thanks! I think it was a pretty darned good decision myself. Unlike many who make this decision I haven't once wondered if I've made a mistake. No buyer's remorse here. :)

Melody, I think you got more than my area did. The snow was supposed to continue on through the day here, but when I woke the first time at 8:30 this morning the sun was out, and has stayed out the rest of the day. We got maybe a few additional inches overnight, but it's hard to gauge since the winds have been so high. Sadly the winds will be with us into the night. I think I'd rather have snow. LOL

Every time I click on the home page here I see that video with the still of the cherries and they look so good. Oh to have cherries... (They aren't in season yet.)

Sarah, those cherries do look scrumptious! Glad to hear you had sunshine. The wind kicked up last night hence the shoveling this morning--all the drifting!

(Liz, does make you wonder what Paul will do for Andrea on Valentine's . . . )

Melody, the wind is still a'kickin' here. We lost power for a bit this afternoon (I don't know how long because it went out while I was napping). It couldn't have been out more than 2 hours though. I'm hoping everything holds through the night because I don't want a repeat of Saturday night spent stoking the fire.

Oh yes, I wonder what Paul will fix Andrea for Valentine's Day. :)

So while Sarah you're buried in the snow and Melody and Evelyn driving in the slush, any suggestions for Paul on what he can prepare for Valentine's Day?

Suggestion: A trip to that castle of fudge in Tasmania and you can stay there in the castle for the holiday and eat all the fudge you want plus the local beer. This does not sound romantic at all.

Any suggestions PCs?

well spontaneous may be better as too much preparation can make a valentines dinner look staged and each person is forced into a role and expectations etc and that deadens the experience

Since I don't have to make (food) plans for Valentine's Day--he will be in Sweden to give a lecture--I'm thinking more in terms of portable VD gift that can be snuck into his luggage. :)

Like a homemade video--with Paul's clips that would be doable--see how many times in every segment he mentions Andrea and his daughters.

"This is how my wife likes her potatoes... (Veal role episode)
I can't wait to get back home to my wife and kids--end of Taz episode" and many more
Almost all his interviews he mentions them. Now wife if I can only do a compilation of all the small segments, but I don's know how to edit.

Sorry Paul we have been thinking of Valentines' gift suggestions without your permission. :)

typo: Now if I could only do a compilation, not now wife.

typo: Now if I could only do a compilation, not now wife.

Happy Valentine's Day to Paul, Cat and the PCs!
I am early as it is always a day ahead in Australia.

Paul you have been very kind and you are such a nice person. Best wishes to you and Andrea and your 3 daughters.

Sarah, special Valentines wishes in the deep snow of Virginia!

A very Happy Valentine's Day to Paul and family, with thank yous to our dear Cat and Liz for all the updates, and to all our PCs!

*The best fortune is found within your heart."
(I get these daily fortunes on another website and this was today's post.)

I am not cooking dinner for my wife on valentines day as I will be in an airplane going to New Zealand to shoot New Zealand on a Plate for a week. I will be getting back very late Saturday night(next week) and then head off to Canberra to shoot an ep of MM.

I am cooking dinner tonight though - an indonesian fried chicken dish with fresh tumeric, galangal, ginger and lemon grass etc - I may even get her brekky in Bed!

Happy Valentines to you all - remember you got to love yourself before you can love others!

At least I'm not the only one who does not get to be with the one person I want to be with on Valentine's Day. He's in transit to Sweden now. We'll just spread Valentine's Day out over several days, started last night with dinner and a concert that he played in, and to be continued when he comes back Wednesday.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Paul in an article using his skills as chef and a motocycle biker to help a good cause; also sounds like an adventure into the wild

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/02/13/pair-to-bike-trek-over-bush-tracks/

Also if I am a journalist, I will head ASAP to NZ and Canberra to interview Paul (if I were a keen journalist, with what Paul said above, I will be the first to be there to interview him and his crew)

Evelyn, I didn't get to spend today with the person I'd like... but that was inevitable. ;)

I have a job interview scheduled for the morning but I'm not feeling so great tonight. I hope I'm feeling up to driving into town for the interview (and that the little evil one lets me sleep). We have more white stuff coming tomorrow, although it doesn't appear it should be much.

Sarah, I hope you're feeling better and you have a good interview.

Liz, I bet it would be fun to interview Paul, and not by some questionnaire! You kind of know when an article is written based on those. I've read different magazines and they seem to rehash the same story and/or quotes.

Melody, the journalists in NZ will hopefully get some real interviews with Paul--as Paul is filming in NZ--the possibilities--Paul may be in a Maori ceremony or tea time in ChristChurch etc. that's the journo's job to get the scoop. So hope you guys get the scoop with so many leads in here already!!!

Sarah good luck on your trip.

Melody, I was feeling somewhat better (if not a big sleep deprived, grrr) yesterday morning. The interview went really well and they are now checking my references and doing my background check. If all that comes back satisfactory (which it should) they'll call me next week to set up a time for the drug screening. Even being hired by them doesn't guarantee immediate work as they are an agency, but it's a step in the right direction.

Today I'm 3.5 weeks since my last pre-op doctor's visit... and down 29 pounds! I'm very pleased with the progress so far. :)

Great news Sarah--on the interview and weightloss!

Wishing you continued success.

Congrats Sarah, you are very decisive and follow through on your decisions for your health and work. You are a very tough woman.

Congrats Sarah, you are very decisive and follow through on your decisions for your health and work. You are a very tough woman.

I have watched the cherries and blueberries with the crocodile, turkey and asparagus videos of Paul so many times. looking forward to his new series in NZ and also the new Mercurio's Menu Series 3!

Just looking at some history:

Paul does his roles so well the audience gets attached to him in the role, for example,
as the Voyager in Some Rooms (according to Graeme Murphy it was Paul's Bette Noir, his Dark Beast, as he was seen as that young boy even though he changed into a man doing the same role)

Then in Strictly as Scott Hastings, we still see him as Scott Hastings in Australia's greatest movie
Then as Joseph, then as Judge
Then as adventurer chef in Mercurio's Menu,
But he has many other roles...just that the audience become attached to the all the different roles he plays.

So you perform so well you become the character and at times it has become a dark beast that you can't get rid of. Your performances have all been incredible.

So looking forward to NZ on a Plate

While searching for Paul News in Canberra, google gave me a book (A Passion for Dance) about Australia's greatest dancers. There is a chapter on Paul--and the title is intriguing...

Full contents 1. Stephen Baynes: contemporary classicist. -- 2. Maina Gielgud: remarkable years. -- 3. Padma Menon: dance reborn. -- 4. Paul Mercurio: wild card. -- 5. Graeme Murphy: humanity revealed. -- 6. Gideon Obarzanek: daring dance. -- 7. Stephen Page: feet to the earth. -- 8. Meryl Tankard: touching the heart. --9. Natalie Weir: textures and layers. -- 10. Stanton Welch: boundless dreams. -- 11. Appendix: Oral history interviews relating to dance in the collection of the National Library of Australia.

Any PCs who can borrow the book from the library and give us a report, that would be great.

Re latest edition of Strictly Ballroom: I do not see any new features that are not already on the SB DVD disc. I suspect this is not accurate info re a new DVD edition. Also I gather from the prior entries by the PCs that royalties were not rightfully given to Paul with these releases.

http://www.cinemablend.com/dvdnews/Strictly-Ballroom-Dances-Into-A-Special-Edition-April-6th-22798.html

Liz, I read the release about the special edition for SB and it's very much like the one my students gave me about two years ago. Paul and his background is mentioned along with Tara Morice.

Maybe it's a re-release of that DVD which I think was for an anniversary of the film?

Melody, it looks like the same DVD. The commentary with the director, choreographer and set designer is not new and as a fan better to turn off while watching the movie as it talks mainly about props etc. Better if they can get Paul and Tara to comment.

A trove of info on Paul. Amazing!

The librarians in Australia have collected everything in one place including Cat's site. This site that Cat created is part of the National Library Archives on Paul

http://trove.nla.gov.au/picture/result?q=paul+mercurio

Breaking the subject line, but thought this was a lovely prayer--I especially like the line "dance, praise and love"--

Saint Therese's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be..
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God..
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Melody thanks for posting that is just so beautiful. Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you. My work is so tough this is a blessing to read (I usu distract myself with trivia, sorry for the many posts.) Peace. Thanks.

Report to the PCs
As we are limited by not being in Australia, we can only follow Paul on the web. I am amazed at the many different things he does, so many interests. for ex he is cooking with produce from an urban garden see link
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Reforestation/136023370285
then he goes on to help bikers to benefit research and advance the cause of men with depression, which is a real epidemic but often treatment/diagnosis focused on women(from biker article above); as he is a biker too
then he talks about how art should be for everyone, when a reporter tried to say there is high art and then there is art for the masses.

then the love of beer and how it pairs with chocolate

words on google used to describe him: wild card, versatile, creative, principal dancer of the Sydney Dance Co, actor, father, bon vivant, these are just a few.

and the rest you already know.

So some questions for Paul: when is the beer book coming out, or will the MM book for series 2 and 3 come out first? When is your NZ show going to air? Were the Melbourne sustainable living urban gardeners in your show? Can you put in your and Tarah's commentary on the new DVD release of SB? Will you let Cat interview you and then publish it here?

Sorry to sound so fanlike; PCs already know there is so much more depth to Paul than what those details above show. And looking at the past discussions by Paul and the PCs it shows how you guys talked honestly about a lot of things, not just facts on the latest of Paul's work.
But also good to know what he's working on lately.

This is a gem of a story about Mercurio's Menu The Book (from Nigella's blog)

"I've been meaning to add to this thread for a while, but kept getting sidetracked! Some lovely foodie presents there everyone.

I felt rather spoilt this Christmas, I received almost everything on my Christmas list - with the exception of a Tefal Actifry. Ah well, there's always next Christmas... Mother's Day... my birthday... lol

I did received a copy of NC and NE, I was so excited! I didn't think my husband would actually get them for me, I have soooo many cookbooks already.

I actually got him a cookbook as well, it's called Mercurio's Menu by an Australian actor/celebrity cook, Paul Mercurio (he starred in the Australian movie, "Strictly Ballroom"). I came across him signing copies of his book at the local shopping centre, bought one, got it autographed and gave it to my husband for Christmas.

Guess what? He did exactly the same thing! So now, we have two, signed copies of the book. lol"

Liz, I LOVE that story--bet Paul will, too!

Wishing all of you a great weekend!

Liz, the beer book is due to come out August 2011 - yes it is a long way away but it takes that long for a book to be made. I need to deliver it to the publisher by this coming august then they do the photos, design etc It is a Fathers day release which should be good for it.

The Mercurio's Menu book out now is for series one and two. If we do a fourth series (something that looks very doubtful at the moment much to my frustration) then I would like to do Mercurio's Menu book Two series - recipes from three and four. I have two more episodes to shoot to complete series Three and then who knows as there is no talk of series four happening.

Dont really know when the NZ show will go to air but I can say it wont be until the end of the year or even early next year.

The sustainable living gardens we shot for our Melbourne episode a couple of weeks ago. Series Three has started on TV here in Victoria and I am happy to say we won our time slot!! The show airs in NSW from May and hopefully the rest of Australia will get on board then.

Let me be very clear - I have nothing to do with the re release of Strictly Ballroom. They do not call and let me know it is happening, they do not send me a re released version, they have nothing to do with me. They are also not permitted to use any extra footage of me without my permission. I would be happy for them to call me and discuss the use of any extra footage for these re releases and of course negotiate a fair and reasonable fee - something they have refused to do in the past. A re elease is just another money grab on their part.

More than happy for Cat to interview me and then put it up here. I guess you just kind of interviewed me?!

Well yes I just did; thank you so much for giving this surprise interview.

A rerelease of SB is not meaningful for us unless you or Tara add the content to it. We all have the DVD, the most beautiful parts where you dance have been uploaded and viewed by millions. So a new package will not fool us. Your Youtube clips run in the millions in terms of views, I don't know if you've seen that. People cast their vote when they see a great performance--just look at the stats. There's even a site where the bloggers recite the lines to the movie. Your movie has gone viral on the web, there is no stopping it. A rerelease won't work unless there is true content (like your commentary or shots). So I hope those releasing it come to their senses. Same with the Red Curtain Trilogy which was marketed based on the how strong SB was.

Will wait for your beer book--creating a book takes time. Great father's day timing.

I can never figure out why they won't make more episodes--the regions to visit, the seasons, the recipes--there's no end to what you can do. But you told us before the show producers stop shows even when they are very good and don't make sense.

The beer book sounds interesting. I know someone who'd probably really like it. Must keep it in mind for a present. :)

All is well in my part of the world.

I'm keeping those in the danger areas for the tsunami in my thoughts.

Sarah glad to hear all is well and that you have found an option for insurance.

Short article on Paul but with one of my favorite photos of Paul:

http://www.cravingsmagazine.com.au/pub/articles/mercurios-menu_atl784.php

FYI for Paul: the new disc appears to show some deleted scenes with you and your best friend in the movie, so it appears to be new footage. Then there is a commentary by the director that fans say they already have heard in the trilogy DVD. I hope your manager is keeping an eye on this. Best of luck.

Also there is a film of attributed to you called Spilt Milk, is this correct? The bios say you directed, starred and choreographed this short film. The NLA archives or the web does not seem to have it.

RE the deleted scene that is new footage: I cannot find the site again even with repeated searches but remember it was you and your best friend in a scene near the bridge/railroad tracks near Tara's house. (Strange I can not find it again).

Here's the trailer with the deleted scene from the NY Times Movie Review. (I was starting to think I dreamt it and I am startin to lose it.) I know the 1992 DVD does not have the deleted scene as I have a copy and so do millions of fans.

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/47373/Strictly-Ballroom/trailers

I really hope your manager is following up on this and that you get proper credit for this fantastic work. And Tara too.

Sorry to be such a troublemaker; I cannot date the clip above based on the NY Times website--it could be part of the 2005 release; still it is new footage of deleted scenes from the original 1992 DVD. I doubt this is the 4/6/2010 trailer as they would not post the DVD add ons before the release? Hope this helps your manager sort it out. Best of luck.

PCs add your comments/opinions re the new DVD release, that we all want the original actors Paul and Tara to comment and put in new material. Be the first to comment on Amazon and other sites. Let your voice be heard!

Liz, I believe the footage you mentioned is actually on the anniversary DVD released a few years ago. Grandma Millie pointed it out that there was a surprise "egg" that you clicked on (viewing on a computer rather than TV) and sure enough the scene comes through with Scott and his friend talking at Fran's store.

Of course, IF they are offering an entirely different outtake . . . hmmmmmmmm!

It would be nice to have both Paul and Fran included in this next release--I mean, both of their characters made this movie endearing to SB fans the world over. If they are to release it again, it would be the best thing to do.

And Liz, I also like that photo of Paul with the lemon twirling in the air--so well captured!

Hi guys,
I've had some perfect moments in my time and I've enjoied them, but right now I'm not feeling so happy. I'm having a huge fight with someone who I consider to be a really good mate.

I hope we can sort it out.

I am so angry with her and really upset.

It's good that I can come in here and chat to you guys and share my feelings with other Paul Mercurio fans and Paul.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and keep smiling.
Becky

Becky, I hope that your friendship helps to bridge the situation and that you're back to being good mates very soon.

It's so frustrating to have it out with someone you're close to, but hopefully it's only a transition that will bring growth and clarity to you both.

Sending a hug and good thoughts to you! :)

Hello Becky, fighting is tough but as Melody says there is a strong bond that can withstand the fighting.

Melody thanks for the info re the egg--that is why it kept disappearing. Glad that Grandma Mil knows all these computer tricks. Paul's twirling lemon picture is one of the best.

I will post a bio of Paul from the NYTimes--it is one of the better written ones but it cuts off after 2000.

Paul's bio from the New York Times:

http://movies.nytimes.com/person/48517/Paul-Mercurio

Hi Paul,

Everybody loves you in the United States. Have you ever thought of doing Reality T.V. which is big in the States.

Looking forward to seeing more of you.

Jan 0:-)

By the way, I have a friend in Perth at YWAM participating in youth ministry. They are traveling to third world countries to preach the gospel and learning their culture as well.

They are doing wonderful things over there.

I'm also on your facebook.

:-) God Bless

Jan C.

Welcome to the site Jan C.! As for a reality show the Mercurio's are a great family but I believe they are not the type that would create a lot of hype and dysfunction to be on "reality" TV as I see it on TV. I think they are honest, down to earth people and TV nowadays goes for the drama and unreality, but this is just my opinion.

Welcome again, love to have new viewpoints on this blog!

Becky, you are in my thoughts. If you remain strong I am sure you can fix the problems in your friendship.

Jan, nice to have you aboard. :)

I'm currently in Montreal for my birthday weekend. I had a wonderful afternoon (although a bit too short) with one of my friends here. He is very busy currently but he wanted to make time for me since my birthday is this weekend. The funniest part was he wanted to buy me a pastry or something and I told him that I can't eat it. Such a sweetheart. Tonight my friend arrives from Los Angeles, and we will most likely have lunch with another friend tomorrow.

I've spent a number of days (Sunday - Wednesday) sick with a stomach virus. It was not fun but I'm feeling good today and have managed to eat the most out of any day this week (heck, I've eaten more today than the combined of the past days), so things are definitely turning around.

Have a great weekend everyone. :D

a very Happy Birthday, Sarah! Glad you're feeling better, too.

Welcome aboard JanC!

I think paul is a very inspiring actor. You almost feel like you could be there in that moment.
It's like he extends a hand from the screen and pulls you into the scene.
Rare talent that is.

Salutations from the U.S., although I was born in Vancouver, Cananda. I guess I am both.

I think paul is a very inspiring actor. You almost feel like you could be there in that moment.
It's like he extends a hand from the screen and pulls you into the scene.
Rare talent that is.

Salutations from the U.S., although I was born in Vancouver, Cananda. I guess I am both.

Thanks Melody, that was so nice of you to welcome me. I am happy to be aboard. :-)

Thank you to Liz and Sarah too, I hope I didn't miss anyone.

You guys are so nice. :-) What a warm welcome.

I believe that too liz, however I think the world is yearning for a more wholesome view of things.
I think society is missing that terribly.
I think a wonderful alternative would be if paul did a movie on his life.
What do you think?
Anybody from Perth in here? I have a good friend who has a heart of gold for everyone there at YWAM, a youth ministry. She is currently in India and came back from Tanzania, Africa being a mid-wife to the native women there.

She is like a sister to me, and the kindest person you could ever know.

Check back later with you all.

:-)

And Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!
Jan C. your idea as a real reality show sound like it would work. Great work your friend is doing.
Looking for NZ On a Plate News; so far I have been getting tectonic plate news, Pacific Ring of Fire with all the quakes that have happened.

The panacotta recipe I will try making for friends tonight--I did not get a vanilla bean but will use an extract and rasperries are out of season so I will use strawberries. It sounds simple to do...will update with results.

Hi Everybody. Thanks liz for the confirmation.

I have another idea also, I read somewhere that paul is not recieving royalties on "Strictly Ballroom", especially when it is re-released on April 6, 2010.
I pray in Jesus name that during that time there is so much publicity that he and his family are given back everything they should have gotten through that movie and more somehow, and that new doors are opened for paul, with his amazing talent for touching peoples lives and hearts.

I believe God will work it out for him and his family.

In Jesus name.....Amen...Now let's see what happens. :-)

I hope your dinner turns out well, liz and you have a great time tonight with your friends. I have a feeling it will turn out good.

:-) Til next time.....God Bless +

Thanks guys for your thoughts. It's great that I have such great mates through this chat room. I am seeing my friend on Tuesday and I hope to sort things out with her then. I will up date you when I've had a chat with her and let you know how it all went.

Keep thinking of us and I'll chat to you soon.

Happy birthday to you Sarah I hope you have a great day and have some cake for me.

Keep smiling
Becky.