Introduce Yourself to the Drool Conference

Well I guess I will be first. I actually have posted once or twice before but usually choose to remain quiet. However with so many new movies coming out this year I'm not sure I'll be able to contain myself.

Welcome Jodi! Thanks for christening the new topic, and never fear, the inability to contain one's self is pretty common here!

Hi Jodi Glad to meet you:-))

Hello Jodi! Glad you have joined us!!!

Hi Jodi!! Glad you decided to dive in!!

Hello Jodi. How fun to have been the first person in this new topic. Hope you will post more often, too.

Hi Jodi, and a hello in advance for any other lurkers. Come on, dive in, have fun. Lots of new Colin stuff coming our way very soon. We'd love to hear from you.

Welcome, Jodi. The more, the merrier!

Hi Hen, my fellow cruise lurker and also to Jodi! Feels like I'm in this fun "Class" of delurkers. Annette, beautiful flowers, how do you do that?

Welcome, Jodi! This place should open the doors to other lurkers... Firthettes!

Jodi!! We don't bite, though a few like to nibble. It's all harmless. ;-) Looks like the Class of 2003 is shaping up nicely. Off to look for my curriculum and dusting off the midterms and final exams on Firthology 101.

Well, while not entirely new (I delurk on infrequent occasions) I'd like to formally matriculate at this time. Karen, bring on the midterms, bring on the finals. While only an indifferent student in my younger days, somehow I think I'll be a MUCH more avid student this time around.

Welcome to the class Kathy! I wonder if there are any openings in Mr. Ashworth's class? I've read the book where the little bloke kills the big bloke. And I think Women in Love is bigger than...... Oh never mind.

Welcome, Jodi ! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself here! Lots of nice people and good info!

(Beedee)how do you do that? As much as I would love to be thought of as highly intelligent and very giftet in the "posting-area", there really isn't much to it. When I delurked back in November, Tress gave me this link, which explains it all very well (italics, bold, images and so forth) http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html about images - remember to check for copyrights, acknowledgments etc

Well, I have been sort of a "lurker", mainly because I have been trying to learn how to post correctly. So, I have only made two test post, so far. I do enjoy the stories here and the comments. I am a widow,from and still in the South, a retired teacher and business owner, with one daughter(terribly spoiled), who is in college, scheduled to graduate in July. I love to read, watch good movies(too few of them, right now am watching "Now Voyager"(Bette Davis), love crosswords,and playing piano. I do presently work part-time. Today is Mardi Gras, so no work where I live today. THanks!! elaine

Hi Elaine. Aw we all make mistakes ...so don't be concerned about the "perfect post". We just like hearing from you. So stick around.

Hello Elaine!! Welcome to the party! Please stay 'delurked'....we love the company!!!

Welcome Elaine...I'm right with you there, girl (not wanting to make mistakes...lol...)I think I've posted 2 or 3 times now..So far, so good..I love this place, tho..Great reading... Jacqui in MN (USA) Here goes .....

Hi Elaine. Welcome! And don't worry about posting correctly. I think it's tradition that each person has to forget to close the italics tag at least once. ;-) Glad you decided to delurk. It's much more fun to particpate than to sit on the sidelines.

Elaine! No worries. You'll get the hang of things here. :)

ELAINE So glad you've decided to join us. I'm still learning, still making mistakes and I've been here almost a year. You won't find a better place to hang out.

See, still making mistakes.

Don't feel bad Linda, I thought I was the queen of the embarassing little boxes... but here goes again.. Welcome Elaine!! (If the drool gods are with me there should be some sort of cute little picture here instead of previously mentioned embarassing little box)

It's much more fun to particpate than to sit on the sidelines...... Not ready to try the tags yet (but now know where to go to learn) but it is more fun to participate! Hi Elaine, love old Bette Davis movies myself.

Velcome Elaine - there is no place like home (well, this is a second home to many of us, I think ;-)) I chose this rose for your velcomegreeting from the name, which illustratets some of the activities, that goes on here

I'm more than happy to go back to school if I can attend North London Comprehensive and stay after school to help Mr. Ashworth. I'd pay extra! Just don't put me in Miss Jean Brodie's class. LOL. Welcome classmates Jodi and Elaine. Looking forward to getting to know all you better. So far there are six of us, right? Thanks to all the wonderful women at Drool for making us feel wanted.

I'm going to try this once more, If it doesn't work, just let me say a very plain but heartfelt WELCOME to all of our new friends. Glad you are all here, and this is a great topic, Karen. Here goes...

Awwwwwwww!! Thanks you guys! I really feel wanted and appreciated. elaine

Once more, then I give up...for now.

With such an interesting freshman class I hope to drop in more often now. Seems like there is the possibility of progression. I'm still at plain text. I really CAN spell, they're ALL typos (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). From there I hope to get the hang of bold and italics etc. someday soon and then move on to those embarassing little boxes 'til someday I successfully move on to graphics. At the rate I'm going that should be sometime in the next millenium.

Kathy: AT the rate I'm going that should be sometime in the next millenium. Me too, LOL. I'm still at the cut and paste stage but I plan to have graduated some by the next bithday party,........at least.

Elaine and Jacqui !!

Welcome Jodi, Elaine, Jacqui and Hen!!! So glad you all decided to "delurk". It's wonderful to have so many new people coming on board. Because, one, now I don't feel so new and second, the more the merrier. hopefully I didn't forget anyone but if I did, blame it on not having any coffee this morning :-)!

A Serenade to the Class of 2003 from Mr. John Worthing The western winds are blowing fair In the world of Firthology, With folks de-lurking everywhere, And they're all drooling over me. Oh, welcome, Jodi, to the fold, And also, welcome, Kathy C, I'm very pleased that you're so bold As to post droolage about meCome down, Ladies come down. Come down, Ladies come down.Monsieur Valmont dreamed about Hen, And Matthew joined Beedee for tea. And Maya got a welcome from The famous Fitzwilliam Darcy. Hello, Elaine, I'm glad you're here, Jacqui from Minnesota too. You other lurkers - join the fun - I'll sing a serenade for you!Come down, Ladies come down. Come down, Ladies come down.

Wauh - Rika, will there be a delayed entry for the class of 2002? The DVDiva has certainly returned in all her glory;-)

Wow Rika! Thanks. I've always wanted to be serenaded by a handsome man!

Great Rika, I'll never listen to that song again without taking it personally. Thank you, thank you!

Hi! I'm Marilyn, and like most of the newly met members I have been hesitant to have too much to say as my posting protocol is awful. Seeing the rest of you out there has given me a little push. Have just read great book called Improper English, written by Katie MacAlister, and suspected that she must be one of us. Book was apparantly written for ODB and has one or two references to BJD. Sincerely hope the Binders don't get hold of it. Happy to be with you all.

Hi Marilyn!!! Thanks for joining in!! Rika!! Wahoo!! Thanks as always!!

Hi Marilyn: I joined the fun this week also. Welcome aboard, and hope you enjoy you stay. I don't know how to use the emoticons yet, I don't even know where to go to find them. I hope you will forgive my plain text until I learn more about posting. So WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!!!! elaine

Nice to have join our little party here, Marilyn, welcome! Delurking and mentioning Binder will get you noticed quickly. ;-) Do tell us more about that book.

Welcome Marilyn. I second Moon Dreams remark, both on Binder and the book-part.

Marilyn !!

Welcome Marilyn!!

WELCOME EVERYONE! great to see so many delurkers have joined this special place. Rika, loved your class of 2003, just finished playing the CD, so was able to do a welcome singalong , my singing is even worse than Rupe's piano playing:-))

I'm not new...but I've been on a bit of a hiatus! It's good to see that things still look the same around here!

Oh, Rika, you are my hero! Thank you so much for the lovely welcome from Jack. Those dimples are just too, too yummy. I'm still trying to recover from Monsieur Valmont in his satin sheets. Be still, my beating heart! Do I ask too much to beg for a Springtime fashion show? Welcome, Marilyn. I think all of us newbies need to get a study group going before Karen hits us with a pop quiz. Off to look for Improper English.

Hi Marilyn welcome to the class of 2003 from a fellow class mate! Hen, that study group is a great idea! It's taking me a while to catch up on past posts so I don't make the upper class people groan with old material. Have enjoyed reading some of the past film discussions.

Welcome Marilyn and Elaine and apologies to those I've missed. This is so great. You will really have a wonderful time here. It is the best. Enjoy.

Thanks all for the nice welcome. The book I told you about is put out by dorchester publishing,and is a Lone Spell Romance paperback. If you'all don't think one of our illustrious members wrote it I'll eat my copy...may do that anyway.

WELCOME, MARILYN...

Welcome Marilyn! Glad to have you with us, the more the merrier. And besides, every time someone joins, Rika puts up a goody! (She may have outdone herself this time---and yes, that's a dare!) So, who is still lurking out there and aren't you just squirming to post? (Annette) The DVDiva has certainly returned in all her glory;-) She sure has!

Hi Marilyn! Glad you came out to play with us. (Marilyn)If you'all don't think one of our illustrious members wrote it I'll eat my copy...may do that anyway. Awww, don't do that; I can think of better sources of fiber. ;-) Rika, those captures were {AFG)3 = (AFG)x(AFG)x(AFG) Firthamatics anyone? ;-)

Welcome Marilyn and Ruth ...back from vacation. Stick around.

Hi Everyone: Where do I find all of the neat "stuff" that you all use in your posts? All of it is great, especially the "Giggles" roses. HELP!!!! elaine

As to where the clip art comes from, there are all sorts of different sites. If you want to check an individual one, put your cursor over it and click the right mouse button. A menu will come up. Click on "Properties." Most of the time (though not always) it'll show you the Web address of the clip-art site where the person found it. Welcome, Marilyn! Glad you decided to jump in!

Hi Elaine, here is a great resource for a start which is where I am. http://www.austen.com/tutorial/index.html I got this from Annette. I need to spend more time here but then how will I do my study on AMITC. So much Colin, so little time.

(LJH) {AFG)3 = (AFG)x(AFG)x(AFG) Firthamatics anyone? ;-) ROFLMAO now that's math I can do! Anyone in the mood for some plain old fashioned multiplying? ...bisecting angles? (is that legal in the UK?)

Thanks, Beedee and Rika.

Hi, I'm not exactly new but I don't get out much. I just want to say how much I appreciate everyone here, especially Karen and many of you allumni,(oldies but goodies). This is where I come to dream and get my thrill for the day. A hardy welcome to all newbies and other lurkers like myself who wallow in the drool and enjoy ODB so much. You all rock! From a fellow lurker who usually doesn't have much to add. Here's my two cents worth.

WELCOME, Joanne. Even if you're not new...welcome back, then. Stay with us.

Welcome Jodi, Elaine, Jacqui, Hen, and Marilyn!!! I haven't posted in a while but had to welcome all of you to the Firth Class of 2003! Welcome to a wonderful, friendly place to learn and enjoy all things firth! You are all well on yur way. Thanks for all the lovely pictures, Rika, in honor of the new firthettes. And, Karen, thanks for the new introductory page. Very nice way to go to a sort of launch party before his 4 new films come our way. (LisaJH) Firthamatics anyone? ;-) With all the newbies and Rika's magic fingers, it's a geometric progression around here!

Elaine, if you want to practice HTML privately (in other words, you don't want to post your test anywhere) you can to do so on what is called an HTML practice pad. Here's a link to one that I use sometimes: HTML Practice Pad

Thanks Lisa. I would prefer that no one see the post until after I have practiced. elaine

(Elaine) Thanks Lisa. I would prefer that no one see the post until after I have practiced. Don't be shy...we all makes mistakes. I always go to #61 to "test ride" a pic or practice. The bonus is that the boss sometimes is around and comes to your rescue;-)

(Evelyn) The bonus is that the boss sometimes is around and comes to your rescue;-) That is a v.g. point, Evelyn. Actually, I like to use a practice pad when I want whatever it is I'm working on to be a surprise to our fellow Drooleurs. If not, I use the #61 topic.

Thanks for posting the practice pad place, Lisa.

OK (takes a big breath) I think I'm ready to take the plunge . . . Hi, I'm Sue and I've decided to be very brave and delurk after several months of enjoying the repartee between you drooleurs. Thing is, I'm from Oz, and things take a long time to filter through to down here, and a lot of the stuff we get is just rehashed (as in the Herald Sun article). I did, however, see a poster for WAGW at our local movie theatre the other day so things are looking up for the school holidays!

Hello Sue!! Glad you decided to join in!!

Sue!!! Nothing better than a cold plunge in the pond here. The waters are so refreshing you'll never want to leave. Nice to have you with us in the cyberflesh. ;-)

Hi Sue and welcome. The weather is a bit cold for plunging in ponds, but spring is near (we hope;-))

The weather is a bit cold for plunging in ponds But Sue is Downunder. Hey, Annette, as I was just thinking Hope Springs about multi-colored fall leaves, that snowdrop of yours came right to mind. *snicker*

Sue! Glad you decided to join us. We like plunges and ponds very much. ;-)

Welcome, Sue! You are lucky to have a very nice group from OZ here too. And to think that you will be able to see WAGW before anyone else!

Hello Sue! So glad to have you with us!!!!

HI, Sue. Glad you've joined us, enjoy WAGW a day early...lucky girl!

Sue !! Glad you decided to delurk!

Welcome, Sue, you've taken the plunge at a "perfectly delightful" time with April 3rd just around the corner! This place is a lot of fun when a new CF movie is released.

Glad to welcome you Sue. You will have a great time here. Great Ladies and the best information possible. Enjoy.

Hi Sue!! Welcome to the fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have been and am since last week. They really make you feel welcome here. Have fun. elaine

Hi Sue! Welcome to the class of 2003.

Welcome, Sue, from one of your fellow Firthette freshmen! I think things are going to heat up around here soon, what with one thing and another. What a fun crowd to be around! Glad you joined us.

Welcome, Sue! My friends call me Matt.

(Well fine, if I'd have just posted earlier, I wouldn't have had to follow Matt...) Hi anyway Sue and welcome!

Well now, that's one mat(t) that can grace my floor any day! ;)

Hi Sue from Downunder But don't we already have a Sue from Texas?

Thank you very much, guys, for the warm welcome. I feel at home among friends. At last, we here Downunder get to see something first! Now all I have to do is persuade my daughter that she really does want to see WAGW without seeming absurdly keen myself. She likes 'The Amanda Show' so there's hope ....

Sue, A big welcome to you! You have found the best and ultimate place to indulge in ODB drooling. Great guy and a great bunch of Ladies, here's to many happy hours ;-)

Hi, Guys!! I can't seem to get pass the March 18 posts. Can anyone tell me why?? Help!!!!!!!!!!! elaine

Also had trouble getting into this forum. It seems to go from 172 to 175. I had to type in 174 to get into the forum. elaine

It looks like nothing has been posted since 3/18, now that I look at it. Sorry about that. elaine

Hello everyone. I don't know if many people remember me, but I posted a lot this summer(particularly about Helena and the GSD, I'd never seen a debate like that before, hahaha) and then had to go to France for school. Now that I'm back, I thought that I'd introduce myself to the new people and reintroduce myself to everyone. I can't wait to start posting again, and the pile of fan fic for me to read right now is a wonderful feeling!

Welcome back, Megs! I remember you quite well, and I'm glad you're back!

Hey Megs! Welcome back!! :-)

Yeah!!! Megs is back! We were never formally introduced, but I am glad to see you here again!

Hi Megs, glad to have you back. Welcome home.

Being fairly new I haven't met you before. But - I would think, you would appreaciate a rose to greet you on your "homecoming".

We have not been introduced, as I am very new, but welcome back. elaine

Welcome, Megs. As a member of the freshman class of the University of St. Colin, I'm pleased to meet another longtime drooler. Glad you joined us!

Ah, yes ... good ol' USC, my old Alma Mater ... now, it's in more ways than one! Welcome back Megs.

Hi Megs, We hav'nt met but I do remember reading your posts! Welcome back!!

(Linda)Welcome, Cranky!! stick around, you'll have fun here Karen, I guess this is my que to give you a flower, as all newbie's get ;-) (big winkie)

LOL! You guys crack me up! Fun way to start a Monday, thanks.

(Annette)Karen, I guess this is my que to give you a flower, as all newbie's get ;-) (big winkie) LOL, Gawd you're brave. I'll say it here, too. WELCOME, Cranky Pants.(insert the biggest winkie you've ever seen)

Hello everyone. I'm a Chinese from Hong Kong. I've been watching this group for some time, and I always enjoy your posts a lot. Thank you Karen very much for posting the Premiere article for me; it's always a pleasure (and thrill) for me to share latest news about Mr Firth with you. I'm just too envious of all of you to be able to watch so many CF's films - God knows when WAGW will be released here! :-( - Josie

Hi Josie, glad to meet you. Thank you very much for the article and the new photos from GWAPE (and to Karen for adding them to The Bucket). About WAGW, well you can always join the little club of HD-deprived ;-)

A very warm welcome Josie!! I am in the "class of 03" myself. I have already seen/enjoyed the lovely picture, thanks for sharing.

Josie!! Staying up late, huh? ;-) Glad to see you make it to the boards. And a big thank you for adding to our enjoyment with the article and pic.

Hi Josie, Welcome!! Thanks for the news and Picture of GWAPE, glad you have joined in!

Hello Josie! Thank you so much for the GWAPE news and photo! The picture is actually my wallpaper at work so I see it everyday (and drool)! Glad to have you with us!!

Hi, Josie. Great time to join us! Thanks for the GWAPE news and picture.

Hi Joseie. Welcome to a wonderful group of ladies. You'll have a wonderful time here. Thank you for GWAPE pics and article.

Hello, Josie! Welcome to our little corner of the Internet. "And while you're awaiting WAGW, please don't forget that I'm always happy to entertain the ladies of Drool. Just say my name and I'll be there."

Arg.....! Now I'm supposed to go back to work and be intelllligent?

Welcome Josie so glad you've joined this special place. Great article and pics too.

Welcome Josie, hope that you find the ladies of Drool as delightful as I always have. :-D

Thank you so much to all ladies!!! I'm sure I'll have a wonderful time here. :)

Hi Josie, What a nice way to make an "entrance"...bringing us a pic and GWAPE info. Stick around and Drool with us....

I've got so excited when I saw that pic and article, and I couldn't wait to share with you ladies. I've read the book and loved the story very much. Like many of you, I just cannot wait to watch this film! To me, CF is the perfect choice as Vermeer (in the story). Just imagine those eyes when he looks at Griet...it always gets my knees weak!! :-D

You've got it Josie! I've re-read the book with him in mind and it's better the second time around.

To tell you the truth, I've had him in mind when I first read this book, even before I'd had this major and life-long (I have a gut feeling about that) crush/obsession/affection to him. Now, see what a good taste I have! ;-)

We all second that Josie!

Hi Josie!! I am a little late with my welcome, but WELCOME anyway. I hope you enjoy yourself as much as I do. They are a great bunch. elaine

Thank you, Elaine. I do enjoy very much with the ladies of Drool.

Figured it was time for a proper greeting Josie (and the others I missed before. Sorry). Thanks for your welcome gift to us!

Thank you, Dorine. The frog is so cute!!

Josie! So glad you've joined us. (Sorry my welcome is a bit belated)

(that's okay Lisa, mine's even later....) ;-) WELCOME JOSIE!!!! :-)

Welcome Josie!! So pleased to meet a CF fan from your corner of the world. Glad to have you as a member of the class of 2003!

Hallo to everybody :o) . I think I should introduce myself. My name is Petra, 24 years and economy student from near Frankfurt/Germany. I�m a devoted Colin Firth fan and just delighted that I found this board and can communicate with other fans. Unfortunately, Colin isn�t that famous in Germany and so I don�t get much information beside the Internet. Even his movies are difficult to get here (luckily, my brother is in NYC at this time and can buy for me "my life so far" and "conspiracy"). I even think the chance to see "hope springs" in Germany isn�t on my side, but I hope. Bye bye Petra

Welcome Petra, it's very nice to meet you! LOL about "Colin isn't that famous in Germany." I'm afraid too often it's still "Colin who?" here, though maybe not as bad (one more person says "oh, you don't mean that obnoxious Irish guy do you? -- meaning Colin Farrell -- I might have to slap them.) Nice to have an understanding brother who is helping keep you supplied, what a guy! Glad you found us!

Welcome Petra! I used to live right down the road from you in Igstadt! That was a long time ago though! Glad you have come to join us!!! You'll have fun here!

Welcome Petra!! I fully understand how frustrated it is to live in a place where ODB is not that famous. From where I live, only a few people around me can recognise him and say, "He's that lawyer in BJD.". :( Therefore, it's so nice to find this place, and I truly hope you'll have a great time here!

(Josie) Well my experiences when I say: My favourite actor is Colin Firth is a conversation like this Me �My favourite actor is Colin Firth� Others �Who?� Me �You saw Bridget Jones?� Others (mostly) �Yes � Me �That Mark Darcy. The other guy beside Hugh Grant� Others � Oh I remember. But I don�t see/remember how he looked like (!!!!!!!!!) Me (thinking) Ahhhhhhhh I don�t know why I bother. This is a frustrating conversation isn�t it? But I don�t take it serious anymore. Only one time, on my brothers 30th birthday (January this year) it was another way. Conversation with a girlfriend of one of my brother�s friends: Me: My favourite� She �Oh yes� with an understanding smile on her face. I was in heaven when she told me she has got Pride and Prejudice on Video. She lend it to me and so, finally, I could watch it. Hope I entertained you :o) (Barb) Talking about the mix-up of Colin with Colin Farrell I remember that we�ve got an Music channel called VIVA(beside Mtv). On Videotext the headlines about actors sometimes starts with Colin�. And it is always about Colin Farrell. But one time (headline �Colin proud of his mega fan�) it was about Colin Firth. And what was it about? A stupid story told by somebody from the cast of �what a girl wants� about Colin being proud of having a stalker, a lady dressed in red, he talks to quite often. Great. Well done VIVA I would say. Nothing about Colin is more interesting . ha ha ha Bye Petra

LOL! You're luckier than me; at least you really met someone who also likes him.

Petra!! Glad to see you've delurked and are making yourself comfortable. While it can be tough being a Firthfan in many (if not most) countries, even the UK, yours in the only country that I'm aware of where the L-dum movie has been released commercially on video and DVD. It is dubbed but I wonder why they didn't CGI out one of the castmembers. ;-)

Welcome Petra. So nice to meet you. You certainly won't find anyone saying "Colin Who" here. So many great people who admirer him so very very much. It's just a wonderful place to be. Enjoy.

Welcome Petra! Something in German from TV-Programm while surfing, in German: http://www.prisma-online.de/rga-online/person.html?pid=colin_firth Enjoy!

WILKOMMEN Petra. You are in drool heaven (especially right now!) Good to have you with us.

(Karen) I got the Londinium DVD. The film is o.k. I think, maybe not one of his best in refer to the story, not to his acting certainly. What does CGI stands for ? I also got taped "the houre of the pig" by a friend (who also likes him. Hey, we are 3 at least actually) (Odile) Thank you for mentioning this page. I stumpled over this page month ago. It�s a door to heaven for me because you can check out every actor/ actress or movie if he/she is on telly soon. bye Petra Bye Petra

(Petra) maybe not one of his best No need to be diplomatic. It's on the bottom of my list. It don't get any worst than that, a puss-filled boil on his CV. Do I need to be more specific? ;-) CGI stands for computer-generated imagery in filmmaking. What I meant is that they should have deleted a person, using the computer.

WELCOME PETRA Happy you delurked. There's no going back now;-)

Hi Petra, Welcome. Come and join us over at 175.

Welcome Petra! It's always nice to meet another Firth devotee... our numbers are growing!! But I know what you mean about BJD~! ;-)

Welcome, Petra! So glad to have you here. As I explained to Kelli and Monica over on CF News, I usually post a DVD capture of one of CF's characters as a welcome, but with the fantastic photos from the premiere, anything else would pale in comparison.

Herzlich Willkommen, Petra It's so nice to have another German speaking drooler here(I'm Swiss). I got the Londinium DVD Where did you get it? I havn't seen it offered anywhere yet, but maybe I didn't look hard ehough ;-)

(NitaE) Gr�zi I bought it on ebay but it also should be sold on amazon.de (I�m not sure) bye Petra

Hi Petra, and welcome. As Rika said, it is almost impossible to come up with anything to match the new premiere-pictures (I think, I haven't seen them yet!), so I'll just give you a buttefly, and hope you like the joke. Karen, I couldn't find any size of the picture, so please remove it as soon as Petra has had a chance to see it, if it is to big. Thank you!

ok, there seems to be quite an interesting delurking trend going on this day, but the water (and the swimmers) seem really warm here and jumping in looks easy, sooooo... thought i'd pop in 174 and join... the class of 2003 i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) and animatronics (if you're good boys and girls, you'll hear more about this in a few days, hehehe...). major thanx to karen for her patience with my fumblings and mails. great to be here, it feels like home already.

closing tags... first mistake, there'll be plenty more

okayyyyyy, hope it works this time

Welcome Sophie...I'm glad to hear you say it's warm here, being a "woman of a certain age", I thought it was me! (insert v.b. winkie!) A specialist huh? Animatronics? I can hardly wait for the explanation! Welcome!

WELCOME SOPHIE Glad to have you on board. the class of 2003 LOL. Actually I expected more lurkers after WAGW. We usually get a group aft each film. "I know you're out there...come out, come out wherever you are";-)

(evelyn) Actually I expected more lurkers after WAGW. We usually get a group aft each film hmmm... i'll probably be only able to see wagw in three years. suffice it to say that tiobe is out where i live *today* !

Welcome Sophie and Petra!! So glad you joined us. This freshman class is turning out to be a great one! Me �My favourite actor is Colin Firth� Others �Who?� So funny, this is the same response I always get. Until I drag them to see a movie of his..then it's "Oh my, he is nice isn't he"!

Glad to have you with us Sophie!!!

WELCOME SOPHIE TO THE CLASS OF 2003!! As one of your classmates, I also feel very down when some of these ladies have already had viewing #1x of WGAW. Anyway, glad to have you here, the ladies here are all very nice.

Welcome Petra and Sophie (and other lurking members of the class of 2003!) Great time to join in on the drooly lovefest! Glad you are here!

It has really been a hard one to call today; go read all the news or welcome new delurkers. But - knowing how much a warm welcome means, I'd better start here (I still have very fond memories of my own delurking;-)) Welcome Sophie! TIOBE was just released here yesterday, so you are not the only one to wait for CF-movies. But - enjoy this wonderful place. Makes the waiting so much more fun.

Sophie, Petra, Kelli, Monica and anyone else I've missed. Sorry, but I've not been in control of my senses these last few days. The king of stubble has made me one big mess. Oh what a time to delurk. Have loads of fun and stick around. This is just the beginning.

(Sophie) i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) Yes, you're the one Karen acknowledged as the source for some of them on The Bucket! Well done!

Petra and Sophie, great that you've joined us and over at CF news, it's a great time to be drooling:-))

Welcome Monica! [sorry am too exhausted to even look for my animated welcome signs] (Sophie) i major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) *hee hee* I feel like Claude Rains and Humphrey Bogart at the end of Casablanca, the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;-D She's also a whiz at dewatermarking.

(barb s) Animatronics? I can hardly wait for the explanation! well, there's no reason to hold it back i guess.... as a gift to you all, thanx for the warm welcome here's disneyland's new attraction (sort of a tie-in to hope springs, to be installed in tomorrowland and hopefully not in neverneverland), yes, ladies and droolers, the one and only animatronicolin 1.0 our poo' boy seems quite distracted : "well, i'll be... It's those damn droolers again !" (to be continued...)

hmmmm... looks like the link is not valid... sorry folks, these things happen once again : animatronicolin 1.0

Welcome Sophie and Petra. Glad to have you aboard. Enjoy, Enjoy. elaine

Sophie!!! Very nice!! Thanks.... There is nothing quite like that stride!!

Welcome Petra, Kelli, Monica, and Sophie to the class of 2003. As a freshman myself, I am thrilled to see such interesting and talented new classmates come on board. This place is so much fun, especially with all the action at 175. You will have a great time here! Sophie, you have nailed his walk. Can't wait to see more. Thanks for the great trailer caps, too.

Sophie, I love it!

Bravo!! Woo woo!! That was better than I had expected, and that's the same Colin stepping off of Trauma.

(karen) that's the same Colin stepping off of Trauma yep. knew the boss would spot it straight away (source : fashion shots from italian vogue).

Sophie! Brilliant! Thanks!!

Sophie) I major in trailer captures (HS comes to mind...) (Karen) the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;-D She's also a whiz at dewatermarking. Whoa....the answer to our prayers.Esp. the latter!! Go Sophie!

Thanks Sophie and welcome here! I see your site is on wanadoo. Dare I hope another French Drooleuse is upon us?

Thanks Sophie. This is great. Welcome Monica, Kelli and Petra! What fun you'll have here. It's truly wonderful. Enjoy.

(odile) Dare I hope another French Drooleuse is upon us? yep.... the paris brigade is ready to report on the local tiobe release (better late than nevah !)

Kelli, Monica, Petra, and Sophie. You picked a great time to join the fun. There's plenty of stubble to go around! ;-) Sophie, I loved your animation! So many talented ladies here.

A little orientation for our new class of 2003... Drool has a topic structure, which helps us organize our discussions. New ones that have been established and a list of the ones which are currently most active are shown on the main Drool page: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/drool/all/new Right now we are using: 175: Current Colin News 166: Firthology - for discussion/questions about older films and general Colin drool type things 126: Spoilers - currently being used for discussion about What a Girl Wants and should be used for Hope Springs viewings 173: Darcy Drool - and about Pride and Prejudice 149: Bridget Jones's Diary - this is now for news about The Edge of Reason 168: Odds and Ends - for just that, plus birthday celebrations 113: Keepsakes - where people claim items from films Also, if you have questions or problems about posting here, we have a Help topic (#61) where you can practice posting images, changing fonts, etc., and everyone here can help. Please try to post everything you need to say within a message, as each topic here on Drool has a limited number of messages within it (1999 to be exact). There's never a need to post an apology for misposting or mistyping something. We get it and it just uses up a message unnecessarily. OK, I think I've covered just about everything...for now. ;-) If you have questions, just email me at nomdedrool@yahoo.com.

Look at my manners. I forgot to welcome Kelli, Monica, and Petra! Have fun in the class of 2003. No exams here, just friendly drooling banter (towels not included) (Sophie) the paris brigade is ready to report on the local tiobe release (better late than nevah !) Judging from the last two times I went back to Paris, the brigade is doing good holding the fort: both times BJD was playing in some theater there! I was lucky to be travelling to California last summer because TIOBE never made it to Alaska... Feel free to email me. I'm accent-challenged with my American keyboard but otherwise would be glad to chat.

A hearty welcome to all new droolers! Lots of catching up to do so I'll be brief!

I see we have been joined by others I have not met, so welcome to everyone. This is a FUN place to be. elaine

Delurking... Hi all! I'm a CF newbie. I first saw him in Nostromo eons ago, but I wasn't hooked (shame on me!). I saw him in a clip from WAGW, and was very impressed (I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen). I immediately went online to look up other films he had been in. Needless to say, P&P and BJD hooked me. I have also just found out that one of my friends is a closet CF fan, and has nearly worn out her copy of P&P!

Welcome Kelly! my friends is a closet CF fan, and has nearly worn out her copy of P&P! you're in very good company here, as almost all copies of P&P are worn thin in one or two places.

Kelly! Glad to see you've decided to delurk and jump into the cool waters of our pond. Hopefully we can keep our Kelly/Kelli situation straight. ;-)

Kelly! I advise obtaining backup copies of anything you particularly fancy! Multiple viewings can be tough on tapes!

Hi Kelly , how ya' doin.

Kelly Glad you decided to join in the fun! I first saw him in Nostromo eons ago, but I wasn't hooked (shame on me!) I can't blame you for that. When I saw P&P I didn't even remember I had seen him before as Valmont.

Hi Kelly!! You are in the right place if you think he is the most gorgeous man you have ever seen and are hooked! And if you have only seen him in those few movies, I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!!

Glad you joined us, Kelly, welcome!

Sorry about that.... Welcome, Kelly! Glad you decided to make the leap into the Drool pond!

Welcome Kelly! (MariaT) I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!! Ditto! I keep a fond memory of hunting the local videostores for any CF material...

Welcome, Kelly! Glad you decided to delurk and join the fun.

Hello Kelly! Glad you have joined us.... I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen Oh...is this the place for you!!!!!

Hi, Kelly. Glad you're here. I saw CF in P&P when it premiered on A&E then lost track of him until eight months after BJD. I can't wait to hear your comments on the pleasures that await you. I'll say Welcome again, because my graphics don't always work:-)

Hi Kelly I�m joining this group for a few weeks now You�re definitely right here. Have fun.

Welcome, Kelly! We have a lot of fun here, so feel free to join us on any and all topics!

Welcome Kelly. You'll have a really good time here. Enjoy.

Welcome Kelly! (MariaT) I envy all the happy breathless initial viewings you have ahead of you!! I do too! We are allways ready to drool over "old" material on Firthology. I usually greet new members (I'm fairly new myself, though) with roses, but lately I've found it wise imagewise to stick to white flowers ;-)

Hi Kelly and welcome! You'll like it here, we're all generally very well-behaved, except when we're not! (and that's when it's the most fun!) (Annette, what's this with your image? You know we like you just as you are!)

Welcome Kelly!! I'm also newbie, and am really glad to meet another delurker. You'll find much fun here.

Thanks for all of the nice welcomes (and the dimply photo too)!!! ;-) Kelly

Hey Kelly, WELCOME You've found the best place and the best crowd to indulge in your obsession. Enjoy;-)

(Kelly)I also came to the conclusion that he was one of the most gorgeous men I had ever seen Hi Kelly from a relative newbie. There are folks here who's hearts are probably melting because of your finding ODB via WAGW! Have fun with his "archive" and you too can look forward to the DVD of TA/HOPig (am I obsessing about this DVD a little?........oh well, I'm in the right place for it). See, you can let loose of those CF hummers here, Welcome!

Welcome, Kelly!! Glad you decided to join us. What delights are in store for you as you discover ODB's earlier work. Enjoy!

(BeeDee) See, you can let loose of those CF hummers here, Excuse me? Did I read this right? ;-) ;-) Welcome, Kelly! A great group...lots of wicked fun!

WELCOME KELLY!! GLAD TO HAVE YOU. elaine

Hello to all from a newbie ready to join your fine company. My first glimpse of CF was decades ago in trailers for Valmont. Unfortunately, at that time I was way over anything and everything remotely related to DL. Neither MF nor his gorgeous lead actor was going to make me sit through another version anytime soon. My true introduction to the man himself was SW �it was lovely� (I know, you really are a s****y article.) And so began many wonderful and at times frustrating relationships with those you may be acquainted with. Can you guess whom I mean? AD �I haven�t pleased you?� (change partners, mon cher, it takes two to *cough* tango), CG (I blinked, where�d you go?), RL �it wasn�t worth it� (your performance was, thanks Karen), VdV �and Maman will have a huge scandal on her hands� (what Maman doesn�t know�), JP �she�s a total sucking fuccubus� (your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida), MC on the rocks (no acting gig is worth this, buddy), JM �is this really necessary?� (does Bette Davis have an Oscar?), FD �on foot?� (planes, trains, automobiles, by any means necessary), GC (you say it best, when you say nothing at all), PA �18 years, 18 f**king years� (ah feel yo pain, I�m a NY Rangers fan), JC �and you�re just oblivious� (guess again), LW �you may show your pleasure� (indeed!), EP �I�ve been a child� (you can be my baby anytime), MF �I can put temptation in her path� (look in the mirror, babe, you are temptation), WS �who�s Ken Branagh?� (don�t worry, Ken�s still working on that one), PI �have a pinch� (may I pick my spot?), AP �hello mon ch�ri� (that�s ma ch�rie, we�ll get to the French kissing lessons later, for now what is your heart telling your pennis?), MD �the door was open� (Ding, Dong!! Come on in), Dr. WS �I am speaking!� (not anymore, thank God), JW �I don�t think it suits me atall� (but it produces vibrations), and last but not least, HD �I wouldn�t change a single hair on your head� (but would you mess it up a little given the right incentive?) So ladies and gents, here�s to many more encounters on the stage, wide screen, vhs or dvd. Sorry to be so long winded everyone. I hope you don�t mind, CF� �notatall�. I knew you wouldn�t ;)

I'll be short... Hi Sonia

Sonia You've picked an exciting day to join us. Drama, a real drama! Loved your list

Oh Sonia! Love the list!!! Well done! �I don�t think it suits me atall� Oh! I do love how he runs those words together when he says them... �and Maman will have a huge scandal on her hands� The movie that hooked me...I have such a softy, squishy spot for Msr. Valmont...despite his wicked reputation! ;-)

Thanks for the warm welcome. It�s as if I�ve finally arrived at the party after getting lost on my way there.

, Sonia. It's never too late to join the party.

Sonia!! That was some introductory message. Loved the list, particularly... your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida I think several other ladies here will there to meet the plane. A good elbow to the stomach will get them out of your way. ;-) that�s ma ch�rie, we�ll get to the French kissing lessons later, for now what is your heart telling your pennis? I had no idea you'd been lurking that long. ;-)

Welcome, Sonia! Nice way to delurk � trying to remember all the quotes. I couldn�t remember these two, but knowing this lovely crowd, someone will soon provide me with answers, I�m sure. CG (I blinked, where�d you go?), RL �it wasn�t worth it� (your performance was, thanks Karen), This rose has your name, so I hope it�ll do you ;-) Karen, this picture is above the size, you once recommended. Please remove it if nescessary, when Sonia has had a chance to see it. Thanks!

Sorry, last try. If it doesn't work, try the link. I just remembered one of the above: CG = Charles Gould perhaps?

Yes, CG = Charles Gould and RL = Robert Lawrence (Psst! I needed a cheat sheet myself.)

Ladies, you know your "classics". (Annette) I just remembered one of the above: CG = Charles Gould perhaps? (Karen) Yes, CG = Charles Gould and RL = Robert Lawrence (Psst! I needed a cheat sheet myself.) Psst, I needed one too. (Karen) I had no idea you'd been lurking that long. ;-) Not that long but certain themes seem more prevalent than others:) Tried the link and saw the rose. Thanks Annette.

Welcome, Sonia! So glad you've decided to join us. :-D your marriage is illegal, forget the succubus and move to Florida (Karen, I think several other ladies here will there to meet the plane. A good elbow to the stomach will get them out of your way. ;-) LOL! You think so? He'd have a hard time getting out of the foursome. Of course, I would finally have my chance at the kissing lesson. ;-) He'd never be the same again. Mmmm

Welcome, Sonia. What a great list. I need a cheat sheet too. You'll really enjoy it here.

Great list Sonia! I'm a quote obsesser myself and you gave me some fun work to do! (I just got through all of Nostromo this week.) A hearty welcome to you!!

Sonia - Welcome to the Class of 2003. You must have been lurking a long time (like me) because your list shows you did the pre-requisite viewing before school started. You'll have a great time here!

Sonia! Fun list! The old brain needed a cheat sheet, though.

WELCOME SONIA LOL! Love browsing your list! A really great intro. have a pinch Remember it well, a favourite moment of mine. Glad you found the best CF party at last!

Thank you all. It's going to take a while for me to catch up with Spring's goodies and festivities. At least here, I don't have to go through the usual scenario when talking about CF: "you know, the guy from COF, SiL, TEP, BJD" "oh yeah, which one was he?"

WELCOME, SONIA!! I don't comment often because I cannot visit the page everyday, but I try to as often as possible. You will have a great time here, even if you only get to read the comments of others and view the "neat" emoticons they send. ENJOY!! elaine

*ooooops ! where was i again !* sorry kelly, sorry sonia... a very very late welcome to the class of 2003. enjoy the ride.

No - not a new member. But I came across this site, with very helpful explanations of the use of "signs" i.e. winkies and so forth. It might help me to vary my answers :-) http://www.windweaver.com/emoticon.htm

Ah! Annnette! Some of those are very funny! Look! Plasters!! (::( )::) (::( )::)

(Tress) Look! Plasters!! (::( )::) (::( )::) LOL! :-D -great site Annette, thanks!

LOL, Tress! V. v. clever.

Thanks so much Annette, now I'll know what everyone means.

Hello! My name is Shoshana. I just decided to de-lurk after a few days of reading all the CF chat I could. I feel so at home here! A little about me: I'll be 22 in two weeks, I live in Atlanta, and I fell for CF very hard very quickly in the last month, though I had known of him for a while. So far I've seen P&P, BJD, Valmont, CoF, TIOBE, AZ, SIL, TEP, MLSF, and I have ATA from the library ready to be watched. :) I think I'll go head over to Intro to Firthology now. Thanks for having a place like this available!!!

Shoshana!! Glad you have decided to join us!!

Welcome Shoshana!! I'm so glad you are *delurking*! ps.....I've been dying to use this little graphic so thanks for that too. I have been saving it since I found it and started to learn to post graphics...he he.

Shoshana!! Glad to have you delurk and to join in the fun. :)

Welcome Shoshana!! Welcome to the class of 2003. Have fun!!

Hi Shoshana, I'm a newbie myself. So glad you decided to The more merrier!

Welcome, Shoshana! Glad you decided to join us!

Hello Shoshana!! You've come to the right place to share and appreciate Colin! We've all fallen hard, and we can't (and don't want) to get up!

Such a lovely greeting!

Shoshana!

Something tells me that we're to be great friends. I like you (all) already more than I can say and my first impressions of people are never wrong! Perhaps I have watched TIOBE too many times recently? Nah!!

Shoshana What made you fall for CF so hard in the last month??? We all love to know things like that. What was the moment, or the film?

welcome aboard shoshana, welcome to the class of 2003, from another newbie, and a lot more ignorant one as well. fasten your seat belt, the ride seems somewhat bumpy sometimes, but hey, gallery x is up and it's really a purrr-fect opportunity to delurk.

Hi Shoshana, and welcome! Your welcomerose is a bit tricky. It has reference to a CF-movie by it's name, but not it's colour. (I don't like, when they mess with facts). From your impressiv list, I think you have this one to look forward to :-) Enjoy! The "real" Sarah van Fleet:

Welcome Shoshana! All of a month and you're dropping quotes like that already? LOL I think you'll fit right in!

Such a lovely rose... thank you, Annette! My name means rose, btw, so it is especially fitting. To what movie does it refer? but hey, gallery x is up What, pray tell, is gallery x? Unfortunatelly, my computer has the habit of deciding not to show some images on the lists (to my overwhelming disappointment when I came to the Googie discussion on Firthology 101 ;-) ).

The rose refers to A Month In The Country. One of my favourites. I can't tell you what gallery x is, but I'm sure one of the clever girls can tell us in no time :-) I'll be off, perhaps it's time to check older discussions (he-he-he);-)

(shoshana) What, pray tell, is gallery x? oops, sorry that was kind of obscure. i was only refering to the first-of-many (hence, the x) galleries featuring snaps of HS put up by karen & kathyc (shrine shrine shrine) @ cf.com. (too lazy to post the link this morning, so check out 176).

(sophie) snaps of HS put up by karen & kathyc (shrine shrine shrine) Wow! Thanks! I think I'll like it here!

Shoshana, welcome! I'm thrilled to finally meet a fellow Drooler fom Georgia. I'm part of the class of 2003 myself, so I'm still learning. You will have so much fun here, even when not much is going on with ODB. These ladies are a riot!

(Hen)I'm thrilled to finally meet a fellow Drooler fom Georgia. If you don't mind me asking, where in GA are you from? It would be great to not be watching ODB alone.

FYI, we do personal things via email. Click on the name and you'll get each other's email addresses.

Oops! Sorry!!

(lindak)What made you fall for CF so hard in the last month??? We all love to know things like that. What was the moment, or the film? May I discuss this here?

Of course, especially since your intro mentioned it. Inquiring minds apparently want to know. ;-)

(Shoshana)May I discuss this here? (Linda) We all love to know things like that. (Karen) Inquiring minds apparently want to know. That's part of the fun, Shoshana. Add mine to the inquiring minds.

Hehe! It's hardly that exciting. Let's see... I was reading EoR and became infatuated with the Mark Darcy character. I was able to 'see' MD ar CF, though the name Colin Firth didn't mean much to me. About the same time we got a DVD player! Almost immediately afterwards I went to the audio-visual specialty library to look for DVDs. The special P&P set was there (I had heard of it but never seen it). Having recently come across the Darcy/Firth worship by BJ, I was intrigued. I think I watched all 6 hours and the extras in practically one sitting! I was in love! I went back to see CoF, BJD, and SIL (Joseph Fiennes is nice... )again and was able to really watch the actor who had caught my eye before. I have since checked out every CF film in our library system (DeKalb County in Atlanta has a wonderful library system - I hardly ever have to pay to rent films because I can check out from the big selection in the library). Within a week I was intoduced to TIOBE, MLSF, TEP (yes, I hadn't seen it before), ATA, Valmont, and AZ (Conspiracy s waiting for me at the local library for tomorrow ). Anyway, eager web searches lead me from IMDb to Colin Firth Fantasy Women and Colin Firth Down Under and firth.com (all three lovely sites - thanks for being there!) and finally here. Finding screenshots from PM there didn't hurt my developing interest either! Wow! That wass a lot of rambling (and I didn't realize I used quite so many paranthetical comments).

(Shoshana) (and I didn't realize I used quite so many paranthetical comments). Don't be upset. It's apparently a feature of the pathology. As well as exclaination points, winkies, panting, thuds, drooling and my own syndrome appears to include the use of whatever these things are called "............." To me it means: well, you all know where I'm going with this! See, those exclaimation points again...........

Unlurking to say "hi" to all. Wanted to say my CF history is more like Shoshana's than those of you who've been fans since "Valmont." I'd seen ODB in CofF (boo! bad guy!)SiL (boo! hiss! bad guy!) and EP (poor heartbroken lad) when they came out, but he never really made an impression on me until I watched P&P3 this spring. (Had to have some escapism from the war.) Being very fond of P&P2 I was reluctant to see #3, since I didn't like JE in the previews. After having seen P&P3, I still believe Elizabeth Garvie *IS* Eliza Bennett and JE is an imposter, but there can NEVER be another FDarcy other than ODB! I read BJD and then saw it (anyone else get goosebumps down their spine when ODB says his last line?--the *timbre* of his voice,ladies!--)and I've just finished reading EoR. I live in a small town (poor library) and have trouble finding any of CF's earlier works in our pathetic Blockbuster. Do any of you subscribe to on-line video/DVD rental places, and if so, are you satisfied with them? The only other thing I have to add is Karen has summarized my CF infatuation with her subtitle of "ordinarily sensible women who have temporarily lost their heads over movie stars." I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps, but that (from his interviews, anyway) he seems to be a genuinely good *person*--good husband,good father, good citizen. He's not some pretty-boy egomanic actor. I think his appeal for me is that he's something of a beau ideal. When my DH failed to get me a card...or gift..or flowers for Mother's Day (though we have a toddler and at 40, am pregant after a v. diff. delivery last time), I could think "Well, at least CF wouldn't have done that to HIS wife!" Silly, but it's nice to think that somewhere in the world some men behave as they should. ;-)

MaryW Welcome! (and Happy Mother's Day!) I think your description of ODB is what makes him so appealing to many of us (the towel shots are, admittedly a bonus! ;-) Join in, wax rhapsodic, and drool with other like minded souls!

A Hearty welcome to the class of '03 Mary! (Mary)I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps, but that (from his interviews, anyway) he seems to be a genuinely good *person*--good husband,good father, good citizen. He's not some pretty-boy egomanic actor. I think his appeal for me is that he's something of a beau ideal. And consequently he attracts the best kind of fan. This group has been a wonderful bunch to play with and I'm sure you will enjoy them as I have. (Maria)(the towel shots are, admittedly a bonus! ;-) A very big bonus! I guess I'm shallow enough to admit to the *being a nice guy* as the early bonus;-)

MaryW. Glad to have you on board. Sounds like you know your way around ODB's films. (Have to disagree with you on Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth--JE is tops in my book.;-))

Hi Mary Glad you joined our little group (Mary)After having seen P&P3, I still believe Elizabeth Garvie *IS* Eliza Bennett Oh ...did she get the BAFTA for that role ;-)) Interestingly, actually I thought Garvie made a better Camilla Parker-Bowles in "Diana". And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD

Mary, you've definitely come to the right place. Have fun! Love your description of ODB. Couldn't agree you more. A warm welcome from a newbie, i.e. me! :-)

, Mary. Happy Mother's Day and congratulations on your toddler and upcoming bundle of joy. From one newbie to another, glad to have you join the class of 2003. What I've learned in the short time I've been here: do not drink and read at the same time (if you must, keep some wipes and tissues handy), wear comfortable clothes (to allow plenty of breathing room for those moments of uncontrollable laughter), and should you have "one of those day" in the words of Beedee take two CF DVDs and write about it in the morning!;-)

Excellent suggestion, Sonia! (Sonia) do not drink and read at the same time (if you must, keep some wipes and tissues handy), Keep the tissues handy anyway, you never know when the keyboard would be flooded by drooling.

(Shoshana) Having recently come across the Darcy/Firth worship by BJ, I was intrigued. I think I watched all 6 hours and the extras in practically one sitting! I was in love! (Mary) there can NEVER be another FDarcy other than ODB! Darcy strikes again! I'm sure it's been said before but I'll say it now anyway. It is a testament to all involved (yes Mary, even JE :-)) that I still watch P&P time and again (with CF as the ultimate FD). (Shoshana)... was able to really watch the actor who had caught my eye before. I have since checked out every CF film in our library system (Mary) I think the majority of CF's appeal for me is not just that he's extremely talented, handsome, and has a voice that gives goosebumps CF strikes again! Those attributes are enough to send me on VHS/DVD quests to libraries, rental stores, video shops, Bucket's Boutique, ebay, swaps and I know not wot (standard operating procedure, imo). And yes, it's a bonus to read he's a decent person irl.

Hi Mary! Sorry I can't do any fancy graphics! I've only been here for a little while, but it's great! Have fun!

Welcome Mary! You are joining us just as summer semester is starting. The Class of 2003 is a great group,and the alumni are simply the most clever, talented, and witty people you'll ever meet. And the subject of our study is definitely worth the time and effort we put in. Especially when he is modeling linens. You'll learn a lot and have a wonderful time here!

Yippeee!!!! Another playmate!!! Welcome Mary! (Mary) The only other thing I have to add is Karen has summarized my CF infatuation with her subtitle of "ordinarily sensible women who have temporarily lost their heads over movie stars." LOL...I can only speak for myself here, but I don't know if it's 'temporary'!! (Beedee) As well as exclaination points, winkies, panting, thuds, drooling and my own syndrome appears to include the use of whatever these things are called "............." Ohhh...LOL....extremely guilty of those "........." things (as well as the winkies, panting, thuds and gasps)! IRL you would never guess that I'm a technical writer...shocking!

BTW, I can't take credit for the conference summary. It was here when I arrived.

Mary (Mary)(anyone else get goosebumps down their spine when ODB says his last line?--the *timbre* of his voice,ladies!--) Yep, that's why we're here. Love the way he says...F--k, f---ing, in any film. (Evelyn)And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD I still have that on tape from the first time it was on MT. I loved DR, that is, until THE real Mr. Darcy arrived on the scene. I fear all others are pretenders to the throne:-)

Welcome Shoshana and Mary. So nice to meet you. You'll have a wonderful time here. Enjoy these wonderful ladies.

Hi Mary, and welcome Fortunately it's very modern to recycle, cause I'm afraid I might have used this rose as greeting earlier. But - It has your name, it has Fitzwilliams name, it's developed by Mr Bennett, so I couldn't help myself. Here you go: Lady Mary Fitzwilliam I know only of one Mr Darcy and one Elisabeth Bennett. ODB and JE - that'll do me anytime ;-)

Mary! I know you'll enjoy drooling with this crowd!

Thank you for your warm and generous welcomes. What a fun Class! I must say, while I admire a pair of fine eyes in the face of a handsome gentleman, I wouldn't mind a towel scene or five in EoR... ;-)

A big Welcome to the latest Firthettes, Shoshana and Mary! (Evelyn), And I know lots of people who preferred David Rintoul as FD Wot? Impossible!

Yikes here I am, another delurker. I've been a bit shy about delurking, but I find I have questions and you people have the answers! Honestly, I'm not shy at all but just a little bit in awe (okay, mostly a LOT in awe) of so many of you! So . . . he's been my favorite actor for a long time, but I didn't ever hyper-focus on him until the last year or two. It's been gradually building and I must say for the last six months I've become a bit obsessed. I expected it to pass! Or to be replaced or something, but it hasn't so now I'm thinking I just want to have a place to talk about him without having to worry that I've lost my brain! (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) I do have a badly framed picture of him in my office at work, printed off of this site, so I'm "out" there, but to be honest I also have one of Ted Koppel (but that was a gift from co-workers). I know that's a little weird though thankfully I don't obsess about Ted in the same way (though I do tape his show nightly, so there's a little obsession there too) and I definitely do NOT ponder him in the same way (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). Okay then there's also Elvis Costello but again, this Colin thing is way beyond the other two! Incomparable! I think it must have something to do with words to begin with, but then Colin has all those other things to make the picture complete (sigh). Anyway, I hope the people here do not think me too peculiar. I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. My favorites are of course BJD (and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) and FeverPitch. Oh sorry of course P&P3 is my top favorite, and I watch them all quite a lot. Sorry to say I like Londinium too -- I like how unpredicable his character is, I think it's very funny. I taped Camille recently and I guess I'm glad I have that but my oh my was he young. I'm frantically searching around right now for the soundtrack to FeverPitch because I like it so much, but haven't had any luck yet. And I love the Lady Come Down from TIOBE and all of that scene. Really can't wait for EofR, wish I was casting it! Also just wanted to mention that Karen's great (and thank you for helping me figure out a few things!) and I like it so much that people's personalities come out so strongly, even with just a few sentences I feel as though I've already gotten to know some of you already, good writing! For me, Karen is a fun perfectionist, very detail oriented, very giving. And have I got it right that Linda's a wild/brash/hold-nothing-back woman? And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. And since I must have intellectual stimulation when my mind is in the gutter, I'm also looking forward to figuring out all the wonderful graphics! I've never given any of that a nod but I'm looking forward to the exploration ('had I ever learnt, I would have been a true/great proficient!') Kuddos to you all, what a wonderful group of people!

Miss CeeJ, would it be too much....would you allow me...to introduce myself and Miss Bennet to you and to say..... And from me too! Welcome to Drool and to the *new-bloods* of 2003!

CeeJ (CeeJ) would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD? That's one of the great mysteries of womankind, and one of the symptoms of our obsession. You're going to fit right in!

closing tags, I hope.

(so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) LOL! Maybe when he's old and grey. ;-) Welcome, CeeJ! We love Elvis Costello's music too.

CeeJ (CeeJ) would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD? That's one of the great mysteries of womankind, and one of the symptoms of our obsession. You're going to fit right in!

Help, Karen! This thing won't close!

It might have been me

Hi ya' CeeJ (Cee J)I'm frantically searching around right now for the soundtrack to FeverPitch because I like it so much, but haven't had any luck yet. Tower Records UK tells me they can get it for $23.95. email me for contact.

(CeeJ) (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) (Moon) LOL! Maybe when he's old and grey. ;-) LOL, maybe not. He's aging too gracefully. :-) Welcome to the class of 2003, CeeJ.

CeeJ I expected it to pass! Oh you think so, huh??? Stick around. Mine has only gotten worse since I've been here;-) My favorites are of course BJD (and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) It gets me every time. Just watched it on TV last week. See, you are in the right place. I got it right that Linda's a wild/brash/hold-nothing-back woman? LOL,*looking around for any other Lindas'* I'll try not to disappoint. BTW, I've only developed that side of my personality since I've landed here;-)

CeeJ!!! (CeeJ) I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. Mmmm....love the voice! It causes vibrations! (CeeJ)And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. Representin' Portland, Oregon here!! I'm also looking forward to figuring out all the wonderful graphics! For starters: http://www.austen.com/tutorial/

Welcome CeeJ! Glad you delurked! hyper-focus That's a good term, I think it describes the lot of us! You'll fit right in! Welcome and have fun!

Greetings CeeJ! I am new as well, but everyone here is helpful, obliging, and, most of all, willing to talk and drool over CF! Just keep on exploring -- I find exciting new images, news, and drool everyday. (CeeJ) I've kinda decided it's his voice that does me in completely. (Tress)Mmmm....love the voice! It causes vibrations! Oh yesss...... ;-)

Welcome CeeJ! You have defintely come to the right place. (CeeJ)It's been gradually building and I must say for the last six months I've become a bit obsessed. I expected it to pass! Or to be replaced or something, but it hasn't so now I'm thinking I just want to have a place to talk about him without having to worry that I've lost my brain! (so . . . does the obsession calm down over time?) So you were in the middle of it before you even knew you had started? We all know that feeling. If you want to calm down your obsession you'd better not stick aroud here;-) Towel pics and stubble shots are quite addictive. Glad you've joined us!

CeeJ! (CeeJ) And I would love to hear if there are other similar-minded people out here in the Pacific Northwest. Whidbey Island, Washington, here.

Welcome, CeeJ! If you�ll think you�ll get over this obsession, there are those of us ahead of you who can readily say the odds aren�t in your favor. ;-) Glad to have you on board. I�m obsessed with all the Darcys�these days especially Mark.

You people are so kind! Love the lovely welcomes!

Hi CeeJ and welcome! Apparently I'm messing up most of the things, I touch today, but - as said before - I shall conquer this, I shall. One thing I've given up conquering is getting past this obsession-stage. This place is way to fun and informative, and the droolers are the most sensible women on this planet (IMHO). So, enjoy the ride. You never wanna get off ;-) given my past behaviour, I'll just post the link aswell: http://www.orchidworks.com/orchids/mayphals/ruben02.jpg

Welcome CeeJ!!! So glad you have "come out" so to speak! And as for your question, "and would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?)" all I can say is we all understand and are right there with ya! Maria (who has been a voluntary "prisoner" of Mark Darcy and her cable company, watching BJD no less than 6 times this past week because it was on...)

Welcome, CeeJ! Welcome to the class of '03. Once you spend your time here, bet your obsession will only get worsened every day! I do have a badly framed picture of him in my office at work, I made a *personalized* screensaver in the computer at work which is a slideshow of CF's pictures. Therefore whenever I'm working in front of the monitor, which is quite a lot of time, there is constant danger for me being unproductive at work. ;-)

CeeJ!! Good to see you posting now. Have fun and when you need help with the graphics and other stuff, we're all here to help on Topic 61. would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD?) Ahhh, one of the great mysteries of the universe. Been there myself. ;-D

(CeeJ) (...) does the obsession calm down over time? ohh, suuuure, [says the shrink to the demented patient], suuure, don't you worry about it, everything's gonna be aaaalllright. (en appart� : "come on you guys, this is a serious one, bring the straightjacket"). ceej, welcome to the mad house, ward 2003 : you'll easily recognize the patients, they all drool like crazy. and a big welcome to mary too, with quite a lot of delay (sorry sorry)

CeeJ would someone please tell me why I watch it when it comes on TV when I have the tape (and a backup) and the DVD I do that too. It feels a bit like going on a date with him, doesn't it.

I've even sat thru the 6 hrs when A&E has the P&P marathon. They used to do it the Sunday aft Thanksgiving. Reminds me, time to start bombarding A&E again.

Welcome CeeJ. So nice to meet you. You'll have a wonderfult time here. Everyone is so nice and talented.

I thought I was the only Colin drooler out here! I am so excited to find out I am not alone. I think I have probably just found my way home! I'm probably a relative newcomer to Colin's admirers. I first saw him some years ago in "A Thousand Acres", which I enjoyed tremendously. Imagine my surprise when the next thing I saw him in was BJD and he was talking with an accent! But what a wonderful accent. I don't know how to use the wonderful graphics and such I have seen on this site, but I hope to get a bit more savy about it all. I'm located in the Mid-West, Kansas actually. My daughter, who is 25 thinks her mother has crossed over into weirdness with my facination with Colin. Around work, they have been teasing me frequently, so I put Colin screensavers on my computer, just to make 'em laugh a bit more. If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Cyndy

Welcome Cyndy!!! You are definitely not alone! Welcome "home", glad you have joined us!

Welcome Cyndy! It's always wonderful to meet Colin's fan. Have fun!

(Cyndy) If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Isn't that the truth! You're home now so feel free to roam around. It's great to have you join the class of 2003.

Cyndy!! (Cyndi) Around work, they have been teasing me frequently, so I put Colin screensavers on my computer, just to make 'em laugh a bit more. If I can't enjoy my preoccupation--why bother??? Oh...I've got the screensavers too! And I work at the same company as the DH....so not only do I get teased about it....so does he! Poor guy takes it pretty well though....I do have backup. Another co-worker has pictures hanging in her cube of ODB. Takes the pressure off a bit! ;-) Glad to have you with us Cyndi!

Hi Cyndy and welcome!! (Cyndy)My daughter, who is 25 thinks her mother has crossed over into weirdness with my facination with Colin. Perhaps she can join my son in therapy, which he claims *I'm* in need of due to this "obsession ;-) I'm sure, you'll enjoy this lovely place.

(Annette) Perhaps she can join my son in therapy, which he claims *I'm* in need of due to this "obsession ;-) BTW, Evelyn's son conducts the sessions and he will convince all your children that there's nothing wrong with your "hobby." ;-D

CYNDY Evelyn's son conducts the sessions... LOL. Even encourages it. Got SLOW tickets for Aishling and me in London.

Cyndy!! Put your feet up and enjoy yourself here. There aren't any 12 step programs to deal with your "hobby" though this place can be a fabulous outlet. Plus it doesn't go on your police record or is circulated to your neighborhood watch group. ;-D

Cyndy ! I admire your willingness to go public with your obsession! Although all my friends and family know of my fondness for ODB, I usually try to hide it from others (unless I suspect they might be similarly affected). My 19-year-old son thinks I am certifiable, and I doubt even Evelyn's son could convince him otherwise.

I am having such fun! Thankfully, this is my really, really slow time of year here. I keep telling my daughter that she could stand an obsession of two herself, it's done wonders for me! And look at all the delightful people I am getting to chat with.

Welcome to the party Cyndy! Glad you decided to delurk!

Cyndy (Tress)Oh...I've got the screensavers too! I've got HD wallpaper. I just need to walk in the room and my day is made. You're in the right place,Cyndy. Enjoy.

Welcome, Cyndy,to the place to be if you have taken a shine to ODB. The Class of 2003 likes to welcome newbies to share in the fun. Glad you've decided to jump in!

Welcome, Cindy! You are a Firthette now.

Hello!!! Welcome to the asylum, where everyone is certifiably crazy about CF!

Oi! Oi! I would like to take this moment to welcome Cyndy. Is this mike on?;-)

Well, dang, Lisa, my welcome to both CeeJ and Cyndy is going to sound so boring now...thanks;-)!!! But to both of you (sorry I'm late CeeJ!)... WELCOME!!! We don't issue straight jackets in this asylum for your "weird fascination". No one will look at you strangely or say "hunh?" when you mention his name and if you have an inordinate fondness for his feet...well then you need to get together with BeeDee and Tress;-)!!

Welcome Cyndy, nice to meet you. My children really think I'm certifiable but I just ignore them, hoping maybe they'll go away. This is too great a pleasure to deprive yourself of. Relax and enjoy it. What a magnificent obsession.

Welcome, Cyndy. I am sure you will feel a kinship with all these savants who share in your Infinite Wisdom...

Well, hello, all. I've been lurking a bit for the past few months, and, finally, big thanks to Karen, I've finally negotiated my way technically to delurking and joining in. I first noticed ODB in BJD, succumbed to obsession pretty quickly, and then, went looking for his other movies, most of which I had already seen. Can't believe I never noticed. They say that you're not ready to see or understand until you're ready. Well, ready or not, there I was! And then, of course, when I thought I was going bonkers with this teenage type crush, (I'm married, middle-age) I found you guys. Thank goodness. Now I know I'm not alone. Happy to be here.

ANDREA Our lucky day... happy to have you join us.

Yay, another Southerner in our midst! Welcome Andrea! You don't ever have to feel alone or wonder about your sanity again. We may be crazy but we sure do have fun. Glad you joined us!

Andrea You're never alone here. Welcome aboard.

Andrea!! Hello there! Glad you have come to join us! And you are saying this is the guy that converted you???: hmmmmm.....guess I just don't get it! ;-)

Welcome Andrea! Glad you found us, it's much better to obsess in company, you've found the right place!

(Hen)Yay, another Southerner in our midst! Capital, capital! Welcome from another newbie! This is a wonderful group. See what wonderful perks you get here (with many thanks to Karen)!

Gee, this is great. So many new members, too many to greet each by name, sooooo....WELCOME TO ALL!! This is a great place to meet and greet. elaine

Wot? Andrea is finally here? "Welcome my dear. Let's go upstairs...

Welcome Andrea and Louise. You'll have a wonderful time here.

Andrea and Louise, welcome!

Welcome, girls! This "is" the place to be, if you want to keep sane. To contain all these "thoughts and fantasies" about ODB and not being able to share them with anyone would truely drive me mad ;-) Louise, this one for you: and Andrea, this is for you:

Thanks to you all for the welcome. And to Beedee: "Wot? Andrea is finally here? "Welcome my dear. Let's go upstairs..." If it were only true or possible!! Dreams, my friends, make for an interesting past-time. And believe me, I've got dreams!

Given our topic du jour.... (cover your eyes, Janet) Andrea and Louise!!! You're both very welcome here. Have fun and know you're among kindred souls, who hopefully don't take themselves or their "hobby" seriously. ;-D

Welcome Andrea and Louise. You're sure to have a great time. Glad to have you with us.

Andrea! You've come to the right place!

Welcome ladies from another "new" drooler hereself! This is a great fun place to let your CF dreams out of the cage! Cyndy

Welcome, Andrea!

Welcome Andrea and Louise!! I know you're going to love it here:-)!!

Welcome, Andrea and Louise! As you can see, the door's always open, and you never know who might drop by. ;-)

(Lisa's pic) Yum!!! I love Newbies! They bring the best guys out of the woodwork!

Can I delurk and become a newbie all over again???I'd do anyting for Mark Darcy. Thank you, Lisa

Well! A girl tries to slide into this little bit of heaven under the radar and what does she get? A big hoopla welcome anyhow! Thanks guys! I can't get much more artistically enthusiastic than that in that I'm still working on my tutorials. You may not hear from me much, but be assured I'm out there enjoying priceless gems like that one about Evelyn's windshield:0 I'm still laughing! Again, thanks for the warm welcome (especially with who's behind that door);)

Ok, shy Louise.... Tell us a little about your ODB obsession before you hide away again! Enquiring (and nosy) minds want to know...

Okay, BeeDee, throwing down the gauntlet, huh? Colin Firth obsessed? I have no idea to what you refer. I only come here for research. I only read the articles. I'll still love you in the morning. The check is in the mail. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. ACTUALLY, P&P2 was my downfall. Been hooked ever since. I watch ANYTHING he is in, but I like to see him in more serious work and spiders or no, I am looking forward to getting a chance to see TRAUMA. But I will admit that I intend to buy the DVD of WAGW. What can I say? The check is in the mail;)

(Louise)I only come here for research. I only read the articles. I'll still love you in the morning. The check is in the mail. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. Aha! A spirited kindred! I knew it;-) Lots of research of many different forms and formats here. Some of us have even studied the *novel* on which WAGW is based!(insert double winkie) Thanks for sharing.

(Louise)Colin Firth obsessed? I have no idea to what you refer. I only come here for research. I only read the articles. AND I don't slo-mo when ODB is wearing light colored trousers. LOL, Glad you're not obsessed. Obsession only starts once you can recite, word for word, the 6 hours of P&P.

Goodness, I would not be so fastidious as you are for a KINGDOM! You thought me devoid of every proper feeling. How long have I been P&P obsessed? I believe it was from first seeing his beautiful drenched white shirt,beg pardon, grounds at Pemberly. But it was ODB's arts and allurements that drew me in. The turn of his countenance I shall never forget. Heavy misfortunes indeed. My affections and wishes are unchanged; but one word from you will silence me on the subject forever;) because there isn't room here for all six hours - trust me, I could fill them.

(Louise) trust me, I could fill them. LOL Louise...I'm sure if we just gave you the opportunity, you would prove a true proficient! BTW, welcome! And to anyone I missed, nice to meetcha!

Kia Ora I am Rob Glennie from New Zealand and I am most likely to be found on Geo (Marcia's patch)where roughly 95% of everything I post ends up. I thought I would diversify, which is the real reason for my coming here and get to know a few people in this corner of the Spring. I tend not to follow celebrities, showbiz and the entertainment industry much. But I will be posting later in the year about the brilliant Lord of the Rings trilogy of which I have seen both of the movies thus far released. Even Kiwi's familiar with the New Zealand terrain and locations were left looking like stunned mullets after the second film came out - it was BRILLIANT. Anyway, I am sure a few of you would have wandered around this place and looked at a few other conferences here, so do not feel scared to wander into Geo. It might look scary but we can ease a few fears, and make you at ease with the dynamic rock-ball you live on. Cheers Rob

PS if you are wondering why I joined a conference for women, I am happy to keep you up to date with what goes on in the South Pacific. There are a few stars around down here... Rob

Rob, be careful in here. You are seriously out numnbered by a large congregation of ladies of wit and intelligence who will share the worship of their chosen demigods. But, do hang around. This is where I met someperfectly wonderful friends and learned to do what I had to do to make Geo work ! Keep movies the quality of the Lord of the Rings coming to America from New Zealand and you will have friends forever!

(Rob) PS if you are wondering why I joined a conference for women Hi Rob from Geo and New Zealand...we're happy to have you join us.Thanks for dropping in. We'll be glad to hear your comments on "Lord of the Rings" next fall over on #178 which is where we discuss movies. But we're not just a chick place...several guys *I* know lurk, so you're brave even to come out!! And every now and then Mark, "our man in London" chimes in. You won't be alone. And just for the record, I peak in on Geo occasionally. Interesting stuff. *Aloha to ole buddie, Marcia* LOL worship their chosen demigods *scratching head*:"Who could that be";-)

(Rob), But I will be posting later in the year about the brilliant Lord of the Rings trilogy of which I have seen both of the movies thus far released. Even Kiwi's familiar with the New Zealand terrain and locations were left looking like stunned mullets after the second film came out - it was BRILLIANT. I must agree. We even have the DVD with the extended hours. Can't wait the third. From NZ, I like some of the bands too. Split Ends and the Finn Bros. etc Welcome, Rob. I too peek at Geo. Marcia does a great job.

(Rob) Kia Ora It's sounds beautiful (though I don't know what it means). Regardless, I'll send it right back atcha with a warm welcome.

Welcome Rob. What a beautiful place you come from. You have come to a place of beautiful people. Enjoy yourself.

Haere Mai, Rob. I hope I got that right. It's been a good number of years since I've been in New Zealand, but it holds a very special place in my heart. Anyway, welcome and have fun here!

WELCOME ROB AND ANYONE ELSE I MAY HAVE MISSED SINCE I LAST POSTED!!!! IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE!!

Hi Everyone! I've been a Firth fan since 1995 (COF ) and have been visiting colinfirth.com just since 2000. HOWEVER, I never ventured to click on the SPRING icon.A few weeks ago, I made the connection between Scoop ( Bucket) and our hostess, Karen, in a round-about way, and discovered drool.I've only lurked very recently, and am busy catching up on all of the past conferences. I find comfort in knowing I'm not alone in being an ordinarily sensible woman....Why don't we lobby A&E Biography (and whichever of VH1 or MTV that runs Revealed with Jules Asner ) to cover Mr. Firth ? We know what's out there, already,in print, but wouldn't it be nice to hear him verbalize the facts and sentiments?

Hi! I join the ranks of the delurkers here. I've been reading a bunch of the topics for a couple of months, then I found this conference topic for newbies. I decided if so many others could be delurkers, then so could I! Another painless effort at overcoming shyness. I am woefully shorthanded on fellow CF fans in my little Iowa town, so it's refreshing to find a group online that understands why I am obsessed. I've been a fan since BJD, and since then have tried to find any of his other movies to watch, a none-too-easy task in my aforementioned little Iowa town. Anyway, I'm glad to be joining the group, and plan to join in the discussions on the other topics as time goes on. Thanks in advance to all of you for understanding my obsession. :)

Bonnie and Dena, what a great time for you to join the class of 2003! If you enjoy this place half as much as I do, you're sure to have a great time.

Hi Bonnie and Dena Happy to have you on board. We love new folks to join us. Jump right in.

Hello Bonnie and Dena! As a relatively recent newbie (since June), I just wanted to let you know that this is a wonderful group of ladies who will make you feel very welcome. You have arrived in the midst of excitement so enjoy!

Welcome Bonnie and Dena!!!! Just in time for ODB's Birthday Party!! Hope you brought your dancin' shoes!

Bonnie and Dena. What a fantastic time to join us. So many films, publicity, and pictures of ODB. And of course, September 10th. This is a great place to be through all of it.

Welcome, Bienvenue, Bienvenidas, to Bonnie and Dena! As Tress said, it's almost time for the big bash of the year. On September 10th we celebrate Colin's birthday, lots to drink, eat, lots of celebrities pop in, but most of all we roast and toast OVDB. So make sure you drop by colinfirth.com. And that goes for other lurkers too. This is the best time to delurk and personally wish Colin a happy birthday. :-D

Welcome Bonnie and Dena from another member of the Class of 2003! You are among friends who share your obsession, and a group of ladies who love to have fun! Last year's birthday party is what got me hooked, but I didn't join in until a few months later. You'll love it here!

Welcome Dena and Bonnie! Glad you will join us for the festivities. Excellent timing.

Bonnie and Dena!!! An excellent time to delurk and join in on our festivities this month. Plus, you can bet the conversation will be nonstop about the upcoming films and appearances will be making. Limber up your fingers and make sure you have some Windex near your monitor, just in case. ;-D Glad to have you both onboard!

Thank you,Sonia,Evelyn,Shoshana, Tress,lindak,Moon Dreams,Hen,LisaJH,and Karen!A big welcome to Dena-my comrade in initiation ! What a wonderful welcome.....and the clip art is much appreciated-love those vintage leather pants and that dimpled smile! What Topic includes the Birthday Bash on September 10 ? I have to hit the highway for five days beginning on that date,but I intend to drop in before departing--and I'll have my own celebration with all of the postings upon my arriving back in Florida. Looking forward to it!!!!!!!

The birthday party is held on Topic 110. http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/drool/110/new but I will put up a link to the beginning of this year's celebration. If you use that "new" one now, you'll not only see the previous year's but you'll also clear things up. There are so many messages with images and animation that starting from the beginning will be a loading nightmare.

Hi Bonnie and Dena and welcome from another fairly newbie. This years birthday party is my first too, and I believe we're in for a real treat. This is what had me started obsessing. Looking forward to your postings :-)

Hello and Welcome Bonnie and Dena! You've landed in the perfect parallel universe at just the right time for appreciating ODB! Glad you have joined us!

Thanks for the welcomes. I have paused my DVD in that exact BJD moment many times, Lisa, but now I have it on my computer so I can look at it any time. Excellent! I can see I have a learning curve to this whole thing so I can master the art of clipart and photos. I had no idea there was so much to keep up on...bday parties even. I'm glad I got in when I did! What a happy place. Dena

Glad to have you among us at this very special time Dena and Bonnie!

I'm sorry I could'nt make it flashier at the moment, but..... Welcome Bonnie and Dena!!

Hi Bonnie and Dena! Welcome to our own wondrous little corner of the world! You are certainly among kindred spirits here! And as for the coming party which it looks like I might miss except for the afterglow there is not a better time to be had anywhere! Welcome!

Hello everyone After much wailing and nashing of teeth I have finally found my way to posting (only possible with Karens help!). I have been reading all your news regarding Colin for some time now and have had a wonderful time knowing that you would not be eternally bored by my pre-occupation with you know who. I hope to be able to post a birthday message tomorrow and also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes .I do have photographic evidence but I'm a long way from being able to get that posted anywhere. However- Evelyn- I do believe he was wearing your Blue suit at the time.! I also went to see him at English Pen when Emma did such a good job of reporting. So I guess I've been very lucky I certainly felt estatic and walked on air for at least a week!If there is anyone in the London area who fancies going to whatever premiers are opening then, Husband permitting, I'm up for that! Looking forward to the big day. Thanks Gina

Gina, Welcome You have chosen a great time to 'de-lurk'. I often don't have much to add to whats happening here, but just to know I can add a responce if I need to, keeps me sane ! Congrats on meeting TMH (the man himself), can't wait to hear how, why and when.

Hi Gina, and welcome. I'll just second, what Leah wrote :-) Looking forward to your report! Your welcome-rose is chosen because of it's name. I'm sure your meeting with TMH was indeed "unforgetable" :-D

Hi Gina! Two minutes huh? You certainly have me intrigued! Welcome and have fun!

Gina, good to have a fellow local! We've got some big dates coming up, I am sure, with LA and GWAPE so will we arrange something then... Perhaps I will recognise you from PEN, although I can't say I was looking at too many other people at the time. :)

Gina!! See how easy it was? ;-D And that you're going to make it to the birthday party? Hope you'll share your close encounters with us soon, and have fun while here.

Welcome, Gina! I look forward to hearing all about those two minutes.

(Gina) also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes .I do have photographic evidence but... Welcome Gina! You have come to the right place to be preoccupied by YKW! Bored? Nevah! We are intrigued believe me, so please don't make us wait too long to find out how those two or so special minutes came about! Drool will put the wind in your hair and get your ears flappin!

Greetings Gina! You are indeed a lucky lady! Please share everything about meeting TMH! Inquiring minds want to know!

Hello you lovely Droolers! My name is Ildi, I've been smitten with our droolee for almost a year now. After reading P&P a friend of mine suggested I watch the movie, the CF version. I did so, but since I heard about the Darcy Fever and I was determined not to let myself catch the disease I refused to look at anything Colin. I've been smitten before, joined a fan club, and still remember the endless hours spent on my PC, and my "abandoned" family. So I decided not to read his bio, not look at any publicity pics, and generally not give a darn about who this gorgeous guy was or whatever else he was in. I always thought myself a tough girl, hey, I could do this! I lasted 3 weeks. Then with a resigned "who am I kidding?" I shrugged, found a search engine, typed his name in and I've never been the same. It took me a while to delurk, but now here I am, greeting you all, happy to be among fellow smitten people. Since I've been reading you for a while I know what a group of fun people you are, and I'm looking forward to share all the exciting news, pics and fun you all have to offer. I'm also looking forward to contribute, and feel lucky that having been at the GWAPE screening Sunday night gives me the opportunity. I'll post the account of my adventure as soon as I'll have the chance.

Welcome Ildi! I'm doing a happy dance here singing "Another One Bites The Dust"! Glad you delurked and gladder still you got to GWAPE and shared your pictures with us! I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventure! (Ildi)I've never been the same. Yep, that says it all! Welcome and have fun!

Welcome Ildi! Love the name! Lucky girl to have seen GWAPE.

Ildi!! And such an auspicious start here at Drool, with your Toronto pics and recollections to share. Glad to have you with us finally. :)

Ildi, thanks for delurking! Can't wait to hear more of your excitement in Toronto! Glad that you are joining in the fun!

Hi, Ildi and Gina! I myself "delurked" just about a week ago, so it's good to have company in that area (and also not to be the VERY newest anymore!!). I, too, tried to avoid getting silly over yet another actor (I certainly don't need any more celebrity crushes in my life), but I couldn't help it. BJD and P&P were the end of me, and so I decided to embrace my inner silliness and enjoy it. And then I found this site with people who also embrace the silliness and fun of this particular crush (and believe me, I mean "silly" in the best, most positive, loving, respectable, and esteemable sort of way!) Dena

(Dena) ...embrace my inner silliness Wow Dena, I don't believe I have ever heard it put that way before--thank you! I like that perspective on it, and I think (adopting highbrow tone) psychologists would support the idea of articulation of (even some baser) feelings and ahhhhh...sensations... from stimulating input among a safe group of kindred spirits. Given this perspective, it does not take much to realize we are a noble group indeed! (Just as long as you all don't start charging me by the hour!)

Ildi and Gina (Gina)I hope to be able to post a birthday message tomorrow and also tell you about the day when I got him to myself for at least 2 minutes . (Ildi)and feel lucky that having been at the GWAPE screening Sunday night Wow, what an impressive pair of delurkers. Usually the encounters come after the delurking (Oh Gawd, I hope so) You two are amazing. Welcome to you, both. See you at the party. Ildi, I long to hear about your two minute encounter with ODB!

Gina and Ildi! How exciting that you both have seen Firth in the flesh. Hope you'll join all of us for the festivities.

Ildi and Gina Do any of you like Camille ?;-))

(Evelyn)Do any of you like Camille ?;-)). Here we go, again;-)

Welcome Gina and Ildi! A while back we were embracing our inner 12 year old while falling hard for Henry Dashwood, so I see no reason why our inner silliness shouldn't be embraced as well;-) So impressive that you both have had close encounters of the ODB kind. How could you not become Drooleurs after that experience? ;-) And you are here just in time to party!

Ildi and Gena ... ..We know you are among kindred spirits! Enjoy! ...!

(Evelyn)Do any of you like Camille ?;-)). (Linda)Here we go, again;-) We-el you can't blame me for trying...gotta get 'em before they start making cheeky and smart-assy remarks like Camille -*cough* - *cough*;-))

Aw, don't give Ev a hard time. She's just looking for... *cough cough*

Umm... I have a little soft spot for Camille. *cough cough* ;-)

Welcome Ildi! What a way to delurk, bravo :-) Your welcome-flower is chosen in light of the latest comments on Camille, which I happen to like, very much.

Thank you for the warm welcome, all of you, I sure appreciate it. I'm looking forward to lots of fun and adventure - real and vicarious - in your company. :-) I have not seen Camille, actually there are many films of Colin I've never seen, but that can be remedied, I'll just take things slowly, one step at a time. I don't want to overindulge myself. Although I think I did that a bit Sunday night. That experience will sustain me for a while I think...

Ildi and Gina!!!! So nice to have you both with us!!!! Ildi, I saw your beautiful pics!! Wonderful!

Hello Ladies! It is, at last, a previledge to be coming out of the shadows. I too, have been "lurking" about for some time (April 2002 to be exact). I, perhaps like so many of you, could not believe my discovery!! Where had I been? The better question, where had he been, who was he, how long had he been perfecting his craft and was I the only one who knew about this incredibly handsome talent? When I asked aquaintances, they had not a clue who I was talking about. I felt completely alone in my new state of adoration. Then one spring day I typed his name in the search engine and there you were. I must say how relieved I was to find I was not alone. Thanks to your conferences, birthday parties (I have observed two now), filmology and personal coverage/photos of his public events, I no longer feel isolated. In fact, I have "turned" several friends and family members into Colin junkies. What a glorious feeling. Anyway, I am happy to finally have the nerve to come out of the shadows and participate. Living on the west coast of US, I feel deprived sometimes as news of him is not always available and I am so happy to have access to current events. I have also, as a result of this site, acquired quite the CF film collection. Thank you all. And Ilda, WHAT A LUCKY GIRL YOU ARE!!!

lorilv--Welcome! was I the only one who knew about this incredibly handsome talent? Nope, and therein lies the happiest discovery of all...and we do so like to talk about him (embracing our inner silliness--can you tell I now have a rallying cry?!) Welcome and glad you have delurked!

Lorilv!!!! So glad you decided join us after lurking for so long!!!

closing...I hope!!!!!

Lorlilv I too, have been "lurking" about for some time (April 2002 to be exact). Don't feel badly, I lurked for four months...but now that you're here, there's no goin' back.

Lori!! I had no idea you were lurking for so long. Way back when, I probably lurked for a couple of days and was chomping at the bit to have my say. Sit back and enjoy yourself. :)

Lori! Glad you decided to delurk! It's always fun to "meet" a fellow Drooleur. And you've come out to play at such a great time, too.

Hello there, Lori! Welcome!

Hi Lori, and welcome! Lurking was fun, but nothing to being a part of this :-)

Hi Lori! Great to finally meet you!

Welcome Lori, and echo Shoshan, great to finally meet you. You know so well what a great place this is.

Greetings to all newcomers. Glad you decided to join the fun.

Welcome Lori and don't be shy! This is a great group of friends , many of whom have had close encounters of the CF kind. So impressive that you have already won some converts with your missionary work ;-) You have taken the plunge at a fantastic time, with LA and GWAPE coming soon!

Lori (Lori)Then one spring day I typed his name in the search engine and there you were. Yep, exactly how it happened for me. This is the best place to be! I can't believe you sat through two birthday celebrations, and didn't jump in. I admire your restraint;-) Now, let that be the last of it. Dive in.

Ladies - Thanks for the warm welcome and especially to Karen for all of her help. Ahh! Home at last. It IS a great time to join in. Can't wait for GWPE and LA! My only despair is the lack of HS on this side of the pond! Nothing anywhere and I am quite jealous of all of you that have had the pleasure (like the film or not). I too would watch him do anything, including reading the phone book! Thanks so much.

Hello Lori, nice to meet you! I'm glad you delurked, it is so much better to be out of the shadows than hiding all by yourself. Believe me I know, I've been lurking long enough myself. And I AM a lucky girl as you said, for many reasons: I found this lovely actor to admire, met him in the flesh (and lived to tell the tale), and found this wonderful group of people who know exactly what's bubbling in my heart (and anywhere else) when I look at this beautiful man. :-) So welcome, please make yourself comfortable, and have fun with us!

(Ildi) ...this wonderful group of people who know exactly what's bubbling in my heart (and anywhere else) ROFL--You know, chardonnay wipes relatively clean off of monitors, but it leaves some stickiness behind!

Hi everyone Just a quick post to thank everyone who sent welcome messages. I read them over and over again and felt delighted to have them,and to read everyone elses news,up dates, developments, sightings and reports.However I felt a bit of a wall flower delurking next to Ilde with all her wonderful news. I really identify with "bubbling in my heart" etc.I feel a bit pathetic not having anything much to contribute at present, but I get really excited by everybody elses' contributions and news. I must confess ,pretty much as Loriv, Welcome Loriv- up until 18 months not *18 years*-(large expressive hands near the kitchen sink ) yes I'm one of those- until then I hadn't seen P/P and even didn't see BJD until April 2002.Pretty sad case however I'm not in the *wrong job or the wrong life* but I'm in the right place to know what makes me happy- mostly Paul Ashworth. Im off leaf peeping- New Cardiff inspired. I hope there are some leaves left on the trees .For all of you on the east coast anywhere near Isobels projected path. Keep safe.

Good evening from the soggy Midwest. I'd like to come out of lurkdom to introduce myself. My name is Michelle and I live in a suburb of Kansas City, MO. I probably won't post that often, but wanted to make sure I had said "hello" before I jumped in and said my 2 cents. I'll be 31 in less than 2 weeks and have indeed lost my senses when it comes to ODB. (It's going to take me a long time, but I will learn all the acronyms.) I first felt the pangs of this crush with the first run of P&P on A&E. I ignored my heart and head for years except for reading P&P over and over until DH and I saw SIL. BJD absolutely did me in and that's when I fell off the deep end and starting searching for anything ODB to figure out if I felt as good about the man behind the mask as I did about the characters I had fallen for. I did, found Karen's site, then started lurking here about a month ago. I was a bit late on the BDJ bus, because we are unable to go to the movies very often and I end up renting what we want to see, many times months later. I have learned so much from this conference and can't wait to see GWAPE and LA. I will get a babysitter and see these in the theatre. The last straw that told me that I belonged here was the other night when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. He was good natured about it and was smiling as I backpeddled and he walked away. I guess the only other thing I'd like to say in my intro is that I'm now a SAHM with our 2 1/2 yr old daughter. Pre-dd I was a research historian for a local museum. Lastly, I'm afraid to admit this to this distinguished group, but this is the first and only time I've gone head over heels with respect and admiration for an actor (other than my stage actor husband). I know I'm in good company dreamily envisioning those eyes....that smile....that voice. Talk to you all soon, Michelle

(Michelle)Lastly, I'm afraid to admit this to this distinguished group, but this is the first and only time I've gone head over heels with respect and admiration for an actor (other than my stage actor husband). I know I'm in good company dreamily envisioning those eyes....that smile....that voice. Don't be afraid Michelle!! I'm in the same boat and have found great company here. A hearty Welcome to you and I'll post a graphic at some later time but I gotta get dinner ready........

Welcome Michelle! Your story mirrors that of many of the class of 2003. I was a longtime lurker before jumping in back in February. This is a wonderful place to be and you'll have a great time drooling along with us. You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk...

Welcome Michelle! Yay! Another lovely lady to join in on the fun! (Hen)You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk... I would add to the list, but there are some standards of decency on Drool, right? ;-)))

Greetings back from another part of the soggy Midwest (Iowa). I have a friend who is a SAHM, too, and she doesn't get to see many movies, either. And, what's worse, I have yet to entice her into my BJD obsession, so you deinitely have one up on her for that one. :) I'm pretty new here as well, so I can relate to being a little overwhelmed by the acronyms. I have a fairly good idea what AFG stands for but can't say 100%......... Obviously, I have nothing of much interest to say, but I did want to say hi and it's nice to "meet" you.

Ma-Shell!!! Okay, won't do that to you...LOL! Welcome Michelle! (Michelle) The last straw that told me that I belonged here was the other night when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. My DH just says "say hi to your boyfriend for me"....knowing I'm drooling away (and I keep having to explain that he is ODB, not MDB)!! So glad you could join us !! (Hen)You mentioned those eyes, that smile, the voice. Don't forget the hands, the hair, the dimples, the walk... We are referring to both sets of dimples, yes? ;-) (Dena) I have a fairly good idea what AFG stands for but can't say 100%......... Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-)

Michelle!! ...am counting all the acronyms you did manage to use. Not too shabby. You'll get used to it, but if you ever get lost, just ask. when my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. He was good natured about it and was smiling as I backpeddled and he walked away. You mean he strode away in Colin mode, huh? Loved the story about your husband. Fess up now, he is Eric Close, right? And he took you to Lyme Park and did the P&P proposal scene for you, right? ;-) You're going to have lots of fun here. What's with all the wet weather?? Not in my part of the Midwest. Dry, dry, dry!! (Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) Wimp! ;-)

Welcome Michelle Nice to have you on board.Another westerner,hooraaay!

Michelle You are in good company, here. During our movie outing on Saturday, before LIT began, my DH leaned over and said, "Did you know your boyfriend was on all this week"? I said, really? I knew he meant V because I caught him watching it;-) Funny how Colin was never mentioned by name, he just assumed I'd know who he was talking about. He's come a long, long way;-) (Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) (Karen)Wimp! ;-) My thoughts, exactly! "freakin'"???? What kind of namby pamby talk is that?;-) How about, the InStyle photos: JFL. Just F---ed Look. Only adding the --- for decorum, not that I possess an abundance when it comes to ODB, but what can I say?

I'm a little late but a great big welcome to Michelle and Lori! (Tress), and I keep having to explain that he is ODB, not MDB)!! ROTF! My DH has O tolerance for ODB. In fact, I can safely say he's allergic to him. ;-)

Welcome Michelle, so nice to meet you. Your DH seems great. He's already in the right frame of mind about our mutual obsession. Good for him. Did you say he's an actor? Do we know him? Welcome aboard. You will have a wonderful time and meet so many wonderful ladies. Enjoy.

(Tress) Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) ;-) (Karen)Wimp! ;-) (Linda) My thoughts, exactly! "freakin'"???? What kind of namby pamby talk is that?;-) Alright...I was just trying to set a good example **snicker** for the incoming class! And I didn't want to be sent to time out (my mouth is more Paul Ashworth-ish than should be tolerated)!! BTW...'namby pamby' shouldn't be makin' fun of 'freakin'!!! ;-D

(Tress)BTW...'namby pamby' shouldn't be makin' fun of 'freakin'!!! ;-D Maybe we should have an ODB cursing contest over on Firthology...just kidding, boss. "Freakin" can't get that out of my head. Can't believe you said that;-)LOL. See what you started, Michelle;-)

Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) Namby pamby or not, thanks, Tress, for the verification. I was right after all (use of more "colorful" word included)!

Absolutely freakin' gorgeous (or a close approximation!) And here I thought the "G" meant god with a small "g." I can go with gorgeous. Point made with either wussy or sailor talk. :) Did you say he's an actor? Do we know him? No, he was a stage actor in college and has done community theater and Renaissance Festivals in the midwest. We met at a New Year's party for the theatre group I was with at the time. He came as a guest. Thanks everyone for making me feel welcome and in the right place. DH hasn't said whether he likes OBD or not. The only comment he's made is that he can see why *I* like him. ...I was just trying to set a good example **snicker** for the incoming class! Yeah, right. I may be in the Freshman class here, but I've been around the block elsewhere. *grin* Michelle

Better late than never: Welcome Michelle I can't get you a real Vermeer as a welcomegift, so you'll have to settle with these roses:

Thank you Annette. Roses are my favorite flower. That's a gorgeous graphic too. M.

(Michelle) ...my DH walked in, saw me on the laptop and asked how Colin was. I about died. My secret was out. Michelle, you lucky girl, you at least had a secret for a while. I got busted almost the moment I fell head over heels. My DH saw "it" in my eyes right away, and rolling his eyes said "Oh no, you are in love again!" Not that this happens every day, but darn it, he knows me too well. :-) Welcome to the group!

To all of you From a belated This is for all of you I've missed in this lovely *swelling* membership...... You know who you are!;-)))

I must double post here newbies for here is a lesson for you! I practiced this on http://www.e-pixs.com/practicepad.html and it came out in a horizontal line. Now much to my chagrine it is vertical.:-( But we just must keep plugging away and try to learn something everyday. Glad to have you among us and we'll all have a grand old time.......now back to the practice board for me.:-))

Yes! The more the merrier. Welcome from a Class of '03 newbie.

Welcome Michelle, My secret has been out in our house for about a year now. I used to have my Colin cupboard with Videos, CDs, Soundtracks ,associa ted books and articals, now I have a Colin corner topped of with a photo.One day someone said to my son "who's that with your Mum?"-" It's my uncle Colin." In the Uk the term "uncle" does not always imply true family connections/relationships! Now everyone refers to Uncle Colin.! I have observed that walk, seen those fine eyes and dimples,heard that voice, felt those expressive hands and much to my delight slid my arm around his back and waist- he felt wonderful.It was the most natural thing in the world and was done without any forethought or intent, (there's another P/P quote in there somewhere ) "the first and only time"-I can equate with that as there never has been any other time or person actor or otherwise who had that effect in my adult life.My husband is different I married almost straight from school. As regards SAHM it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it ! Seriously I'm happy to talk tears and temper at 2,22,or 32 but obviously not here. Got to rush now last day at work before leaf peeping. A big thank you to everyone else just for being there and understanding my addiction.

(Gina) I used to have my Colin cupboard with Videos, CDs, soundtracks, associated books and articals, now I have a Colin corner After that, an entire room gets dedicated to the collection and then you might have to build an extension. Gary the Builder? ;-) slid my arm around his back and waist Sounds to me like he posed for a picture with you. Right? Wish I'd thought of doing that myself, but due to the height differential, I'm not sure where my hands might have wound up. *snort*

Karen I'm down there with you at 1.51 metres in height but what's *50* centimeters of good arm length?.I respect him too much for inappropriate use of touch! Apart from anything else I was too dumbstruck to make the most of it. I've not had the aquaintance of Gary the builder -which film/tv production is that?There's lots of early work that I have not seen and have found it difflecult to get. I would love to see Camille but no luck in MLSF.

(Gina) I would love to see Camille but no luck in MLSF. I like your turn of phrase. Gary the builder is in TEOR, the book.

and the Telegraph columns, albeit not as a psycho. ;-)

Peek-a-boo! Delurking at last, after enjoying the pleasure of your company from a distance for more than a year. I honestly feel I know you all so well, and hope you'll get to know me now. I just reread GWAPE, so I'll be posting on 183. Got hooked on CF with P&P, and have managed to collect most of his works on video. Have to say that WAGW is one of my favorites now, purely for the amount of smouldering screen time allocated to HD. Can't wait to see GWAPE! Ladies, I salute you and look forward to serious (and not so serious) Drooling. :-)

serious (and not so serious) Drooling. :-) I can see you fit right in. ;-D Happy to have you Deb, WELCOME!

Deb...you've been lurking for a year? 'bout time you came out;-) Happy to have you on board:-)))

Deb, (Deb)Have to say that WAGW is one of my favorites One of mine, as well. Glad you can join us. Great stuff happening in the next few months. What a great time to delurk!

DEB!!! !! So glad you delurked to drool with us! I can't believe you have been lurking for a year....are you just near to bursting? I would be!! It's going to be a great winter with so many ODB projects out and pending!! So glad to have you here!!

(Tress) "...are you just near to bursting?" You got it, girl! There have been times I've nearly peed my pantaloons reading these boards, and by the time I thought of what I might have posted, someone else took the words right outta my mouth. Thanks for the "glowing" Welcome, Tress. I'm envious of your recent CF encounters, but was very appreciative that you shared every delicious moment with us!

Welcome, Deb! I was a longtime lurker like you and I know you're going to be glad you joined us. HD is one of his most droolworthy roles, IMO, and the next few months promise even more delights. Glad you took the plunge!

Hi Deb! Glad you've decided to join the party!

Deb, you startled Henry a bit with your "peek-a-boo," but he wants to know if you share a fondness for Cocoa Pops. ;-) Welcome, Deb! Glad you decided to delurk and join the fun.

Deb!!! So glad to see you've taken that first step. I'm looking forward to you joining into the GWAPE discussion and having fun on the rest of the *educational* topics here at Drool. ;-)

Welcome Deb!So glad you decided to join us for the ride!Now step out of those shadows and start posting!! :-)

Hi Deb, so nice to meet you. Henry is one of my favorites too. He just gets better and better. Can't wait to meet Vemeer. You fit right in.

Hi Deb! to the best gabfest in town! Late again but I was waiting for another *mob*;-)

(Bee)Late again but I was waiting for another *mob*;-) Can I join your *mob* - I'm also terrible late? :-) Welcome Deb! Greetings from across the pond, where we celebrated the presentation of our Crownprince's new fiance. That's why your welcomerose is this pretty thing, named after our Queen:

Guess I'm a mob of one! Sorry I couldn't drag a few more lurkers into the sunlight with me, but we're a squirrelly bunch. Thanks for the lovely roses and the warm welcome! I'm so impressed with everyone's mastery in the use of graphics. Hope I'll catch on soon.

Hey Deb! I'll post the graphic/italic/bold/misc cheat sheet (for you if you don't have it yet and any others you may need it). Here it is! http://www.austen.com/tutorial/

Hi Deb! Welcome to the party! Glad you're delurking to join us, the more the merrier!

Welcome Deb! I'm also in the Freshman de-lurker class this year. I've been off for a couple of days, so this is late too. I really like HD as well. I wish I could put up a pin-up of the air guitar and leather pants. Have a great day! Michelle

Hey Michelle -- we think alike! A while back Shoshanna (I think, and forgive me if I got the name wrong) posted a little dancing HD in the black leathers. I don't know much about graphics yet, but I managed to save that little sucker to my desktop, so now I can make him wiggle those hips any ole time I want! Sorry I can't figure out how to stick him here again for you to see.

Welcome, Deb I knew tempting you to de-lurk with tomatoes would work!! These are particularly juicy, just for you!! Good to have you join the party!!!

Welcome to all the Newbies!! Haven't posted in a while, so don't know the names. Enjoy, Enjoy!! elaine

"daaaaamn ! how thoughtless ! i missed the arrival of all these new droolers again, ildi, lori, michelle, deb... but look, i still have my ticket, so i guess i can still board the newbie train of sept-oct 2003 : hey ladies, who wants to share a seat with me ?" welcome aboard everyone, and hang on tight (it's going to be a bumpy ride).

for the warm welcome! Love ODB jumping up and down with joy -- what a guy!

Hi I am new...could someone please explain to me what does ODB stand for? Not to sound stupid but I can't figure it out..... Hi I am Darla. Hopelessly obsessed with Mr. Firth...... I did pop over to London about a month ago, but drew the line at running over to Islington....lol Nice to meet you all :)

Our Dear Boy........ or any number of illicit names we can come up with, when the mood and circumstances strike. ;-D drew the line at running over to Islington We'll cure you of that. ;-) Welcome, Darla! You'll get the hang of it soon.

Hi Darla! Nice to meet you! ODB stands for "Our Dear Boy." Granted, I'm practically still a newbie, so if anyone else wants to chime in, take their word over mine. ;-)

Hi Darla and welcome! The abbreviated stuff stumped me a bit at first, too. :-)

Hi Darla Glad you joined us. If you go back and read the old messages you'll catch on to the short-cuts.

Darla!! Nice to see you posting. Have fun here. You'll not find anywhere better than this on the net for discussing Colin, amongst other things. ;-)

Darla This is the best place to be, and your timing couldn't be better.

This is where the action is and we have the most fun...that's for sure. Which says a lot for you guys. Next few months should bring lots of newbies. Always does aft one of his films:-) And we're getting two goodies. Pleasegawd the 'dogs' have gone forever. I like newbies.

Well I have been reading for a while, but just joined and gave to the drool fund :) So I liked it enought that I paid BEFORE I stayed :) Darla

WELCOME, DARLA!!! I'm a newbie, too. There's a lot to be learned here, and it's all v.g. fun!

Welcome Darla! it's all v.g. fun is right.

Welcome Darla! I'm sure, you'll enjoy this v.v. fun place :-)

Welcome Darla! You're just in time to join us in a major droolfest over Mark Darcy being back in town! And then there are lots of other delights to look forward to as well, like LA, GWAPE and Trauma. Life is good!

I have already tried to get screening tickets to LA. I was just over in London about 3 weeks ago, why couldn't they have started shooting then. My dh is about to set off for Amsterdam, I am trying to work out a deal to land me back in England soon, but alas I think the stars are against me......lol Thanks to everyone for the great welcomes!

Welcome Darla! Sorry I'm late! Have had computer problems at home for three days (as in the 'puter is in the 'hospital'...it came on quite suddenly and it's been quite a 'trauma'!) So anyway! A very belated...

They say "better late than never", so... Hello Deb and Darla, welcome to Drool! It's great to have you with us, have fun! I know I do. :-)

...Well, I guess it's time...peeks around the corner...Hi, it's just me, Eithne (pronounced Enya, just like the singer)...thought I'd de-lurk for a minute. Must say how much I've enjoyed the location reports from London and all the other fun you have here. Don't know how much I'll be able to contribute, but I did want to say Hi!

What a great time to delurk! ODB all wet for you today!!!! Welcome Eithne!!!!!

Eithne Welcome. Its great to have you here. Its always good to hear other people's views on, well, Colin ;-)

Hello Eithne! It is nice to see you here.

Eithne, welcome! I like your name.

Hi Eithne Glad you came on board at the best time ever... Two movies almost out at the same time.. Both getting good reviews... Filming in London for a high- profile hit.... Whoa! Doesn't get any better than this:-)))

Eithne! Saying hi back at ya. Stick around and soon you'll be "contributing" with the rest of us. ;-)

Hi Eithne and welcome! Glad you delurked and decided to join our merrymaking. :-)

Eithne Welcome aboard. Excellent time to delurk. It doesn't get any better than this!

Hi Eithne! Welcome! Glad you're here! This is a great time and it's even going to get better! Have fun!

Welcome Eithne! Now you've taken the plunge, don't be shy. Such an exciting time to join us here at Drool with two films coming out v. soon and others in the works for next year. Enjoy!

Glad you decided to *delurk* Eithne! Coming out can be wonderfully liberating! Here's my hard earned trick for you!!! Glad to have you among us. So where are you from?

Sorry I'm so late to say hello. Maybe the picture (thanks Karen!) will help me make up for my belatedness. ;-) Welcome Eithne!

Eithne, better late than never: Welcome! Your name led me to Irish Flower, so here's to you:

Thank you all for the lovely welcome! Beedee, you are amazing with your HTML and Shoshana, thank you for the lovely picture (those dimples are devastating)! Annette, thank you for the beautiful flower. I feel so at home. Speaking of which, I currently live in NE Florida {so if he's getting rid of the succubus, I will be glad to meet him at the airport ;-D}, but will be moving to the Baltimore/Washington area in the near future. In the meantime, I'm reading the reports from London and waiting for LA to open.

Hi All, Just saying "hello" to all of you :)....I've enjoyed watching CF over the years and this is a wonderful website about him filled many of his dedicated fans/supporters....:) Momi

Momi Welcome, enjoyed watching CF over the years I have only enjoyed watching CF for about a year, and now I wonder how I could have missed him ;-) dedicated fans/supporters....:) yes, and I love all the updates, pics, reports etc that they share

Hello Momi and welcome!

Momi!!!! Have fun here and thanks for the info on the Hawaii Film Fest; I hope you'll share your impressions of the film after you've seen it. Lucky girl!!

ALOHA, Momi! Welcome to the world of Firth. It is indeed a v.v.g. place to visit!

Eithne, Momi, glad you've joined us. Perfect timing too.

Once again, welcome to all of the newbies!! elaine

"Mahalo Nui" (Thank you) for the "welcome"..... We tried seeing GWAPE last Friday, Oct. 31, but the showing at the film festival was "sold out"....Many people including ourselves who stood in line to get tickets were disappointed....We'll have to wait until GWAPE is shown in wider release in Jan. 2004....It sounds like a long time from now, but actually it's only 2 months away....:)

Welcome, Momi! So sorry you and your friends didn't get tickets to GWAPE. But hope you get other opportunities to see CF in theatres or in person in the near future. This is a great place to find out about those things, so stick around! So glad you're here! Aloha, Momi!

Hello everyone. This is a fabulous site. I have been lurking around for a few months and have thought about de-lurking for awhile. However, in September I thought "These ladies know so much I'll never be able to add to it". I thought about it in October, especially while the Cubs were in the playoffs because the atmosphere reminded me of Fever Pitch, but was not quite ready. Now it is November, I've seen LA, can't wait for GWAPE and I'm bursting to talk about everything. So here I am taking the plunge after much thought.

I only recently took the plunge myself and it didn't hurt a bit! Such exciting things going on around here -- so glad you're here!

Gail! We welcome your bursting! Come out and play with us! Such a wonderful time to delurk..... And taking the plunge! Just like Jamie! ;-)

Hi Gail! Glad you are delurking and joining the party!

Welcome Gail! Glad you decided to delurk. The magic of this place is not in what you say, it's how everyone understands what you *do* say. Where else is someone likely to understand the preoccupation a pair of fine dimples can cause? Have fun and "burst" away, the fun part is it's contagious!

Gail!!! As many have said, it is a great time to delurk. So much happening and so many great stories to enjoy. Sit back, put your feet up and keep the Windex nearby 'cause your monitor screen may need a good wipe every once and awhile. ;-)

Drool Gail!!! Don't burst, talk! You can't hold these things in! ;-)) Glad you have joined us!

Welcome Gail! You've come to the right place to

Welcome, Gail! You have definitely come to the Best Place on the Web Period for CF! ;-) Glad you've joined us!

Welcome Gail!

Gail! Glad to have you with us. So much to drool about and not enough hours in the day to do so! :-)

Gail So glad you joined us...I love newbies...'Bout time we had someone new. C'mon you lurkers out there...come join us.

Let's see if I'm lucky this time, Gail.....

LOL Evelyn, nice one! Got this sudden urge to sing "Hey Hey We're the Monkees..."

Welcome Gail! I'm new too, and loving it! Sooo...come on it, the water's warm and inviting and there are NO EELs.

LOL, Barb!! Loved them, esp Mike. Welcome, Gail!! And everyone I may have missed in the last couple of months.

(Dorine) LOL, Barb!! Loved them, esp Mike. LOL Not me, I've been a sucker for the accent since waaaaay back!

Gail I think you deserve a prize for delurking at the most opportune time. Glad you're here!!

Welcome Gail to the best place to indulge your fascination with all things ODB. You'll have a great time. I was scared to jump in for several months, but once I did I've never looked back. This is a great group to drool with and a great time to do it!

LOL Evelyn, nice one! Got this sudden urge to sing "Hey Hey We're the Monkees..." LOL. After all these yrs, I'm sick of the ole Welcome graphics....gotta branch out.

Thanks so much for the welcome. I loved all the graphics. I have so much to learn. Hey, I know that theme from the Monkees, but before I sing I would need to put on the old Yardley Pot-o-Gloss to be a perfectly mod gal.

Hello Hello!!!!!!! I'm Kimberly (residing in Westchester County, NY - USA!)I'm so very happy to be a part of this WONDERFUL conference! . .At last fellow fans of Colin Firth I can share my feelings with . .I do think my husband thinks I have gone mad with my teensy . .OK . . . LARGE obsession with Colin. Lets see . .where did it start? . .I recall catching bits of Another Country . .I think on television . .noticing him . .rather cute young man . . then years later I caught P&P when it first aired here in the US (have always been a fan of costume dramas) . .again, how could one not notice Colin . .those eyes, that voice!!!!!. . then fast forward to BJD, amazingly enough . .I was so put off by the hype about the film . .I waited till it came out on DVD to see it!!!! . .I realized it was him! (then after looking at his filmography I realized how much of a chameleon he is . .how I've loved him in numerous of my favorite films - Circle of Friends, Shakespeare in Love). .ahhh and the true love for Colin has blossomed . . I searched frantically the internet for sites, pics (he is now very prevalent on my screen savers both at work and at home) . .I found my way to www/firth.com . .and then eventually here!!!! I am catching up on as many of his movies that I have missed and am starting a collection of my own of his works . . . Having trouble getting copies of his earlier works and some of his BBC Television pieces . . . But I will prevail!!!! I'm rather excited to be a part of this . .!!!!! Forgive me if I go on and on. .when I get excited I get a bit well . .wordy!!! My dear husband is getting a bit tired of me prattling on about Colin anyway . .and it's nice to share it with people who can truly understand!!! OH and I guess before I go . .I should tell a little bit more about myself! I'm an actress . .residing here in NY, NY . .and you can bet I have my fingers crossed for the day I get to work with Colin on screen . . . I also sing, and write ( I do love the fan fic topi . .have read some of the pieces (mostly Lisa's BJD inspired ones) . .can't wait to read the rest . .and perhaps I may try my hand at a piece or two . . (Confidentially I have a few screenplays floating about in my head - just need to put it to paper!. .and of course wouldn't you know I have dear Colin as the leading man in a few of them!!!) OK . .guess that's it for my intro!!!!! Hi again everyone!!

!!!

Welcome Kimberly! Nice to meet you! You've picked a great time to delurk and the more the merrier! Glad to have you!

Hi Kimberley. You picked it...right place, right time... Glad to have you here.

Kimberley Perfect time to be caught in the web...

To the newbies! Glad to have you here.

Welcome Newbies, what a great time to join! I hope you'll all enjoy your time here with us.

WELCOME ALL NEWBIES!!! WARNING: Enthusiasm is contagious around here. Be prepared!

Welcome Kimberly!! So glad you came to drool! (Kimberly) -- then after looking at his filmography I realized how much of a chameleon he is . .how I've loved him in numerous of my favorite films - He does kind of sneak up on you that way, doesn't he!?? Loved him ages ago in Valmont, then he snuck by me in TEP and SIL (recognized him, but didn't have the epiphany yet...) before I had my Ding Dong moment in BJD!

late again... welcome aboard momi, gail & kimberly check out the animatronicolin extravaganza, they sing, they dance, and i know not wot. warning : big files ahead a few of them are missing (particularly the infamous 2003 birthday bash cha-cha animatronicolin), but you'll get the picture.

sorry, don't know what got into me (must be all those pix on 184) here's the correct link boys, boys, boys ! enjoy.

Kimberley!!! Your enthusiasm and background will be a great addition to the site, especially when we do another of our formal film discussions. We once had a director on the boards and the insights were amazing. Glad to have you onboard and I hope you have a great time with this great group of people who share a common interest.

SOPHIE!!! Well done, you! I just had to pop back in to say "YOU ARE AMAZING!" Thanks for the goody file!

Sophie - Wonderful file!!!!! Karen - Would love to help out . .and give as much insight as I can (from a actor's point of view) I do love the film discussions on www.firth.com and would be honored to take part in any future ones.:) I am ruthlessly committed to becoming a useful and helpful part of this conference! I do also like to read the literary works that ODB's (oh . . I feel priveliged to actually call him that now that I'm an offical member of Drool!) films have been based on. (have already gotten through: GWAPE, 3 Days of Rain, Thousand Acres, BJD & BJD:TEOR, P&P) Am currently in the middle of Camille . .had read GWAPE awhile ago, may have to bone up on it before jumping in on any discussions of the book. Shoshanna - Thanks for the emails! To everyone - thank you for your welcomes (**blushes**) Please bear with me .usually in my enthusiasm, I spell horribly (OK so I spell horribly to begin with, but usually it is much worse when I start typing quickly . .I think faster than I type (you could say I tend to let whatever's in my head come out of fingers without much consideration of the consequences) . .and I am getting used to HTML (thanks for the tips Shoshanna!) . .Will soon want to learn how to get all those lovely graphics/pics on my posts! All in good time!

Welcome, Gail and Kimberley (I hope, I haven't forgotten any others) You've landed in the best parallel universe, there is :-)

(Kimberley)Am currently in the middle of Camille I like you already;-)

Welcome, Kimberley and all newbies!

Welcome Kimberley! As you add to your collection you'll be amazed by the range of his talent, even from some of his earliest works. So glad you have joined us!

May I make a humble suggestion to all the newbies and I am sure we're getting many because of LA. Next week is P&P and that brings out lots of newbies. Then next month GWAPE. You will enjoy Drool more if you read some of the old postings and familiarize yourself with the acronyms we use on this website. Also the flavor of the place; we're a friendly bunch,... respect opinions. Again...happy you came here. Have fun!

Kimberly, welcome to the world of Firth! An actress AND a writer, eh? So you can write the perfect roles for ODB, and then act beside him in your screenplays as well? ;-) Not a bad idea....

(Lisa) So you can write the perfect roles for ODB, and then act beside him in your screenplays as well? Wouldn't that be a trip!!! . .I would be more than happy to work with both Colin AND Richard Curtis. RC has quite a great way with dialogue that I am still trying to master . .that is when I find time between running to auditions to sit myself down and write!!! I must bow to your writing skills . .LOVE your BJ inspired fan fiction!!! (I read all of it!) I can't wait till you write another story!!!!!

Hello everyone � I discovered this special site on ODB�s birthday but have been lurking for the past couple of months because (a) I had no news/sightings/Firthiana to contribute, and (b) I hadn�t the faintest idea how to do all the neat things with pictures, icons, animatronics, etc. (Still don�t, in fact.) But I just spent a week in London on vacation with possibly the worst timing ever, managing to miss every single opportunity to see ODB in person: I was there AFTER the shooting of the Primrose Hill/Borough Market/Hyde Park scenes in TEOR, but DURING the time when ODB was doing all the LA and GWAPE promotion back in the US, and got home (Boston area) just BEFORE the LA premiere and the International Survival benefit showing in London. So instead of a vacation away from my usual routine of e-mail and Internet busi(busy?)ness, I interrupted many well-planned mornings and afternoons by searching for an internet caf� (which often took me quite far out of my way), and then spending many an hour following ODB�s doings on this site. Several times in the late evening, after I got back from the theater or a concert, I even went to a 24-hour internet caf� near my hotel that charges extortionist rates, just so I could keep up with the latest. So a big THANK YOU to all you wonderful Drooleurs for your postings!! O herwise, despite London�s many charms (and I did have a great time � Thank you, London!;-) I might have been climbing the walls from having to go cold turkey on news about ODB. When I first came down with the CF bug this summer, I thought it would be just a passing fancy. This vacation has finally jolted me out of my denial, and I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder. So I�ve finally taken the plunge, for who better to hang out with than fellow Firthanatics? ;-)

Welcome, Zing! So glad you joined us. Lots of firth things happening all over. Sounds like London was a lot of fun, but sorry your timing was a little off :-(. With the help of drool, your timing will get better ;-). (Zing)case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Love this! I believe you've coined a new firth phrase already!

Hi Zing

Welcome Zing! If keeping up with Colin is what you want to do you're in the right place. How did you first contract OCD? I know you said you caught the bug this summer, but tell us how you knew you were hooked.

(Hen) How did you first contract OCD? I know you said you caught the bug this summer, but tell us how you knew you were hooked. Well, since you asked� In need of some distraction this summer but not wanting to go with the usual beach reads, I had decided to re-read all of Jane Austen in chronological order and watch the associated films. First up was Sense and Sensibility, which went as planned � read the book, watched the movie, liked them both, onto the next. But then I got completely stuck on P&P � read the book first (which by then must have been my fifteenth time), then sat down to watch the DVD at around 10 p.m. one night, thinking I�d only watch the first couple of episodes, at most the first DVD. Yeah, right. Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work), then watched it again multiple times over the next few days, then read the book again, then watched the DVD again, then went back to the book, and so on in an endless (and endlessly pleasurable) loop! I had actually watched the original A&E presentation of P&P back in 1996, thought it was an excellent production, but at the time was more taken with Jennifer Ehle than with CF, whom I thought good but not as handsome or as Darcyesque as Laurence Olivier. The funny thing is, my niece, who was not quite six years old at the time, fell completely in love with Mr. Darcy when she watched the 1996 broadcast. After that she insisted on watching the tapes over and over again (she must have sat through the entire series 4 or 5 times), even though she really couldn�t have understood most of the dialogue. But she did pick up enough to get the gist of the story, and kept dressing up as Lizzie and pretending to get married to �Mr. Darcy� as she called him. I still have a picture she drew at the time of Mr. Darcy (complete with top hat and cane) and Lizzie walking together under the trees. I even watched the tapes with her a couple of times, but somehow remained impervious to CF�s charms. But then this summer when I watched it again I just fell completely under his spell. I think it started as early as the first dance at the Meryton Assembly, when Lizzie walked past him after overhearing his comments to Bingley, and he had that shy, hurt, embarrassed but intrigued look on his face -- I was just amazed at his ability to convey so many different moods and feelings in a matter of nanoseconds! By the time of his next scene, at the Lucas party, when he gazes at Lizzie with those smoldering eyes and the sexy little smile playing around the corners of his mouth, meanwhile telling Caroline Bingley about the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in a pretty face can bestow, I was a goner!! After that I was completely hooked, and started down the path that is I�m sure familiar to my fellow Drooleurs: first step was to look for all the CF movies I could get my hands on (and was astounded to find I had already seen many of them and had in fact enjoyed his performances, but just had not realized it was the same actor!). The next stage of Firthfever entailed checking out all the websites devoted to him, and of course firth.com was at the top of the Google list, and I have spent many happy hours here reading up on all the articles, interviews, and reviews, drooling over the many pictures of his gorgeous face and form, and of course keeping up with all the latest news of ODB. I finally discovered the Lovely Ladies of Drool at the birthday party for ODB, but didn�t muster up the courage to join you all until my obsessive behavior on my London trip convinced me that I might as well take the plunge! ;-) And oh, yes, except for Persuasion, I have not made any further progress on my Austen cycle. I have, however, read some books I would otherwise not have thought to read: Fever Pitch, A Month in the Country, Speaking with the Angel, and BJD I and II. (Don�t laugh, I�m kinda slow at some things!) ;-))

(Zing)Don�t laugh, .. We never laugh at anybody, just share a lot of laughs :-) Welcome, Zing. Your case of OCD is something, you share with a lot of us :-)

(Zing)But then I got completely stuck on P&P � read the book first (which by then must have been my fifteenth time)...... Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work), then watched it again multiple times over the next few days, then read the book again, then watched the DVD again, then went back to the book, and so on in an endless (and endlessly pleasurable) loop! LOL Zing!! This could have been my story except that I only had the videos from the library which was a moderating factor as not all were available. But I rewound them over and over till I got my own set. You are in very supportinve company.

(Zing) ...sat down to watch the DVD at around 10 p.m. one night, thinking I�d only watch the first couple of episodes, at most the first DVD. Yeah, right. Of course I ended up watching all 6 hours at one go (somehow managing to get up a few hours later to go to work) Been there, done that, heard it repeatedly. The darn thing ought to come with a warning! Welcome! LOL about your niece, obviously a discerning child...did she retain any of the obsession?

Welcome Zing. I'm new here myself and I'm so glad you are here and that I now have name for this condition "OCD". OCD must have been rampant this summer, because I caught it on August 9th at 2p.m.

(Zing)I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Hi Zing! Welcome . .I'm a recent newbie too!!!! I'll admit to ya I seem to have OCD for ODB as well!!! You're story is very familiar . .I've done the 6 hour P&P marathon many a night myself (usually at that time my husband rolls his eyes and proceeds to the other room to watch ESPN!) . .as well as the searching out of Colin's other works and reading related books/plays that dealt with his projects! If you do get back to your Austen reading/watching cycle . .Have you seen the BBC film of Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds (v.g.) also their version of Emma with Kate Beckinsdale is v.g. Have not seem the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma . .but Ewan McGregor is in that one as Frank Churchill . .and I have heard sings . .I do love his voice . .so I may watch it after all!

(Zing)and I now recognize that I have a hopeless (though not necessarily fatal) case of Obsessive Colin Disorder LOL Zing! You've stated it perfectly! Glad you have decided to delurk in these exciting days!

Welcome Zing!!!! LOL at your OCD...don't think there is a cure. At least not that I know of...and I don't think there is a twelve step program for it either...glad you found Drool so that you can 'suffer' with us! ;-)

Pull up a chair and make yourself at home in the OCD ward!

Thanks, everyone, for coming to my �coming out� party! I feel right at home now in the OCD ward. ;-) Lora � I don�t think I can take credit for the OCD phrase: I�m sure I saw it somewhere before. Annette � Thanks for the lovely roses! Wish I could get the ones in my garden to look as good� BeeDee, Tress, Shoshana and Deb � How do you do those neat things with the letters and icons? (BarbS) LOL about your niece, obviously a discerning child...did she retain any of the obsession? Her current idol is Orlando Bloom, but she has happily watched a fair number of my CF DVDs with me (TIOBE, RV, BJD, and WAGW), and thinks that Mark Darcy is �obviously much cuter� than Daniel Cleaver. I showed her the GWAPE trailer without telling her who was in it, and in the scene where he turns around after Griet first went into the studio, my niece said �Oooooh, there�s Colin Firth!� Still a discerning child. Perhaps when she watches P&P again but on a more adult level, she�ll catch the fever once more. ;-) Gail and Kimberley � nice to meet you fellow newbies. What an exciting time to be an OCD �sufferer�! (Kimberley) If you do get back to your Austen reading/watching cycle . .Have you seen the BBC film of Persuasion with Ciaran Hinds (v.g.) also their version of Emma with Kate Beckinsdale is v.g. Have not seen the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma� Yes, I agree, the film of Persuasion is one of my favorite Austen adaptations and I did watch it again as part of my abbreviated �cycle� this summer. I saw the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma when it first came out, but didn�t watch it again recently since I didn�t get around to re-reading the novel. (My rule was I must finish the book first before I could watch the movie.) If I ever get around to reading Emma again I will look for the Kate Beckinsdale version as well � thanks for the tip. (And a tip for you: if you�re still working on your collection of CF films and have exhausted all the commercial sources such as amazon.com, ebay, and half.com, then talk to the Boss Lady Karen � I�m sure she can help you out!) ;-) Evelyn � Er, um, sorry for the long postings! I�ll try to be brief from now on. ;-)

Zing!!! Da plane! Da plane! Isn't that the plane that just brought you back? ;-) Loved the story of your descent into OCD. Oh, to have a niece like that. My three are totally worthless. ;-) Do watch the Paltrow "Emma." IMO, it's much better than the Beckinsale version, plus it has Jeremy Northam as Knightley. Forget about Ewan. There's Jeremy Northam, looking mighty fine.

(Zing) But then this summer when I watched it again I just fell completely under his spell. I think it started as early as the first dance at the Meryton Assembly, when Lizzie walked past him after overhearing his comments to Bingley, and he had that shy, hurt, embarrassed but intrigued look on his face -- I was just amazed at his ability to convey so many different moods and feelings in a matter of nanoseconds! By the time of his next scene, at the Lucas party, when he gazes at Lizzie with those smoldering eyes and the sexy little smile playing around the corners of his mouth, meanwhile telling Caroline Bingley about the pleasure a pair of fine eyes in a pretty face can bestow, I was a goner!! Wonderful! You were "zinged" by exactly the same two scenes that got me going, back in 1996! Welcome to the magnificent obsession! And a belated welcome to all the other newbies (or by now, not-so-newbies) whose welcome parties I've missed.

Welcome, Zing! Love the name. And I am glad to finally know the name of our disease, OCD. (I'm referred to as Obsessia in my neck of the woods. Sadly, I'm not making this up!) Kimberly, thank you for your kind words. I don't have a Bridget story on the horizon at the moment, as I have been trying to write a modern P&P story. P.S. To everyone else, Kimberly is not my mother, nor has any money exchanged hands. ;-D

(Zing)case of Obsessive Colin Disorder Brilliant. The first step is admitting it to yourself. The next is to properly feed the disorder with large doses of Firthiana and all things Firth. This should guarantee permanent residence in the OCD ward. I'm two doors down left of center. Should you find my room empty, be patient, I'm being treated for lingering HS-itis and newly diagnosed LA-phobia.

(Karen)Do watch the Paltrow "Emma." IMO, it's much better than the Beckinsale version, plus it has Jeremy Northam as Knightley. Forget about Ewan. There's Jeremy Northam, looking mighty fine. Oooh . .Jeremy plays Knightley???? . .then it's a must rent . .I did so like him in An Ideal Husband

hey all - just posting a quick note of introduction! i'm risa and i'm Beedee's daughter from Brooklyn. i have to take a moment to brag - i was a Firthite well before she was! in 1988 or 1989, we watched Apartment Zero together and his character struck me so strongly that i've noticed him and picked him out in films ever since, whether it was as the cuckolded husband in English Patient, the scorned suitor in Shakespeare in Love, or the elegant long-legged dandy of Valmont (winks at Beedee). so when Beedee revealed to me the extent of her interest, i was terrifically happy to join in! she turned me on the Bridget Jones (which i would not have seen without her influence), Another Country, and the all important P&P, and in turn i passed along The Advocate, Valmont, and re-introduced Apartment Zero. but to be wholly honest, i'll admit that Sir Colin (the title i'm sure he'll acquire soon) is not tops of my list of obsessiveness. i've been a desperate Guy Pearce fan for a few years now. but ODB is much nicer and forthcoming to his fans, and has a more tenderly romantic range of films to watch! ;) other than that, i have to note that i don't have much time to post, being actice in a bunch of other 'net locations, but if anyone knows of an opportunity for photographs in the NYC metro area, let me know - i'm a photography nut! ~risa

Welcome Little Bee! You started your ODB appreciation around the same time I did (different movie...Valmont for me)! So glad that you are posting! Was wonderful to meet you in NYC....hopefully we can all do it again sometime....Was so much fun I had withdrawal from all the excitement! Love that you and your mum can share your love for Colin together!

Hi Risa! Glad to "see" you again! I know you are v. busy and important, but I do hope you'll spend time here. ;-)

Nice to meet you Risa! I've heard such lovely things about you! How nice that you and your mom share this! Welcome!

(Risa)or the elegant long-legged dandy of Valmont (winks at Beedee). Do you mean these legs? Welcome to my parallel universe..... again!;-))

Hi Little Bee. Great to see you again. Nice to share Drool with ones kids. My son introduced me to Jane Austen, and thinks Drool is a fun place.

Hi Risa (or do you prefer Little Bee:)!!!! Glad to meet another New Yorker!!! . .I'm up in Westchester County!! ( A nice 30 minutes from GCT) . .hopefully at the next event here I'll get to meet you in person . .if not before then!!!

(Well, it was supposed to be little, but you get the picture...) Hi Risa -- You have a most discerning eye to have spotted ODB from way back when--that must be why you were able to take those great pictures at the NY premiere!! Hope to see you around once in a while.

Hi Risa, and welcome! How perfectly delightful to have a mother/daughter team of Drooleurs. Hope you will find the time to join us now and then. Thanks for the lovely pictures you shared.

thanks to all for the lovely welcome! i congratulate you all on your great taste in men ;)

From the "Bettah Late Than Nevah" dept: Little Bee to our Web Hope you'll get caught up in our fun!

Welcome Risa! Thanks for bringing gifts (NY pics), they're much enjoyed and appreciated.

Welcome to all of the "Newbies" since the last time I posted. This is truly a great place to be. I usually don't say much when on the board. I like to spend my time reading what others have to say. I work so much I am usually behind on much of what is happening and find this a great place to catch up. Once again, welcome to all. elaine

Hello to everyone! First off, thanks to Karen for the assistance in registering here. This seems to be a wonderful community, and I look forward to joining in the fun! Now, a little about myself. Don't worry; I won't be offended should any snoring ensue during the reading of this post. Though hopefully it will not come from myself, lol. My name is Nicole, and I live in a small farming community in west central Ohio (yawn). It is nice enough, though the main benefit of the area for me is its proximity to cities I enjoy visiting. My interests include theatre, cinema, and figure skating, of all things. My figure skating "habit" accounts for most of my travel, as I will normally attend competitions or shows within a day's driving distance, provided I have the funds and can arrange the time off work to do so. Strangely, it was my skating fandom that let me here, as someone at The Michelle Kwan Forum posted a link to firth.com on the board. Why I had never previously thought to look for a firth.com, I don't know, but I was certainly happy to find it, and consequently, this community. One of the first tidbits of information I found was the news that Colin would be appearing on "The View" on Nov. 11th. I had been thinking about a trip back East anyway, to meet up with some friends and attend Ice Wars (a televised professional skating competition) as well as some Stars on Ice rehearsals, but the fact that Colin would be appearing on a talk show in Manhattan that very week sealed the deal. I determined to try and get into the show on standby, and luckily, succeeded! It was wonderful to see Colin on the show, and confirm that he is actually a real person! I am reminded of the commercial in which the talking M & M candies happen upon Santa Claus, and exclaim, "He DOES exist!" That was very much my feeling seeing Colin walk onto the set! As you know, Colin was witty and charming, and I do think made some new fans in the audience that day. It seemed to me that most of the people attending the show had no idea who was going to be on it that day, as they had ordered tickets months ahead of time. It was fun to see them fall under the spell that so many of us are quite familiar with. ;) As I told Karen, during his appearance Colin had the audience in continues giggles, as well as the hosts (as you could see on the broadcast, I'm sure). I do think co-host Erin Hershey Presley developed a slight crush on Colin, particularly noticeable when the hosts were seeing Colin off (after his segment, off-camera). She seemed to sink her head into her shoulders bashfully when Colin took her hand to say goodbye; I had to laugh because I would have done the same thing! It's very cute to see a celebrity somewhat awed by another celebrity. :-) This posting ended up being much longer than I intended; my apologies! I look forward to keeping up with all the latest happenings here. Thank you all in advance for your patience; I promise to try not to write quite so much next time!

Way t'go Nicole!! You picked the best TV appearance. Were you the one with the sign? LOL. And I didn't snore. Your posting was interesting and timely.

What a way to make an entrance! Congratulations on your live CF sighting, and thanks for the report. (BTW, this place is addictive!)

Nicole - Welcome! Welcome! I think your posting was great! . .thanks for the report on the View!

Nicole!!! All of you with The View on tape can see Nicole, holding that sign and looking pretty thrilled to be there. (Nicole) She seemed to sink her head into her shoulders bashfully Good thing you characterized it as "bashfully," otherwise, I'd have to step in for Moon and yell, "whore!" ;-) [it's an old joke here] It's very cute to see a celebrity somewhat awed by another celebrity. :-) She seems to be following in the Katie Couric mode. I didn't get a sense (after viewing the tape over and over the other day) that Meredith Viera had succumbed or entered a state of drool. Can you recall? No worries, if you cannot. I doubt your eyes were on her. ;-) Glad to have you with us finally! As you can see, it isn't too difficult to post. Have fun!

Thanks for the welcome, everyone! I don't recall anything specific about Meredith, but you're right, I wasn't really looking at her during Colin's interview! My overall impression was that all of the ladies were rather taken with him. :-) BTW, I hadn't decided if I was going to own up to the sign, LOL, but yes, as Karen knows, that was me. I saw the clip of that when I got home, and had to laugh. I noticed that the camera caught me realizing that most everyone had taken their seats already to listen to the interview, while my seatmate and I were still standing, and I was shouting out "WHOOOOO"! Ah, well, I am more accustomed to figure skating ovations; they tend to run a bit longer! I'm off to Michigan now for a skating competition today. I am almost afraid to see how much I'll have missed here when I return! Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

Welcome, Nicole! Glad you made the trip over here!

Welcome Nicole, what an entrance indeed! Love your M&M reference and didn't snore one bit. Got a few questions for you. What really goes on during those commercial breaks? How did CF react to your sign? Sorry, I missed the View appearance :-( How did firth.com come up on the MK forum? What was it about ODB that got you interested in the first place? Any favorite role/movie of his? Just call me curious

Nicole Wow, you work mighty fast! It took me almost a year to work up the nerve to get to NY to see ODB. Bravo!!!! Glad you're here.

Nicole!!! Sorry for the late welcome! Am having a v. v. hectic day at work fannying about with the spreadsheets! I'm so happy you were at The View! Wot an amazing experience!!! I envied the ladies who got to see the rockin' floral shirt 'live'!! Did you get to see him afterwards or beforehand for autographs or pics? Glad that you have joined us...

Nicole from a fellow Midwesterner. (I'm in Cincinnati). How great that you got to see Colin on The View. Well done! So glad to have you with us.

Welcome Nicole! As far as I know you are the only one of us who got to see Colin live on The View. I thought when I first saw it that the woman with the sign must be one of us. LOL! And now you are. This is such a great place to be!

I loved your story of your visit to the view! Having had a viewing myself I know the feeling and it's a great thing to be able to share. next year I've really gotta get a new welcome thing going.;-)

Well Nicole, it's late and I goofed (and *X* marks one of the spots)but I hope you feel welcome here!

Thank you to everyone for the additional welcomes! It is very much appreciated! :-) Sonia, to answer your questions: During the commercial breaks, the hosts got their make-up retouched, and they would move to a different part of the set if they would be doing another segment somewhere else (as they did for the boring shoe segment at the end). I was to the far left of Colin and not very close, so I don't think he saw my sign at all (he didn't look over quite that far when he acknowledged the audience). As far as the Michelle Kwan Forum, a fan there posted a link to firth.com for another fan that she knows to be a Colin fan, as well as for anyone else who might be. I cannot say that it was one performance alone that stirred my interest in Colin; it was more of a gradual thing. I would see films that he happened to be in, and increasingly began to think, "Wow, this guy is always REALLY good in whatever role he plays". I don't think I can name a single favorite role; I like him in all the ones I've seen for different reasons. Certain roles, including anyone named Darcy lol, cause little butterflies in my tummy. ;) Other times, (for example, in his "Apartment Zero" role), he astounds me with the skill and depth with which he can inhabit a strangely fascinating character. And I like his ability to play humor; no matter how many times I see "Shakespeare in Love", I still chuckle at his blustering scenes in that! Anyway, hope I answered all your questions. :) Tress, unfortunately the show did not offer the opportunity for autographs or pics with Colin (and I'd settle for just the pic!). The only time you could take pictures at all was between segments, and Colin was ushered off after his segment, so it didn't provide the opportunity to get a good shot of him. Needless to say, I tried anyway, but since I was so far away, and didn't have an especially great camera on me, all I have are a couple of fuzzy distant snapshots (although *I* know who it is, even if most looking at the photos wouldn't, so I will treasure the pics all the same!). Beedee, no worries! And yes, I feel quite welcome; thanks! :) BTW, can anyone tell me how to italicize text, or edit a post here? I noticed a spelling error in one of my previous posts, and as that is likely to happen again, I'd like to know if it can be repaired!

I noticed a spelling error in one of my previous posts, and as that is likely to happen again, I'd like to know if it can be repaired I love it here for many reasons and the fact that spelling doesn't count is one of them! Neither does penmanship.;=))

(Nicole) I cannot say that it was one performance alone that stirred my interest in Colin; it was more of a gradual thing. Jane Austen couldn't have written it better. ;-) Admin questions No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here. But it really isn't necessary to do so. We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Also, there's no need to apologize for a mistake in another message. Many of us learned our basic HTML skills here for italics, bold, posting images, etc.: http://austen.com/tutorial/index.html Topic 61 is used as a Help board.

Thanks for the tips! No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here. But it really isn't necessary to do so. We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Ah, yes, it must be that, rather than an indication of my typing abilities being anything less than stellar! ;)

First of all, welcome Nicole, sorry to be slow about welcoming you but have been v. busy ;-) No, there isn't anyway to edit a post here....We'll figure it out and attribute the typo to the fact that you are v. important, busy person and are multi-tasking. Besides that, I find the subject matter around here can be guaranteed to distract and fluster one! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

Welcome Nicole!! Loved your intro and so happy you were able to See Colin when he was on The View! I will look for you when I get a copy of the tape. What a great time for you to join the community, we have been in perpetual party mode for months now and I hope it continues on and on!!

Thank you Barb and Maria! BTW, I am enjoying "perpetual party mode" a great deal! :-)

Hi everyone. Having recently de-lurked on Topic 187, I thought I should properly introduce myself here. A mid-forties, at-home mom in Westchester County NY. Like many of us, my first symptoms of OCD came on when P&P first aired several years ago. Since that time the condition has steadily worsened with symptoms being alleviated only intermittently as new Colin productions have been released. Recently found this website and it's been a great reassurance to learn that there are many others similarly afflicted. What a hoot you guys are. It's become almost a daily habit to log in and get a 'fix'. Thanks for making it so much fun. One day I'm sure I'll be able to fully come out of the closet and not panic when my husband looks over my shoulder to see what's got me so fully engrossed on the computer screen. Anyway, thanks for having me. I'll do my utmost to learn 'HTML' and try to be a productive member of the community. Would love to hear from more ladies in the neighborhood and locally scheduled Colin appearances. I'm afraid though, I've come too late in the game. Can't imagine many more NY appearances after the abundance that have occured in recent months. And yes, I died when I found out from you all that he'd been in Pleasantville in November - a mere 15 min from home- while I was probably having one of my usual 'help with the homework-do the dishes' type of nights. C'est la vie...

Welcome aboard to you and all the other folk who've joined lately! Yes, I agree that, along with OCD, this place is habit forming, but you'll not find a nicer group than this one!

Welcome Leslie! Too bad you missed him in your backyard, I will hope for you that you have another chance soon! Welcome!

Welcome Leslie Pity we didn't know you around Nov. 7th, you coulda' hung out with us at the Zeigfield , Ruby Foos , Hilton Bar...and various other watering holes in NY. Stick around for the 2004 Drool Happening....

Stick around for the 2004 Drool Happening.... What, pray tell, is that? Sounds like a hoot..

Welcome Leslie

Leslie!! For some, a daily fix is the starting point. ;-) Soon, it turns into a little dose of Drool with each meal and then before you go to bed at night. After that, you're ducking into internet cafes while away from home and toting a laptop on vacations so you won't miss anything. All this is perfectly normal. Glad to have you here and you're in a prime position to take part in future Firth in the Flesh happenings if you don't mind traveling into the city. Above all, have fun with a great group of people here!

Hi Leslie!!! Glad to have another addition to the Metro Gal pool of Drool . .believe me, you'll love it here! "See you around . . ."

Leslie, Welcome to Drool. This place is really great, and if you do happen to miss an actual sighting of CF, you can be assured that the reports of those who do see him are well worth the read.

...After that, you're ducking into internet cafes while away from home That's been me! Glad to have you among us Leslie!

Happy New Year... My name is Madelyn and I�ve been reading your conference board for weeks now. There are 2 reasons I�ve decided to join in here (not in any order): 1) serious, scholarly, intellectual inquiry � wait, what was my research question again??? ...... Um..... uh..... I got distracted again � by my topic! ... Which means reason #2 is ... 2) I know exactly how you feel! 1) Yes, an actual research project. I have a PhD in media studies and am a part-time college instructor. My other major research project so far was my dissertation on Loretta Young. Next up: CF. (Talk about a compelling research topic!) In case anyone has reservations, I am not a journalist � I am a researcher and I hope to publish articles in film/media journals. I certainly hope all this will not inhibit you. (I would never quote any post by name, log-on, entry number, or specific date.) Feel free to email me privately if you have a question, and I�m sure I will occasionally post mundane questions where emailing responses to me separately will save conference space. (There�s a possibility I�ll pursue questions about your fandom later on, but that would be done primarily off the board, privately and with complete confidentiality.) P.S. Karen already knows about this. 2) Yes, I�m a fan of CF. (So don�t let my other reason put you off.) He is my favorite actor. I find him intriguing in many ways. He�s a talented, sexy, and unique actor, and he also seems to be someone with integrity. I�ve now mentioned my project and/or talked about CF with a number of women and there is complete agreement � �Oh yes, I like him.� My husband weighed in (half-jokingly) with his hope that my project would not mean CF pictures would start appearing everywhere! (OK, that won�t happen to the walls but, with this project, I cannot say the same thing about the TV or computer screens!) When I told him that Richard Gere (#1 actor on my list since I was a teenager) had moved to #2, he knew it was serious. Which film snared me? BJD. (I had previously been only marginally aware of CF.) And the more I watched/read, the more I liked. I�m now trying to catch up to speed on everything CF; with my project, I can have my cake and eat it, too! By the way, my family also includes our 4-year-old son and 2 dogs. I hope you all are having a very pleasant holiday season. I�m looking forward to 2004 � I�m excited about my research, about �meeting� you all, and about potential career developments for our favorite actor. Madelyn P.P.S. Anyone in the areas of Bloomington, IN, Santa Barbara, CA, or Pittsfield, MA?

(Madelyn) P.P.S. Anyone in the areas of Bloomington, IN... You mean God's country? (Not counting coaches...he's moved anyway.) Your areas are pretty disparate...but since I know people who count anything south of Lafayette IN as Bloomington, does Fishers/Indianapolis count? He is my favorite actor. I find him intriguing in many ways. He�s a talented, sexy, and unique actor, and he also seems to be someone with integrity. Sufficient bona fides for me. Welcome!

Welcome aboard, Madelyn! You'll find we're a pretty neat crowd here, and as friendly as can be. I found, aside from ODB's obvious "charms", that the fact that he seemed literate and intelligent only added to the attraction.

Hi Madelyn! So you�re gonna *soak* us up? This may be fun! Good to have you!

Hi Madelyn! Welcome aboard!!!! Always great to meet another fan! And good luck with this project . .will be interesting to hear how it develops . .and ODB couldn't be a better choice for you! (as an aside, I was a Communication major myself (w/ concentrations in Journalism and Interpersonal communications with a minor in writing . .one of my final projects dealt with the discussion of the rise of interest in Irish culture in various forms of media and the development of a single issue magazine dedicated to highlight the Irish artistic community . . . I relished the research portion of the projet . .ahh the films, the music, it was wonderful; . . .I can only forsee the enjoyment you'll have collecting info for your current project!)

Greetings to Leslie and Madelyn!!! Glad you've decided to come out and join the fun! (Sorry Darcy, don't get too excited; I don't think they came on foot.) ;-) (Leslie)It's become almost a daily habit to log in and get a 'fix' LOL! Hi. My name is Shoshana and I'm a Firth addict... (Madelyn)serious, scholarly, intellectual inquiry � wait, what was my research question again??? ...... Um..... uh..... I got distracted again � by my topic! The best of both worlds it seems! Good for you! I always enjoy it when Colin and psychology/psychopathology (my area of study) overlap.

Madelyn!!! Always glad to welcome another afflicted with ODBOCD here, as one of the gang. Richard Gere, huh? *brain cells clicking away, trying to process this one* Have fun!! Clarification: For those who may be concerned, nothing from these boards will be used unless specifically approved by the respective poster. Madelyn's data collection, interviews, etc., would be done via email or other methods off these boards. I wouldn't want anyone to feel inhibited or fear expressing themselves here because his/her words may turn up in someone's published book or article. However, since these are public boards and messages are archived, they are a unique way to soak up the atmosphere and educate one's self.

Leslie, Madelyn welcome. This is a wonderful and entertaining place to be. Leslie, being new here myself I can totally relate to your not being fully out there when you husband looks over your shoulder, I used to minimize the screen anytime someone came in, but after receiving a number of ODB's DVDs at Christmas I've been discovered. Madelyn, good luck with your research. You've got a great subject. I now know I had the wrong major. I spent months researching the marketing and distribution of ethnic foods in the south. Somehow I thnk yours will be more fun.

WELCOME LESLIE AND MADELYN!!! Hey, I drooled over Richard Gere long before ODB was wearing long pants. I hope CF will age as well as RG, and still be making new movies when he's "old and gray." (Gail) "researching the marketing and distribution of ethnic foods in the south" I'm guessing you're not referring to grits and chitlins, are you?

Hello everyone. My name is Carolyn. I've known about the spring conference board for years. I use to run a Joseph Fiennes fan site for a few years, and would come over here when he had a thread and look for news. However, I've had the most persistent Colin obsession for years now. So I decided to stop fooling myself and come here and admit my obsession. Of course started with the first time Colin was in P & P and it aired in the U.S. Then I definitely noticed him in Shakespeare in Love. Just thought he was hysterical. I love the scenes between Gwen and Colin. Colin is only actor my Mother and I completely agree that is talented, handsome, intriguing. Also I agree with Madelyn there is something about him that seems like he has integrity. I have a thing about how tall he is. I love BJD how that camera just pans up on him all the time, and he's long and lanky. Also another favorite scene is P & P when he's watching Elizabeth play the piano (or pianoforte or whatever she�s' playing) and something about that man on a couch (or the Georgian version of a couch) I have couch fantasies about that guy, he�s� so tall and substantial just cuddly at the same time. Oh I feel so relieved that I've admitted all this. Some of my friends understand - others don't think Colin is all that. I can't understand how people watch BJD and prefer Hugh, but I have friends that do. I've seen Love Actually three times. I saw GWAPE last Sunday (The �artsy� local movie theater was PACKED) and Colin was outstanding in that one. The intensity in his eyes just drew me in all over again. I also love Valmont (young sexy whippersnapper Colin) and Fever Pitch. I have even the Advocate on tape. A friend in the UK got me a copy. Someone posted in one of these threads that when they watch Colin on screen they just smile and smile. I know I�m like that esp. during BJD. I just love almost all his scenes. Has anyone noticed he is always mumbling stuff between his lips, esp. in the interview scene with Bridget on TV? I always wonder what the heck he is muttering. But it seems sexy whatever it is. About me: I�m a web designer by trade. I�ve lived in the UK, Australia, and Hawaii and now I�m back in So. California where I grew up. Also I�m a Mom. So lastly, it�s so nice to be among like minded people. Thanks Karen for all your help getting me established on the conference. Carolyn

Carolyn!!! I'm trying to figure out if this is a delurking record. ;-) Shocking to say the least. I can remember chomping at the bit to get on this board way back when and there were technical problems at the time. Good to have you with us and sorry that Joe's topic didn't survive. Have fun!

Hello and welcome Leslie, Madelyn and Carolyn! So happy all of you have joined us!

Welcome to all... ...can't remember when we've had a year with so many newbies. (Karen)Good to have you with us and sorry that Joe's topic didn't survive. Huh? I thought it was till goin'. Why don't you reactivate it, Carolyn. What's he doin these days He's a terrific actor...as is big bro who's on #40. Just watched Joe the other night in "Rancid Aluminum".

Welcome Carolyn . .(and Madelyn again . .found a cute welcom pic for the both of you!) (Carolyn)I have a thing about how tall he is. I love BJD how that camera just pans up on him all the time, and he's long and lanky. Mmmmmm .I'm with you Carolyn . .and he is wonderfully so in person . .a friend of mine didn't believe me when I told her so . . .;) Welcome to Drool! Carolyn . .what was the name of that film JF did with Heather Graham? . .I'm having a brain spasm and can't recall at the moment . . .wasn't he a mountain climber of sorts?

Madalyn-I'm excited to hear about your project. I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall. I'd love to read your papers about CF when you have them done. I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. Your work makes me think maybe I actually COULD do that. Good luck!!!

Nicole, Leslie, Madelyn, and Carolyn!!! Glad to have you join our merry, witty band!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. The mountain climber picture was "Killing Me Softly." I've never seen it. I think after running the web page for two years I just burnt out on Mr. Fiennes. I'm usually not that "fiddle dee dee" about stars I follow, but I haven't really understood some of his career choices. I think you have to balance out the artistic with the pop culture if you are an actor (much like Colin has done and why he is so successful and has a long lasting career) From what I understand Joe declined a Miramax deal after SIL, which I can't understand. I mean Miramax isn't known for making "fluffy" films. Look at Gwyneth's career. Joe has received critical success in some of the stage productions he's done in the U.K. I don't know if he's as good of a film actor as his older brother. Although, I think he was born to play the Barb. But I'm here to talk about Colin!! Thanks for the warm welcome and Happy New Year!!

PS I meant the Bard... Not the Barb.... Although, that might be interesting. Ah wouldn't a Mark and Bridget - Ken and Barbie be cute? - Mark in reindeer jumper, Bridget in Mother's outfit. Note to self - do not post after midnight New Year's champagne. Stop posting full stop. hee hee. Thanks again for the welcome.

Thank you everyone for your warm welcomes both on and off the site. Surpising things happen when one chooses to come 'out of the closet..' 1) As Karen predicted my daily fix has turned into not being able to walk past the computer witout logging on. That last quick? check before bed invariably winds up with me burning the midnight oil well beyond what I should. 2) My charge card bills will be interesting next month as I begin to total all the expenses for those older CF releases I've ordered. (Any advice as to how to explain that to my DH?) Better yet, any advice as to where to find a copy of AMITC for less than $50? 3)Wonderfully so, you've all empowered me to begin revealing the truth of my OCD to my significant others. A true triumph...after our New Year's outing last eve, I convinced my DH and 2 sons to curl up in bed and watch P&P with me. Better yet, they say they'll finish it with me today. Don't know how supportive they'll be, however, when they discover my complete stash of newly arrived DVD's. They might opt to commit me at that point. 4) Best of all... I laugh a lot more during the course of a day. It's been a long time since I've encountered a group of women as quick-witted and bright as all of you are. To Madelyn and Carolyn...thanks for joining me as "newbies" . And good luck with your research, Madelyn. Perhaps you'll consider a place somewhere for Karen's quip on our welcome page about it being a place for "ordinarily sensible women who've lost their heads over movie stars". I think she summed it brilliantly with that one. Carolyn...In terms of the comments of ODB's looks vs. intellect. Kimberly and I have just been having an off-line discussion about that precisely. IMHO what separates ODB from all the other pretty faces out there is his intellect, talent, and self-deprecation that's wonderfully evidenced in today's USAWeekend article (see the posting for this morning's entries on topic 178?). It's the full package that's turned me into a true DD. A great New Year to all.... Can't wait to see what 2004 brings to all the DD's!

(Carolyn) Note to self - do not post after midnight New Year's champagne. Well, I don't know. That was cute. ;-) (Leslie) Karen's quip on our welcome page about it being a place for "ordinarily sensible women who've lost their heads over movie stars". I think she summed it brilliantly with that one. Sorry, but I can't take credit for that line. It was here when I arrived. (Leslie) In terms of the comments of ODB's looks vs. intellect. Kimberly and I have just been having an off-line discussion about that precisely. If you'd like to share your thoughts, Firthology is the topic for that. No real need to go off line.

Just one more newbie question. Okay I caught the post about what ODB stands for. What does DD mean? (Double Darcys?) or OCD? Okay recovering nicely from last night - off to post in Edge of Reason thread. Thanks everyone. Carolyn

Just catching on myself. I assume the following: DD = drool darlings OCD = obsesive colin disease Am I correct on these, ladies?

Back after a few weeks and trying desperately to catch up! Welcome all newbies! Lesliep, Madelyn and Carolyn! So glad you could join the fun!!!! Have missed this place....but great to come back and "see" all the new faces!!!

Hey Bridget, can you believe all of the newbies coming out at Drool? It's going to be a good new year!

Oh Pooh! I forgot to say that the above welcome is for you Carolyn!

So many newbies and so little time to greet them. Hope you'll enjoy this place as much as I have. You are in for a real good time :-) Velcome to all of you :-)

Oh, shoot :-( I know one shouldn't use a post to apologize for misspellings and such (off course I couldn spell Welcome :-( ) - but I forgot to wish everybody here, both newbies and "oldies" a Happy New Year. Looking forward to enjoying your company in the year of 2004 :-)

(BarbS)I know people who count anything south of Lafayette IN as Bloomington, does Fishers/Indianapolis count? I'd say it's close enough if we ever needed to get together for anything.... like CF in Indy -- hmm, probably not. If I do interviews with fans, it would be great to do some in person rather than rely totally on email. You can cover so much more and have a lot more fun with it :) I have family in the other 2 cities and visit occasionally. (Eithne)I found, aside from ODB's obvious "charms", that the fact that he seemed literate and intelligent only added to the attraction. I definitely agree -- more of those "intriguing" things about him. (Kimberly S)I was a Communication major myself....I relished the research portion of the projet . .ahh the films, the music, it was wonderful; . . .I can only forsee the enjoyment you'll have collecting info for your current project!) Most definitely! One reason I picked CF -- I wanted a topic that would keep my interest! (Dena)I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall....I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. We could chat via email... The first article/paper I'm working on right now deals with BJD. What did you do your MA in? (lesliep)Don't know how supportive they'll be, however, when they discover my complete stash of newly arrived DVD's. They might opt to commit me at that point. Told my DH with my newsflash about Richard Gere dropping to #2 -- added a touch of humor. I had already told him, while watching BJD, that I thought CF was very sexy and that I loved that film (got it on DVD for Christmas). Anyway, thank you so much one and all for the warm welcome! This is great:)

Hi Carolyn! Great to see you here! Also another favorite scene is P & P when he's watching Elizabeth play the piano (or pianoforte or whatever she�s playing) and something about that man on a couch (or the Georgian version of a couch) I have couch fantasies about that guy, he�s so tall and substantial just cuddly at the same time. Great taste in scenes! Mmmmm...

(Dena)I will start my Ph.D. in exactly the same area in the fall....I've told people I am going to do my dissertation on the effects of BJD movie/book on urban singletons such as myself. (Madelyn)We could chat via email... The first article/paper I'm working on right now deals with BJD. What did you do your MA in? That'd be great! I'd love to hear more about the paper. I got my M.S. in journalism (same as my B.A.). I'm interested in broadening it out to communications more generally and media less specifically.

Welcome Leslie, Madelyn and Carolyn! I'm just returning from two weeks in the wilds of Central Florida and I have a lot of catching up to do, but I wanted to say that I'm happy you've joined us and look forward to sharing OCD with you. It's one contagious disease that I hope they don't find a cure for;-) Happy New Year to all the DD's!

Thought I'd better reintroduce myself Boss in case you don't let me back;-)) Just call me the lustful whisker. Welcome to everyone who's found this haven. Let the fun begin!

LIZZA ole' buddie.... 'bout time thought you dumped us;-)

About time! ;-)

Finding this, I thought I had better obey the law [ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) ] and introduce myself, although I suspect my name has been seen in various places. So, hello! Although work keeps me very busy, I assure you that my often long silences are not preventing me nodding in all the right places, shaking my head when necessary and generally smiling as I read.

Hi lizza!!! . .Hi locarol!!! Pleased to meet ya!

(locarol)although I suspect my name has been seen in various places. Nope...not me. Never metcha. [ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) ] Nah! LOL. Just watch those "we's" and skip the sermons;-) Anyway.... Hi..Glad to meetcha.

locarol

Carol!! Another about time! Do you have any idea how many times I've turned this over?? Looking forward you sharing your bitching and moaning with everybody. ;-)))))

!! Welcome locarol and welcome back Lizza (I recognize your name from discussions of yore.....so feel I know you...a bit!)!!! Sorry for my delayed welcome....have been sick (no voice and general crapness). I feel as if I have played in a fountain with Hugh and Colin and then afterwards they denied me access to hot tub and tea! The nerve! ;-D

Hello Lizza, Carol! Nice to meet both of you.

(Carol)[ You know how scary Karen can be! ;-) (Evelyn)Nah! LOL. Just watch those "we's" and skip the sermons;-) ...and watch those topic choices! Glad to have you among us at last Carol!

Welcome Carol, hope you will enjoy yourself enormously here. Remember the Boss's bark is worse than her bite ;-)))

Hey everyone, I've decided to delurk for the want and need to contribute to the TEOR book discussion that begins tomorrow! Have been a CF fan for quite a while and was estatic to find somewhere where I can share my obsession with others that understand (most of my friends and family just look at me strangely when I get on the topic)!! Little bit about myself - I'm Canadian singleton from Vancouver(home of winter olymics 2010!) Have seen many of CF's works and really love his earlier stuff (LE,WoF,Azero,etc. His newer stuff's not bad, although it certainly doesn't live up to his potential. Must admit though I loved GWAPE and really, really want to see Trauma. However will take ODB in any way, shape or form (he's one of few actors who's actually is getting better looking with age). I was in London UK last year and was at the Survival showing of LA (although foolish me, missed the LA Premere as was in Paris-dang!). Am hoping to be back in London in the Fall and maybe take in the premere of Trauma or TEOR if I can swing it and maybe get a closer look at my fav guy. Sorry - didn't mean to write a book!!

"Pssst....is that you, Laura?" Welcome, Laura. From one recent de-lurker to another, you�re bound to have a lot of fun here.

Welcome Laura, from a next door neighbour (Surrey) This is *the best* place to be for CF fans.

Laura

Welcome to all Drooleurs new and not-quite-so new!!! I apologize for my belated greetings, but I've been traipsing all over the US, and have had limited Drool time (sad, yes, but I may have found another newbie!) Hiya, Lizza! Good to see you back again! Hello Carol! I hope this guy might make you smile! (Laura) really love his earlier stuff Good taste! Richard is a favorite of mine! Mmmmm...

Laura, Welcome! Write a book by all means . .I'm eager to get to know you! Really, I'm all ears:)

LauraS!!! Caught you! Glad to see you onboard and eager to jump right into the fray with a discussion.

Lookie whose come out to play!!! Hey Laura! Sorry for the late welcome (been a bit under the weather and just hanging out)...you live right up the road a piece! I'm in Portland.

Welcome, Laura and thanks Tress for the lovely MD...makes me want to introduce myself all over again;-)

(Locarol)I assure you that my often long silences are not preventing me nodding in all the right places, shaking my head when necessary and generally smiling as I read You took the words right out of my mouth. Welcome Leslie, Madelyn, Carolyn, Carol, Laura and anyone else I might have missed.

Shoshana..... I feel completely spoiled by your whisking. Thank you ;-)) Laura, Welcome, you've found a great home here.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and all the wonderful pic's. Let the obsession begin!

Hello to everyone -- I've been reading about everyone's activities during premiers and TV appearances and the like and enjoying the stories immensely. It has been a relief to hear that there are other women out there with "sense and education" but an obsession with a movie star! I was starting to feel a little voyeuristic so I thought I'd take the plunge and say hello and introduce myself. I am a teacher at a community college in Western Pennsylvania -- married with two teenagers who have all accepted my obsession. First saw Colin Firth a couple of years ago in P & P and was floored! BJD came next and since then I've rented or borrowed (library) many of his other works. He really is something else and deserves any and all of the accolades that are coming his way! Thanks for all the sharing that goes on -- it is great fun to tune in and find out what is going on.

MAURA Glad to have you on board. We love newbies. Join us at Firthology /Darcy Drool and we'll be happy to drool with you over all his roles. "bout time you joined us!

Maura . . . Welcome to Drool!!!! Jump on in! The water's fine;) Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!

Maura!!! A Mr. Darcy and Bates smiley for you since that is how you came upon ODB!!!

Welcome, Maura... Glad you've come out from the shadows. It's always nice to meet another 'newbie'!

Welcome Maura, nice to you! Glad you took the plunge and delurked...have fun!

Let me add my welcome, Maura. You couldn't ask for a better group of Droolers! Let the fun begin ;-)

Maura!! Glad to see you've decided to take a more active role. While there are good and satisfying aspects, I'm sure, to voyeurism, it really can't compare to jumping into our pond and getting all wet and wild. Have fun!

Maura!!! It has been a relief to hear that there are other women out there with "sense and education" but an obsession with a movie star! The ladies here (IMHO) are great fun, clever, and funny as well as very smart (as you've probably noticed)! Thanks for delurking and enjoy joining in on the discussions!!! A toast to you!

I thought it was about time that I introduced myself here as I've been reading since before Christmas! I read with envy all the stories about the SNL appearance and have had to content myself with the screen caps, as I couldn't watch it 'for real' being in Australia... It was quite refreshing to find a community that shares my obsession for all things Colin. And as I'm currently studying at the moment I'm constantly surprised at how many other nerdy bookish types (said very fondly, of course) find ODB to be AFG (see, I've been picking up the lingo along the way...). We often find ourselves dicussing the finer points of P&P in lectures! so, I guess it's on with the Drooling! :)

Hi Louise! I do enjoy a great discussion of good literature . . . "All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading." Many thanks to Firthissimo again for the pic Welcome aboard!

Hello Maura and Louise, nice to have you on board! I hope you'll both have a great time here with us.

LOUISE (Don't we already have a Louise, boss??? And please, no more Barbara's or Kathy's!)

Yes, we do have another Louise (Louise/birdy). Aussie Louise, could you please pick out something else or come up with a way to differentiate yourself? In any event... Aussie Louise!!

Welcome Maura & Louise. Glad you've both decided to delurk!!

(Evelyn)Don't we already have a Louise, boss??? (Karen)Yes, we do... I never run into this problem with my name.;-) WELCOME LOUISE! grateful thanks to firthissimo

Louise from Down Under! Glad you decided to climb in! There's always room for more!!!!! Glad you could join us!

Welcome Maura and Louise! This is really the fun place to be. Glad you decided to join the fun.

Welcome Louise d'Oz. I suggest you find the other Louise(s?), I'll see how many Barbaras (and variants--not to be confused with deviants) I can round up and we'll show the MaryKate and Ashley duo how it's done! Welcome! Looks like you're already AFG with the lingo...carry on!

Louise and Maura, I'll join the other Droolers, Metro Gals, ODB and Bridget's urban family in bidding you

A big belated welcome, Louise. You�re bound to love it here. It�s a very cool place��

Hi Maura! Sorry for the "slightly" belated welcome. ;-) These two just came to sympathize with you as they understand the issues of sharing a name!!! Have a great time here and thanks for joining in!

Hi there all you happy droolers! I�m a newbie, only Karen knows me yet. My name is Manuela, I�m German and absolutely addicted to Colin Firth! The movie that first caught my attention was �Hour of the pig�(on German TV back in 1996). But what really really DID IT to me was �Feverpitch�. I pretty much liked this cute, cuddly guy with the curls. The only problem I had with this movie�.Colin played an Arsenal fan and I�m � though German � ALL for Liverpool. That was hard. ;-) Thanks to Karen I was able to see MOTM, TD and DQ. 3 great flicks with a brilliant CF. Now I am totally hooked and there�s no way out. Desperately waiting to see GWTPE (DVD is ordered, don�t think this movie will hit the German cinema screens�sigh) and �Trauma�. CF�s acting surprises me all the time. He�s just magnificent! I even liked �Playmaker�. I found this one subtle and somehow profound. Whenever I thought I know what�s going on something different happened. Actually I think this movie shows perfectly how quick people can get bondaged and do what others want them to do. Terrible thought. Colin, of course, gave a great performance � as always. First the tough guy who decides everything and then all of a sudden insecure and without any self-confidence. Same opinion on Femme Fatale. If you think about it the story on FF is pretty heavy stuff; it does have depth. Dealing with a multiple personality is very difficult. If you would ask me what�s my fav CF movie I couldn�t answer. Which ones do I love? Hmm, of course always �Feverpitch�. Further P&P, TSLOW, TIOBE, Lost Empires, AMITC and even Camille. In the end I like them all. Up to now only one movie disappointed me �The Engl. Patient. Not Colin�s fault! I just found this movie boring and way too long. But my deepest wish is to see Colin live at the theatre. Guess some of you have seen him already; maybe in �3 days of Rain�. I admit�.I envy you. Besides Colin my heart and passion belongs to my fav singer Donnie Munro. Good we do have 2 ventricles. ;-) Guess that�s enough for a start, huh?!

(Manuela)Further P&P, TSLOW, TIOBE, Lost Empires, AMITC and even Camille. In the end I like them all. (Manuela) Same opinion on Femme Fatale. If you think about it the story on FF is pretty heavy stuff; it does have depth. Dealing with a multiple personality is very difficult. Did you all see *that*? She likes Armand and my Joe Prince!!! Hooray...we're gaining in numbers!! WELCOME MANUELA

Manuela!! Success! You're on! How could I not welcome a kindred spirit, who finds serious subtext in Playmaker, though she hadn't shared it with me before. I must have sensed it. ;-) Have fun!

Don't look so grim, Paul . . it's a right happy day! Manuela's joined Drool! And besides I've heard that Arsenal is so far undefeated this year;) Hurrah to another Fever Pitch fan! Welcome aboard!!! Thanks to Firthissimo for the pic!

Willkommen Maura! So glad you have come to join us!!! And you like FF and PM??? Great! You can tell us anything here! We promise we won't be shocked!

Maura, Louise and Manuela - It was high time you joined us! I'm tickled purple (or I'd like to tickle what's under the purple?:)) At any rate, wahoo and welcome!!!

(Manuela)...The Engl. Patient. Not Colin�s fault! I just found this movie boring and way too long. You said it! We're going to get along just fine. Wilkomen, bienvenue, welcome!

Manuela! OMG...I called you Maura...and I have no idea where that came from! LOL! Obviously I needed coffee! Es tut mir leid!

Welcome Manuela! Looks like you move to the head of the class with the list of pre-work you've done, HotPig and Playmaker were pretty advanced stuff for me and I *just* saw Camille...can't fault your taste a bit! Have fun and welcome!

Welcome to ALL the newest Drooleurs! You've picked a wonderful group of smart, funny, witty, caring folk! Enjoy!

Thank you all for the welcomes and lovely pics. I do think I'm gong to enjoy getting a little more involved here. And to save any confusion re Louise, I'll just use Lou. :)

Yeah, Karen, caught in the spiders-web!! *beg* Thank you for the warm welcome and all the great pix. Karen had a tough time explaining to me how to get here. Finnally we made it. J Feels good to be a part of people who share the same feelings! (Karen) though she hadn�t shared it with me before. Oops, I hadn�t? Shame on me! ;) Kimberly is right�unfortunately!�almost undefeated it looks like Arsenal is winning this season. But they lost vs Chelsea in the Champions league and guess who screamed �Hooray� ha ha Ahhh Tress, Maura or Manuela � soulsisters � so it doesn�t matter much, huh? I can�t think without my dose of coffee as well. ;) (BarbS) looks like you move to the head of the class�. Well, I have to catch up lots of things, maybe not that much movie-wise (by now I have seen almost all of CF�s flicks, but I�m not very good in remembering character names or movie-lines). But I�m still trying to figure out all the abbreviations you�re using. I can remember OCD, that�s what I�m suffering from and ODB, though�I wouldn�t call him a �boy�. J

Getting out of lurkdom to greet the new members. You've chosen a great place to hang out. Welcome!

Herzlich willkommen, Manuela. It's so nice to have one more German speaking member on board. Wich part of Germany do you come from? I pretty much liked this cute, cuddly guy with the curls. So did I, even if I hate football.

�Oooo lookie down there�..another newbie on Drool� Welcome, Manuela! It�s great to meet you.

Hi Manuela!!! I'd try writing this auf Deutsch, but it's been four years since my last class, and my vocabulary has vanished. ;-) Anyway, sorry I'm late, but Paul here fell asleep. Welcome!!!

Thank you Shoshana and Lesliep for the cute pix. Paul feel asleep, huh? Guess I let him wait too long. But he needed a lesson. ;) Well, it's not easy to use a foreign language if there's no time or chance to practise. I'm still learning English every day. Think my writing is okay, but I don't talk that well. But then...I'm not much of a talker, not even in German. To NitaE: the town I'm living in is Iserlohn, about 1 hour from Cologne, where I grew up.

Your writing is more than just okay. I know that you probably agonize over every single word, but what comes out is worth reading. Manuela and I have been going back and forth on a number of movies and she has a lot to say. ;-)

That's so sweet of you Karen. :-) You're right! Sometimes I have to look up even the easiest words in the dictionary. (and I just saw my mistake...wrote feel instead of fell...ack!) Plus I'm never sure about the grammar. Well, I don't want to bore you and bring up discussions you already had over the years.

BIG HELLO to everyone !!! Since October, when I came across drool,  I has read step by step the great stories here, from 3DOR to SNL. So exciting. Now I decide to delurk (thanks to Karen). I am another CCAFG  (Crazy Colin addict from Germany).    It is extremly hard to pick out my favourite odb movie, deep in my heart there will always be the fight between Mark and Fitzwilliam, and Valmont and Paul, and Jamie and Richard, and Jack and Matthew,  and... and.... Nevertheless BJD was the movie that caught me. Oh, and Fever Pitch: loved the character of  Paul and the whole story. WAGW was the first movie, in which I saw Colin on big screen. Very funny indeed, but not in the way Dennie Gordon intended. But I have to confess: I watch the last, very kitschy scene with the piano ("I love you Daphne....") very often. Quite embarrassing for me. BTW piano, received today  �Death Date� (Playmaker) and couldn�t resist to make screencaps- sadly the only thing you could do with DD. Strangly enough the DD dvd is available in Germany, but not in the US. Perhaps it has sold very well here- but why ??? IMO DD is painful to watch, because 1) "great" dubbed voice of Colin  2) very "convincing" script  3) "beautiful" and "talented" actress. Hmm, but the DVD gives me the chance to analyse two scenes, which I always wanted to observe (I think you know what I mean)       ;-)   Oh no, must stop here.  v. bad subject to demonstrate my intellectual qualities :-(

Oh no, what a mess in my first post. Argh ! Listen: Colin has something to say to you:

Wilkomen und danke for the DD (love the German title) screencaps, Bine. As you can tell from your lurking, there's fun to be had around here.

sorry that the DD pics didn�t  work. You can find them here: http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/welcome.htm http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/deathdate.htm http://de.geocities.com/sabinehardt/index.htm

Hi Bine Nice try on the images, but geocities will screw you every time. Along with Tripod.

Bine!! Love your caps, especially of Ross. Amazing the difference a nicely natural head of hair looks. Besides, Ross would never roll up his jeans. ;-) Good to have you with us finally, Bine!

Hello Bine! Nice to see you here in Colinland. Thanks for the screencaps, they were looovely. :-)

Welcome Bine! I know you'll have a great time!

Bine!!! Thanks for the fun Ross/Michael captures! I love ODB with the big poofy hair (of course, he's AFG no matter his hairstyle/length/color)! Viel Spass!!!

Hallo Bine! Ich freue mich, dass du uns gefunden hast. Thanks for the captures. FP is one of my favorites too.

Thanks for the great welcome Karen, Sonia, Evelyn, Ildiko, Eithne, Shoshana, NitaE ! I am glad to be here. (NitaE)Hallo Bine! Ich freue mich, dass du uns gefunden hast. Ooooh, that was good. ;-) Lots of familiar words.

Bine!!!!! Welcome welcome to another Fever Pitch fan!!! So happy you've joined Drool!

Bine, glad you've joined us, welcome!

To all of the newbies joining us in Droolland! Lou, Mnuela and Bine I'm glad to meet you! Sorry to be late...

Oops! I forgot Maura Welcome

Bine! Wilkommen!!

Hi Bine, another German and FP lover! Wunderbar! Welcome! Have fun You disliked PM/DD? Well, most people do. I liked it for what reason ever. ;) Stehe halt manchmal auf so durchgeknallte Filme! Sorry droolers...don't know a translation for this sentence.

Hi, thanks to Karen's help, I'm finally introducing myself to Drool. I've been visiting the boards sporadically for a while, but I've recently been reading through a few of them manically. I've always been a terribly passive lurker, but I just can't take it any more! :) Like most everyone else here, I'm completely addicted to CF. I'm in San Francisco, and I've gone through every single one of his films/TV things available out here. I'm so glad I'm just one of the many here... I can't tell you how many people probably thought I was cracking up when I watched HS on a recent flight to Asia (like I could explain to a bunch of elderly Chinese folks why some girl was grinning like an idiot into the telly for two hours straight).

Welcome Ashley! And welcome to a place where no explanations are necessary! Nice to meet you! Have fun! Barb

Glad to have you among us Ashley!

Ashley!! Glad to see you've been cured of your passive lurkoma disorder and joined us here, where OCD is well-understood. Have fun!

Ashley!!!!Welcome!!!

Hi Ashley

A big welcome Ashley! And you are from my hometown...Even better! Glad you delurked and you are in like company...grinning like an idiot at ODB comes with the territory!

Welcome. Ashley. Nice to know ya'!!

Ashley, welcome. Glad you decided to join in the fun.

Ashley! Great to have you here! Welcome!

Gotcha, Welcome, Ashley!

Sorry I've been so late...Welcome Ashley. You couldn't havw joined a nicer bunch!

A hearty welcome, Ashley! Jump right in -- the water's fine!!

Hello ladies! My name is Yvette. I have been reading your posts (quite rabidly) for a couple of weeks now. Let me start by saying that I share ALL of your feelings for ODB. I live in Maine and work off shore, on an oil rigging boat in the Gulf of Mexico. I go there to work for 6 weeks and then have 6 weeks of idle time. I don't think I need to tell you how I have spent most of that idle time!!! I still have a way to go before seeing all of his work, but in the last 2 wks I have made it through TA, V, C, AZ, AC, GWAPE, LA, WAGW, ATA...( sorry, but I loved his accent in it!!) TIOBE, FP, HS, SIL, P&P (thrice in 7 days) and the one that started it all for me -BJD. A good portion of my remaining idle time has been spent on IMDB playing 6 deg. of Colin Firth. I think I'm going to require an intervention soon. I look forward to sharing my obsession with people who GET IT. Am getting a little tired of the blank stares when I mention a movie title of his and the raised eyebrow and the sarcastic "hmmmm who's in it, I wonder" from my roommate. I'll close by saying that I spent 4 years in NYC, in the early 90s. I managed movie theatres for Cineplexodeon. One of the theatres I managed for them, briefly, was the Ziegfeld. It pains me to look at the premiere photos of HS (I think it is) and to think that if I had stayed in the city, I could have been there!! Oh well, maybe I can make it to the next one!! Ciao for now, Vetty

Yvette!! That is some commute! Maine to the Gulf of Mexico? It pains me to look at the premiere photos of HS (I think it is) and to think that if I had stayed in the city, I could have been there!! Let's see, the most recent would've been Love Actually, as HS never played in the US (and I'm not counting anything in Florida, hanging or otherwise) in theatres. He would've also been at the Ziegfield for the premiere of SIL, but that too was after your tenure. However, I like your attitude and desire to be on the scene. Glad to see you've decided to join in. This is a unique place. Have fun!

Yvette! (Yvette) ...and the one that started it all for me -BJD.Well, here's to looking forward to Bridget and Mark again (looks like he's pulling another 'doorjam face' here!)!!

Welcome Yvette! I have a bit of a Mark Darcy obsession, too. ;-) You've picked a great time to join in the fun--November will be here before we know it!

Whoa, that font grew! Oops.

(Yvette)I look forward to sharing my obsession with people who GET IT. Oh, I think you've come to the right place. MD is one of my main ODB men;-)

Welcome Yvette! You are in for a great deal of fun. It seems with all that youhave already seen of ODB's work you are an expert.

Make yourself at home, Yvette. Glad you found us.

Yvette.....

Yvette!!!! Welcome to Drool!

Thanks, ladies, for all the warm welcomes. (and all the pics that are warming as well). You are more than usually kind!!

I think I have finally gotten up the nerve to pop in and say hello. My name is Dhana (pronounced Donna). Unbelievably, I didn't even know about this wonderful actor until about 5 weeks ago. BJD was the only thing worth watching on tv. I watched the entire movie while reading a book. But, the movie got my full attention after BJ decided NOT to go to Paris! And, it hit me......oh my gawd!!! Who is this man??!!?? Luckily for me, the tv station showed the movie again immediately. Undivided attention this time around. I started Firthing the net, and found this site. Way cool! In the last 5 weeks, I have accumulated 29 CF VHS/DVDs (with more on the way), and a dozen or so books. I have been ending each day with a Firth Fest. So far, I haven't been able to pick a favorite. I was excited to learn about Trauma being at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. DH's birthday is Sept.10, (!) and our anniversary is the following week. Perfect time for a vacation. Toronto is only about 4 hours from home (metro Detroit). If anyone would be willing to share with me about previous TIFF experiences, I would be glad to hear about them. You know, what to do, what to wear, where to go, what to see...etc. I'm new to posting at places like these, so please forgive me if something goes horribly wrong. Thank you to everyone who makes this such a wonderful place to visit! Dhana

Who's that around the corner? It's Dhana! So happy you've come out of lurking! Hopefully I'll see you in Toronto!

Dhana!! You're going to love it here, getting to know more about CF and getting to know our Temple goddesses. ;-)

Er....I mean "temple" Glad you found us Dhana.

Hi Dhana! A special Temple welcome awaits you... Wot? Wrong Temple Goddess? Welcome Dhana, hope you enjoy yourself and don't be shy about donating those panties!! Glad you're here.

Dhana!! Feel free to leave your jollyhose at the foot of the alter Then enjoy a dip in the purifying waters...Glad you could join us Dhana!!

.......Gulp!!! Thank you for the wonderful welcome! Nice pictures. Is it rather warm in here, or is it just me? (Fanning self furiously) I was ready to sacrifice my knickers at the sight of the first picture, Tress, but then I saw the second one! Suddenly, I feel the need to change. Excuse me, please..... Dhana (wandering off; mumbling about some postings should come with warning labels)

Welcome Dhana! Glad to have you in the Temple of the arguably intelligent, horney, Jollyhose lovin' Acolytes! You're just in time for some great fun!

Hope I'm not too late to welcome you, Dhana! Glad you joined us. P.S. I like Mark Darcy, too. ;-)

Welcome newest Goddess! You're going to have fun here. BTW, Your DH's birthday is Colin's too. :-) Wait till you see the party we throw!!!!

Hello ladies, my name is Peggy and I am taking a leap into the drool pond after much lurking and a little coercion from Karen. I have a wonderful DH (doesn't know yet, I'm hoping some of this fervor will subside)+ a son and a daughter in college. I really don't know why I became infected with OCD this summer. I haven't felt like this since 1963-64 when I was totally obsessed with the Fab Four (esp.George). I tried to think of ways to meet them and find something in common with them. Well, that was a lifetime ago and I'm all grown up now, but I find myself thinking in a similar vein about ODB. Crikey!! Mid-June,I reluctantly returned from a wonderful vacation house in Provence - a la Peter Mayle or Jamie in LA - and a week in Paris(I'm a long time francophile) to a life of summer reruns and south Texas monsoons. In my jet lag stupor, I watched BJD on the tube and was totally smitten by MD. Then my daughter rented GWAPE, so I watched that,too. I remember walking out of LA last Fall and telling my friends that Jamie's story was the best because I really liked CF. Needless to say, I started my CF quest online and found drool. What an education! I hit the jackpot last month V,TIOBE,RV,C,WAGW,MLSF,LONDINIUM,and FP all on TV. Of course, I rented then bought PP ,and ODB as FD took my breath away. Like Dhana, I've been renting,buying,taping,and reading like a madwoman for 2 months. My feelings about his body of work run hot and cold. I still have more to see, mostly TV productions. I really enjoy the wit and repartie of you DD's. Loved the MG's accounts of SNL and their close encounter of the Colin kind and the accounts of premieres and IFF's, also. The ladies of drool appear to be so knowlegeable about the industry and ODB that I'm not sure I can keep up, but now I can add my tuppence occasionally. Thanks to Karen and all here who add more laughter to my day. Peggy

Welcome Peggy!! You'll have a lot of fun here. Your timing couldn't be much better with all the upcoming film festivals. Thanks to the faithfull DDs who are lucky enough to attend, you should have much to drool over soon ;o) Cheers!

Peggy!! Okay, I won't hold your head underwater any more. ;-) My feelings about his body of work run hot and cold. I knew I'd spotted a kindred spirit. You'll do just fine here so long as you resist the francophile urge to speak in Ouis. ;-)

Peggy This is the place....glad you found us.

LOL, Karen! Taking a piss on the ouis, ouis again? ;-) Welcome, Peggy! We are certainly in for a fun fest this year so this is a great time to join and add your tuppence. :-)

Peggy, welcome! You have come to a great place and will have a great time.

Peggy!!! In my jet lag stupor, I watched BJD on the tube and was totally smitten by MD. Ooohhh...LOL....those stupor epiphanies! Those are wonderful!! Well in honor of your delurkdom, a stupefyingly handsome gentleman would like to say "Bonjour"!

Welcome, Peggy. You certainly sound like a kindred spirit and I'm sure you'll enjoy it here. Loved your comments about all of a sudden finding yourself obsessing over ODB like a teenage crush - a strange sensation that many of us have had to come to terms with. You've 'come out' at a great time...there will be tons to dish over in the coming months! Perhaps a little �fairy dust� to cure what ails you?? (Thanks, Firthissimo)

Many thanks to all: Yvette, Karen (ouis interdit),Evelyn, Moon, Gail, Tress (wonderful pic-the look of wonderment on his face!)and Lesliep (maybe the fairy dust and the little smirk will help). As you can see, I'm still a novice and promise to work on the copy and paste for more personal replies. All the warm fuzzies are greatly appreciated.

Hello, I'm from New Zealand. 50, a firth fan, with two boys, 22 and 20. I've known about Colin from way back, so perhaps have a different take on him from the rest of you. I saw many of his early works at the time, and recognised the talent, but didn't feel it was quite *there* at the time. I didn't feel he was "sure" of himself, except on a horse, and it was as if he was "holding" himself back, or insecure about something. In Pride and Prejudice, something changed, and that seemed to be where he got more confidence, though I felt he was still a bit constrained by the constipated script. I really started to relate to him a lot better in Fever Pitch and The Secret Laughter of Women. I loved Shakespeare in Love, for different reasons... just thought he portrayed LW so well. I wasn't enamoured with BJD and could give a shrug about the next one. Loved WAGW, and GWAPE. Have refused to watch ones like Tumbledown (my father was in two wars, and I know all about that, and what its cost our family), and will not go and see Trauma, even if it comes here. One of my hats is working with people who have been traumatised one way or another, and people who have had what they euphemistically call "mental" problems. Have read all your comments (those who have been and seen Trauma) and don't think I want to go. For many reasons, not least of which is that I don't think its possible to correctly portray something when you've never "been" there, if you know what I mean. But I know, its just a film. So that's prolly never a valid reason. Sure as an experiment, between director and actor fine, but I'm very selective in what I watch. Relative Values was fun, The importance of being Earnest didn't quite hit the spot for me. Felt that Rupert Everett didn't quite "get" there in a sense, and neither did Colin. Valmont was okay to a point, but lacking *something" ~ after a point there was no glue, and the plot drifted and became very uncohesive... is there such a word? I enjoyed My Life so Far... ... Lost empires was interesting, but I struggled with parts of it. Hated the English Patient. Couldn't see the point of it. Hope Springs, well, just couldn't get into that one, and Love Actually was trite IMO... I enjoyed bits of it (apart from Colin's scenes, the best of Love Actually was in the deleted scenes IMO) Have a month in the country, but yet to see it. That's enough for now. Given all the comments about the html being difficult to work with, what's the bet I've messed this up. Zane.

PS. I don't think I've quite got the drool factor that you all have. I rationalise things too much I think. I can appreciate his acting, and love his eyes, and the body language, but appreciate it more in a clinical sense than any other way. :) :)