Let's HEAR it for Eileen's birthday - Oi! #9! You're not a donkey -

Colin wishes you a very happy season - Wait a minute...drool girls don't have seasons. Make that a very Happy Birthday!

Here he is...he's a little shy, you know. By the way, no animals were harmed in the making of this post - thanks to non-football fans for your forebearance :)

Karen, ROFLOL at the preview of CF's short story! V. good! How about a little dancing now? (I feel like a kid with a new 64 pack of Crayolas with these animated clip art thingies. :-))

LOL! I wanna see a real donkey! Onwards with the animal parade... Since the cake came from Joisey, thought your main course should come from your new backyard: (and, yes, the intent is to harm the animal, which will be delicious with melted butter) Now my birthday greetings from Chi-cow-go:

I can't do any of those things but a belated happy birthday Eileen.

It's your birthday, Eileen! It seems to me, that I was leafing through a L-o-o-ong printout of Topic #136 a few days back, And noticed it was your Birthday today, so I wanted to give yousome nice little gifts.... Because I am so appreciative of your uncanny gift of making us... ...so often. We all need it so much. So have some lovely Birthday flowers: And a very, very :    to  Eileen! And Many Many Happy Returns! Love, KJ

Nileee!!! I'm so horribly late for your special day :-(. Technically it's still the 2nd here in the west but I'm sure you hit the hay awhile back. I did think of you several times today but could not break away from work to get to the computer. In fact, I'm still there. Just wanted you to know that Janny is thinking of you and wishes you the best on your special day.

(Karen) I'd like to go there and spend some time. Or maybe I'll travel to the n-n-north and v-v-visit churches and then p-p-paint on the walls, if they let me. Karen, this is a riot! *You should publish.* More, please.:-)

(Mari) *You should publish.* More, please.:-) Pip says I should be insulted. ;-D Couldn't write anymore, I was put down for a nap.

ROTF Karen...bet the real one isn't gonna be half as good...

Avery happy birthday to you Eileen from me too. A day late but thats the story of my life.

Woohoo! One of the very best things about having a Spring birthday is that it starts before you're up and ends after you've gone back to sleep again, given all the different time zones. Thanks for the manor house, Moon. I did take the test. Thought the disclaimer was a hoot. Said I'm very exacting...goody! Maybe I can apply for Drool's OT/spelling/grammar police since there seems to be a vacancy. ;-) Thank you for the kitty, Heide. She looks hungry for some chow ;-). (BTW, will pass on Peter but will see if Moon's gift has a barn with a moss loft.) C'mon, numbah 9 is *still* a donkey even though he kicked the winner against Miami but we of little faith were sleeping and missed it ;-P. Mmm. Love the lovely Paul! Karen, all the Maryland crabs must've gone up to Jersey. They're becoming an endangered species in the Chesapeake. Think Al Gore put them in a lockbox. Love the cow! Thank you for your good wishes, Lisa, KJ (gorgeous flowers!), Janny, Anne and Lucie! *samooch* What a great day. And to echo Heide, thanks to all you non-US football fans for your patience.

(Eileen) I can apply for Drool's OT/spelling/grammar police since there seems to be a vacancy. ;-) Sorry, that position has been eliminated due to lack of funding. ;-)

(Eileen)One of the very best things about having a Spring birthday is that it starts before you're up and ends after you've gone back to sleep again, given all the different time zones. One other best thing is that you can enjoy it tremendously even when it's not your own birthday ;-)... as did I with Eileen's birthday. Thanks for inspiring it, Eileen, and thanks for being inspired, ladies :-) (KarenR)LOL! I wanna see a real donkey! I took you literally:

To be so late is unpardonable, hope you had a great firthfilled birthday Eileen.

Ooh,I just love John Tenniels woodcuts of Alice!!!

Thought this was pretty funny and does touch on a favorite subject of ours: kilts and sporrans (right, Marcia?) ;-D From today's Times: Prince raises kilt mystery to new height BY ALAN HAMILTON SIX HUNDRED years of peace and democracy in Switzerland have given the world more than the cuckoo clock; they also do yodelling and organic cheese. The Prince of Wales, on the last day of a three-nation visit to central Europe, stepped yesterday into a scene straight from Heidi, that romantic tale of an apple-cheeked Swiss milkmaid that was once required reading for all middle-class English girls to fill the gap between Enid Blyton and their first pony. The Prince, who runs an organic farm on his Gloucestershire estate, went to the village of Faltschen, in the Kander valley above the Swiss capital, Berne, to see organic cheese being made by the Rubin family, who have been at it since 1920. A committed Europhobe when it comes to Brussels anti-cheese directives, the Prince once memorably defended unpasteurised French cheeses threatened by an EU attempt to outlaw them as being dangerously tasty. With President Ogi, a native of the region, as his guide, the Prince was welcomed to the village by the entire Rubin family yodelling. Farmer Klaus Rubin, his son Marcel, 20, and daughter Vreni, 17, sang for the Prince in their barn as he tasted samples of their organic cheese, egged on by an enthusiastic President Ogi. Did he like goat�s cheese, the President asked. �I like it but the smell always reminds me of my sporran,� the Prince replied, leaving the puzzle hanging in the clear mountain air: never mind what he wears under his Scottish dress, what does he keep in the accessory? The Prince wears the kilt and attendant sporran regularly when at Balmoral. But whereas the secret of the Queen�s handbag is now generally known to be her spectacles, the contents of the Prince�s sporran remain a mystery. In the absence of firm information, there will be widespread speculation that he uses it to carry organic goat�s cheese. Later the Prince drove to the Alpine resort of Kandersteg, where he looked in at a cheese shop � possibly looking for something to tuck into his sporran � and was again serenaded by a local choir in the village�s 16th-century church. As he was leaving Switzerland for home, his Duchy Originals organic home-made coarse-cut clementine marmalade was picking up a top prize at the Soil Association�s organic food awards in London. It is said to smell sweeter than the inside of a sporran.

... the contents of the Prince�s sporran remain a mystery.. One can only speculate what any guy tucks into his sporran;-) Eh ,Marcia??

This is a pre- Apartment Zero film discussion question. I was reading background info on Martin Donovan, which mentioned that AZ was his homage to several directors, primarily Visconti. It occurs to me that I have not seen a Visconti film since the late 70s/early 80s (my college days), when my medium-sized American city still had three rep/art house cinemas (we now have two art house theatres, but they only show current films). During this time I was fortunate enough to see a lot of the great classic foreign films on the big screen. In any event, I was wondering, Moon, if you could recommend a Visconti film or two to watch before our discussion begins. I have seen Death in Venice and The Damned, but that was a long time ago (see above paragraph :-)). In reading the plot summaries of his other movies, it sounds like Conversation Piece might be relevant to AZ. What do you think? Thanks.

Lisa, I am so glad to see preparing for our AZ discussion. My favourite Visconti film is Death in Venice. Like you, it has been ages since I have seen his films. Perhaps I would find AZ more relevant to Harold Pinter than to Visconti. The strangeness of some Dirk Bogard charaters come to mind. Most of all, I find Norman Bates in Psycho the closest character to Colin in AZ. Here is a brief bio. of Luchino Visconti. Visconti, Luchino (1906-1976), Italian director of motion pictures, operas, plays, and ballets, considered by many to be the originator of the influential neorealist movement of Italian cinema, which emphasized authenticity rather than the artificial and romanticized visual style of most Italian films in the 1930s and early 1940s. Visconti was born into an aristocratic family in Milan. After military service in the Italian cavalry (1926-1928), he spent the period from 1929 to 1936 traveling in France. While in Paris, Visconti worked as an assistant to French director Jean Renoir on Toni (1935), Une Partie de campagne (A Day in the Country, 1936), and other notable films. Visconti's first film as a director, Ossessione (Obsession, 1942), is often regarded as one of the first examples of Italian neorealism. Visconti brought a natural element to this film by shooting in the Italian countryside rather than in studios, by casting local residents alongside professional actors, and by developing a rough visual quality with his camera work. These stylistic features had a profound influence on the work of later Italian neorealist directors such as Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica. Visconti's many other films include the opulent historical dramas Senso (The Wanton Countess, 1954), La Caduta degli Dei (The Damned, 1969), and Ludwig (1973); other neorealist films, such as Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Rocco and his Brothers, 1960); and adaptations of literary works, such as Le Notti bianche (White Nights, 1957), from a story by Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky; Il Gattopardo (The Leopard, 1963), from the novel by Italian writer Giuseppe di Lampedusa; and Morte a Venezia (Death in Venice, 1971), from a story by German novelist Thomas Mann. Visconti also directed plays, ballets, and operas in a number of European cities. His production of the opera La Traviata, by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, at La Scala opera house in Milan in 1955 was extremely successful with critics and audiences, and was one of several operatic productions by Visconti that starred renowned Greek soprano Maria Callas. While Visconti's work often reflected his liberal social and political concerns, he also actively resisted the ruling Fascist government of Italy in 1943 and 1944 (see Fascism: Italy Under Fascism), and took part in a number of left-wing political campaigns after World War II (1939-1945).

We plan to start the AZ discussion on Thursday Nov. 9th at our CF film discussion topic. I hope you will all join us.

Thursday, huh? OK, better change the notice on the main Drool page. Will put up a pic, after I watch the vid and figure out what Ducboy will be saying. ;-D Argh, homework! Have never seen a Visconti film, although read Death in Venice ages ago and liked it a lot. (Moon) Most of all, I find Norman Bates in Psycho the closest character to Colin in AZ. You won't get any arguments about that. ;-D (Coming, mother)

Argh, homework! Have never seen a Visconti film, That might explain why you liked Wonderland so much. ;-)

(Karen)Have never seen a Visconti film, although read Death in Venice ages ago and liked it a lot. One of the very few instances where I loved the movie even after having read and loved the book. Death in Venice is a masterpiece in all senses and one of my top ten movies of all times.

Am returned from my excursion to the north. Scanned the stadium for Paul in his new t-shirt, alas, there was no sign of him ;-(. Am now convinced that numbah sixteen is a bigger donkey than numbah nine (right, Heide?). Thanks for your good wishes, Tracy! We like to keep the party fires burning *hic*

Eileen, like Tracy's reference to Mr. Carroll's White Rabbit, I am late. Sorry to be so remiss in the timely wishing you a Happy Birthday. Have a wonderful year.

Eileen, may I add my belated wishes for a fabulous year ahead. sorry to miss your birthday. OK so now confession time!! I can't join your AZ discussion because I have NEVER seen it.Whoops. Anyway if any kind drooler knows how I might be able to solve this problem please let me know. Thanks

Thanks, Cheryl and Lizza! Lizza, am sure your AZ needs will be addressed.

Lizza, it is such a good film, I hope you manage to see it. Did you check your local video store?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE!!

Happy Birthday Tineke! I have just heard from the Sindaco di Firenze. They will be naming a Piazza in your honor today. The citizens of Firenze still remember your wonderful lectures on the merits of doing Tuscany on bikes. Viva Tineke! Congratulazione!

Happy Birthday, Tineke!

Happy Birthday Tineke! What do I give a chocolate loving girl? And don't worry about those calories... Here's how to shed them:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE , hope you have had a wonderful day and all the best for the coming year, Ann

Happy Birthday Tineke! I hope you have a great day.

Ti meriti un trattamento reale! Auguroni di Buon Compleanno! N'many more Firth Fun Years!!

Thanks all:-) Carpe Cacem, too funny Karen! And riding up that piece of cake is a piece of cake, Eileen (well, not really). Calories? What's that?;-) Thank you Moon, Gi, Ann, Jana and Evelyn. It's been a wonderful day!

Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done!

Almost missed your birthday. Hope you had a happy day, Tineke. Thanks for all the news and pictures you've shared with us.

Happy Birthday Tienke

Happy Birthday, Tineke. I have enjoyed your photos, too.

HAUOLI NA HANAU, TINEKE Pikake & Ti-Leaf White fragrant 3-Strand Pikake flower leis twined together with a traditional Ti-leaf lei. Beautiful and fragrant.

Ho Hum, according to Annova (PA), Frances O'Connor is to star opposite Brendan Fraser in Cat on a Hot Tine Roof to be produced in the West End early next year. I would have loved to see Jennifer play "Maggie",perhaps it clashed with DFL.

( (Moon) Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done! Hehe! Next she'll be speaking Portuguese as well :-)

(Moon) Evelyn! Have you been practicing your italiano? Well done! (Gi)Hehe! Next she'll be speaking Portuguese as well :-) Enough of of this English stuff...I'm going global;-) It's like....(a la Henry)..;-)...Blue Mountain scroll down to "Italian" !

We will let you cheat this time. ;-)

Once again, better late than never, hope you had a fab birthday Tineke!

I was just hangin� around among the Topics here � � when I discovered that I had missed your birthday, Tineke. Still, I was determined to celebrate anyway � And wish you [albeit belatedly] � � Hope it was a happy one, Tineke     KJ.

Very lukewarm review for Betrayal in today's Philly Inquirer. This critic found Leveaux's direction good, but said there was absolutely no chemistry between Binoche and the actors. This is the same guy who loved TRT, came right out and said he voted "straight TRT" for the Tony, and kept raving about Dillane and Ehle's dynamic. Haven't checked what the NY papers have said yet.

From Screendaily: Go see it. You're being given a second chance. Well worth it. FilmFour to give Croupier second UK outing Despite being barred from competing for the Academy Awards, FilmFour�s 1997 title Croupier is to get a UK re-release following its success in North America this year. Mike Hodges� revitalised tale of an aspiring writer drawn into London�s gambling world will go out early next year. FilmFour originally offloaded Croupier through UK cultural body the British Film Institute, which gave the film a limited theatrical outing after its re-release of Hodges� Get Carter. But while interest has surged in the picture after it took $6m in North America this year, FilmFour will be unable to capitalise on an Oscar run because the American Academy has ruled the film ineligible. The Academy made the ruling because the film has been broadcast twice on TV in international markets, making it ineligible under Academy rules. Hodges said: "I�m very gratified by the response to Croupier in North America. But its most important benefit may be the new opportunity to reach an audience in my own country." Jonathan Cavendish, the film�s producer added: "Mike Hodges is one of the best directors in Europe and it�s exciting that North American audiences have reminded everyone of that fact."

Apparently, there was an opportunity to hear Nick Hornby this past Sunday. From the Guardian: Fiction Live. New Yorker magazine hosts a weekend of readings, including stories from Zadie Smith, George Saunders and Tobias Wolfe (Sat) and Nick Hornby, David Foster Wallace and Jhumpa Lahiri (Sun). 7.30pm, Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London (020-7287 5060). The Irish Times review of Speaking with the Angel Nov 11, 2000 As Nick Hornby explains in the introduction, his small son, Danny, is autistic and attends a special school in London, for which there are limited places. To raise funds to create a few extra places in this school, Hornby asked 11 writers for an original story, and wrote one himself; (pounds) 1 from every copy sold is donated to the school's trust. The stories are all monologues, and mostly written by Hornby's mates. And he has good writing mates. Among the contributors are Roddy Doyle, Zadie Smith, Irvine Welsh, Dave Eggers, Helen Fielding, Robert Harris, Melissa Banks, and Patrick Marber. Marber is a playwright and most of the others are novelists, so it's an interesting and unusual opportunity to see how they fare at writing short stories. Most of the stories are lightweight entertainment, but fittingly, Hornby's own story, 'Nipple-Jesus', about a security guard in an art gallery who becomes obsessed with the exhibit he's protecting, is the best read in the book. ************** One more Hornby item from the Sunday Independent: THOSE WHO would like to take a short cut to immortality should turn up at an auction held by the Medical Foundation at Bafta in central London next month. Novelists who have offered to name characters in their next books after successful bidders include Louis de Bernieres, Hanif Kureishi, Rose Tremain and Nick Hornby. It is brave of Hornby to take part, as he has had trouble in the past with a similar issue. When proofs of About a Boy were distributed a few years back, the surname of the main protagonist - Will Lightman - had to be changed to Freeman after a real-life Will Lightman popped up and objected. (Remember, I asked him about that? The American edition was not thoroughly proofed and a Lightman had not been excised from the book and most of the reviews used the Lightman name.)

BJ meets the Queen! It happened Wed. at the London premiere of The Grinch. I have been looking on line for the picture but to no avail. She looks cute.

Have only seen pics of RZ and Jim, although ET or Access Hollywood showed the receiving line and she was visible.

Ooooh, I'll be on the lookout for these guys. Crew mentioned Hanks would be filming here in Feb or March, can't remember which, although we talked about how awful the weather would be. I do know a great little street that looks perfect for gangster films. ;-D Jude Law in talks for Sam Mendes gangster film Jude Law is in talks to co-star with Tom Hanks in the new film from British director Sam Mendes. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Law is in preliminary negotiations to star in Road To Perdition. The film is set in Depression-era Chicago and centres on a hitman known as the Angel of Death. He is just as devoted to his work as he is to his family. When the two worlds collide and his wife and youngest son are killed, the hitman and his eldest son embark on a journey of revenge. Law is expected to take on the role of Maguire, an assassin known as The Reporter. Tom Sizemore has already been signed on to play Al Capone.

very interesting (long) article in Variety today about the rush to production because of the impending strike, about how "everyone" is working and how hard it is to cast... http://www.variety.com/body.asp?HbkId=7924111&subcat=-1&ArticleId=1117789339

NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE To the citizens of the United States of America, In the light of your failure to elect a President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime minister (The rt. hon. Tony Blair, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect: 1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up "aluminium". Check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up "vocabulary". Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. Look up "interspersed". 2. There is no such thing as "US English". We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. 3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard. 4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. 5. You should relearn your original national anthem, "God Save The Queen", but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get confused and give up half way through. 6. You should stop playing American "football". There is only one kind of football. What you refer to as American "football" is not a very good game. The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays "American" football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football. Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like nancies). We are hoping to get together at least a US rugby sevens side by 2005. 7. You should declare war on Qu�bec and France, using nuclear weapons if they give you any merde. The 98.85% of you who were not aware that there is a world outside your borders should count yourselves lucky. The Russians have never been the bad guys. "Merde" is French for "sh**". 8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 8th will be a new national holiday, but only in England. It will be called "Indecisive Day". 9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. 10. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy. Thank you for your cooperation.

Har har. Here, look *this* up in your Oxford English Dictionary. ;-P BTW, Sue, I assume you copied that from somewhere and are not the author.

Since I'm in a Top 10 kind of mood, here's Letterman's list from last night: Top Ten Things The Founding Fathers Would Say If They Were Alive Today: 10."Remember that electoral college thing we made up when we were drunk? They're still using it!" 9."Maybe that ruthless monarchy thing in England wasn't such a bad idea after all..." 8."Good to see Florida is still using the same old voting machines" 7."That's odd -- in my day, we also had a senator named Strom Thurmond" 6."So that's the Washington Monument? Yeah, in his dreams" 5."Giuliani has really wrecked Times Square" 4."We risk our lives to form this great nation and you wanna let George W. Bush run it?!" 3."Back in our time there certainly wasn't anyone as man-tastic as Ricky Martin" 2."He did *what* in the Oval Office?" 1."Screw this, we're going to Canada"

*clap clap clap* Another great Top 10 List, Mari. Bettah than on Dave's show. fersure! We've been posting political jokes and such over here: http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/politics/20/new You might get a laugh and there's another version of the Revocation thing there as well.

Looks like Miramax has a winner with BOUNCE with Gwynnie and Ben Affleck. "...finely wrought bowl of suds is a seamless piece of work, comparable in its craft to "Jerry Maguire" and "As Good as It Gets," if a bit slighter." "It has been ages since a Hollywood screen couple, gazing into each other's eyes, conveyed this much emotion....." "Bounce" may be far from a great film, but its pleasures are consistent enough to remind you of how few movies nowadays come anywhere close to matching it in intelligence and emotional balance. It is not only a terrific date movie, but also one that doesn't make you feel ashamed afterward for getting misty-eyed. PG-13 Full NY Times review. http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/17/arts/17BOUN.html?1116fl

Tineke, I hope that you siezed the cake and had a memorable birthday. Was the cake chocolate, by any chance? Did you have any Teucher's chocolate truffles or any of their other chocolate candies? However you spent your birthday, I hope it was a happy one. Have a wonderful year.

Thanks for the NYTimes link, Evelyn. I saw Bounce last night and I liked it. Very low-key, wise, well-written little film. Performances are nicely understated. Gwynnie is especially good and "real," and this is Ben's best role to date. Theater was packed; I hope it does well. Once again, these kids have been working their tails off selling this one, with Gwynnie doing all the NY talk shows and Ben doing all the LA-based ones.

Whoops, another absence means I missed your birthday Tineke. Many good wishes, very belated, for a great year. Moon, no luck on AZ in my local blockbusters.

Good to hear your views on"Bounce" Mari. Currently our press is filled to overflowing with Paltrowisms, due to release of Duets this weekend.

Happy Birthday from me too Tineke. I"ve been away and missed it.

From Ananova (The Independent also had an blurb about this on Saturday and mentioned Hugh Lurie.) Teenage Fanclub to play at book launch Author Nick Hornby, best known for his books High Fidelity and Fever Pitch, has asked Teenage Fanclub to perform at the launch of a new book he's edited. Speaking With The Angel is a collection of stories Hornby's edited for the TreeHouse Trust, a charity that works on behalf of children with autism. The launch takes place on November 23 at London's Hammersmith Palais. Teenage Fanclub will provide the music during an evening which is to be hosted by comedian Robert Newman and introduced by Hornby. The event will also feature readings by Speaking With The Angel contributors Melissa Bank (author of The Girls' Guide To Hunting And Fishing) and actor Mark Addy (The Full Monty), among others. Speaking With The Angel is a collection of 13 original stories specially written by a group of authors, including Roddy Doyle, Helen Fielding, Irvine Welsh and Zadie Smith. It also includes a heartfelt introduction from Hornby, whose son Danny is autistic and attends the TreeHouse special school in London. For every copy of the book sold, �1 will go to the TreeHouse Trust. Teenage Fanclub, who have just completed a UK tour, will be playing acoustic versions of songs from their current album Howdy! plus other hits.

From the Telegraph: An anxious, desirable slow starter �In his new film Jeremy Northam plays an Italian prince who is loved by two women. If only real life were as straightforward. 'I want more stability in my life,' he tells Anna Murphy WITHIN 10 minutes of meeting the actor Jeremy Northam in a north London caf�, I have spilt my coffee right down my front. Northam responds with a gentlemanly fleetness straight out of one of his screen performances - Mr Knightley in Emma perhaps, Sir Robert Chiltern in An Ideal Husband or, most recently, Prince Amerigo in the new Merchant Ivory adaptation of Henry James's novel The Golden Bowl. He rushes off to get a cloth, assiduously wipes me down, suggests - laughing - that perhaps this is why he "wore rubber trousers today", and then insists that it is his fault I spilt my coffee in the first place. No doubt if you are Jeremy Northam, life is one long obstacle course of flustered females spilling things, dropping things, tripping over things, so I imagine you do get a routine off-pat. But he does seem remarkably nice for a heart-throb. It is 10 years since Northam won an Olivier award as Most Promising Newcomer for The Voysey Inheritance. Now 38, he is often described as a "slow starter", yet in the interim he has worked non-stop, alternating prestigious stage work at the RSC and the National with increasingly high-profile screen roles. For a while he looked in danger of becoming little more than big-budget arm-candy, siring the likes of Mira Sorvino and Sandra Bullock (in Mimic and The Net respectively). But in The Golden Bowl he again proves himself an excellent ensemble player, just as he did last year in The Winslow Boy and The Ideal Husband. Acting with an all-star cast - in this case, Nick Nolte, Uma Thurman and Kate Beckinsale - can't be for the faint-hearted. "Terrifying," agrees Northam. "I was pretty frightened starting out. But it was not a competitive environment. We all had our particular concerns and worries but we were all of the same mind." In fact, the reports of on-set dramas of the non-scripted kind might suggest a rather different atmosphere. (There was an alleged incident - which Northam's PR had warned me in advance not to mention - when Beckinsale's husband, the Welsh actor Michael Sheen, punched him on the nose.) But Northam claims he was plagued by only one real concern once filming began: "I was anxious about playing this very desirable man. Amerigo is desired by both Kate and Uma. That is a bit of a mindf--- to start with." The beginning of The Golden Bowl is a tangled affair: Amerigo is to marry the wealthy Maggie (Beckinsale), who is ignorant of his earlier love affair with her impoverished best friend Charlotte (Thurman), who, in turn, ends up marrying Maggie's father (Nolte). The story then does the very opposite of unfold; indeed, its knots tighten further still. "It gradually dawned on us all that all our characters were culpable," says Northam. "I remember at one point Uma said to me 'You are lying to me now,' and I said, 'No I am not because I hadn't read the line like that.' And she said, 'Oh yes, I see what you mean, but I don't agree.' There are these incredible shifting perspectives." Northam admits that he wasn't initially keen on doing the film - "I can't say I was crying out to do a period movie at the time, but it was just so beautifully written." This must be a recurring problem, given that he has recently finished working on Enigma, based on Robert Harris's Second World War novel ("I play a complete bastard!" he exclaims with glee), and is currently filming an adaptation of A. S. Byatt's Possession, in which he plays the Victorian love interest alongside Jennifer Ehle. "At the moment I am looking to do something more contemporary again, but then I am always bleating on about that." Northam first decided an actor's life was for him when he was about 16. "I was not one of those kids who had a fantastic, elaborate toy theatre or was six months old when I wrote my first play. I think it was partly when my parents moved to Bristol [where his father was an academic] and you could see all this incredible range of stuff at the theatre, and I did some school plays. Then a couple moved in on our street who were involved in theatre and it was through talking to them that I realised it was a practical possibility, that it wasn't just some sort of teenage masturbation fantasy . . . although it probably still is. "It was not that I had this particular talent - I have always had to work at acting, but I think it was the work that appealed. The very fact that acting was ephemeral and hard to grasp made it seem all the more wonderful. I still do feel that." Between school and college Northam spent a year working backstage at the Bristol Hippodrome. "I can still remember word-for-word Danny La Rue in Aladdin [he switches to a terrifyingly camp accent, like the child-catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang] . . . 'Good evening, boys and girls. This is my son Wishy-Washy. You never knew your father, Wishy-Washy, did you? Thirty-five years ago he went down the garden to pick some peas and he never came back.' 'That is terrible, Mum, what did you do?' 'Opened a tin of beans!' " He laughs extravagantly, on a roll now. " ''Eeeeer!' " he mimics, switching to a toe-curling Bristolian accent, " 'Sing Mother Kelly's doorstep!' I used to do that accent to my old neighbours in London and they used to say 'Please don't! You are making us feel nauseous!' " After an English degree at Bedford College, London, Northam went back to Bristol, to the Old Vic theatre school. "I am definitely a product of that place. There you were taught that if you work and work and work, then you can forget what you know. You have retrained your instincts for whatever it is you need to do." In the event, Northam left the course early to take up a stage role in Nottingham. "When I started to work at 23 I felt ancient, and I have felt ancient ever since because you are always working with 17-year-olds." What would be his advice now to his younger self? "Just relax! Don't be so hysterical about everything and neurotic about the next week and the next job, and just enjoy it. It has taken me a while . . . I don't know . . . my mother died last year, and she had been ill for four years, and in between living here and there, and wondering how she was doing, and feeling I ought to be nearer . . . "At the moment I am just trying to get myself a bit of space. I have been meaning to move flats for six years and it has taken me that long to have the time to do it - it sounds ridiculous when everyone else seems to manage it just like that. I am pinning my hopes on my new flat as a little island from where I can survey the scenery. I want more stability in my life." Yet his growing fame will surely not help him in his search for stability. "I don't feel remotely famous. Occasionally the idea does freak me out. For it to start relatively late in life could be odd, because you would be thinking, why is that person staring at me? Especially when you are having one of those days when you don't want anybody to look at you anyway." He pauses. "I am having one of those days today actually," he grimaces, running his fingers through his immaculately tousled coiffure. So does being an actor make him feel vulnerable? "Mmmm. Three months filming, a run at the theatre, then the rest of the time in therapy!" he laughs, then is serious again. "I was very stable for a long time. I am lucky that I have always worked. And I used to have a girlfriend who would always say 'But you are doing what you love!' " In response to his complaints? "No. When she was expressing why she wasn't content." Northam's last serious girlfriend was the model Lisa Butcher (whose unfortunate marital history encompasses Marco Pierre White and a Chilean polo player). This month he has been seen out on the town with Marie Helvin. Still, Northam claims not to have much luck in his private life. "When you are working on a role mentally and emotionally you concentrate on a particular outlook and I think that can be disturbing to be around - you are on a kind of leash and you never quite want to let that go. An old director friend of mine once said to me that for your partner when you are working, it is like you are having an affair." He sighs. Today, the actor whom Gwyneth Paltrow once described as "incredibly driven" claims that all he really wants is to hear the patter of tiny feet. "I am an uncle nine times over and I am getting more and more broody. But the chances of me becoming a parent are fairly remote at the moment. I have got to find someone who would like to have children with me and is around long enough to manage it."

Any volunteers? ;-) Thanks, Mari. No doubt if you are Jeremy Northam, life is one long obstacle course of flustered females spilling things, dropping things, tripping over things, so I imagine you do get a routine off-pat. But he does seem remarkably nice for a heart-throb. Yes, he does. :-D

Yes, they are lined up around the block. ;-) An old director friend of mine once said to me that for your partner when you are working, it is like you are having an affair." What are the cons? ;-)

Mari, thanks. I did enjoy the article , not least because he is a "local" boy. He was at school with a good friend of mine, who now professes to have no memories of him in particular and is irritatingly vague about it! BTW how many of You do I have to queque behind? tee hee

He was at school with a good friend of mine, who now professes to have no memories of him in particular and is irritatingly vague about it! Are there no yearbook pictures?

Good point Karen. I'll ask him to dig them out, but I will live in hope!

Thanks Mari..he does sound like a nice guy...except for that Kate Beckinsale incident;-)) There was an alleged incident - which Northam's PR had warned me in advance not to mention - when Beckinsale's husband, the Welsh actor Michael Sheen, punched him on the nose.) Thnaks for the Speak with the Angel Benefit. I have read most of the stories and have enjoyed them all.

Am off to parts north tomorrow for family and football. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate the holiday!

I am off to watch men dance half naked... up close and WAY too personal...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nevah! LOL!

Thanks Tracy...it's my favorite holiday! No gifts, no cards, no decorations. Eat, drink, and be merry!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! To those who don't live in the U.S. have a really nice Thursday.

It's my favorite holiday too. But we gobble, gobble, hey! (Old Ramones tune) :-) We just wrapped up the Miami Book Fair Intl and at the party last weekend that Bushnel broad (I never use this but it fits her), stripped and jumped into the pool to be followed by three other men. I have never seen her show, but I am sure it must be as sleezy as she is.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

**Horrors**! I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I have only just discovered Sophie Thompson was with Colin in Tumbledown, and was also in Persuasion, Emma (the movie) and 4 Weddings and a Funeral. Here she has been right under my nose for so long, but I've only just noticed! Shame on me! Oh, yes and ...

(Moon)We just wrapped up the Miami Book Fair Intl and at the party last weekend that Bushnel broad (I never use this but it fits her), stripped and jumped into the pool to be followed by three other men. I have never seen her show, but I am sure it must be as sleezy as she is. Oooh, funny tidbit Moon. You're talking about Candace Bushnell who wrote Sex & the City, right? Sounds like she's desperate to be the center of attention and certainly skinny dipping at a party is not a particularly classy move once one exits the terrible teens - and at a book fair of all places. However, while the show based on her book (I don't think she writes the show BTW but seems more than happy to take credit for it!) is quite raunchy, it is absolutely hilarious. It is a rare television program that can make me laugh out loud. Surely I'm not the only SATC fan out there, am I ;-)?

(KJ) I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I have only just discovered Sophie Thompson was with Colin in Tumbledown During the RV promo activity, Sophie said she'd never worked with Colin before. But that can be easily explained. She's never *with* Colin in any scene. She just hides up in her bedroom. (Jana) Surely I'm not the only SATC fan out there, am I ;-)? Heavens no! Never was a fan of Chris Noth, but there's no one like Big... ;-)(and I like Carrie & Crew as well; Mike B reminds me of Sam's boyfriend who shopped in the boys dept at Bloomies)

*hee hee* love this plus the allegations that the game was rigged to produce the winner during sweeps. Can't believe that her win was tipped in advance to ensure higher ratings. And even I knew the answer to the big million pound question. From The Times: TV race goes to the tape THE BBC is demanding a Florida-style recount in the ratings battle that saw the million-pound quizmaster Chris Tarrant trounce the dying Victor Meldrew. The war of words over Judith Keppel�s triumph on ITV�s Who Wants to be a Millionaire? heated up as overnight viewing figures indicated that the quiz was the clear winner. But the BBC claimed that when people who recorded One Foot in the Grave were counted, the comedy might have scored more viewers. The contest will be officially settled in nine days when the Broadcasters� Audience Research Board publishes its ratings, including video viewers. The Who Wants to be a Millionaire? episode was recorded on Sunday and the news leaked the next day, before the show was pitted against Victor Meldrew�s much-hyped death. Richard Wilson, who plays Meldrew, waded in to suggest that the broadcast of the win was a set-up. �I think it was planned,� he reportedly said. The quiz usually attracts about 2.4 million viewers more than One Foot in the Grave, but on Monday the gap passed three million. Who Wants to be a Millionaire? had an average of 13.9 million viewers, peaking at 14.9 million, while One Foot in the Grave attracted an average of 10.7 million, peaking at 11.6 million as Meldrew died. The BBC refuses to accept defeat, however, insisting that millions must have watched the quiz and taped the comedy. It said: �We reckon at least two million people would have videoed One Foot. Most people choosing between the two would have watched Millionaire.� ITV agreed. The extent of Ms Keppel�s luck with her questions became clearer when she disclosed that, when playing at home, she often loses before �1,000 because she knows so little about pop music and sport. None of her 15 questions was about pop and only one on sport: �In which sport do two teams pull at the opposite ends of a rope?� The answer, tug of war, was worth �1,000.

Impressed by your knowledge of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Karen. However, I will attempt to increase your education. British schools do not generally have yearbooks ... or proms ... or people most likely to go on and do something or other ... or votes for class president ... or classes of 89 etc ... or high school graduation ... or grade numbers. Lack of organisation, I know - but normally once a year there'll be a photo of the whole school in a group, however, so some remnant may survive.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Try again

Happy Thanksgiving American Friends!

(Mark) Impressed by your knowledge of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Karen Hasn't everyone (of a certain age) seen Lion in Winter? Or most anything to do with Robin Hood? ;-) Shame about the lack of school photos.

To all our cyberbuddies - enjoy the holiday, give thanks for good food and fellowship, and then get back to your PC and post more goodies! :-)

My very best wishes for a great Thanksgiving. I can see that we will all be quite busy tomorrow. We are having a cold front in Miami and I love it! It really gets me in the mood for the Holidays.

(Mark)However, I will attempt to increase your education. British schools do not generally have yearbooks ... or proms ... or people most likely to go on and do something or other ... or votes for class president ... or classes of 89 etc ... or high school graduation ... or grade numbers. Wot? Why else go to school;-) Gobble, Gobble , Gobble...Eat til you Wobble

I did so finish it...aw, use your imagination!

I like this one: Happy Thanksgiving and have fun shopping. ;-)

A very happy Thanksgiving to all who give thanks And don't worry about us poor slobs in work.

And don't worry about us poor slobs in work. That's ok, Mark. You can rub it in on Boxing Day when most Americans are back at work. Happy Thanksgiving! Off to Mom's for turkey (not fish). ;-)

(Moon)We are having a cold front in Miami and I love it! It really gets me in the mood for the Holidays. Cold? In Miami? Impossible! ;-)

Good article in The Sunday Times about the BBC's plans to get into big budget films and away from small-scale costume dramas. But more importantly, it states that (1) the new venture doesn't use license payers' fees but instead has financing from private sources in LA/London that will *oversee* distribution and (2) lack of financing has prevented BBC from capitalizing on its involvement in many films that went on to success, i.e., it had to hand over control to others because it could only provide a small portion of the total funding. http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/11/26/stinwenws03015.html