*APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE* BRAVO! (this was classic!, thanks for the laughs! how will this ever be topped?)

there is no way i could top any of you more experienced firth fans, so i'll just say my humble- happy birthday moon! thanks for all the laughs today everyone

ROTFLOL!!! I ca'ant see ti tope....too amny tears im ny eyes aftr the intrveiw! Then!.... the singng dancng Colin! I'm hysterical with laughter!!!! Yes, BRAVO!! BRAVO!! (Oooo, some nice JN pics too)

Katie: Is that because your counterparts have all had oral hygiene problems? CF: In addition to what I said, its because I'm sick and tired of my wife poking me with those red nails. HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY, CARA ROTFLOL--EVEN MY BJD WORDS FAIL ME NOW. So I'm wishing you Happy Birtday, toasting you with a glass of white wine, as Mark Darcy did for Bridget. Karen, that's why we call you da BOSS! Still waiting for the wedding picture that you are afraid we can't handle. Wouldn't that be a great present for Moon, to go along with everything else?

I'll make a few notes in case there's a need for a follow-up interview or additional tape is miraculously found from this one. ;-D Karen, we will be waiting for that follow-up interview. The Bucket runs deep. ;-))) Oh, Rupi, my admirer. You do look good in armour. ;-) And what can I say about banana boy? Love you Geoffrey! *smooch* Keep smiling, baby. :-D On an aside, and this is my World Cup fever showing. Those steps of Geoffrey done up in a soccer uniform would work in manner of: Great player after scoring a goal. ;-D Thanks, trese.

Thank you, Linda! Cheers!

"The good ended happily and the bad unhappily. That is what Fiction means." moon can never have enough presents, i agree.....

moon can never have enough presents, i agree..... Thanks, Amy! Lucky for me, my DH feels the same way. :-D Party hoping but I'll be back. *hic* Have more champagne, ladies. The cake is yet to come.

(Moon) Have more champagne, ladies. The cake is yet to come. WIll it be my favorite kind......beefcake? ;-D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!! BRAVO AND THANK YOU MARI, EVELYN (METHINKS RIGHT & LEFT!! OOOLLALA), AND KAREN. WHAT A GOOD JOB. I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE TOPPED. AMAZING. WITH GOOD STUFF LIKE THIS ITS LIKE HAVING A BIRTHDAY EVERY DAY. THANK YOU.

I don't care what he says...Olivier looks pretty nekkid to me.

Being the inept computer person that I am, I can only offer Birthday wishes to you Moon. Hope your day is great. Thanks for all the pics and the fantastic entertainment today. Karen, the interview was excellent. I am thoroughly impressed. What are you gonna do for tomorrow? :)))))

ROTFL My compliments to the chefs who have produced such amusing (and tasty) moon-cakes (yueh ping), and best returns of the day to the birthday woman. Evelyn, you have melted down my monitor. ;)

(Dorine) WIll it be my favorite kind......beefcake? ;-D Well, I see that Evelyn obliged with a little of that, but I could post some lovely Michael shots. (Pam) I DON'T THINK THIS CAN BE TOPPED. Check out topic 110, where we celebrate Colin's birthday. (Lisa) What are you gonna do for tomorrow? :))))) Thank goodness, it's the Sabbath and I can rest. (Ev) I don't care what he says...Olivier looks pretty nekkid to me. Trust me, I've seen the movie. He's never nekkid. Even Diane Lane is never fully exposed. Hands are strategically placed, and there is the most clever camera work I've ever seen. A major disappointment. All hype. No delivery. ;-D ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Since Moon is probably still out drinking champagne and wines and similar, she'll be right in the mood for some lo-cal cake when she gets home. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOON!!! Hope it was as much fun for you as it was for us...and that you got lots of jewelry, dear. ;-)

Mick Jagger has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Jagger, who appears on the list as Michael Philip Jagger, singer and songwriter, becomes a knight for "services to popular music". The award was leaked last weekend and has already generated some controversy. Despite his age - he will be 59 on July 26 - Jagger has perfected the art of growing old disgracefully with a string of flings with models, one of which resulted in a love child in his mid-50s. Jagger, who did not appear at the Golden Jubilee Palace pop concert, jokingly complained during a recent television documentary about missing out on royal recognition. Jagger says he is "delighted" at the news. Others getting honours included Harold Pinter (surprising because of his politics), David Suchet, Trevor Nunn, and writers Sebastian Faulks and Ian Rankin.

Thank you Lisa and Elizabeth. Check out topic 110, where we celebrate Colin's birthday. I have a feeling that this year it will be an incredibly philosophical one. ;-) (Karen), Hope it was as much fun for you as it was for us...and that you got lots of jewelry, dear. Yes, I did get the jewelry, my boys are so very good to me. :-D Karen you made this party a definite HoF one. Thanks to you and my lovely friends. Hugs and kisses to all.

(Karen)Others getting honours included Harold Pinter (surprising because of his politics),... There's hope for Colin then;-)) *Sir*Mick Jagger???I agree with those who say they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. What's David Suchet done....Poirot?Mr. Darcy brought in more tourism that he has. Agree re: Tervor Nunn. He's done great things for the National Theatre. (Mind your own business, evelyn...it's not your country;-)))

HappybelatedBirthday, Moon!from the ever-late Caribou :-) The party is over, the thank you have been sent and the topic has changed. You do realize, of course, that timing like this is even harder than comedy. ;-) Hope you have a great year and your wishes come true -- which would be good for all of us!

Thanks, Caribou, we do share some wishes. ;-D

(Evelyn)What's David Suchet done....Poirot?Mr. Darcy brought in more tourism that he has. Yes he did, and he has more hair too-at least for now. DS also had a part in Victoria and Albert-with ODB'S dear brother.

(Evelyn)*Sir*Mick Jagger???I agree with those who say they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. Ah, c'mon, Ev, he's a stand-up guy. Aside from the drinking . . . and the smoking . . . and the vulgar mother . . .and the drug busts ;-) Oh, then there's the matter of siring 7 children with 4 different women. And the fact that he left England to live in France at one point to avoid paying taxes. But my fave: when the Brazilian model got pregnant, Jerry sued him for divorce and he comes up with the announcement that she couldn't divorce him (and get a wifely chunk of his estate) because they had never really been legally married. Which had the effect of announcing to their children (and the world) that they were illegitimate.:-( I like his music and always will, but I don't think he'd even make the bottom of the barrel.

I like his music and always will, but I don't think he'd even make the bottom of the barrel. It looks like getting "Sired" by the Queen is as easy as getting a star in Hollywood Walk of Fame. You write letters and petitions and get enough signatures to get them qualified. How absurd is that? The Knights of old must be turning in their graves.

There's someone even more tardy than Caribou... Belated Happy Birthday Moon! Splendid party obviously! You're lucky to have talented friends who partied with you all through the day and night. Now I hope that all this birthday bash has not diverted you from your goal in life....which is to teach our boy to upgrade from chicken pecking to this... ....to catch Sir Elton's attention and get an invite to leave his "mark" along with those two from BJD...

Ooops...last image bombed. Trying again... just learned to link image image ...it shows!

Dear Minkee, you're getting very good! Now I hope that all this birthday bash has not diverted you from your goal in life....which is to teach our boy to upgrade from chicken pecking to this... ROTF! You better bring some of those images to his birthday party bash. ;-) And... Happy Birthday, Minkee!!!

From Masterpiece Theatre's newsletter, about their fall season: Masterpiece Theatre will return in the fall with a full slate of engrossing dramas, including the American Collection title, Esmeralda Santiago's Almost a Woman, A coming-of-age story about a young Puerto Rican girl in New York City. Also ahead is the long-awaited remake of the classic PBS presentation, the sweeping epic The Forsyte Saga, chronicling the lives of three generations of an aristocratic turn-of-the-century English family. Keep up with the Forsyte family tree online as it grows throughout the summer: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html#forsyte Just some of what's coming up in 2002/2003.... Zadie Smith's White Teeth Andrew Davies's adaptation of Dr. Zhivago Me and Mrs. Jones, starring Robson Green My Uncle Silas 2, starring Albert Finney Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The House of the Baskervilles George Eliot's classic Daniel Deronda

Coming on A&E on August 3rd. According to a James Frain website. Other Armadillo pics: http://www.jamesfrainonline.com/armadillo.htm Director is Howard Davies who was recently nominated for a Tony for Private Lives currently on B'way.

OOHHHH, do you think ODB may be part of the Forsyte family tree? At least our cable co. provides PBS.

Thanks, Ev, one of the pic (sans shirt) looks like post-lucid dreaming. Am visualizing somebody else... *sniff sniff*

Minkee, if today is your birthday I hope it's magical! YKW came out of this poster today just to wish you a happy one!

FYI Newbies:To keep you in the loop. Re: Armadillo. Two years ago there were strong rumors that Colin was going to play the role of Lorimer in "Armadillo". *Strong* like it was in Baz's column in the Daily Mail and A&E almost admitted such to Mari on the phone. Then: nada. And suddenly we discovered that James Frain was going to play the role and Colin was playing Dr. Stuckhart in the HBO movie, Conspiracy. Meanwhile....we had all bought and read the book, and Karen even had a page up and running..... Soooo, therefore the interest.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINKEE-what a great present from Lora Lora, can you believe that you were right there taking that picture? Gives me the chills just to think about that night again, You lucky girl!

*sob* Sorry I missed the BIG par-tay. Happy birthday, dear Moon, from the-former-partier-now-latest-of-the-late! Hope it was a good one.

Karen, Thanks for the heads-up on the updated Forsyte Saga. I'll show my age here by admitting that I LOVED it the first time around on PBS. Hope that the new version lives up to my memories of the old.

*sob* Sorry I missed the BIG par-tay. Happy birthday, dear Moon, from the-former-partier-now-latest-of-the-late! Hope it was a good one. We missed you, Eileen. The party was a HoF as you see. Armadillo: Coming on A&E on August 3rd. (Karen), Am visualizing somebody else... *sniff sniff* I know what you mean, Karen. Colin was Latimer.:-( I can't picture Frain in this at all. I did enjoy the book which I might not have read otherwise. I will be in Italy and would appreciate someone taping it and lending it to me on my return. Grazie!

Minkee, is it really your birthday? Dates, we need exact dates! Astrological signs just won't cut it. Will have to do some late night or early morning shopping for a present.

Happy Birthday Moon and Minkee. Sorry to be so late. Haven't had much time for the computer the past week or 10 days.

Given what we've been talking about on 162, this one's for you Minkee, if it is your birthday (which you haven't confirmed!!!)

Well, Mink, is it or isn't it? Inquiring minds . . . Oh, Moon, I just head the Italy/South Korea score. Sono spiacente! Maledizione! (Am cramming with my Berlitz tapes;-)

Oooooh! I just caught up on my reading from the weekend and *sob* what a glorious birthday celebration I missed! Karen, ROTFLMAO at that Katie Couric interview. Am eagerly awaiting follow-up. Evelyn, that JN picture was positively delightful (and methinks the editor is correct) ;^) Kudos to all. A very, very happy belated birthday to Moon and Minkee!

Oh, Moon, I just head the Italy/South Korea score. Sono spiacente! Maledizione! (Am cramming with my Berlitz tapes;-) LOL! Good words to start with. We are very depressed. There has been no fairplay by the referees, they wanted Italy out and Korea to advance. It's political. :-( Thanks, Lucie and Sandy, cheers is what I need. :-D BTW, Minkee posted her bday at the beginning of Gemini season. I asked her. So it is correct. And, there are more Geminis that have not given us a date like Lisa who is also a Gemini. Ladies, we want the dates!

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a woman in possession of a good number of years in her age must keep keep extremely quiet indeed when another birthday is upon her....but when Drooleurs of such talent lure her out with such temptations, what's an old gal to do? I'm a cusp-ian(?)/cusp-ist(?)...born on 20th of June - between Gemini and Cancer - "the homely flirt" I think is a blended astrological description. Lora, thank you. I also thank and agree with Linda...that is a great present indeed! Perfect for oggling, real sight for sore eyes..... but if Karen is to be believed - I'll be going blind soon! LOL, thanks Boss. Cross my heart (but not hope to die) that green book contains only nice decent photos of ODB...although my eyeballs do look being split between *left* and *right*. ;-) Lucie - thank you am very happy you're early for mine. :-)) And, finally Moon, thanks for the birthday wishes and the nice thoughts represented by the lips. I don't mean to be ungracious ...'cept I recognise those as the Gnat's. Eeewww. May I return soiled goods please? I'll have even just one of the pair on that gorgeous present from Lora. ;)~~~~ And Moon - pity about the Azzure - that was real tough luck for. :(( At 5 minutes before the end I was mentally writing out the following trivia to send to you tonight in big bold letters but not anymore (ducking for cover).... Vieri grew up and played football in Sydney

Mari - see above. May I borrow your Berlitz tapes? Sandy, grazie. (I'll complete the sentence when I get the tapes from Mari.) Moon - I noticed that about the referee too! Shame! Shame! (But I won't take anything away from the Koreans - those goals were brilliant.) Our household was cheering for Italy too. We were speechless. In Sydney, the equivalent of Little Italy is a city fringe area called Leichardt and the equivalent of Mulberry Street is Norton Street. That whole street was closed during the Italy/Mexico game (delirious with celebrations at end of night) and again tonight - except tonight it was like a quiet church. Oh dear. Oh dear. :(

This season's production of Clare Boothe Luce's The Women will be broadcast on PBS stations across the country thanks to the network's "Stage on Screen" series. Hosted by "Seinfeld" star and theatre veteran Jason Alexander, the classic play about a group of "gold-diggers, schemers, gossips and social climbers" was recorded live at the American Airlines Theatre in January starring Kristen Johnston, Rue McClanahan, Cynthia Nixon, Jennifer Tilly, Mary Louise Wilson and Jennifer Coolidge. Luce's 1936 comedy, which was produced by The Roundabout Theatre Company and directed by Scott Elliott, will be broadcast in the metropolitan area on WNET on June 18 at 8 PM. Air dates for eight other cities follow: Los Angeles (KCET) June 18 at 9 PM Chicago (WTTW) June 18 at 9 PM Philadephia (WHYY) June 18 at 9 PM San Francisco (KQED) June 22 at 8 PM Boston (WGBH) June 22 at 8 PM Dallas (KERA) June 18 at 8 PM Atlanta (GAPTV) June 18 at 9 PM Detroit (WTVS) June 18 at 9 PM Final Sept. 1 Performance of Contact To Be Broadcast Live on PBS

Mari - see above. May I borrow your Berlitz tapes? Sandy, grazie. (I'll complete the sentence when I get the tapes from Mari.) Moon - I noticed that about the referee too! Shame! Shame! (But I won't take anything away from the Koreans - those goals were brilliant.) Our household was cheering for Italy too. We were speechless. In Sydney, the equivalent of Little Italy is a city fringe area called Leichardt and the equivalent of Mulberry Street is Norton Street. That whole street was closed during the Italy/Mexico game (delirious with celebrations at end of night) and again tonight - except tonight it was like a quiet church. Oh dear. Oh dear. :(

Yikes - the dreaded "refresh" icon. Sorry folks for double post.

I watched the match this morning. I was thinking of you, Moon, and all of my family in Italy-v.depressing. I was going to call them if Italy had won. I think I'll hold off for now. All phones have probably been pulled out from the walls by now anyway. Wonder if any tv screens survived? BTW, Karen, I was doing laundry while watching. (Minkee)born on 20th of June You share the same birthday as my DH. If I'm not mistaken, ODB's wedding anniversary is the next day.(sigh)

Grazie a tutti per i pensieri. (Go to it Mari) ;-) So if Minkee is the 20th, who was the 17th? Was it you Lisa? I know Vieri was born in Minkeeland. :-)

the women airs tonight (june 18) at 8 pm on KETC (st. louis), repeats the 20th at 2 am

Happy Birthday all my fellow Geminis. Wish I could do all the lovely pics as you talented people can do. Happy B-day Minkee. Mine is the 19th. I'm just so impressed that we are still in the running. Will see what happens Friday morning with Germany. GO USA!!!!

Thank you Linda . Happy Birthday to YDH too! Thank you Pam and here's one for you for today. I'm not a tardy turtle this time. Indeed you may need to party often - one for you, one for each of the other Geminians here and one for the USofA - good luck!

Interrupting the birthday bashes for a second... It looks like the nine-month search for a writer to work with Rupert Everett on his NBC sitcom has come to an end. Sources said former "Mad About You" executive producer Victor Levin is on track to serve as executive producer/showrunner on the NBC Studios/Touchstone TV show, which is being developed for midseason consideration. In October, NBC gave Everett a 13-episode commitment for a fish-out-of water vehicle in which he would star as a British ambassador, to be executive produced by the actor and Marc Platt. According to sources, Levin and Everett hit it off, and their meeting with the network this week went well, though the concept of the sitcom is still being tweaked.

Bet ole Rupe will be good in a sitcom. Lots of backsides to pat;-)*cruel, I know* "The Women" last night was disappointing. Live theatre on television is a double edged sword. A live audience brings out the best in a performance, but the stage acting comes off as OTT on a small screen. And I think that was the case here. The American Airlines theatre is cavernous (remember DFL) and they have to project to hit that upper balcony and that makes them screech for tv. Didn't like the way Cynthia Nixon (S&TC)played her role..too affected. And Jennifer Tilly always does best when the role calls for vulgar qualitie;-). Overall, they seemed to recite the lines with catty charms.Isaac Mizrahi's gowns were terrific. I liked the intermission interview with the cast.

Happy Birthday Pam! It is official, by the numbers, Geminis rule drool. :-D Bet ole Rupe will be good in a sitcom. Lots of backsides to pat;-)*cruel, I know* Especially in West Hollywood. ;-) Isaac Mizrahi's gowns were terrific. I adore him! Remember that black one that JLo wore to the Oscars 4 years ago? A stunner.

Here's an interesting article from The New York Observer, by Ron Rosenbaum, which discusses what he descibes as Jane Austen character types. Enjoy! http://www.observer.com/pages/story.asp?ID=5887

Thanks Suzanne - interesting reading :-)

Yes, thanks, Suzanne! Northanger Abbey was the first novel she�d written, it was the last one she published. It was also one that had somehow been lost in the shuffle�never filmed with Emma Thompson or Alicia Silverstone playing the heroine, or the annoying Colin Firth as the prize. P&P, starring the simpering Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy (which then morphed into an even greater media phenomenon with Bridget Jones�s Diary, in the film of which Colin Firth plays a modern Mr. Darcy much as I like the Pride and Prejudice miniseries, the focus on the heroic Elizabeth Bennet and the too-sensitive-from-the-get-go-to-really-be-Mr. Darcy Colin Firth has somehow turned a novel of great wit and asperity into, well, a generic chick flick. This guy has a problem with CF. LOL!

We're all dressed up in our formalwear, Pam, to wish you a very...

Thanks Sue.I think the author is a certified Austenite. And none of them liked the P&P mini-series.I came to like JA through my son who is a Mansfield Park man. Likes Chardonnay too, Moon;-) (Must ask him about quiche;-)

i agree with evelyn that the women on pbs was ott, i'm glad it wasn't just me, i caught it at intermission and thought the interviews were interesting, the whole experience made me want to watch the movie they showed clips of, has anyone seen that?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM

Happy birthday(s), Pam and Minkee!

the simpering Colin Firth Simpering? Simpering? has me simmering-burning, in fact. Happily, I am proud to be in the P&P subcategory 4. Loved the book, the miniseries, and the BJD connection. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. On a much lighter note, Happy Birthday Pam!!! Enjoy your day.

(trese) i agree with evelyn that the women on pbs was ott, i'm glad it wasn't just me I agree with both of you...so much so, I had to turn it off even before intermission. It became too grating to me. Thanks for the article, Suzanne. The author does seem quite put out by CF, doesn't he.

Thank you all so much for the Birthday Greetings. You have made my day, believe me. Your kindness and acceptance is go greatly appreciated. I love the graphics, copied to show my kids. Thanks so much. Thanks Suzanne for the article. I don't see, personally, why the JA purists didn't like the mini-series. It was really close to the book. The only parts missing, and I agree with everyone should have been in, were the building of the relationship, more meetings at Rossings, and the courting during the engagement should definitely have been in as well as Lizzy informing everyone that it was Darcy who bailed out Lydia. All these were essential and would have just added to his "chick-flick" impression. But let's remember the novel is about chicks. As far as his impression of CF -- Way out of line. He played the character as close to the book as possible, as JA was vague. Hardly simpering, and in many other reviews CF is acknowledged as the best of all the Darcys, which he is. I agree, this man definitely has a problem with CF. Major jealousy of the most successful portrayal of them all. I, also, am category 4. I think Rupert's sitcom sounds good. May leave openings for guest appearances, and since they are getting on so well, would be wonderful to see CF show up. Agreed? Rupert has said they act well together as a team. Could this be possible?!! One can only hope. Thank you again everyone.

Happy belated birthdays, ladies...sorry I have been neglectful. This is what comes of being a type 1d I suppose. :) It looks like the nine-month search for a writer to work with Rupert Everett on his NBC sitcom has come to an end. Could have been worse. Could have been Binder... At least this gives it a fighting chance to be funny.

(Elizabeth) Could have been worse. Could have been Binder... Ugh! Last night I caught the middle of a movie he wrote called The Sex Machine. I now know why everyone makes cracks about L'dum. I saw part of an episode of The Mind of a Married Man series on Showtime a while back, too and couldn't watch more. I now see that poor writing, directing, and acting is a pattern for him...or perhaps a lifestyle. Who keeps funding all these things for him to do? Sheesh! An belated Happy Birthday Pam!

Who keeps funding all these things for him to do? Product placement from the meat pie manufacturers, most likely. Snerk!

Happy Birthday!, Pam, or, better yet ... Pam!! Happy Birthday!, Minkee, or, better yet ... Minkee!! 'Nuff said!

Mine was June 17--Happy birthday Minkee and Pam! I think that Mike Binder's stuff is Horrible (not seen L'dum though)...what is his fascination with MH? Do they date? I don't know who that actor is--but he 'looks' like Lorimer. (Wasn't he Hungarian or something?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MINKEE

So it was Amy's birthday on the 17th! A very Happy belated Bithday, Amy! And today is the day, Minkee! I know I jumped the gun before but here's to a great day. A very merry Birthday in Minkeeland to Minkee!

So it was Amy's birthday on the 17th! A very Happy belated Birthday, Amy! And today is the day, Minkee! I know I jumped the gun before but here's to a great day. A very merry Birthday in Minkeeland to Minkee!

All these parties . . . . . . I think I need to rest a bit with the birthday girls. Happy Birthday, Pam, Amy, and Minkee!

Happy birthday to Amy, Pam, and Minkee this week! All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! Hope you all have a rockin' and rollin' time on your big days (Sir Paul is a Gemini, too)!

Mari, what film is THAT from???? I'm guessing ATA since, with what minimal attention I can muster up to look at the right-hand side of the photo, I've decided that's Jessica Lange with him. I haven't seen ATA yet - I wasn't in a hurry since in the archives y'all talked about how small Jess's part wound up being - but evidently I need to move it higher on the priority list. Happy Birthday to our birthday girls!!

Thank you very much for all your birthday greetings Rika, Lora, Evelyn, Elisabeth S, KJ, Eileen Moon - thanks again - I very much appreciate that you did not bring the lips of the Gnat with you this time ;-) Amy - Happy Birthday to you too - I hope you had a lovely day just like I did yesterday - (that's right, it's now past tense for me down here). (By the way - do you remember who coined that word "Minkeeland"?) Mari - thank you...but are you sure he will get a rest with all 3 of us bday girls? Together? What do you say, Pam and Amy? It's winter here but I'm suddently feeling very warm and am sure it's not due to the Merlot. Mama Mia - no wonder the Dottoressa (sp?) strictly scrutinises all his engagements. We need to move over to 159 ;-)~~~~

Yes, Rika darling, it's me in ATA. This is how I look with my shirt on. And this is how I look when I say "this is how I look with my shirt on." The flick is mediocre at best, but damn, I look hot in it!:-) (And there's lots of me in the first half; after that, you can stop the tape.;-)

Happy Belated Birthday, Amy

(Minkee)do you remember who coined that word "Minkeeland"?) That was me, I believe. Minkee, since it seems you're in no mood to share with the other girls, I'm sending him down to you and I told him it's BYOB--bring your own bed. From the PD (pre-Dotoressa) collection:

Looks like you might be having a visitor!

Karen Visitors of certain types always welcome especially those with smooches to deliver in person. But chicken pecks definitely not allowed!!!. For A-level smooches, I even provide perfect bed and pillows like those exclusively a la 4 Seasons. You can come too! Despite what Mari thinks - I am willing to share. But will Dottoressa? Maybe not :-( Lovely thoughts anyway, Karen. Grazie. (Mari - are you done with the Berlitz yet?).

On a different note: On Minkeeland tv tonight was a report on World Cup - Thai prison-style. 7000 prisoners - sufficient number of foreigners to make up several international teams - sad really :( In opening ceremony, flag carriers were prison cross-dressers dressed up in national costumes. France won the competition. Awarded with golden replica of WC trophy. How's that for promoting international relations?

(Mari) Didn't Ruth Gemmell say he was a crap kisser in FP (or maybe that was her jealous? boyfriend relating the tale). Mari posted that question over a week ago, and the discussion has somewhat died down, but just I encountered the original quote in a DarcyDrool archive. This is Ruth Gemmel, being interviewed in the January '97 Harpers & Queens: "When I told them about my part, my friends used to scream down the phone, but I was quite scared of him. But he's a lovely bloke, unaffected and sweet, and not at all showy, so the only time I was nervous after the first day was when we had to snog. In front of hundreds of people." My next question was one I had to ask on behalf of millions. "Well, it wasn't like the theater--we didn't snog properly. But it looks fine. Colin knew what he was doing--he's obviously had to snog on film before. When I told my boyfriend, he was delighted. He just said, "So, Mr. Darcy's a crap kisser?" And there you have it.

(Lora) All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! LOL Lora - That's maybe because you've just heard of Kylie Minogue's (Aus/UK pop singer) "Can't get you out of my head?" recently released in US. And she does start her tour down here in August. People queued up overnight (and its winter here) to get tickets! I think they are all out of their heads! Rika Now that Mari has sent him to the Gemini girls for a *rest*, his crap kissing days are numbered! ;-)

Colin knew what he was doing Love the sound of that. Mari, ROTFLOL with those ATA pictures. Since my birthday was last month and I didn't mention it, I'm coming to Minkeeland with CF to visit you. So just move over and make room. I'm v. patient. Or I can BMOB. Again, Happy Birthday to all Geminis!

Minkee, You've been known to play at Drool while enjoying some refreshments... ...but I thought you could use some company this time. ;-)

(Mari - are you done with the Berlitz yet?). Just about, Mink. I think I finally have down all the Key Phrases for Americans Traveling Abroad: "Is there some sort of soccer tournament going on?" "Geez, you mean nobody in this town speaks English???" "La Dottoressa sent me." "Whaddya mean, dinner's at 10? I'm in bed by then!" "But, my travel agent assured me this place had central air." "That's F-I-R-T-H, and I was told he lives here part time." And so it goes.;-) Wait, here's one for you, Minkee, since you'll be "sharing": "Vorrei un letto matrimoniale." ("I'd like a double bed.") ;-)

LOL, Mari! Don't forget, "Can I have some ice?" (I've been told so many times it's bad for my health!LOL!) (Lora) All these Geminis on drool...when I think of all of you I keep hearing Moon and the Geminis in my head! Has a nice ring to it, like a girl band and what better place to start your tour -- in Minkeeland ;-)! I Love it, Lora! But you've been to my house and seen my music collection. When at the Uni I had a radio show and called it Gemini Rock, so you're not too far off. LOL! I am so happy that we are all on a mission to stop that chicken pecker and turn him into a real smoocher. He will conquer this, he will! ;-)

(mari)"From the PD (pre-Dotoressa) collection:" ... ROTF.I move we make that a new Drool acronym.

sorry i'm late, happy birthday ladies!!! (i'd list you all but i lost count) i'm a virgo myself (along with colin right) so i have a ways to go hope you all have/had great a day

sorry "a great day"

Counting last night and tonight-it brings my total to 7 for the number of viewings of TIOBE. I just want to say that after careful study of the very last scene-he does start off the kiss in a pecking manner, but I noticed tonight that it does indeed get better-though it is very quick(better when the DVD comes out and you can slow it down)-it does appear that he ever so slightly goes for FOC's top lip right at the end. Of course we know-no tongue action, but it is not all that bad. I'd take it any day. BTW, not that I would refuse, it was my 12 year old daughter who begged to go back again tonight. Mari, you are doing a fantastic job with those tapes. When we get together for HS we'll need to converse in Italian.

Hi Everyone - Happy Birthday and thank you for your good wishes. Now ladies are you sure you want to entrust him to all of us Geminis? Remember, each one of us is at least two people. He will never be the same, but I'd gladly take on the responsibility. Bring him on. He would permanently be flashing the "big grin". We are definitely up to the task.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAM AND MINKEE AND AMY.......... Are the Geminis taking over some sort of teaching role for ODB? As a full-fledged Gemini I humbly accept the responsibility for snogging lessons and will give timely and detailed reports on the progress. Shyly admitting to the group I have been told I'm quite the kisser....... Must go apply purifying mask, pluck eyebrows and find lip balm.......:))))))

A big THANK YOU for the happy birthdays. Since Geminis are really two...could he be up to the test? (Mari)The flick is mediocre at best, but damn, I look hot in it!:-) you sure got that right--plus the American accent doesn't do much for me either. BTW: technical question--how do you get the pics form the videos?

So many Geminis... and you're all really two people... well then, Happy Birthday to ALLLLLLLL of you. Do appreciate the lessons you're planning for ODB. Maybe by the time it's our turn he can teach all of us Virgoes a thing or two. We can certainly dream can't we?

(Kathy) Maybe by the time it's our turn he can teach all of us Virgoes a thing or two. By the time he gets down to the Capricorn here, I'll get to give him his final exam! And my exams are quite thorough! ;-D (Mari) I think I finally have down all the Key Phrases for Americans Traveling Abroad: Don't forget my favorite...where are the bathrooms?

(Moon) Don't forget, "Can I have some ice?" (I've been told so many times it's bad for my health!LOL!) Second on my list, Moon: Posso avere il ghiacchio, and yes, I know that stuff will do me in for sure.;-) (Dorine)Don't forget my favorite...where are the bathrooms? Numero uno, Dorine. But here's my dilemma: Dove il bagno? (literally, the bathroon), or Dove la toilette? (probably more correct but, gosh, it doesn't sound as musical;-) (Linda)When we get together for HS we'll need to converse in Italian. Magnifico! But before then, I'll have to learn how to say "Drop the freakin' towel, Colin! And open your mouth while you're at it";-)