OOps make that 10am HST - we are 6 hours behind the ET. I was figuring hours zulu (GMT) without accounting for DST or ST in Europe.

Where is the chat room? Can I come?

Ok...I am halucinating. Ray is right. I should not spend all day and night at the computer. Now I am seeing Spam cans doing the Hula! It is enough to sober up the proverbial Drunken Sailor! A lei of orchids to inspire you - and if it is moving when it shows up, there is more to Yapp Software than even I want to admit!

Where is the chat room? Can I come? Everyone is welcomed.....go to colinfirth.com and click on to the Chat Room. Oops, I forgot.....is it all right to use it, Nan? (We discussed it during lunch and I assumed we had permission.....sorry)

all who wish to come to chat - use this direct URL http://firth.com/chat/talk.cgi

Time to get the leis out...a few at a time. This one is rosebuds and pearls. Never saw a traditional lei with anything artificial in it. But here it is..

Evelyn, someone at the P&P board at the RoP says that JE was in the movie "The last days of disco". Is it true? I thought maybe they are confusing her with Kate Beckingsale...

I am going to try and come to chat on Thursday. GI, Evelyn, Ann and Marcia I am really looking forward to it. I cannot wait . Maybe Charles will be napping fo rI am off that day. I must go for some pre op. I am having my second surgery on Tuesday of next week.

Rita, I hope you get well soon. Marcia, the Anthuriums are devine! I have seen them in pink, white and red but never in mauve. That pearl and rose lei would make a perfect birthday present for us June babies, the pearl and the rose and the flower and gem of June. :-) Karen, too funny! I'm going to try my luck with annimation next. This is such a peer pressure group! ;-))) I'll pop in to chat as well.

Marcia, don't forget to tie little bows on those Anthuriums to match Gi's wedding colors! Speaking of flowers, here's a rose from my garden: It's called 'Jayne Austin,' naturally (yep, that's really the way it's spelled).

Whew! Marcia, I finally found an arrangement best suited to decorate the food table on the far side of the room...you know, the one with the Spam, poi, jellyfish salad, etc.

Byooo-ti-ful, isn't it? Hee hee! And for a little atmosphere to go with all these flowers...

LOL! You clever ladies. The Butterfly is so sweet! And I think we can hide all of the less glamorous food items under your table bouquet. Looks like there is room for the jellied eels, too. Poor Gi, who has been on emergency call for the past 24 hours, will have the download from Hell (Karen's suggestion)tomorrow if she does not do it till then. More flowers today. We have all of the Aussies, Americans, and Europeans onboard. Partying in anticipation of our arrival in Lisbon's fair harbor. Anyone we have missed? Another Tropical mix for the entry table with guest book.

For the other side of the entry

More little proteas for the tables with some chocolate dipped Macadamias for the peckish.

Evelyn, someone at the P&P board at the RoP says that JE was in the movie "The last days of disco". Puhleeze..."Backbeat" was bad enough. I'll run over and correct it. Thanks Lidya. **** Glad so many are coming to Chat. I'll alert Nan of the Cake!!

I'll alert Nan of the Cake Please do, Evelyn. Hmmm. I'm having a craving for some icing...

(Evelyn) Oops, I forgot.....is it all right to use it, Nan? (We discussed it during lunch and I assumed we had permission.....sorry) Any Colin fans are always welcome to use the chat room, no permission required honey. But, if you need my blessing, then go to it ;-p

Time to begin planning your outfit and flower selection. I offer the following for your rumination.

Or these, Pehaps.

I am overwhelmed by these beautiful flowers. How can a girl begin to choose? I am still busily wrapping my present for tomorrow but may I offer my food selection now? In honor of Gi's color scheme salmon and green and in honor of Coolin's home away from home (Scotland), I've brought an appetizer. (I hope.)

I hope there's enough. I brought an extra fish if we need more. ;-) Coolin? Hope you get a chance to recover before the shower, Gi.

Coolin? Yes - that's just what we all need... ;-)

Coolin is like Groovin? Aren't we all? Meanwhile, busily making sure there is enough water in the vases and the leis are fresh and fragrant... Ti and Umberella tree lei

More bouquets...tropical mix...with white dendrobium orchids (which smell like cinnamon)

Carnations and Plumeria... Double carnation (also comes in red, white, pink or dyed to your specifications)

The beautiful lei for our guest of honor, The Bride-to-Be. Her choice of fragrant maile leaves twined with ilima ropes or Maile twined with rosebuds

Nan, please remove that stephanoitis which did not fully download. I will never try that again - don't care what the occasion. This is it's thumbnail

All gone, Marcia. :)

Heide's first course for all us earlier arrivals is just crying for something to go along with it. Somewhere in the world it's the right time for a little champagne: Let's start this party right!

or for those with more $$$$$ tastes:

Ladies, this Bridal Shower is performing art as it happens, Warhol would be proud! Marcia, I'm already wearing that beautiful tuberrose and rose lei, that first one I saw way back then. The champagne is perfect with the salmon, thanks Karen and Heide. Lisbon, what a city! Now Gi dear, for my present, I thought you might enjoy having your Biorhythm chart done so you can have an idea what your wedding day vibes will be in the Universe. You will also be able to check your compatibility with Antonio (to play it safe);-) as well as Colin (ahem), just put in their birthdays. Enjoy! http://www.facade.com/attraction/biorhythm/

Goody, the champagne's popped! Time to get started! I'll be back later with my gifts but right now I have a friend with me. He's a busy guy so I had to grab him while I could. Mel says: Gi, my love, my one true love! You're getting *married*? How could you do this to me? I'm just an ordinary guy from Poughkeepsie-by-way-of-Australia. You know you're the only one for me. You're beautiful, a doctor, an artist, a dancer...you have such impeccable taste in actors! Never mind Antonio! Never mind my wife and seven kids--the new baby keeps me up all night anyway. Now my life is over. I'll never be the same again. *Sob* I'm out in the rain, drowning my sorrows. No more movies for me. I'm handing all my roles over to that English guy--that Colin Firth.

And, I have also set up a little table for those of you who may enjoy a card trick. Welcome to the Cave of Magic! Please tell Captain Hornblower to give someone else a chance to play. He'll get his turn again later. ;-) http://www3.mcps.k12.md.us/users/rsfay/magic/index.html

"Gi, you shaggadelic babe, I will miss you!"

I've been drinking champagne all night (still haven't wrapped Gi's present yet). Send Mel over to me. I'll lift him out of his "Gi's Getting Married" Depression. A little Levitas never hurts! ;-) Tip for Shower Goers: When you go to one of the posted links you will lose the remaining messages and need to go back. Another way to do this is to open new Netscape or Internet Explorer Window and copy off the URLs to the second active window to check out. Back to my champagne and party games... :) Oh how did Simon do that????

I am grooming myself to attend your shower, my beloved Gi...You have broken my heart. I will now leave town and head to Hertfordshire to heal my wound.

Is he not amazing???? I believe he is never wrong, play on!

With all this champagne, I'm feeling a little tipsy: and could use a little snack before our main courses

Grab a few crostini off the platter, Moon. Not your traditional ones. These have crab on them.

OOooooh Lidya, that pic makes me dizzy, and with all this champagne........what else in this world could a girl want??

Now Ladies, to add some more beauty and intoxicating fragrance to our party.....(I deeply hope this works, I�m trying it first time ever!)

Champagne and appetizers, Karen, this party will be in full swing before it's even started! ;-) Moon, I peeked at your present and bookmarked it for later. I'm going to have a lot of fun trying the most improbable combinations! Eileen, thanks for bringing our friend, what a great idea! Mel, don't be so unhappy, I've known you a married man all these years ;-)Sorry, Karen, you can share him but not monopolize him!

Oh dear!! What�s that? :-( Sorry, gonna try again.....contacting my consult.

It took me a while to get here because I took the tram: http://home.sol.no/~igaarder/lisgal2/p2-02min.jpg

Damn, that's what comes from doing 3 things at the same time!

Moon, Austin Powers here? Do you think he won't be depressed in the company of Colin or Mel? Lidya, that's one of my very favourite pics of Colin... I've had it often as wallpaper in my PC :-)

Elena, hallo! I think you must have got the frame instead of the pic. I had the most difficult time getting it right for Marcia's Range Rover.

These guys I sent out to look for your ship:

This you will see when you come into harbour:

This is the old Lisbon with the Castle of St. George:

Good morning Gi! How lovely is the morning in Lisbon. All sunny and warm as is our Lady of the Hour. Your and Antonio's leis for the party/ wedding Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 541 of 550: Karen (KarenR) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (10:56) * 1 lines Grab a few crostini off the platter, Moon. Not your traditional ones. These have crab on them. Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 542 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:12) * 2 lines OOooooh Lidya, that pic makes me dizzy, and with all this champagne........what else in this world could a girl want?? Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 543 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:27) * 4 lines Now Ladies, to add some more beauty and intoxicating fragrance to our party.....(I deeply hope this works, I�m trying it first time ever!) Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 544 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:27) * 3 lines Champagne and appetizers, Karen, this party will be in full swing before it's even started! ;-) Moon, I peeked at your present and bookmarked it for later. I'm going to have a lot of fun trying the most improbable combinations! Eileen, thanks for bringing our friend, what a great idea! Mel, don't be so unhappy, I've known you a married man all these years ;-)Sorry, Karen, you can share him but not monopolize him! Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 545 of 550: Elena (Elena) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:28) * 4 lines Oh dear!! What�s that? :-( Sorry, gonna try again.....contacting my consult. Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 546 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:29) * 2 lines It took me a while to get here because I took the tram: http://home.sol.no/~igaarder/lisgal2/p2-02min.jpg Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 547 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:32) * 2 lines Damn, that's what comes from doing 3 things at the same time! Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 548 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:38) * 2 lines Moon, Austin Powers here? Do you think he won't be depressed in the company of Colin or Mel? Lidya, that's one of my very favourite pics of Colin... I've had it often as wallpaper in my PC :-) Topic 72 of 118 [drool]: Odds and Ends Response 549 of 550: Gi (patas) * Thu, Jun 3, 1999 (11:41) * 1 lines Elena, hallo! I think you must have got the frame instead of the pic. I had the most difficult time getting it right for Marcia's Range Rover. These guys I sent out to look for your ship:

Try again:

Sorry Gi..... My consultant is in despair on the phone and I�m seriously thinking of hiring a better one. Trouble is, I�m married to him. Btw, he�s watching #72 at work right now and telling me that the pic I posted can be seen in his computer screen!! Is he kidding me or does someone else see a bunch of flowers in the place of a XOOM advertisement in response 543?!?! I don�t. I�ll be back.

Marcia, whatever happened in your post? Good morning to you!The lei is wonderful, as were the others you posted recently. I'd wear any of them gladly. Elena, this Xoom post is a mystery! This is another sight of Lisbon with the acqueduct built in the 18th century:

Elena, your DH/consultant is halucinating. Unless it has not yet gotten to Hawaii?! Gi, at a loss for what to wear to the party? Here is something to wear to get you started

Sorry, wrong pic. This was the bridge built over the river 30 years ago, and the monument to the nautical discoveries of the 16th century, built however 50 years ago. The acqueduct is here:

Whoa mama!! That's some little trinket, Marcia. Do you have a spare or is it one of a kind. Do you think that would go with my pjs?? Elena, no can't see the picture. Just the xoom logo. Your DH is definitely hallucinating, all the better when he sees my present to Gi!! Later. We're going to have a great time in Lisbon, I can tell!

Karen, the crostini are delicious! And they go so very well with the champagne! Gi. Austin Powers doesn't mind Colin or Mel, he does not even see them. We are all he sees. ;-)

Good Morning Dear Gi, I posted a close-up of the stephanotis lei which is quite remarkable - will send you the url to look it up! Any way, It did not download all the way and all we had were blurry pixels on and on. Thus I put the small one up for you. Plus the bridal ones this morning. Maile is most fragrant, and after receiving one, people usually hang it in the closet or in the linens to make them smell nice. It is a cumerin (anise) smell - faintly and is sacred to the Hawaiian gods for good luck It is used to open buildings - we do not cut ribbons here, we untie (never cut) maile. The tuberoses intertwined have an incredibly gardenia - jasmine fragrance. You will not need to add the bottled stuff today. Next postings when those guys in their canoes find us and bring us safely into harbor...Gifts!!!

I'm jumping overboard to meet them.

I'm still in the Cave of Magic trying to figure out how he does it! Austin??? I look forward to our tour of Lisbon, but first, more champagne!

Karen I brought enough riches from Samarkand to bedeck the entire group I think. Three massive gems...some crown jewels...wait and see. Perhaps I can break Gi of not wearing jewelry very often. She loves jewels, but hardly ever wears them. We'll see about that. The assortment of food is lovely, but as is sip and snack, my typing gets worsse. Blame it on the food ;)

Lisbon is getting rather crowded... ...everyone stopped working... ...the party is about to start!! I'm on my way!! (My scanner isn't too good)

So, that's where Austin came from! I didn't have the time to go there yet. Marcia, that necklace is superb!Did you get my e-mail? Can you believe I've been online for 1 1/2 hour now without being disconnected once? This pic is a bit wide, but I want you all to have a general view of Lisbon:

Beautiful postcard, Gi! Hey, y'all!! Recognise that canon? I just love Lisbon!

Tineke, great pics! Were you here before? :-)

Were you here before? :-) Me and a bunch of friends from Uni went to the EXPO in September. We were in Lisbon for a week, spent three days at the EXPO and 4 days exploring Lisbon. We had a grand time. We all loved Lisbon, it's a beautiful city and the people are very nice.

You were! I knew I knew that cannon! You came here last year and went to the Expo and we didn't know each other at the time, what a waste!

I must leave now, because my DF (dear fianc�)will be in shortly, and I must not spend all my time here. See you all in Chat later, I hope!I'll pop in here too, to see what's been happening. This has been lovely. I enjoyed the research to find some pics for you too, although I didn't have much time for that. In the meantime I even changed ISP again, couldn't stand the other one any more.:-))

Gi, you were right about that canon being in Lisbon! BTW, opened private room at Chat for those wishing to check it out before the hour arrives

While things are quiet, I think I shall begin putting out my treasures from Samarkand for the Bride to be, but first, my trip to the silk weavers to make my choices...

I love all these posts! I've been giggling over ever so many things; dancing cans of spam, hoola dancers and champaigne. And Tineke I cant believe you were all but hanging over the ledge when you were wrapped around that cannon! Will try to make it to chat at the appointed time, but if I cant, have a lovely time. And Gi -give yourself lots of xoxo's from me :)

Whence I brought brocades for wardrobe befitting the glamorous new life she will leas on the arm of the Handsome and Attentive Antonio Accessory from the shores of the Baltic - Amber in Sterling

For her smaller but very important pieces of Jewellry I brough back a collection of naturally coloured diamonds, each a very rare piece. And a large Sapphire for her to wear on alternate days

For truly important occasions, I brought back stones with histories which read like fables. None are cursed, but all have the most interesting histories: The spoonmaker's Diamond, traded for three silver spoons before it was cut From the Crown Jewels of Portugal I brought you a 127 carat Diamond And a stunning Pink Diamond

Lastly, for those more casual occasions, an Imperial Topaz ring And a selection of Faberge eggs to admire

Lastly, and Orchid Bouquet to set before our Queen

Marcia!!!! You are amazing! What gifts you bring! Diamonds are a girl's best friend and we can see why. :-D

I know you don't wear red much, but this one time might you change your mind?

OK, check this out: A Gift for Gi and Antonio Marcia, save me a few of those sapphires. They're MY birthstones and I love them (and the other pretty baubles too) ;-) Off to chat...

Karen! ROTFOFL!!! Now I know why you raved on your return from Turkey. :-)

Gi, I also bought for you his and hers flipflops to wear at your exclusive Spa adventure. (you really never know what you can pick up in the showers there. icky stuff)

Best wishes Gi....Karen, pl. give Gi the gift I sent you...I can't figure out right now how to do this...am multi-tasking all over the place!! **** When I went to Turkey that landscape was termed "chimneys". ROTFLMAO. Little did they know about "Kreative Karen". *** Elena...I got your pictures loud and clear.

At bridal showers in the US it's customary to give china ...and crystal ...but this is always my favorite part of the shower: the honeymoon lingerie! The best part is watching the bride-to-be's reaction in the presence of her mother. See what you're spared of, Gi? Since you're bound to get duplicates (I've been to Karen's gift page), remember, you can't wear the same one twice! All the best, Gi and Antonio! XOXO

evelyn come to Chat reception

Karen -- What a great gift for the loving couple!!! The gift that keeps on giving, for sure! ROTFLMAO!!! :~D

Gi, this is from Evelyn. She went to great expense to buy this from the LA County Art Museum. It is an oil on canvas by Ed Ruscha, done in 1964:

Hey, I could have done a lot worse on the men's wear section. What I've seen out there!! ;-)

From Darlene for Gi's and Antonio's Formal Garden

Also from Evelyn, originally commissioned jewelry for for Gi: 18K gold inlaid with lapis and other precious and semiprecious gems. For Antonio: A handpainted and hand loomed silk tie.

Evelyn brought some caviar to start us off... Wonder if we'll get to dessert (before falling over)?

I thought I'd check in on Mel...he was quite despondent this morning. Oh dear! Mel says: I'm gonna stop this wedding if it's the last thing I do...I've got my troops with me now!

Can't have too much drinking on an empty stomach. Evelyn is serving beef wellington or Lobster-stuffed tenderloin

some Macadamias to snack on, too

Can't have too much drinking on an empty stomach. Evelyn is serving beef wellington or Lobster-stuffed tenderloin

Whew! I managed to divert Mel and his lads. I sent them over to the Firths and told them to chase C&L over to Newport ASAP! Mel says: *Sniff* I suppose it's all for the best. I wish you all the happiness in the world, my beloved Gi. Now let me get outta this &^$#@ costume and get back to Robin and the kids...the baby needs a fresh diaper.

Wot! Leftovers already??? For those craving a sweet bite (where IS that frosted image?) variously coated macadamias for your savoring.

Time for: