Thought this was hysterical...except for the very ending...kinda flat. But anyway, back to the good stuff: "You stretch the rubber back and grip it nice and hard. That's the way! Then squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke, and off it comes in your hand! Super! Ouch, mind the overspray!" "...But they're just like little animals. Our job is to train them up so they can perform some sort of useful role in society" ROTFLMAO!!!! Oh, Pam dear, you are a riot. Thought Mark's answers to Bridget's ill-advised questions were great. Shows he's not such a humorless character (e.g., the comment about no one else would imagine sleeping with Nigel or Giles).

Must have forgotten something....:(

Out I say!! Now!!

I give up

Nice one! But what sort of relationship do Bridge and Markee have? He stayed in her flat (when it had the hole in the wall), they're always taking mini-breaks together, but now it seems it's Home alone at the end of a telephone...again. They're like yo-yo's. When is Bridge going to get an overnight(or longer) invite to Mark's mansion in Holland Park?

Everyone should be happy now that they're back home. This was another good one. Okay, is there really a book called "What Men Want?". Remind me not to read it thought I'll probably agree with everything they say. Love the idea of Mark imagining sex with Shazzer: "Do you want to have sex with Sharon, and Jude?" "Well," he said, "obviously I'd be delighted to oblige. Do you think he was getting excited about a possible foursome? And I don't mean golf. And dear Pam, squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke. This woman keeps getting all the best lines. I agree with Bethan about the separate abodes. How long do they have to date? (Laura) But I do covet my girlfriend's husbands, mother's sons and girlfriend's boyfriends But they at least have to be cute or something. And I draw the line at my mother's sons. ;-)

And I draw the line at my mother's sons. ;-) I should have said other mother's sons:) I don't think I'd like shagging my brother either:)

"Do you want to have sex with Sharon, and Jude?" "Well," he said, "obviously I'd be delighted to oblige. I realise women have their needs. Did you mean both at the same time?" This part slayed me. I like to see Mark getting the funny lines on occasion.

I think Mark and Pam had the funniest lines in this episode. Then squeeze and stroke, squeeze and stroke, and off it comes in your hand! An all time classic..... Helen Fielding is getting salty.... Do not ask your boyfriend if all this is true or he will just lie through his teeth." Husbands too. Save your breath. Oh God! Maybe Mark was lying and the truth is actually worse than he said. Or maybe he is telling the truth. But that, then, must surely call the whole premise of the book into doubt? Do not know what to think or do now. Agree with everyone who said the ending was flat. My theory is that Helen F. didn't know what to do either and the deadline was looming.....

On vacation AGAIN??????

In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist.

In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist. } LOL Cuz! The good life, indeed.

Very possibly she's under pressure to finalise the screenplay. I have a hunch that the movie could be very imminent. And don't forget the book sequel.

In my next life, I want to be a syndicated newspaper columnist Here, here I have a hunch that the movie could be very imminent. And don't forget the book sequel I bet she knocks these columns off in a half-day....she says she does them on Friday.

Ran across another Time magazine dig at Bridget. Was in the "Technology" section.Tom Clancy's new book is more than just another tale of antiterrorism. Rainbow Six is a new brand. Clancy's idea for the book grew out of a PC game out of the same name (due out Aug. 27) from Red Storm Entertainment--a company Clancy founded two years ago. Game players will face the same sort of predicaments that befall John Clark, the novel's hero. Next we'd like to see the game that inspired Bridg t Jones's Diary. Do you think it is corporate policy for all contributors to hate BJD? ;-)

Yessss! "So much easier if you lived here!" Hurrah..Bridge!! :-))) Just in time...Markee...my hotel next week is in Kensington..only down-the- road- a- piece from Holland Park and I was goin' to go over and give you a piece of my mind!!

You go girl!!!! Hee hee. BUT wait, doesn't the sitcom end when they move in or get married? I see that there is not silver lining in the near future for these folks. ALSO, What the hell kind of job does Mark do? Why would a human right lawyer really give two beans about the stability of the yen? Why would a human rights lawyer care if the NYSE Market crashed? Helen, is Mark SUPERMAN and can and will do everything? Will he protect President Clinton next because his human rights are being exploited. Give the guy ONE job and ONE job and one job only. (Coming from somebody who works in the markets:) Market are not crashing; it is a long overdue correction!

Hi, my name is Adi and I'm from Israel. Some of you may remember me from the early days of the RoP. I want to thank you for introducing Bridget to me. I first "bumped" into her here. Because you were all very excited about the diary, I got curious, searched and read all the installments in the Telegraph, which led me of course to order the book. It's such fun to read a great story and know it's not going to end in the end of the book. Every Saturday when I wake up I know there is something nice waiting for me in my computer, and it really makes my weekend. The only thing I'm sorry about is that the diary isn't published in Israel, so no one knows about it. There was an interview with Helen Fielding in one of the newspapers - but that's it. I tried to make my friends read the book, but they don't seem to be interested. Well, I'll just keep trying. BTW, when I ordered the book from "Bookpages" I noticed that they have another title by HF: "Bridget Jones: I Will Survive". It�s supposed to be published in October 98. Do you think it�s the new book HF is currently writing?

Hmmm.. Very interesting news Adi, thanks a bunch!!! Will check it out ASAP!!!

Bridget Jones: I Will Survive by Fielding, Helen Price: �6.99 Bookpoints: 35 Availability: This book will be sourced from the publisher, so may take a little longer to arrive. Format: Paperback No. of Pages: 320 Publisher: Picador Date Published: Oct 1998 Category: Fiction, General

Bridget should set her sights higher than moving in with Mark. I say go for an engagement. That way there will be endless possibilites for funny columns. Bridget could get herself in some hilarious situations since planning a wedding is rather stressful. HF could solicit funny engagement stories from her friends and incorporate them into the column. If B & D lived together now it would prob. kill the romance entirely. I think they are already on shaky ground. They seem more married than most married coupl s. Where is the romance in their relationship? Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway because after all he does look a lot like CF. Tell him to buy his poor girlfriend flowers once in awhile.

Oh it looks as though it will only be published in the UK for now. Evelyn look sharp in bookstores you may have to purchase a bunch of copies!!!!

After a few minutes of calm meditation phone itself responded to meditative vibes and rang bearing forth Mark. Hmmm. Knew I was doing something wrong. ;-) Yessss! "So much easier if you lived here!" Watch, Mark's overtired and doesn't know what he's saying. (Laura) BUT wait, doesn't the sitcom end when they move in or get married? Mad About You.... HF doesn't have to fall into the boring syndrome. There could be lots of interesting (funny) stuff happening and WHO said anything about getting married??? What the hell kind of job does Mark do? Why would a human right lawyer really give two beans about the stability of the yen? Well, we've already determined how unlikely it would be that he could practice law in Japan and the US...maybe he's just concerned about his personal investments as many of us watch our paper profits swirling down the drain. :) (Adi) Every Saturday when I wake up I know there is something nice waiting for me in my computer, and it really makes my weekend. Welcome Adi. Unfortunately, the way the columns were going this spring-summer (with the Rebecca thing) they also ruined a number of my weekends. ;-) I tried to make my friends read the book, but they don't seem to be interested. Well, I'll just keep trying. I've experienced the same thing with my sisters, college-age niece and several friends. I think you have to start with a P&P base to truly get into it and be hooked by the characters and their exploits. Do you think it�s the new book HF is currently writing? Thanks for the information about the other book. Haven't heard anything about it and it hasn't been mentioned anywhere. Surprised that the Telegraph hasn't added anything to the little blurb at the bottom of the column. Strange that it's being released in Paperback. I wouldn't expect that for her sequel. Bethan, time to get on the phone again!! Anything in the Times Book section?

I check the Times Book section faithfully on Sat, Sun, and Thursday's nothing!!! Hey I'm glad it's in PB it's cheaper!!!! $11.53USD:)

(Karen)HF doesn't have to fall into the boring syndrome. There could be lots of interesting (funny) stuff happening and WHO said anything about getting married??? I also mentioned moving in with each other!

Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts. Am assured, mature and accomplished woman. I am able to control my emotions, my impulses and my thoughts.

uhoh!! Karen, have I reduced you to chanting this mantra:) hee hee.

(Laura) Evelyn look sharp in bookstores you may have to purchase a bunch of copies!!!! I'll be there for most of October. Going to Waterstone's on Kensington High Street next Monday to pick up my two copies of A Month in the Country. (They had two on the shelves)Will inquire about Bridget. Welcome Adi...you sure made a splash with the latest Bridge news.Thanks. (Sue)Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway...... Tell him to buy his poor girlfriend flowers once in awhile. Yeah, instead of stealing them from the "common -ground " park on the way to see her.

Very interesting! Is this the sequel? I read that HF is appearing as a guest at the Cheltenham Literary Festival mid-October (I think). It's the UK's premier literary festival and would be a good launch pad for a new book. Why paperback though? Although to be honest it's the paperbacks that sell and if they want to sell another million it might be a good sales ploy to jump straight in with the p/b version. Oh well, sounds promising (who said that?) Perhaps (true to form!)I should ring Picador! I agree with Laura about Mark's job! So very versatile! Although perhaps, as Karen suggests, he's worried about his investments. (Aren't we all :-) )Perhaps he'll lose all his money, sell his big white house and move in with Bridget and the hole in the wall!

Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) They guy is just a superman! :) NOT!!!

(Bethan) Although to be honest it's the paperbacks that sell and if they want to sell another million it might be a good sales ploy to jump straight in with the p/b version. Didn't do that in the U.S. though. BJD was put out in HB and made the bestsellers' list nonetheless. These days there's not that big a difference in price between HB and quality (trade) PBs, especially at the discount chains where bestsellers are always 30% percent or better. Perhaps he'll lose all his money, sell his big white house and move in with Bridget and the hole in the wall! Then I guess we'll see if the Lizzy Bennet comment at the Meryton Assembly is true or not regarding rich men. ;-) (Laura) Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) You wanna tell us what other golden rules you follow whilst at work? ;-) Evelyn, You might want to drop by and visit Mark anyway...... Oh yes, this reminds me. I still don't know what a wedding cake house looks like. Take a picture and send it to me, puh-leez.

Laura) Yeah, but, he still has work to do and doodling with his investments should NOT be permitted on work time:) You wanna tell us what other golden rules you follow whilst at work? ;-) TOUCHE!!!

I rang Pan Books (Picador is one of their imprints). "Bridget Jones: I will survive" will be published in April 1999. Sorry! I thought that October was unlikely in that there's not been any "buzz" or build-up. Oh well, we've still got the weekly installments to look forward to!

Thanks Bethan, I was getting all excited. Could you also find out if Nick Hornby has another book out. I was at a lunch meeting with a magazine advertising sales person, and we started talking Britlit and I mentioned NH and she said he had a new book out called "Steel..." something or other. Golancz is his British publisher. Any and all info is very welcome!

For desperate addicts like us, the UK shops do now have: "The Bridget Jones' Diary 1999 Diary". Each week begins with a Bridget thought, lifted from the book or the columns, and the days of the year have little handwritten notes from Bridget, example: Friday March 23 Spring Breaks 99 Exhibition, Horticultural Halls, Westminster Hurrah, whole exhibition on mini-breaks! Yesss! Saturday March 24 FA Cup, 4th Round Date? Forget it! You get the picture. BTW, Evelyn, most hotels in South Kensington would be closer to Waterstone's in Old Brompton Road, which has plenty of copies of "About A Boy". I have not seen a new Nick Hornby book yet.

Whoops! I now see that Evelyn is in fact purchasing "A Month in the Country". I must have got confused with the other Hornby stuff.

A good one. Yea!!! Great ending. LOL.

(MarkG) "The Bridget Jones' Diary 1999 Diary". Each week begins with a Bridget thought, lifted from the book or the columns, and the days of the year have little handwritten notes from Bridget Mark, meant to ask, did you see on what day the "alien shag-beasts" will descent on earth?

There does seem to be a new BJ book out...priced �10.99 and published by the BBC (it's new in the Times Bestsellers list). I phoned the local Waterstones and they weren't sure what it was...possibly a tie-in with a Bridget Jones evening on BBC2 this month. But it's not the new Helen Fielding.."BJ:I will survive". This is listed against October, but the sales assistant (v. helpful) I spoke to said that publication had been put back until next year. She said that there had been "difficulties" and that "the lot had had to be altered". Wot plot?!!

Oops!! For "lot" read "plot"!

Oh my God! I had forgotten Bridget actually had a job. And of course she wants to direct! Singers want to act, models want to act, but actors want to direct. As do "feature" reporters, I suppose. I'd love to have that 1999 diary.

(Heide) Oh my God! I had forgotten Bridget actually had a job. So didn't Helen Fielding:) He splashed out on a dress; that is so, like, five minutes ago! hee hee. Too Funny!!! and So true!!! I think we should be paying attention to what is going on in Kosovo, the Prez thing is just a glorified Witch hunt!!! (Spoken from someone in Boston!)

Well, it was sort of fun to see Bridget back at work, but what's up with her Dad and that speech impediment? It seems sort of odd to throw his probibombom out there and just leave us hanging....

I was wondering about that speech thing too! Is that the new hip talk (that has to date me) that spreading like wildbittybombomtabombomfire throughout London? Hope not. Also, was there a similar event on British TV or do you think this is a parody of our ancient astronaut (John Glenn) going up in space imminently? Bridge is just trying so hard to be taken seriously. Keep trying. ;-)

I didn't understand the speech thing...couldn't see the point at all! So, is Bridget moving in with Mark? Do we get to know?

Now that I think of it, Dad's speech problem sounds v.much like some of the slang my nieces use and I just ignore. There's bom or bomb and bitty-bom or some such thing. Can't remember what they mean though. Will have to ask.

If that speech thing is a sign of hipness, I just hope he doesn't start wearing those wide pants that slide down the teenagers bums these days.

it was a good one, but I always feel after reading the weekly installment that it was too short! I always want more. What I really want to know is what's going on with Tom? Are we going to hear anything about wicked Rebecca? What happened to the hole in the wall? and more important - where is Mark?

Again??? No comments??? Thought this week's travelogue was a riot. Can you picture HF up on a stage doing Bohemian Rhapsody? (Would need a chorus behind her though.) I'd pay to see it. Didn't it seem like she was fighting back against the "insult to feminism" attacks? Hey, what's irony? ;-D Perhaps, I should go off to Japan where will feel like giant, but do not like eating squishy centipedes and toilets that play music. To quote Freddie Mercury:Nothing really matters, Anyone can see Nothing really matters to me. BTW, it's Akihito. And no wonder this woman has an obsession with Beelzebub and his subdevils!!

Well I'm speechless.

I adored the travel logue, I must say. Maybe it's because I'm leaving for Japan on business on Monday and it helped put me in a better mood about it! Really, her comments are right on. I was in Tokyo in April (my first trip ever to Japan) and the three big things that stuck with me were the food, the endless business card ritual (I ran out long before everyone else, ah - the shame) and the toilets. The one at the hotel had a control panel with all kinds of... ahem, washing devices with temperature and pressure controls. The one at the office had a seat warmer and I read in a magazine that the real high end toilets also have controls for music (to mask sound) and for scent. Goodness, such high tech conveniences. Her comments about jet lag hit home too. Our trips are usually fairly short - a week or so, and they go by in a blur because of sleep deprivation. All this while you're trying to be on your toes at a meeting. Poor Helen - I pity her trying to field questions in that state.

Happy birthday in Japan, Jana. Does this mean you'll actually miss your birthday because it will really be Tuesday on Monday? ;-) Guess I better run over to the Telegraph and read about these centipedes and toilets.

Thanks for the good wishes, Heide. Yes, I'm hoping that missing the day over the international date line means I don't have to add another year to my age!

Happy Birthday Jana!! Quite the theory. Bridget would buy it!

(Mark) BTW, Evelyn, most hotels in South Kensington would be closer to Waterstone's in Old Brompton Actually, I was close to the Waterstone's on Kensington High Street (nr. Holland Park) Yes, I did get A Month in the Country, but did not see the BJ date Diary. Waterstone's is great about mailing though. And yes, Bethan, I inquired about " BJ I Will Survive "and was told it has bee rescheduled for March. It was fun to read Bridget in hard copy. Sent one to our Leader. I was surprised to see that it receives such high visibility in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. Some of my friends who normally buy The Times purchase the Telegraph on Saturday for Bridget!! We're not the only nuts!!

Evelyn, welcome home!!!!! I missed you soososososososososo much!!!!! Do I owe you any money btw;P hee hee.

Laura, you asked me ages ago if there was a new Nick Hornby novel coming out. I did check, but couldn't find anything. Isn't he currently writing a screenplay?

Gee, what a surprise. No column again this week.

I just checked myself!!! nothing!! UGH!!! how does she expect loyal followings if she doesn't write!!!!

(Laura) how does she expect loyal followings if she doesn't write!!!! You aren't putting yourself in *that* category, are you? ;-p Was thinking, however, the exact same thing. Bridget who???

Sitting here impatiently tapping my foot...

And the acronym for that would be...A most common urban phrase. ;-D

This was not a Bridget Jones' Diary column, this was a Helen Fielding feminist ranting column. Although the British Government may think it would be better the citizens of Great Britain were to marry, they cannot make people marry. Although I did like MD going down on one knee to propose because he'd get a tax break. That WOULD be the only inducement to marry BJ!

I agree, Laura, this was not Bridget. Helen Fielding on her soap box. Giving us the advantage of being a Singleton. ( But what about the cold feet on a winter night?, Helen.)

Definitely not the Bridget that we know and love. More advantages to being smug-married: -being brought hot-tea when we've got the sniffles -having shoulders rubbed on a stressful day -being loved even on a bad hair day -constant companionship -Mr. Fixit around the house when we're an idiot about that stuff -Computer wiz when we're an idiot about that -regular shagging :-)) Lots more when the marriage is good and isn't a good marraige to what most would aspire. I think BJ would give her eye teeth for it. It's not like her life is all the great as a singleton. I will grant a good live-in relationship can also do the trick.

You got a winner, Sue...."regular shagging" is what most girls get. I do think the installment this week was a bit strident. Bridget is usually teflon-like...things roll off her. She is jovial and accepts the lumps in life. (While eating another Jaffa cake!) Is there a psychologist among us? I think this tells us a lot about Helen Fielding....sour on marriage and relationships? The pre-marriage compulsory reading of Men are from Mars...is a hoot. (Though not a bad idea for high school.) The only true Bridget-line , IMO, was the last...."tell government to shuddup and get on with it"

(Evelyn) Is there a psychologist among us? I think this tells us a lot about Helen Fielding....sour on marriage and relationships? Not a psychologist, but maybe she's just saying there are GOOD things about being a singleton and that "marriage" is not the be all and end all. I didn't see where she ruled out relationships at all. Regarding the Top 10 list of Why Husbands Are Useful, those are certainly not givens with ALL men. The Mr. Fixit type occurs less and less these days. In my family (growing up) I was the one who put together everything (shelving units, etc.). My dad was handy but would never do anything. My brother-in-law hires someone to program his universal remote and I wonder if he knows how to change a lightbulb. I'll never forget the day the home security company sales rep came out to my house and was talking d wn to me. My boyfriend showed up and the guy got all excited because he was going to talk to a man. My boyfriend told the guy I knew more about telecommunications and electronics than he did!! (BTW, I wrote a letter to the company about their sales staff's patronizing attitude and got several free months of monitoring.) Regarding keeping one's feet warm, a good down comforter works even better. OK back to Bridget. I liked this week's column. It was well thought out and had some great lines. My favorite has to be: ...you have to go on at least 12 government-arranged dates before you can declare yourself a Singleton; and only then if have reasonable grounds for rejecting all 12. If unreasonable, then have to declare self a fuckwit. Too funny!!

.(Karen) Regarding keeping one's feet warm, a good down comforter works even better Or in a pinch....socks. Karen; I didn't see where she ruled out relationships at all. I really mean't to say that I wondered if a relationship that has gone sour precipitated this sudden antipathy to marriage...under the guise of the Green Paper. On the contrary, one of the positives of being a Singleton she says is: always the possibility of thrilling new liaisons without being slyly adulterous

The only true Bridget-line , IMO, was the last...."tell government to shuddup and get on with it" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nah, that was all Helen Fielding! bridget was not around this column!

Laura, didn't you say the Green Paper thing had to do with Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles?

No, some British Bishop gave the green light for Prince Charles and CPB:) Green Paper is a tax I believe on single people. White paper is a tax on Married??? I remember seeing the definition on CSPAN, but can't remember.

A green paper is a government consultation document. A green paper may become a white paper which is a provisional piece if legislation. Ask Ben. He used to be a Mandarin.

Allison is right. A green paper is purely consultative; a white paper is consultative too (comments are invited from interested parties), but it includes specific policy proposals. Anyone may respond to either. The next step is a Bill, which goes before parliament; it has to pass through various committees, and it gets three "readings" (debates, votes, and chances for amendments) in the Commons; the final approval by the Lords is nearly always a rubber stamp....Often, when the House of Lords objects, it i with good reason (c.f. recent case about charging non-Scots for Scottish Universities). If the Lords object, they can send it back to the Commons with suggested ammendments. Not all legislation gets presented as green or white papers before going to parliament. Anyone still awake?

This was from booksigning.

Hmmm... She has my hairstyle and color!!! I should sue;)

Thanks Ben. Interesting to see how Parliament bills originate. So who writes the original Green Paper.? Some MP? Or does it come out of committee. Anyone may respond to either. The next step is a Bill, which goes before parliament; Who is anyone ....MPs? Good picture of HF, Karen. I assume it was in Chicago.Thanks for sharing.

Okay, HF is back in top form!!! it is about time!!! this one is brilliant and brilliant is what I needed because I have flu and pneumonia:(!! THANK YOU HELEN FIELDING

So how many calories? How many cigs? How many stone? How many alcohol units? Inquiring minds want to know! I wonder why she changed the format and dropped those. Other than that, I liked this one.

I didn't even notice that was missing! Must be the horrible headache:(

I haven't been able to get into Telegraph all day. :-(

Hope you're over the flu, Laura! Karen, have you established contact yet? This week was good, but what's happened to the passion and the romance?!!! MD is "post-work exhausted, giving perfunctory kisses, having sleep problems (camomile tea?)... sleeping like a baby"?!! And's what's this about Bridget not being "allowed" to turn up at his house when she's had a bad day. She has to wait for an INVITATION? Or does he set the dogs on her, or ask his housekeeper to eject her from the property?

She has to wait for an INVITATION? Or does he set the dogs on her, or ask his housekeeper to eject her from the property? } She's always been a bit of a wimp when it comes to standing up for herself and taking initiative.

....and what's this about Bridget not being "allowed" to turn up at his house when she's had a bad day. She has to wait for an INVITATION? Yeah, that's what I was thinking...what's goin on here? Is this an Equal Opportunity Relationship, or what? "You eat 'n drink 'n sleep 'n...(you know what else).. in my house why can't I eat in yours..?" Unless, of course HF has a surprise in store for us along those lines.... The sentence seemed too cryptic....sneaked in.... And talking about sneaking in....have you noticed that The Telegraph now promotes amazon.co.uk as their book distrb? Amazon is moving out...c'mon Waterstone's get rollin!!

I really loved the new kick-ass Bridget, but I know she will only be around until the next self-help book. Evelyn, I never felt that the BJ/MD relationship was an Equal Opportunity Relationship, but maybe if BJ keeps some of her new attitude it can turn into one.

Well, I like the idea of Mark trying to help Bridge gain a back-bone! And I like that the calorie counter etc is back, but it was a bit of a slow episode.

Yes it was slow and I hope it doesn't go too far on the Jude storyline. I mean anytime I hear about a lump, my hand automatically goes up and starts palpating. Suspect HF is just using this as a device for Bridget to get "nicer" again.

It didn't take Bridget long to confess to Mark about her recent evil ways. I knew she wouldn't last too long. I rather liked evil Bridget.

I was kinda hoping maybe she did ring Daniel. I think Markee needs to realise how important BJ is to him. RE: Lump, sad way of making BJ feel bad!!! It was low. Gary, What is up with him? HF, make BJ sorta nice, sorta bad and tell us why she can't pop over Mark's whenever she wants??? Hmmmm.. suspicious minds want to know!

HF, make BJ sorta nice, sorta bad and tell us why she can't pop over Mark's whenever she wants??? Hmmmm.. suspicious minds want to know! He's secretly co-habiting with Rebecca and needs time to pop her in a cupboard! But, seriously, seriously, when will they really get it together (minibreaks and overnight stays in Bridget's flat don't count!) I was listening to an entertainment-type programme on the radio...all about books being made into movies. BJD was mentioned as "soon" to start shooting. But no cast/director details were given. And how soon is "soon"? I predict CF and Helena BC for the leads. How about Alison Steadman (Ma Bennet) for Bridge's Mum? Any other casting suggestions? Daniel? Jude? Perpetua? Anglo-American cast permitted!

Story from the radio: Apparently Cherie Blair sped over to HF at a Downing St reception to say how much she had loved BJD, having read it in three nights while her husband was away "..which was handy, because Tony's normally very demanding in the bedroom."

Re; Cherie Blair on reading BJD ".......Tony's normally very demanding in the bedroom." LOL Good for Tony 'n Cherie.At least he's demanding with his wife! I liked this week's installment. Poor Bridge couldn't keep the the New Evil Behavior wave crest going for long...had to confess to Mark. I liked what Mark told her: "...stop worrying about getting everything right..." Bridge is the perfect daughter,friend, girl friend ('n ex-girlfriend), employee, tries in vain to be the perfect hostess and cook. So, like she says: " Bad is the new good in parts. Maybe now she wont' be the ole doormat.

I liked this week's too. See how old Markee just puts in all in perspective! Poor Bridge is still in a muddle.

Hmmmm.... This is what I wrote when I started this blasted topic. Funny how things come back to haunt you. Mon, Feb 2, 1998 (13:29) | LauraMM (LauraMM) Well someone had to create this topic. As we all absolutely adore it. I would like to start by saying that I think a man who has a little insecurities is extremely sexy. And Mark Darcy, who comes a cross as a strong-headed male, just proved to the female race that he does indeed have some insecurities. Now will it scare Bridget away;)

As Richard would say: "Boring, boring...bloody boring". HF on her soapbox. Took on the NHS, doctors examining women in a demeaning way,scans (mammograms?) of breasts make one feel like a meat package at the supermarket....("2lbs of tripe sqashed between to tin plates"). C'mon Helen...you can do better than that.

Maybe HF had a mammogram, her first one. She around the age to start having them. I thought it rather lame too! What the hell is up with her father???

I think there could be an underlying personal agenda, but I agree that it was lame and rather dispiriting.

I think there could be an underlying personal agenda As I told Laura, it perfectly related the entire humiliating and painful experience of having a mammogram and the pathetic way women are treated when *something* out of the ordinary is seen. If you've ever gotten a call from some office person telling you you have to come back because the radiologist wants to look at something again, then you can't relate. You go out of your mind like Jude, only to find out that it was nothing. I've always maintained that if this test were performed on men, you can be sure that a better, less painful and easier to read test would be developed. Didn't they just develop a *blood* test for prostrate cancer? I hope Helen mounts a campaign and screams from her soapbox!!

(Karen)If you've ever gotten a call from some office person telling you you have to come back because the radiologist wants to look at something again, then you can't relate. You go out of your mind like Jude, only to find out that it was nothing. You wouldn't go out of your mind....I've had a masectomy and I'm still sane (no remarks!)The whole thing is overblown. Lots of worse things in life.