How did you get pass the security at my house, Linda? ;-)

LOL, Moon. Ladies, you ALL outdid yourselves! Way to go, Maureen! And Sophie, I loved the tub! Such chesty lasses, LOL! .... Say, how did Colin's head get on the Jackman's high kicking body? ;-) Karen, I loved Katie's revamped news, and the movie directors bit was great...amen to that! I had compiled a list of directors, but never got to it.... Sue, your clips were priceless! I'm sorry I wasn't able to create more, but time got the better of me, and I'm so freakin' slow at photoshoppin'. :-( Thanks everyone! It was so much fun.

Certainly was an excellent party. Nice to hear from Maureen and Jenny as well. Please...No more weed!!!! Someone's in denial....... I did not inhale. Not even at my 46th Birthday party.I just ate the brownies. I had a great time. I even remember chatting up this really cute Irish girl. There's a picture somewhere of her gazing adoringly at me. Women do that to me, you know.

(Lisa) and the movie directors bit was great...amen to that! I had compiled a list of directors, but never got to it.... Who was on your list? I slapped mine together rather quickly and pretty much just went with recent past Oscar nominees.

A disclaimer must be made at the expense of people thinking me so clever (or not;-))....I didn't make up that game, Who Me, Embarrassed?. That's apparently an actual camp game I got from some website that lists camp games, art projects, etc. The directions were straight from that. Interesting camper bonding games they have these days. I've never gone to camp, so I wouldn't know otherwise. And since several of my pics didn't show and were actually rather integral to my whole theme, with Sue's help (thanks!), I'm reposting a couple of mine and hope they show up now for everyone and they're big enough to read. There are many items to choose from. ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, Mr. Frothy Collywobble, in case you finished skimming through the 2 books I just gave you, perhaps some lighter reading would be more to your "taste" at the moment... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So it's time for me to give you your last present. I'd be shocked if you couldn't guess what it was from all the other ones I gave you....a First Class trip to Amsterdam!! with me as your tour guide. First we'll head to and here (picture of Rijksmuseum from previous post) Perhaps making a quick pass (so to speak) through the Red Light District. After such a busy day, I'm sure you'd need somewhere to kick up your feet and relax a bit, like this coffeeshop Sorry, but no Starbucks to be found here and probably no Fair Trade either. But look this over and you might find something to....*inspire you* I must give you a word of advice though.....unless you have a couple, or ten, hours or so to spare where coherent interaction with others and significant awareness of your physical movements are not essential, I'd stay away from the Space Cakes. That's all I'm sayin'. ;-D Ok, here goes.

And that would be Colin's second trip through Amsterdam's Red Light District. Remember Dutch Girls? ;-)

Glad you were able to work everything out, Dorine, with some help from Sue. :-) Menus sure have changed since the last time I was in Amsterdam. ;-)

Yay, Dorine and Sue! Hmm, I had Indonesian food while in Amsterdam. I guess I didn't hang at the right places. ;-) I did see the Red Light District, though. :-) (Karen) Who was on your list? This is a cut and paste of my wish list. Some names are in all caps, as I copied them online to ensure correct spelling. Yes, I know a lot of them would make smallish, obscure art house films, but it's my list. ;-) (IOW, don't read to much into it.) Woody Allen Robert Altman Bernardo Bertolucci Clint Eastwood Mike Nichols Sydney Pollack MARTIN SCORSESE RIDLEY SCOTT STEVEN SPIELBERG OLIVER STONE QUENTIN TARANTINO PETER WEIR ROBERT ZEMECKIS MICHAEL APTED SOFIA COPPOLA NEIL JORDAN SAM MENDES PHILLIP NOYCE JOHN SAYLES STEVEN SODERBERGH

Good list. Many that I should've had on mine. ;-) But, like I said, I slapped it together from last year's nominees. Should've gone back one more year to pick up Mike Nichols. I did leave Spielberg off intentionally though for a couple of reasons. ;-)

(Karen), I did leave Spielberg off intentionally though for a couple of reasons. ;-) LOL! Peter Weir, Lisa! Love his early films, his first ever was "The Plumber", a classic, very hard to find.

Dorine - I can see *all* the pictures this time, glad it posted OK.Great post. LOL, your picture of the Van Gogh museum also brings memories flooding back of DG for me. Must stick the disc in the player again tonight ;-)and I love the Blues Brothers picture too. Why does the guy on the right kinduv remind me of Colin? ;-) LOL, interesting 'coffee shop' menu's you have there, wonder which would be Colin's choices, I could certainly hazzard a guess ;-)

My internet connection at home is still kaput, so am enjoying the birthday posts from office, on a "catch as catch can" basis (I'll be going on vacation, so lots to clear off my desk before I leave. Also must wait until boss is not looking over my shoulder, for obvious reasons ;-))Unfortunately, can't see all the pictures on my work computer ;-( Loved the intro, Karen - maybe if there was a Camp Collywobbles when I was a kid, I'd have wanted to go ;-) Kathryn - I don't know what to say! The pictures are wonderful - especially the *nekkid* ones (my shallowness is rearing its head again!)Love that picture of Darcy! Oh yes, your poems "aren't bad, either!" ;-) Felicity - It's not too late to play "Guess What's Under the Hat", is it? Pleease say it's not! ;-) (Linda) My feet were huge I can't stop laughing! Too funny! Sue - Another brilliant display!Your animations are inspired - not to mention inspiring! Need I say "The Naked Truth" is my favorite? Nah...guess not. The clouds of smoke are priceless! Finding it very difficult to tear my eyes away from Colin's body of work........;-) Lisa - You rock! Put me on the subscription list, please! Oh, welcome back Tress! I was hoping you'd make it to the party! Colin seems to have gotten in with a *bad* crowd! Snow snogging with Colin........if only! David Hasselhof, naked with puppies......ewwwwww! Sophie - Don't know where to start - you are hilarious! I especially love the newest "Rockette" ;-) (Moon) Let's always smoke pot Sounds like a plan...and Dorine can bring the tchotchkes! Wherever did you find them? ;-) Must get back to work now, but I look forward to catching up on the rest of the party soon...........

Brilliant stuff, ladies! I'm totaly awed by your creativity - I've never got beyond cut and paste. :-(

Or, it would appear, spellcheck....

Colin - One last little thing I must mention before your Birthday topic closes for another year! What I am trying to say, very inarticulately, is that I am thrilled and can't wait to see you again on my TV Screen this coming Autumn/Winter in the BBC drama production 'London'. It's been a looooooooong, loooooooooong, time ;-)

(Sue)It's been a looooooooong, loooooooooong, time ;-) I'm thinking it was 365 days on Tuesday since I've seen the man himself-in the flesh! Thanks, again, for the visual treats, Sue

I'm thinking about something like this: Oh yes, wait just a minute mister postman Wait, wait mister postman (Mister postman look and see) oh yeah (If there's a letter in the bag for me) Please mister postman (I've been waiting a long long time)oh, yeah (Since I heard from that gal of mine) There must be some mail today From my girlfriend so far away Please mister postman look and see If there's a letter, a letter for me I've been standing here waiting Mister Postman So patiently for just a card or just a letter Saying she's returning home to me Please Mister Postman (Mister postman look and see) oh yeah (If there's a letter in the bag for me)Please mister postman (I've been waiting a long long time)oh, yeah (Since I heard from that gal of mine) So many days you past me by See the tears standing in my eye You didn't stop to make me feel better By leaving me a card or letter Mister Postman, look and see Is there a letter, yeah, for me I've been waiting such a long long time Since I heard from that gal of mint You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah (you gotta) check and see one more time for me You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Mister Postman, oh yeah deliver the letter, the sooner the better You gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah Wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah you gotta, wait a minute wait a minute oh yeah

Oh my.

Or the rather less subtle Colin Firth's Fantasy Postwoman. Or The Postman Always Knocks Twice,The Musical. I can suggest these early on...they'll never make the cut.

LOL! Or "The Postwoman Always Knocks Twice" (I'm lovin' it!)

ROF, too funny, Ladies. This Abba song title, caught my eye, not from the Mamma Mia album, but "Why Did It Have to Be Me..........?" Or titles, from the Mamma Mia album "I Have A Dream,...................." "S.O.S'" "Man In The Middle " "So Long"

Ops, I'm clearly not clued up on Abba! the above,*not* from the Mamma Mia Album, as orignally thought, I mis-read, but non the less, titles from the Abba albums.

I like S.O.S. Both the song and theme. ;-) I Have a Dream is good, too.

LOL, ladies. And what's in your mailbag? Felicity)Or the rather less subtle Colin Firth's Fantasy Postwoman. ROTF--less subtle?

I'm surprised Mari hasn't suggested Does Your Mother Know? if we're going down the Abba songs route. Could also be appropriate if the bath scene does make some sort of appearance in Father.(I was thinking the other day..what if he'd been filming that on the day we saw him in Winchester. Would have explained his slightly strange complexion) I'd like to know what indignities the St Trinians girls put Geoffrey Thwaites through...hold on getting a bit fetishistic there.

Which ABBA songs will Colin sing? I also like involving Rupi and St.T somehow. Any good quotation come to mind from this year? But please do not dignify the postie by making her such a big part of his celebration.

Not all the lyrics apply, but some lines do and the titles are suggestive: "The Name of the Game" and "Take a Chance on Me".

Good point Moon and yes let's get it out of our system now. Quotes: I trusted the people involved(TLL) It has a beginning, middle and end.(ditto) It may be ugly,but we're going to have to live with it(Now explained but a sort of phrase that you could use on many occasions, at any time) Well,I had to go out for a pee.....(at Cannes) It's been a hotch potch year(also Cannes) Obviously I may be paraphrasing instead of quoting but you know the ones I mean. Oh and the baboon one but we've done monkeys extensively.

Oh and what about 'casino'. And only making films with friends.

Talking of the postal theme,there's "You've got mail" but you are right Moon! So! talking quotes from Colin, here are a few more to be going on with. BTW, when will the decision be made, so there is time to prepare? Cheers ;-) "This is not an exercise in nostalgia, we are, updating it" (St.Trins/Money Prog) "It's for me, what it is for you really, it's a bit of a due" (Cannes/St.Trins vid) "In some ways, it's one of the absuridities of marketing, that you are promoting something, that isn't made, but you are at the stage, where all the beliefs in place" (Cannes/St.Trins vid) "You get previews, of next year's model of car or next year's model of swimsuit, or range of this an that. I think it's all very similar, probably" (Cannes/St.Trins vid) "It's a market, and your trying to catch eyes, with what you have to work with" "You are just trying to get noticed, in an increasingly, saturated zoo.........." (Once more with Ealing) "I was a bit afraid of the girls, I fancied them................."(Once more with Ealing) "I am not a Bentley sort of chap," (On the move article) �I was working at edgy, serious stuff for years,� (On the move article)

Ops, above quote, which begins with "It's for me........what it is for you [typo alert for ending, should of course have been] "It's a bit of a do really"!

Oh bugga! I'm getting in a bit of a dither, never mind a bit of a do! closing bold

I like the 'I was a bit afraid of them ' quote very much, but don't know how it would be possible to build on that. Not his quote but something Christine Vachon said indirectly about him and actors willing to play 2nd Banana. I know the phrase has been used on the board in the last year and special mention to Gina who had the nerve to repeat it(in an American accent no less) when asking CV a question(at last years LFF). Hmmm....think like last year that it may be something that crops up between now and the 10th Sept that may really set this alight. Didn't Linda nominate something a few weeks back?

(Felicity)Didn't Linda nominate something a few weeks back? LOL, if I did I have absolutely no recollection of it, now! (Felicity--CF)I was a bit afraid of them ' I like that, too. I like them all;-)

Am reminded that there's no theme yet. :-( So far I really like "You've Got Mail" but agree that the postie shouldn't be honored in such a fashion. Since Colin hasn't said anything remotely interesting to me at least, my second fav was the Abba song "S.O.S." which will be in the movie. From the lyrics there's: "Can't you hear my SOS?" Or maybe Dancing Queen. ;-) And I do kind of like "Take a Chance on Me" as well. Lots of ideas with that one. Hmm, using both?? Can't you hear my SOS? Take a Chance on Me

"Can't you hear my SOS?" Along the lines of the Turn the Ship Around theme of a few years ago (and a good one it was). I like the SOS one myself.

Plus you get the added esoteric tie-in that abba (or aba) is Father in both Hebrew and Arabic. ;-)

Can you hear me now? SOS for me;-)

Can't you hear my SOS? Take a Chance on Me Can you hear me now? SOS for me;-) Casting my vote, either, that'll do me! :-)

Sorry, I like You've Got Mail! It's not honoring the postie, it's a chance to satirize same. S.O.S. is very generic, and similar to stuff done in the past..

Well, when it's the postie's birthday, we'll satirize her. I'm sure we'll hear that Colin came to the door with a cake. ;-) S.O.S. is very generic, and similar to stuff done in the past. True and sad at the same time. Nothing has changed. :-(

You better explain "You/ve got Mail ". I like Dancing Queen.

(Mari) It's not honoring the postie, it's a chance to satirize same. Don't know if I'd want *that* much attention paid to her as a whole bday theme, satire or not , funny as it may be. Though if that's how it ends up, I'm sure there's no end to the material.

And just think of what will said on other sites about this place. :-(

I know I'm the one who suggested it, but I think a "Take a Chance On Me" theme offers many possibilities (and is also in Mamma Mia). I am not in favor of giving postie girl more attention, no matter what kind.

I'm just not seeing these ABBA themes. Dancing Queen? How many animatronic Colins are there to be had? Take A Chance on Me? Where's the funny? What are the visuals and the tie in to Colin? After all, he was acutally in "You've Got Mail"--his photo anyway.

(Mari)After all, he was acutally in "You've Got Mail"--his photo anyway. LOL. In a' book cover', Mari. Why don' t you just do your own thing...it's bound to be hilarious anyway.

My initial thinking for "Take a Chance On Me" was on three levels: (a) Colin taking chances in his career (as in TLL & BE) with not so glorious results (b) Colin wanting producers/directors taking a chance on casting him (c) what individual Droolers might want Colin to take chances on for advancing his career (Take a Chance *for* me) Taking chances, wheel of fortune, fickle finger of fate, the Fates.....

Like I said, where's the funny?;-) Or the part oui haven't done several times over already.:-( The problem *for me* is, he hasn't done anything remotely interesting professionally that is ripe for celebration. Hey, whatever the group wants. I may not contribute to the party anyway, but I will certainly look at the goodies you all come up with. I am feeling very down on his career these days. And poking fun at it is more pathetic than funny anymore.

What about another idea altogether? "In [blank] My Whole Life" For example, "In Crap Movies My Whole Life"

Now *that* I like. But it's still pathetic.;-)

For example, "In Crap Movies My Whole Life" I understand that's an example, but I can't get into that one.

Is this meant to be a play on My Life So Far? It's OK.

Can't "You've Got Mail" be a take on his armor as Aurelius?

What about the proposed name change of TLL to The Magic Sword? Can you tell I had a sleepless night?

(Barbara) Can't "You've Got Mail" be a take on his armor as Aurelius? ?????

(Barbara) Can't "You've Got Mail" be a take on his armor as Aurelius? (Dorine) ????? As in chain mail.

(Dorine),Don't know if I'd want *that* much attention paid to her as a whole bday theme, satire or not I don't either. What about something with Saint T? As in "Saint Titilating Tease!" To stress the fact that he: 1. Never does sex scenes or gets naked 2. Is happy just to work with friends 3. Is happy with third banana roles 4. Says he can do an American accent, but he really can't 5. Produces a shit documentary, instead of buying the rights to something meaty, beaty, big and bouncy (Who fans may appreciate) ;-) 6. Doesn't recognize a crappy script when he gets one etc, etc

Sue put this one out among others..."You are just trying to get noticed, in an increasingly, saturated zoo.........." (Once more with Ealing) I haven't thought it through really at all. Didn't he say something about a baboon, or feeling like one or something? Maybe a ghost theme, like Genova?....even though we really haven't seen it (or have we if we've seen The Others? ;-)). Seeing ghosts of possible roles flying by....maybe a kind of Christmasy bday theme with the ghosts of Careers past, present and future? Who could be his Jacob Marley? Hugh Grant? ;-)

JE could be his Past ghost, ME his Present, and Woody Allen his Future. ;-D

2. Is happy just to work with friends Seeing as how Bette was just mentioned, "You Gotta Have Frieeeends"

Okay...I've been away for a while but I kinda peeked in to see how birthday planning has been going. I don't understand the "You've Got Mail" thing as I am guessing it was posted by another site and that it was something funny a poster said/wrote. It sounds intriguing though....LOL. I do get the "You've Got (Chain)Mail" reference....unfortunately even chainmail can't save him from the terrible reviews I've read :-( But I can hope it didn't inflict any real damage...that it's merely a flesh wound! But after thinking (real hard), I remembered the one thing that I did read this year (I haven't read much so apologies all around). He drives a Prius. ...and so I thought maybe a "It's not easy being green" theme. Not terribly inspired but I haven't got much to work with being so out of touch... Rather than riding manfully across his sweeping country estate on his trusty steed, Firth is now the rather sheepish owner of a petrol-electric hybrid Toyota Prius. �I don�t want to come across as worthy,� he says apologetically, �but I have never been excited by big, high-powered cars. They look okay, I suppose, but they are just not for me.� Firth was on the verge of buying a humble Honda Civic hybrid before opting for Hollywood�s latest fad car for A-listers keen to promote their green credentials. Despite his protestations about not wanting to appear worthy, he has a reputation as a celebrity do-gooder.

a celebrity do-gooder This can be worked with, too. Seems he's gotten more attention for that, or at least puts more effort into it than his career. And... TRESS!! Nice to see you!!!

a celebrity do-gooder See another thing to fit in the "Saint TT" theme. (She's pushing ain't she?) LOL!

Am I dreaming? Tress is that you? I'll go with anything, but I do agree the post lady shouldn't be the focus. Just thinking, and it has nothing to do with the birthday theme, but didn't Colin once mention that il postino was one of his favorites? Or do I have the wrong film? Anyway, made me laugh thinking about his la postina;-) (Moon) Produces a shit documentary, instead of buying the rights to something meaty, beaty, big and bouncy Yeah, what ever happened to that shit documentary?

Actually, I'd forgotten about it. Seriously.

Actually, I'd forgotten about it. Seriously. See, another case of "Saint titilating tease" ;-)

(Dorine) Seeing ghosts of possible roles flying by....maybe a kind of Christmasy bday theme with the ghosts of Careers past, present and future? This is my favorite suggestion so far with the exception of the You've Got Mail theme (Sadly not practical, but absolutely priceless!) I like the Saint Tease idea too.

Time for an executive decision. Drumroll, please! The 2007 birthday theme will be: Can't you hear me SOS? or the Same Old Sh*t Obviously the theme is message-oriented, which means that you can decide how that message might be best conveyed. For example, 'You've Got Mail' or other similar methods of conveyance would be fine.

I know I made SOS as one of my suggestions for this year's Birthday theme, but erm, I am drawing a complete blank of ideas with this one, especially 'The same old sh@t' addition. I can't think of much room for manoeuvre with the theme,that is, for those whom may prefer to post a positive message to Colin. I think "Take a chance on me" had more going for it, can't the title be a little more open? Perhaps, "Can/Can't you hear my SOS.....Take a chance on me" or vice versa. Totally agree about not giving the postie anymore limelight!

(Sue)I can't think of much room for manoeuvre with the theme,that is, for those whom may prefer to post a positive message to Colin. Sure you can. SOS doesn't have to be negative. Anyway, post what you want...I always do.

(Evelyn)Sure you can. SOS doesn't have to be negative. Just can't get my head around the 'save our souls' thingy, perhaps I will make a variation on a theme for the abbreviation, also, with stuff going on in *RL* for me right now, time is very tight. Mine will need to be a quick Happy Birthday, Col, type job this year. (Evelyn)Anyway, post what you want...I always do. LOL, now that sounds like a plan ;-)

Hmm, trying to work out how my script for Pacemaker(to be known in Germany as Death Rate) can be included under SOS. Robert Carlyle was going to be playing Robert a fouled mouthed psycho and Colin was going to be a masturbatory village idiot called Crass Harry. They both work for an mystical undertaker called Marvin(played by Sir Ben)who keeps forgetting to remove peoples pacemakers before they are cremated ,causing havoc, death and destruction in crematoriums all over Wales(so Sir Ben can have another crack at that accent).Robert and Crass, when they're not swearing or having a bath, finally twig on to what's happening, but just can't be bothered to do anything about it. It's all very nihilistic. I quite liked the ghosties..could have had ghoulies as well, and Hello Tress...would have been good to have Colin warbling the Green Green Grass of Rome. Seriously though, can we lose the Same Old sh*t.I mean as a sub heading? I can be tasteless and offensive I know, but I'm really not keen on that. Will have to improvise.

ROTF, Felicity! SOS: Sexy or Senseless

In view of the recent NEWS, I can get behind "You've Got Mail!" This is no longer some deluded woman posting on messageboards, but is now news, bona fide news. I say we go for it. Anybody want to arrest me now for changing my mind one too many times? ;-)

Arghhhhh!!! now working on my gifs, which don't fit the the 'You've got mail' :-( although I supposed I could kinduv improvise!

Like I said before, Mail is a form of sending a message, just like an SOS. I plan to use both concepts. Of course, now I can't quite remember what I was planning to do. All those ideas were running through my mind while watching TLL on Monday. LOL!

LOL, actually, I was struggling, but you have have just mentioned in your post has given me a bit of an idea! bring it on! ;-)

Just to make absolutely sure, the title of the new theme is "You've got mail" ?

Absolutely! How many people will this upset? I know Kathryn already has her gifts wrapped, right? Really, you need to take lessons in procrastination. For me, procrastination is an inherited trait. ;-)

I don't mind if the theme is changed, and others go along with that. I was able to rework my material last year because of a change, but it would be very difficult to do that this year. I'm going to take Evelyn's advice...and just stick with what I have for SOS. :-)

Absolutely. SOS material should fit right in. Changing the theme has the added bonus of you being able to use the You've Got Chain Mail idea, remember?

Glad I procrastinated! But, I'm going to do a little of this and a little of that. This is unbelievable.

LOL, yes, I need to learn to procrastinate a bit more. I'll try to remember not to be so quick off the mark next year. :-)

(Linda) But, I'm going to do a little of this and a little of that. Stay away from those x-rated male bags. ;-)

"You've Got Jail" Or, if she gets sprung, "You've Got Bail." Game on!

Knew you'd get psyched! I wasn't sure you'd be online this weekend and might miss out on all the fun.

LOL, I will be computerless for a time over this weekend, but am so glad the story broke early.;-) I could feast on this for years . . .

I could feast on this for years . . . And we already have.

It's like manna from heaven, isn't it? Schadenfreude anyone?

Except she brought it upon herself.

I'm surprised, seeing "Schadenfreude" in an English sentence. Do you use it in common speech?

On this occasion Bronja, it is the only appropriate word.

Exactly!! LOL.

(Mari) I could feast on this for years You? Nah, LOL;-)

Yeah... Mari is excited! LOL! I'm a late one too, nothing prepared. ;-)

(Bronja) Do you use it in common speech? I have lately as it's been quite appropriate in my "real" life, outside of my Drool life. ;-)

Shoot me but I am having second thoughts about the new theme, "You've got Mail". A delusional 'postal' stalker is not something I can, in good taste, comment upon on his birthday. I have no idea how to approach that one. To roast and toast him with that theme, makes no sense to me. Does any one else feel the same?

Yeah! especially with the reports now spreading, I wouldn't feel comfortable posting on live net, with this theme. Other thing which really bothers me is the media hasn't divulged the name of the popular Firth message board sites, whom allowed the alledged postie person, to continue posting the alledged made up stories.

Aw,c'mon. Moon You can't put a bumper sticker on Colin's car.. "If you're following too closely, youll get arrested" What kind of a guy is this who's afraid of a delusional postman;-))) If I was good at photoshop I'd find a lot to post about this incident. Like "Deal with it". Was she jumping over the fence to swim in your pool? Is it a crime to ask for a route to be changed? is it a crime to post lies on a message board. Jeeze