Just watched "Finding Neverland". Lovely film, with plenty of tissues required! I've been inspired to search the net to find out how accurate a portrayal it was. There are also a couple of links in it to AABA - and you'll get them as soon as you see, or hear them. Johnny Depp is nowhere near to AR in my estimation but I do have a soft spot for him and he can really do accents. I enjoyed his performance in this and I can also see why that lad Freddie won that award (was it Emmy or Empire?) Ah well, off to bed - have to be up early!

Dee, that is (and you are) lovely

Martha stonewalls are beautiful but have a habit of throwing themselves in front of cars!!

Oooh, I bet soupdupcosmogrl was beside herself about that!

AFNH - I think we missed you.  From York, we went to Scarborough, up to Whitby, down to Pickering, over to Thrisk, then through the Dales Park to Kendal, up through Bowness to Cockermouth, over to Carlisle then up to Edinburgh.  Not exactly the direct route - or the widest, but well worth the time and tension.  I really loved the Yorkshire Dales, but being New England born and raised, I have a thing for stone walls.

  Yes, Sue!  A new piccie! Thanks for posting! 

MacDonald's????  I wonder if he had a Big Mac for lunch. 

That must have been a shock! Fancy opening your local rag to find the object of your fantasy and obsession strolling across the page! Must say, he looks rather svelte there, or is teh pudge somewhat disguised!

Just met up with Laurie in Glastonbury. I took her to Wells because she had been up and down G'bry highstreet but not been out of the town. She goes back home tomorrow but packed an awful lot in, especially to her few days in London. We want to see more of you over here! And we want to go over there! When do you think that "apparating" will be available to Muggles?

Kathy, my son's favourite "reading to" book was one about a JCB digger! And Fireman Sam!

Just found this posted on lj by "soupdupcosmogrl" (such catchy names we have From her local paper apparently and she had no idea he was there!!

Elaine,the "hippo-bird-dog" brought back fond memories.  That's by Sandra Boynton who writes children's books.  You know the thick cardboard books that you read to toddlers?  They are very funny, I think the kids miss the real humor, but I used to read them to my boys and they loved them.  We spent many hours in the "rock-rock" chair reading her books.

Elaine, DeForest Kelley came from Atlanta back before the place became large or international.  And yup, that's his accent all right!  "D****t, Jim, I'm a Georgian, not a-" Oh, never mind.

So now Mr. Rickman is in Toronto?  I love that city!

Sabine- Simultaneous blonde moment thousands of miles apart! I just love the thought that a vision of ARs lovely ass drifted before so many eyes for a few seconds before realisation dawned.! Oh well, back to dreaming.

I'm relieved. I missed that post and I went back to check and mine was the only one I thought that you might take offence at. But never mind, we got to share a "military" moment *sigh* (I have to say, military men like him are no longer around. I know, I've searched! )

Lucy. love the Southern drawl - I can hear it as you write. Something about that. Must be the crush I had on Dr McCoy in Star Trek MANY moons ago. (And Deforest Kelley died some time ago too. Am I that old?)

Nice report from Wawa but I don't think I could take my kids out of school to travel 10 hours just to try and catch a glimpse of the man. He's got that kind of "pull" though. I agree with Claudia, Dee. Save your trip for the premiere. At least you know you will see him then.

'Course, down here in th' 'merican South we wouldn't need no bird on th' "Hippo Bird Dawg" card, jus' th' hippo an' a huntin' dawg, 'cuz huntin' dawgs 'r called "bird dawgs."  Ain't tha' righ', Claudia?

At any rate,

Happy Birthday, Meim!

No No No Elaine!  The unfriendly post was removed. 

I'm afraid one would be very hard pressed to find an unfriendly iota about you, my dear!   

Elaine! It was nothing to do with you!!

I've seen that hippo bird dog card lots of time and got the joke

Comments were aimed at a more "ambiguous" greeting that Claudia removed and you may not have seen.

Mind you I am always happy to take the Colonel under my wing at any time as you well know form other places!!!

Elaine: I thought your "hippo-bird-dog" wish was quite funny. 

Thanks for the fan report, martha!

Claudia: when I read "The Ass. Director", I didn't get past "The Ass.", so at first I thought the person who wrote the report was talking about AR's behind... 

Sue, I'm just a little worried that people think I was being horrible when I wished you "hippo-bird-dog" for your birthday. I'm afraid it's my twisted sense of humour. It comes from a birthday card I once saw in a shop (you know, you stand there browsing and laughing like an idiot at some of them!) There was a picture of a hippo, then a bird, then a - you guessed it - dog. Meant to represent "Happy Birthday". Well it probably looked funnier on the card! So sorry if I caused you, or anyone else here, any grief! Have a Colonel as a belated pressie:

to Miem.

Hope you have a good one

 Miem, I hope you have a brilliant day!

I wonder if they had an A-one of those directors in DH? *snerk*  (sorry, no emoticon for snickering)

I know that it is still early evening on the west coast but it is after midnight here which means we have another birthday in the house.  I know a lot of people have already wished Miem a very happy birthday so here's mine.....

I hope you have a wonderful day, Miem! 

Thanks to all for your reviews of Hitchhiker's..... I can't wait to see it.  I can't wait to see that opening sequence, Bill Nighy, and of course, The Voice! 

Thanks for the AR sighting, martha.  Quite an amazing story.  I do have a little bit of a hard time with taking the kids out of school and driving 10 hours but to each their own, I suppose. 

I had a good laugh at myself for my reaction when I read "Ass. Director".  I was quite appalled at first but then I thought surely I didn't read that right and sure enough, I didn't. 

Dee, I know you are feeling badly for not going to Wawa, but honestly, IMO, you did the right thing in putting it off.  I'm still hoping you will get to go to the premiere (which I feel will be in Toronto).  That's when you will have a good time. 

Saw H2G2 today!  My wonderful hubby took me to the first showing at 5 PM, right after he came home from an 8-hour drive from Flordia.  What a guy! 

S  P  O  I  L  E  R  S

Ali-Pat: I totally agree with you about Bill Nighy!  I absolutely loved his outfit!  It looked so... Jedi-ish. 

Yes, Claudia will love the opening sequence, and she probably won't be able to get that darn song out of her head after the movie.  My husband and I were humming it for hours. 

I think that if you love the books, you'll enjoy the movie.  But if you haven't read any of the books, you might have some problems with Douglas Adams' type of humor.  Unfortunately, my husband thought it was the most boring movie he'd seen in years.  He did get a kick out of Marvin though. 

Julie - tell your daughter I think David Thewlis is pretty darn cute too! 

Sharen and Elaine -- yes, yes!  Suet - that was it..sorry for the incorrect spelling.  O.K...so, basically it's fat, used to make a crust, is that correct?  I hear tales of many cooks who used to bake pie crusts with lard....same concept, I suppose.    Not on the list for a low cholesterol diet, I'd wager.

Then vegetarian suet would be something like shortening - made with vegetable oil?  So, the suet mix I saw advertised must have been like a pre-mixed flour/dehydrated suet to make the crust.  Maybe something like a biscuit mix that we have here.  The jell-o mold shape was probably more of a bowl shape (funny how the memory can change things around).  

That was a great story from the Mom and kids at the Chinese restaurant in Wawa. 

Sue and Miem: Happy Birthday! (a little late.)  Sue, ignore that negative post.  We all think you're the best.

My favorite actor is AR...of course! Why else am I here, right?  My daughter's favorite is David Thewlis.  Anyone have any thoughts on him?  She was curious to hear your opinions.  Thanks. 

My daughter and I are going to see Hitchhiker's Guide...tomorrow.  We were both home with stomach aches today.  So I hope we get better!  The clips I've seen were hilarious. 

This was posted a week ago at TPPM but nobody seems to have put it here.  So... here it is:

"Thought you guys might be interested in this AR sighting that was posted on
another list I belong to:

Flora of Lallybroch’s AR Sighting

My kids wouldn't let me go and find "Professor Snape" without them so I
recruited my friend to be copilot, took the kids out of school for a few days
and headed to Wawa. The trip took about 10 hours (we went through Michigan).
Wawa is a town of about 3500 on the TransCanada Hwy in NW Ontario - home of the
giant Goose if anyone's travelled that way. We arrived in town about 7pm and
drove about looking for a motel. We knew the cast and crew had taken over the
"nice" motel but there was no "no vacancy" up so my friend volunteered to fake
like she'd never heard of "Snowcake the Movie" and go in to try and get us a
room and thus glean some info from the clerk. As we just pull into the parking
lot I spot AR about 100 yards away just casually walking by himself towards the
motel office. My friend scoots after him but unfortunately he is through the
lobby by the time she gets there. We get a room in another motel, go out for a
meal, and discover they are going to be filming on the main
street the next day. Next morning we get up and walk up and down the main
street checking things out. It was really neat seeing them getting the film set
all ready, gathering the fake snow (since it's supposed to be winter in the
movie and Wawa was pretty warm) etc. We pick ourselves a close-by bench and
settle in to watch. By lunchtime the kids are getting a little restless and we
all have to pee so we notice a chinese restaurant that is right next door the
fake storefront that they are going to be filming at so we decide to go there
and have some lunch. There are only two other people in the restaurant. We sit
right in the front window and open the blinds. *g* The other people ask who this
AR is...would we be able to point him out..."No Problem" I say! Sure enough,
shortly he is driven up in a van and gets out right across the street. We're
going nuts. Then he walks across the street and stands right on the other side
of the window. The Ass. Dir. comes into the restaurant and says
long-sufferingly "You're welcome to stay here but you're ruining our shot. You
have to sit and look like you're eating food not staring out the window." So
just like that - we're in the movie!! We had the terrible hardship of sitting
for an hour or two being served lunch and beer with complete access to a
bathroom while Alan Rickman walked repeatedly within a foot of us - doing the
scene over and over again. At one point he took a wee rest and stretched his
hamstrings on the bench just beside our window. The kids waved at him and he
smiled this absolutely dazzling smile and waved back. He was absolutely gorgeous
in real life....much more handsome than he appears on film. And it appears I was
right about him being the sexiest thing on two legs. *BG* I was drooling all
over the booth and that smile just about killed me! Unfortunately, we didn't get
to talk to him or get an autograph as he was being whisked in and out just long
enough to do his scenes. Sigourney Weaver, who is the
other star, was hanging out on the street and talking to everyone. We were
smiling and interacting with her but a little too focused on AR to realize we're
hanging out with this Oscar nominee. We forgot she'd been in Ghostbusters (my
brain had pretty much imploded after the hamstring stretches) otherwise we could
have had a great time peppering the air with quotes. *VBG* After that we headed
for home. After all "We came, we saw, we kicked some ASS!" hehehe - couldn't
help myself after all. *g* Anyway, that was our big adventure. Sorry it's so
long but I'm still babbling days later."

Love the pic--looks like he is pained, tho!!

I got the google alert also about the Rachel Corrie venue change in Oct.  What is the difference between Jerwood upstairs and downstairs?  the size maybe?

I'll never forget the time I was just out of school (the first time ) and I was making mince pies from scratch for Christmas dinner because my dad and grandfather loved them.  In my naivete I had no idea what suet was!  The butcher gave me a crash course! The pies were great--with brandied hard sauce--even I had a piece and I am not a fan of mince pie. 

Wonder if I dare think about a quick trip to London in October? (It's getting to be my home away from home).

Seat filler--I had no idea they had to recruit people to fill seats--where do you get that job???  Glad to know AR is getting out and enjoying Toronto, I've heard it is a beautiful city.  Elaine, I'm with you, I too hope Rima can get over and enjoy some things with him.  Must get lonesome sometimes even if you are working to live out of a hotel and be away from home for that long a period of time. 

Can't wait for Hichhickers  Sunday will probably be the day........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

Do you think you'll be able to recover the Rachel Corrie's Play Text in England School?

Many thanks.

Ida

Vicki and Sharon, sounds very much like Suet. You can get beef suet or vegetarian suet (which is what we use). Makes divine steak and kidney puddings (known throughout the Army as "baby's heads") and steamed puddings, my favourite being "spotted dick".(With lots of custard!) I can't think of an alternative that you might have in the US. And I don't really know what American voices mean in ads. We have quite a few US voiced ads as well. I suppose they are often the "film-trailer" type - deep voice that sounds like a 40 a day man. Lends a bit of "hollywood" to it I suppose.

I love the look on AR's face in that pic. Seat filler? Can I have that job please?

And all you Canadians, get out there and see what you can see!   Hope Rima is there to share the experience with him.

And something I've been wondering about, will AR have his postal vote in? Or is he going to be one of the rumoured many Labour supporters who are not going to vote because of their opposition to the War in Iraq? Curious....

Sue, how dare you have a previously unannounced birthday! Hope it was a good one.

Metro's H2G2 review gives a brief mention "Marvin the Paranoid Android - far too cutesy, but at least voiced by Alan Rickman."

I have seen Hitchhiker!  I don't want to spoil anything for anybody, but I have these four things to say:

1.  Claudia will be thrilled with the opening sequence.

2.  All you knitters out there will be getting some requests.

3.  Bill Nighy got all my favorite scenes (and some of the best clothes).

4.  Marvin gets the last word.

Can't wait till others see it so we can discuss!

Hmmm, looks like My Name is Rachel Corrie is going to transfer to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in October. 

My Name is Rachel Corrie Autumn Transfer

Sharen, I noticed the American accent in the Marmite ad and thought it a bit strange. 

Emily has been terribly busy lately so she sent me these two little tid bits to post:

Vicki, could it have been suet?

http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1973_November_December/Suet_Puddings__Subsistence_Food

Is it curious that the narrator of the 2nd Marmite commercial had an American accent? Or is that typical in UK ads? 

In US ads, British voices usually indicate (to me, anyway) that this info is for our edification and it behooves us to pay attention. (I know I always pay close attention whenever our favorite Brit speaks. ) But what does an American voice connote to a British listener?

Dee - you're so talented!  Eagerly awaiting to see where you will put AR in your next project!

A belated Happy Birthday to Sue (I think with the time difference, your birthday was yesterday in the UK?) and an early Happy Birthday to Miem.  May all your AR dreams come true!

Thanks for the marmite/vegemite lesson.  Many, many years ago, I took a trip to England and saw an ad on the telly for Suit Mix?!?!  Could someone please explain what that is?  I hope I spelled it right.  The ad showed a mum bringing a platter of something to the table that looked like it had been made in a jello-mold or a bundt cake pan.  The family, of course, were licking their lips in anticipation and couldn't wait to dig in.  To this day, I still scratch my head in wonder at what this could possibly be. 

martha - thanks for the travel-logue.  It's always nice to hear about someone's adventures.  Glad you had a good time!

Watched Galaxy Quest on t.v. last night.  I'd forgotten what a hoot it was!

OK you guys!  I have been very slack in letting you all know how much I have enjoyed the icons and other art work lately.  

I do want yall to know that I have loved seeing them and I've been collecting them as usual! 

The Marmite and  the Walk the Dog ones are adorable!  BTW, have you any birthday wallpaper for us, Sue???

Lucy, thanks for putting me onto Animation Shop. I've downloaded the trial version but I see it is not expensive anyway. Lots to play with! I'm never going to get fit locked into this computer all day!

Severina, Violet - I am also under the impression that they are very much living together again but RH does still have a property in the neighbouring borough. This is probably bcause she is still involved with the Council for that ward and needs the property to give her some creedence for doing that. I think it is rented -(imagine her being your landlord!) - and she probably has no need to sell it anyway.

Happy birthday, mien. Enjoy H2G2!

Martha, how long did you stay in Oxford?

Lucy, thanks for the info. I've been using Image Ready and it is a bit fiddley.

Happy Birthday, Miem! 

And welcome back, martha! 

Gee, thanks for the warm welcome back! 

Sue - Happy Birthday!

Dee - They also used Christ Church, Oxford for some of the filming, which is where we were.  Up in Scotland, we were at Glenfinnan (aqueduct and loch - just missed seeing the steam train!) and Glencoe. 

Hope your day is going great, Sue!  BTW, non-understandable, off the wall comment has been taken care of. 

kathy and Dee, which little boy in the nativity picture is AR has been a mystery to everyone.  I've always thought it was the little boy to "Mary's" right.  At the risk of pestering poor Melanie Parker again...maybe the person that wrote and asked her about the picture of AR standing at the microphone might try again.     

Violet and SeverinaSnape. You can take this anyway you wish but I have been told by a very reliable source that AR and RH are indeed living together once again. 

My source is not his assistant.  I don't feel Ms Parker would disclose any of AR's private details to anyone--no matter how close they profess to be to her.  But I do agree that any assistant that would give out such details should be sacked. 

I, like the two of you, do not know and will not ever know for sure unless AR or RH publicly announce the fact--which will probably never happen.  But I do trust my source as you do yours so feel free to disagree with me on this subject all you want but this will be all I will say on the subject. 

Sue and Miem: Happy Birthday!!

Sue: Ignore that one unhappy post.  I, for one, love your posts. You are my lifeline to UK news. I love the international community I've met through Alan Rickman.  Thank you all for sharing your various cultures with me.

Just to remind u, the skyscraper for AR is still on. If someone hasn't added a brick yet, now is the chance! Just click on "add

http://www.topdogcity.com/alanrickman1.htm

Just logged on and was greeted  by all your lovely wishes(At least I think they were all lovely!!)

Happy Birthday to Miem for Saturday too And Welcome back Martha too, glad you had a great trip.

Sue! Have a lovely day!

And welcome back, martha!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE & MIEM

Welcome back Martha, nice to know that you´ve had such a wonderful time in the UK!

HAPPY bIRTHDAY mIEN!!!

HOPE ITS TERRIFIC

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE & MIEM!!!!

Hi Violet and Dee!

Violet, I have been told pretty much the same thing as yourself from someone who knows them both who was helping me with a project I am trying to get up and running. He definately knows them - and proved to me that he does several times without me even asking - I am such a cynic. Of course you cant know everything about people's private lives - but his take is the same - as far as he is still aware they do live separately. RH still supposedly has a place in a certain Ward in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and AR of course lives very near Paddington Station. I'm still bad with kilometres and such - but they are about a mile + in distance apart I think...

I've had a couple of people insist to me that his assistant apparently has let them know that RH and AR moved back in together when they have written to her -

Right...I'd say he'd be in need of a new assistant if that is true!

Such private details I usually dont get into - but as you have pretty much the same information that I have been given I just thought I would let you know. I quite like the idea of separate residences; you can go off and do your own thing as necessary and just meet up when you feel the need. For me loving someone from a distance is definately different and probably preferable to having them under the same roof (that's my theory going through my divorce and I am sticking with it...)

Dee: Some of the location shots for Hogwarts are in Gloucester Cathedral  - particularly the cloisters - althought interior and exterior shots have been done all over the country

http://www.historic-uk.com/DestinationsUK/HarryPotter.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/focus/2003/08/potter_picture.shtml

http://www.britishtours.com/harry_potterovernight.html

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE

Hope you have a great day!!!!

Claudia, thanks for the pic again. I like the picture, it's sweet.  Someone said somewhere AR is the boy on the right next to the manger. You can't see his face so I don't know. Claudia do you know?

Just got to watch GQ on TV tonight with info about H2G2 during the breaks. 

Night all...........

Hi,  Dee!  I always enjoy your postings.  You are such fun.  BTW, re: your question about Rima and Alan living in separate residences, I have a gentleman friend in London who told me that, as far as he knows, they still live in separate residences, about two or so kilometers apart.  I don't talk with this gentleman very often (he's in his 60's and retired), so I don't know his source, other than he lives in that area.  Sigh...yes, some people don't only live on the same planet as AR, but in the same part of town...sigh again.  Violet.

Happy Birthday, Sue!

 Sue and I have a birthday very near eachother! Mine is Saturday! Yay!

Guess what I'm doing for it?? Guess, guess!

Going to see H2G2! **does a chair dance**.....TWICE!! tomorrow and on Saturday.

My dad was like, so you're going to see it with your friends and me...?

Me:" I can't complain about listening to Alan Rickman for 4 hours! Of course I'm going twice!"

...I'm such a nerd..

OKay, off to study group!

~Miem

Lucy -- Love the icon! I've never tried Marmite (the name sounds a little like an annoying little vermin we have here in Indiana), but must agree that Snape is definitely an acquired taste. But I'd willing to nibble at him until I get used to it! ( Who said that?! Someone jumped into my post and added that naughty remark! )

Claudia -- What an adorable nativity photo! Which one is AR? Is it the little boy standing on the left?

Martha -- I hate to sound dumb (but it's so easy to do...), but what do you mean, you toured Hogwarts? Are you saying that the school in Harry Potter is an actual place?

Happy Birthday, Sue!  Hope you'll have a great day! 

I use Animation Shop.  It's really simple to make an animation with it, especially with the Animation Wizard.  Everyone has been talking about how hard it is to make an icon.  What program do you use?

Feel free to gack the icon if you want.  Anything I post here is free for gacking, of course.

Sue, Hippo-Bird-Dog to you! Hope you have many of them!

What a weird thing for the Marmite site to do, Claudia. What does it matter where you are! Very strange. But it is a hoot, isn't it! Never been there before. Lucy, love the icon. I've just managed to make my first ani-gif for the LJ but it took ages. There must be a better way and a better prog to do it on. What do you use?

Martha,  I was wondering when you would be back. Glad you had a great time and didn't get fazed by roundabouts! And doubly glad you got to Edinburgh. Great place, isn't it? Next time you must come "down West" and see us.

OK Lucia...you have the advantage of time...its only a quarter til 10 here!  LOL

Anyways........ Sue!!!!!!!!

Have a super duper AR kind of day, Birthday Girl! 

And like Lucia said.....

Here ya go, kathy!

 Way to go on the trip, martha! I'm glad you're back home safely.  Sounds like you and bunks got a lot in--in a very short period of time.  Thanks for sharing. 

Elaine, the Marmite commericals are cute.  I do wonder one thing though.  When I first clicked on the ad, it asked if I was in the UK.  Of course I clicked "Yes" out of sheer wishing I were!  LOL  But....I wondered what would happen if I clicked "No" so I tried it. Here's what I got: 

"Sorry, to view this ad you need to be resident in the UK."

Hmmm, makes me wonder why.....

I have to admit that I don't think I did try my Marmite packets as per SuzyQ's instructions.  She told me to spread it very thin and on hot butter toast.  I know I must have done something wrong. Oh well...

Happy Birthday Sue !!!

 OK?

Dee: beautiful job with the painting!  I love it! 

I called our movie theater today, and luckily they will show H2G2 starting tomorrow.  They just hadn't updated their website yet.  Phew!  Thanks for the invite to come down to Columbus though, Claudia! 

Elaine, that marmite site is quite funny--I guess I'll have to try a smidgin.  If only to say I did!

I listened to the NPR interview all the way through it is very good and they do mention AR ---and with a sound clip.

Enough from me --my kids are standing at the door waiting for dinner! (Their contract calls for 3 meals a day )

(BTW Po-Dunk is a slang equivilant to the more polite British expression "back of beyond") I think the British could cuss you out and still sound polite!

Home at last! And what a wonderful trip it was. Five days in London, then a week touring the countryside.

Took me almost as long to catch up with the reading here!

It was too bad that AR wasn’t at the after play talk, (I don’t think the topic would have digressed to other subjects – after all, people stayed on topic at the NFT, so I’m sure they would have here. ) but it was certainly not a “wasted” trip. The play was stunning. Megan Dodds did an awesome job, portraying Rachel’s shifting feelings from idealism, to outrage, to doubt, to fear and back with flawless skill. The time flew by. I even managed to forget that I was on the top floor of an ancient building in a packed room whose only exit was down a narrow flight of wooden stairs, the door to which was half blocked by a shoved aside stage prop. But I digress. There isn’t much to add to the reviews that have already been posted. I agree with Bunks that Rachel was driven by the injustice of the situation and would have been there had the nationalities/political parties been reversed. The feeling I got was that she, and the play, were anti-injustice, not anti- any particular group. I would love to have heard AR’s answer to how the material was picked for the play.

It was wonderful meeting up with Sue again, and raising a glass with her, Elaine, Juliet, and Nicole. (And Juliet brought ALL her Bowness pics to share!)

Kate and I went to see Henry IV with Michael Gambon and David Bradley. It was my first experience seeing Shakespeare done “right” by people who really know how, and is something I’ll not soon forget. DB was King Henry and MG was Falstaff. I don’t think it was my imagination that the first time MG called, “Harry!” that there were a few quiet snorts in the crowd.

After Kate had to leave, Bunks and I picked up a car and headed north. With her flawless navigational skills, we managed to cover a lot of territory. Not nearly enough time to explore, but I got enough of a look to know I’d like to come back.

Elaine – I LOVE round-abouts! If you’re not sure where to go, you just keep going ‘round until you figure it out. And if you do go the wrong way, why before you know it, there’s another one and you can reverse direction.

I did hear a lot of, “Mind the curb” the first few days as the hardest part was getting used to the bulk of the car being on my left. The best(?) time was in the Cotswolds when it was, “Mind the house!”

We saw Stonehenge, York, Edinburg, the Yorkshire Dales, the Cotswolds, standing stones, soaring eagles, ruined abbeys and much more. We walked the halls of Hogwarts and took pictures of the lake. (No giant squid, thank goodness.)

Everywhere we went, the people were wonderful. I hope someday to go back.

Claudia, Would you do me a favor?(or favour for John Cleese)  Would you re-post the picture of AR as a kid in a Nativity play?

Thanks 

Ooh, just found the ads on the Marmite site!

http://www.marmite.com/love/tv/

"po-dunk". Did we not hear Blalock say that?

For those of you who would like to try something a little less salty than Marmite, then "Vegemite" is my favourite.

http://www.vegemite.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=ourHeritage.welcome

It's Australian and milder in taste than Marmite. I must admit, Marmite (yes, just a smidgen) on hot buttered toast is devine! And there are some brilliant TV ads for Marmite at the moment. I'll have to keep an eye out and catch one.

Here is the link to the H2G2 NPR interview with the producers of the film.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4622372

Dee ---the picture is Fabulous didn't know that artist, its great. well done, you.

Sue, ---thanks for the explaination (and pic) of marmite.  Hmmmmmm, doesn't sound too inviting, very healthy tho  with lots of B vitamins in it.  Heck, they make beer out of yeast maybe I WOULD like it!

H2G2 Actually is coming to this po-dunk town tomorrow--I am shocked and amazed.  Will be first on my list Saturday or Sunday--whichever day I need a break from studying for finals.

In fact this afternoon they had an interview with the director on NPR ---I'll have to look it up and give you the particulars as I was only able to catch a short part of it.

emily--so sorry about the emoticon explosion, they are too much fun  to leave alone.  I

...We have to wait till august 2005 for HHG2tG.........

Whoo-hoo!  HHG2tG is playing at my favorite cinema!  I can't wait! I can't wait!

Sue, your sympathy for Emily on the emoticons (sorry Em) reminded me of something she posted last Sunday that I've been meaning to comment on. 

Aslan's voice.  Why in the world aren't they considering AR? 

BTW, I thought the idea of Cox's voice changing due to weight loss was a bit over the top.  LOL  

Ohhh that's to cool, Dee.  That one would be easy to put one's own face on the partner.     

AFNH -- "I'd love to see the Man's face transposed onto the figure of Oskar Kokoschka in one of his paintings - Bride of the Wind and The Tempest."

Kathy, Marmite is yeast extract. It is rather salty but I love it!It is also good to stir into stews and casseroles etc.

Sadly I don't think I shall be able to go to the Art interview. I'm already going to S.tPauls and I think my AR quota maybe used up for the month of June!

sue, what exactly is Marmite?  It's got a love it or leave it reputation, but what is it made out of? (Apparently AR buys it) The best thing I ever tasted in England is Sticky Toffee Pudding, and believe me while I'm there this summer I am going to search it out!  The best one I've tasted was at a little hole in the wall, wine bar comme restaurant on Lots Rd. in Chelsea. (can't think of the name of it right now). Yum, yum! (Bet AR likes that, too)

sue, are you joining us at the Art interview on the 21st?

My Mate Marmite! You either Love it or Loathe it as the ad used to say.

I LOVE it!! Whenever I have been ill Marmite on toast is the first thing I have when my appetite returns. I think a lot of you in the States make the mistake of plastering it on then don't like it. Just the merest smear will suffice (and that way the jar lasts forever)

I'd like to visit King Bills place too !

I have just returned from town and a trip to Waterstones (for some reason there are TWO branches in the same town quite close to each other!)In the window they had a HHG2G spread with some rather nice bookmarks laid out including a Marvin one. As I was purchasing a book I noticed a poster saying "Free Bookmark when you buy HHG2G" "Oh" I said to the guy "Shame I wanted a Marvin, oh well never mind"

As I handed over the cash he surreptiously opened the drawer under the till and very sneakily snuck one into my bag!!LOL

"Shh" he said "we probably won't sell many books and will have to end up giving them away anyway!"

Ooh lots of new snilies to play with!! Poor Emily

Sabine, come on down south........Hollywood Connection is giving it 1 screen.  With only one screen, I'm thinking I might wait a bit to go see it--I'm a bit on the claustrophobic side, unfortunately.  I can't believe its only getting one screen.  My area can be sooooo stoopid when it comes to knowing a hit when they see it.  Love Actually was the same story.  They only screened Sideways for a very short time prior to it winning award after award...then they bring it back for another short run.  

It seems like our local movie theater wont' be showing H2G2 anytime soon.  At least it's not on their website.      I guess I'll keep searchinig for the closest theatre that'll show it... 

Robyn reported in ARExp Yahoo Group that, when you see HHG2tG--do not leave before or during the credit roll. 

King Bill with lots of Marmite and the Stones living in his basement and their only gig would be to entertain King Bill and his friends on Friday night! How cool would that be?  

Pretty cute interview.  He reaffirms why I like him so much every time I see him.  Thanks Sue! 

BTW, what is it about Marmite???  SuzyQ sent me some little packets years ago and it is the most awful tasting stuff I have put in my mouth (or even up to my nose) in years!  Its the "vitaminy" taste I can't stomach. 

Elaine, I am outraged at your eBay discovery.  I've mailed each organization AND complained to eBay as well.  How dare the seller and how dare eBay to allow something like this to continue. 

Nice little interview with Bill Nighy on BBC

HHG2G review  HERE 

"Alan Rickman is the voice of Marvin, a very depressed robot. Rickman gets more hilarious mileage out of his voice than most actors get with everything."

London Evening Standard Editorial

Wednesday 27th April 2005

THEATRELAND BUZZES

"The acclaim that greeted the premiere of Elmina's Kitchen last night was exhilarating. It is just the latest success in a long run of remarkable West End productions, such as Don Carlos at the Gielgud, which closes on Saturday, Julius Caesar at the Barbican which is sold out, My Name is Rachel Corrie at the Royal Court - a dramatised version of emails from a courageous young woman who died trying to defend Palestinian homes from Israeli bulldozers - and a plethora of other impressive plays. By comparison Broadway, witch is hosting a series of unremarkable musicals seems lacklustre. Whatever challenges the West End faces from the congestion charge and the rest, this is a wonderful time for London's theatregoers."

Afraid I have to disagree with you there Dee!! Shoe shopping has always been for me something I would avoid at all costs. As a teen in the 60/70s I had an awful time trying to get shoes. All I wanted was the chunky trendy look but having a then size 8 AAA fitting if I was offered anything at all it was some awful black pointy court shoe that I wouldn't have been seen dead in even if my mother could have afforded it. I recall trailing round London looking for obscure shops that sold *big* shoes.

In old age my weight seems to have widened my feet a little and  manufacturers have gradually realised that some people have feet bigger than 7! I have actually been able to buy *cheap* shoes from M&S now but no shoe shopping is not a pleasaant memory

I just can't believe what you can get on ebay! I've just found a "trader" selling charity wristbands. He/she is selling them in job lots of 10 and "generously" says he will donate £1 per pack!! He has Breast Cancer ones, anti rascist ones and Beat Bullying ones so far. I've emailed the charities concerned hoping that something can be done! Sickens me. At least he doesn't seem to have got hold of the MPH ones yet!

Dee, although they have been together for over 30 years, there was a time that they did live in separate residences. But they have, in the last couple of years, moved back in together. 

It's amazing how shopping for shoes can lift your spirits! Armies around the world should take a break and head for "Shoe Carnival". Wars would cease on a global scale! (We all know I'm just being light-heartedly, right? No offense, right?) I'm home with a sassy pair of black heels -- tired, but happy!

Ali-Pat -- Oh!! Her mom's voice was the recording! I never caught that at all! You are so smart! It took me a few viewings to catch onto TMD, so I won't give up on AABA. Thanks for sharing!

BTW -- I've been lurking at another site (Yes, I've strayed... but I swear it didn't mean a thing!). They said that AR and Rima are a couple but haven't lived together in over a decade. It was a lengthy thread with several posters agreeing it was true. Huh? I've never heard that before and can't believe it. Does anyone here know anything about it?

There is a new article about Alan, go to this link :http://www.saultstar.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=106811&catname=Local+News&classif=News+%2D+Local 

The pic is awesome too

Yes, Kathy, the "new" Chelsea college is the "old"  Army Medical Services college which the government sold off because it was worth a lot more to them in real estate. We now have to go to a faceless college in Birmingham for our courses and seminars! It used to be a lovely building inside and the Officer's Mess Bar had some fantastic views over the Thames. I hope they have not mucked it about too much. (Not that I spent much time in the bar.... 

And who said we have to behave ourselves?

I'm really looking forward to it!

I promise this is the last post-----

just wanted to say that when I talked to the gentleman on the phone today to order my interview tickets (I hate to see my phone bill) he said the interviews would be at the "new" Chelsea on Millbank next to the Tate.

P.S. I promised Elaine I would behave myself, too!

Hello everyone----

Back home for just a short spell and then back to school for a review in my Women in Art Class  Next to the last day of school.  It has gone by so fast.  Finals will not be too bad the papers were the worst.

I DID get a ticket for the AR interview and was able to rearrange my B & B

booking to earlier, so I am all set for MY big adventure.  I also booked a ticket for the 2nd interview with a sculptor who went to Chelsea also.  What better combination than AR and art.  I will definitely report back!  I am also looking forward to some fun with the wild women on this GB!!

AABA is one of my favorites and as I have found with a number of his films it gets better and more meaningful with further watchings--DH is another one like that.  I liked AR's playfulness in AABA  I've had a hard time getting into MC but maybe it's because I've been preoccupied with school and not able to give it my full attention.

Alfan, that is a hoot isn't it? I love the way "Alexander" ennunciates, he is so like a certain *type* of aging Brit actors.

I've only watched it once, must see it again.

It will be an interesting interview and I'm sure we will be there to listen and not make it a "fan" event. I am really keen to find out what AR has to say about Art (for that, I presume, is what the theme will be about!) as it's a part of his life we really know very little about as none (or hardly any) of his work ever surfaces. I'm wondering if the Cochrane Theatre is the old Lecture Theatre from the AMS college. If so, it's a purpose built lecture theatre with tiers of seats rising above the small podium. (Bitter sweet memories of one weekend spent there - listening to a lecture by the brilliant Richard Homes and then being told by our CO that we were to be amalgamated with another unit - the product of that year's Defence Review!) The guy in the box office implied that it was the old college, so I think it will be quite "intimate".  Yum!

I wish I had got the 20gig Ipod now but maybe next year.... It will be a definite buy if I get mobilised again.  And the Ipod Photo would be even better! But the mini is pretty cool (mine's green.)

I change my opinion of AABA quite frequently. It's a bit of an odd film in a way, but likeable. As much as I don't like Hugh Grant, I think he turned in one of his better performances, too, merely because it was out of character for him. And AR is just top notch as usual. I've just read a review which describes him as an "ageing Lothario". Not really what I would have called him....

Congratulations kathy & RickiNicki!!!

...I'm preparing for "JUDAS KISS"  this evening on Dutch television...

AABA--> never seen it before & it still not released here in "Dutchy-Land"...(Moeoehooee)......

Hiya Ladies!

How do you do?

I have arrived home after university and I'm deaaaaaad... Gosh, getting up at 5:30 am and and get back around 21 hrs is killing me!! I don't have energy even to read your posts... I've read that something is going to happen in autum and seeing your reaction has to be good. Of course I don't think that I could be in London by this time (damn university...) so... good luck to everyone is going to go to whatever happens then. My envy and me would be here waiting for your reports .

Lots of love from the warm Spain!! (the summer is already here, yay!!)

I'm sure it's meant as a joke Susan.

And as for AR don't forget this is the man who told Kate Winslet  "Curtsey and I'll kill you!"!!

Wow 23 pages of posts in this guestbook!  Go you all!

Poor AR...with all these crazed fans on their way, he's not going to know what hit him! I'm green with envy! Please get pictures...from the front (those beautiful tea green eyes), from the side (that gorgeous nose), and from the back (his kissable little tush)

Susan -- I've read that "slap" expression too. I always took it to mean slap some sense into someone -- like when they are being stupid or hysterical. Frankly, I don't think it would help to slap Stella. If she didn't recognise the perfect man when he was literally between her thighs, she was never going to!

Whew! I'm getting myself a bit worked up for so early in the morning! Oh well, I'm off shoe shopping! Looking for a cute pair of black heels! Have fun everyone

Congrats to everyone who got tickets!  Sounds like another great event in AR fandom and I am looking forward to photos and reports.  Vicarious enjoyment, it's the life for me!